The Peach Residence had seven towers and three gardens. Li Xian slipped deep into its inner courtyards. Passing the Body-Nourishing Tower, he thought, Could Sister be getting dressed? I'll sneak over quietly. Avoiding everyone else, he stole into the Body-Nourishing Tower and climbed to the third-floor bedchamber. It was quiet and elegant inside, with no one in sight. Li Xian walked to the bed, lifted the bedding, and sniffed it lightly. Its fragrance filled his nose and soothed his heart. Here, at least, I can find a little peace. After nearly a month of taut nerves, maneuvering inside and out and dealing with every faction, he relaxed a little.
He then walked to the dressing table. Dozens of brocade boxes stood neatly arranged upon it, in purple, pink, and blue, with hairpins, golden anchors, necklaces, earrings, and other ornaments beside them. Tao Xiangrong's natural beauty was already a rare treasure, yet she delighted in adorning it further. Li Xian thought, I'll wait here for Sister to return and give her a surprise. He sat in a chair and waited idly for a while. Suddenly, he heard the rustling of wind and went to the window to look toward a secluded courtyard.
There he saw the beauty dancing with her sword, light and graceful, dreamlike and illusory, exquisitely lovely. She seemed an immortal maiden descended from heaven, a lost pearl left in the mortal world. Her figure swept like a startled swan and drifted like a roaming dragon. She was practicing Dreamwalking Swordplay.
Li Xian thought, Sister is thinking of me. Why wait? I'll go find her myself. He descended the Body-Nourishing Tower, went straight to the secluded courtyard, and watched her swordplay unseen.
Tao Xiangrong's sword wandered through dreams. Her sword drew forth longing, and longing stirred illusory dreams. Their