[Xishi cosplay] Honor of Kings Spirit of Illusion Veil: Jiangnan phantom veil amid a breeze across the Lotus pond

This outdoor photoshoot brought Xishi's Spirit of Illusion Veil from Honor of Kings to life, where the overarching concept blended seamlessly with the ambiance of a traditional Jiangnan garden.

The garment abounds with intricate details: the purple-blue gradient dress is not a harsh color block, but rather crafted from fabric with a subtle pearlescent sheen that yields a gentle glow under natural lighting. The skirt features an asymmetrical cut with a high side slit, edged with silver metallic lotus petal ornaments that could easily catch on nearby foliage if not careful while walking, requiring controlled movements throughout the shoot. The inner sheer white sleeves are detached and tied around the arms with slender ribbons, providing breathability while adding an airy, fluttering quality. The hair ornaments feature blue butterflies and tassels that sway delicately with motion, brimming with spirited charm.

To complement this look, I prepared a semi-translucent circular fan printed with purple floral patterns, along with a yellow oiled paper umbrella. The bamboo ribs of the umbrella possess wonderful flexibility, and opening it instantly cast a classical atmospheric filter across the frame.

For makeup, I prioritized a light, translucent finish: the foundation was applied sheerly, while the eye makeup utilized low-saturation pinkish-brown hues, concentrating on diffusion along the lower eyelids to soften my gaze. Managing the blunt bangs and long straight black wig took considerable time; to keep the strands silky and maintain crown volume throughout the day without collapsing, I prepped the hairstyle the night before and kept a small comb on hand during the shoot to smooth the ends.

The location was set beside a Lotus pond, with weeping willows and pavilions in the distance. Outdoor natural light can be notoriously tricky, so to avoid harsh direct overhead sunlight, we spent most of our time under tree shade or utilizing architectural structures to create gentle shadows. In the first shot, I sat within the frame of a moon gate, turning my profile outward; with dark carved woodwork in the foreground and sweeping green lotus leaves and willows in the background, this composition naturally evoked traditional Chinese painting aesthetics, beautifully accentuating the silhouette.

For the shot sitting along the railing with crossed legs, my core had to remain engaged to ensure the skirt draped naturally without bunching up. While the high slit accentuates long leg lines, outdoors one must remain constantly mindful of safety shorts, as relaxing posture even slightly could lead to unwanted exposure—every seemingly effortless movement was refined through repeated adjustments.

When glancing back over the shoulder with the oiled paper umbrella, paying attention to chin elevation was vital: raising it too high made the neck appear stiff, while tucking it too far created double-chin shadows. Ultimately, slightly tucking the chin while lifting my gaze proved most natural. Positioning the circular fan before the chest or half-shielding the face introduced classical coquettish grace, keeping the framing from feeling monotonous.

This garden setting discovered in Chengdu featured lush greenery, with numerous lotus blossoms flourishing across the pond. Although the weather was somewhat muggy and wearing the multi-layered costume worked up quite a sweat, seeing the soft lighting and fluid color transitions in the final frames made all the effort entirely worthwhile. Xishi inherently possesses an aura of graceful vivacity, and through the chromatic layers of the attire and the synergy of the props, we captured precisely the visual vision I envisioned.