I served as Li Bai's page.

Aunt Wu agreed and excitedly walked outside.

Madam Xu took Li Bai's hand, gestured for him to sit in the chair beside her, and said with a smile, "How are my brother and his family?"

"Please rest assured, Madam, the Meng family is all well," Li Bai said.

"I haven't been back to Yangzhou for many years. Last year, my brother and younger sister came to visit me and stayed for a few days before leaving. They spent more time on the road than at home, so I don't want to go back," Madam Xu said.

"The inconvenient transportation is indeed a problem, and Meng Shaofu and his family are very concerned about you." Li Bai was indeed a bit tongue-tied at this point, and of all things to say, he had to bring up his hometown, which was thousands of miles away.

To change the subject, I knelt down before Madam Xu with a thud: "Li Bai's page, Yuehua, kowtows to Madam Xu. May you be happy every day and may all your wishes come true."

"Oh, what a sweet tongue you have! I hope your words bring you good fortune and that all your wishes come true. Get up now," Madam Xu said with a smile, looking at me.

I stood up and walked behind Li Bai. Just then, Aunt Wu came in with a cup of tea, and the aroma of the tea immediately filled the entire room.

Madam Xu said, "What fragrant tea! I'll have a cup too."

"Yes, Madam, I'll get it ready for you right away." Wu Ma said as she walked out of the room.

Lady Xu asked Li Bai, "My nephew wrote in his letter that your home is in Qinglian Town, Changlong County, Mianzhou, Western Shu. It must be quite far from Anlu."

"Madam, it's not actually that far. It's just across the Yangtze River. With a favorable wind and current, we'll reach Xiangyang in just a few days. And Xiangyang isn't far from here, is it?" I blurted out before Li Bai could speak.

Li Bai continued, "The scenery of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River is breathtaking; though it's called a journey, it's actually a delightful trip."

"Really? If I have the chance, I'll go to the Yangtze River to see it too," Mrs. Xu said.

"Yes, yes, my young master will accompany you to travel all over the Yangtze River in the future," I said.

"Yuehua, you're always chattering away, saying things that make me happy. I love it. Come here and stand next to me." I walked over and stood next to Madam Xu.

Aunt Wu came in carrying tea and said, "Madam, Zhang Ma from the kitchen said she made some pastries and would like to try some."

"Of course I need it! Bring it to me quickly; I need to entertain my two guests."

Aunt Wu came in carrying a plate of mung bean cakes. Madam Xu first picked up a piece and gave it to Li Bai, then picked up another and handed it to me. Finally, she put a piece in her own mouth and asked, "What do you two think?"

"This cake has the fragrance of mung beans, is sweet but not cloying, and melts in your mouth. It is indeed well made," Li Bai said.

"Young Master Li has quite a bit of knowledge about food, what he said makes sense. Wu Ma, give Zhang Ma a box." Madam Xu ate her mung bean cake while looking at Li Bai with delight.

"Young Master Li, are your parents willing to let you travel and study away from home for so long? I miss my daughter terribly if I don't see her for two days," Madam Xu asked again.

I secretly wondered what Madam Xu was up to. Was she trying to trap my young master?

Li Bai replied, "I recited the Six Classics at the age of five and studied the Hundred Schools of Thought at the age of ten. I knew that a great man must have ambitions for the world, so I traveled and studied abroad for many years. My parents and family also gave their full support. I do miss them, but what they want to see even more is that I achieve academic success, cultivate myself, manage my family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world."

"Young master is right. A man should have ambitions beyond his hometown." At this moment, Master Xu walked in.

Li Bai quickly stood up and said, "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Master Xu."

"Sit down, sit down. What are you laughing at? I greatly admire your lofty ambitions, young master."

Master Xu found a chair and sat down, then faced Li Bai and asked, "What does Young Master Li think of Anlu?"

"This is a good place for studying and cultivating oneself. The mountains are high and the forests are dense, so it is not easy to be disturbed by the outside world," Li Bai replied.

"Young Master Li is absolutely right. My ancestors chose this Yunmeng Marsh as their dwelling place because they valued it as a place of auspicious geomancy. It seems that Young Master Li has good taste and also likes this place," Master Xu praised Li Bai.

As their conversation progressed, I roughly understood what Master Xu and his group were planning. Standing beside Madam Xu, I dared not interrupt, and just as I was becoming anxious, Xiaoqian entered and said, "Madam, Miss requests your presence."

"Alright, tell her I'll be there soon." Madam Xu stood up, took my hand, and said, "Yuehua, help me, let's go see what Miss wants to do?"

I helped Madam Xu to Miss Xu's room: "You wait here for me, I'll go in by myself."

I released Madam Xu's hand and stood outside Miss Xu's boudoir, waiting for Madam Xu.

Xiaoqian walked over and said, "Yuehua, do you think my drawing looks like her?" She then took out a portrait, which I didn't recognize at first glance. I asked, "Who did you draw?"

"Who else could it be? Your young master. My young lady wants to see what he looks like," Xiaoqian said.

"Go get some paper and pen, I'll draw for you," I said to Xiaoqian.

Xiaoqian brought me paper and pen, and I squatted down and drew Li Bai.

"It looks just like a real person, thank you. I'll take it to my young lady."

"Xiaoqian, tell your young lady that this was a gift from Li Bai. Don't let it slip," I whispered to Xiaoqian.

"Okay, I understand." Xiaoqian was very clever and grasped the concept immediately.

Madam Xu came out of her room, and a girl's figure flashed in front of the door. I reached out to help Madam Xu up and walked into her room.

Back in their room, Madam Xu whispered something in Master Xu's ear, and Master Xu nodded repeatedly in response, "Good, good, good."

I strained my ears and heard a few words: My daughter said she liked it.

"Young Master Li, it's getting late. If you don't mind, please stay at my residence. We can discuss the rest later."

"Let's return to Baizhaoshan Taoist Temple and await good news." Li Bai stood up and bid farewell to Master Xu and his wife.

I followed Li Bai out of Madam Xu's room. Xiaoqian quietly pulled me aside and said, "Miss is going to a Taoist temple south of Baizhao Mountain to offer incense tomorrow."

"I understand, thank you, Xiaoqian." I said softly, and followed Li Bai into the outer hall.

Steward Wu was chatting with Lord Ma and Meng Haoran in the hall when Master Xu came out from inside.

Master Xu said, "You two have been waiting for a long time. My wife and daughter are both satisfied. We can discuss the rest later."

Lord Ma said, "That's good. My mission is finally complete. I should go back to the yamen now." He stood up and bid farewell to Master Xu.

Li Bai bowed to Lord Ma and said, "Thank you very much for your kindness, Lord Ma. I will certainly repay your great favor in the future."

After bidding us farewell, Lord Ma walked out of the Xu residence and got into his carriage to return to Anlu.

After Master Ma left, Master Xu said to Steward Wu, "Li Bai and Mr. Meng are staying at the Taoist temple. From now on, you will be responsible for arranging things between Li Bai and Miss Meng." He then turned to Li Bai and said, "Marriage should be arranged according to custom. Although your parents are thousands of miles away, you should still send a matchmaker to propose marriage."

Li Bai looked at Meng Haoran, who immediately said, "I am the matchmaker, but we really don't know what to prepare."

"Our family is not short of money, so please bring a painting or calligraphy by Li Bai," said Master Xu.