I served as Li Bai's page.

"How has the Xu family of Anlu treated him? They made decisions about his marriage without his consent. Even after arriving in Chuzhou, they haven't come to visit me and his uncles in Rencheng, Donglu. All they do is hang out with friends and go sightseeing all day."

Faced with the master's question, I was speechless for a moment. Li Bai's itinerary did not mention anything about Rencheng in Donglu.

The lady said, "You can't blame Twelve. He has his ideals and pursuits, and he has his own difficulties. Now he has children, and his life is stable. As long as he is safe and happy, what more could you ask for?"

"Yuehua, you still haven't answered me how he's living in the Xu family?" the master continued to ask.

"The Xu family treats him very well, especially the young mistress. He won't stay at the Xu family for long; he'll move to the new residence in Baizhaoshan after the Spring Festival." As I was speaking, the mistress went back to her room to bring out the painting I had drawn for the master to see.

"Look, this is our son's home. Yuehua painted it. I asked him to paint two. Take one with you to Donglu."

The master took the painting and examined it carefully. He said, "Yuehua, when you go back, plant some flowers in both the front and back yards. That will make it even more beautiful. Twelve can go up the mountain from the back yard and practice swordsmanship and read books without being disturbed. This location is well chosen."

"Sir, you and your wife should go and see for yourselves when you have time. The entire Bai Zhao Mountain is shrouded in mist and clouds, like a fairyland on earth," I said.

The lady said, "I'm afraid I'll never have the chance in this lifetime. My feet ache from standing at home for too long, let alone traveling such a faraway place. If I could walk, I might go to Donglu."

"Madam, we can ride horses or carriages; we don't need to walk. If you wish to go, I'll find a way," I said.

"I can't go. This is such a big family. If my husband and I leave, who will take care of them? I'm worried about them. I'll ask them to come back to see me after my daughter-in-law gives birth," the lady said.

The old man said, "When he has time, tell him to go visit his uncles in Donglu; they all miss him. His wedding should have been a grand affair for our entire Li family, but he just sent a letter to let us know. None of us even got a sip of the wedding wine."

"Master, it was the young master's fault. Please forgive him. At the time, the Xu family had their eye on him, and with the Taoist master Ziyang also present, they quickly set a wedding date."

"Acting on impulse without thinking it through."

"Don't blame the children anymore. They had their own reasons. They simply didn't have any money at the time," the lady said.

"Haven't I given him enough money? Does he know how to be frugal? Does he think my money comes easily? He deserves to suffer." The old man became angrier as he spoke.

"The child is doing this all for your Li family." The lady said, taking out Li Bai's family letter. The master read it and remained silent.

At this moment, Uncle Lu came into the study and said, "Master is back."

"Old Lu, come sit down. I was just saying I felt something was missing when I got back—it was the greeting 'Master' from you. Are you busy? I haven't seen you since I came in."

"I've been busy with Miss's embroidery workshop lately, and it's almost finished. I can't afford to be careless in the slightest."

Fearing her husband would be angry, the lady quickly said, "Twelve wants to build a pavilion for his sister. I wanted it finished as soon as possible so that Yuehua could give him an explanation when she returned. That's why I asked Old Lu to start construction ahead of schedule. I didn't have time to tell you."

"Madam, you and your son are alike, acting first and informing later, aren't you? Old Lu, take me to the construction site." After saying this, the master stood up and followed Uncle Lu to the back of Longxi Courtyard. I followed behind them, not daring to make a sound.

We arrived at the construction site, and the old man saw that the main structure was complete, the two-story building had been erected, and all that remained was decoration. He then looked at the layout and lighting of the house and was very satisfied. He asked:

"Old Lu, what's the latest you can expect it to be fully completed?"

"It's around March or April after the Spring Festival. Because it's close to the Spring Festival, the workers don't want to work anymore; they all want to go home for the New Year."

"That's understandable; who doesn't want a happy family reunion for the New Year? Don't rush them. If they're going to build it, they should build it properly. And it would be even better if they planted some bamboo around this embroidered pavilion after it's finished."

"Master, your idea is exactly the same as Miss's, and the drawing Miss made is just like that." Uncle Lu took out the architectural drawings Yueyuan had drawn and handed them to the master. The master took them and looked at them carefully, saying, "Truly worthy of my daughter."

"Old Lu, is the money enough? If not, ask Madam for more."

"That's enough. Madam said the young master funded the repairs, and Yuehua brought the money back with her."

"Yuehua, tell me, what's going on? Where did the young master get so much money?" the master said.

"It was given to me by the young mistress. The young master and I were chatting when he inadvertently mentioned the embroidery pavilion, and the young mistress overheard it. When I came back, she gave me this money, saying it was a gift from her and the young master to the young lady," I said.

"Young Master, do you have no money left? You're even using your wife's money."

"The young mistress said: 'She belongs to the young master now, everything she has belongs to him, therefore, the money belongs to him too.'"

"Take some money back with you and give it to the young mistress for safekeeping. Don't leave it with the young master, or he'll spend it all in no time," the master said.

"Yes, sir, I understand."

After inspecting the construction site, the master returned home with Uncle Lu.

After the master returned, the household became busy. Construction of the embroidery tower was temporarily halted due to the Spring Festival. Everyone was busy preparing for a lively and festive holiday.

On the day of the Spring Festival, at noon, cannons roared all around Longxi Courtyard. Ziyi and I also set off cannons at the entrance of Longxi Courtyard. Adults and children alike covered their ears with joy, exchanging New Year's greetings. The reunion dinner was quite lavish. Unlike the Xu Mansion, where the master and servants ate separately, everyone at Longxi Courtyard sat together at three tables. Master Xu invited everyone to drink to their hearts' content. Ziyi and I filled everyone's cups with wine.

Halfway through the family reunion dinner, Mr. Xu stood up and said to me, "Yuehua, go to the study and get me the red envelopes."

I went to the study and saw a stack of red envelopes on the desk. I took the red envelopes and handed them to the old man.

The master said, "I want to thank everyone for their hard work for this family this year, and I hope everyone will work even harder next year." After saying that, he handed out red envelopes to everyone, including the madam, the young lady, and me.

"Yuehua will take three, and the other two will be for Twelve and his wife," the master said.

"Thank you, sir. I will certainly deliver it."

After the reunion dinner was finished and the house was tidied up, the servants who were going home packed up early and went home. After they left, only Uncle Lu and Uncle Chen's family were left at home, and the entire Longxi Courtyard suddenly became quiet.

I went to the master and mistress's room and said, "Master and mistress, let's go for a walk outside."

"Okay, go and call Uncle Lu and Uncle Chen's family, we'll go for a stroll in Qinglian Town."

"Master, may I hitch up another carriage so that Madam and the young ladies can ride in it?"

"That's a good idea. Yuehua still cares about me. Go then," the lady said.

After I had everything ready, Uncle Lu and Uncle Chen's family arrived at the gate. After the master and madam came out with the young ladies, I helped the madam and young ladies onto the carriage, and then led the horse and followed the master and the others to the street of Qinglian Town.