Sky Curtain: With a vermilion mirror, Jing travels through the modern world, shaking all dynasties.

Chapter 135 First Meeting with Wang Anshi

The next day, at Jiangchuan Tavern.

The tables and chairs in the tavern were spotless, and the tables were laden with a variety of dishes and fine wines, a perfect combination of meat and vegetables, appealing to both the eyes and the palate.

Zhu Jingjing helped set the table and couldn't help but ask, "Brother, why did you prepare so much delicious food today?"

Jiang Chuan wiped the wine glasses and said with a smile, "There are many guests today. Mr. Su said that he might bring Wang Anshi along."

"Perhaps we can also invite Xiao Sizi's father, and with Master Taibai and Master Meng joining us, with so many people coming, how can we not prepare a lavish feast?"

Zhu Jingjing's eyes lit up: "Little Si's father will really come?"

"Not necessarily, but we need to be prepared." Jiang Chuan put down his wine glass and checked the dishes on the table again. "If they come and feel that we've been neglecting them, we'll be ashamed even in ancient times."

Zhu Jingjing nodded and continued setting the table. But then she suddenly thought of her father, the Emperor, and her expression darkened slightly.

Jiang Chuan noticed this and quickly comforted her, "Jingjing, don't worry. As more and more sages come to the tavern, it will probably be Old Zhu's turn soon, and then you and your daughter will be able to meet again."

Zhu Jingjing lowered her head and remained silent.

Jiang Chuan pressed her for an answer before she finally whispered, "What if Father Emperor wants to take me back to the Ming Dynasty?"

Jiang Chuan was taken aback, then squatted down, looked her straight in the eyes, and asked softly, "Jingjing, do you want to go back to the Ming Dynasty?"

Zhu Jingjing remained silent for a while, then gently shook her head, finally managing to squeeze out only, "I don't know either."

She bit her lip and whispered, "I was born in the Ming Dynasty, where my father and mother are. But I don't want to leave you and Sister Xiaoyu. There's delicious food, fun things to do here, and so many interesting people like Mr. Taibai and Mr. Su."

She paused, her voice lowering even further, "And—once we return to the Ming Dynasty, I'm afraid we'll never be able to eat cotton candy again."

When Jiang Chuan heard her mention cotton candy, he couldn't help but smile wryly. He understood in his heart that although the girl said she didn't know, she was actually reluctant to leave.

He reached out and gently patted her head, saying softly, "Jingjing, don't worry. No one can take you away if you don't want to, not even your father."

Zhu Jingjing raised her head, her eyes lighting up: "Really? But Father Emperor—"

Jiang Chuan reassured her and laughed, "This is modern times, not the Ming Dynasty. Old Zhu's words don't carry weight here!"

The Great Ming Dynasty, Fengtian Hall.

Upon hearing Jiang Chuan's words, Zhu Yuanzhang flew into a rage, slamming his hand on the imperial desk, causing the teacups to clatter.

"Absurd!" He abruptly stood up, his eyes wide with anger. "Jing'er is my daughter. If I want to take her back to the Ming Dynasty, who dares to stop me? That Jiangchuan brat dares to spout such nonsense, saying that my words have no effect!"

He grew increasingly agitated as he spoke, pacing back and forth in the hall, his robes fluttering: "I am the founding emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty, the supreme ruler! Let alone bringing my own daughter home, I could even make future generations on the heavenly curtain bow down in submission!"

Seeing that he was truly angry, Empress Ma quickly got up and went to his side, gently pressing his arm and softly advising, "Chongba, please don't be angry. Jiang Chuan didn't say those words to provoke you; he was just comforting Jing'er."

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly, about to speak again, when Empress Ma said, "Think about it. Jing'er is a child with her own mind. If she really doesn't want to come back, and you force her to come back, will she be happy?"

Zhu Yuanzhang paused, his brows furrowing.

Empress Ma sighed and said softly, "Besides, my daughter will get married sooner or later. If she stays in the future, she will have plenty of new things to learn, and with Jiang Chuan and Lin Xiaoyu to take care of her, she will be happier than in the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent.

He stood in the hall, his back to Empress Ma, and remained silent for a long time.

That straight back seemed to loosen slightly at that moment.

He knew in his heart that everything Empress Ma said made sense.

In later generations, Jing'er certainly lived a more comfortable and happier life than she did in the Ming Dynasty.

Those delicacies and wondrous objects that he had never heard of before were things that the Ming Dynasty did not have!

"I—" He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but ultimately did not utter a word.

Modern-day Jiangchuan Tavern.

As soon as Jiang Chuan finished speaking, the tavern door was pushed open from the outside.

Su Shi, dressed in a green robe and with a smile on his face, stepped aside to let someone behind him pass.

The man was about fifty years old, with a thin face. Although his official robes were not particularly luxurious, they exuded a stern and imposing aura.

As he stepped across the threshold, his brow furrowed more and more as he looked around. The dazzling array of wine bottles, the strangely shaped lamps, and the gleaming glass on the walls filled him with astonishment and doubt.

"Zizhan, where is this?" Wang Anshi's voice was low, but he could not hide the shock in it. "I have never seen these things before."

Su Shi patted him on the shoulder and said loudly, "Jiefu, this is a fairyland, the abode of immortals! It is truly an immense blessing that you and I can visit this place!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Anshi was skeptical and was about to ask again when the tavern door opened once more.

Li Bai and Meng Haoran entered side by side.

Su Shi hurriedly stepped forward, cupped his hands and smiled, "Mr. Taibai, why are you so late today? I've gotten there first."

""

Li Bai stroked his beard and smiled, then returned the greeting with a cupped hand. "Young friend Su, you may not know this, but today we might get to see Emperor Taizong of our Great Tang Dynasty. My friend Haoran and I dressed up a bit, which is why we are a little late."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chuan began to carefully examine the two of them.

Sure enough, Li Bai had changed into a dark blue robe today, and the wine gourd that he always carried with him was nowhere to be seen. His hair was also neatly combed.

Meng Haoran, on the other hand, wore a moon-white robe, its sleeves fluttering in the wind.

The two men were dressed much more solemnly than their usual wandering knights in blue robes, and they really did have the air of being about to meet the emperor.

Wang Anshi, standing to the side, was utterly shocked and could not look away.

He stared intently at Li Bai, who had a handsome face, an elegant demeanor, and an unrestrained and wild temperament, just like the "banished immortal" described in the book.

He hesitated for a moment, then finally stepped forward, respectfully cupped his hands, and asked, "May I ask if you are Li Bai?"

Li Bai turned around, looked Wang Anshi up and down, and nodded with a smile: "I am Li Bai, and you must be the Wang Anshi that my friend Su mentioned?"

Wang Anshi was taken aback, never expecting that Li Bai knew his name.

He waved his hand, "It's fate that we've met here, no need for formalities."

Wang Anshi nodded repeatedly, then quietly tugged at Su Shi's sleeve and asked, "Zizhan, where exactly is this place? Why would the great Tang dynasty poet Li Bai appear here? Am I dreaming?"

Just as Su Shi was about to speak, Jiang Chuan greeted him with a smile.

"Mr. Wang, let me explain." He bowed slightly, his tone composed. "This is the modern world, a thousand years after your Great Song Dynasty! Due to some unknown circumstance, sages from various dynasties have been able to travel through time and space to my little tavern to enjoy drinks and conversation!"