I served as Li Bai's page.

"Young master, you truly have a discerning eye. Tell me how you want the layout renovated, and we'll begin construction tomorrow so you can fulfill your wish as soon as possible."

I told Wu Chao about Li Bai's idea, and Wu Chao said, "It's much simpler than building a house; it can be completed in just a few days."

"On behalf of my young master, I thank Butler Wu."

"We're all family, so this is what I should do," Wu Chao said.

When Wu Chao and I got home, Wu Chao called Xiao Peng and Xiao Zhang to prepare the tools and materials for the renovation.

I walked towards the inner courtyard. Li Bai was reading in his study. Seeing me return, he beckoned to me and whispered, "Yuehua, come here."

I walked over and said, "Young Master, is there something you need?"

"How's my business going? Hurry up!"

"Don't worry, Wu Chao and I have already gone to check it out, and construction will start tomorrow," I said.

Just then, Xiaoqian came over and said, "Yuehua, the young mistress is calling for you; she's in the back garden."

I arrived at the back garden, where Zhang Ma was accompanying Xu Ziyan for a walk.

"Young Madam, is there something you need?"

"Come here and tell me about the young master's reading platform."

"Peach Blossom Rock isn't far from us. It's about a 15-minute walk if we take a detour, but going straight would save a lot of time. It's just a rugged path, though. Actually, it's right next to us on that cliff face to the west," I said.

"Since you say it's a sheer cliff, it must be extremely dangerous. Why not study in a perfectly good place instead of choosing a dangerous one?"

"It's a natural cave, a crack in the mountainside, sunny inside, sheltered from the wind and rain, and with a stream flowing by, it's a perfect place to read."

"Is it dangerous to go into the cave?"

"No, Wu Chao and I checked. There are several stone steps, but they are all sturdy and solid."

"Then you and Wu Chao should hurry up and get things done for the young master, so he won't worry so much."

"Mrs. Xie, I will definitely get it done as soon as possible."

"Aunt Zhang, you go cook. I'm going back to my room to lie down for a while."

I helped Xu Ziyan walk towards the inner courtyard.

After we finished repairing the reading platform, Li Bai carried several large bundles of books to it and spent all his time there, from dawn till dusk, even having someone bring him his lunch. Xu Ziyan was helpless, both heartbroken and angry.

A few days passed, and as Zhang Ma put it, Xu Ziyan's due date was approaching. That day, just as Li Bai was about to leave, I stopped him and said:

"Young Master, starting today, you can no longer go to the Reading Platform. The Young Madam is about to give birth, and you must stay with her."

Li Bai thought for a moment, then turned around and went back into the house, sitting down next to Xu Ziyan.

"Husband, why didn't you go to the reading platform today?" Xu Ziyan asked.

"You're about to give birth, I'll stay by your side and won't go anywhere."

Moved, Xu Ziyan hugged Li Bai tightly and said, "You are truly my good husband."

Fortunately, Li Bai did not go to the reading platform. Around noon, Master Xu, Madam Xu, and Wu Ma arrived at Baizhao Mountain in a carriage.

As soon as Madam Xu entered, she said, "Zhang Ma, Yuehua, and Xiaoqian, get ready. This afternoon, take your son-in-law and young lady back to Da'an Mountain. My daughter can't give birth here; it's too dangerous."

I quickly replied, "Yes, sir and madam."

"Let Wu Chao look after this household. We'll see how things go after Miss gives birth," Madam Xu said.

Li Bai stood there stunned, then suddenly blurted out, "Why can't Ziyan give birth to her child in her own home?"

Mrs. Xu said, "It's not safe to give birth here."

"Wouldn't the birth be the same at the Xu residence? We can just bring the midwife up here." Li Bai then turned to Xu Ziyan and said, "Ziyan, I'd like our child to be born in our own home, is that alright?"

Looking at Li Bai's determined gaze, Xu Ziyan was at a loss for what to do. On one hand, she was afraid of giving birth, and on the other hand, she felt that what Li Bai said made sense.

Madam Xu urged from the side, "Zhang Ma, make lunch. We'll leave after we eat."

Li Bai stood silently on the balcony outside the hall, neither speaking to Master Xu nor paying attention to Xu Ziyan. Even when it was time to eat, he remained standing. Xu Ziyan, in her anxiety, suddenly experienced a stomachache. Wu Ma and Zhang Ma quickly helped her to bed and ran out to tell Madam Xu:

"Master, Madam, Miss is about to give birth, and there's no time to return to Da'an Mountain. Quickly, send someone to fetch a midwife."

Master Xu hurriedly called out, "Old Wu, quickly go and fetch a midwife."

Upon hearing this, Li Bai was terrified. He rushed towards the room, but was stopped at the door by Wu Ma and Zhang Ma: "When a woman is giving birth, men should leave. Go to the kitchen and boil some water."

Li Bai came to the kitchen, where Wu Chao and I had already started boiling water. Li Bai would stand at the inner courtyard gate for a while, listening to Xu Ziyan's painful screams, and then run to the main gate to see if Steward Wu had returned.

Master Xu and his wife were as anxious as ants on a hot pan.

Li Bai said, "I'll go see if Steward Wu has returned yet." He then started to walk outside.

"Now you know how to panic, huh? Where were you all this time? If anything happens to my daughter, I'll never forgive you. What good will it do you to go see Steward Wu?" Madam Xu said.

Hearing Xu Ziyan's painful screams, I went over to Li Bai and said, "Young Master, go to the door of her room and talk to the young mistress to distract her. Perhaps that will ease her pain a little."

"But Aunt Zhang and Aunt Wu wouldn't let me in."

"Why don't you just stand at the door and talk to her? You're such a blockhead," Mrs. Xu said.

Li Bai arrived at the room door and whispered, "Ziyan, I'm watching over you outside. Don't be afraid."

"Young Master, you need to speak louder, and say what she usually loves to hear," I said.

Li Bai changed his approach and tone, shouting loudly: "Wife, be strong! Your child was born in your own home; how honorable is that? I'll be watching over you outside."

Xu Ziyan heard Li Bai's words from inside and cried out, "I know, I must give birth to my child in my own home."

"Go for it, baby!" Li Bai said again.

Xu Ziyan shouted in response, "Go for it!"

At this moment, the midwife invited by Steward Wu arrived. The midwife entered the room, and soon a baby's cry was heard from inside. Li Bai's first child was born.

Li Bai sat down on the edge of the flower bed in the courtyard, covered in sweat, as if he were his own child.

Xiaoqian carried a basin of water into the room. When she came out, Li Bai stepped forward and asked, "How is the young mistress?"

Aunt Wu came out and said, "Don't worry, mother and daughter are safe."

Upon hearing this, Master Xu and his wife breathed a long sigh of relief and said, "It's good that you're safe and sound."

After cleaning the room, Wu Ma and Zhang Ma came out and said to Li Bai, "Young master, go inside and keep your wife and daughter company."

Li Bai stood up excitedly and called out to me, "Yuehua, bring me some clean clothes. I need to change before I see my daughter."

"But your clothes are all in the young mistress's room, what should we do? Let me fetch you a basin of water so you can wash your face and hands," I said.

"Then hurry up."

Xiaoqian had already brought the water, and Li Bai carefully washed his face and hands, then walked towards his daughter with triumphant steps.