Wangjiang Tower

After Li Bai left Peach Blossom Spring that day, he arrived in Xiangyang City. In truth, he had no destination in mind, but somehow, almost unconsciously, he found himself back in Xiangyang. The city was as bustling as ever, with carriages flowing like water, horses surging like dragons, and the clamorous sounds of prosperity filling the air.

In the Wangjiang Tower, Li Bai drank alone, savoring the view. Outside, the lake shimmered with vivid colors, the water rippled gently, and waves undulated beneath the morning light. A coolness swept through as the breeze passed by.

“Beside the Han River near Xiangyang, the flowers bloom warmly on the dyke. Our tryst was beneath the dyke; tears fill my eyes for the southern clouds. Spring wind is ever heartless, scattering my dreams and soul. The one I long to see is gone; the heavens stretch long, and news is lost,” Li Bai recited in a sonorous voice, raising his cup, eyes gazing into the distant unknown, dark and deep as an ancient pool.

Suddenly, applause sounded behind him. A man dressed in dark robes approached, his sword-like brows arching slightly, eyes glinting with laughter. His fair, refined face exuded a charm that was both delightful and pleasing to the eye. This was none other than Meng Haoran, an old friend from Li Bai’s early years.

Meng Haoran sat down beside Li Bai without ceremony, filling his cup and draining it in one gulp. “Brother Li, it’s been a long time!”

Li Bai replied, “Brother Meng, what brings you here?”

Meng Haoran laughed, “Don’t you know my home is nearby, Brother Li? You’ve been in town for two days now, and someone told me there was a man in white reciting poetry atop Wangjiang Tower all day. I guessed immediately it must be you, so here I am…”

Li Bai smiled faintly, lifted his cup, and leaned against the railing, watching a flock of egrets take flight in silence.

Meng Haoran took up the wine pot and cups, standing beside Li Bai, drinking cup after cup.

“How have you been lately, Brother Li? Since that day we toured the lake together, I haven’t seen you. Off on some romantic adventure, I suppose?”

Li Bai looked at Meng Haoran, still silent.

“Spring wind is ever heartless, scattering my dreams and soul. The one I long to see is gone; the heavens stretch long, and news is lost. Brother Li, you must be longing for someone, aren’t you? What lady has so inspired your verses and set your heart adrift?”

“If you’re so clever, why don’t you guess?” Li Bai replied.

Meng Haoran laughed softly. “There are so many women in the world, how could I possibly know them all? But any woman who could so captivate you, and leave you lovesick, must be quite extraordinary—surely a beauty to rival kingdoms.”

Seeing Li Bai remain silent, yet with the trace of a smile at his lips, Meng Haoran grinned. “So I was right! You must drink as forfeit!”

To say that Chen Yage possessed beauty enough to topple kingdoms might not be strictly true, but in the eyes of a lover, words fell short—no term was sufficient to describe her.

Li Bai obligingly held out his cup for Meng Haoran to fill. Suddenly, Meng Haoran’s hand was gently jostled, and wine spilled across the back of Li Bai’s hand. Just as Meng Haoran was about to protest, he turned and saw that it was Xu Ziyan, who had just escaped from home.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to!” Xu Ziyan apologized awkwardly, glancing around in nervous haste.

“Ziyan, what are you doing here?” Meng Haoran asked. He had grown up in Xiangyang, and Xu Ziyan was famed as a talented woman of the city. They had met several times before, even enjoying music together.

“Brother Meng!” Xu Ziyan exclaimed, surprised and delighted to see him.

“You two know each other?” Li Bai asked calmly, wine cup in hand.

Xu Ziyan was, indeed, the famed beauty of Xiangyang. Her features were as if painted, her phoenix eyes lively, her skin like polished jade. Clad in a peach-pink silk dress, she seemed a blossom come to life—a fairy descended to earth, exquisite beyond compare.

And yet, Li Bai cast her only a fleeting glance before turning his gaze to the distance. Xu Ziyan, on the other hand, could not look away from Li Bai from the first moment she saw him.

“Ziyan, what’s wrong?” Meng Haoran’s words roused her from her reverie. A blush rose instantly to her cheeks, and she lowered her head in shy embarrassment, her maidenly charm all too apparent.

Suddenly, Xu Ziyan exclaimed, “I must go! If anyone asks, you haven’t seen me—promise me!”

Meng Haoran seized her hand, concern etched on his face. “Ziyan, what’s happened? Why are you so flustered?”

Xu Ziyan struggled to free herself. “It’s a long story. I’ll explain another time—I have to leave now!”

“There! That’s her! Stop!” Before she could break free, Wang Fugui and his men arrived, shouting as they ran.

Meng Haoran saw that Xu Ziyan was in trouble and refused to let her go. He pulled her closer, shielding her behind him. “Don’t worry. With me here, I’ll protect you!”

Li Bai watched Wang Fugui approach with a hint of surprise, then his expression cooled. He had taught this man a lesson once before in the street, yet clearly it had not been enough. He would not let him off so lightly this time.

When Wang Fugui reached the tower and saw Li Bai, surprise flickered across his face before giving way to a sly grin. He ignored Li Bai and reached straight for Xu Ziyan’s arm. “Come back with me, Ziyan!”

“Let me go!” Xu Ziyan struggled, her eyes full of loathing.

“Let you go? If I let you go, you’ll just run again! I finally caught you—why would I let you escape? Be good, come home and wait for me to marry you!”

Meng Haoran struck Wang Fugui’s hand away, furious. “Do you think you’re worthy of Ziyan? Take a good look at yourself!”

Wang Fugui arched an eyebrow and punched Meng Haoran in the face. “Let me show you exactly who I am. See clearly this time! Want to play the hero? You’d better know your own strength first!”

Enraged, Meng Haoran returned the punch. Wang Fugui, clutching his face, snarled, “How dare you hit me? Men, beat him—don’t hold back!”

His servants surged forward, raining blows and kicks upon Meng Haoran. Though gifted in talent, Meng Haoran knew nothing of fighting. Faced with overwhelming numbers, escape seemed the only option. He grabbed Xu Ziyan, preparing to flee, when Li Bai suddenly stepped in front of them, moving with lazy grace, his hand gripping a long sword, his expression one of careless ease.

“You again, meddling in matters that don’t concern you? I let you off last time, and you still interfere?” Wang Fugui glared at Li Bai, voice loud but quavering, uncertain whether it was lingering fear or awe from their last encounter.

“I enjoy meddling in others’ affairs, as you should know by now. Besides, my friends’ business is my business—that’s not meddling. If you wish to touch them, you’ll have to see if my sword agrees first!”

Li Bai’s sword seemed ready to leap from its scabbard at any moment. Wang Fugui was even more arrogant than before, and the air grew tense.

Xu Ziyan hid behind Meng Haoran, but her gaze never left Li Bai, brimming with admiration and deep emotion.