The Terrace of Spring

[Through dreams of illusion, I saw the truth in the desolate abyss.]

There is a well-known tale in this gloomy underworld.

It is said that by the Bridge of Forgetfulness, at the entrance to the Yellow Springs Road, there is always a ghost who looks like a young girl.

No one knows how long that ghost has been in the underworld, but it must have been several centuries. She was there when the newest ghost official first came to work, and she was still there after he had seen the same person through their tenth reincarnation.

She has a pleasant temper and a pretty face, and always smiles when she sees people. She loves peach blossoms most of all. The veteran ghost officials say her name is Xiao Tao, and there is nothing in the underworld she doesn't know. If you have a question, just ask her. If you're bored and want to pass the time, go find her.

She's like an encyclopedia, knowing the heavens above and the earth below. There's only one question she ever answers vaguely.

"Miss, you've guarded this place in the underworld for so long. Why not ask the King of Hell for permission to reincarnate in the human world?"

"I can't. I'm still waiting."

"What are you waiting for?"

"A long-delayed spring day and a liar."

-

Peach and plum trees fill the courtyard in celebration of Zhangtai; at night, the spring breeze carries its way into dreams.

Theme: Fate is meant to be broken