In the imperial capital in April, peach blossoms bloomed and willow branches danced with the wind. The spring breeze brushed against one’s face. In the outskirts of Xiliang, fallen petals filled the air in a riot of color; as far as the eye could see were peach blossoms in full bloom, and even the buds were tenderly pink. It was the place most beloved by young ladies of noble families and young masters of great clans, who came to enjoy the spring scenery, compose poetry, and pass the time in leisurely ease.
“Miss, we’ve arrived.” Qing’er had found a place where the peach blossoms were in splendid bloom, yet there were few people about. It suited her wishes perfectly, and she was quite satisfied. This maid had good judgment and was efficient in her work—worth cultivating.
“Qing’er, this place is not bad. Your miss likes it.”
“As long as Miss likes it. Qing’er will have the coachman drive the carriage a little farther away, so as not to disturb Miss.”
Xiao Qianyin nodded and slowly walked into the depths of the peach grove. Today, she wore a suit of black, a departure from her usual bright colors. Her long hair was tied only with a silvery-white ribbon, and a jade hairpin was tucked into her coiffure, fresh and clean without losing grandeur. Even from behind, her bearing was peerless, her aura refined and noble.
All at once, her gaze stopped, falling upon the scene ahead.
Amid the peach blossoms that filled the sky, petals drifted ceaselessly to the ground with the gentle breeze. Slanting sunlight outlined a faint halo. In the grove, a man held a sword and danced; his moon-white robes billowed, unfurling with his movements, sweeping through one breathtaking arc after another.
Free and elegant, every movement of his hands and feet was calm and unhurried, graceful and noble. His sword qi was ethereal and elusive, as clear and quiet as moonlight, yet as vibrant with life as blooming peach blossoms. They said beauty was like jade and the sword like a rainbow—indeed, it was no lie.
She found a place to sit and quietly watched this sword dance, while in truth the inner force within her body was continuously circulating. The man’s swordsmanship was profound and mysterious; observing another’s swordsmanship was likewise helpful for her breakthrough. Moreover, though there was no inner force revolving when the man danced with the sword, she could still tell that his attainments in swordsmanship were far above her own. She could not see through him.
“Miss.” Qing’er’s voice sounded. Xiao Qianyin made a gesture for silence, signaling for her to sit down and enjoy this sword dance together.
The moment Qing’er’s eyes touched that figure, they suddenly widened. He—wasn’t he…
She turned her head again to look at her own miss, only to see that Xiao Qianyin was completely focused. Even though the falling peach blossoms had scattered all over her hair and face, she paid them no mind. Her gaze was entirely fixed on the man, whose bearing was that of a distinguished scholar.
Xiao Qianyin faintly felt that she seemed to be on the verge of another breakthrough. She had not expected that a single sword dance could help her break through the barrier she could not overcome. Her admiration for the man increased by several degrees. Such a dance should exist only in the heavens; how many times could it be seen in the mortal world?
The sword dance came to a stop. The man turned around, dressed in white with loose hair, a faint luster flowing over his skin. Against the shower of falling blossoms behind him, he looked like one among the immortals.
She did not dare even breathe too heavily, for fear that in the next instant he would fly up into the nine heavens. By chance, she met a pair of eyes like black jade. In his eyes flickered a thousand kinds of glazed light, like an entire pond of lotuses quietly blooming.
His outstanding presence even eclipsed his handsome, elegant features. This sort of bearing had simply surpassed all human beauty, impossible to describe. His thin lips were as pale as water. This was a beauty beyond the secular world, unmatched by anyone.
“Miss Xiao, what do you think of this sword dance?” His voice was clear and gentle; clearly, the other party knew her.