Lin Zezu turned his attention back to the examination poem: "Compose a poem on the theme 'The green color of spring grass,' featuring the character 'spring,' in five-character lines and six stanzas."
He closed his eyes once more, shutting out the world as he pondered for nearly an hour. In truth, writing poetry was a struggle for him. He recalled the time Master Zhu had set the same theme for the five of them back at the private school. On that occasion, Lin Zezu had written no fewer than ten drafts, yet only one had earned the master’s praise. Without further hesitation, he picked up his brush and wrote:
The east wind blows across the verdant fields,
Spreading slowly to every fragrant stream.
The traces of rain remain faint and light,
As clear weather brings a fresher hue.
Distantly, the path to the Golden Valley fades,
Quietly connecting to the spring of Wuling.
Chapter 253