Once One Has Seen the Sea

Shangyan. To the north lay the Outer Regions, and to the south, Qiu Yao. It was now mid-March, with the spring equinox not far off. In theory, the weather should have been warming, making it the perfect season for all things to sprout and take root, for the trees to turn green, and for the sunlight to feel at its most comfortable. But perhaps because Qiu Yao had a warmer climate and endless plum rains, it looked more like May or June...