In the Northern Song Dynasty, he started by marrying the eighth daughter of the Su family.

Wang Qian and Su Zhen were chatting when there was a knock on the door. Su Zhen immediately asked:

"who is it?"

"I am Shen Kuo."

Wang Qian seemed to perk up a bit, and seeing her like this, Su Zhen got up to open the door for Shen Kuo. Shen Kuo stood outside, clearly not expecting it to be Su Zhen.

"Lady Su".

Su Zhen glanced at Wang Qian, who was looking curiously at the door, then led Shen Kuo outside and asked, "How did it go? How did the conversation between Young Master Shen and my husband go?"

Shen Kuo glanced around the room and said in a low voice, "I plan to propose marriage before I leave."

Su Zhen smiled and nodded: "That's good, but Lady Wang is still in our home, so how can we propose marriage?"

Shen Kuo scratched his head and said, "I don't know either."

"Alright, alright, is Young Master Shen taking Lady Wang out for fun today?" Su Zhen didn't ask any further questions and simply asked this.

"This should be the last time... I might have to send her back today, otherwise I might never be able to propose marriage again." Shen Kuo nodded, and as he spoke, a clear sense of loss appeared in his eyes.

"But I'm also afraid that Doctor Wang won't agree. After all, Madam Wang has been away for so long, and I also bear some responsibility for that."

Su Zhen said, "Don't think about so much now. Anyway, it's only the third day since the winter solstice. We still have to celebrate the winter solstice tomorrow. You must protect Lady Wang and come over tomorrow to eat winter solstice noodles with her."

"I......"

Shen Kuo was taken aback for a moment, and then Su Zhen left, saying, "Alright, alright, I have to go keep my husband company now. Young Master Shen, you should also keep Lady Wang company. You can take her out for a stroll. Go ahead."

As she spoke, she left, waving the silk handkerchief in her hand and humming the song that Han Zhi had written for her: "People outside the painting are easily decayed~ like colors of varying shades, first adorned with ice and snow, then dipped in vermilion and purple to ascend the golden and silver towers."

Heaven's will is etched in the azure city, swords and bows rusted brown, a hand raised in the ancient night, severing the blue and green of the right, illuminating me, fireflies marrying the daytime, a lone shadow returning to the torrent..."

Shen Kuo watched Su Zhen leave, then entered Wang Qian's room and bowed slightly to her, saying, "Madam Wang."

"Sir Shen."

Shen Kuo smiled slightly, then noticed the book "Dream Pool Essence" in her hand and asked, "This book is all notes, and it's rather dry. I wonder if it's suitable for Lady Wang to read?"

Wang Qian then thought of what Su Zhen had just said, that Shen Kuo wanted to propose marriage, and blushed slightly.

She nodded and said, "It's alright, I can understand it."

"That's good......"

The atmosphere in the room was somewhat awkward. Judging from Wang Qian's expression, it seemed that Han Zhi had told Su Zhen everything. And Su Zhen had just told Wang Qian as well, otherwise things wouldn't have come to this.

Not knowing where to put his hands, he asked, "Madam Wang, how are you feeling today?"

"It's alright." Wang Qian looked at Shen Kuo, somewhat expectant of what he wanted to say.

"Then... I wonder if you would do me the honor of visiting Liang Garden with me?" Shen Kuo didn't dare to look at Wang Qian at this moment, but just lowered his head and said, "I have heard that Liang Garden is very beautiful in winter."

"The snow covers everything, turning the trees silver and reflecting the emerald green. When the snow stops, the clouds disperse, and the sun rises. The silver-clad landscape is enchanting and the scenery is delightful. Hence the name 'Snow Clearing in Liangyuan'."

Wang Qian nodded and readily agreed: "Okay."

Shen Kuo was stunned for a moment: "Ah...ah?"

Wang Qian then said, "When I invited Master Shen, he never refused. Now that Master Shen has invited me, I naturally cannot refuse."

Shen Kuo laughed and quickly extended his hand to lead the way, saying, "Please, Madam Wang."

Although the winter sun is not as intense as the summer sun, it has its own gentle beauty, shining on the snow with delicate and warm light. Wang Qian gently lifted her skirt and followed Shen Kuo's steps as the two walked out of the room together.

Shen Kuo led Wang Qian through the courtyard, taking each step with extra care, afraid that the slippery snow would cause Wang Qian to fall.

After leaving the Marquis of Fuping's residence and getting into the carriage, Shen Kuo asked, "Madam Wang, is there anything you need to prepare? You are frail and have a lung ailment. I can go and borrow a hand warmer from Brother Han."

Wang Qian gently shook her head, her smile gentle: "Having Mr. Shen by my side is the best preparation."

Upon hearing this, Shen Kuo smiled slightly and then told the coachman to set off.

The carriage stopped directly at the entrance of Liang Garden. Liang Garden was deserted, and it was snowing. Shen Kuo quickly took an umbrella from the carriage and used it to shield her from the snow.

"Thank you, Mr. Shen."

Just as Shen Kuo had described, the trees covered in snow looked as if they were wearing a silver veil. Under the sunlight, they shimmered with dazzling light, contrasting beautifully with the exposed green leaves.

They strolled through the garden, sometimes pausing to admire the snow scene, sometimes conversing quietly. Suddenly, they spotted a plum blossom branch, and Shen Kuo reached out, broke off a branch with icicles clinging to it, and handed it to Wang Qian, saying:

“Madam Wang, although these plum blossoms are not as abundant as those in spring, they have their own unique charm. I’m giving them to you.”

Wang Qian covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, "Master Shen really has a cruel heart."

Shen Kuo was taken aback: "Why do you say that, Madam Wang?"

"This plum blossom, adorned with icy thorns, remains vibrant. It must have endured much hardship to bloom. Now, Master Shen has plucked it, wouldn't that ruin the flower's glory?"

Shen Kuo scratched his head and said, "What Lady Wang says is true."

He bent down and gently planted the plum blossom branch in the ground.

Shen Kuo was very talkative today, for reasons unknown. Wang Qian occasionally responded softly, her voice gentle and clear, and their conversation was elegant and refined.

The two continued on their way until they came to a small pavilion. Shen Kuo pointed to the pavilion and asked, "Madam Wang, why don't we rest here for a while?"

"can."

"Please." Shen Kuo held the umbrella until Wang Qian arrived at the pavilion.

Wang Qian sat in the pavilion, looked up at the outside, and smiled, "Master Shen, look at this snow scene, it's truly breathtaking."

Shen Kuo nodded in agreement: "Indeed, as Lady Wang said, the snow in Liang Garden is truly well-deserved of its reputation. It is my great honor to be able to enjoy this scenery with Lady Wang."

Upon hearing this, Wang Qian blushed and lowered her head, saying softly, "Master Shen is too kind. I am but a humble lady, and it is my blessing to be treated so well by you."

“Sir Shen, actually…” Wang Qian suddenly spoke, her voice tinged with hesitation, “There is something I have to say, but I don’t know if I should.”

Shen Kuo nodded and said, "Please speak freely, Madam Wang."

Wang Qian took a deep breath and mustered her courage to say, "Since I met Master Shen, I have always felt that he is of noble character and talented. I have also heard about the marriage proposal."

Shen Kuo had already anticipated this, so he could only nod.

"If Master Shen wishes to propose marriage, I may return home myself and speak with him. That way, I will not make things difficult for Master Shen."