Before long, the maid hurried back.
"Reporting to Old Madam, Mr. Li is taking his midday rest."
Old Madam looked at Zhang Tai. "Mr. Zhang, why not wait a little and sample the tea of our Duke of Southern State's Residence?"
Zhang Tai smiled. "Since Mr. Li is resting, I had better visit him at the Lakeside Courtyard myself."
At that moment, Zhang Tai was like a reader who had gotten halfway through a novel, only to have the rest abruptly cut off.
He wished he could charge straight into the author's home.
Before long, everyone arrived at the Lakeside Courtyard.
A gentle breeze swept past, sending enchanting ripples of light across the lake.
In the courtyard, Li Ping'an lay in a rocking chair, sleeping peacefully.
Two other figures were beside him.
They were Yan Shisan and his maid, Lan Yue.
Yan Shisan greeted everyone in turn.
Second Madam frowned slightly, but the expression vanished in an instant. "Shisan, why are you here too?"
"I came to help Mr. Li copy books," Yan Shisan said.
Second Madam smiled. "Bring Jingyang along with you next time."
"...That would depend on Mr. Li's wishes."
Second Madam gave a smile that never reached her eyes and smoothly changed the subject. "Is Mr. Li awake?"
"Of course I am."
Li Ping'an yawned and rose from his rocking chair.
"I didn't know you were coming and failed to come out to greet you. Forgive me, forgive me."
Zhang Tai looked Li Ping'an up and down, then stepped forward to introduce himself.
"Mr. Li, my surname is Zhang, my given name Tai, and my courtesy name Jingyuan.
"I had the good fortune to hear your verse and have come especially to seek your instruction."
Li Ping'an raised his eyebrows slightly. "Oh?"
"Drunk, I knew not the