I served as Li Bai's page.

Xu Ziyan came to the table and called out, "Second Aunt, Third Aunt," then walked to Madam Xu's side and found a chair to sit down.

"Where's Zijun? Why hasn't he come for dinner yet?" Madam Xu asked.

"My son was called away by his father to entertain guests. He's eating in the front dining room today," the second concubine said with no small amount of pride.

"Then let's eat. Aunt Wu, take Yuehua to that table over there. Aunt Zhang, serve the dishes."

I followed Aunt Wu into the small hall, where a table of servants was already occupied with their meal. Aunt Wu ladled out a bowl of rice and handed it to me, saying, "Yuehua, you sit at this table and eat. We must wait until our masters have finished eating before we can eat."

"Okay, thank you, Aunt Wu. You can go ahead with your work," I said.

After I finished eating, I went to the garden through the back door and sat down on a bench in the corridor. It was a large garden with artificial hills, pavilions, and ponds. Flowers blooming in every season filled the entire garden. Now it was autumn, and two osmanthus trees were blooming profusely, embracing each other, their fragrance so strong it was almost cloying.

"Yuehua, you're here! Madam and Miss have been looking for you everywhere," Xiaoqian said as she came out of the back door.

"Does Madam or Miss have any instructions? Where are they now?"

"They went to the study, and I was just about to go find Miss. Let's go together."

Xiaoqian walked up to me, and I whispered, "Xiaoqian, could you tell me about Miss's home? It'll give me a general idea so I don't make mistakes later."

Xiaoqian leaned closer to me, looked around, and whispered, "The eldest is the master. The master has three wives. The first wife is the madam, who gave birth to a daughter named Miss. The second wife, the second concubine, gave birth to a son named Xu Zijun, the one with the master today. The third wife, the third concubine, gave birth to a daughter named Xu Zixia, whom you met at dinner. The second concubine's son is the master's favorite, as the second concubine often makes the madam angry."

"Besides the master, who else in the manor do we have to listen to?"

"You've hit the nail on the head. You have to listen to Butler Wu and Granny Wu; they're the mouthpieces for the master and mistress. Even the second and third concubines have to listen to them. Of course, if you want to eat well, you'll have to curry favor with Granny Zhang. She can help you."

"Are Aunt Wu and Butler Wu a family?"

"Aunt Wu is the younger sister of Butler Wu."

"Thank you, Xiaoqian, for telling me all this. I will have to be more careful in the future and not offend people without even realizing it."

"There's one more thing I haven't mentioned: the master must listen to the young lady."

"Okay, I understand. Xiaoqian, where do the second and third concubines live?"

"They live in two courtyards on the other side of the garden."

As Xiaoqian and I were talking, we walked out of the garden gate and into the inner courtyard.

Xu Ziyan happened to be standing at the study door looking this way. Seeing me and Xiaoqian, she waved and said, "Yuehua, Xiaoqian, come to the study."

Xiaoqian and I entered the study. Madam Xu took my hand and said, "Yuehua, I'm sorry to have to do this in front of the second and third wives."

"Madam, don't feel wronged. I was just the young master's page. Since you value me so much, what does it matter where I sit at the meal?" I said.

"How about we set up a restaurant in this courtyard so we can all sit at one table and eat together?" Xu Ziyan said.

"Young Madam, you mustn't. Without rules, there can be no order. In this large family, the hierarchy between master and servant must be maintained; we can't let people gossip."

"What a sensible child. I'll listen to you. When there are outsiders, we are master and servant; when there are no outsiders, we are family," Madam Xu said.

While we were talking in the study, Master Xu accompanied Master Ziyang and his entourage toward the study, and Xu Ziyan, accompanied by Xiaoqian, hurried toward her boudoir.

Master Ziyang entered the study, and I helped Madam Xu to greet him. Li Bai introduced him, "Mother, this is Master Ziyang."

Madam Xu gave a deep bow to Master Ziyang and said, "This humble woman greets Master Ziyang. The old Taoist has an air of otherworldly grace and wisdom. Meeting you today is truly the blessing of my life."

"Madam Xu, you flatter me. Seeking immortality and pursuing the Dao is my lifelong pursuit. Those who do good will be rewarded."

"Thank you for your guidance, venerable Taoist priest." Xu Fu bowed to Master Ziyang again.

"Please don't stand and talk, everyone, please sit down," said Master Xu.

Cen Xun said, "Master Xu, may I have a look into your study?"

"Of course, feel free to do as you please."

Li Bai, along with Yuan Danqiu and Cen Xun, looked at the books in the study row by row, occasionally whispering to each other.

Xuanmeng pulled me to the calligraphy and paintings hanging on the wall and whispered:

"Yuehua, these must be very expensive. The paintings are so beautiful, and the calligraphy is so elegant. I've never seen anything like them in my entire life."

"These are all paintings and calligraphy by famous artists, very expensive. If you owned one, the money from selling it could allow you to live a life of luxury without doing anything else for the rest of your life."

"Really? That's so valuable! Your young master has fallen into a money pit!"

I quickly covered his mouth and whispered, "Xuanmeng, you can't say everything you're thinking. Walls have ears. If the Xu family hears us, they'll think we're after his money."

Xuanmeng made a face, stuck out her tongue, and quickly shut her mouth.

After Xuanmeng and I finished looking at the calligraphy and paintings, we went to the bookshelf. I suddenly saw a hand-drawn copy of the "Classic of Mountains and Seas". I took it down and opened it. It was illustrated and annotated. I thought Xuanmeng would like to read this book, so I handed it to him.

Xuanmeng took the book, went to the chair by the window, and began to read it intently. She gestured as she read, completely absorbed in the text.

"Yuehua, come here," Master Ziyang called out.

I walked over and stood behind Master Ziyang.

"Yuehua, Master Xu said there are many things he needs to discuss with your young master during the wedding preparations. He said that you and your young master should move into the Xu residence starting today. What do you think?"

"I have no objection, but I wonder if the young master agrees? I'll go ask him."

After I finished speaking, I walked towards Li Bai and, in a corner where Master Xu couldn't see me, quietly told Li Bai what Master Xu meant.

Li Bai looked troubled: "Isn't this a bit too fast? Won't people gossip?"

Yuan Danqiu said, "As long as you feel it's right, who cares what others say? You didn't follow the usual rules for your marriage proposal and engagement, so your wedding should naturally be special too."

Cen Xun said, "You won't be lonely here. These two rooms alone will keep you busy with all the books. And if you accompany Miss Xu to the Taoist temple to burn incense, the time will pass quickly."

Li Bai pondered for a moment and then said, "Alright, you can stay at the Taoist temple. Don't leave yet, drink my wedding wine before you go."

"Of course, how could I not support such a good brother?" Yuan Dan said.

"Young master, then I'll tell Master Xu it's fine."

"Okay, let's say that."

I returned to Master Ziyang's side and said:

"Young Master agrees to stay."

"That's fine, old Taoist priest, Master Meng, you two can continue your conversation. I'll take my leave now." Madam Xu said, standing up. I went over and helped her walk out of the study.