I served as Li Bai's page.

Li Bai stood up and said to me, "Yuehua, come on, let's go for a walk."

Cen Xun said, "I want to go too."

The three of us walked out of the Bitter Bamboo Courtyard. Li Bai pulled me to his side and said, "Go to the kitchen and get me a pot of wine, and some snacks to go with it. Let's celebrate."

"It's already dark outside, where should we go to celebrate?" I said.

"It's right under this osmanthus tree, go get it quickly."

I went to the kitchen, and was about to open the cupboard to find some wine, when Master Ziyang appeared in front of me: "You startled me, senior. Couldn't you at least make a little noise when you walk?"

"You came to steal my wine, and I'm not allowed to follow you? There's a pot of fine osmanthus wine in that cabinet over there. Go get it, and I'll get the cups." Master Ziyang said, taking a few cups from the cabinet and walking towards the osmanthus tree.

I followed behind him, carrying the wine. When we reached the osmanthus tree, Li Bai and Cen Xun saw Master Ziyang and came over to greet him: "Old Taoist Master, haven't you rested yet? Let's all have a drink." The three of them then sat down on the ground.

I was holding the wine jar, intending to go around to the front to pour it for them, but I tripped over a stone and fell forward, throwing the jar away. Startled, I spun around with my head as the center and caught the jar with my feet.

"That was close, we almost didn't get to drink it." I caught the wine jar with both hands.

Master Ziyang stood up, circled me, and said, "I didn't realize you had such real skill; your reflexes were quite good too. Pour some wine to celebrate."

"Let's celebrate for everyone," Li Bai corrected.

The three of them, along with Yuan Danqiu who arrived later, drank until midnight before dragging their drunken bodies back to their rooms to rest.

The next day, after I woke up and finished my morning prayers, Master Ziyang said to me, "Go and pack your things; we're going to Anlu today."

I excitedly ran up to Li Bai and said, "Young Master, we're going to Anlu today!"

"It's too late today, let's do it tomorrow," Li Bai said.

"Who says it's too late? Let's go right now. Lord Ma is just returning to the Governor's Mansion, so we'll definitely be able to see him today," said Master Ziyang.

We boarded Master Ziyang's carriage and set off from Kuzhu Temple, heading south towards Anlu. When we arrived at the Anzhou Governor's Mansion, we happened to see Lord Ma coming out of the government office, preparing to go home for dinner.

"Master Ma, Brother Ma." Master Ziyang lifted the carriage curtain and called out before even getting out of the carriage.

"Master Ziyang, what brings you here?" Lord Ma asked, walking up to the carriage.

We got off the carriage, and Yuan Danqiu stepped forward and called out, "Uncle Ma."

"Danqiu's here too! And who are these people?"

"This is Li Bai, the talented scholar from Western Shu, and this is Cen Xun, the grandson of Lord Cen," Hu Ziyang introduced.

Lord Ma Zhenghui was also a man who appreciated talent. Upon hearing that it was Li Bai, he immediately grabbed Li Bai's hand and said, "Your great name is renowned far and wide. Meeting you today, you are indeed handsome and talented, living up to your reputation."

"Lord Ma, you flatter me. I, Li Bai, am unworthy of such praise," Li Bai said.

Lord Ma led us to a restaurant in Anlu, where the manager hurriedly came to greet us:

"Lord Ma, how many are in your party today? The usual arrangement?"

"Same as always, just the few of us."

The innkeeper led us to a private room upstairs in the restaurant and instructed the waiter to serve wine and dishes.

The waiter brought the drinks to the private room, and I said, "Waiter, you can go now, I'll take care of it."

I poured wine for everyone and sat down next to Master Ziyang. I watched them drink.

After several rounds of drinks, Lord Ma asked, "Master Ziyang must have important business in Anlu today."

"To be honest, Lord Ma, I do have an important matter to attend to today, and I need your help."

"Tell me what happened."

Master Ziyang then told Lord Ma about Li Bai's desire to marry the Xu family's granddaughter.

"Alright, leave this to me. I'll go see Master Xu tomorrow. The Xu family is a prominent and respected family around here. If we can establish a connection with them, Li Bai's future will be limitless."

Ma Zhenghui's words greatly encouraged Li Bai, who raised his wine cup and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Ma. I'll toast you." He then drank it all in one gulp.

Yuan Danqiu also raised his wine cup and said to Lord Ma, "Thank you, Uncle Ma."

After finishing our meal at the restaurant, Cen Xun paid the bill, and we followed Lord Ma out of the restaurant.

Master Ziyang said, "Brother Ma, we are staying at the Taoist temple on Baizhao Mountain, awaiting your good news. We won't disturb you this afternoon; you may go about your business."

"Alright, I'll go to Master Xu's house tomorrow, and whether it works out or not, I'll go to Baizhao Mountain to find you."

I took a letter from my clothes and handed it to Lord Ma, saying, "This is a letter I brought from Yangzhou. Please give it to Madam Xu; it's a letter from her family. Thank you, sir."

Lord Ma took the letter and put it away, saying, "I will certainly deliver it to you."

After parting ways with Ma Zhenghui, we rode in a carriage towards Baizhao Mountain in the northwest of Anlu.

Bai Zhao Mountain is characterized by its precipitous terrain, towering peaks, dense forests, layered ridges, and deep ravines. The summit is flat and wide, with a few Taoist temples scattered throughout.

Master Ziyang led us to a Taoist temple, where a young Taoist priest welcomed us inside.

"Master, what brings you to Anlu?" the young Taoist priest asked.

"I have some business to attend to, so I'll be staying here for a few days. Is this place convenient for you?" Master Ziyang asked.

"Convenient, Senior Brother is here too." The Taoist said to Yuan Danqiu.

"Junior Brother Xuanmeng, it's been several years since I last saw you. You've grown quite a bit taller." Yuan Danqiu said, taking Xuanmeng's hand and examining him carefully.

"You two senior brothers, stop teasing us and lead us to our room to rest."

Xuanmeng led us to the innermost room of the Taoist temple and said, "You can stay in these two rooms. There's a Taoist practitioner in the room opposite; he's been here for several months."

"Master Xuanmeng, do you usually have many Taoists coming here to cultivate?" I asked.

"There aren't many people coming and going, but every Taoist temple has them," Xuanmeng said.

"Go ahead and do your work, don't worry about us," Master Ziyang said to Xuanmeng.

Xuanmeng said, "Yes, sir," and walked towards the front courtyard of the Taoist temple.

These two rooms hadn't been lived in for quite some time, covered in dust and cobwebs. I went to the kitchen, fetched a basin of water, and thoroughly cleaned both rooms. They looked much better now. I took a quilt from the cupboard, carried it outside to shake it out, and was about to bring it back inside when the door to the opposite room opened. A middle-aged man of medium height with a full beard walked out. Upon seeing him, I exclaimed in surprise:

"Mr. Meng."

Mr. Meng looked at me: "Yuehua, when did you arrive? Where is your young master?"

I shouted loudly, "Young Master, look who this is!"

Everyone came out of the room when they heard me shout.

Li Bai immediately rushed over, embraced Meng Haoran, and said, "Master Meng, I was so worried about where to look for you! I never expected to find you here waiting for me. It's truly a case of searching high and low without finding it, only to have it come to me effortlessly."

"I've been waiting for you here for half a year, and you're only just arriving. You're punishing me by buying me drinks!"

"I accept the punishment. We won't sleep until we're drunk tonight. Come on, let me introduce you."

Li Bai introduced everyone to each other, and Meng Haoran bowed deeply to Master Ziyang, saying, "I have long admired your name, Master. It is my great honor to meet you today. I hope you will guide me on my path of cultivation in the future."