138 Ending the agony

 Li Juan gently traced the inscriptions on the stone monument which was smooth and cold, while her mind brimmed with an unknown melancholy,

"It is believed that the plum tree is planted by one of the Emperors, in the memory of his beloved wife," A local guide explained to a group of students who stood next to the tree,

"Hey, this tree doesn't look that old, he is bluffing," Someone commented,

"Once the tree reaches its peak of age, a new sapling sprouted from the dying tree as a symbol of-" The guide stopped looked at the group and asked in anticipation, "Does anyone knows about the symbolisation of plum blossom?"

Teachers who led the group swept a glance across the students who were left in awkward silence,

Those kids who refuse to open their mouth in the classroom, how are they going to answer this question?

"Preservence and hope," Li Juan who remained solemn opened her mouth to answer, gaining attention from everyone present there.