I served as Li Bai's page.

Chapter 155 Encounter with Wenshang Weng

The next day, I got up early and went to the kitchen, where Sister Lin was already busy.

"Good morning, Sister Lin."

"You went to bed late last night, why didn't you sleep a little longer? I'll make breakfast," Sister Lin said.

"It's okay, we can all do it together."

Sister Lin cooked porridge, and I took out the flour to knead it. After Li Bai got up to practice his sword and read aloud in the morning, the magistrate of Wenshang County finally got up. After Sister Lin and I steamed the buns, we called everyone to eat breakfast.

After breakfast, the magistrate of Wenshang County said to Li Bai, "I should go back now. Your family should visit Wenshang sometime; your uncle and aunt miss you very much."

Li Bai replied, "I will. Now that we've come to Rencheng, we don't plan to leave. We'll have plenty of time to visit my fourth uncle and aunt later."

Our family saw the magistrate of Wenshang County off at the gate, and Li Bai accompanied him as he walked out of the alley.

After seeing off the magistrate of Wenshang County, Li Bai returned home. Pingyang and Boqin tugged at him and asked, "Father, Uncle said we can go to Wenshang County for a visit. When are you taking us?"

"Let's do it another day. I'll take you when I have time," Li Bai said dismissively.

"Father, let's go tomorrow. My brother and I want to go out and play," Pingyang said.

"No, we just went to Beihu Lake. We should go out again in a while." Li Bai firmly disagreed. Pingyang pouted angrily and ran to Xu Ziyan, hugging her and crying softly.

"Why are you yelling at the child? You can travel and have fun all you want, but can't you at least grant the child's small request?"

"You can't give a child whatever he wants. I'll know my limits," Li Bai said.

"I think you're afraid that the three of us, mother and children, will become a burden to you, and you don't want to take us out. Just say so." Xu Ziyan's stubbornness was so strong that even I was afraid, let alone Li Bai.

Li Bai quickly replied with a smile, "Madam, you are mistaken. You and your children are my pride and joy. How could I not want to take you out? I simply mean to postpone it for a couple of days."

I pulled Pingyang into my arms, wiped away her tears, and said, "Pingyang is the most obedient. We're tired from playing at Beihu Lake, so let's rest for two days before going out again. We'll have even more fun then."

"Then let's rest for two days, does that count as today?" Pingyang asked while wiping away her tears.

"Of course not today, we'll start counting from tomorrow," I said.

"Okay, Uncle, I'll listen to you." Pingyang said with a smile and took Boqin's hand to play again.

Xu Ziyan glared at Li Bai and said, "You're always so straightforward, you can't even speak properly."

"Your criticism is correct. I will try to correct it in the future," Li Bai said with a smile.

After returning from his trip to North Lake, Li Bai stayed at home quietly for a while, during which time he wrote and painted, and the water in the ditch turned dark green from washing his brushes.

"Uncle, we should go to Wenshang for fun. Two days have already passed so long," Pingyang said to me that day.

"Okay, Uncle, get ready, we'll go tomorrow." I readily agreed to Pingyang's request.

I went to the study, where Li Bai was practicing calligraphy. I said, "Young Master, let's go to Wenshang tomorrow. I've been thinking about Pingyang again."

"Okay, go and get ready, go buy some gifts for Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt."

I agreed and left the study.

When Pingyang saw me walk out of the study, she ran up to me and looked at me. I nodded to her, and she understood that it was done. She then danced with joy.

At that moment, Xu Ziyan and Sister Lin were washing clothes by the well. I walked over and said, "Madam, the young master said he's going to Wenshang tomorrow. I'm going to the market to buy some things."

"Go ahead and buy some nice gifts for your fourth uncle and aunt," Xu Ziyan said.

I left the Li residence and went to the main street of Rencheng. Following Li Bai and Xu Ziyan's instructions, I bought gifts for the parents of the magistrate of Wenshang County, as well as some food for the journey. When I returned home, Sister Lin had already prepared lunch. After lunch, Li Bai said he was going to visit Lu Qian. Xu Ziyan didn't stop him, and he strode out of the courtyard. I asked, "Would you like me to go with you?"

"No need, you'd better find a carriage to go to Wenshang tomorrow," Li Bai said.

I was hesitating about where to rent a horse-drawn carriage when Aunt Liu arrived at my house, supported by her daughter.

I helped Sixth Aunt to a seat in the living room, with Xu Ziyan accompanying her. I said, "Madam, why don't you chat with my wife? I'll go out for a bit. Do you know where I can rent a carriage in Rencheng?"

"Where are you going? You need a horse-drawn carriage," Aunt Liu asked.

"Our family wants to go to Wenshang to visit Uncle and Aunt Si," Xu Ziyan said.

"Alright then, you can take our carriage. I don't need it, so it's fine to leave it there," said Aunt Liu.

"Sir, don't you need to go? We'll be gone for several days," I said.

"He has his own car, so you can use it without worry."

"Thank you, Madam," I said.

"You'll come with me to drive the carriage over in a bit."

I happily agreed to my sixth aunt's request.

The next day, our whole family boarded a horse-drawn carriage borrowed from my sixth aunt and headed towards Wenshang County. We traveled along the way, stopping frequently to rest whenever we encountered a scenic spot. By the time we arrived in Wenshang County, it was already past four in the afternoon. Wenshang County is a city built on the Wen River. It was formerly known as Zhongdu and has a long history. Confucius once served as the magistrate of Zhongdu.

Our carriage stopped beside the Wen River. Li Bai said, "Wenshang County has changed so much. What used to be a small bridge here is now a large bridge. Yuehua, why don't you go and ask how to get to the county government office?"

I jumped off the carriage, and just then a fishing boat was moored by the river. I walked over and asked, "Old man, could you tell me how to get to the county government office?"

"Are you going to file a complaint or to become an official?" the old man asked.

"Since I neither file a complaint nor seek official positions, can't I go to the county government office?" I said.

"Why would you go to that place if you have nothing to do? You're just looking for trouble." After saying that, the old man changed the direction of his small boat and rowed into the river.

"Hey, old man, you still haven't told me how to get there?" I asked, chasing after the boat.

"Cross this bridge and walk to the end of the main road, and you'll arrive," the old man shouted.

Li Bai and Xu Ziyan, who were inside the carriage, overheard my conversation with the old man and laughed. As I approached the carriage, jumped on, and prepared to drive off, Li Bai handed me a poem: "Reply to the Gentleman of Wenshang on My Journey to Eastern Lu in May."

In May, the plum blossoms begin to turn yellow, the silkworms wither, and the mulberry trees are empty. The people of Lu resume their weaving, the looms creaking behind the curtains. I, however, have no chance of officialdom, so I came to Shandong to learn swordsmanship. I raised my whip to inquire about my future, only to be laughed at by an old man from Wenshang. He, foolish as he is, is no match for a hero, unworthy to discuss success or failure. With a single arrow, I could have secured victory in Liaocheng. Yet, I ultimately refused reward, ashamed to be compared to my contemporaries. I return westward on the straight road, the setting sun casting a dim rainbow. Do not speak of this departure; I am content to be a tumbleweed blown by the wind.

"Young master, you've written a poem in such a short time. You're truly quick-witted," I said.

"Thank you for the compliment, sir. Your wonderful conversation has been very enlightening, boatman," Li Bai said.

"You guys didn't even try to talk to me. This stubborn old man is asking for directions and he's making such a fuss," I said angrily.

"Are you still angry? Hurry up and catch the train, it'll be dark soon," Xu Ziyan said.

I whipped the horse's tail, and it galloped off. We crossed the bridge over the Wen River and ran along the road leading to it. Soon, the road ended, and there stood an ancient, imposing government office. A yamen runner stood guard in front of the office. I stepped forward and said:

"Brother, please inform them that Magistrate Li's younger brother wishes to see him."

"Please wait a moment." After saying this, the yamen runner walked into the main hall.

A short while later, the magistrate of Wenshang County came out with his yamen runners.

Li Bai stepped forward and greeted, "Myna."

"You're here. Come on, let's go home," said Magistrate Li.

Li Bai and Magistrate Li walked in front, while I drove the carriage behind. We arrived at a mansion that was relatively close to the county government office. Magistrate Li stepped forward and knocked on the gate, and my family followed him inside.