Green Maple Valley, beside Azure Wave Pool.
The music of strings and pipes drifted sweetly through the air as more than a dozen graceful dancers in gauzy robes danced in the center of the waterside pavilion.
Their figures were exquisite, their steps light, like willows in the wind and lotus blossoms on the water.
Their sweeping sleeves stirred fragrant breezes, drawing even the brocade carp in the pool to gather and send rings of ripples across the surface.
On the jade terrace overlooking the water stood a broad rosewood couch.
Li Xinge, the Marquis of Chu, reclined on it, dressed in loose, moon-white casual robes.
One hand propped up his face while the other rested casually on his raised knee, his fingertips tapping softly to the music.
Elder Jiang stood to one side with his back bent, holding a jade wine pot, ready to refill Li Xinge's cup at any moment.
The long table before the couch was laden with sumptuous delicacies, spirit fruits, and fine wines.
Li Xinge's gaze settled on the two dancers at the front.
One wore pale-yellow gauze, the other a water-green silk skirt. Both had bright eyes and pearly teeth, and both were captivatingly alluring.
Their names were Yu Yan and Bi Yin, and lately, they had enjoyed considerable favor from the Marquis of Chu.
Delighted to see his gaze turn their way, they exchanged a glance and, with unspoken understanding, glided out of the dance formation with delicate steps to approach the rosewood couch.
Yu Yan casually picked up a lychee sent as tribute from Lingnan from the jade platter on the table. She peeled away its prickly, purplish-red shell, revealing flesh as translucent as jade.
Her eyes shimmered with just the right touch of bashfulness and allure as she carefully brought the fruit