Chapter 162

“There or here, those who study all are alike…” San murmured as he scratched his head.

“…”

“I guess it’s some sort of ‘Night of the Humanities’ or something…”

“…”

“Why are you so quiet? Are you uncomfortable?”

“Just… I’m not used to this.”

Biyeon had a stiff expression as she periodically glanced at Rain. Rain also looked incredibly embarrassed and uncomfortable. They were currently at the front gates of a wealthy family’s home. They were awaiting a guide to lead them into the venue within. Rain sighed as she quietly looked ahead. She felt that the other two, San and Biyeon, were acting a bit strangely and awkwardly. It was the first time Rain saw the two act this way, but she could understand their reactions.

Rain glanced at San. The feelings that she had buried deep within her heart, as she knew that it would be improper to publicly show these feelings, were slowly starting to wriggle.

‘It’s probably because it’s spring…’

Having feelings for another would be forever forbidden for her. She had accepted it as her fate. However, her restriction had suddenly been released. It was something that happened this morning. The emperor’s ‘official recommendations’ had made its rounds in the imperial courts. The emperor was the empire’s leader and the supreme elder of the imperial court. His official recommendations were the highest level of order and the most important of imperial documents. The most recent recommendations dealt with the females of the imperial courts.

The first lines were stated in a delicate, feminine voice. She stated her line in a confident voice.

“The cold world is warmed by the breeze,” the next person said, continuing from the first line.

“The sweetness enveloped within the flowers is springing forth,” Rain continued.

“It awakens the hibernating body and makes one move about,” another person continued.

“But it also rekindles the broken pieces of one’s heart,” the next person stated.

“The body is rekindled by spring, but one’s heart still remains in the winter.”

It was now San’s turn. All the others’ eyes were upon him. Their stares seemed to feel hot on his skin. However, San just looked at the others without saying a word. A sense of disappointment fleetingly passed each of the participants’ faces. They also projected a sense of superiority. Yurisen nodded her head. This format would be difficult unless one was a veteran artist and participant of Mun-Ye-Rim. San’s expression slightly changed. A sense of loneliness, or… the others quickly reset their expressions.

“Don’t worry, everyone finds it difficult in the beginning…”

Yurisen was making an excuse before she stopped speaking. San was looking at Yurisen with a finger placed on her mouth. With a sad expression, he started speaking, “I’m sorry, but I do not think I can connect the words of what you all have presented. However…”

San tapped his fingers against the table.

“Let me speak frankly about what I think about the spring. Although I can’t follow a beat and rhythm like you all, I’d still like to express my opinions. Is this alright with you all?”

Everyone silently nodded their heads. They could sense that San had his pride crushed. With 10% expectation and 90% hesitation, Rain awaited San’s words.

San kept tapping his fingers against the table. It was as if he was finding the right rhythm.

The spring is an unyielding season.

One may have seeds to sow but nothing to harvest.

Wandering through the mountain’s ridges, the streams, and yellowed plains…

Even if one eats the newly grown grass or the jutting roots, the children’s tummies are still growling for more.

As if he finished his first line, San took in a breath. Time ceased to have paused for the others at the table. On the other hand, San’s taping fingers seemed to tap faster.