I served as Li Bai's page.

Li Bai and Yuan Danqiu awoke to the sound of Pingyang and Boqin laughing and joking.

After waking up, Yuan Danqiu hurriedly ate breakfast and went to Xuandu Temple, saying there was an important religious ceremony today. Li Bai finished breakfast and practiced calligraphy with Pingyang and Boqin for a while before going downstairs to chat with the innkeeper. After tidying up the room, at Pingyang and Boqin's request, I led them out of the inn.

Li Bai chased after them and asked, "Where are you going?"

"Let's go for a stroll in the streets. Yesterday we only went to Daxingshan Temple," Pingyang replied.

"I want to go too," Li Bai said as he walked towards us. Pingyang ran up and took Li Bai's hand, and the two strode ahead.

Li Bai led us first to the West Market on Zhuque Avenue, telling the two children stories about the West Market as we walked. Then we crossed Zhuque Avenue to the East Market, and unexpectedly, Li Bai led us to the old cockfighting arena. It was still as lively as ever, with many people fighting cocks. Pingyang and Boqin were filled with curiosity when they saw the cockfighting, and Li Bai took the opportunity to boast about his past achievements, making the two children very envious.

I added, "Later, your father even got into a fight here. Luckily, Mr. Lu called the military police, so your father didn't suffer any losses."

"Uncle, what exactly happened? Tell us about it." The two children looked at me. I briefly told them the story of Li Bai's cockfight back then. As soon as they heard that several people were surrounding Li Bai, they clenched their fists, wishing they had been there at the time.

Li Bai said, "Don't listen to your uncle. With my skills, would I ever be at a disadvantage? I was just letting them win. Alright, Yuehua, stop talking, you'll scare the children. Come on, I'll take you to the imperial city for a stroll."

We followed Li Bai out of the East Market, through the Zhuque Gate, and into the Imperial City. Most of the government offices and yamen were located in the Imperial City. The buildings here were much more ancient and elegant than those on Zhuque Avenue. There weren't many pedestrians on the street, and it was clear that most of them were sons of wealthy families. They were in groups of three or five, chatting and laughing, much more elegant and composed than the common people on Zhuque Avenue who were dressed in plain clothes, hurrying along, struggling to make a living.

Li Bai led us from one end of the imperial city to the other, and at noon we chose a rather upscale-looking restaurant for lunch. As the waiter led me to a table by the window, a man at the next table stood up, walked over to Li Bai, and said:

"Brother Taibai, it's been a long time."

Li Bai stood up from his seat, grasped the other man's hand, and said, "Brother Lu, how have you been? We were just talking about you this morning, and now we're meeting again at noon. This proves we're destined to meet."

I quickly greeted him, "Hello, Mr. Lu."

Pingyang and Boqin also stood up politely and said, "Hello, Uncle."

Lu Diao turned to the two children and asked Li Bai, "Brother Taibai, is this your son? He's so clever and well-behaved."

Li Bai said, "Brother Lu, you flatter me. They are indeed my two young sons. Brother Lu, please sit down. We've been apart for so long; let's have a good drink together."

"Of course we should have a couple of drinks. Brother Taibai, let me introduce you to a friend of mine, who is also from my hometown." After saying this, Lu Diao turned to the next table and called out, "Wang Yan, come here, let me introduce you to a friend you've long admired."

Wang Yan walked over, staring at Li Bai, and said, "Could it be Li Taibai?"

"You're right, it is indeed Li Bai, the Qinglian Hermit," Lu Diao said.

Wang Yan stepped back two paces, clasped his hands in a deep bow to Li Bai, then waved his sleeves and loudly sang: "When crows roost on the Gusu Terrace, Xi Shi is drunk in the Wu King's palace. The Wu songs and Chu dances have not yet ended, and the green mountains seem to swallow half the sun. The silver arrow and golden pot leak too much water; I rise to see the autumn moon sinking into the river waves. The east is gradually rising; what joy can I possibly have!"

As Wang Yan sang, the few diners in the restaurant gradually gathered around, and two people even joined in the singing. After the song ended, upon learning that Li Bai was present, everyone greeted him and expressed their love for his poetry.

Li Bai was flattered and quickly bowed to everyone, saying, "I am but a humble man, and I am deeply grateful for your kind words. Thank you!"

Wang Yan then recited Li Bai's "The Road to Shu is Hard," and after he finished, another guest recited "Quiet Night Thoughts." Everyone took turns reciting poems, and for a moment the restaurant became a classroom filled with the sound of reading. Li Bai, Lu Diao, and Wang Yan would occasionally raise their wine cups and drink them down in one gulp.

After the meal, the guests left, and the six of us walked out of the restaurant. Lu Diao and Wang Yan had to take their leave, and they arranged to meet Li Bai at Xuandu Temple the following morning.

Li Bai led us to Chengtian Gate on the north side of the imperial city. Seeing the majestic palace walls, the solemn Chengtian Gate on the palace walls, and the fully armed guards in front of the gate, we couldn't help but feel awe.

"Young Master, I'm afraid we can't get in." I said to Li Bai, holding Boqin's hand in one hand and Pingyang's hand in the other.

"How can anyone just walk in and out of the Emperor's residence? I'm just bringing you here to broaden your horizons and show you how magnificent the Emperor's home is," Li Bai said.

As we were talking, two horses rode out of Chengtian Gate, carrying two guards clad in armor and with long swords at their waists. They slowly passed through Chengtian Gate and headed towards the imperial city.

Li Bai led us aside, and a horse stopped just in front of us. The rider called out to us, "Are you Li Bai, the Qinglian Hermit of Western Shu?"

"It is indeed I." Li Bai looked up and saw that the man was none other than Zhang Qing, the Commandant of the Guards.

Zhang Qing dismounted, took Li Bai's hand, and said, "It's been several years since we parted at Shanglin Garden. Amidst this bustling crowd, I recognized you at a glance. We're destined to meet."

"I am deeply honored to have Lord Zhang remember me. Would you do me the honor of inviting me for a drink?"

"Of course, but it's on me," Zhang Qing said.

Zhang Qing turned around and gave a few instructions to the guards behind him, handed them the horse's reins, and then, taking Li Bai's hand, walked out of the imperial city. I followed behind them with Pingyang and Boqin. Zhang Qing turned to look at us, and Li Bai quickly introduced them: "Lord Zhang, these are my two children and my page."

"I recognize your pageboy; he was there at Shanglin Garden that year. This is the first time I've seen your two children; they've grown so much."

I quickly said, "Greetings, Lord Zhang. You always look so imposing when I see you."

"I am the Emperor's bodyguard, so of course I must have the bearing of a true man," Zhang Qing said.

"Uncle Zhang, what do the Emperor's guards do? Is it fun?" Boqin asked innocently, making Zhang Qing laugh. I quickly covered Boqin's mouth and said, "That's your job, not a game."

"Kid, if you get the chance, your uncle will let you see what the emperor's guards do, and see if it's fun," Zhang Qing said, stroking Bo Qin's head.

"Brother Zhang, don't listen to my son's nonsense, let's go drink," Li Bai interjected.

Our group passed through the imperial city and returned to Zhuque Street. Li Bai invited Zhang Qing to drink at a wine shop in the East Market, while I took the two children back to the inn.