Within the red tower, lanterns blazed brightly, splendid as daylight.
The sound of zithers drifted sweetly, melodies echoing through the red tower. Beauties moved with lotus steps, dancing gracefully; talented scholars improvised poetry to voice their feelings; martial heroes drank from great bowls and laughed boisterously.
The fragrance of wine filled the air, mingling with the aromas of fine food. Qin, xiao, drums, and reed pipes played alongside songs and laughter.
What a scene of peace and revelry. Compared to the harsh world outside, where sinister winds blew in gusts, this place was warm as spring, every face glowing red with cheer. It truly was a paradise one could not bear to leave.
Once you came in, you never wanted to leave!
Xiang Yuan and White Dragon found an empty table and sat down. Two red-adorned women in gauzy robes approached, bending down amid coquettish laughter to set down exquisitely shaped wine jugs and cups.
They also brought two small dishes to accompany the wine, asking White Dragon and Xiang Yuan to wait for the hot dishes still being prepared in the kitchen and enjoy the singing, dancing, and performances first.
Xiang Yuan did not ask the price and told them to bring more dishes. Seeing how broad-minded the two ladies were, with depths beyond sight when they bent over, they were surely kindhearted bodhisattvas given to charity. Presumably, spending money here cost nothing at all.
"Hehehe..."
Xiang Yuan waved the two bodhisattvas away, then looked solemnly at White Dragon. "Senior Sister, don't misunderstand. Life is like a play—I'm merely better at acting than other people."
White Dragon rolled her eyes. Forgive her bluntness, but this was called letting his true nature run free. It did not look like acting.
From beginning to end, White Dragon had never seen a