The moonlight is bright, and the shadows of the trees sway like mercury, flowing and dripping along the layered tiles.
Silence reigns over the world.
Excited students who had been awake for two days now fall into deep sleep, while a few who did not perform well during the day and scored poorly toss and turn, unable to sleep, and practice through the night.
Others still burn the midnight oil, cramming in a last-minute effort.
Mid-March sees temperatures gradually rise. In Pingyang Prefecture, the mountains would already be lush with spring colors. In the Imperial Capital, however, green buds are only seen in the gaps between stones and obscure corners, while the Prince Huai Mansion is likely the only place outside the Imperial City with a lush canopy.
The Little Shen Dragon curls around a beam, sleeping soundly.
