I served as Li Bai's page.

"Young Master, you can't rush things if you want to achieve something. Besides, you're already quite famous, and there are many people who admire you wherever you go," I said.

"Moonlight, these are all empty titles. What I want is to truly serve my country loyally. Even if you give me a small stage, I am willing to follow Your Majesty and contribute to the prosperity of our Great Tang."

"Young master, your wish will definitely come true. Let's go eat."

"You go first, I'll come back as soon as I'm done writing."

"Then hurry up!"

After lunch, Li Bai and Xu Ziyan chatted with Master Xu and Madam Xu for a long time. Li Bai inevitably got another lecture. After seeing Master Xu and Madam Xu off to their carriage, Li Bai breathed a sigh of relief, picked up his water jug, and went to Bai Zhaofeng to water the ginkgo tree.

Xu Ziyan's second pregnancy was much easier than her first. Except for not letting her hold Pingyang, Wu Ma agreed to let her do everything. She also stopped clinging to Li Bai.

But Li Bai changed. He still drank wine, but he became more profound and authoritative at home. He spent most of his time reading on the platform, making friends through literature. Everyone in Anlu knew Li Bai of Baizhao Mountain.

But I know that what Li Bai cared about most was having someone recommend him to the court so he could realize his dream of serving his country with utmost loyalty. This was also a reason why he married Xu Ziyan. He not only admired Xu Ziyan's talent but also the many officials in the Xu family, which would give him an advantage. However, things often didn't go as planned. Most of these officials treated Li Bai as a son-in-law, which made Li Bai feel deeply resentful.

That Spring Festival, Xu Ziyan was pregnant with her second child. Master Xu and his wife sent Steward Wu to Baizhao Mountain to invite Li Bai and his family to the Xu family residence in Da'an Mountain for a reunion dinner. When we arrived at the Xu residence, it was already packed with distinguished guests. Xu Ziyan's uncles and cousins ​​had long heard of Li Bai's fame and, taking advantage of the reunion, all wanted to exchange poems and songs with him. However, the difference in their abilities was too great, causing Li Bai to lose interest even after several attempts. He could only hold the wine jar and drink alone. I, carrying Pingyang, came to his side and said:

"Young Master, you must cater to these young masters' tastes. Don't say anything outright; their fathers wield real power."

"I can't do that, mainly because I have no interest in their poems or their words. I'm just not like them," Li Bai said.

"If you want someone to stand up for you, how can it work if you don't step up yourself?"

"I turned them down. I laid out my articles, my ideals and aspirations before them, but they ignored them completely, disregarding my existence. They only remember me when they need to indulge in intellectual pursuits. I'd rather not have that kind of relationship."

Li Bai and I were talking quietly when Pingyang climbed onto Li Bai's lap, wanting to drink from him. Li Bai picked Pingyang up and walked towards the small garden in the inner courtyard. Just then, Xu Ziyan finished her meal and was taking a walk among the flowers.

"Husband, have you finished eating? Why don't you have a few more drinks with my uncle and the others?" Xu Ziyan said.

"Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together. I'd rather stay and enjoy swinging with my daughter." After saying this, Li Bai picked up Pingyang and put her on the swing, gently rocking her.

Madam Xu rushed to the garden and scolded Li Bai, "Your father and I organized this New Year's Eve banquet so that you could network with these uncles and get a minor official position. That way, my daughter wouldn't suffer with you. But you, you couldn't even get a word in edgewise before leaving. You could have said something nice, flattered them a bit. It wouldn't have hurt you. You're driving me crazy!"

Xu Ziyan said, "Mother, let him be. He's not one to give in easily. Let him forge his own future. Don't worry about him."

Li Bai lifted Pingyang off the swing and stood silently to the side. Pingyang mimicked Xu Ziyan's tone and said, "Grandmother, don't worry."

Madam Xu's resentment vanished instantly, and she said, "It's up to you. Anyway, our Xu family isn't short of money. Pingyang, come, come play with your grandmother." Madam Xu led Pingyang outside.

Li Bai walked up to Xu Ziyan and said, "Madam, I'm sorry to have put you in such a difficult position. I simply cannot bring myself to say those things."

"My dear husband, it's nothing. As long as you're happy, I'm happy. Don't force yourself to do things you don't want to do, and don't make things difficult for yourself."

"Thank you for your understanding, Madam." Li Bai said as he stepped forward and gently embraced Xu Ziyan. Xu Ziyan was extremely happy at that moment.

After the reunion dinner, we returned to Baizhaoshan. Following local custom, Aunt Wu asked us to stay up all night to welcome the New Year. When the New Year's bell rang, Aunt Zhang served dumplings, and we all enjoyed another delicious meal.

After the New Year, Li Bai returned to his study, where he conversed with learned scholars and had no uncultured people among his acquaintances.

That day, Li Bai returned home, found me, and said to me:

"Yuehua, a friend of mine told me today that Master Meng is going to Yangzhou. I've already asked someone to pass on a message, asking him to come to the Yellow Crane Tower at the end of the month so we can meet there and see him off."

"Should I go with you? Have you told the young mistress?" I asked.

"Get ready, I'll tell her right away."

Li Bai found Xu Ziyan in the garden and said:

"Madam, I'll be going away for a few days at the end of the month. Meng Haoran is going to Yangzhou for a trip, and I'll go see him off."

"Should we go to Mount Lumen to see him off? I'd like to go too."

"No, going to Huanghe Mountain is inconvenient for you since you're pregnant. Besides, carriage passengers are prone to vomiting. You should stay home; I'll take Yuehua with me."

"When are you coming back?"

"It won't be long before Master Meng leaves, and then Yuehua and I will go home. Take good care of yourself and Pingyang at home."

"Then drink less when you go out, and don't be drunk all the time, putting Yuehua in a difficult position."

"I know, I will exercise restraint, don't worry, madam."

Soon it was the end of the month. I packed my bags, slung the brocade bag Li Bai had given me over my shoulder, and went to the gate. Wu Chao had already led out two horses for us. Li Bai and I leaped onto the horses, and Xu Ziyan led Pingyang to the gate. Pingyang broke free from Xu Ziyan's hand and ran towards us. Li Bai couldn't bear it, jumped off the carriage, picked up Pingyang, and said:

"Stay home with Mother. Father will be back in a few days." After saying this, she handed Pingyang to Wu Chao. The two of us rode our horses towards Huanghe Mountain.

When we arrived at Huanghe Mountain, it was already afternoon. We ate something casually on the street and then headed towards the summit.

Huanghe Mountain, shaped like a snake, rests its head on the great river and its tail plunges into the turbulent waters. At its highest peak stands the world-famous Yellow Crane Tower. We arrived at the foot of the tower, but Meng Haoran hadn't yet arrived. Li Bai led me upstairs, where we saw Cui Hao's poem: "The ancients have ridden the yellow crane away, leaving only the Yellow Crane Tower behind. The yellow crane is gone, never to return; white clouds drift aimlessly for a thousand years."

I asked Li Bai, "Young master, won't you write a few lines?"

Li Bai thought for a moment, then carved two lines with his sword: "The scenery before my eyes defies description, for Cui Hao's poem is already inscribed above it."

"Young Master, you're convinced now, aren't you?"

"Cui Hao's poem is a timeless masterpiece, encompassing both ancient and modern knowledge, leaving others speechless. I have to admire it," Li Bai said.