I served as Li Bai's page.

After Li Bai tried on two outfits, I decided to buy them, and I tried on another one. As we were walking out with the clothes, the shopkeeper said, "If this young master shaved his beard, he could truly rival Pan An."

Li Bai replied, "Boss, you're quite the smooth talker. No wonder you grew up under the emperor's nose."

I said, "No matter how well you explain it, I won't buy it anymore."

Li Bai and I left the clothing store and strolled around the town for a while before returning to the inn. After dinner and washing up, I took out Li Bai's poems and articles and began to carefully select some.

"Young master, please copy a few of each of the poems and articles I've selected and keep them in your bag so you can take them out anytime. From a reader's perspective, I believe these are the ones that will move me the most."

"How could your level of appreciation be the same as those officials? I'll do it myself!" Li Bai said, earnestly flipping through his manuscripts. As he turned the pages, he remarked, "I didn't expect to write so much over the years; most of it was just spontaneous expression, not worth collecting."

"Young Master, you are too modest. These are all masterpieces you created effortlessly; they will be remembered for generations."

"Yuehua, I thought I was good at exaggerating, but I didn't expect you to be even better at it. Why don't you try copying me? Don't just talk the talk, walk the walk."

Li Bai and I copied the manuscript until very late. After we finished copying it, I went back to my room, lay down on the bed fully clothed, and didn't want to move anymore.

After a good night's rest, Li Bai, dressed in his new clothes, looked even more radiant the next day. We packed our luggage, left the inn, mounted our horses, and rode towards Mingde Gate, the south gate of Chang'an. To show respect for the capital of the Tang Dynasty, Li Bai and I dismounted when we reached the city gate and led our horses toward Mingde Gate.

Li Bai and I were both visiting Chang'an for the first time. Entering through Mingde Gate, we came to the wide Zhuque Avenue, stretching straight ahead. This single street alone was enough to demonstrate the majesty of the capital. The streets on both sides led in all directions, and Li Bai and I dared not easily venture into the side streets. We led our horses along Zhuque Avenue.

I approached Li Bai and asked, "Young Master, where am I going?"

"Let's go and pay our respects to Prime Minister Zhang Yue first," Li Bai said.

"Isn't it a bit too hasty for us to pay our respects to the prime minister right after entering the city? Perhaps we should find an inn to stay in first," I said.

"Let's press on and see the Prime Minister first. I've heard that the Emperor's sister, Princess Yuzhen, is practicing Taoism in Zhongnan Mountain. I'd really appreciate it if someone could introduce me to her."

"Where can we find Zhang Shuo?"

"Don't say anything more, just follow me."

I followed Li Bai, walking along Zhuque Avenue to Zhuque Gate. Entering through Zhuque Gate led us to the Imperial City. Li Bai and I looked around the Imperial City for a while. Then Li Bai led me to the Prime Minister's Mansion. Li Bai handed me the horse's reins and approached the guards at the gate, saying, "Brother, please inform Lord Zhang that Li Bai, from Western Shu, requests an audience."

The constable said, "Please wait a moment." He then walked into the yamen (government office). A short while later, he came out and said:

"Young Master Li, Lord Zhang requests your presence."

Li Bai straightened his clothes, took the manuscript of his visit, and followed the yamen runner inside.

About an hour later, Li Bai emerged with a young gentleman. Upon reaching the entrance of the government office, Li Bai said:

"Young Master Zhang, it's rare that we hit it off so well. Come on, let's have a couple of drinks."

"Alright, Brother Taibai, please."

The two walked and talked side by side, with me leading the horse behind them. We exited the Vermilion Bird Gate and arrived at a wine shop in the East Market. I handed the horse to the waiter and followed Li Bai and the others into the wine shop. Li Bai and Young Master Zhang found a seat by the window, and I sat down next to Li Bai. The waiter brought the wine and dishes, and Li Bai personally stood up to pour Young Master Zhang a full glass of wine. The two raised their cups, and Li Bai said:

"It is an honor for me, Li Bai, to meet Young Master Zhang today. As a newcomer to the capital of this great nation, I hope Young Master Zhang will offer me much guidance."

"Brother Taibai, you are too modest. Your poems and songs are famous throughout the land. From high-ranking officials to ordinary children, everyone recites your poems. I truly admire you."

After they finished speaking, they drank a cup together.

"Brother Zhang, I recited the Six Classics at the age of five and read widely from various schools of thought at ten. I am familiar with all the literature in the world. Whenever inspiration strikes, words flow like a spring, quoting classics and allusions, and I can finish a piece in one go. Writing is a piece of cake for me. However, my desire to seek immortality and the Tao never wavers, and my ideal of loyalty to the emperor and serving the country is always kept in mind."

"Brother Taibai, you are truly a man of great ambition. We are living in the golden age of the Tang Dynasty, and the court needs talents like you."

"Brother Zhang, you flatter me."

The two men drank and flattered each other, and before they knew it, two hours had passed. It was already two or three in the afternoon, and we still had no place to stay in Chang'an. I stood up, poured more wine, and asked:

"Young Master Zhang, Chang'an is so prosperous, the public security must be quite good."

"That's right. Every afternoon at five o'clock, there's a curfew outside the city, which means outsiders are prohibited from entering. And each ward is also closed to outsiders starting at six o'clock. Young man, why do you ask such a question?"

"Young Master Zhang, my husband and I are new here and haven't decided where to stay yet, so we'd like to inquire about the rules first."

"Brother Taibai, haven't you found a place to stay yet? I can recommend you to a place where you can find lodging and also have the opportunity to be recommended," said Young Master Zhang.

"Brother Zhang, tell me, is there really such a wonderful place?"

"Brother Taibai, have you ever heard of Princess Yuzhen?"

"I know a little about him; he was also someone seeking immortality and the Dao, so he could be considered a like-minded person."

"Princess Yuzhen has become a nun in Zhongnan Mountain and often meets with ambitious people from society, recommending them to the Emperor. Why don't you stay at Yuzhen's villa in Zhongnan Mountain? If you can be summoned by Princess Yuzhen, with your literary talent, eloquence, and elegant appearance, you will surely be given an important position."

Upon hearing this, Li Bai immediately stood up, bowed deeply, and said:

"Thank you, Brother Zhang, for pointing out the right path for me."

"Brother Taibai, there's no need for such formalities. Princess Yuzhen and I are old acquaintances. I'll write a letter in a moment, and you can take it to Princess Yuzhen's villa. Someone will receive you there. Don't rush; just make sure you leave the city before curfew."

Li Bai and Young Master Zhang drank a few more cups, but Young Master Zhang's words made Li Bai lose his appetite for drinking; his mind had already flown to Zhongnan Mountain. Young Master Zhang noticed this and asked me to take out paper and pen to write a letter for Li Bai.

After Li Bai and Young Master Zhang finished their drinks, they left the tavern. After bidding farewell to Young Master Zhang, Li Bai and I headed towards Zhongnan Mountain.

We rode at breakneck speed and finally arrived at the Yuzhen Villa on Zhongnan Mountain before nightfall. Li Bai stepped forward and gently knocked on the temple gate. The door opened, and a female Taoist nun came out. Li Bai handed over the letter from Young Master Zhang, and the female Taoist nun said:

"It was Zhang Ji, son of Prime Minister Zhang, who introduced you. Please come in. However, the princess has gone to Mount Hua to cultivate and we don't know when she will return. Please stay here for now."

"Thank you, Master. We will wait for Princess Yuzhen to return," Li Bai said.

The female Taoist nun led us to the guest rooms in the inner courtyard of the Taoist temple and said:

"Several people who wanted to see the princess lived here, but they left before she arrived. There's a kitchen next to the temple; feel free to help yourself." With that, he walked out of the inner courtyard.