I served as Li Bai's page.

The enjoyable Mid-Autumn Festival garden party came to an end, and the opera performance also came to a close. Only Uncle Lu and a few servants remained in the garden, cleaning up the venue.

Li Bai summoned Wu Zhinan to the pavilion in the middle of the lake: "Brother Zhinan, the matter I mentioned in Changlong County about visiting Lord Li in Chengdu needs to be moved up. Yesterday, my master wrote that this winter the Emperor is opening up channels for advice and recruiting talented individuals. Local officials are encouraged to recommend any capable or extraordinary people they find, and the court will reward them handsomely. We must seize this opportunity. My master has traveled to Mount Daitian, and I plan to meet him tomorrow, and then we'll go to Chengdu together. What are your plans?"

"I'll go with you and see if we can get a position or two and make a difference," Wu Zhinan said.

"Then tell Yueyuan to say goodbye. We might not be back until the Spring Festival this time."

Li Bai turned to me and called out, "Yuehua, go and call Miss here."

"Okay," I replied as I ran toward the backyard. As soon as I entered the backyard gate, I saw the young lady standing inside, looking out over her shoulder. Two maids stood not far away, not daring to utter a sound.

"Miss, the young master requests your presence. Please come with me." I then turned to the two maids: "You two go back and rest. I'll bring the young lady back in a bit."

I led Miss to the pavilion in the middle of the lake in the garden. Li Bai briefly told Yueyuan about his trip to Chengdu, then pulled me to the shore, leaving the entire pavilion to Yueyuan and her fiancé, Wu Zhinan.

Yueyuan and Wu Zhinan each chose a chair and sat down facing each other, both too shy to look directly at each other.

"I'm going to Chengdu with Brother Taibai tomorrow, and I wanted to say a few words to you before I leave."

"When are you coming back?"

"Brother Taibai said he'll be back before the Spring Festival at the latest, so we'll have time to prepare for our wedding."

"Did you talk to your parents? You need to get their permission."

"I mentioned this to Brother Taibai when I last met him. I told them about it, and they readily agreed, hoping that I could achieve something and bring honor to my ancestors."

"I have no objections. It would be better if things went smoothly in Chengdu, but if not, we won't force it."

"I'll see what I can do, but it'll be really hard not to see you for a while."

"I'll miss you too. When you're away from home, listen to your brother, and take care of each other. Come back safely."

I seemed to hear the full moon sobbing. Li Bai stood up and said to the pavilion, "Sister, you should go back."

Yueyuan covered her face with a handkerchief and walked out of the pavilion. Wu Zhinan stood up and stared blankly at her, not knowing what to say to stop her.

I followed the full moon toward the inner courtyard, unable to utter a single word of comfort. For I knew this was their final farewell, an unchangeable historical fact.

After seeing Yueyuan off, Li Bai and Wu Zhinan lingered in the garden for a while and agreed to meet on the way to Xiaokuang Mountain the next morning. Wu Zhinan then took his leave and went home.

Li Bai entered the inner courtyard and went to the study, where the master and Li Yangbing were still chatting. As soon as Li Bai entered, the master asked, "So, according to what you said earlier, you're leaving tomorrow?"

"Yes, Father, I want to seize this opportunity. Tomorrow we'll go to Mount Daitian to meet Master, and then we'll head to Chengdu together. Wu Zhinan is going too."

"How can that be?" Li Bai's father objected. "His wedding to your sister is imminent, and there are still many things to prepare. You cannot take him away."

"We've already made arrangements. Isn't their wedding supposed to be on the Lantern Festival? We'll go home after we see Lord Su."

"Twelve already? I don't think that's appropriate. Can't we wait until after their wedding?"

"Father, we must seize this golden opportunity; we can't miss it, or we'll regret it."

At this moment, Li Yangbing interjected, "Are you referring to the Emperor's decree to recruit talented individuals? I heard about it when I arrived. This is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially for our Li family. Brother, just let them go! It would be great if they succeeded, but even if they don't, they'll gain valuable experience."

Under the persuasion of Li Yangbing and Li Bai, the master had no choice but to agree.

"You're leaving early tomorrow morning, so go say goodbye to your mother and sister!"

Li Bai walked out of the study and turned to walk towards his wife's room.

When he reached the outside of his wife's room, he heard Yueyuan sobbing inside; her mother was comforting her. Li Bai went inside.

"Mother," Li Bai called softly.

"Bai'er, come here quickly and tell your mother your plans."

"Mother, I hope to take advantage of the Emperor's widespread recruitment of talented individuals to see if I can enter officialdom and uphold the honor of our Li ancestors. My brother-in-law also wants to achieve great things so that my sister can enjoy wealth and prosperity with him in the future, so he wants to come with us."

"Sister, you don't need to be sad. Your husband's decision is for your future well-being."

"Brother, you must take good care of Zhinan. He rarely travels far from home and doesn't know anything about things outside. You need to teach him more."

"Don't worry, little sister, he's my brother and my good friend. I'll definitely take good care of him," Li Bai said.

"Bai'er, don't take Ziyi with you this time. Your Uncle Lu and Aunt Lu are getting old, and Ziyi needs to help with many things at home. Just take Yuehua with you."

"Mother, that's what I think too. Yuehua is enough."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Lu repeatedly said, "Thank you, Madam, thank you, Young Master."

When Li Bai came out of his wife's room, it was nearly midnight. After returning to his room, he packed his things for the next day, but couldn't fall asleep and tossed and turned. He woke up the next morning with swollen eyes. I quickly cut two slices of potato and placed them on his eyes; the swelling subsided in no time.

When it was time for breakfast, everyone came to the restaurant, which was a way of saying goodbye to Li Bai!

Li Bingyang said, "Twelve, I'll go with you too. It'll be good to have company."

"Uncle, why don't you stay a few more days? Forget about Twelve and the others, they've come all this way, why don't you stay a few more days?" the master said.

"No, I'll have to leave sooner or later anyway, so I'll go with Twelve and the others to take a look around."

"That's good. With you here, I feel more at ease. Please give them your advice."

After breakfast, Ziyi led the three of us to the gate. I carried my luggage on my back, hugged Ziyi tightly, and was about to leap onto the horse when Yueyuan came over with her wife.

"Yuehua, wait a minute."

They came to me and handed me a package.

"The money must be used wisely. If you run out, write back and I'll send someone to deliver it to you. Make sure to take good care of the young master."

"Don't worry, Madam. Young Master will be safe and sound."

After saying that, I leaped onto my horse, and Li Bai and Li Yangbing also mounted their horses. The three of us bid each other a reluctant farewell at the gate of Longxi Academy.