I served as Li Bai's page.

Lord Cui stopped and asked Yuan Danqiu, "Is there anything I can help you with, Daoist Yuan?"

"I have long admired Lord Cui's name, but have never had the chance to meet him. It is truly fate that we have met by chance today. I have a request to ask of you, esteemed Proofreader," Yuan Danqiu said, bowing with his hands clasped.

"It's alright for Master Yuan to say so," said Lord Cui.

"I have a friend, Li Bai, from Western Shu, who has recently written a poem entitled 'Ode to the Mingtang,' which he wishes to present to the Emperor. Could you please help me with this, Lord Cui?"

I took out the "Ode to the Mingtang" from my backpack and handed it to Lord Cui. Lord Cui unfolded it and exclaimed repeatedly, "Truly a masterpiece, a rare find! Master Yuan, I would like to get to know you."

"Of course, when will Lord Cui be available?"

"I will be waiting for Li Bai at the tavern south of Tianjin Bridge tomorrow morning. I am currently busy and must excuse myself." Lord Cui folded the article and tucked it into his sleeve. He left in a hurry.

I asked Yuan Danqiu, "Master Yuan, is this Lord Cui reliable?"

"He should be much more reliable than the other officials. His position is Proofreader, which means he is often in close proximity to the Emperor. Moreover, he is also a literary figure, having written many poems and essays. His name is Cui Chengfu."

I breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Now it all depends on the young master's luck."

Yuan Danqiu smiled noncommittally and led me back to the inn.

Li Bai and Yuan Yan didn't return until very late that night. Yuan Danqiu and I sat in the room until they appeared, supported by each other.

Li Bai and Yuan Yan entered the room. Seeing Yuan Danqiu and me looking at them, they realized they had gone a bit too far with the drinking and quickly stood up straight, assuring us:

"I promise I won't get drunk tomorrow, and I promise I'll be home early."

The two walked up to Yuan Danqiu, each grabbing one of his arms and saying, "Don't be angry, we'll take you out to play tomorrow."

Yuan Danqiu chuckled and said, "I've already arranged for someone to meet you at the tavern south of Tianjin Bridge tomorrow morning. Don't be late."

Li Bai and Yuan Yan asked simultaneously, "Who is this person that you dare to trouble Young Master Yuan to personally request an audience?"

Yuan Danqiu said, "Lord Cui Chengfu, a proofreader of the current dynasty, wishes to see Li Bai."

Upon hearing the name Cui Chengfu, Li Bai immediately became serious and said, "Danqiu Sheng, I am so grateful to you. You actually found Cui Chengfu; he is a great writer."

"Lord Cui has read 'Ode to the Mingtang' and wishes to meet you. He invites you to meet him at the tavern south of Tianjin Bridge tomorrow morning," Yuan Danqiu said to Li Bai.

"I will definitely go and wait early. It's late, everyone should rest." After saying this, Li Bai went back to his room to rest.

The next day, Yuan Danqiu and Yuan Yan, the brothers, also followed Li Bai to the tavern south of Tianjin Bridge. This bridge, which spans the Luo River, can be considered the central axis of the Eastern Capital. At the southern end of the bridge, amidst a bustling area, stands a tavern that offers tranquility amidst the noise.

The four of us crossed the bridge and arrived at the restaurant. It was still early, so Li Bai and the others found a seat by the window right next to the Luo River. I waited for Lord Cui to arrive in front of the restaurant.

Lord Cui, being a literary master, kept his word. We arrived shortly after, and he followed. Li Bai and the others came out of the restaurant to greet us. After Yuan Danqiu introduced them, Lord Cui took Li Bai's hand and said:

"Li Bai, your poems and songs are full of imagination and exaggeration, grand and magnificent, bold and unrestrained, which I admire greatly."

"Lord Cui, you flatter me. I, Li Bai, am unworthy of such praise. Your writings are the true model for me to learn from," Li Bai said.

"I have already presented your 'Ode to the Mingtang' to the Emperor. However, with the year drawing to a close, it may be difficult for the Emperor to calm down and read your work. We will need to wait patiently," Cui Chengfu said.

Li Bai stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Many thanks to Lord Cui for his guidance; I will never forget it. Never mind that, let's drink."

The four men clinked glasses and drank heartily.

Li Bai said to me, "Moonlight, play two tunes. With only wine and no music, how can we truly enjoy ourselves?"

I took out the bamboo flute that Master Ziyang had given me from my backpack, tested the pitch, and began to play "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River." Li Bai, accompanied by the flute's melody, softly sang: "Her form is like a startled swan, graceful as a swimming dragon. Radiant as autumn chrysanthemums, flourishing as spring pines. Faintly, like light clouds veiling the moon; drifting, like swirling snow in the wind. From afar, she shines like the rising sun at dawn; up close, she glows like a lotus emerging from clear water. Her figure is perfectly proportioned, neither too slender nor too plump. Her shoulders are like those of a sculpted figure, her waist as slender as a silken thread. Her neck is long and elegant, her skin fair and radiant. She needs no adornment, no makeup. Her hair is piled high like clouds, her eyebrows are long and delicate. Her lips are bright red, her teeth are white and gleaming. Her eyes are bright and expressive, her dimples charming. Her beauty is captivating, her demeanor serene and composed. Her gentle grace and captivating charm are evident in her every word..."

As the flute music ended and Li Bai finished his recitation, Cui Chengfu led the applause and stood up, saying, "I'll also perform a short song for everyone. Moonlight, the flute music begins."

I played "Short Song Ballad" on my whistle, and Cui Chengfu stood up from his seat, reciting the poem while exaggerating the actions in it, which made everyone laugh.

The drinking lasted from morning till dusk, and a thin mist rose from the Luo River under the night sky, like the beautiful clothes of the goddess Luo.

Li Bai and Yuan Yan helped each other back to the inn, and Yuan Danqiu personally escorted Cui Chengfu back to his official residence.

Ever since Cui Chengfu first drank with Li Bai, he would invite Li Bai and Yuan Yan to drink whenever he had free time. Yuan Danqiu returned to Songshan the day after they drank together. Yuan Yan was supposed to return to Qiao County as well, but seeing that Li Bai had not left, he stayed as well.

The Spring Festival passed quickly amidst Li Bai and his companions' unrestrained revelry. Li Bai never received the imperial edict, and Cui Chengfu was helpless. As summer approached, Yuan Yan and Cui Chengfu had to leave, and they shared a farewell drink at a tavern south of Tianjin Bridge.

Yuan Yan asked, "Brother Taibai, do you intend to stay in Luoyang, or do you have other plans?"

Li Bai replied, "Let's go home. Let's go back to Anlu to see my wife and children."

"Since I have nothing to do in Qiao County, I will come to Anlu to find you," Yuan Yan said.

"Okay, I'll be waiting for you in Anlu. We'll go to Bai Zhaofeng for a good drink then." After saying that, the two gave each other a high five, indicating that they would meet there.

Cui Chengfu picked up his wine glass, downed it in one gulp, and said, "I don't have your freedom. I can't go anywhere, I can only stay here. I'm so envious."

Li Bai said, "I envy you. You have an official post that I've begged and pleaded for but couldn't get. I'm afraid I'll never have a connection with the imperial court in this lifetime."

"Taibai, don't be discouraged. Your fame is growing day by day, and the Emperor will discover you," Cui Chengfu comforted Li Bai.

"I hope so," Li Bai sighed, and drank two cups in a row.

After seeing Yuan Yan and Cui Chengfu off, Li Bai and I returned to the inn.

I asked Li Bai, "Are you really going back to Anlu? I'm making preparations."

"Pack your luggage. We'll go to Dongdu City again tomorrow, and leave the day after."

"Okay. No taking it back."

"I will never go back on my word."

Li Bai and I walked the streets of Luoyang. When we reached Tongtian Palace, Li Bai gazed at the Mingtang Hall for a long time, reluctant to leave. He placed his hopes on his "Ode to the Mingtang Hall," but it failed to resonate with the emperor. We stood outside Shangyang Palace, hoping for a miracle to witness the emperor's countenance, but our luck did not prevail. Li Bai and I stood on Tianjin Bridge, watching the Luo River flow endlessly into the distance, but we still did not see the goddess of the Luo River display her beauty.

"Young master, let's go back to the inn. Tomorrow, we'll go home."

"Okay, let's go home."