Orden del Loto Rojo

Capítulo 3

The main text is like a dream (episode).

[Updated: 2006-01-07 23:27:55 Word Count: 4150]

Fourteen years later, spring. It was cherry blossom season again. In Sakuracho, the estate of Fujiwara no Narifumi in Yoshino, the cherry blossoms of all colors were in full bloom. The cherry blossoms in Sakuracho were different from those elsewhere; while they typically bloom for only seven days, in Sakuracho they bloomed for a full twenty-one days, displaying their beauty to the fullest. It was a bright and sunny spring morning. Fujiwara no Koyuki, the mistress of the house, rose early and instructed the maids to prepare everything needed to entertain the guests that evening. Today, Abe no Yasukiyo, the head of the Onmyōryō (Bureau of Yin and Yang), who had a close relationship with the Fujiwara family, would be visiting them from Heian-kyo in Yoshino. Every year when the cherry blossoms first bloomed, Abe no Yasukiyo would arrive as promised, to admire the flowers, enjoy tea, and engage in light conversation. What was most surprising was that Yasukiyo, who seemed detached from worldly affairs, was incredibly knowledgeable about the gossip of Heian-kyo. Of course, what she looked forward to most was his ghost stories. The cherry blossoms were still so beautiful this year. Looking at the garden in full bloom, Xiaoxue, on a whim, walked down the corridor and reached out to pluck a pink double-flowered cherry blossom still glistening with dew. "Little bird, little bird!" She was slightly surprised, turning back to look at the man hurrying towards her, and couldn't help but smile softly. So many years had passed, and time seemed to have been exceptionally kind to him. Today, his carnation-colored robe accentuated his noble elegance and extraordinary bearing. However, his expression seemed a little strange today—or rather, a little nervous and flustered. "How rare! Even Lord Chengfan is flustered like this. Who stepped on your tail?" A teasing smile played on her lips. "Oh dear, little bird, how can you still laugh?" He waved a stack of letters in his hand, somewhat exasperated, saying, "Do you know how many random young masters have been writing love letters to our Liuli?" "Our Liuli is so beautiful, it's not surprising she receives love letters," Xiaoxue said dismissively, continuing to pluck cherry blossom branches. "By the way, what kind of young masters are they?" she asked with interest. Cheng Fan glanced down and said, "There are those from the Fujimoto family, the Hojo family, the Tsukushi family..." "Hehe, good wine needs no bush. I didn't expect that even outside of Heian-kyo, our Ruri has so many admirers." Xiao Xue chuckled and buried her head in the flower petals, inhaling their fragrance. "But, our Ruri's coming-of-age ceremony isn't until next year. Receiving love letters now, these young masters are becoming increasingly rude. Won't it be even worse after the ceremony? Oh well, Little Bird, I've thought about it. Let's postpone Ruri's ceremony. Oh no, no, I have to warn Ruri's maids not to be bribed. Otherwise, if they secretly let those young masters in, Ruri's innocence will be in danger. Oh no, that still won't do. How about this..." "Calm down..." "Xiaoxue finally couldn't help but interrupt him, rolling her eyes. Chengfan was usually calm, but he would lose his composure when it came to his daughter. However, matters concerning the Fujiwara family women were major issues for Chengfan. "How strange, back then, Lord Chengfan was always writing love letters to pursue beauties. What, now that someone is pursuing his daughter, it's not acceptable?" Xiaoxue suppressed a laugh and glanced at Chengfan sideways. Upon hearing this, a hint of embarrassment flashed across Chengfan's face, and his imposing manner weakened a bit. "How can it be the same? I may be charming, but I'm not vulgar. Besides, those are all old stories, let's not bring them up again." Xiaoxue chuckled and said, "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Don't worry about it. With Ruri's personality, anyone who dares to sneak into her room will be half-dead, if not dead." A relieved expression flashed across Cheng Fan's face as he smiled and looked at Xiao Xue, saying, "That's true, like mother, like daughter, hehe, oh dear, I almost forgot." "What do you mean..." Xiao Xue picked up a freshly broken flower branch and threw it at him. Cheng Fan seized the opportunity to grab her hand and smiled, "I meant that the mother and daughter are both so beautiful." "Hmph, glib tongue." Xiao Xue rolled her eyes and said, "By the way, will Abe Taisei bring his handsome son, Abe Kiyotsugu, today?" The two, father and son, had exactly the same aura, aloof and devoid of any human warmth. "Of course they're coming together." "Oh, then it seems things are going to be a bit turbulent these next few days." Xiaoxue suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. She wondered why, but Abe Kiyotsugu and Ruri had never gotten along since their first meeting. The cold Kiyotsugu was always driven to rage by Ruri's antics, and she wondered what new tricks her precious daughter had come up with this year. "By the way, what ghost stories do you want Taiqing to tell this year? Didn't you tell him a lot of ghost stories from the Song Dynasty to impress him?" Chengfan gently stroked her wrist. "Not just ghost stories. Taiqing wrote in his last letter saying he'd created many new illusions. I insist he perform them for me this time." Xiaoxue felt a surge of secret pride. Thanks to Pu Songling's *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio*, Abe Taisei had shown great interest in the ghost stories. After she finished telling all the tales, a deep friendship had formed between them through this exchange of Chinese and Japanese ghost culture. Suddenly, a breeze stirred in the courtyard, and cherry blossom petals fluttered down, landing lightly on Chengfan and Xiaoxue's hair, shoulders, and clothes. Chengfan smiled and gently brushed the petals from her hair. "Chengfan, I'm going to Heifukuji Temple in a few days," Xiaoxue said softly, her smile fading. "I've already prepared. I know you go there every year around this time." Chengfan's fingers had already slid to her cheek, gently caressing it. "Yes, I want to see him on his birthday." A touch of melancholy and a faint sadness welled up in Xiaoxue's heart. Every year, March 16th was his birthday. "Little bird, you always watch him from afar. Will it be the same this time?" “Yes, even though I only see him from afar, it’s enough to know he’s doing well.” Xiaoxue smiled faintly. “I don’t want him to be in any danger, and I don’t want anyone to know he is… Brother Chongheng.” “I also advised him to live in seclusion elsewhere, but I didn’t expect him to choose to become a monk.” Cheng Fan sighed softly and embraced Xiaoxue. “Brother Chongheng has seen through the world and devoted himself to Buddhism, staying away from worldly troubles. This isn’t a bad thing for him, is it?” Xiaoxue was silent for a while. “A person’s life is really as short as these cherry blossoms.” She rested her head in his chest and whispered. Cheng Fan hugged her tighter and softly recited: “This world is like an empty cicada, and human affairs are ever-changing. Cherry blossoms bloom and fade, scattering like smoke in an instant. Such is life, but even a short life can be remembered and never forgotten, isn’t it?” “Yes, Munemori-nii, Tomomori-nii, Atsumori, everyone in the Taira clan, though their lives were as fleeting as cherry blossoms, I will always remember them,” Koyuki paused, then said softly, “And Yoshitsune.” Recalling the news ten years ago that Yoshitsune had been forced to commit suicide in Mutsu by Yoritomo, she knew that in that instant, though her eyes were dry, there was a place deep within her heart where tears flowed uncontrollably… “Kotori, you don’t hate him anymore?” Seibon asked, looking down. “What does it matter if I hate him or not? It wasn’t all his fault, was it?” "Xiaoxue spoke calmly. It seemed Yoshitsune's short life was solely dedicated to destroying the Taira clan, like a shooting star streaking across the sky, vanishing into the annals of history along with the Taira. Manipulated by the times, Yoshitsune's childhood loneliness led him to yearn for kinship with Yoritomo. However, Yoritomo himself was also being toyed with by fate, harboring a deep distrust of everyone. Although defeating the Taira was a shared goal, Yoritomo and Yoshitsune were destined for a bloody tragedy. Wasn't that already tragic enough? Life is unpredictable, like a dream. Yoritomo himself died a few years ago from a fall from his horse, and now the world is controlled by Masako's Hojo clan. That pure and ethereal young man, exuding a faint fragrance of plum blossoms, ultimately could not escape his tragic fate." Pink cherry blossoms like jade, white cherry blossoms like snow, scattering countless splendors in an instant. Now, recalling the past, the former glory of the Taira clan, everything that happened, seems like a spring night's dream, like dust in the wind. Only the incense on Narifumi's body remains so alluring, so real. The five-year agreement had just expired when he resigned without hesitation from his important position as a councilor of the Kamakura Shogunate, taking her and their children to live in seclusion in Yoshino. This man, for her sake, had done so much for Minamoto no Yoritomo. Over the years, he had experienced so many separations and reunions, so many joys and sorrows, weathered so many storms, and risen and fell amidst the fleeting changes, yet he still maintained that calm and composed maturity and naturalness. The free world in his heart was so clear and lofty, blooming with an unfading beauty. How fortunate to have him by my side in this life… Through the dark years, I felt lost; on the rugged roads, I felt confused; but as long as he was by my side, I feared nothing… Thinking of this, her emotions surged, and she hugged him tightly. "Sungfan, what did you say you were born for?" "I think it was to love you. And what about you, little bird?" "Hmm, then it was to be loved by you." "Hehe, little bird's answer is so cunning." "Sungfan..." "What?" "I love you." "What?" "I love you." "What?" "Nothing!" "Hehe. I love you too, little bird." "Father, Mother, when will Lord Abe arrive?" A sudden, clear boy's voice startled Sungfan and Xiaoxue, who quickly separated. "Masahiko, you're so rude! If you startle us like that again, I won't be so polite!" Xiaoxue patted her chest, glaring at the boy in light green casual clothes. Fujiwara Masahiko, who always appeared like a ghost, was now ten years old. His appearance and temperament were practically identical to Sungfan's, but his personality... "Yahiko, why are you so eager to see Lord Abe?" Narufumi maintained his elegant smile. "Because I want to become Lord Abe's apprentice, I want to become an Onmyoji." Yahiko said matter-of-factly. "Um, well, Yahiko, actually, besides ghosts and monsters, there are many beautiful things in this world, like beautiful girls..." Narufumi's lips twitched slightly, trying to persuade his son. "Girls? Father, I have no interest in women." Yahiko shook his head dismissively. "Father, I've decided, I want to spend my life with ghosts and monsters." His mother and sister, those two women in the family are already troublesome enough, he has his father as a role model. Women are all troublesome, he won't get bogged down like his father, only someone as good-natured as his father would enjoy it. "Spend your life with ghosts and monsters?" Yuki's smile froze on her face. "Mother, your smile looks so stiff..." Yahiko mischievously reminded Koyuki, raising an eyebrow before turning and leaving with a flourish, leaving the Fujiwara couple with veins bulging on their foreheads. "Kotori, what should we do? Our son has no interest in women. Is our Fujiwara family doomed?" Narifumi looked helpless, then suddenly sighed as if remembering something, "Is this my punishment for my past philandering?" "Yes, it's strange that our son didn't even inherit a fraction of your philandering." Koyuki muttered in bewilderment. "Kotori, you have to take responsibility for this. Yahiko used to listen to your ghost stories before bed when he was little, which is why he made that decision." That must be it, Narifumi's face clearly said. "Is that so?" Koyuki considered for a moment, then suddenly turned and left. "Kotori, where are you going?" "I think I'm going to tell him some adult stories..." Koyuki's voice had already disappeared into the corridor. "Eighteen+?" Cheng Fan looked puzzled, then suddenly laughed, gently catching a falling cherry blossom. It was probably time to teach his son how to pursue girls. He made this decision with a smile. (The End)

Extra Chapter: Yoshitsune's Fragrant Plum Blossoms

[Updated: 2006-01-07 23:31:34 Word Count: 2678]

Today, my life should end here. Brother, you still won't let me go. During these two years of fleeing, I knew this day would come sooner or later. Brother, I know you too well. The world is vast, yet there is no place for me anymore. I am not afraid of death. In every battle against the Taira clan, I was prepared to die, whether at Ichinotani or Dan-no-ura. For you, for the Minamoto clan, I was willing to pay any price, including—losing her. Even if that price leaves me with lifelong regret. "Lord Kuro! Saburo and Tsuneharu have all perished!" Benkei, covered in blood, rushed in, knelt down with a thud, and said in a deep voice, "Benkei bids farewell to Lord Kuro. Please, Lord Kuro..." I nodded slightly: "I understand. Today, fate is unavoidable. Let us meet again in the afterlife." "Lord Kuro..." Benkei's eyes reddened, and his voice choked with emotion. "Benkei will always follow Lord Kuro, no matter where we are!" "The words had barely left his lips when he gritted his teeth, stood up, and rushed out again. Saburo, Tsuneharu, Benkei—these companions who had followed me through thick and thin, one by one, were leaving me. I gently pressed my hand to my chest; a suffocating feeling quickly spread. Was I fortunate to have them, or were they unfortunate to have followed me...? Unconsciously, a tear slid down my cheek. I slowly wiped it away. I didn't want to cry, but an indescribable sorrow welled up from the depths of my heart, a despairing grief that made the tears fall uncontrollably. I am not afraid of death, but today it is you who will take my life, my beloved elder brother... From Kamakura to Yoshino, from Yoshino to Shikoku, from Shikoku to Mutsu, you have relentlessly pursued me, determined to kill me... Finally, today has come, and I have nowhere else to go." I am your own brother. You would rather believe Kajiwara Kagetoki's slander than look at my tearful memorial, written with every word stained with blood. My true intention in using armor as a pillow and bow and arrow as my profession was only to appease the anger of our late father's spirit. I took the official position bestowed upon me by the court not for my own benefit, but solely for the prosperity of the Minamoto clan. After all these years together, you should know what kind of person I am. It turns out that kinship is so fragile and vulnerable before power. I was alone from a young age, my parents died early, and my closest relative was my elder brother. That's why I traveled thousands of miles to Izu to meet you and clear all obstacles for your rule. I have no interest in power. I did this only because the blood of the Minamoto clan flows in my veins, only because you and I are brothers connected by blood. Now, I am truly confused. What was the purpose of everything I did? I destroyed the Taira clan, lost my friends, lost my beloved, and now even my brother has abandoned me... What was it all for? Perhaps this is retribution, retribution for destroying the Taira family, retribution for hurting her... I know she may no longer hate me. In the past two years, we've met occasionally. The hatred in her eyes is gone, but the estrangement is more heartbreaking than hatred. Narifumi and she were forced to stay in Kamakura, proceeding cautiously. It was Narifumi's swift marriage to her that neither my brother nor I expected. I know my brother has never forgotten her. Every time I see him gazing at the moonlight in the courtyard, lost in thought, I know he's thinking of her. My brother loves her more than I imagined. I understand him; he's not one to give up easily. But for Yuki, there's always a sliver of reluctance in his heart, and it's this sliver of reluctance that freed her. However, I also know that the world is always the most important thing to him. Sometimes I think, if Narifumi weren't so outstanding, if Narifumi hadn't become my brother's right-hand man, perhaps my brother would still have gone to great lengths to take her back. That would be the best ending, wouldn't it? At least, she's living happily with Chengfan now; at least, she has a peaceful life. When I heard they were getting married, I just smiled. My heart didn't ache at all, because—when I entrusted Xiaoxue to Chengfan, my heart had already shattered. The sound of a heart breaking is actually quite beautiful, like the soft rustling of a red plum blossom in its first bloom. Outside the Yichuan High Hall, flames raged. Time was running out. I slowly drew my sword. This treasured sword, which had slain countless enemies, was stained with the blood of countless Taira clan members. I never imagined that in the end, it would be stained with—my own blood. The scorching air rushed towards me. I closed my eyes, and before my eyes, it seemed I was back many years ago, in the cherry blossom-filled courtyard, her cheerful laughter, Tomomori's helpless expression, Shigeaki's indulgent smile, "Niu Ruo!" Her clear, soft voice seems to echo in my ears. Everything feels like it happened yesterday. Now, I really want to hear her call my name again, to see her smile for me once more, just once... The past scenes are vivid in my mind: the warmth in the snow, the worry in the hunting grounds, the sweet embrace, the unforgettable kiss, the painful separation, the sorrowful reunion, the endless hatred... Is this fate? My fate with her...? Liuli looks so much like her. I had that feeling the first time I saw her daughter. Little Liuli, who couldn't speak yet, smiled at me. In that instant, I felt an urge to cry. In my hazy memory, I seemed to see her smiling at me again, that long-lost innocent smile—I had longed for it for so long. For the first time, I realized how similar the sound of a knife piercing flesh is to the sound of a heart breaking. I closed my eyes, waiting for the red plum blossoms to bloom gently... If none of this had happened, perhaps I could have been the one to accompany you for life... If everything could start over, perhaps I would choose a different path, a path where I could love you completely. If...fate hadn't chosen me...If...there are ifs...Alas...if...there are no ifs... =================================== ========================================= Also attached is the famous "Yoshitsugu" (a type of memorial written by Minamoto no Yoshitsune to Minamoto no Yoritomo), a letter filled with heartbreaking sorrow and poignant grief, truly evokes sympathy. Yoshitsune, appointed by the Emperor's decree as an imperial envoy, was tasked with suppressing the rebellious minister and avenging the humiliation of Kuaiji. He should have been rewarded for his merits, but alas, he was unjustly slandered, a truly heartbreaking situation. Whether the slander is true or not remains unclear, and his audience with the Emperor in Kamakura was refused, leaving him with no way to express his sincere grievances. At this time, my esteemed brother is unable to pay his respects, and the bond between blood relatives is severed. Alas, is this the fate of this life, or the karmic retribution of a past life? How tragic! My deceased father's spirit cannot be reborn. Who will mourn for me? Who will show me compassion? Therefore, I submit this letter again, briefly expressing my thoughts. Yoshitsune's body and hair were given to him by his parents. He was not long old when his late lord passed away, leaving him an orphan. He never had a moment of peace. Though he managed to prolong his life, he could not find refuge in Kyoto and was forced to flee to a remote border region. Fortunately, his fortunes changed suddenly, and he was ordered to come to Kyoto to punish the Taira clan. At the start of the war, he eliminated Kiso Yoshinaka, and then, to completely annihilate the Taira clan, he sometimes rode his horse among towering cliffs, disregarding his life; sometimes he sailed through raging waves, nearly drowning himself in the belly of a whale. Moreover, the reason I sleep in the open, using my armor as a pillow, is solely to avenge my late lord's humiliation at Kuaiji; I have no other desires. With the greatest protection of all shrines and temples, I declare that I have no ambition whatsoever. I respectfully address all the gods and Buddhas, large and small, throughout the country, to express my unwavering loyalty. I can only rely on the boundless compassion of my elder brother. I hope that when the time is right, I can convey this to my elder brother Yu Cong. If he can show some understanding and clarify my innocence, he will forgive my guilt. Words cannot express everything, so I will only briefly state a few points. Respectfully submitted by Yoshitsune on the 5th day of the 6th month of the 2nd year of the Genryaku era. Minamoto no Yoshitsune ============================================== Thank you to all the JMS who have been following my posts! ^_^ Round and Flat, I will be writing a new book soon, possibly set in ancient Europe. Let's chat on MSN later.

Text Extra: Chongheng’s Reincarnation of the Lotus (1)

[Updated: 2006-02-01 21:21:40 Word Count: 2839]

Before I knew it, it was cherry blossom season again. My heart, usually focused on chanting sutras, was gently stirred, for I knew she would come every year on March 16th. I knew she always held me in her heart, and I understood she always saw me as an older brother. But as long as I existed in her heart, even as an older brother, I was content. This year, spring seemed to have come exceptionally early, and the cherry blossom season looked almost over. Beauty is fleeting, and so is our family. Aren't we like these cherry blossoms, fading away after a moment of brilliance, gradually forgotten? Seeing the scar on my wrist, I couldn't help but recall our first meeting. That sharp bite left this indelible mark on my wrist. At the time, I didn't know that in that instant, an indelible mark would also be etched into my heart. As a young child, I felt such complex emotions for the first time—love, or anger? I didn't know. I only knew that this mark might accompany me for all eternity. After we reconciled, I secretly thought that this younger sister from the State of Song might become a very important person to me in the future. I think I'm lucky; at least I can watch her grow up and accompany her through every little thing in life. But I don't know when it started, my gaze became increasingly drawn to my sister's smile. I only love her as an older brother, don't I? I told myself this silently. She's my sister, and one day she will get married and leave me. Every time I thought of this, my heart felt like it was blocked by something, a suffocating feeling as if a stone was pressing down on it, making it impossible for me to think any further. Could my sister's coming-of-age ceremony be delayed? ... Sister, I wish you wouldn't grow up. ... Amidst my anxiety, my sister's coming-of-age ceremony still arrived. Although she was an adopted daughter of the Ping family, she had always been doted on by Mother, and her beautiful appearance was already known to outsiders. Several young nobles who were close to her in the palace had long harbored feelings for her and had inquired about her from me many times. The thought that my sister might one day marry one of them and bear children for another man made my heart feel like it was about to explode. That day, after leaving the palace, when the lieutenant general, with whom I was usually closest, asked me to help him enter Xiaoxue's boudoir and facilitate their marriage, I finally couldn't suppress my anger. I not only nearly injured him but also severed all ties with him. In the aristocratic circles of that time, I knew my reaction was too extreme, too abnormal. But how could I? How could I so easily hand over my beloved sister to another man? I absolutely couldn't do it. My sister is mine, mine. This voice kept echoing in my mind, tormenting my thoughts and my heart, preventing me from sleeping. I could only lie awake, enduring one sleepless night after another in agony. What's wrong with me? How could I have such thoughts? Am I being too protective of my sister? What's wrong with me...? Tormented by these unclear emotions, I finally understood my feelings the moment I heard her agree to marry Fujiwara no Narifumi. I wouldn't let her marry anyone else, never, because I had fallen in love with my sister. I don't know when it started, I only know that from this moment on, she could only belong to me alone, my sister alone, my woman alone. I did something I couldn't believe myself: I kissed her forcefully. Her lips were so beautiful. The moment I touched them, something seemed to quietly bloom in my heart. This dreamlike feeling captivated me, and it led me to make a decision. Looking back now, I think that was the first time I made a wrong decision. "I'm going to marry her!" I declared this decision to my parents and brothers without regard for anything else. I had considered that if they disagreed, I would leave with her. To my surprise, my mother was very supportive, but even more unexpectedly, my third and fourth brothers... had also fallen in love with her. How could things have turned out this way? Watching my sister faint from shock, I regretted my impulsiveness. Was she terrified? I shouldn't have been so reckless, but I have no regrets about that kiss. Just as I was composing myself and deciding to try again, news came that my sister had run away from home. This news struck me like a thunderbolt in June. My sister was gone? Just like that, she disappeared from my sight? Had I lost her like this? My heart felt like it had been ripped out by a sharp blade. I thought, perhaps, I had lost the most important thing... If I hadn't been so impulsive, perhaps my sister wouldn't have left... I know my third and fourth brothers felt the same way as me; we were all secretly regretting and worried. We all bore some responsibility for my sister's departure, but no one said a word. After that, we did search, but she vanished like a lark in the sky. My sister, my beloved sister, every time I think of her perhaps suffering somewhere, my heart aches as if cut by a knife. As time passed, perhaps I would slowly get used to life without her... This thought vanished the moment we reunited years later. "Don't look," I said, pressing her face tightly against my chest, not wanting her to see my uncontrollable tears of longing. I knew that in this life, I would never love anyone else. This time, I would cherish her carefully; I couldn't scare her away again. All my love would remain hidden in my heart. As long as she was by my side, never leaving me again, I would be willing to be her brother for life. No one expected that peaceful days would end like this. Our Taira clan once again embarked on the path of war against the Minamoto clan. This time, I made another decision, which I think was the second worst decision of my life—to send her to the battlefield with us. Even now, I still regret that decision. If I hadn't sent her to the battlefield, perhaps her life would have been easier. When news of the Taira clan's annihilation at the Battle of Dan-ura arrived, I, captured and alone, could only silently bleed in my heart. After the humiliation of being paraded through the streets of Kyoto, I had lost all fear of death. Now that the Taira clan was destroyed, it was time for me, a member of the Taira family, to follow my brother in death. Yet, a sliver of hope lingered in my heart: perhaps my sister was still alive… If I could see her one last time before I die, I knew it was a luxury. When I saw her enter my room, I still doubted if I was dreaming, until I held her trembling body, the warmth from my hands telling me it wasn't a dream, it was real… Thank Buddha, my sister didn't die. But the thought of leaving her to bear the annihilation of the Taira clan alone made my heart tremble. She did nothing wrong; she shouldn't have sacrificed so much for the Taira clan, endured so much suffering. If I hadn't been so willful, if I had let her marry Fujiwara no Narifusa, if I had resolutely refused to let her go to the battlefield… then perhaps her fate wouldn't have been so tragic. I truly regret it. It was me, I changed her destiny… Her tears broke my heart. Suddenly, I didn't want to die. I didn't want to leave her alone to face all this. Buddha, let me bear all this pain alone... "My sister, Yanru Zixi, how could she not be my beloved? Alas, she is not my wife, my longing breaks my heart." Watching her run away, my heart, in that instant, shattered like cherry blossoms falling in early spring, petals flying sadly everywhere. "Brother Chongheng, in the next life I will definitely marry you, so you must find me!" My beloved sister, in the next life I will definitely find you, I will definitely recognize you first, I will definitely hold your hand tightly, I will definitely... I will definitely... Because... for these fourteen years... I have prayed to Buddha day and night... in the next life... to be reborn with you on the same lotus leaf... to meet you again... sister... my most beloved... sister...

Text Extra: Chong Heng’s Reincarnation of the Lotus (2)

[Updated: 2006-02-04 14:37:13 Word Count: 4237]

In March, Kyoto is ablaze with cherry blossoms. Compared to the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Tokyo, Kyoto is like a gentle and graceful noblewoman from the Heian period, subtly evoking a past splendor long since vanished into the annals of history. Gazing at the cherry blossoms fluttering in the air, I, visiting Kyoto for the first time, suddenly felt a strange sense of familiarity. "Lin Xue, what do you think? I told you, Kyoto is beautiful!" Yumi smiled and took my hand, a smug look on her face. Izumi Yumi is my classmate at the University of Tokyo, while I, Lin Xue, am just one of countless international students. Our shared love of ancient history made Yumi and me good friends. This time, taking advantage of a break from working on her thesis, she insisted on taking me to her hometown, Kyoto. For someone as captivated by the vibrant culture of the Heian period as I am, seeing the former Heian-kyo (Kyoto of the Heian Dynasty) was an irresistible temptation. "By the way, I'm taking you to see a Noh performance here tonight. Haven't you been wanting to see one for a while?" "Really? That's great!" I couldn't hide my excitement. Noh, like Kyogen, is one of the four major classical dramas of Japan, and I'd always wanted to experience it. I never expected such a great opportunity. "Okay, okay," I replied hastily. The stage for tonight's Noh performance is one of the largest in Kyoto. The main stage is about six meters long and wide, built of polished Japanese cypress wood, with a Shinto-style roof. The back wall is painted with cherry blossoms, which must be the backdrop for tonight's performance. "Yumi, what play is being performed tonight?" I couldn't hide my curiosity. "Oh, it's a classic play adapted from The Tale of the Heike—Atsumori, the one Oda Nobunaga greatly admired." Atsumori? Hearing Yumi's answer, a strange, indescribable feeling suddenly welled up inside me. Just as I was intently watching the stage, a small commotion arose in the audience. "Lin Xue, look closely, an important character is about to appear," Yumi whispered in my ear. The protagonist, wearing a mask, a white wig, and a dark blue brocade costume, appeared. His age was indiscernible; he appeared to be a tall, slender man. Although my Japanese is quite good, I still struggled somewhat while watching Noh. I imagine it's similar to how a foreigner fluent in Chinese might experience watching Peking Opera. Fortunately, I had read the Tale of the Heike before, so I had some understanding of this period of history, which allowed me to continue watching, albeit with some comprehension. The man's entire face was covered by a mask, leaving only slow, deliberate movements. Like a ritualistic declaration to heaven and earth, he expressed the tranquility of returning to a fleeting dream: everything unfolds from a profound depth, tragedy rising and falling beneath his flowing robes, seemingly enveloping the entire sorrow within. The audience was completely silent, seemingly immersed in the story. When I saw Atsumori calmly face his death at such a young age, and the Taira clan suffer a crushing defeat at the hands of Ichinotani, tears welled up uncontrollably. A deep, indescribable sorrow seemed to surge within me. How could this be? I wiped away my tears in disbelief. This man's acting was truly superb; otherwise, why would I be moved to tears? My tears didn't stop until the very end. Yumi looked at me with surprise and smiled, "Xiaoxue, what's wrong? I didn't expect you to be so moved." A hint of pride flashed in her eyes as she said, "Would you like to see the actor's face?" Her words piqued my curiosity, and I nodded. What kind of face was hidden behind that mask? Yumi smiled charmingly, took my hand, and led me backstage. As soon as we arrived backstage, I saw the man in the dark blue robe removing his mask with his back to us. "Brother!" I was startled. This startle wasn't from Yumi's call beside me, but from the instant the man turned his head. My heart pounded, a strong sense of déjà vu washing over me. It was a remarkably young and handsome face, his lively brows exuding an elegance rarely seen in modern people. It felt like I'd seen him somewhere before, but I couldn't quite place it. His bright black eyes, like magnets, captivated my gaze. Still dressed in his opera costume, he looked every bit the refined nobleman from the Heian period. "Brother, this is the Chinese classmate I told you about. Her name is Lin Xue, and she's my good friend," Yumi chattered on. He looked at me, a strange light flashing in his eyes, and nodded slightly, saying softly, "Nice to meet you. I'm Takasago." "Takasago?" I looked at him, somewhat puzzled. "Takasago is my brother's stage name. His real name is Izumi Hiroshi," Yumi explained with a smile. "Brother, you know what? Xiaoxue was crying the whole time she was watching your performance, hehe." A slight smirk played on his lips as he looked at me, a hint of amusement in his eyes. I quickly lowered my head. Oh no, my eyes must be red and swollen now, I look awful. "Go home early after you're done watching," he said gently, glancing at Yumi. Yumi playfully pulled his hand, saying, "Okay, brother, come home early too. I'll take Xiaoxue home first." Gao Sha looked at me again, and meeting his deep gaze, my heart suddenly skipped a beat. Lin Xue, calm down. Although he's handsome, and although he's my type, I need to stay calm, stay calm. "Welcome to my home. Take this opportunity to explore." He smiled, staring at me. Right, Yumi's house is his house, so that means I might see him every day for a while? Thinking about this, I felt a mix of anticipation and nervousness. "Yes, thank you. I'll be troubling you these days," I replied politely. ====================================== Yumi's home was a simple two-story villa. I only just learned that she came from a Noh family; her father and brother were both Noh performers, and quite famous ones at that. Her parents were currently performing in Hokkaido, so it was just her and her brother at home. "Yumi, how about we go to Kobe tomorrow?" Yumi said while making sushi. We'd already explored almost all of Kyoto these past few days, and Kobe sounded appealing. "But I haven't written my thesis yet. This time, it's an analysis of ancient and modern waka poetry collections, and I haven't even started reading it properly." I really wanted to go, but the thought of not having a chance to write the thesis dampened my enthusiasm. “Don’t worry, my brother can help you. He’s a specialist in ancient Japanese culture. It’s decided then.” “Izumi Yumi…” I sighed helplessly. Why am I always so easily tempted? “What time do we leave tomorrow?” She laughed loudly, “First thing in the morning!” ========================================= The next morning, Yumi suddenly had a stomachache, so the important task of accompanying me to Kobe fell to her brother, Takasago. Sitting in the car, I secretly glanced at Takasago, who was driving. Today he was only wearing a beige jacket and jeans, which gave him a more modern and youthful look compared to yesterday, but it couldn’t hide his elegant demeanor. Perhaps this was because he had been involved with art since childhood. “Um, sorry, I need you to come with me today,” I said softly. He smiled slightly and said, "It's alright, I'm free these next couple of days anyway. Besides, you're my sister's good friend, so don't be shy. By the way, we'll be arriving in Suma City, Kobe, in half an hour. Yumi said you love history, so this is the site of the Battle of Ichi-no-Tani during the Genpei War." So this is where Ichi-no-Tani is! My heart skipped a beat. To be able to see the battlefield that was once filled with the smoke of battle eight hundred years ago and feel that lost history firsthand is truly a moving experience. Looking out the car window, many buildings along the street still retain the style of Kyoto at that time. I couldn't help but admire how well the Japanese have preserved historical sites. After getting off the car, we walked through Suma's shopping street to reach the site of Ichi-no-Tani. Halfway there, I suddenly saw a building that looked like a pavilion and couldn't help but ask, "What's this?" Takasago walked over, looked at me, and said, "If you've read The Tale of the Heike, you should know about the three lieutenant generals, Taira no Shigehira, right? This is the site where Taira no Shigehira was captured alive during the Battle of Ichi-no-Tani." As he spoke, a trace of sadness flashed in his eyes. "Taiba Shigehira, I know this historical figure. I felt very sorry for his tragic fate when I watched The Tale of the Heike. Today, I can actually see the place where he was captured alive with my own eyes." "What's wrong? You look terrible." Takasago reached out and supported me, a hint of surprise flashing across her face. I shook my head. I didn't know what was wrong with me either. I just felt a sudden, sharp pain in my heart, as if something was pressing down on me, making it hard to breathe. That familiar feeling of sorrow was back... What's going on? He's just a Japanese historical figure, but why do I feel such a strange, very sad feeling? "Nothing, I just feel inexplicably sad. I think it might be because of the tragic fate of the Heike family in history." I smiled. "Actually, I don't know why, but every time I come here, I always feel a sense of sadness. When performing Noh plays related to The Tale of the Heike, I'm always exceptionally immersed in them. So sometimes I think, maybe I was a member of the Heike family in a past life." Takasago suddenly smiled and said softly. Hearing him say that, I suddenly recalled our first meeting last night. His demeanor truly resembled that of an elegant young nobleman of the Taira clan. He gazed at me, a hint of indescribable melancholy flickering in his eyes. This melancholy seemed to intensify my heartache. We stared at each other. Why did this scene feel so familiar? My mind seemed to be flooded with countless thoughts... I felt dizzy... "Xue, may I call you that?" He broke the silence. I nodded. His smile slowly spread across his eyes. What a gentle man! My heart began to beat faster again. What should I do? I seemed to be slowly drawn to him... Standing at the foot of Ichinodani, listening to the waves crashing against the shore, I closed my eyes. I could almost faintly hear the sounds of the samurai of the Genji and Taira clans fighting on the ancient battlefield eight hundred years ago... Life is unpredictable; in the blink of an eye, everything has changed. Ichigoya still stands here, but all those famous and nameless figures have vanished into the long river of history. Thinking of this, a sudden pang of pain slowly spread from the depths of my heart. "Xiaoxue, are you crying?" Gao Sha's voice pulled me back from my reverie. I was surprised to find my face covered in tears. What happened? I quickly wiped my tears with the back of my hand and gave an awkward laugh. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I've made you laugh again. You always see me like this. I'm not usually a crybaby. I don't know what's wrong with me these past few days, maybe I've had too many feelings..." An unfathomable light flickered in his eyes. He reached out his slender fingers and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of my eyes. In a trembling voice, he said, "Why do I feel so bad when I see you cry? It feels like my heart is breaking. Xiaoxue, I never believed in love at first sight before, but the first time I saw you, I felt a deep connection with you. I think I must have known you in a past life, otherwise, how could I have such a strange feeling?" A smile appeared on his lips. He took my hand, looked into my eyes, and whispered, "Xiaoxue, go out with me." Go out? I froze. A handsome guy like Takasago confessing to me should make me happy, but this seems too fast, doesn't it? Love at first sight, really? "I, I... but this is only our second meeting, it seems too hasty?" I still can't accept this unexpected good fortune. Maybe Takasago's words were just a momentary impulse. "I won't force you. I'm sorry, in that case, please forget what I just said." A hint of disappointment flashed across Takasago's face, but he immediately smiled again. It really was just a momentary impulse. A sense of indescribable loss swept through my heart. =================================================== Dear readers, I usually post my first articles here: /onebook.php?novelid=82624

Main text Extra chapter "Chongheng's Reincarnation of Youlian (3)" is completed

[Updated: 2006-02-05 15:37:07 Word Count: 2908]

On the way back from Kobe, we seemed to talk much less. Back in Kyoto, Yumi seemed much better. She asked with a grin, "How was your day? Was my brother a good tour guide?" I nodded, hesitating whether to tell Yumi about Takasago's confession to me. Suddenly, the little girl remembered something and dragged me towards Takasago's room. As soon as we entered, she said to him, "Brother, Yuki's paper this time is related to the Kokin Waka Poetry Collection. You've researched that, so why don't you give Yuki some guidance?" My face flushed red, and I couldn't speak. Takasago, however, smiled slightly and said, "Sure, Yuki, I'll come to your room after dinner." Ring ring! Yumi's phone suddenly rang. She answered it, said a few words in a low voice, and then smiled and said to us, "Sorry, tonight is my good friend Rie's birthday. I might be back a little late." "But, Yumi, aren't you feeling unwell? Are you really going out?" Hearing that Yumi was going out, I couldn't help but feel a little nervous. Wouldn't that leave just the two of us at home? "Don't worry, I'm fine now," Yumi said, already putting on her shoes in the entryway. "Should I go with you?" My heart started to race. Yumi looked up at Takasago and me, then gently shook her head. She smiled and said, "No need. Just let my brother tutor your thesis." I was about to say something more when Takasago said jokingly, "What, Yuki, are you afraid I'll eat you?" I glanced at him; a slightly mocking smile played on his lips. "Alright, I'm leaving," Yumi waved goodbye gracefully, then opened the door and walked out. ====================================== Only the two of us were left in the house. He smiled at me and said, "Why don't we discuss it in the living room?" "I'll go get the waka poetry collection first. You wait here for me." "By the way, which one is your favorite?" He quickly came out of the room, holding a thick waka poetry collection, and casually asked me. I answered almost without thinking, "Of course, it's the one Prince Ōama gave to Prince Ngata." He stared at me for a long time before slowly saying, "This is also my favorite." As he spoke, he softly recited, "My sister is as beautiful as a purple madder, how could she not be my beloved? Alas, she is not my wife, my longing breaks my heart." The moment he recited this waka, I felt as if I had been struck by lightning. This scene seemed familiar, and my heart ached. What's wrong with me? Since meeting Takasago, why can't I control my emotions? Why does everything feel so familiar? Could it be, as he said, that we knew each other in a past life? "That feeling of wanting to love but not being able to is truly pitiful." He gazed deeply at me, gently taking my hand and saying, "Xiaoxue, what I said in Kobe was serious. Please reconsider. I didn't act on impulse." He paused, then continued, "Actually, I've liked you for a long time. Ever since I saw your photo at Yumi's place, I knew you were the one I'd been looking for. That's why I specifically asked Yumi to bring you this time." I was stunned for a moment, suddenly recalling Yumi's stomachache and the friend's birthday party that evening. It did seem like they were deliberately creating an opportunity for me and her brother. Thinking of this, a nameless anger suddenly rose within me, as if I had been played. I shook off his hand and said coldly, "So that's how it is. Then I think I should take my leave." He suddenly grabbed my hand again, an unusual flame flickering in his eyes, and said in a deep voice, "Xiaoxue, don't be angry, don't blame Yumi. I'm sincere. Don't go." I tried to pull my hand away, but couldn't. I grew angry and muttered, "Let go of me! I'm leaving. I'm going back to Tokyo tonight." His grip tightened, and my anger intensified. "Will you let go or not?!" "No." His face was stubborn, his eyes fixed on me. "If you don't let go, I won't be polite," I threatened angrily. "I won't let go, Xiaoxue." His expression was even more determined than before. I glared at him for a moment, then suddenly lowered my head and bit down hard on his wrist. In that instant, I clearly heard him gasp in pain. But the pressure on my wrist didn't lessen at all; his hand remained firmly gripped. The bite was really hard; blood seeped from the deep teeth marks. "Are you an idiot?!" Seeing him bleed, my heart felt like it was being ripped out. "You're bleeding, and you still won't let go!" "I won't let go, Xiaoxue. I will hold your hand tightly, and I will never let go in this lifetime." As he spoke, he pulled me into his arms. Leaning against his chest, I could clearly hear his heart pounding fiercely. That strong heartbeat inexplicably gave me a sense of security. Actually, I was already moved the moment I first saw this man. "Put some medicine on first." "It's okay!" "Be careful not to get tetanus!" "Heh, are you a puppy?" "You're the puppy! Put on the medicine!" "So, will you agree to date me?" "Put on the medicine first!" "Then I'll take that as a yes." "Anyway, put on the medicine first..." "Okay, okay." He smiled at me, his dreamlike eyes seeming to melt my heart. ==================================== By the time the cherry blossoms finished blooming, the wound on Takasago's wrist had long since healed, but the tooth mark seemed destined to remain. After obtaining a peace charm at the Heian Shrine, Takasago suddenly rolled up his sleeve, revealing his right arm, and said, "Look, your tooth mark is quite deep." I glanced at it, and sure enough, a neat row of teeth marks was clearly imprinted on his right wrist. I felt a pang of guilt, yet also a bit amused. He gazed at me, and slowly said, "I have a secret to tell you." He gently rolled up his left sleeve, waved it in front of me, and whispered, "Look." To my surprise, there was also a small red mark on his left wrist, which looked quite like a teeth mark. I couldn't help but laugh and said, "Takasago, so you were bitten before? Looks like you have a history of bad behavior." He shook his head and looked at me, saying, "This is my birthmark. I've had this mark since I was born." I laughed again and teased, "So, you were bitten in your past life? Ah, you must have done something bad to get bitten." He smiled and said, "Look, don't these two teeth marks look alike?" I looked closely, and sure enough, except that the birthmark tooth mark was a little smaller, compared to the one I was bitten, the outline and shape seemed to be carved from the same mold. I was secretly surprised when I saw this. "So, Yuki, I told you, we must have known each other in our past lives. Look, you left this mark on me in our past life. In this life, I have finally found you again, so how can I let go so easily?" He gently rubbed my hand in his. A slight tremor ran through me; something soft seemed to have been touched. I lowered my head and leaned against him. A faint scent of grass wafted from him, a comforting aroma. Izumi Heng, I think I've really fallen for this man… A few cherry blossom petals fluttered down, landing on us. “I wonder what our relationship was in our past lives. Needless to say, it must not have been good, otherwise why would I bite you?” “Hehe…” “Look, some cherry blossoms are still blooming in their last moments.” “Xiao Xue…” “Hmm?” “From now on, let's watch the cherry blossoms together every year.” “Every year?” “Yes, every year.” “Hmm…” No matter how many long years pass, no matter how our appearances change, no matter how many reincarnations we go through, that soul that deeply loves you will never change… forever… forever… ================================ I've started a new side story about Xiaoxue and Chengfan's precious daughter, Liuli. Please check it out for the Kamakura no Ruri-hime side story.

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Kamakura no Ruri-hime Gaiden

The person who picks flowers

In March, Yoshino was ablaze with cherry blossoms. Ever since the rumor that the cherry blossoms in Lord Fujiwara no Narifumi's territory could bloom for twenty-one days reached the capital, nobles and courtiers from the capital and Kamakura began flocking to Yoshino to enjoy the cherry blossoms. This year's cherry blossom season was another headache for Lord Narifumi. He had originally planned to go elsewhere with his wife, Koyuki, to avoid the cherry blossoms, but he couldn't bear to leave them behind and had to give up the idea. Another thing that troubled Lord Narifumi was his beloved daughter, Ruri. Ruri had just turned fifteen and celebrated her coming-of-age ceremony. He had tried his best to postpone it, but the day had finally arrived. "Narifumi, what are you thinking about!" Koyuki noticed that Narifumi was deep in thought, walked over quickly, and waved her hand vigorously in front of his eyes. "Sungbeom, are you thinking about something?" Xiaoxue looked surprised at first, then laughed. "Sungbeom looks so cute when he's thinking seriously." Seeing Xiaoxue's smile, Sungbeom also smiled, a loving smile playing on his lips. He lowered his head and whispered in her ear, "So, little bird, would you like to see me even cuter?" Seeing a blush creep up Xiaoxue's face, his smile deepened. They had been married for sixteen years, yet Xiaoxue was still so sensitive at times. "By the way, where's Liuli?" Sungbeom asked with a smile. “Ruri? She’s probably outside.” Xiaoxue’s answer made Chengfan’s smile vanish instantly. “What? Outside? Oh dear, Xiaoniao, why didn’t you keep an eye on her? She’s already had her coming-of-age ceremony; she can’t just go out like that. Besides, there are so many nobles and dignitaries coming to Yoshino now. Oh dear, this won’t do! Quickly send someone to bring her back to me!” “Isn’t that necessary? We parents can’t deprive her of her freedom. Locking her in her room every day is too inhumane and unscientific; it’s not good for a child’s development at all.” Xiaoxue said dismissively. Humanity, science—Chengfan’s mind automatically ignored these words. Over the years he’d spent with Xiaoxue, his brain had developed this kind of reaction to the strange words she occasionally uttered. "Besides, since that incident at the beginning of the year, I don't think anyone would dare to mess with our Liuli anymore." Hearing Xiaoxue's words, Cheng Fan's expression changed. Since that incident, the endless stream of marriage proposals seemed to have all agreed to stop mentioning it. Although Cheng Fan didn't want to marry his daughter off so quickly, this couldn't continue. Seeing Cheng Fan's worried face, Xiaoxue couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, don't worry too much. Since having this daughter, Cheng Fan's carefree attitude has vanished, hehe." "But, little bird, why aren't you worried at all?" "Why should I worry? Fate is predetermined; when it comes, you can't stop it. Besides, I think Liuli handled that matter very well." Cheng Fan smiled, then embraced Xiaoxue, whispering, "It seems our fate is also predetermined." As he spoke, he slowly lowered his head. Pink cherry blossoms gently fell on their shoulders. ============================== On Mount Yoshino, the valley was lush with green grass, and a stream murmured. Pink and white cherry blossoms fluttered everywhere in the cherry grove, occasionally landing on the clear water, floating on the surface like scattered stars, as if blooming in the water. Fujiwara no Ruri, the eldest daughter of the Fujiwara family, was lying comfortably under a cherry tree, listening to the chirping of unknown birds with her eyes closed. Sleepiness gradually crept in, and she vaguely heard footsteps approaching and people talking nearby. "Lord Hojo, just as the rumors say, the cherry blossoms here in Yoshino have an exceptionally long blooming period, and the colors are exceptionally beautiful," a low male voice rang out. "Indeed, truly a feast for the eyes," replied the young man called Lord Hojo. "Since you like it, sir, why not pluck one and adorn the brim of your hat?" he said, already reaching out to pluck a blossom. "My lord..." He was about to speak when he was interrupted by a clear, loud female voice: "Who are you? Who gave you permission to pick the cherry blossoms here?" The two men looked at the girl in the cherry blossom-colored dress with some surprise. Her long, black hair cascaded down to the ground like a waterfall, and her bright, amber eyes were staring at them intently. The blush on her face, caused by anger, added to her charming and adorable appearance. Ruri was also sizing up the two ungrateful fellows with a huff. The one picking the flowers was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with an average appearance, while the other man staring at her seemed even younger, wearing a purple robe. He was only in his early twenties, with dark eyes that seemed to speak, and thin lips that formed a slight curve. She was stunned. A man as handsome as Abe Kiyotsugu, but with a touch more human touch than Kiyotsugu. "And who are you, young lady? How dare you speak to an official like that? Do you even know who he is? He's from the Kamakura Shogunate..." "Nikaido..." Hojo interrupted him. "I don't care who you are. This is Fujiwara family territory. Picking flowers without permission is wrong." Ruri argued vehemently. "I'm sorry, it was my subordinate who was rude. I'm truly sorry." The man bowed slightly and gestured for his attendant to return the cherry blossom branch to Ruri. "Never mind, since you're being nice, I'll give it to you since you've already picked it. Just don't do it again." Ruri waved her hand magnanimously. "Miss, Miss..." A voice called from afar. Here it comes again. Ruri looked exasperated and waved to Hojo and the others. "I'm going back now. Farewell!" Watching Ruri's departing figure, a faint smile appeared on Hojo's face. "She's from the Fujiwara family?" he repeated softly. "My lord, could it be... could it be that she is that Fujiwara Ruri?" A strange expression suddenly flashed across Nikaido's face. "Fujiwara Ruri? Do you know her?" Hojo gazed thoughtfully at her departing figure, and said softly, "She is a rare beauty." "My lord," Nikaido hesitated, "don't you know? Nowadays, no one dares to propose marriage to the Fujiwara family." "Why?" A hint of doubt flashed in Hojo's eyes. "Well, at the beginning of the year, Lieutenant General Takatsukasa from the capital came here after hearing of her reputation, and bribed a maid in the Fujiwara residence to sneak into Ruri's room at night. He thought she would obediently submit like other noble ladies, but unexpectedly..." "What?" Hojo's interest seemed to have been completely piqued. "I didn't expect that this Miss Ruri would not only refuse to submit, but also beat him up, breaking the lieutenant general's head and causing him to escape in a very sorry state." "Hahaha!" Hojo couldn't help but burst into laughter. "My lord, don't you think such a woman is too terrifying? She even dared to hit Lieutenant General Takatsukasa, one of the Five Regents. Who would dare to marry her? Look at how she acted just now, she didn't have the demeanor a noblewoman should have at all." "I don't think so." Hojo still smiled. "Such a woman is truly special." He gradually lost his smile and said in a low voice, "I have never been able to stand the behavior of these noble young men. What Miss Fujiwara did is truly gratifying." A hint of disdain flashed across his face. "Alright, we've been out for quite a while now. Let's go back to Kamakura tomorrow, otherwise it will be difficult to explain to my aunt." Hojo glanced at the cherry blossom branch in his hand, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. The best books are available at (collect ebooks). Related to the work: Reencounter (Qidian update time: 2006-02-23 4:47:00, Chapter word count: 4355). Back in the mansion, Liuli quickly slipped back to her room while her father wasn't looking. "Where did you sneak off to today?" A familiar voice came from inside as soon as she opened the door. She looked up in surprise; her mother was already waiting for her. Seeing it was Xiaoxue, Liuli breathed a sigh of relief. She knew her mother was different from her father; at least she wouldn't nag incessantly. She'd heard from the maids that her father used to be a dashing man, with countless women admiring him, but she couldn't believe it. Her father was indeed handsome, but was he really such a nagging handsome man? Qingji was so nice; he'd only answer one out of ten questions, and when Liuli teased him, he'd just glare at her. Why didn't Kiyotsugu come this year? He and his father, Taikiyo, would always come during cherry blossom season. A pang of indescribable melancholy welled up in Ruri's heart. "Mother, I just went to see the cherry blossoms. Ah, do you know, someone actually picked our cherry blossoms today, and I caught them red-handed." The face of the man she had just met suddenly flashed into her mind. "If they loved flowers, picking one would be fine. Did you frighten them again?" A hint of a smile flickered in Koyuki's eyes; she knew her daughter too well. "No, Mother, I'm not that rude. By the way, why didn't Kiyotsugu come this year?" "Oh, Taikiyo said he had business in Kamakura this year, so he won't be coming to Yoshino. Speaking of Kiyotsugu, I wonder how Masahiko is doing." Koyuki frowned. Ever since Masahiko became determined to study Onmyodo, she had to let Taikiyo take him away last year, thinking he would come back when he got tired of it, but he seemed to have become completely absorbed in his newfound freedom. Kiyotsugu isn't coming this year? A sense of loss swept through Ruri's heart. But then a thought struck her: They went to Kamakura? It seemed like it had been over ten years since her family moved to Yoshino. A small idea suddenly sprouted in her mind. "Ruri seems disappointed. Don't you dislike Kiyotsugu? You always tease him whenever you see him," Koyuki teased her with a smile. "I... I don't dislike him, I..." Ruri suddenly stopped speaking, a blush creeping across her face. Not dislike him... could it be... could it be that she likes him? "Ah!" Koyuki seemed to suddenly realize something as well. She'd only ever heard of boys teasing girls they liked to express their feelings; could girls do the same? Ruri had been teasing and bullying poor Kiyotsugu all this time because she liked him? "Ruri, you like Kiyotsugu!" Koyuki couldn't help but exclaim. Liuli's face flushed red. She didn't deny it, but bit her lower lip and said, "Mother, are you angry?" "No, no," Xiaoxue quickly waved her hand, took Liuli's hand, and smiled, "How could Mother be angry? Liuli, that's how it should be! If you like someone, you should tell them, and you can't give up easily! I support you, daughter!" Liuli looked at her excited mother, a little surprised. Of course, how did she know her mother was a time traveler? But with her mother's support, the idea in her heart was slowly growing. "Mother, will you support me?" she asked again to confirm. "Of course, you have to fight for your own happiness. Mother will definitely help you!" Xiaoxue repeated firmly. Liuli smiled broadly and hugged Xiaoxue, "Thank you, Mother! I will definitely fight for my own happiness." ==================================== The next morning. A scream came from Liuli's room, startling countless birds into flight. When Xiaoxue went to investigate, she found Chengfan holding a letter, looking like he was about to cry, and saying in a trembling voice, "Xiaoniao, Liuli, Liuli ran away!" What? Xiaoxue's head throbbed, and she quickly snatched the paper. A few words were scrawled on it: "Mother, I listened to you and went to fight for my own happiness! Tell Father not to worry, and please don't cry." "Xiaoniao, explain what you mean by 'listening to you and going to fight for her own happiness'?" Chengfan's usually gentle face turned ashen. "I...I didn't say anything, just that I supported her and told her to fight for her own happiness. Is there anything wrong with that?" Xiaoxue's voice lacked conviction. "You...you're completely inciting her! Tell me, what do you support her for?" Chengfan was quite frightening when he got angry. "She likes Kiyotsugu, so I said I supported her." "She likes Kiyotsugu? That Abe Kiyotsugu?" "Yes." "That's utter nonsense!" "Her marriage is our decision, not someone she likes that we have to support. Are you confused?" "Fujiwara Shigenori, how have you become so authoritarian? Don't you know about freedom of love?!" Xiaoxue was also getting angry. "Freedom of love? We don't have that concept in the Fujiwara family. I'm the one who decides Ruri's husband!" "You, you and I, weren't we also in a free-love relationship?" "We already had an engagement, that's different." "Fujiwara Shigenori!" "Like mother, like daughter! Running away from home at such a young age!" "Hey, this isn't my fault. Why are you dragging me into this?" "You still say you're without fault?" "Fujiwara Shigenori, you're unreasonable! We have a generation gap!" At this moment, Ruri was on her way to Kamakura, completely unaware that her family was in an uproar over her running away. ========================= What would Kiyotsugu do if he saw her coming to see him? He'd be speechless with surprise. Ruri imagined Kiyotsugu breaking out in a cold sweat and couldn't help but laugh. Just as she was lost in thought, suddenly, with a thud, the oxcart stopped abruptly. "What's wrong?" she asked the driver, lifting the curtain. "Miss, the cart probably won't be able to move for a while; the wheels seem to be broken." "What!" "Ruri was startled. She jumped off the cart and looked down. The wooden wheels looked like they had been chipped by a sharp stone. She looked around, but there seemed to be no one in sight. There was no village or shop in sight. What should she do? Ring, ring, a clear bell suddenly rang out in the distance. An oxcart was slowly approaching. There's always a way out! Ruri was overjoyed and quickly walked to the middle of the road, waving her hand and calling out, "Hey, hey, please stop!" The cart stopped in front of her. Compared to the extravagant oxcarts of nobles and officials, this cart seemed too plain. The people riding in it must be of low status. The man driving the cart looked annoyed and said, "Who are you, daring to stop the master's cart? Don't you know...?" "Kisuke, don't be rude." A male voice from inside the carriage stopped the driver from speaking. Ruri glanced inside, puzzled. Where had she heard that voice before? "Miss, is there anything I can help you with?" His voice was gentle. "Well, I'll say it then. My car broke down, and yours looks quite large. Could I have a ride?" A soft laugh came from inside the carriage, and the curtain slowly rolled up. Ruri stared in disbelief at the face she had seen just yesterday. No wonder the voice sounded familiar—it was the guy who had picked cherry blossoms yesterday! He looked at Ruri with a smile. He had recognized her when she flagged him down. Although he was surprised to see her there, his mood inexplicably improved. "It's you?" "Why isn't it me?" "Then, will you agree?" "So, miss, where are you going?" "I'm going to Kamakura." "We're going to Kamakura too. Get in." "Ah, you're such a kind person! Thank you!" "Unexpectedly, it went so smoothly," Ruri thought excitedly as she got into Hojo's car. Hojo's car was similarly simple, with a faint, pleasant incense scent that soothed the mind. She glanced around and realized that it seemed only she and Hojo were in the car; she hadn't considered the possibility of a man and woman alone together... She looked at Hojo; he was resting with his eyes closed. His eyelashes were incredibly long, comparable to Kiyotsugu's. His lips, beneath his straight nose, were thin, their perfect shape forming a resolute curve. Beautiful as he was, he lacked the effeminate air of typical nobles in the capital, instead possessing a more masculine air. Kamakura was known for its samurai; this man, carrying a sword, could he also come from a samurai family? "What, are you engrossed in watching?" Ruri then noticed that Hojo had already opened his eyes, looking at her with a half-smile. "Engrossed? Please, you're only considered pretty; how could you be engrossed in watching?" Ruri rolled her eyes at him and turned her head away. It wasn't untrue; from childhood to adulthood, her father, the Abe father and son, and her younger brother Masahiko—all the men she'd ever seen were handsome. But for some reason, this Hojo's face seemed to have a very special quality. Hojo smiled dismissively and suddenly asked, "By the way, why did you go to Kamakura alone?" A glint of light flashed across Ruri's face as she smiled and said, "Since you're so kind, I'll tell you. I went to fight for my happiness." "Fight for happiness?" "Yes, happiness is something you have to fight for yourself. Sigh, you wouldn't understand even if I told you; we have a generation gap." Ruri waved her hand. "A generation gap?" "I don't know what a generation gap is. It's just that there's a big gap between you and me, but it's not a real gap, just a metaphor. So you can't understand what I'm saying, understand?" She'd heard that word from her mother, and finally it would come in handy. A cold sweat broke out on Hojo's back. Having been the apple of his family's eye since childhood, this was the first time he'd been looked at like an idiot. "Does Lord Fujiwara know you're going to Kamakura?" The other person seemed completely unresponsive. "Hey, Ruri-san?" He approached her and discovered she was already asleep. Good heavens, how could she fall asleep so quickly? Hojo, surprised, couldn't help but scrutinize her unguarded face. She looked so gentle, as if having a sweet dream. This adorable appearance was hard to reconcile with the image of the woman who had broken a lieutenant general's head. Thinking of this, a smile crept onto his lips. He took off his coat and gently draped it over her shoulders. Happiness, ah, it's something you have to fight for. Although he didn't quite understand her words, this was one sentence he seemed to grasp. But what exactly is happiness? ----------------------------------------------- Yoshino, at the Fujiwara residence. "What? The little bird hasn't eaten all day?" Fujiwara no Narifusa was now in a state of utter chaos. The two women who caused him the most worry in the world were already driving him crazy. His daughter, Ruri, was missing, and his beloved wife, Koyuki, was on a hunger strike. What was he to do? If his former female companions saw him like this, they would never believe that this was the same charming and capable Middle Counselor he once was. Perhaps he owed women too much in the past, so now he's reaping the consequences. He hurried into Xiaoxue's room and whispered comfortingly, "Little Bird, I asked them to prepare your favorite Song Dynasty dishes. Don't you want to eat them?" "No!" "Then what do you want to eat? I'll have them prepare it." "I don't want anything!" "Don't be angry. I was just too anxious and spoke a little harshly, you know that, right?" Chengfan tried his best to coax Xiaoxue in the gentlest tone. "But you were so fierce just now..." "You know, you've done the same thing before, leaving only a piece of paper and leaving. I lost control for a moment, and I was just being unreasonable!" Xiaoxue's thoughts seemed to return to many years ago, to the night she ran away from Kamakura. She couldn't help but feel a little guilty. It turned out that incident had caused Chengfan such a great shock. "But, you seem to love your daughter more than me..." "Oh dear, Little Bird, are you jealous of your daughter?" Cheng Fan chuckled, lowered his head, and whispered, "Silly girl, I love Liuli. Liuli is proof of our love. It's because I love you that I've thanked God more than once for giving you to me, and for giving me such a lovely child. Little bird, you're so adorable..." "Who... is jealous?" "Little bird, I love you more and more... Hehe." "Don't think sweet words can fool me. By the way, what about Liuli? She might have gone to Kamakura to find Kiyotsugu." Xiaoxue was still annoyed, but a hint of sweetness was undisguised on her face. "Then let's go back to Kamakura." "Authorized release of good books at (, collect ebooks) Related works: The Second Generation General (Qidian update time: 2006-2-23 4:49:00, word count: 3376) The oxcart finally arrived at Kamakura Castle with a slight bump. "Ah, Kamakura is so lively, so many people." Ruri lifted the bamboo curtain and looked outside, saying excitedly. For her, the Kamakura of ten years ago was already very blurry, so the current Kamakura Castle was full of attraction. "Since you like Kamakura so much, why not persuade Fujiwara-sama to move here with you?" Hojo smiled slightly. "We used to live in Kamakura, but Mother said that Father was tired of politics, so we went into seclusion in Yoshino." Ruri lowered the curtain and turned around. "Do you feel bored?" Hojo asked curiously. "Not at all." A lovely smile graced Ruri's lips. "Although it's not as bustling as Kamakura, it's wonderful to have the whole family together. I love lying in the valley during cherry blossom season, listening to all sorts of birdsong, watching the clouds constantly shifting in the sky, and feeling the gentle breeze on my face—it's so refreshing! Kamakura doesn't offer that feeling." She glanced at the thoughtful Hojo and asked, "By the way, have you ever experienced that feeling?" Hojo shook his head, a fleeting, enigmatic look in his eyes, and gazed into the distance without speaking. "Ah, let's stop here." Ruri suddenly called out softly. "Stop here?" Hojo seemed a little reluctant, but still had Kisuke stop the car. "Yes, let's stop here. Thank you for taking care of me along the way." Ruri quickly got out of the car and bowed to Hojo inside. "Don't mention it. Where are you going next? I can give you a ride." Hojo's voice held a hint of disappointment. "No need. Until we meet again!" "Ruri waved her hand casually and turned to walk into the crowd. Watching Ruri's figure disappear into the crowd, Hojo reluctantly lowered the curtain. "My lady, are you going to the Shogun's mansion or back?" Kisuke asked softly. "To the Shogun's mansion, I need to see my aunt first..." Hojo suddenly stopped. "No, Kisuke, let's not go yet..." ===================================== Feeling relaxed and in a good mood, Ruri walked along the bustling street, looking around, seemingly having forgotten that her purpose was to find Kiyotsugu. "Make way! Make way!" The chaotic sound of wheels approached from afar, accompanied by loud shouts. Pedestrians panicked and scrambled to the sides, heads bowed. "Excuse me, what's going on?" "Ruri, looking bewildered, grabbed a woman beside her and asked, "You're from somewhere else, aren't you? The person in this carriage is the second shogun of the shogunate. Everyone bows to him wherever he goes. Quickly lower your head." The woman said, bowing as she spoke. The second shogun, Minamoto no Yoriie? So arrogant? Ruri couldn't help but scoff at this so-called second shogun. But she couldn't suppress her intense curiosity and couldn't help but raise her head. In the dark mass of people with their heads bowed, Ruri, who was looking up and desperately trying to see into the carriage, was like a red dot in a sea of green, easily spotted. The oxcart slowly stopped beside Ruri. The attendant beside the carriage bowed and whispered a few words to Minamoto no Yoriie inside, then walked to Ruri's side and said sternly, "This rude woman! She didn't even bow her head when the shogun passed by, and kept staring! She's committed a grave offense of disrespect! Guards, take her back and punish her!" "Ah, take her back and punish her for just one glance? Is the shogun's face made of gold?" "Ruri pouted and said dismissively, "What! How dare you say that? How could the general's face be made of gold! How rude!" "Oh, then the general's face---" "The general's face is, of course, a human face!" Some soft laughter came from below. The attendant also realized that his answer was a bit off and hurriedly said angrily, "You, you are too rude!" "What else can you say besides rude?" Ruri rolled her eyes at him mercilessly, "Alright, I don't have time to play with you anymore, farewell!" "Wait." A low voice suddenly came from inside the carriage, and the voice seemed to be very young. The bamboo curtain was gently rolled up, and Ruri saw the true face of Minamoto no Yoriie. He was about seventeen or eighteen years old, wearing a finely handmade blue robe, with fair skin, delicate features, and a pair of deep brown eyes that shone with an unfathomable light. His thin lips were tightly pursed into a line, revealing a maturity beyond his years. "Little girl, you have a lot of courage." "He stared at Liuli and said slowly. Calling her a little girl, wasn't he just a child himself? Liuli glared at him defiantly and muttered, "I'm not a little girl!" "When this general's carriage passes by, no one dares to look up. You're the first." A hint of arrogance flashed in his eyes. "You've already looked. Your eyes are on my body, there's nothing I can do about it," Liuli felt a little annoyed. Right, she still needed to find Qingji, and couldn't waste her precious time here. "Alright, I really have something to do. Farewell." Liuli turned to leave. "You can't leave." The general called out in a low voice, and the servants immediately surrounded Liuli. This made Liuli angry. "Get out of my way, or I'll get rough!" "Rough? I'd like to see how you'll get rough." A slightly mocking smile curled at the corner of Lai's mouth. "I don't care if you're a general or anything, if you don't tell your men to get out of here, I'll beat your face into a swollen pig's head, and then no one will dare to see it!" Liuli cursed angrily. "Arrest him!" Lai's calm face twitched. This rude woman actually associated his noble and handsome face with a swollen pig's head—unforgivable! Liuli lamented her bad luck upon arrival, but also braced herself for a fight. A fight was inevitable today, and she needed to escape quickly, otherwise, if this perverted general caught her, he would surely torture her in terrible ways. "General, what are you doing here?" A familiar voice reached Liuli's ears. She turned around and almost jumped for joy. Right, what was his name? She didn't seem to have asked, but she thought she'd heard people call him Hojo. "Hey, Hojo, it's you!" "Seeing Hojo now feels so familiar." Hojo smiled at her and walked towards the oxcart. The servants bowed their heads in greeting upon seeing him. Ruri couldn't help but feel a little puzzled; Hojo seemed to hold quite a high position. "Shogun, what are you doing here?" he repeated. Raiya seemed a little surprised by his arrival, pausing for a moment before speaking, "Butler..." The Shogun? Ruri was also taken aback. She knew that in the Shogunate, the position of butler controlled almost everything, including the Shogun's sometimes need to obey him. So, who was the current Shogunate Butler? "Hojo Yasutoki?" Ruri blurted out. "That's right, I am Hojo Yasutoki." He still smiled gently. Ruri was familiar with the name Hojo Yasutoki; her father had mentioned him several times. He was the nephew of Lady Masako, young and promising, politically astute, and lived a simple life. It was him who had recently been actively developing trade with the Song Dynasty. So it was him… “General, it’s getting late. Please return home soon and don’t worry your aunt.” Yasutoki’s gentle tone carried a hint of firmness. “But, Steward, this woman… she…” Lai glared at Ruri unwillingly. “General, I think this is a misunderstanding. This woman is my friend. Please be lenient and let this matter drop.” Before he could answer, Yasutoki turned to the servants, his smile vanishing. “Hurry and return to the manor with the General, or your aunt will surely punish you if anything goes wrong.” "Bringing in my aunt always has a miraculous effect," he said, and the oxcart had already driven several feet away. "When did you arrive?" "Just now." Tai Shi's lips twitched slightly. He had almost burst out laughing when he heard her say she was going to beat the Lai family's heads into some kind of swollen pig's head. "Hmm, thank you again... By the way, what should I call you, Lord Hojo? Butler? Or--" Ruri said with a grin. "Just call me Tai Shi. I'm not used to you calling me 'Lord'." A smile appeared on Tai Shi's lips. "I decided to call you Tai Shi a long time ago. Adding 'Lord' makes it sound awkward to me." "Then why did you ask me that just now?" "Hmm... Just pretending... Hehe." Tai Shi looked at Ruri in front of him, his mood seemingly even more cheerful. "So, where are you going next?" "Ruri looked at him, then suddenly a thought struck her. "Oh, right, your shogunate recently hired an Onmyoji from the capital, didn't they? I need to find them." "That's not difficult, but it's getting late. Where do you plan to stay?" "I..." Ruri stammered. Why hadn't she thought of this when she left? "If you don't mind, you can stay at my villa for now." Taishi suddenly felt a surge of excitement. He was a little expectant, yet also a little afraid of her rejection. "But, it doesn't seem quite right." If her father knew she was staying at a man's house, he would be devastated. "Actually, you don't need to mind. My older sister lives there. She's been living there since her brother-in-law passed away. So..." Under Taishi's gentle gaze, a faint sense of peace welled up in Ruri's heart. "Alright, thank you, Taishi." "Ruri gave a grateful smile. Abe Kiyotsugu, I'm here! (Authorized release from Q - Bookmark eBooks) Related Work: Abe Kiyotsugu (Qidian Update Time: 2006-02-23 04:53:00, Chapter Word Count: 3899) Hojo Yasutoki's older sister, Hojo Nobuko, was a gentle and elegant beauty. Although from a samurai family, she possessed the refined elegance unique to noblewomen of the capital, yet her speech was more natural and casual than that of other women in the capital. "Then, I'll leave Ruri in your care, sister." Yasutoki stood up to take his leave. "Don't worry, you should go back and rest early too." Nobuko smiled slightly, a hint of concern in her eyes. Yasutoki then looked at Ruri and said, "The Onmyoji will also be here in a few days, then you'll be able to see them." "Yes!" "Ruri's mood brightened at the thought of seeing Kiyotsugu and Masahiko soon. "Well then, I'll take my leave." Taiji said, but didn't move, still watching Ruri. Nobuko's eyes flashed with a smile, "Taishi, you can go back now." Taiji nodded and turned to leave. Watching Taiji's departing figure, Nobuko's face showed an inscrutable expression. This was the first time her younger brother had brought a girl home, and this girl was the daughter of Lord Fujiwara no Narifusa. She had heard some rumors about their father's generation, and that Lord Fujiwara's wife was originally from the Taira clan. Things seemed a bit complicated. Judging from her brother's expression, he seemed to like this girl named Ruri. "Nobuko-neechan, I..." Ruri seemed to want to say something. "What is it, Miss Ruri?" "Nobuko asked with a smile. A rumbling sound came from Ruri's stomach, and her face flushed red. "Ah, you're hungry," Nobuko chuckled softly. "Yeah, I think so," Ruri patted her stomach helplessly, chuckling to herself, "Oh, stomach, how can you greet Nobuko-neechan like that?" Nobuko couldn't help but laugh. Ruri was truly an interesting girl. "Alright, let's eat something first." "Okay!" Ruri's eyes crinkled into crescent moons with laughter. ============================================ A few days later, the Onmyoji arrived at Taishi's villa as promised, saying he was going to perform an exorcism ceremony. Looking through the wooden lattice window, Ruri immediately spotted her younger brother—Yahiko. He had grown quite a bit taller, and his white hunting robe made him look exceptionally handsome. His features were increasingly resembling their father's. A gentle feeling welled up in Ruri's heart; her brother seemed to enjoy this job. Abe no Taikiyoshi wasn't much younger than their father, was he? Like their father, he was an ageless monster, looking exactly the same as he had over a decade ago. She wondered if Kiyotsugu would be like that too. Wait, where was Kiyotsugu? Had he already returned to the capital? A wave of disappointment washed over Ruri. She straightened her clothes, walked to the door, slowly opened it, crumpled a piece of paper into a small ball, and threw it at Yahiko. "Ouch!" "A soft gasp came from Yahiko, who looked over. Ruri quickly waved to him, and their eyes met. Yahiko's eyes widened in shock, and he froze on the spot. He stood there for a few seconds before he came to his senses, looked around, and seeing that no one was paying attention to him, quickly walked over. "Sister, you, how come you're here?" He asked incredulously. "Why can't I be here? I just came to Kamakura for a few days." Ruri said nonchalantly. "Did Father and the others allow you to come out?" "Yes, I also wanted to see you. I was worried about you." Ruri said with a smile. "Is that so?" Yahiko clearly didn't believe his sister. "Sister, you must be hiding something from me, right?" Yahiko knew his sister too well. "No, no, by the way, where's Kiyotsugu? I haven't seen him in a long time." Ruri was secretly delighted, finally getting the topic back to the point. "Kiyotsugu?" "He's the one who's presiding over this exorcism ceremony, so he's in the back courtyard now—" "Really? Then I'll go see him!" Before he could finish speaking, Ruri vanished from his sight with lightning speed. "Bathing and cleansing himself in the lake," Yahiko said helplessly, finishing the last part of his sentence. "Abe Kiyotsugu, good luck to you..." ------------------------------------------ Ruri hurried to the back courtyard and, without a doubt, witnessed a scene that made her blood boil. Kiyotsugu, dressed in a thin white undergarment, stood in the turquoise lake. The water was shallow, the jade-green water only reaching his waist. Crystalline water droplets slid down his waterfall-like black hair, his handsome face, his tightly closed eyes, and slowly trickled down his open, water-soaked, transparent robes, reflecting a dazzling luster in the sunlight. "Damn Yahiko, he never explained himself properly!" she thought, wanting to leave quickly, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot. A year had passed, and Kiyotsugu seemed to have matured a lot, the only thing unchanged being his aloofness. At this moment, Kiyotsugu resembled an ethereal immortal, as if he might ascend to heaven at any moment. "Hurry up and leave! How can she, a lady of the Fujiwara family, stand here watching others bathe? If word gets out, Father..." The image of her father pounding his chest in frustration immediately flashed through her mind, sending a chill down her spine. She slowly moved a step. "Gada," the sound of a branch snapping underfoot betrayed her. "Who?" Kiyotsugu slowly opened his eyes in the lake, his deep black pupils seemingly still holding lingering winter snow, his face devoid of emotion. Well, it seems there's no way to hide it now. Otherwise, Kiyotsugu could easily use a few tricks to make her suffer. She walked to the lakeside at the slowest pace, forcing an awkward smile: "Kiyotsugu... long time no see." "Ruri? What are you doing here?" A hint of surprise flashed across Kiyotsugu's calm face. "I, I..." Ruri was speechless for a moment, unsure what to say. Seeing that she wasn't as surprised as she had expected, a sense of disappointment welled up in Ruri's heart. Kiyotsugu's face regained its usual coldness, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes. "Young Miss, you haven't thought of another way to play a trick on me, have you?" "Of course not!" Ruri hurriedly defended herself, taking a few steps forward. "Just stand there, don't move." A chill ran down Kiyotsugu's spine. He knew her too well; the closer she got, the greater the danger to him. "You, Abe Kiyotsugu, I really didn't mean to play a trick on you, I just wanted to—ah!" Splash! Before she could finish speaking, a cry of surprise rang out. Ruri, in her excitement, unknowingly lost her footing and fell into the lake. "Ruri!" A flicker of panic crossed Kiyotsugu's eyes, and he swiftly pulled her out of the water. Although the lake was shallow, Ruri, who wasn't a strong swimmer, had already swallowed some water. Startled, she grabbed at anything she could see. As soon as Kiyotsugu pulled her to the surface, she grabbed onto his clothes, holding on tightly, refusing to let go. Hearing the commotion, Hojo Yasutoki and his entourage rushed over and witnessed this scene: Ruri, soaking wet, clung desperately to Kiyotsugu's collar, which had slipped down, revealing Kiyotsugu's shoulders. Even though they were both men, Kiyotsugu's beauty made the surrounding samurai swallow hard. "Let go, Ruri, you're safe now," Kiyotsugu said, extremely annoyed, clutching his collar. He claimed he wasn't there to torment him, but he was more difficult to deal with than a vengeful spirit. "Abe Kiyotsugu, hand her over to me," Yasutoki said, a hint of amusement flashing across his face as he had somehow entered the lake. "Ruri, hold onto my clothes." Yasutoki took Ruri's hand, placed it on his collar, and gently lifted her up. Once ashore, Ruri finally relaxed. It had been a close call, but Kiyotsugu... She looked apologetically at Kiyotsugu, who had just emerged from the lake. He must be angry that she had made him so disheveled today. "Qingji... I'm sorry," she whispered to Qingji as he walked up to her. "I'm going to change," Qingji replied coldly, not even glancing at her before walking past. What to do... Qingji is really angry. He must hate her now. Why did she always bully him before? A pang of regret rose in Liuli's heart. A major failure! The first step in pursuing happiness... --------------------- Liuli, still feeling down after changing her clothes... "Liuli, are you alright?" The lake water was still cold in early spring, and Taishi's concern wasn't unfounded. "It's alright, I'm not that weak, a little cold water is nothing to me." Ruri looked at him, then suddenly remembered the scene from earlier and felt a little embarrassed. "But, just now..." Taishi suddenly laughed. "Isn't Ruri always so brave? Why were you so scared just now?" Ruri turned her head and said softly, "When I was little, I accidentally fell into the river and almost drowned. So, in that instant when I fell into the water, it felt like I was back in that moment, so I was especially scared. It's funny, isn't it?" "Not funny at all," Taishi smiled slightly. "Actually, I also have things I'm afraid of. Let me tell you a secret, when I was little, my mother's cat scratched my hand, and ever since then, I've avoided cats." "Really? Taishi is afraid of cats?" Ruri's mood immediately improved. She never imagined that the ruler of the shogunate was most afraid of cats. The image of Taishi being cornered by several cute cats and crying in fear immediately flashed through her mind, and she couldn't help but giggle. “So, everyone has their weaknesses, there’s nothing laughable about it.” Taishi had no idea that Ruri was imagining his embarrassing moment. “Hmm, you’re right.” Ruri seemed to have completely forgotten her earlier displeasure. “By the way, is that Abe Kiyotsugu from earlier your friend?” Taishi couldn’t help but ask his question. Ruri paused, then nodded, saying, “Abe Kiyotsugu is a friend I’ve known since childhood. Abe Taishi is a good friend of my parents, so we’ve known each other since we were little.” Hearing this, Taishi suddenly felt a strange emotion; so they had known each other since childhood. “So, you came here this time…” He hesitated. “Well, I came to see my younger brother, Masahiko. He’s been studying Yin-Yang arts under Taishi, so…” Ruri quickly covered up, feeling embarrassed to say she was there to see Kiyotsugu, even though Taishi was a nice person. “Oh, I see. Okay, by the way, if you feel unwell, I’ll have the pharmacist check on you.” Taishi simply nodded. "No need, I'm perfectly fine... Achoo!" After a moment of silence, the two looked at each other for a while, then suddenly burst into laughter. "Ruri, you can't lie." He looked at her with a smile. "I'm not lying, it's the sneeze that's lying." Ruri retorted. "Haha!" Taishi looked at the girl in front of him, a strange feeling welling up in his heart. Fujiwara Ruri, he silently repeated the name in his heart. (The following text appears to be unrelated and possibly machine-generated: "The ceremony proceeded as scheduled. Kiyotsugu, who presided over the ceremony, had already changed his clothes. A pure white hunting robe, as white as snow, fluttered in the wind, exuding infinite elegance. His face was cold and aloof, like the winter snow of Yoshino, keeping people at a distance.") Aside from seeing him angry when she teased him, she hadn't seen him show any other expression. Was Abe Kiyotsugu truly her happiness? A small doubt arose in Ruri's heart. After the ceremony, Ruri grabbed Yahiko and complained, "It's all your fault! You didn't explain clearly, making me so embarrassed." "But, sister, I hadn't finished speaking before you rushed out. It's not my fault, is it?" Yahiko said innocently. "By the way, when are you going back to Kyoto?" "We'll be staying a little longer this time. Master has some personal matters to attend to. Otherwise, he wouldn't have come to Kamakura." "Where are you staying?" "We're staying at the residence of the butler's younger brother, Lord Hojo Tokifusa." "I say, Yahiko, have you really decided to become an Onmyoji?" "Of course! Didn't Mother say that as long as I like it, I can continue doing this promising profession?" Koyuki's unintentional use of modern language occasionally influenced the next generation. "Whatever you want. So, what have you learned? Manipulating shikigami?" Yahiko shook his head. "And eliminating vengeful spirits?" "Still shaking her head." "Fortune telling, predicting the weather... You can do that, right?" Yahiko finally nodded. "Of course, sister. Like tomorrow's weather, I've already predicted it—it'll definitely be sunny." "Really?" Ruri clearly lacked confidence in her brother. "Really!" Yahiko said decisively. ========================================== The next day. That damned Yahiko! He said it would be sunny! Ruri shook the rain off her head, angrily cursing her brother a dozen times in her mind. Luckily, they had arrived at Hojo Tokifusa's residence. Kiyotsugu and Yahiko must be at the residence today. Suddenly, she realized that Yahiko's study of Yin-Yang arts wasn't bad; at least it gave her a good excuse to see Kiyotsugu. "Excuse me, do Abe Kiyotsugu and Fujiwara Masahiko live here?" Ruri tidied her wet hair and asked as she walked to Tokifusa's residence. "Who are you?" "The samurai at the door seemed formidable, asking warily. "I'm Fujiwara Masahiko's older sister, and I've come to see him," Ruri said, trying to maintain a smile. The samurai sized Ruri up and down, and Ruri gave him a sweet smile. "May I come in?" "No!" A loud shout came from behind her. Who was this despicable bastard? Ruri felt a surge of anger. "What did you say..." she began, but her words were cut short as she turned around. The young man before her, with his arrogant eyes and mocking smile, was none other than... "Ah, General!" The samurai at the door quickly knelt down. "Minamoto no Yoriie, what are you doing here?" "Shut up! How dare you address the General by his name!" Yoriie's samurai immediately retorted. "It's been a few days, and you're still as rude as ever. Shouldn't I be asking you that?" "Lai's gaze was fixed intently on her. "General, she's here to see the Onmyoji Fujiwara no Masahiko, who's temporarily residing here. She says she's his older sister." The samurai at the door hurriedly answered. "A member of the Fujiwara family?" Lai glanced at her. "Impossible." "What's impossible?" Ruri said. "The Fujiwara family is a noble and prestigious clan, how could they have a woman as rude as you?" Lai shook his head dismissively. "What's so strange about that? Doesn't your Minamoto clan also have someone like the General, who'd arrest someone just for looking at them?" Ruri retorted mercilessly, finding it infuriating that she was said to be unlike a member of the Fujiwara family. "You..." Lai's lips twitched. "Guards, arrest her! Arrest her!" "General, she is indeed the eldest daughter of Fujiwara no Narifumi." "Such a cold, clear voice. Only one person can possess such a voice—Abe Kiyotsugu." He was already standing at the doorway. "Kiyotsugu!" Ruri called out excitedly. "General, don't let such trivial matters cause you to miss the divination time." Kiyotsugu continued, his face expressionless. "Ruri, Masahiko is waiting for you." Kiyotsugu gestured to Ruri with his eyes. "The Fujiwara family actually has a woman like you!" Yoriie said angrily, then suddenly seemed to remember something. "Could it be that you are the Fujiwara lady who broke Vice Admiral Takatsukasa's head?" "So what if I am?" Ruri's tone was clearly displeased. "Hahaha, so it's you. I've heard that because of this, no one dares to propose marriage to you. You really are a terrifying woman. I think it will be difficult for you to get married." Yoriie's mood suddenly improved. "What business is it of yours whether I get married or not!" Ruri's head was practically spitting fire. "Oh, of course it's none of my business, hahaha..." "The Lai family finally found an opportunity for revenge and laughed wildly. Their followers naturally joined in the laughter. 'This is outrageous!' Liuli clenched her fists, itching to punch the Lai family member in the face. Just as she was about to raise her hand, someone grabbed it. She was slightly startled, and looking up, she saw Qingji holding her hand. While she was still wondering, she suddenly heard Qingji say calmly, 'The General heard a rumor somewhere. A while ago, I proposed to Miss Liuli, but she rejected me. I think Miss Liuli's standards are too high.' 'What? You proposed to her?'" "The Lai family wore an incredulous expression, and everyone else was also shocked. In their eyes, Abe Kiyotsugu was like a celestial being, so powerful he could command the wind and rain, yet he had proposed to this terrifying woman and been rejected! It was unbelievable. It seemed rumors weren't always reliable… Kiyotsugu… Ruri was almost moved to tears. The usually cold Kiyotsugu had actually said such a thing! She regretted bullying him before. Abe Kiyotsugu truly was her happiness… "Alright, hurry up and do my divination." The Lai family looked utterly disappointed, glared at Ruri, and went inside the mansion. As soon as the Lai family entered, Kiyotsugu immediately released her hand. "Kiyotsugu, just now…" "Just now I only wanted to stop you from taking action. You know, if you did, it wouldn't benefit either you or the Fujiwara family." Kiyotsugu's eyes were devoid of emotion. "Anyway, thank you, Kiyotsugu." Ruri gave a playful smile. "You're welcome." Kiyotsugu nodded slightly and walked into the inner courtyard. Although Ruri was somewhat disappointed, she comforted herself, after all, he still cared about her to some extent. And, looking at her hands, a smile slowly spread across her face; Kiyotsugu's hands were indeed warm. =========================== Gazing at the purple wisteria in the courtyard, Ruri felt no interest whatsoever. She only felt dizzy. Wasn't she always healthy? Why did she feel sick? It must be that damned Masahiko's wrong prediction, causing her to get caught in the rain, which worsened her condition. However, thinking of Kiyotsugu's actions today, a sweet feeling welled up in her heart. She wondered what Kiyotsugu was thinking. She really wanted to ask him directly if he liked her, but she could only think about it; after all, it was difficult for a girl to ask such a question. "Ruri, you seem to be sick. Perhaps we should have the pharmacist take a look?" Nobuko asked worriedly. "It's nothing... Achoo!" "It would be better to have the pharmacist take a look." "It's alright, really it's alright." "Look, the wisteria is blooming so beautifully this year. It would be so lovely if we arranged them in a bouquet." Nobuko gazed gently at the dreamlike wisteria blossoms filling the courtyard and said softly. "Nobuko-neechan, let me pick some for you!" Ruri volunteered and walked to the wisteria, reaching out to touch the soft, pale purple petals. But as soon as she reached out, she realized a serious problem. She was clearly too short to reach them. No, she had already offered to help, and it would be embarrassing if she couldn't reach them. And today, she was determined to pick them. Ruri took a breath, preparing to jump up. Just as she was about to leap, a tall figure suddenly appeared behind her, easily plucking the bunch of wisteria blossoms she wanted. "Who?" "Liuli turned her head in surprise, and what came into view was Taishi's handsome face. He was gazing at her tenderly, the afterglow of the setting sun casting a soft halo around him, making the smile on his lips even more gentle, like a gentle breeze in March, lightly brushing against her heart. "Liuli, here you go." Taishi gently placed the flowers in her hand. "Ah, thank you." Liuli took the flowers, not forgetting to say, "Actually, I could have done it myself." Taishi smiled noncommittally. As soon as Liuli gave the flowers to Xinzi, she felt dizzy and swayed, taking two steps back. "Liuli, what's wrong?" Taishi immediately stopped smiling, quickly supporting her, and asked anxiously. "Nothing, achoo, achoo!" Liuli sneezed several times, quite inconsiderately. "You're alright!" "Yasu reached out and touched her forehead, his expression immediately turning serious. 'So hot, and you say you're fine.' He turned to the servant beside him and said, 'Quickly, go and fetch the pharmacist!' 'Yasu, I'm really fine...' Ruri thought of the pharmacist and those awful-tasting medicines, and couldn't help but groan inwardly. Yasu ignored her, simply picking her up in one swift motion. 'Wow, what are you doing!' she struggled, 'Men and women shouldn't touch!' A hint of amusement flashed in Yasu's eyes as he whispered, 'When I carried you ashore last time you fell into the water, you didn't say that. You were quite well-behaved.' A blush quickly rose on Ruri's face. Damn it, even Hojo Yasu said such things. 'Sister, please take care of Ruri later.'" "Yasu turned to the stunned Nobuko and said something before hurriedly carrying Ruri into the room. ------------------------- After listening to the pharmacist's diagnosis, Yasu's tense face finally relaxed. "See, Yasu, it's just a cold." "Just?" Yasu raised an eyebrow and said, "How could you catch a cold out of nowhere?" "Ah... Hehe." Ruri gave an awkward dry laugh, "I went to see my brother, and it was raining, so..." "See your brother? Masahiko? Then----you went to Tokifusa's residence?" A hint of displeasure flashed across Yasu's face. "Yes, by the way, I also ran into that unreasonable Minamoto no Yoriie, what bad luck." Ruri seemed oblivious to Yasu's increasingly grim expression. "I almost hit him, but luckily Kiyotsugu came to my rescue..." "Alright." "Tae-shi called out softly. Ruri was momentarily speechless; she'd never seen Tae-shi like this before. Judging from his expression, he seemed... he seemed angry? "What's wrong, Tae-shi? Are you angry?" "No." "Really?" "Really. Take your medicine first." "Okay, you can go out now. I'll drink it in a bit." "If I'm not mistaken, you'll pour the medicine out as soon as I leave." A hint of a smile flashed in Tae-shi's eyes. "Ah, how could that be... Hehe." He chuckled dryly. "Then drink it now." "Okay..." Liuli was greatly puzzled. This Taishi seemed to know everything about her, like a worm in her stomach, as if he knew what she was going to do. It was truly terrifying. Looking at the medicine in front of her, Liuli frowned. Before, whenever she was sick and needed medicine, her mother would mix it with honey to make honey water, but here… “Oh, wait, Liuli.” Taishi seemed to remember something and hurriedly left the room. A short while later, he came in carrying a plate of something. “Liuli, this is a sweet cake made with wisteria flowers. If you eat this after taking your medicine, it won't taste bitter.” He smiled slightly and handed her a piece. The golden cake had a faint fragrance of wisteria. One bite, and it was crisp and crunchy, melting in her mouth, overflowing with sweetness. Strangely, the bitterness in her mouth seemed to have really disappeared… Liuli glanced at Taishi; he was smiling at her. A strange feeling welled up inside her, a warm feeling. Taishi really was a good person. Authorized release of good books on Q (, bookmark ebooks) Related work: The Boy in the Clouds (Qidian update time: 2006-02-26 17:46:00, Chapter word count: 3186) The next day, an unexpected visitor arrived at the mansion. "Ah, Yahiko, what brings you here!" Ruri was startled to see Yahiko suddenly appear in her room. "I heard from the steward that my sister is ill, so I came to see you. Are you alright?" Yahiko sat down casually. "I'm fine, but how did you get in?" Regardless, this was, after all, the mansion where Hojo's sister lived. The last ceremony was an exception; how could he just come in casually at other times? "Oh, the steward said I can come to see you anytime." Anytime? Did Tai Shi agree? Why? Was it because of her? "By the way, why are you sick? You're usually so lively..." Yahiko looked incredulous. It would have been better if she hadn't mentioned it, because just mentioning it made Liuli angry. "Isn't it all your fault? You said it would definitely be sunny, and now I've gotten caught in the rain and gotten this weird illness! It's all your fault!" "Um, sister, you really need to rest well, I'm so worried." Realizing she was in the wrong, Yayan quickly changed the subject. "By the way, Qingji... does he know I'm sick?" "Yes." "Then... why didn't he come?" "He's very busy." Is that so? Liuli's heart sank slightly, a wave of disappointment washing over her. Qingji is so busy, so busy that he doesn't have time to come see her? "Sister, what's wrong?" Yayan asked, enjoying the pastries on her plate. "Nothing. I think my illness seems to have gotten worse." Liuli said irritably. "No, sister, you look much better. Besides, a cold isn't a serious illness, it's okay." Yayan comforted her heartlessly. "I'm very ill, I'm dying, go back and tell Qingji the same thing!" A surge of anger rose within Liuli, and she snatched the pastry from Yayan's hand. "Go back, I need to rest!" "Alright." Yayan seemed used to this kind of scene. He got up, straightened his clothes, and left the room, not forgetting to say, "Sister, look how energetic you are, your voice is as loud as a bronze bell. Don't worry, you definitely won't die." "You bastard Yayan!" A piece of pastry flew from inside the room straight to Yayan's forehead. "Ouch----" Yayan exclaimed softly, rubbing the back of his head, shaking his head helplessly. Sigh, women are truly terrifying creatures. ============================================== The next day was a sunny and warm day. Early in the morning, pale golden sunlight streamed softly through the lattice windows, casting a gentle glow on the floor, and the faint fragrance of wisteria blossoms wafted in the breeze. Having regained some of her energy, Liuli couldn't hold back any longer. She quickly moved the door open and went into the courtyard to breathe in the fresh air. Perhaps due to the wind yesterday, the high-hanging wisteria blossoms had been blown to the ground, leaving petals of varying shades—deep purple, light purple, white—covered in morning dew, glistening with moisture, like layers of tears spreading across the earth. Liuli crouched down and began to play with the petals with great interest. "Weren't you sick? Why weren't you in your room?" A familiar, clear, and cool voice came from behind her. That voice? Liuli's heart leaped with joy. She quickly stood up and turned around. Qingji, dressed in a white hunting robe and wearing a black eboshi hat, stood calmly watching her from the corridor. The handsome young man, with his exquisite features, seemed to have descended from the clouds, untouched by worldly concerns. "Qingji!" she called out excitedly. Qingji had indeed come to see her after all. But what had Yahiko said to him? Had he really said he was about to die? A look of relief flashed across Qingji's eyes as he said softly, "You seem much better." He paused, then added, "However, it's best to go back to your room; it's easy to catch a chill at this time of year." "Okay!" Liuli replied with a smile. Just as she was about to turn back, she suddenly remembered that she should pick some more wisteria blossoms to give to Xinzi later. Otherwise, if the wind picked up again, all the flowers might be ruined. "Qingji, you're so tall, could you pick a few bunches of wisteria blossoms for me?" Liuli grinned and pointed to the flowers above. Kiyotsugu hesitated for a moment, unsure of Ruri's intentions. His caution was understandable; at five, on his first visit to the Fujiwara residence, three-year-old Ruri pushed him into the pond; at six, he was framed for a broken vase; at seven, Ruri locked him in a cupboard while playing hide-and-seek, nearly suffocating; at nine, he tasted Ruri's special dish and suffered from vomiting and diarrhea for half a month; at ten, he was forced to perform his still-unskilled Yin-Yang magic, and Ruri "accidentally" burned his hair… The past was too painful to recall. A cold sweat broke out on Kiyotsugu's back. Although he didn't know what trick she was up to this time, her innocent smile made him involuntarily walk towards her, just as he had always nodded without hesitation whenever his father asked if he wanted to go to the Fujiwara residence in Yoshino, knowing he would be tricked. "Please..." Ruri pursed her lips. When she decided to come to Kamakura to find Kiyotsugu, she had already made up her mind never to tease him again. "Which clump?" Kiyotsugu walked over helplessly and asked, standing under the wisteria. "Here." Ruri pointed to the tallest, most beautiful clump. She looked up at Kiyotsugu. He was so tall! He could reach the flowers with just a stretch of his hand. But yesterday, Yasutoki seemed to have picked them easily too. She wondered who was taller, Yasutoki or Kiyotsugu? Kiyotsugu stretched out his hand, and with a snap, the dew that had accumulated on the petals overnight fell like rain, soaking Kiyotsugu's head and face. "Ah, Kiyotsugu, are you alright?!" Ruri quickly wiped Kiyotsugu's face with her sleeve. The dew streamed down his hat and cheeks, quickly wetting his hunting robe. Oh no, Qingji's face doesn't look good. Does he think she's teasing him? "It's okay, it's okay, don't wipe it anymore." Qingji dodged, though he didn't know if she was teasing him, but the force with which she wiped was too much; if she kept wiping, his face would peel off. "Okay, here, take the flowers." He shoved a large bouquet of flowers into Liuli's arms. Just then, a drop of dew flowed right into his eye, and he reflexively closed his eyes. "What's wrong, Qingji?" Liuli asked anxiously. "It's nothing, just some water in my eye, it'll be fine in a bit." Qingji said expressionlessly. "Ah, let me wipe it for you!" "No need!" "I'll help you, don't move!" Qingji was about to dodge when he heard a whoosh; Liuli's sleeve was already covering his eyelids. He inwardly cried out in alarm, but didn't feel the expected pain. To his surprise, Liuli's movements were exceptionally gentle and careful this time, as if she were wiping a precious piece of porcelain. "Don't move, Kiyotsugu," she whispered. "I'll never tease you again, because..." She didn't finish her sentence. Ruri's hands were soft and warm; the feeling wasn't unpleasant at all, on the contrary, it seemed quite comfortable. A faint ripple stirred in Kiyotsugu's heart. "Alright!" Ruri's voice broke the silence. "Thank you for picking these flowers! They're so pretty, if only..." Ruri said excitedly, but then glanced at the flowers in her hand, and her expression immediately changed. There, nestled among the flowers, was a small, brightly colored spider. Its fierce little eyes were staring at her menacingly. "Ah! A spider!" After a few seconds of stunned silence, Liuli let out a scream, throwing the flower without thinking. It landed squarely on Qingji, who slid off. Qingji's expression changed drastically. He quickly pulled out a talisman, chanted incantations, and hurled it at the spider. A burst of flame erupted from the spider's body, followed by a wisp of smoke, and it was quickly burned to death. Liuli had recovered her senses by now. Heaven knows she was terrified of spiders, but Qingji's behavior seemed strange... "Qingji, a spider, is it really necessary to use Yin-Yang magic to burn it to death? It doesn't seem that necessary," she asked in surprise. "A spider? This isn't an ordinary spider; it's probably a vengeful spirit," Qingji said calmly, regaining his composure. "Oh, by the way, I've prepared some medicine for you. It'll be helpful for your illness. They'll bring it to you once it's ready." Liuli's heart warmed. So Qingji had been busy these past few days, was he busy preparing medicine for her? How happy she was... However, she looked at the charred spider. It looked like an ordinary spider. A vengeful spirit? No way, could it really be? But Qingji never seemed to lie. Was this really a vengeful spirit? "Don't look anymore. If you don't leave, the vengeful spirit might possess you." Qingji had already walked away, casually tossing out a sentence. As soon as he finished speaking, Liuli rushed ahead of him like the wind. Watching Liuli disappear around the corner of the corridor, a barely perceptible smile appeared on Qingji's perpetually cold face. This seemed to be the first time he'd lied today, but there was no way around it. He couldn't let Liuli know his weakness—his greatest fear was spiders. That spider, it was just that it appeared at the worst possible time... (The spider, in its resentful murmur: I'm not a vengeful spirit... I died so tragically...) Kiyotsugu suddenly felt a chill run down his spine and hurriedly left. (Authorized release from Q. Bookmark eBooks at ) Related Work: The Return to the Capital (Qidian Update Time: 2006-02-27 17:27:00 Word Count: 5217) In the following days, Taishi visited her several times. However, each visit seemed rushed; Nobuko said he was busy preparing new laws. That noon, he arrived looking extremely haggard and unwell. "Ruri, are you feeling better?" He looked tired, but a gentle smile remained on his lips. "Yes, I'm completely better. But why do you look so tired? Are things at the shogunate very busy?" Ruri asked with concern. Having spent these past few days together, she had come to see Taishi as a truly good person, so she couldn't help but worry about him. A flicker of joy crossed Taishi's eyes, but he quickly composed himself and said, "I'm fine. It's just that there have been several disasters recently, and the human trafficking is rampant. I've heard that it's happening in Kamakura too, so I'm currently dealing with these matters. We must formulate strict laws to severely punish those involved in human trafficking." A hint of anger flashed across his face, and Ruri was somewhat surprised; it was the first time she'd seen Taishi so serious. Human trafficking was indeed a heinous crime. No wonder Taishi was so angry. After all, he was a steward of the shogunate, and he had far too many responsibilities. "However," Ruri interjected, "I wonder if, in the event of a severe disaster, some people might be forced into this situation?" Yasutoshi glanced at her and said, "Indeed, some are forced, but even if forced, such behavior is unacceptable. The most urgent task now is to formulate a comprehensive legal system so that everyone has laws to follow, and the shogunate's regime will be more stable. As for the disaster-stricken areas, I will naturally send people there." He then smiled gently and said, "Alright, Ruri will probably find these topics boring. How about I take you out to see the world tomorrow? There are many interesting places in Kamakura Castle." Really? Ruri's curiosity was immediately piqued, but seeing Yasutoshi's expression, her interest waned considerably. She shook her head and said, "No, thank you. You should rest well; you have many important things to do." "Taking Ruri out is also very important," Yasutoshi said, gazing at her with a smile. Yasutoshi's eyes were as deep as a lake at the foot of Mount Yoshino. When he focused on someone, something seemed to shimmer in his eyes, like a hidden gem sparkling at the bottom of a lake. Looking at him like that, she felt unconsciously drawn to his eyes. Suddenly, Tae-shi frowned slightly and pressed his hand to his head. "Tae-shi, what's wrong?" Liu-li asked worriedly. "Nothing, just a bit of a headache. I've had this before." Tae-shi smiled, but cold sweat gradually appeared on his forehead, showing that he was enduring the pain. This looked familiar... Liu-li suddenly remembered something and quickly asked, "Tae-shi, does this illness flare up whenever you're particularly tired? And it's only on one side of your head, feeling like it's about to split open, and sometimes you feel nauseous?" Tae-shi looked at her in surprise and nodded, his complexion growing increasingly worse. How did she know so much? Just as he was wondering, a pair of warm hands were placed on his head and gently massaged it. "Tae-shi, you probably have a migraine. Let me massage your temples; it might help a little," Liu-li said softly. "A migraine?" "Tai Shi looked confused, but Liu Li's slender, soft fingers gently massaged that area, and it did seem to make him feel a little better. "Hmm, my aunt has the same ailment as you. My mother says it's called migraines. And this is what my mother did back then—I don't know how she knew, but it seems to help. Also, you can't overwork yourself; it easily triggers a migraine. You also need to supplement with vitamins B and C; my mother said these are good for your health..." "From a young age, her mother forced her and her brother to eat vegetables they disliked, always saying that vegetables contained vitamins B and C, which were good for their health. Although she didn't quite understand what those were, she figured they must be good things, otherwise her mother wouldn't have forced them to eat them. What vitamins B and C? Tai Shi was completely confused. Why was Liu Li talking in such incomprehensible terms? Did even girls speak in such unusual ways? Tai Shi smiled slightly. Liu Li's gestures were a little clumsy, but... very gentle. A faint fragrance wafted from Liu Li, sweet, like the scent of wisteria, yet not quite. It was a girl's fragrance, Liu Li's fragrance. Thinking of this, Tai Shi's heart suddenly pounded, and his breathing became heavy. He quickly closed his eyes, steadied himself, and tried his best to control his surging emotions, carefully feeling her touch. The pain seemed to have truly disappeared... "Liu Li, didn't you say that men and women shouldn't touch each other?" Tai Shi suddenly raised an eyebrow, his eyes full of smiles. Liu Li's fingers paused for a moment, then she immediately withdrew her hand. How could she have forgotten that? In a moment of impulsiveness, she had forgotten this detail. Although Tai Shi was a good person, he was still a man. "Hmm, you seem to be feeling better, so I won't help you anymore." A faint blush appeared on her face. Tai Shi turned around and was slightly surprised to see Liu Li's face. He hadn't expected Liu Li, who could break someone's head, to blush like this. Liu Li was indeed still a girl. Tai Shi couldn't suppress the smile in his eyes and stood up, saying, "Alright, I'll go back to the manor first. I'll come to pick you up tomorrow." "What's wrong with me?" Ruri looked at her hands with annoyance. Why did she end up massaging his temples? But seeing how much he was hurting, her outburst of sympathy was understandable, and it actually worked quite well; he did look much better. Alright, alright, next time it flares up, she'll just ask one of his servants to massage him. But thinking about the fun places Taishi would take her to tomorrow, all her gloom vanished. Her mood instantly brightened, and Ruri happily went to chat with Nobuko. Nobuko was as usual... She passed the time arranging flowers, her husband having died young and leaving her childless. She lived a solitary life in this mansion, visited by almost no one except her younger brother, including her father, who only came a few times a year. The few days Ruri stayed brought some liveliness to the mansion. She had the same dark eyes as Taishi, and like him, often wore a gentle smile. Was such a good woman really destined to live like this forever? Every time Ruri saw Nobuko, she couldn't help but feel sorry for her. "Nobuko-neechan, are you lonely?" she couldn't help but ask. Nobuko smiled slightly and said, "Lonely, of course I'm lonely, but even in loneliness, I can only endure it, can't I?" "But, Nobuko-neechan, why, why are you willing to be trapped here for the rest of your life? You're still so young, maybe, maybe you'll meet someone you like..." "Ruri!" Nobuko's smile faded, interrupting her, "As a samurai's daughter, I am only loyal to my late husband. Don't say such things again." "But, Nobuko-neechan, you'll never find happiness like that. You're only twenty-one; you still have a chance to find your own happiness, really..." "Ruri, don't say anymore," a hint of sorrow flashed across Nobuko's face, "This is my fate. With my late husband's passing, happiness will never appear in my life again." "Nobuko..." Ruri felt a pang of melancholy. Why was such a gentle woman without happiness? "By the way, haven't you said goodbye to your brother yet?" Nobuko asked after a moment of silence. "Say goodbye?" Ruri was taken aback. "Don't you know? The Onmyoji are returning to the capital in a few days." Returning to the capital? Ruri froze. How could it be so soon? So, Kiyotsugu, is he also returning to the capital? What to do? She hadn't even had a chance to express her feelings, and she didn't know his feelings either. What to do? "Sister Nobuko, when Taishi comes tomorrow, please tell him I have something to do and can't go. Please tell him I'm sorry." She stood up, took a deep breath, and decided to clearly convey her feelings to Kiyotsugu. Happiness, isn't it something you have to fight for? ======================================== Having learned from her previous experience, the samurai in front of Hojo Tokifusa's residence didn't give her any trouble this time and let her in directly. As soon as she entered, she went to find Masahiko. "Masahiko, why are we going back to the capital so soon? Wasn't it supposed to be a month?" A hint of embarrassment flashed across Masahiko's handsome face as he said in a low voice, "Master has finished his business, so we all have to go back to the capital, and..." His expression was strange, as if he had something he couldn't say. "What's wrong? Don't hide it from me, I have sharp eyes." Ruri stared intently at him. "Sister, I... I think it would be better to leave Lord Shi Fang's residence as soon as possible," he stammered. "What? Did someone bully you? Tell me, and I'll teach him a lesson!" Liuli's tone hardened. Who dared to bully her brother? Did they have a death wish? "No, sister, don't ask," Ya Yan frowned. "It's nothing." "Alright then," Liuli saw that he was determined not to say, so she didn't press him further. "Where's Qing Ji?" "Qing Ji has been busy with something these past few days. He's probably in his room." "Hmm, I'll go see him." Liuli said, walking towards the door. "Sister..." Ya Yan suddenly called out to her, "Sister used to dislike Qing Ji a lot, always teasing him. Why are you so concerned about him now?" "Who said I disliked him? When did I say I disliked him? Nonsense!" Liuli turned around and shouted. Disliked Qing Ji? How could she dislike Qing Ji? Had she really been that bad before? Just as she opened the door, she was surprised to see a young man standing there. Judging by his appearance, he was about sixteen or seventeen years old, dressed in an exquisite dark blue robe. He was handsome, with fair skin and an elegant demeanor. His dark eyes seemed familiar, but upon seeing Ruri, they instantly flashed with disgust. "Yahiko, are you leaving so soon?" He walked right past Ruri without even glancing at her again. What kind of man was this, treating her like air? This was the first time she had ever been ignored like this. Ruri was furious and was about to ask Yahiko who he was when she saw his brows furrow even more and he softly call out, "Lord Tokifusa..." Lord Tokifusa? So he must be the owner of this mansion, Hojo Yasutoki's younger brother, Hojo Tokifusa. She hadn't seen him last time she visited. So this was Hojo Tokifusa. No wonder those eyes seemed familiar, though he wasn't as handsome as Yasutoki. "Yes, Master has finished his business, so I must leave." Yahiko's face showed even more embarrassment. A hint of displeasure flashed across Shi Fang's face. "But I still have a lot of things for you to do. Perhaps I should tell Lord Taiqing that you can stay a little longer." "Ah! No need!" Ya Yan was clearly provoked and refused repeatedly. Ya Yan seemed quite unnatural, and this Lord Shi Fang was also acting strangely. Liu Li looked at them and called out, "Ya Yan, then..." "You woman, why aren't you leaving yet!" Shi Fang was clearly taking out his displeasure on her. What kind of person is he? Liu Li was also a little angry, but she turned back to the room. "I'm not leaving." Shi Fang's expression changed. "Who are you to him? How can you be so rude!" "Who am I to him? I live in the same mansion as him. Tell me, who am I to him!" "You..." Shi Fang's face turned even paler. He turned to Ya Yan and said, "Aren't you unmarried? What is your relationship with this woman? Is she your lover?" Good heavens, this Shi Fang must have misunderstood. What lover? Liu Li glared at him. Idiot. "No, she... she's my older sister," Ya Yan said slowly. "Older sister?" Shi Fang seemed relieved, a smile immediately spreading across his face. He nodded to Liu Li and said, "So it's your older sister. I'm sorry for my rudeness earlier." "Hey, don't call me that so affectionately. Who's your older sister? I only have one younger brother." Liu Li's first impression of him was beyond terrible. "By the way, Ya Yan, I asked you to go flower viewing with me." He smiled, a small dimple appearing on his lips. Although they were brothers, he had a completely different temperament from Tai Shi. Ya Yan looked distressed and stammered, "This, this, my older sister needs me, so I'm busy right now." As he spoke, he kept giving Liu Li meaningful glances. Seeing her younger brother in trouble, she had no choice but to lend a hand. Ruri nodded and said, "That's right, I have something very important to discuss with my brother." "But, weren't you just about to leave?" "Ah, I suddenly remembered I have something to discuss, something very important, and it's a family matter, so it seems inconvenient for Lord Tokifusa..." Tokifusa glanced at her questioningly, then looked at Yahiko with reluctance. "Well then, I'll take my leave." He left the room dejectedly. "Phew!" Seeing him leave, Yahiko seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. "Yahiko, what else are you trying to hide from me?" A wicked smile appeared on Ruri's face as she slowly approached Yahiko. "Alright, alright, actually, that's what I was talking about. Don't you think Lord Tokifusa's attitude towards me is strange? I can't quite put my finger on it, but it just feels strange." "He seems to really like you," she thought, recalling the look of hatred Tokifusa had given her earlier, as if he completely regarded her as an enemy. "Spare me, sister. 'Like'... isn't that a strange word? A man liking another man? Isn't that too odd?" Masahiko said helplessly. So Hojo Tokifusa likes men? He'd heard stories of men liking men before, but this was the first time he'd witnessed it firsthand, especially with his own younger brother involved. Unbelievable. Thinking of this, Ruri burst into laughter. "Yayan, haven't you always hated women? So heaven specially arranged a man for you, haha, don't you think he's perfect for you? And I think Shi Fang is quite pretty, a good match." "Sister!" A flash of anger crossed Yayan's face. "I'm so annoyed, and you're still in the mood for jokes!" "So what do you plan to do?" "I don't know, so I want to leave as soon as possible!" "Oh, maybe he'll chase you all the way to the capital." "Ah... no way." "So the best way is to quickly find a girl you like and make him give up." "A girl you like?" "Yes, oh, but I forgot you hate women." "I don't hate all women!" "Then do you have a woman you like?" "...No." "Then try loving a man." "Sister, you don't want to help me at all!" "I'm going to see Qingji, think it over yourself." "Ah!!!!!" Yayan's frantic voice echoed from inside the room. The door to Qingji's room was tightly shut. What was he busy with? Liuli curiously peeked through the lattice window. Qingji, dressed in white, was bent over, drawing some kind of talisman. The floor was littered with crumpled talismans. Had he ruined them? That was unlikely. Qingji had inherited Abe Taikiyo's skills from a young age and was proficient in all kinds of Yin-Yang arts. Did he also have Yin-Yang arts that he couldn't control? Or was he studying a higher level of Yin-Yang arts? Ah, that would be very interesting! "Who's outside?" Qingji suddenly spoke coldly. "Oh... it's me..." Liuli stuck out her tongue. She had been discovered so quickly. Qingji's senses were really sharp, even more so than a dog's. She moved the door open and went in. "It's you?" A fleeting hint of joy flashed across Kiyotsugu's face, but it was immediately replaced by his icy expression. "Are you feeling better?" His tone seemed to have softened a bit. "Yes, I'm better. By the way, what are you doing? Are you learning a new Yin-Yang technique? I really want to see, what's it like?" Ruri looked curious, seemingly having forgotten the purpose of her visit. "Nothing." A strange look flashed across Kiyotsugu's face. "How stingy, what's wrong with just a peek?" Ruri casually picked up the talisman on the ground. "Don't move!" Kiyotsugu suddenly shouted, startling Ruri. What was wrong with Kiyotsugu today? He was acting strangely; she had never heard him make such a loud noise before. "Abe Kiyotsugu, what's wrong?" Ruri looked at him in surprise, all her good mood vanishing instantly. "Anyway, I'm very busy right now. You can go back if you don't have anything else to do." Kiyotsugu continued with a strange expression. "Nothing? Abe Kiyotsugu, I didn't come here for nothing. I came specifically to tell you that I..." Ruri stopped herself mid-sentence, thankfully, she almost blurted it out in her anger. "Ruri," Kiyotsugu's voice softened, "Actually, this Onmyoji technique is for—" Before she could finish, a loud slap rang out, and Ruri slapped several talismans hard onto her forehead, accompanied by her angry voice: "Die, you vengeful spirit!" By the time he ripped off the talismans, Ruri had already disappeared from his sight. Kiyotsugu sighed helplessly and whispered, "Idiot, always so impulsive. I haven't finished speaking..." ============================================== That bastard Kiyotsugu, he actually chased her away! She stormed out of Tokifusa's mansion, only realizing after leaving that she had completely forgotten about confessing. But oh well, thank goodness she didn't say it. Today, she really wanted to say "I love you" to him, she really wanted to completely convey her feelings, but he seemed to have no desire to see her at all, he didn't like her at all, he hated her! What happiness? Abe Kiyotsugu was not her happiness at all, she wanted to go back to Yoshino! She didn't want to get married anymore, she'd rather stay single! What men, what Kiyotsugu, to hell with them, she wanted to live freely in Yoshino until the end! She was going back to Yoshino! After making up her mind, Ruri's emotions gradually calmed down. It seemed too impolite to just leave like that, she should at least say goodbye to Taishi and Nobuko. Thinking about parting with them, she felt a little reluctant. Suddenly, a light drizzle began to fall, and Ruri realized that she had unknowingly walked to a rather remote place. Some passersby were walking back and forth on the street, and a commotion came from ahead. She looked in the direction of the sound and saw that there seemed to be a lot of people gathered around watching something. What was going on? Ruri's curiosity was piqued again, she quickened her pace and squeezed into the crowd. A little girl, no more than seven or eight years old, was kneeling on the ground. Though her clothes were tattered and her face haggard, her features were delicate and lovely, and there seemed to be tear stains at the corners of her eyes. Standing beside her was a middle-aged man, short in stature and with a sleazy appearance; he didn't seem like a good person. "Excuse me, what's going on here?" Ruri asked softly to an old woman beside her. "This man said that because of the disaster, he's become penniless. His mother just passed away, and his wife is seriously ill, so he had no choice but to sell his little daughter. It's so pitiful." His own daughter? Ruri scrutinized the man and couldn't tell that he and the girl were father and daughter. Moreover, his eyes flickered, and although he was crying, he was wailing without shedding a tear. Looking at the girl, her face was filled with terror, and her body trembled. She seemed very afraid of the man. Suddenly, she remembered that Taishi had mentioned that human trafficking had been rampant in Kamakura recently. Could this girl have been tricked? After examining her more carefully, Ruri became even more certain of her judgment. A surge of emotion welled up within her, a rush of blood to her head. Such a thing happening in broad daylight! Fujiwara Ruri was determined to rescue this girl from this hellhole! She first checked her own pockets—oh no! Forget gold and silver, she didn't have a single coin! (Note: Since Taira no Kiyomori opened trade between Song and Japan, Song coins flooded the market, and even in the Kamakura period, they still dominated.) There was no other way; she had to resort to force. "Hey, are you really her father?" To avoid being mistaken, Ruri wanted to verify before proceeding. The man glanced at her, noticing her elegant attire, and naturally assumed she was a noblewoman. He quickly put on a pained expression and said, "Of course, of course, please, miss, buy her. She's my most beloved daughter." "Since that's the case, what's your daughter's name? When was she born? What season was she born?" A barrage of questions stunned the man. A flash of anger crossed his face, but he quickly reverted to his sour expression. "My daughter's name is Xiao Ju. As for her exact birth date, it's been several years; I don't remember." "Didn't you just say she was your most beloved daughter? How come you don't even know her birth date?" Liu Li coldly retorted. A commotion arose in the surrounding crowd, with people whispering amongst themselves. "Miss, are you trying to buy my daughter or are you here to cause trouble?" The man finally lost his temper, his face darkening. "Your daughter? I'm telling you, this isn't your daughter at all!" Ruri shouted, then turned to the crowd and said, "The Shogunate's steward is preparing to enact new laws specifically to deal with people like them. Don't think that just because you're looking, it's harmless. Failing to report it, or buying this girl, will be punished!" The crowd erupted in chaos. Regardless of whether it was true or not, the word "punishment" made the people quite wary, and the number of onlookers dwindled significantly. "I advise you to release this girl, or I'll immediately report it to the magistrate," Ruri declared confidently. The man's face turned pale, then green, before he spat out, "You wretched woman, you ruined my plans!" With that, he drew his short sword and slashed at Ruri. "Sister, watch out!" the little girl suddenly shouted. They weren't father and daughter after all. Liuli smiled slightly at her, subtly shifting her body to the side to dodge his attack. Then, with swift movement, she grabbed his wrist holding the knife with her right hand, simultaneously bracing his left hand with her other. With lightning speed, she raised her right leg and delivered a heavy blow to the man's groin. The man screamed, immediately dropping the knife, clutching his groin, and collapsing to the ground. Liuli smiled mischievously. This self-defense technique her mother had taught her was perfect for a lazy person like her—simple, practical, and a bit vicious, but for dealing with scum like this, wasn't violence the best way? "Listen, if you ever do such a despicable thing again, I, Liuli, will definitely not forgive you!" Liuli suddenly felt much better; speaking like this made her feel like a heroic figure. Lost in her self-satisfaction, Liuli was suddenly startled back to reality by a sharp bamboo whistle. She looked down and saw that the whistle was coming from the man. What was going on? Could it be... that they have accomplices? "Sister, hurry, there are many of their people here, you must leave!" The little girl's eyes were filled with tears as she shook her head repeatedly. Sure enough, a dozen figures appeared at the intersection. Oh no! Liuli quickly ran over, grabbed the little girl, and shouted, "Let's go, let's go together!" She dragged her away in the opposite direction, and as they passed the man, Liuli picked up his knife and gave him a good kick. Thank goodness they didn't get caught! Her rudimentary skills were no match for more than ten men. Regret! Why did she always pretend to have a stomachache or a headache when her father taught her swordsmanship? If she had studied properly, she wouldn't be in such a sorry state. This time, when she returned to Yoshino, she would definitely have her father teach her properly... The problem is, would she even survive to return to Yoshino? ... Liuli, will you dare to be so reckless again? As Liuli ran, her mind raced with chaotic thoughts. Although she was fast, dragging a little girl along, she was caught up with not far. "You reckless woman, how dare you sabotage us!" The leader, a man with a ferocious appearance, brandished a knife and approached her. She took a step back, a flicker of fear rising within her. Was she going to die here today? She didn't want to die, but now wasn't the time to be afraid. Xiao Ju's cold hand trembled slightly in her palm; she had to protect this girl. She quickly leaned down and whispered in her ear, "When I deal with them, you find a chance to escape." With that, Liu Li took a deep breath. Damn it, she'd fight them to the death today! "Die!" she shouted, shoving Xiao Ju aside and slashing at the man with her knife. The man hadn't expected Liu Li to attack so suddenly; caught off guard, he was slashed hard on the arm. He staggered back a few steps, a flash of anger in his eyes, and yelled, "Capture her alive! I want to torture her properly!" What to do, what to do? Liu Li slashed left and right, oh dear, if her father saw her in this pathetic state, he would be heartbroken. So many people, she couldn't win; she was doomed! Just as she thought this, a sharp pain shot through the back of her head, and everything went black. Before she fainted, all she could think was that she was truly going to die. When Liuli woke up, she found herself lying in a room. Where was she? She looked around. The room was tastefully decorated, with a touch of the charm of the capital. It was luxurious yet elegant, and a pleasant fragrance filled the room, just the right strength. Could it be that these boorish people who traded people in human beings were so particular? Suddenly, she felt a throbbing pain in the back of her head. Right, she had been humiliated by being knocked unconscious. She wondered which damned person had hit her so hard, and whether she had become stupid. Just as she reached out to touch it, she froze. She had just realized something very serious: her hands were—bound! After a few minutes of shock, Liuli slowly regained her ability to think. The first thing she did was curse the person who had bound her dozens of times, and then she began to think about how to free her hands from the ropes. She tried rubbing, biting, and massaging—after grinding her teeth painfully for the ninth time, she finally gave up temporarily. "Ugh, how unlucky I am. I wonder what happened to that little orange; she's probably been caught again. I was so stupid to think I could save her. Not only am I in danger, but I might have even dragged little orange down with me. I might get a severe beating." "Ruri, you're such a fool!" she muttered to herself, her expression gloomy as she stared at the unmoved ropes. "What, even the sharp-tongued Fujiwara lady has such a pathetic moment?" A mocking voice reached Ruri's ears. As the door slowly slid open, Ruri's eyes widened in surprise when she saw the man standing there, speechless with astonishment. "Minamoto no Yoriie?" She blinked a few times, her mind a jumble. What was going on? ========================================== "Minamoto no Yoriie, it must be those scumbags you colluded with in human trafficking, right?" After regaining her senses, Ruri's first thought was that Minamoto no Yoriie was in cahoots with them. Lai's family gave a soft snort, walked into the room, and said, "Have you been beaten senseless? How could I, a dignified shogun, be with such a lowly commoner? But..." A mocking smile flashed across his lips, "You never seemed to be smart before either." "If not, how come I'm here? I clearly..." "You do remember, you were clearly knocked unconscious, of course I saved you." "Impossible, what a coincidence." "It was just a coincidence, I happened to be passing by, and I happened to see you boasting and bragging about saving someone, you really have no brains." He snorted disdainfully again, and continued, "So, I am your savior." "You would be so kind?" Ruri asked doubtfully. Lai's family didn't answer, but narrowed their beautiful eyes, a mysterious smile flashing across their faces. "Your smile is so cunning!" Ruri glared at him, then suddenly remembered something and snapped, "Then untie me right now!" Raiji stared at her, his expression suddenly hardening. "I'm not being kind," he said. "I've wanted to arrest you for a while now. This is such a good opportunity to teach this rude woman a lesson. Let this general teach you a good lesson!" A cold glint flashed across his face. "Ruiji, you dare! I'm a member of the Fujiwara family, it's not your place to teach me, you pervert! Release me now, or I'll tear down your damn general's mansion!" Ruri was both anxious and furious. This bastard was taking this opportunity to retaliate; he was a real scoundrel. A flash of anger crossed Raiji's eyes. He grabbed Ruri's chin and said coldly, "You'll just stay here obediently. No one will come to save you." Ruri was already furious. Her chin ached from his grip, but she didn't stop, unleashing a torrent of the most vicious curses she could think of. "It's a shame my hands are tied, otherwise I would have beaten him to a pulp!" Seeing her angry face, Lai Jia suddenly loosened his grip and looked at her: "I saw your fierceness just now, especially that move you used against that man, it was absolutely vicious. Do you think I would let you untie me so easily?" "If you hadn't tied me up, I would have beaten you to a pulp, no, not just a pig's head, but a cow's head, a horse's head, a dog's head, a monkey's head..." Liu Li cursed with every animal head she could think of. "Stop cursing!" It had no effect. She continued cursing. "If you curse again, I'll kill you!" Still no effect, she continued cursing. "If you curse again, I'll stuff the dirty rag I used to wipe the floor into your mouth." As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Li stopped. A wise man doesn't fight a losing battle, otherwise this pervert might really do it. A smile that he tried hard to hide suddenly flashed across Lai Jia's face. He nodded and said, "You can stay here, someone will take care of you." "Wait a minute!" Liu Li suddenly called out to him. "What, still want to curse?" His face darkened. "That Xiao Ju, the little girl I wanted to save, have you seen her?" "You still care about her?" "Have you seen her?" "I brought her back with me." Lai Jia coldly uttered a sentence and turned to leave. Fortunately, Xiao Ju also escaped the clutches of evil. Liu Li breathed a heavy sigh of relief, but what should she do now? Being saved by this perverted general didn't seem to be any better, perhaps even worse. The most hateful thing was that he tied her up and treated her like a prisoner. Damn the Yuan Lai family, she must settle this score with him! (This is from an online novel, likely titled "Unexpected Night," and the last line is a separate, unrelated paragraph.) Although the maids sent by Minamoto no Yoriie were taking good care of her, the feeling of having her hands tied was incredibly painful. Damn Minamoto no Yoriie, she wanted to smash his head open with her own hands! From the maid named Kiyoshi, she learned that this was one of Minamoto no Yoriie's villas. Usually, no one came here, so the hope of rescue seemed very slim. She wondered how her mother and father were doing. Kiyotsugu had probably returned to the capital with Masahiko, and so had Yasutoki. He and Nobuko must be very worried about her sudden disappearance. Kiyotsugu, did he really hate her? Thinking of this, Ruri felt a tightness in her chest, a very uncomfortable feeling—the first time she had felt this way. She didn't like it—this feeling. "General!" Kiyoshi's voice came from the doorway. Ruri's scalp tingled; her nemesis was here again. Sure enough, Yoriie seemed to be in a good mood, especially seeing Ruri's terrible expression. "Are you comfortable here?" he asked with a smug smile. "It would be a miracle if I could get used to it." "Still so rude, not even using honorifics." "I don't use honorifics with pigs." "Fujiwara Ruri, don't go too far!" "Minamoto no Yoriie, no, Minamoto pig, you're the one who's going too far!" "Shut up!" Yoriie rushed over angrily and covered her mouth. She didn't care about anything else and started biting his hand in a fit of rage. "Fujiwara Ruri, you damned woman, are you even a woman?!" Yoriie quickly let go, gasping for breath. What a rude woman! "I'm a real woman, I think you're not a man at all. I've never seen such a petty man, holding grudges over such a small thing!" Ruri rolled her eyes. "I'm not a man?" Yoriie suddenly laughed. Ruri glared at him. A pervert is a pervert, his emotions change so quickly. He slowly leaned closer, gently placing his hand on her waist, teasingly caressing it, and whispered, "Want to test if I'm really a man?" Liuli shuddered, goosebumps rising all over her body. She kicked out, but Lai Jia didn't dodge; instead, he caught her foot. "You pig-headed Yuan, don't you dare do anything reckless, or else... or else, even if I die, I'll become a vengeful spirit and haunt you forever. After you die, I'll haunt your son, your grandson, and keep haunting them forever. I'm terrifying, you know..." Liuli shivered, a flicker of panic in her eyes. "What, even Miss Fujiwara has moments of fear..." Yoriie's lips curled into a smirk, seemingly pleased with the effect he'd achieved, but he still held her foot, staring at her. "So, what should you call me?" "Minamoto Yoriie." "Right, I already have three concubines, so adding you wouldn't be a problem. What if I consummated our marriage tonight, then took you as a concubine and slowly trained you? What do you say then? I could torture you however I wanted, haha, how about..." "General!" Ruri's forehead was dripping with sweat. Just imagining it made her want to bang her head against the wall. This pervert might actually do it for revenge. Her mother's words were always right; a wise man doesn't act rashly, and a wise man doesn't suffer immediate losses. Calling him "General" wouldn't hurt her; she'd call him "General" while cursing Minamoto pig-headedness ten times in her heart. "See, this General's training is effective, hahaha!" Yoriie released her foot, laughing triumphantly as he walked away. Minamoto no Yoriie, this feud is huge! ============================================ At this moment, Hojo Yasutoki's villa was in complete chaos. Yasutoki was extremely anxious about Ruri's disappearance and sent out many people to search for her, but to no avail. Fujiwara no Narifumi and Koyuki finally found Masahiko and learned that Ruri was living at Yasutoki's villa. Unexpectedly, upon arriving, Yasutoki told them that Ruri was missing. Narifumi almost fainted on the spot from shock. "Narifumi, are you alright?" Koyuki looked at Narifumi with a worried expression. "How could I be alright! Ruri is missing, what are we going to do?" Cheng Fan frowned deeply, then suddenly glared at Tai Shi standing to the side, and said coldly, "Steward, Ruri disappeared while I was here..." "Yes, Lord Fujiwara, it's all my fault this time, I'm so sorry. I'll immediately send more people to find Ruri. I'm just as anxious as you are, I promise I'll find her as soon as possible!" Tai Shi's face looked even more haggard, his heart burning with anxiety at the thought of Ruri's whereabouts. "You can't blame the steward, he's busy enough with official duties. Our Ruri is very willful, no one can control her. Now we're just doing our best to find her." Xiao Xue comforted Cheng Fan, who had completely lost control of his emotions upon hearing about his daughter's accident. She gently held Cheng Fan's hand and nodded to him. Cheng Fan also tightened his grip on Xiao Xue's hand, feeling the warmth from it, and his mood gradually calmed down. He composed himself and said, "What about Abe Taikiyo? Let him do a divination; maybe he can determine Ruri's exact location." "Do you even need to tell me? I already did a divination," Abe Taikiyo said as he entered, followed by Kiyotsugu in a white hunting robe. Kiyotsugu's expression remained calm, but a barely perceptible worry flickered in his eyes. "So, what was the result of the divination?" Cheng Fan hurriedly asked. "It only divined that Ruri is roughly in the southeast of Kamakura Castle, but the exact location is unknown," Taikiyo shook his head regretfully. "The southeast?" Taikiyo pondered for a moment and said, "Then, I'll immediately send someone to search in the southeast!" With that, he hurried away. "Masahiko, Ruri disappeared after seeing you, right? Did she say where she was going?" Xiao Xue asked. Since divination didn't work, they could only resort to reasoning. Yahiko nodded, then suddenly remembered something and added, "Ruri said she went to see Kiyotsugu." Kiyotsugu immediately felt several gazes fixed on him, making him uncomfortable. He quickly nodded. "What did Ruri say to you? Did she say where she was going afterward?" Xiaoxue suddenly had a bad feeling, but still continued to ask. Kiyotsugu was silent for a moment, then said, "Ruri left very angry. I don't know where she went." "Angry? What made Ruri angry?" Chengfan became agitated again. Kiyotsugu shook his head and said coldly, "I don't know." A trace of loneliness flashed quickly in his eyes, and he said softly, "Anyway, she's hated me since she was little, so it's not surprising that she's angry with me." Chengfan and Xiaoxue exchanged a glance. Did Kiyotsugu not know that Ruri liked him at all? It seemed that Ruri was probably angry because of this. "Abe Kiyotsugu..." Xiaoxue hesitated. She felt both heartache and anxiety. What were these two children thinking? Qingji walked out with a somber expression, stopping at the doorway. He slowly said, "I can sense Liuli's aura. It's very stable, so she should be safe. I..." A strange look flashed in his eyes, "I won't let anything happen to Liuli." "Taeqing, your Qingji seems a bit strange." Chengfan and Xiaoxue were seeing Qingji with that expression for the first time. Taiqing sighed softly and said, "Who can fathom his thoughts? Even I, as his father, don't know what he's thinking. He's probably worried about Liuli today. Although he's been bullied by your Liuli since he was little, he always comes with me whenever I come to Yoshino. Once, when I said I wouldn't bring him, he cried and threw a tantrum, and he was sulking with me for days. Liuli is missing, and he's probably more anxious than anyone else, but this child doesn't usually show his emotions. However, our Qingji is a good child." "Bullyed by our Liuli? Our Liuli has always been a good child. When children are playing together, who knows who's bullying whom? Maybe your Qingji has bullied our Liuli too." Cheng Fan's protective instincts kicked in again. Taiqing glanced at him coldly and said, "Lord Chengfan, you know that if I'm unhappy, the divination might not be accurate. By the way, the southeast direction might have been wrong; it might have been northeast, or perhaps southwest..." "Alright, alright, Taiqing, your son is the best. Our Ruri is bullying your Kiyotsugu, okay?" Chengfan's tone immediately softened. Standing in the courtyard, Kiyotsugu looked at the wisteria blossoms scattered on the ground and couldn't help but recall the scene of Ruri making him pick the flowers. A sense of annoyance and sorrow welled up in his heart. Ruri, where are you? Let me feel your presence, just a little more, a little more... Let me know where you are... ================================= Miss Ruri was naturally still in the general's villa that she deeply hated. The Minamoto no Yoriie seemed to have plenty of free time, and every morning he would come to bother her as usual, making a few sarcastic remarks before leaving triumphantly. Today's "routine" seemed to have been skipped. As dusk settled, Liuli breathed a sigh of relief; at least she wouldn't have to deal with Yuan the pig's temper today. She looked at her wrist—alas, a red mark from the rope. Poor thing. But Miss Liuli seemed to have forgotten the saying, "Things don't always go as planned." Just as she was lamenting her wrist pain, the door was suddenly slid open with a thud. She looked up and inwardly groaned—her nemesis, Yuan Laijia, had come after all! His expression was strange today; he didn't have his usual mocking smile. Instead, his eyes seemed to hold anger, as if he'd been provoked. Oh no, was he going to take it out on her? Could she really be that unlucky? As soon as he entered the room, a pungent smell of alcohol filled the air. No way, he'd been drinking! Her mother had said alcohol could cloud judgment; although she didn't quite understand what that meant, it certainly wasn't a good thing. Thinking this, she quickly moved back. Unexpectedly, this action only angered him. He lunged forward, his voice low and menacing, "You hate me too, don't you? You all hate me!" Damn it, she wondered what had gotten into him. She quickly shook her head, remaining silent. It was best to keep quiet now, or she might provoke him and be in trouble. He sat down beside Ruri, his expression a complex and unreadable mask, staring blankly at the ground. Ruri silently prayed: Pretend I don't exist, pretend I don't exist, don't notice me... "Fujiwara Ruri, does your mother like you?" he suddenly asked softly. "Of course she does," Ruri blurted out without thinking. "Being liked by your mother must be very happy," his voice trembled slightly. "You're strange. Every mother loves her child. Doesn't your mother like you?" Ruri had barely finished speaking when she saw Lai's expression change, and she secretly regretted speaking so quickly. To her surprise, he wasn't angry, but only gave a cold laugh, saying, "My mother, my mother probably wishes I were dead sooner! No matter what I do, I can't satisfy her!" His voice carried a hint of sadness: "When I was eleven, I shot a wild deer on my first hunt, intending to present it to my mother. Even my father praised me, but my mother didn't even glance at it. She said that as the legitimate son of a military general, one's first battle should be on a life-or-death battlefield, proving one's bravery with the head of an enemy general. Now, it's just a hunt for a weak wild deer, what's so praiseworthy about that? Do you know how painful and disappointed I was then!" Lai Jia bit his lip tightly, showing the deep pain those memories held within him. Seeing his pain should have been quite satisfying, but for some reason, Liuli felt a pang of pity for him. Besides, she didn't want to say anything to provoke him at this moment, otherwise, she would be the one to suffer. "Alright, I'd better quickly think of some nice things to say to comfort him and send him away." "Actually, your mother still likes you, doesn't she? How could a mother in this world not like her own children? The way she treats you is because she loves you so much, so her expectations for you are exceptionally high. If she didn't like you, she wouldn't care about you at all," Liuli said. Lai Jia's body trembled. He looked up at Liuli, then shook his head, saying, "Impossible. From childhood to adulthood, I've never seen my mother smile at me. I can never become as great as my father. I simply can't." As he spoke, his emotions surged again. "Do you know my mother's personality? She's a terrifying woman! If the person she chooses cannot achieve her predetermined goals, she will not hesitate to completely eliminate them and establish a new choice, without even lowering her standards. Even if that person is her own son!" "Don't be so agitated, calm down," Liuli quickly said, fearing she might be implicated. Lai Jia gave her a cold look, then suddenly moved closer, staring into her eyes. "You must be very happy now, looking at me like this, you must be laughing at me in your heart!" Pervert, absolutely pervert, Ruri thought to herself, but her face remained innocent. "How could I be? I'm not happy at all, I just want to cry..." She was telling the truth; she really wanted to cry. Why was she so unlucky? "Stop pretending, Fujiwara Ruri!" His expression changed, and he angrily reached out his hand towards her. Seeing his claws reaching for her, Ruri's first reaction was: dodge! She quickly moved to the side, and Lai Jia, unable to stop in time, lost his balance and fell flat on his face, landing squarely on Ruri's leg. "Ah!" Ruri screamed in pain; this time, she was truly hurt by the weight. "Get out of here!" She couldn't hold back any longer. "Yuan Laijia, are you even a man?! What's the use of blaming your mother here? Your mother doesn't like you, why don't you think about your own reasons? Let me tell you, you shouldn't be wallowing in self-pity here. A real man should strive to achieve something for his mother, to make her look at you with new eyes. That's what you should be doing! Besides, your mother has high hopes for you. I believe she definitely cares about you, because you have her blood flowing in your veins!" A torrent of words erupted, and she felt much better. So what if she died? She didn't care anymore. Laijia slightly raised his head, looking at her with surprise, as if he didn't recognize her. After a long while, he slowly said, "Perhaps you have a point..." "If you have a point, then get out of here!" Liuli pushed with all her might, but the heavy body remained unmoved. "I'll get up," he said softly. After waiting for a long time, there was still no movement. "Hey, Minamoto no Yoriie, get up! My legs are numb!" Ruri nudged him, but he didn't move. Oh no, everything went black before Ruri's eyes. He—he'd actually fallen asleep! The smell of alcohol on Yoriie made her dizzy and lightheaded, and fatigue gradually overcame her. She couldn't hold on any longer, and before she knew it, she too had drifted off to sleep. ( 《TXT Forum》 collects excellent novels. More ebooks can be found at 《TXT Forum》. ...Original literature, mood diary) Related works: A Mismatched Couple (Qidian update time: 2006-3-2 16:54:00 Word count: 5388) Gently awakened by the first rays of morning sunlight, Minamoto no Yoriie slowly opened his eyes. As soon as he opened them, he noticed something under him. He quickly sat up, and upon closer inspection, even the remaining two or three tenths of the alcohol vanished. What had he done last night? He tried hard to recall. Last night, he had drunk alcohol and then came to her room, seemingly saying a lot to her. "Let me tell you, you shouldn't be wallowing in self-pity here. A real man should strive to achieve something for his mother, to make her look at you with new respect. That's what you should be doing!" For some reason, he had forgotten the rest of what he said, but these few words remained vividly in his mind. This woman really knows how to sleep. He gazed at Liuli, still asleep. The rising sun shone evenly on her profile, the fine down on her cheeks reflecting a pale golden halo, revealing a touch of youthful innocence and purity. So she could be like a woman sometimes... Something seemed to stir in Lai Jia's heart... Suddenly, her eyelashes fluttered, and then she slowly opened her obsidian-like eyes. As if frozen in place, she stared blankly at the man before her, unblinking for a long time. Then she rubbed her eyes, closed them, and suddenly opened them again. After a moment, she burst into a deafening scream. "Ah ... She breathed a slight sigh of relief, but after all, she had spent the night in the same room with this man, and he had shamelessly fallen asleep on her lap. Thinking of this, her anger flared up again. "Ouch..." Lai Jia suddenly rubbed his shoulder and said, "Your legs are so thin, my back is aching. It would be better if you were a little fatter." He shook his head regretfully. "Yuan the Pighead!" Liuli's anger flared up instantly. Was he even being reasonable? Her legs were so numb she could barely stand, and he was still making such sarcastic remarks! "Hmph, I wonder who was crying and shouting here yesterday, like a madman? So this is what the dignified Shogun is like? I saw it... hahaha." Liuli didn't hold back in attacking his weaknesses. Lai Jia was quickly enraged. He glared at Ruri, then suddenly remembered something, and his anger was replaced by a hint of teasing. He leaned closer and whispered, "Fujiwara Ruri, if we follow the custom of the nobles in the capital, and I stay here for three nights in a row, then you'll be my wife. Last night was the first night. Do you think I should come over tonight?" Ruri's expression changed. She had heard of this custom among the nobles of the capital. Although it had gradually faded from memory, some high-ranking nobles still used this method of marriage. "Hmm, I've completely forgotten what happened last night. I think the General has forgotten too. There's no need to bother you tonight," Ruri said with a dry laugh. *You pervert! Marrying you is worse than marrying a pig...* A smile flashed in Lai Jia's eyes. Suddenly, he swiftly grabbed her hand. "Hey, what are you doing!" Ruri shouted, about to curse, but swallowed the rest of her words. Lai Jia had actually untied the ropes binding her hands. "Does it hurt?" Lai Jia glanced at the stunned Liu Li and asked softly. "Of course it hurts, it's completely numb." Liu Li glared at him fiercely. The rope had been tied for so long that her hands felt like they weren't her own anymore; she couldn't move them at all. "Why would you be so kind?" Liu Li asked incredulously. A fleeting, enigmatic smile crossed his face, and he said very softly, "You guessed right, I'm not that kind." Before she could react, Lai Jia ripped off the silk hair tie from his hair bun and quickly retied her still-numb hands. "You madman, what are you doing!" Liu Li finally snapped out of her daze. "That hemp rope was too thick; it made your hands red. Is it better to use silk now? More comfortable?" His lips curled slightly, seemingly pleased. "Comfortable my foot! Yuan Lai Jia, let me go! You pervert of the perverted, bastard of the bastard, scum of the scum, the most despicable person in the world..." Liu Li, enraged, didn't know what else to say. "Fujiwara Ruri, you ungrateful woman, shut up!" Lai's face also turned pale. "I'm going to curse you anyway, let me go now, or else..." Her voice suddenly stopped, staring in utter shock at the enlarged face before her. Lai's burning lips were firmly pressed against hers, all the words she was about to say were swallowed by his mouth. Ruri, completely caught off guard, just stared at him, her mind frozen, her whole body seemingly rooted to the spot. What was happening? What was going on? Was this what they called a kiss? Oh God, help! She had actually been kissed by the person she hated most... "Ah ... He quickly grabbed her bound hands, angrily saying, "Why are you still so unruly even when you're tied up!" "Let me go, let me go!" Liuli, like a wounded leopard, kicked and bit him. He actually kissed her! He actually dared to kiss her! That was her first kiss, reserved for someone she loved. How could this shameless idiot have stolen it from her? The more Liuli thought about it, the more frustrated and furious she became, even wanting to kill him. "Quiet down!" Lai Jia shouted. Liuli, in a fit of madness, bit and kicked wildly, and Lai Jia was starting to struggle. "Fujiwara Liuli, you're not a woman at all!" "Pah! Pah! Pah! Anyone you touch will get sores," Liuli spat repeatedly, and Lai Jia's face grew increasingly grim. ... "Liuli! Are you here? Liuli!" Suddenly, a familiar shout came from the doorway, and the door quickly slid open with the sound. Ruri's body trembled slightly. She turned her head, her eyes widening in disbelief. After a long while, she managed to squeeze out a few words: "Father, Mother?" No, not only her father and mother, but also Kiyotsugu and Yasutoshi, and even Lord Abe no Yasuyoshi. How come they were all here? Fujiwara no Narifumi and Koyuki were also stunned by the scene before them. Ruri, covered in dirt, was entangled with the Shogun Minamoto no Yoriie, as if they had just fought. Yoriie's forehead was also red and swollen. What had happened to their precious daughter? Yasutoshi looked at Ruri in shock. His gaze suddenly swept over Ruri's hand, and his expression changed instantly. He rushed over, gently grabbed Ruri's hand, and quickly untied the ropes from her. "Does it hurt, Ruri?" His voice trembled slightly. He then turned back and angrily whispered to Yoriie, "Minamoto no Yoriie, what have you done to Ruri!" His face was filled with barely suppressed anger. If it weren't for her aunt's sake, she might have already punched him. Cheng Fan and Xiao Xue rushed over. Seeing her parents so close, Liu Li's facade crumbled. Remembering the grievances she had suffered these past few days, she couldn't help but bury her face in Xiao Xue's arms and burst into tears. Cheng Fan tenderly rubbed the bruises on Liu Li's hands, feeling both angry and anxious. Through her teary eyes, Liu Li looked up from Xiao Xue's embrace and saw Qing Ji standing behind Xiao Xue. He stared intently at the bruises on her hands, his expression calm, but his eyes were filled with anxiety. Sensing Liu Li's gaze, he slowly moved his gaze upward, staring deeply into her eyes. His dark, crystal-like eyes were unfathomable, completely filled with one emotion: heartache, nothing but heartache. Suddenly, Cheng Fan grabbed Lai Jia's collar and roared, "Why did you arrest our Liuli? You even dared to tie her up! I don't care if you're the General or not, I will never forgive anyone who bullies Liuli!" Xiao Xue looked at Cheng Fan with some worry. In all these years, she had never seen Cheng Fan so angry. "Oh, who dares to be impolite to the General?" A gentle and melodious female voice entered everyone's ears. Hearing this familiar voice, Xiao Xue was startled. Had she come too? Led by two maids, a middle-aged woman dressed in a willow-colored monk's robe gracefully entered. Although it had been more than ten years since they last met, Xiao Xue recognized her at a glance—Hojo Masako, the current Nun General who held the reins of power over the land. The tireless work for the shogunate had prematurely etched the marks of time on her face, but neither the faint crow's feet at the corners of her eyes nor the fine lines around her lips diminished her charm; rather, they added to her mature and dignified air. The strength and domineering presence in her eyes and brows were completely different from the Masako she knew. Looking at her face, a flood of deeply buried memories surged into her mind. "Koyuki, why aren't you saying anything? Don't you recognize me?" Masako smiled slightly, but her eyes held no real joy. "Of course not, Lady Ni-Midai," Koyuki smiled back at her. "By the way, what exactly happened? Can anyone tell me?" She glanced at everyone and said, "Taishi, you tell me." Taishi coldly glanced at the Lai family and said, "Reporting to Aunt, the General has secretly captured Lord Fujiwara's daughter and imprisoned her here. We just found out where Ruri is and happened to see the General here..." He was clearly furious and didn't finish his sentence. "Oh, Ruri?" Masako smiled faintly on her calm face and slowly walked to Ruri's side, saying, "This must be Ruri? I only saw her once when she was born. I didn't expect her to grow up to be so beautiful." She turned to Xiaoxue and smiled, "You really do resemble you back in Izu." Xiaoxue's heart trembled. The name Izu reminded her of many things she didn't want to think about anymore. Suddenly, she felt warmth in her hand. Chengfan's hand unconsciously covered hers, and a warmth emanated from his palm. His eyes looked at her tenderly, and the unease that had been growing in her heart completely dissipated under his gaze. Masako watched this scene, her heart filled with a complex mix of emotions. After all these years, Xiaoxue was still so happy, with someone who loved her wholeheartedly by her side. Yet, her husband, even on his deathbed, couldn't forget this woman. Recalling Raichao's dying words and his tender, reminiscent expression, a pebble seemed to have been thrown into Masako's usually calm heart, causing shallow ripples. She turned and walked towards the Raichao family, coldly saying, "General, you're not a child anymore. How could you do such a thing? Luckily, nothing serious happened. Don't go out for the next two days; stay here and reflect on your actions." The Raichao family member glanced at Ruri, a fleeting, inscrutable expression on his face, then suddenly exclaimed, "But, Mother, I spent the night with Ruri last night!" "Spend the night?" Masako's expression changed slightly. "That's right. Didn't you all see it? I was with Ruri when you came in this morning," the Raichao family member said calmly. In their haste to save her daughter, no one had considered this. As soon as Lai Jia spoke, Cheng Fan and Xiao Xue's expressions changed, and Tai Shi and Qing Ji were also shocked. "No, no, it's not what you think at all!" Liu Li glared fiercely at Lai Jia. "He was drunk and forced his way into my room." The more she explained, the uglier everyone's faces became. "Nothing happened!" Liu Li shouted angrily at Lai Jia, "Minamoto no Yoriie, explain yourself! Nothing happened!" "Minamoto no Yoriie, what did you do to my daughter?!" Cheng Fan roared, his face ashen. Liu Li saw a hint of smugness in Lai Jia's eyes. Looking up, she saw Tai Shi's incredulous expression, and Qing Ji tried to remain calm, but couldn't hide the doubt in his eyes. "Indeed, nothing happened. I was just drunk. However, it's a fact that we spent the night together. Mother, if this gets out, it will likely damage Fujiwara-san's reputation. Why not bring Fujiwara-san into my household? The Fujiwara family is worthy of our Minamoto clan." "Lai said calmly. As soon as he said this, everyone was stunned. Of course, the most shocked was Liuli. No way, she was going to marry this scoundrel after just one night? It couldn't be that bad... If she had to marry such a pig-head, she might as well just kill herself... Helpless, she looked to her parents for help. Cheng Fan composed himself and was about to speak when he saw a glint of something unreadable flash in Zheng Zi's eyes. She smiled and said, "For the sake of Miss Fujiwara's reputation, I agree with the General's suggestion. What does Lord Fujiwara think?" Zheng Zi knew the shock her words had caused Xiao Xue, and she knew Xiao Xue was absolutely unwilling to marry her daughter into the Minamoto family. In fact, she herself wasn't too keen on letting Ruri marry into the family. But at this moment, she desperately wanted to see Xiao Xue's panicked expression. As for Ruri, she could simply prevent her from having children; there were plenty of drugs for that. Sure enough, she saw the expression she wanted. A cruel pleasure welled up inside her, but at the same time, a huge sense of loss swept over her. "No!" Tai Shi suddenly blurted out, his anxiety evident. Zheng Zi glanced at him thoughtfully. "Lord Ni-Midai, we appreciate the General's kindness, but it is truly regrettable that our Ruri is already betrothed to her childhood sweetheart, Abe no Kiyotsugu." Having calmed down, Narifumi revealed his usual elegant smile and said calmly. "Oh? Lord Abe no Kiyotsugu, is that so?" Masako asked Kiyotsugu coldly. Abe no Kiyotsugu, being a man of his stature, immediately understood that Narifumi intended to use Kiyotsugu to reject the marriage. He nodded and said, "It is indeed so." Ruri looked at her parents in surprise, having guessed what had happened, but remained silent. "Nonsense! Abe no Kiyotsugu! Didn't you say last time that your proposal to Ruri was rejected? How come you've agreed now? What a coincidence!" The Lai family's face darkened, their expression full of disbelief. Abe Kiyotsugu's icy gaze swept lightly over the Lai family, the chill in his eyes sending a shiver down the Lai family's spine. He slowly spoke, "Indeed, Ruri rejected you last time, but marriage is a matter for parents to decide. Since both sets of parents agree, Ruri has no choice but to accept it." He stared at Ruri, saying each word clearly, "General, Fujiwara Ruri will soon be my wife, Abe Kiyotsugu's wife. Please do not do anything unbecoming of your noble status." The Lai family's face turned pale, then red, then suddenly he laughed coldly, saying, "Your wife? But unfortunately, before you arrived, I had already kissed your wife. Those soft lips, I suppose you've never tasted them?" As soon as he finished speaking, Kiyotsugu's face drained of color, and a hint of anger appeared in his icy eyes. Meanwhile, Tai Shi trembled slightly, his fists clenched tightly. He feared he would lose control. The moment he heard that Liu Li was going to marry Qing Ji, his heart felt a sharp pain. "Slap! Slap!" Two crisp sounds rang out. Everyone looked up and saw Liu Li slapping Lai Jia hard across the face twice. "Despicable and shameless!" Her voice trembled noticeably. As soon as she finished speaking, she rushed out of the room. "Liu Li!" Qing Ji reacted quickly this time and immediately chased after her. Tai Shi hesitated for a moment, then rushed out of the room as well. (Authorized release from Q. Bookmark eBooks at . Related works: The Changes in the Capital (Qidian Update Time: 2006-3-4 15:51:00. Chapter Word Count: 5252)) "Liu Li's personality is just like Xiao Xue's back then," Zheng Zi said with a slight surprise and a smile. “Yes, she’s just like I was back then. As parents, don’t we just want our children to be happy? For me, as long as they’re happy, that’s enough. All those memories are deeply buried in my heart, including the happy days I spent with Masako in Izu, buried here too.” Koyuki pointed to her heart and smiled faintly. Masako was silent for a moment. She had indeed acted impulsively. Letting Ruri marry into the Lai family wasn’t a wise decision. After all, she still had some connection with the Taira family. Perhaps her actions were driven by jealousy. Thinking of this, she gave a self-deprecating laugh. She had already entered the Buddhist order, yet she was still thinking about these things. Oh well, the empire her husband left behind was what she needed to care about; everything else was unimportant. “Since Ruri is already engaged, we can’t force her.” She glanced back at the Lai family and said, “Shogun, I hope you can devote more energy to the affairs of the shogunate in the future and not disappoint me again. I’ll take my leave.” Watching her departing figure, Koyuki and Narifumi finally breathed a sigh of relief. ------------------------------------ Furious and annoyed, Ruri ran to the back courtyard and plopped down on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. What to do? Now Kiyotsugu knew that his first kiss had been stolen by this scoundrel. What to do? He must hate her even more now, he must think she's dirty. What to do? That bastard Minamoto no Yoriie, why did he have to say that to her beloved Kiyotsugu? Now everything is over, she has no happiness left, she will be utterly hated... The more she thought about it, the more resentful she became, frantically wiping her lips with her sleeve... "Don't wipe anymore, or you'll break them." That voice... Ruri looked up and saw only a blurry white light. She quickly wiped her blurry eyes. It was Kiyotsugu. Had he come to see her make a fool of herself? Kiyotsugu bent down and sat down beside her. "Father only said that because he didn't want me to marry that perverted general. I know you only said that to help me, I won't take it seriously, really," Ruri said hastily. Qingji turned his head and sighed softly, saying, "What a pity. What if I wanted to take it seriously?" Liuli was taken aback, then shook her head, saying, "Impossible. I know Qingji hates me. Don't joke like that." "Hates you?" "Yes, you even chased me away last time. This time, I..." As she spoke, her expression darkened again. "How could I hate you? Didn't Liuli hate me since childhood? That's why she teases me." Qingji asked, puzzled. "How could I hate you? I came here specifically to tell you that I like you." As soon as the words left her mouth, Liuli quickly covered her mouth, "Ah, oh no! I said it! I didn't hear you, I didn't hear you, pretend I didn't say anything!" Qingji seemed to be slightly stunned, but the corners of his mouth slowly turned up. The ice in his eyes seemed to melt into gentle spring water in an instant, and a tenderness he had never shown before slowly overflowed from his eyes. Liuli stared at the scene in disbelief. Qingji was smiling. Qingji was actually smiling! My God, this was the first time she had ever seen Qingji smile. That faint smile, yet it was like the early summer of May, with white clouds drifting across the blue sky and water lilies just beginning to bloom in the emerald lake—fresh, elegant, and mesmerizing. "From the age of five, I've known a girl. Although she was rude and often bullied and teased me, I was still unconsciously drawn to her. Our annual meeting became the most anticipated event of my life. I've thought that maybe she bullied me just because she disliked me, but even so, I would be willing to be bullied by her for the rest of my life." Kiyotsugu seemed to be recalling something, speaking very softly. "So, this girl—is it me?" Ruri pointed to her nose in confusion. "Besides you, who else would dare bully Abe Kiyotsugu, the most skilled in Yin-Yang arts in the capital?" Kiyotsugu looked at her and couldn't help but smile again. Liuli smiled through her tears, a sweet feeling welling up inside her. But the thought of her first kiss brought a pang of sadness. She rubbed her lips and said, "If only there were some kind of Yin-Yang magic to erase that disgusting kiss..." "Of course there is," Qingji said softly, suddenly reaching out to embrace her waist, lowering his head, and gently pressing his lips to Liuli's. Liuli shuddered, feeling a surge of heat coursing through her body. Her mind went blank, and she felt as if the world was spinning. Qingji's lips were so soft and refreshing, like raindrops dripping from bamboo leaves at night, or dewdrops condensing on lotus leaves in the morning, carrying a faint fragrance that permeated her lips and teeth, cool and so comfortable. Was this the feeling of happiness? "This is a Yin-Yang magic used only on Liuli," he whispered in her ear after a moment, slowly releasing her. She seemed still immersed in the sweetness of the moment, loving this feeling of happiness so much. After a long while, Liuli, who had been secretly smiling, finally raised her head and glanced sideways. The smile on her face froze instantly upon seeing what she saw. Taishi, dressed in a flowing purple robe, stood leaning against a tree, looking at her with a sorrowful expression. His deep purple sleeves fluttered forlornly in the wind, and a carpet of pale purple petals was gently lifted by the breeze, swirling a few times before being blown onto his hat, face, and clothes, dancing freely in the wind. His dark eyes held a mixture of sadness, loneliness, disappointment, and pain. Looking into his eyes, Liuli felt all her joy vanish in an instant. ======================================== "Tae-kyung, thank goodness you reacted quickly just now." After leaving the room, Seung-beom smiled slightly at Abe Tai-kyung. "But that was just a temporary measure; let's forget what we were saying earlier." "Actually—" Tai-kyung paused, then said, "Our children are of marriageable age, and it wouldn't be a bad thing for Ruri to marry our Kiyotsugu. I think it's better to settle it like this." Abe Tai-kyung's words surprised Seung-beom and Xiao-xue slightly. "What, is our Kiyotsugu not good enough for your Ruri?" Tai-kyung raised an eyebrow. "No, but aren't you afraid that our Ruri will bully your Kiyotsugu? And we don't even know what your Kiyotsugu's feelings are?" Seung-beom suddenly felt a pang of disappointment. Kiyotsugu was a good boy, but he felt somewhat unwilling that his beloved daughter was being married off like this. "Father, Lord Fujiwara, I take Ruri as my wife." Kiyotsugu appeared before them unnoticed, with Ruri standing beside him, her face flushed. Ruri fidgeted, clutching her clothes nervously. She had just arrived when she overheard them discussing her marriage to Kiyotsugu. Was this what they called turning a fake relationship into a real one? Xiaoxue glanced at Ruri and couldn't help but smile. Her daughter's eyes clearly shone with the light of love. Looking at Kiyotsugu, her usually expressionless face was slightly red. Though he remained as aloof as ever, the hint of affection in his eyes betrayed him. Xiaoxue's heart skipped a beat. Had these two children already confirmed their feelings for each other? Abe Yasuyoshi's eyes also flashed with a smile. He said, "Kiyotsugu, are you really willing? Ruri has been bullying you since childhood." A hint of embarrassment crossed Kiyotsugu's face. He looked at Ruri beside him and whispered, "Father, please don't bring up the past." "Then, does Ruri agree?" "Xiaoxue asked Liuli with a smile. Liuli's heart leaped with joy, and she was about to agree immediately when Taishi's slightly sorrowful face suddenly appeared in her mind. She hesitated for a moment. "Liuli?" Xiaoxue asked again. Liuli looked up and saw a hint of nervousness in Qingji's eyes. Wasn't Qingji the person she had always loved the most? Wasn't Qingji the happiness she had always been pursuing? What was she still hesitating about? Don't hesitate anymore... "Yes, I... am willing too." Liuli's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, and a faint blush had already spread across her cheeks. Hearing her answer, Qingji visibly breathed a sigh of relief. "Lord Abe, I won't bully Qingji, don't worry." Liuli thought for a moment and said to Taishi earnestly. As soon as she finished speaking, everyone laughed. A slight smile appeared on Qingji's lips, and he gazed at Liuli with a smile in his eyes. "Ah, this is the first time I've seen Qingji smile!" "Xiaoxue exclaimed as if she had discovered a new continent. Kiyotsugu was taken aback, and the smile on his face quickly vanished, replaced by his original cold expression. "Then, Fujiwara-sama, it's settled. I'll consult the oracle for an auspicious day when I return to the capital." Abe no Yasuyoshi also smiled, a rare sight, as if a great weight had been lifted from his mind. "But..." Narufumi looked reluctant. Was he really going to marry Ruri off like this? If Ruri married Kiyotsugu, she would have to go to the capital, and wouldn't he be able to see his daughter often? The thought broke Narufumi's heart. He looked at Xiaoxue helplessly. "No buts, my Narufumi-sama. As long as Ruri is happy, that's all that matters, isn't it?" Xiaoxue smiled and took Narufumi's hand. "We can visit her in the capital often, don't we? We have a residence there too." She whispered in Narufumi's ear. Narufumi was surprised, then smiled again, and whispered, "As expected, my wife understands me best." Liuli glanced at everyone, but for some reason, she couldn't feel happy. Was she really going to marry Qingji like this? Although she liked him very much, why did she feel a little down? Right, where was Taishi? She looked around but didn't see him. Just now, he saw her and Qingji kissing… Why was she a little bothered that he had seen them? Because of the fright Ruri had experienced these past few days, Fujiwara no Shigenori planned to rest for a few days at the Fujiwara residence in Kamakura before returning to Yoshino, and also take the mother and daughter to see around Kamakura Castle. Meanwhile, Abe no Yasukiyo, along with Kiyotsugu and Masahiko, returned to Kyoto first. However, in the distant capital, undercurrents were swirling. The current Emperor Chūkyō was only four years old, and his puppet master, the retired Emperor Go-Toba, was unwilling to accept the shogunate's absolute power. Taking advantage of this, he allied with the retired emperors Juntoku and Tsuchimikado, constantly courting local samurai and temple forces whose lands had been seized, preparing to launch a counterattack. After deeming their preparations sufficient, the three retired emperors, Go-Toba, Juntoku, and Tsuchimikado, finally launched their uprising, raising an army of samurai and monks in the capital and issuing a proclamation calling on all the governors and retainers (also samurai) to join the overthrow of the shogunate. This news quickly reached Kamakura Castle, and the atmosphere within the shogunate became tense. Retainers holding important positions in the shogunate gathered at the shogun's residence, anxiously discussing solutions. "Their numbers aren't many; I don't think they're a match for us," Minamoto no Yoriie said nonchalantly. Sitting beside him, Masako gave him a cold glance and said, "Shogun, I don't think you understand the gravity of this matter." She looked at Yasutoki and said, "Steward, please speak." Yasutoki nodded and said, "Although the rebels are few in number, if the Emperor personally leads the campaign, when the imperial carriage appears before the enemy, our shogunate's samurai will surely remove their helmets and break their bowstrings; no one will dare to shoot an arrow at the Emperor." "At that time, we'll be in a predicament where we can neither fight nor retreat. Even if we gather a million troops, they'll scatter and might even be forced to side with the enemy." "Indeed, what good ideas do you all have?" Masako slowly surveyed her retainers. The retainers exchanged glances, unsure what to do. "Aunt, in my opinion, this battle is unavoidable," Yasutoki said, turning slightly to the side. "Indeed, there's only one battle left. The foundation established by the late General isn't so easily overthrown. However, as you said, if the Emperor personally leads the campaign, our warriors might not dare to attack him." A hint of worry flashed across Masako's face. Yasutoki's lips curled slightly, and he said, "Then, we'll have to ask Aunt for your help." "What?" A cryptic look flashed in Yasutoki's eyes as he told Masako his thoughts. Masako listened, smiled slightly, and nodded approvingly. "Then what does the General think?" "Masako asked in a low voice. "Didn't you all decide?" Yoriie glanced at them coldly, stood up, and left. ---------------------------------------------- That day, all the retainers and samurai in Kamakura were summoned by Hojo Yasutoki. After everyone had arrived, Hojo Masako slowly walked out. Everyone was surprised and knelt down to pay their respects. After all, many of them would never have the chance to see this famous General Hojo Yasutoki. "My fellow Minamoto samurai, you must have heard the news that the three retired emperors in the capital are preparing to call on all the retainers to overthrow the shogunate. Since my late husband established the shogunate, he has always respected the court in the capital and tried his best to maintain the dignity of the court nobles. I also know that the emperor is like a god in your hearts. If he were to personally lead the army, you would certainly not dare to raise your swords against him. But—..." "Masako looked at them sincerely and said, 'As you all know, in the past, you valiant samurai lived a miserable life, treated like dogs by nobles. In the eyes of the court nobles, samurai were nothing more than lowly servants, with no status whatsoever. But the late Shogun, in order to change this miserable life, led everyone through hardships and established the Kamakura Shogunate, regaining the status of the samurai. So, do you still want to go back to that life, which was worse than that of dogs?' Tears welled up in Masako's eyes, and she choked out, 'Only by uniting around the Shogunate and by the Shogun's side can we avoid becoming slaves to the nobles again, and only then can we stand tall and proud! Therefore, only by fighting with all our might can we protect the hard-won life and status we have today!' The servants and samurai present were all moved to tears when they saw the notoriously ruthless Shogun shedding tears. 'We will fight the court to the end!' someone in the crowd shouted." The crowd responded enthusiastically. Samurai and retainers alike were united in their resolve, eager and fervent, determined to fight the court to the death to protect their regime and interests. Seeing the fervent fervor of the crowd, Masako, having achieved her goal, smiled faintly. "Aunt," Yasutoki appeared before them at the opportune moment, volunteering, "why don't we immediately send troops to the capital and quell this rebellion?" "I am willing to serve as the commander-in-chief and personally lead the army to the capital!" Masako nodded in satisfaction, saying, "Very well, Your Excellency will be the commander-in-chief, and your brother Tokifusa will be the deputy commander, leading 100,000 troops. We will depart in two days!" "Yes!" Yasutoki replied, a painful scene flashing through his mind—the scene he had witnessed that day. For days, he couldn't forget it; each time he recalled it, a sharp pain would surge within him. His beloved girl already had someone else in her heart. Perhaps war was the best way to forget her. This news quickly reached the Fujiwara family. "Narrator, is another war about to begin?" A hint of worry flashed across Koyuki's face. Was their hard-won peaceful life about to be destroyed again? Her heart trembled slightly, for the war had taken so much from her. Narifumi shook his head and said, "Don't worry, this war won't last long. In the conflict between the court nobles and the samurai, the court nobles will most likely lose." "Is that so?" Koyuki asked doubtfully. "Indeed, the imperial family's prestige has long been tarnished by previous wars. Their extravagant and decadent lifestyle can no longer inspire the samurai's confidence. Except in necessary circumstances, no powerful faction will still bow down and obey them. Moreover, it is undeniable that since Minamoto no Yoritomo established the dynasty, the political situation has been clean and efficient. The Hojo clan, for example, lives frugally, rewards and punishments are clear, and they have always maintained a respectful attitude towards the imperial family. They have quite a few supporters. The Kubo has no legitimate reason to go to war." Narifumi said gently. Even though he no longer stepped into officialdom, he still saw through the ways of the world better than anyone else. "But as long as there is war, many people will die." Koyuki sighed helplessly. "That is unavoidable. I heard that the commander-in-chief of this expedition is the shogunate steward Hojo Yasutoki. The Hojo family has produced some talent." What! Ruri, who was listening from the side, was shocked. Yasutoki was the commander-in-chief? Yasutoki was going to war? "Father, Yasutoki is the commander-in-chief this time?" Ruri asked hurriedly. "That should be right. I heard he volunteered." Cheng Fan glanced at Liu Li with a hint of surprise. Volunteered? That idiot Tai Shi, leading the charge is so dangerous! What if something happened to such a gentle Tai Shi...? Liu Li's heart trembled, and she dared not think any further. This good person absolutely cannot be harmed, absolutely not. "So when are they leaving for the capital?" "I heard it's today." A strange, inexplicable impulse welled up in Liu Li's heart. She stood up abruptly and said, "Father, Mother, I need to go out for a bit!" Before Cheng Fan and Xiao Xue could react, Liu Li's figure had already disappeared outside the door. ------------------------------------------------ When Ruri finally arrived at the gates of Kamakura Castle, breathless, she found the area around the gates packed with a dense crowd of people seeing them off. The center was filled with fully armed samurai and retainers, the long, winding procession stretching as far as the eye could see. Everywhere, white banners with the gentian crest of the Minamoto clan and the three-scale crest of the Hojo clan fluttered in the wind, creating a white sea. Ruri gasped in astonishment; she had never seen such a magnificent scene before. Wait, where was Yasutoki? She looked around, but couldn't see him anywhere. Since he was the commander-in-chief, he should be at the front, right? Thinking this, Ruri quickly pushed her way through the crowd. She finally managed to reach the front, but many people still blocked her view. She anxiously searched for Yasutoki through the gaps in the crowd. "Everyone, prepare to depart!" Suddenly, a familiar voice came from the left—it was Yasutoki's voice! Ignoring everything else, Ruri kept jumping up and down, waving and shouting excitedly, "Taeshi! Taeshi!" But her voice was immediately drowned out by the shouts of the crowd. Taeshi hadn't seen her at all. What to do? Sigh, there was no other way. Ruri thought for a moment, then quickly took off one of her shoes and hurled it hard at Taeshi. Caught off guard, Taeshi suddenly felt a dark shadow flying towards him with great force, hitting him squarely in the face at top speed. "Ah..." he cried out in pain. "Who goes there!" The samurai around Taeshi immediately drew their swords and walked menacingly in his direction. Seeing that her method had worked, Ruri hurriedly shouted again, "Taeshi! Taeshi!" "How dare you plot against the Commander-in-Chief! You don't want to live!" A young samurai swung his sword at Ruri. "Clang!" A sound of clashing weapons rang out. The samurai glanced at the person who had blocked his sword, his face filled with fear. "General..." "All of you, step back." Tai Shi's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an air of authority. "Ruri, are you alright?" He turned to look at Ruri, his expression softening. Ruri nodded. Seeing Tai Shi so closely, she could see him clearly. Today, Tai Shi was completely different from his usual gentle and refined self. He wore a dark blue robe embroidered with flying birds, over which he wore gold-threaded soft armor. The blue and white armor made him look exceptionally handsome and imposing—only the red swelling on his forehead and the shoes he was holding slightly detracted from his appearance. Ruri lowered her head guiltily, silently scolding herself for using so much force. "Um, Tae-shi, I'm sorry, I just wanted you to see me, so..." Tae-shi gave a teasing smile and said, "No need to apologize. I should be glad you didn't throw a rock, right?" Ruri smiled awkwardly. If it had been a rock, it might have knocked Tae-shi unconscious. "By the way, what brings you here?" Suddenly seeing the girl he liked here, Tae-shi was not only surprised but also overjoyed. "I heard you're leaving for the capital today, so I wanted to say goodbye. Tae-shi, be careful, and absolutely don't get hurt." Ruri looked up at him earnestly. A gentle smile flashed in Tae-shi's eyes. Ruri was concerned about him; perhaps she still cared about him... So... maybe he still had a chance. "Don't worry, I will definitely return victorious." Tae-shi smiled, then suddenly seemed to remember something, a strange light flashing in his eyes. He casually put Ruri's shoes into his pocket. "Ah, Taishi, what are you doing! These are my shoes!" Ruri quickly reached out to grab them. Taishi swiftly stopped her hand and whispered, "Take this as my lucky charm." Before Ruri could react, he mounted his horse, cracked his whip, and shouted, "Let's go!" What?! How did he use her shoe as a lucky charm? That's so strange... Oh well, as long as Taishi is safe, that's all that matters. However, Ruri wasn't confident that her shoe could actually perform this function. "Hojo Taishi, you have to come back safely and give me back my shoes! Otherwise, I won't forgive you!" Ruri shouted at Taishi's retreating back. Taishi waved his hand behind him, a slight smile playing on his lips. Taishi, you have to come back safely... Watching them disappear into the distance, a sense of melancholy welled up in Ruri's heart. Just as she was about to go back, she suddenly realized something very serious—she only had one shoe! Oh my god, help! How was she going to get back! "Hojo Yasutoki, give me back my shoes!" ========================================== Time flies. Half a month has passed since I returned to Yoshino from Kamakura. It's early summer now. Streams murmur in the mountains of Yoshino, the grass is lush and green, and the chirping of birds is mixed with the sounds of unknown insects, reaching Ruri's ears as she lies on the grass. Ruri closes her eyes, enjoying the warm sunshine and gentle breeze. Yoshino is the best. She wonders what Kiyotsugu is busy with. Is he somewhere subduing vengeful spirits, or researching some new Yin-Yang technique? Once Lord Abe has chosen an auspicious day, will she really marry him? Thinking of this, a sweet feeling wells up in her heart. Her mother was right; happiness must be fought for. She gently touches her lips; Kiyotsugu's cool, lotus-like breath seems to still linger there. As she savored the blissful moment, the image of Taishi's expression upon witnessing that scene suddenly flashed through her mind. Why couldn't she forget that look? She wondered how Taishi was doing. She'd heard that because it was early summer, the Uji River leading to the capital had swelled, and the imperial army had destroyed all the bridges, so she didn't know how the shogunate army would cross the river. But whatever the reason, she just hoped Taishi would return safely. "Ruri!" Suddenly, a familiar voice reached Ruri's ears. She opened her eyes in surprise. No one was there; it must be her imagination. "Ruri!" No, someone was definitely calling her, and that voice sounded like Kiyotsugu's. Had Kiyotsugu come to Yoshino? A surge of joy filled her heart. She sat up and looked around. Strange, not only was Kiyotsugu gone, but there wasn't a soul in sight. A chill ran down her spine as she looked at the empty surroundings. The more she thought about it, the more likely it was that Kiyotsugu had become a vengeful spirit. "Ruri!" Another call rang out. "Ah! Qingji, what's wrong? Where are you? Have you become a vengeful spirit? Waaah, don't die, I don't want you to die..." Liuli was panicked and scared, and couldn't help but sob. "Sigh, I'm here." Liuli suddenly felt something making a sound under her feet, and quickly looked down. She saw a small brown squirrel staring at her with its big, dark eyes, and its big tail was swaying back and forth. What an adorable squirrel! Liuli temporarily forgot her fear and reached out to hold the squirrel in her palm. "Liuli, it's me!" Liuli's eyes widened in disbelief. Oh my god, no way, this voice was actually coming from the squirrel! "A ghost!" Liuli screamed, quickly shaking off the squirrel in her hand, and stumbled back several steps until she fell to the ground. She frantically patted her chest. It must be a dream, it must be! "Liuli, it's me, Qingji." The squirrel still wouldn't give up and darted over to her face. "Kiyo... Kiyotsugu?" Ruri stared blankly for a moment, her expression constantly shifting, then suddenly burst into tears, "Kiyotsugu, you're Kiyotsugu! Are you dead? Did you become a vengeful spirit? Otherwise, how could you turn into a squirrel! 5555... You still have to marry me, you can't turn into this!" "I'm not dead. This is a kind of Yin-Yang magic, conveying information through the body of an animal. I'm still in the capital." "Yin-Yang magic?" Ruri calmed down after hearing Kiyotsugu's words. "Is there such a Yin-Yang magic? I've never heard Lord Abe mention it." "Of course, even my father never used this Yin-Yang magic, I learned it myself." The squirrel seemed a little smug, and seeing the cute squirrel utter Kiyotsugu's cold voice, Ruri chuckled again. "This Yin-Yang technique is so much fun! I was almost scared to death just now, I thought you'd turned into a vengeful spirit. When did you learn this Yin-Yang technique?" "It was last time, when you said I kicked you out. I happened to encounter some obstacles then, so..." "So that's what you were researching last time. But it's quite interesting to learn." "It's not for fun, it's for..." Kiyotsugu didn't finish. For what? Could it be...? A tender feeling welled up in Ruri's heart. Could it be to convey her feelings to herself, far away in Yoshino? "How did you know I was here?" "I can sense your aura; it's not difficult for an Onmyoji." Ruri rolled her eyes, picked up the squirrel again, and placed it in her palm, whispering, "Abe no Kiyotsugu, I like you so much!" She then lowered her head and kissed the squirrel's little head deeply, saying, "Kiyotsugu, I just told you my feelings too." There was a moment of silence on the other end. After a long while, Kiyotsugu's voice, suppressing his emotions, was heard: "Ruri, come to the capital soon." Come to the capital soon? Did Kiyotsugu mean to marry her soon? Ruri felt the softest part of her heart touched. Although Kiyotsugu had never said "I like you," Kiyotsugu, who kept his feelings hidden in his heart—was truly adorable. "Alright, I can't talk for too long. I have to go." Kiyotsugu's voice regained its calmness. "Okay, Kiyotsugu, take good care of yourself. Maybe we... will see each other soon." Ruri reluctantly put the squirrel down. "I'll be fine, otherwise who would marry you if I died?" The squirrel scurried away from her feet as soon as she finished speaking. "Abe Kiyotsugu, damn it!" Ruri angrily shouted in the direction the squirrel had fled. Kiyotsugu would tease her like that; it was too much! She'd settle the score with him when they got to the capital! ======================== I remember when I watched *A Distant Time and Space*, I was obsessed with Taiming's Yin-Yang technique. I always fantasized about how wonderful it would be to have a boyfriend like that—saving on phone bills and being incredibly romantic. So, I absolutely had to incorporate it into my story, hehe. Authorized release of good books at (Collect eBooks) Related Works: Back to Kamakura (Qidian Update Time: 2006-3-7 15:36:00, Chapter Word Count: 5536) About half a month later, the Fujiwara residence received a letter from Abe no Yasukiyo, sent from the capital. After divination, he set the wedding date for Kiyotsugu and Ruri for this autumn. "Ruri, the wedding in autumn is perfect for enjoying the autumn leaves with Kiyotsugu in the capital." Koyuki smiled at Ruri; her daughter was finally getting married to the person she loved—it was wonderful. A blush rose on Ruri's face, and her heart was filled with sweetness. She would soon be living with Kiyotsugu; she wondered what it would be like. Would it be like her father and mother, enjoying the autumn leaves together, seeing the scenery together, eating together, playing together, and sleeping together...? Sleeping together? "Oh dear, what am I thinking?" Ruri chuckled self-deprecatingly, sticking out her tongue, her face flushing even more. "Isn't this autumn too soon? Perhaps I should ask Taiqing if there are any auspicious days next spring," Chengfan said with a complicated expression. "Alright, Chengfan, don't be like that. Why don't we move back to the capital together this autumn? That way you can see your daughter more often and also keep an eye on Yahiko," Xiaoxue said with a smile. "That's the only way," Chengfan said helplessly. "Really? Father and Mother are coming to the capital too? That's wonderful!" Ruri excitedly hugged Xiaoxue. "Of course! With us in the capital, Abe Kiyotsugu won't dare bully you," Chengfan said through gritted teeth. "Well... it seems like it's always Ruri who bullies Kiyotsugu..." Xiaoxue said, suppressing a laugh. Looking at her laughing parents, Ruri felt a warm current welling up inside her. Loving parents, people who love each other—this must be happiness, because—she felt the taste of happiness. "My lord, a guest has arrived." The maid's low voice interrupted Ruri's reverie. "A guest? Who is it?" A hint of doubt flashed across Cheng Fan's face. "Reporting to my lord, it's the elder sister of the shogunate steward..." "What, Nobuko-neechan!" Upon hearing this, Ruri jumped up from the tatami mat before he could finish speaking and rushed out. Good heavens, it really is Nobuko-neechan! Ruri looked at the woman in disbelief. How could this be? Nobuko usually never left her quarters. Why would she come to Yoshino alone now? Seeing her somber expression, had something happened? Could it be Taiji...? Ruri's heart pounded. She grabbed Nobuko's hand and said repeatedly, "Nobuko-neechan, why are you here? What happened?" A hint of worry flashed in Nobuko's eyes. "Yes, I did have something to attend to." "What is it? Is it Taiji? How is he?" "Taiji defeated the rebels and returned in triumph..." Hearing this, Ruri breathed a sigh of relief. "But..." Nobuko's eyes gradually reddened, and her voice choked with emotion. "But what?" This "but" made Ruri's heart leap into her throat again. "When Yasutoki returned, he was so exhausted that he fell from his horse and was seriously injured. You know, the late General Yoritomo died from a fall from his horse. I'm so afraid..." Nobuko didn't finish her sentence, gently taking out a silk handkerchief to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "What!" Ruri froze. Yasutoki fell from his horse and was injured? That serious? Yasutoki... Could he die? Her heart tightened, and she shook her head desperately: "No, no, Yasutoki is such a good person, he can't die!" "Yasutoki has always been friendly with you, so, Ruri, I'd like to ask you to go to Kamakura to visit him." Nobuko composed herself and continued. "I'll go! I'll go!" Ruri agreed without hesitation. She stood up abruptly, ready to go back to Kamakura with Nobuko immediately. "Wait a minute!" Chengfan intervened just in time to stop Ruri. He smiled slightly at Nobuko and said softly, "I understand Nobuko's feelings, but our Ruri isn't a pharmacist, so I'm afraid her going wouldn't be of much use. I believe that Steward is blessed with good fortune and will recover." Nobuko looked at Chengfan; although his smile was elegant, his eyes were full of wariness. "Lord Fujiwara, I'm only doing this in my brother's name, not as Steward or Commander-in-Chief. I'm simply asking Ruri to visit him on his behalf," Nobuko said earnestly. "Yes, Father, I owe a lot to Yasutoki when I was in Kamakura, and he also helped me a lot when I was captured by Minamoto no Yoriie. He's my good friend. Now that he's in trouble, how can I stand idly by and ignore him? One should never forget kindness. Father and Mother taught me so many principles; were they all for nothing?" Ruri argued vehemently. Chengfan's face showed a slight change, and he glanced at Ruri thoughtfully. "Father, please let me go. Don't worry, Nobuko-neechan is here. I promise I won't cause any trouble. I'll just visit and come right back. I promise," Ruri pleaded with Seihan. She then grabbed Koyuki, saying, "Mother, please, please, please! If I don't go, and if something really happens to Taishi, I'll feel guilty for the rest of my life." "Lord Fujiwara, Lady Fujiwara, I will definitely bring Ruri back safely." "Father, Mother, please let me go," Ruri continued to beg. Koyuki pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Then go and come back quickly." "Kotori..." Seihan glanced at Koyuki, seemingly hesitant to speak. "Thank you, Mother! Thank you, Father!" Ruri immediately beamed, pulling Nobuko along as they walked out. "Kotori, why did you agree?" Seihan asked, puzzled. “You know Ruri’s personality. If we don’t agree today, she’ll definitely find a chance to run away. Rather than that, it’s better to let her go with Nobuko openly. At least it’ll be safer.” Chengfan sighed softly and said, “It’s not that I don’t want her to go, but I hope Ruri stays away from such complicated environments. After all, the Hojo family and the Minamoto family are both…” “I understand, Chengfan. You’ve considered my feelings too. But the grudges of the previous generation have nothing to do with our next generation. In Ruri’s eyes, Taiji and Nobuko are her good friends. Let Ruri be simply happy and carefree. Besides, we can’t let her be so willful for long, can we?” “I don’t think so. Even if she gets married, Kiyotsugu might not be able to control our daughter.” Chengfan shook his head and said, a teasing smile suddenly appearing on his lips: “Ruri is like the little bird back then. It’s just a pity that there is no second Fujiwara Chengfan in this world.” “Don’t be so conceited, Lord Chengfan! You can’t control me either.” Xiaoxue turned her head away dismissively, but a smile bloomed on her lips. ======================================== On the way to Kamakura, Nobuko seemed preoccupied, hesitant to speak. "Nobuko-neechan, Yasutoki will be alright, don't worry too much," Ruri reassured her. She sighed and said, "Yasutoki has shouldered the heavy responsibility of being the heir to the Hojo family since childhood, and he has lived up to expectations. He excels in both literary and military arts, surpassing ordinary people in every aspect. Take this suppression of the rebellion, for example. The river swelled, making it difficult for the army to cross. To boost morale, Yasutoki was the first to brave the rain of arrows, riding his horse into the turbid current and swimming across. Inspired by him, the shogunate army followed suit, riding into the Uji River and decisively defeating the imperial forces on the opposite bank." "Yasutoki is amazing," Ruri couldn't help but praise. A complex look flashed in Nobuko's eyes. "But Yasutoshi is actually very lonely. Besides me, he has no friends, no one to confide in. He has no one to share his joys and sorrows with." "Hmm," Ruri smiled, "but at least he has a kind older sister like you who truly cares for him. And it's not that he has no friends; I am his friend." Nobuko nodded slightly, a subtle, enigmatic expression on her face. When the oxcart stopped in front of Hojo Yasutoshi's residence, it was already late. The pale glow of the setting sun bathed the residence, the rosy hues of the setting sun lingering on the horizon. Nobuko pulled Ruri inside. Reaching the sliding door, she softly said, "Yasutoshi, are you feeling better? I'm coming in." "It's you, sister. Please come in." Yasutoshi's voice was indeed weak. The door slowly slid open, and Ruri immediately saw Taishi lying there. He was only wearing a white silk robe, his hair was loose, and his long, black hair partially obscured his pale face. Taishi looked terrible. "Taishi!" Ruri called softly and quickly went to his side. Taishi was startled by her voice, looked up, and was even more incredulous. "Ruri, it's you? What brings you here?" "Sister Xinzi said you were seriously injured, so I came to visit you. How are you?" Ruri kept asking. "Seriously injured?" Taishi glanced at Xinzi, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes. "How come you didn't know I was coming? I thought you did. Tell me quickly, how are your injuries?" "Oh, I'm alright, just some minor injuries to my neck and hands." At this moment, Taishi's heart was filled with the joy of seeing Ruri again, and a faint color returned to his pale face. "Neck, hands? Let me see!" Ruri leaned closer to Taishi, carefully examining his injuries. A faint fragrance wafted from Ruri, and Taishi's heart skipped a beat. "Thank goodness, I'm relieved now. It seems Taishi isn't as serious as Nobuko-neechan made it out to be. You know, Nobuko-neechan made it sound so serious, like you were about to die. I was almost scared to death in Yoshino, I thought you were really going to die..." She suddenly covered her mouth, embarrassed, "Sorry, I said the word 'die' several times, ptooey, ptooey, ptooey." Taishi glanced quickly at Nobuko, then looked at Ruri, a gentle smile quickly replacing the fleeting complex expression, and said softly, "Ruri doesn't want me to die?" "How could I? Why would I want you to die? Don't say that word again! You spit too! Mother said if you say something unlucky, just spit a few times and it'll be fine," Ruri pouted. "Okay, ptooey." Taishi responded with a smile, gazing intently at Ruri, a glint of light in his eyes. It was unbelievable; seeing her seemed to lessen the pain of his injuries. "It's getting late, sister. Why don't you send someone to take Ruri to rest?" Taishi gestured to Nobuko. Nobuko nodded, saying, "Ruri and I will go out first. You should rest early." "No, sister, stay. I have something to tell you." Taishi gave Nobuko a meaningful look. "Okay, Taishi, I'll go out then. Get some rest." Ruri breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that Taishi was alright; then she could happily return to Yoshino. Watching Liuli's departing figure, Taishi's smile gradually faded. "Sister, why did you do this?" "You know perfectly well why I did this." "But sister..." "Taishi, others may not understand you, but don't I? We grew up together, I know you too well. When you brought Liuli back to the manor, I knew you had feelings for her. Taishi, this is the first time you've liked a girl, and I'm truly happy for you. I also like Liuli very much. She's innocent, naive, and without any guile. You'll definitely be happy with her." Xinzi looked at him with pity. "But sister, how could you use a lie like I was seriously injured to get her to come here? Luckily, she's innocent and didn't think much of it, otherwise... Yes, I like her, but I want to win her over in my own way, not through deception and gaining sympathy." "Deception? But you were indeed injured, Taishi. I just feel sorry for you... I don't want to see you so distraught. I know you want to see her..." Xinzi's voice choked with emotion. “Sister, I know you're concerned about me and doing this for my own good.” Taishi’s tone softened immediately. “Alright, I’ll go out now. You should rest.” Nobuko sighed, stood up, and opened the sliding door. “Sister,” Taishi’s deep voice sounded behind her, “Thank you. I’m very happy today.” Nobuko paused, a relieved smile appearing on her lips. ===================================================== The next morning, Ruri slowly opened her eyes to the chirping of birds outside the window. So sleepy, she thought, “I’ll sleep a little longer.” Just as she closed her eyes, she suddenly remembered that this wasn’t home, but the Hojo family’s residence. Her sleepiness vanished instantly. She quickly sat up and hurriedly put on a light robe. After getting ready, she went to Taishi’s room to visit him. "Taeshi, are you feeling better? How are you feeling today?" Liuli's voice preceded her arrival as she opened the sliding door and stepped inside. Taeshi looked at her with a smile and said, "I heard your voice this morning. Seeing how energetic you are makes me feel energetic too." Liuli looked at Taeshi; indeed, he looked much better than yesterday. His dark, deep eyes had a brighter look, and his thin lips had a healthy sheen. "Taeshi, you seem to be recovering so quickly!" Liuli said happily. "Yes, much better. Did you sleep well last night, Liuli?" Seeing Liuli so early in the morning made Taeshi particularly happy. "Yes, I wanted to stay in bed this morning, but then I remembered this is your house, so I got up quickly. Otherwise, it would have been terrible if I slept until noon..." Liuli chattered on, a hint of indulgent smile flashing in Taeshi's eyes. "Huh, is this Taeshi's medicine? Why aren't you drinking it?" Liuli's gaze slid over a shallow, white porcelain bowl with a floral design beside it. Taishi frowned slightly and said, "Wait a moment to drink." "But it'll get cold if you don't drink it now." Liuli gently touched the bowl; it was already warm. "Anyway, wait a moment." Taishi's brows furrowed even more. "Oh, I see. So Taishi is also afraid of bitter medicine," Liuli suddenly chuckled. "Drink it quickly, or I'll tell Sister Xinzi, and many other people that the dignified steward is afraid of drinking medicine." "I'm not," a hint of embarrassment flashed across Taishi's face. "I'm just unable to move easily, so I'll wait for the servant to come and serve me." "Hehe, Lord Taishi, don't be stubborn. You can't fool me, Liuli. Come on, let me feed you!" A mischievous smile flashed across Liuli's lips. Without a word, she picked up the medicine bowl, scooped out a large porcelain spoonful, and tried to feed it to Taishi. "No need," Taishi quickly turned his head away, dodging Liuli's attack. "If you don't drink it, I won't talk to you anymore!" Liuli missed her spoon and became anxious. “Alright,” Tae-shi nodded helplessly, “That’s more like it.” Ruri happily spoon-fed the medicine into Tae-shi’s mouth, which he swallowed with a pained expression, as if enduring torture. Suddenly, Tae-shi coughed violently; Ruri’s force-feeding method had finally made him choke. “Don’t move, don’t move.” Ruri quickly put down the bowl, took out her handkerchief, and gently wiped the medicine from Tae-shi’s lips. Her earnestness, her innocent smile, her focused eyes, her gentle gestures, and the faint fragrance emanating from her body all stirred Tae-shi’s heart, making him unable to control himself. Happiness, ah, it’s something you have to fight for. He suddenly remembered what she had said when they first met; now, he seemed to understand a little what happiness felt like. If time could stand still, if she could always be by his side… If… Without realizing it, he reached out and grasped Liuli's hand, which was wiping his lips. Liuli seemed confused by his sudden action; she stopped and looked at Taishi with slight surprise. Taishi's expression was a little strange, something seemed to be burning deep in his eyes. "Taishi, are you angry?" she asked somewhat helplessly. His hand was still tightly holding hers, his dark eyes still fixed on her, as if trying to pull her into that dark vortex. "Liuli," his voice was a little hoarse. "Actually, I..." (This is a fragment of a longer text, likely from a web novel or website. The translation attempts to preserve the original meaning while correcting the fragment.) “Brother…” He was about to speak when he glanced at Ruri, hesitating to continue. “Ah, I’ll go out first.” Ruri was about to stand up when Taishi stopped her. He looked at Shifusa and said, “Speak freely.” Shifusa hesitated for a moment, then continued, “Now that the rebels have been defeated and Emperor Go-Toba has sent an envoy to withdraw the imperial edict to suppress the shogunate, what should be done with these three retired emperors? After all, they are of noble status, so…” Taishi pondered for a moment and said, “What did Aunt say?” “Aunt said that you should make all the decisions first, and then inform her when the time comes,” Shifusa said. "All decisions are up to me?" Taishi raised an eyebrow and said, "Although the three retired emperors are of noble status, they still harbor rebellious intentions and cannot remain in the capital. First, exile them to Oki, Sado, and Awa respectively, and place them under house arrest. In addition, Emperor Chungyo is too young; depose him and install a new emperor who is obedient and supportive." Exiling retired emperors, deposing emperors, and installing new emperors—listening to Taishi's astonishingly casual decision and seeing the unprecedentedly cold expression on his face, Ruri's heart couldn't help but tremble slightly. Could the always gentle Taishi also have such an unknown side? "Brother, you are right. So, should the courtiers and nobles who side with the imperial court also be treated leniently?" Taiji shook his head and said, "The nobles are different from the retired emperor. We should take this opportunity to give them a warning, so they will never dare to overthrow the shogunate again. Those who assisted will be punished according to their severity, ranging from exile to death. In addition, all the land under their names will be confiscated and given to the retainers who made contributions in this battle." Tokifusa said with admiration, "As expected of my brother, I will go and inform my aunt right away. By the way, my aunt told you to take good care of your injuries. I will contact you naturally if there is anything from the shogunate." Taiji nodded and said, "Then I will trouble you." "Well then, farewell." Tokifusa smiled and gave Ruri a strange look before leaving. Ruri did not notice Tokifusa's gaze, but was only looking at Taiji. Taiji was very different from usual today. He was looking thoughtfully in the direction Tokifusa left, his eyes filled with an unfathomable expression. He seemed to notice Liuli's gaze, and suddenly turned to look at her, asking, "What's wrong?" In an instant, his inscrutable expression was replaced by a warm, spring-like smile. "Nothing, it's just that Taishi looked a bit fierce just now. I've never seen you like that before," Liuli stammered. "Fierce? That's my duty. Maintaining the stability of the shogunate's regime and ensuring the people's peaceful lives is my duty." Taishi's smile gradually faded as he gazed at Ruri. "However, I will always be gentle with Ruri." Ruri's heart stirred slightly, then she suddenly remembered something and called out, "Right, you haven't finished your medicine yet. Drink it quickly, don't try to slip through the cracks." "It's already cold." "Cold? Then I'll have someone boil another big bowl, it'll be hot enough." "I'll drink it! I'll drink it." "Hehe... That's more like it." =============================================== Unknowingly, four or five days had passed. Taishi's injuries didn't seem too serious, and it was time to go back, otherwise, Father and Mother would worry. That morning, after getting up, Liuli planned to say goodbye to Taishi. Although she was a little reluctant to part with him, she wanted to go back as soon as possible to prepare to be a beautiful bride and marry Qingji. Thinking of Qingji, her face began to flush slightly, and an indescribable feeling welled up in her heart, like a clear spring flowing and flowers blooming. In short, she knew it was a feeling called happiness. "Liuli, here to report early again?" Waiting for Liuli to walk up to him with the cool breeze of early summer and the warm sunshine, listening to her chatter about interesting things, it seemed to have become a habit for Taishi in just a few days. "Yeah, of course, without me watching you, you won't drink your medicine properly again." Liuli picked up the white porcelain bowl next to her and skillfully fed it to Taishi. Taishi seemed to be enjoying this bittersweet happiness. In fact, his hands could move again, but if he told the truth, then the only bit of fun in this bittersweet situation would be gone. Despite the lingering pain, the bitter taste of the medicine, and the rough treatment, he truly felt a taste of happiness. He even suddenly felt that being injured wasn't such a bad thing after all... as long as—she was by his side. "Ruri..." He composed himself, about to say something, when the door was suddenly slid open. "Butler, how are your injuries? Mother sent me to see you—" The arrogant voice abruptly stopped, the owner staring directly at Ruri. Ruri looked at him in surprise, and after a moment of eye contact, they both let out a heavy snort. "What are you doing here?" "Can't I, Genji the Pighead!" "What! Shut up! I still remember the two slaps you gave me last time!" "Should I reward you with two more, turning you into a genuine Genji the Pighead!" "You woman, if you knew last time I would..." "Alright, General, did you come here to argue?" Upon seeing it was Genji Yoriie, a clear hint of displeasure flashed across Taishi's face. He actually dared to bring up what happened last time! It would have been better if he hadn't mentioned it; just mentioning it makes me want to punch him. Lai Jia glared at Liuli, his anger still simmering, and said irritably, "My mother sent me to visit you. Is your injury healed?" Taishi nodded and said, "Much better. Tell my aunt not to worry." "How could she not worry? Without you, I think the entire shogunate would cease to function." Lai Jia's tone was clearly provocative. Taishi gave him a cold look and said, "General, it's best if my aunt doesn't hear you say such things." "Taishi, you haven't finished your medicine yet. Drink it." Liuli handed him a spoon and put it in his mouth. Taishi lowered his head, a gentle look flashing across his face, and naturally drank it. Lai Jia quickly caught this gentle look on Taishi's face. He looked at this scene with some surprise, a thought suddenly flashing through his mind: Could it be that Taishi... has feelings for Liuli? Thinking of this, the corners of his mouth slightly lifted. Well then, let's provoke this man a little. "Ruri, I heard your wedding date with Abe Kiyotsugu is set for this autumn." As soon as the Lai family uttered these words, Taishi's expression changed drastically. "Yes, how did you know?" Seeing that Ruri didn't deny it, Taishi's heart suddenly clenched with pain. Wedding date, this autumn—those words filled his mind. Ruri, is she getting married so soon? Is she really going to marry Abe Kiyotsugu? The last shred of hope in his heart was shattered at that moment, and wave after wave of heartache washed over him. "Taishi, what's wrong? You look terrible. Has your wound reopened?" Ruri suddenly noticed Taishi's pale face and was immediately startled. "It seems that Butler-sama needs to rest well, hahaha, I'll take my leave." Having achieved his goal, the Lai family smugly strode away. "Taishi, are you alright?" Ruri glared at the Lai family's departing figure and asked repeatedly. "Ruri, did you marry Kiyotsugu willingly? Or were you forced because of what happened with the Minamoto no Yoriie last time?" "Of course it was willing. Who could force me, Ruri, to do something I don't like?" Ruri smiled innocently, and that innocent smile made Taishi's heart sink deeply. "By the way, I've come to say goodbye. I plan to go back to Yoshino tomorrow." Ruri still smiled as she slowly stood up and walked towards the door. "I'll go pack my things first and come back later. But after I leave, Taishi, you still have to take your medicine obediently, otherwise—" She suddenly stopped mid-sentence. She felt a warmth behind her and was pulled into a hot, firm embrace. The sudden change left her speechless with surprise. "Don't go, Ruri, don't go." Taishi's hoarse voice whispered in her ear. "Taishi..." Ruri didn't struggle, only softly calling his name. She didn't know how to react. She didn't dislike Taishi; he was a good person. She couldn't treat him the same way she treated the Minamoto clan. So what should she do? For the first time in her life, she was being held so tightly by a man. Taishi's hot breath tickled her ear. The incense on Taishi, mixed with his masculine scent, wafted through her nostrils. She suddenly felt weak all over, about to collapse into this strong, powerful embrace. "Ruri, I love you. I loved you from the first moment I saw you. The beautiful figure of that girl under the fluttering cherry blossoms was etched into my heart like a stone carving in that instant, never to be erased..." His voice echoed in Ruri's ears like a spell. Love? Taishi loved her? Liuli's mind was a jumbled mess, her heart in turmoil. She had never experienced anything so perplexing in her life. She desperately tried to calm herself, managing to squeeze out a few words: "But I love someone else. I... I'm getting married soon." "I know!" Taishi's arms tightened around her, his voice tinged with bitterness. "I know, Liuli. I just hope you can stay a few more days, just a few more days with me. Really, just a few more days. Just to give me a beautiful memory..." Taishi had always been lonely. Liuli suddenly remembered Xinzi's words and felt the tremor in Taishi's voice. Her heart softened; she couldn't bear to refuse. Just a few more days, just a few more days. After she got married, she might never see him again... She nodded and whispered, "Yes, I'll stay a few more days." A bittersweet smile flickered across Taishi's face as his arms tightened, as if afraid that if he let go, the girl in his arms would vanish without a trace. "But Taishi, I... my bones are about to break, can you let go of me?" Ruri's helpless voice jolted him back to reality, and he quickly released her. "Ruri, I'm sorry. You must hate me..." Taishi himself didn't understand how the usually calm Taishi could lose control like this. "No, no, I don't hate Taishi at all, because Taishi is a good person." Ruri gave him a warm smile. Although Taishi smiled, his heart still ached. ================================================= Kyoto, the residence of Abe Taikiyo, the man with the yin-yang hairstyle. The only difference between Abe Taikiyo's residence and that of ordinary nobles was the huge, clear lake in the back garden used for purification. Although it was early summer, the air was unusually hot and humid, but the surrounding green trees and vines, intertwined and swaying, brought a refreshing coolness to the heart. The moonlight, like shattered silver, shimmered on the water. At that moment, all was silent except for the whispering breeze and the incessant chirping of cicadas. This scene brought a sense of calm and tranquility to the soul. The Onmyoji Abe no Kiyotsugu, dressed in a white hunting robe and dark red finger rings, reclined under the veranda, gazing thoughtfully at the lake. A gentle breeze rustled the privet trees in the courtyard, carrying a faint fragrance. Abe no Taisei, returning home from outside, saw this scene as soon as he entered the courtyard and couldn't help but smile slightly. Since the engagement, he had often seen Kiyotsugu lost in thought like this. How many times had this happened? "Kiyotsugu, what are you thinking about?" Kiyotsugu remained motionless, staring ahead without answering. "Perhaps you're thinking about Ruri? It doesn't matter, she'll marry you this autumn anyway." A teasing smile flashed across Taisei's face. "I didn't, Father, please don't talk nonsense." Qingji finally reacted a little. "Liuli is a good girl, just a little willful. Once you marry her, you'll have to discipline her properly." "Father, isn't Liuli's personality adorable? I just like—" Qingji's face flushed slightly, realizing he had misspoke, and didn't continue. "I know you like her, Qingji, you're so cute like this." Taiqing affectionately ruffled his son's hair. "Let go!" Qingji awkwardly reached out and slapped away his father's hand. A mysterious smile flashed across Taiqing's face, and he said, "How about I write to Lord Chengfan and invite Liuli to stay at our residence for a while? Anyway, we're already engaged, so this won't be considered overstepping our bounds." A glint flashed in Qingji's eyes, but he tried his best to maintain his usual indifference. "You're not happy? Fine then, just pretend I didn't say anything." Taiqing made a move to leave. "Wait a minute." "Qingji helplessly called out to him, "Then, let's do as Father wishes...and," he paused again, "Father, please send the message using a shikigami." "Oh, that'll be faster." Taiqing's face showed an expression that said, "I knew you'd say that," and he nodded at Qingji with a half-smile. A faint smile appeared on Qingji's lips. Ruri, do you also want to see him sooner? Before she knew it, she had stayed at Taishi's residence for another three or four days. Taishi's health recovered quickly; he had barely recovered when he went to the shogunate to handle the backlog of affairs. Bored, Ruri sat in the courtyard, staring blankly at the newly opened water lilies in the pond, hesitating whether she should bring up the matter of returning home with Taishi. She had already stayed a few days longer than planned and was starting to miss Yoshino. But Taishi seemed so pitiful, and remembering the scene where he said he liked her, Ruri's face flushed slightly. She quickly shook her head. Although Taishi was very nice, her favorite person was Kiyotsugu... Kiyotsugu... She stretched out... She stirred the water in the pond a few times, and several crystal-clear water droplets immediately splashed onto the emerald green lotus leaves, sliding around like pearls. Some slid into the water, while others landed on the lotus flowers—pale purple, pale yellow, and light pink. The water droplets refracted different colors from the petals, shimmering brightly in the sunlight. How beautiful! Liuli secretly admired it, and her playful spirit was ignited, as she continued to splash the water. Just as she was engrossed in playing, a lotus leaf suddenly began to tremble strangely. Liuli froze, stopped what she was doing, and looked at the trembling leaf. "Gurgle..." A strange sound came from under the lotus leaf, followed by a small, dark shadow darting towards Liuli. "Ah!" "Ruri screamed in fright and fell backward to the ground. Her eyes focused on the culprit that had jumped onto her chest—a green and yellow frog. She gasped, and before she could even cry out for help, a familiar voice came from the frog: "What's wrong? It's me, Kiyotsugu." Good heavens, Ruri rolled her eyes and snapped, "Kiyotsugu, you idiot! Why didn't you find a cute animal? I hate frogs, they're disgusting!" "I didn't want to either, but I couldn't sense any suitable animals nearby," Kiyotsugu's voice sounded somewhat helpless. "Get off, get off, you're disgusting!" Ruri turned her head away, not wanting to look at it again. Heaven knows, her most feared animal was the frog—slippery and sticky. Ugh—(Miss Ruri has many feared animals.) Watching the frog jump off her, Ruri finally sat up and took a breath. "Are you alright?" "Kiyotsugu's cold voice carried a hint of suppressed longing. "Hmm, okay, but I miss Kiyotsugu so much. Have you missed me?" Ruri immediately put on a smile again. There was a moment of silence on the other end, then a low voice came: "Of course I have too." A sweet feeling welled up in Ruri's heart, and suddenly the frog in front of her didn't seem so ugly anymore. "Father has already written to Lord Fujiwara's residence, hoping that you will come and stay with us for a while. I wonder if Ruri... would you be willing?" Kiyotsugu's tone was slightly uncertain. "Hmm, I'd like to! I really want to go to the capital too. I've never been to the capital before. It must be so much fun!" Ruri said excitedly. "Ruri... is it because you think the capital is fun that you want to come?" "Yes." A mischievous smile appeared on Ruri's face. "I see." Kiyotsugu's voice was clearly a little disappointed. "But, I'm in Kamakura now..." "Kamakura, aren't you in Yoshino?" "Huh? Didn't you know? Weren't you talking to me using Onmyoji?" "I can talk to you, but I can't pinpoint your exact location because I'm in Kyoto right now, which is too far away. Why are you going to Kamakura?" "Because Yasutoshi is injured, and I'm going to visit him." Ruri thought for a moment, deciding it was best not to tell Kiyotsugu that Yasutoshi liked her. Silence fell again. "Kiyotsugu? Kiyotsugu?" Ruri called several times, but the frog didn't respond. Anger rose in her eyes. That wretched Kiyotsugu! He just left without even saying goodbye! She had so much to say. "Hmph, I'm leaving too." She made a face at the frog and prepared to get up. "You'll be there alone?" Finally, a voice spoke again. "Yes." "Ruri, don't stay there too long, after all, you're a girl." "But Yasutoshi is my good friend." "But he's a boy!" "Qingji's voice suddenly rose, seemingly tinged with excitement. Liuli was taken aback. Could the usually aloof Qingji ever raise his voice? "I have to go now." His voice quickly returned to its calm, unwavering tone. Qingji was so strange; he seemed inexplicably angry... "I... I didn't just come because I thought the capital was fun," Liuli's expression suddenly turned serious, and she whispered, "I came to the capital because I really wanted to see Qingji, because there, my most beloved Qingji is. There's that Qingji who said he'd be willing to be bullied by me for a lifetime. I... want to be with Qingji, forever." She was met with a long silence. Had Qingji already left? Ugh, ugh, making her say so much. Liuli pouted, a faint sense of annoyance rising in her heart. "I also want to be with Liuli, I've always thought so, ever since I was little." "Kiyotsugu suddenly spoke, his low voice filled with barely suppressed relief and joy. Kiyotsugu thought so too, so happy, so happy, a bright smile involuntarily bloomed on Ruri's face, her heart filled with happiness. "When Taishi comes back, I'll say goodbye to him and go back to Yoshino immediately, so I can come to the capital to see you sooner." At this moment, Ruri was already eager to go home. "Ruri," Kiyotsugu paused, then said, "I'll come to Yoshino to pick you up." "Really?" Ruri was overjoyed and grabbed a frog, smacking her lips in disgust. "I love you so much, Kiyotsugu!" When she saw what she was holding, she immediately screamed, "Ah!! I kissed the frog I hate the most, so disgusting, so disgusting!" A soft laugh came from the fallen frog, "Looks like I can't talk to Ruri like that anymore." "Why..." "No reason." "Because, if we use this method again, all of Ruri's kisses will be given to these animals." Kiyotsugu, who was manipulating the frogs, thought with some frustration. After her pleasant chat with Kiyotsugu, Ruri was still savoring the conversation. Something seemed to be blooming in her heart, a warm current flowing from her heart to her limbs. She knew this was the feeling of happiness... So happy, so very happy... Kiyotsugu, he must, he must be her happiness... ================================================ The sky gradually darkened, and Taishi, who had left early that morning, had not yet returned. Ruri couldn't help but feel anxious. She wanted to wait for him to return so she could say goodbye, but it seemed she might have to wait until tomorrow. Besides, he said he would be back early before leaving; why wasn't he back yet? Could something have happened? "The steward is back." "A servant's shout came from the mansion gate. Ruri went to the gate and saw Taishi getting off the oxcart. Today, he was wearing a light blue sash with the Hojo family's triangular pattern, which gave him an elegant air. Taishi suddenly swayed after getting off the cart, and two samurai immediately supported him. "What happened, Kisuke!" the two samurai scolded. The coachman named Kisuke quickly said, "The steward drank quite a bit of wine at Lord Tokifusa's mansion." "What?" one of the samurai said in surprise, "The lord rarely drinks." He then shouted to the maid beside him, "Go and prepare some sobering tea for the lord!" Ruri watched them go into the house, and it took her a while to come to her senses. Taishi had actually drunk so much, and it seemed like he had drunk quite a bit. What happened? She should go and see him. Just as she arrived at his room, the maid brought the sobering tea. "I was just thinking of going to see him. Why don't I take it in for you?" Ruri warmly accepted the Song Dynasty white porcelain tea set containing the hangover tea and walked towards Taishi's room. Taishi didn't seem as drunk as she'd thought; he even smiled slightly when he saw her enter. "Taishi, your injuries haven't fully healed, and you're still drinking? Don't you want to die?" Ruri sat down beside him, carrying the tea set. Taishi smiled again, but his smile seemed somewhat forced. Noticing his unusual expression, Ruri asked疑惑地问道, "Taishi, what's wrong? You seem a little unhappy. What happened?" Taishi was silent for a moment, then said, "Today, my aunt said she had something to discuss with me. It turns out—she wants me to arrange a marriage between my family and the Kwon Dainagon family, which belongs to the court." "A marriage between your family and the Kwon Dainagon family? But didn't you just fight with the court?" Ruri was also surprised to hear this. "That's precisely why. Now our samurai family wants to win over the court that supports us, and the Kwon Dainagon family is a suitable candidate." A complex expression flickered across Tai Shi's face as he said, "It's just a pathetic political marriage." "But you didn't refuse?" Liu Li couldn't help but ask, seeing that Tai Shi clearly didn't want to accept the marriage. Tai Shi suddenly stared intently at her, asking in a suppressed voice, "So, Liu Li, do you want me to refuse?" Something seemed to gleam in his eyes. Liu Li suddenly felt inexplicably nervous. She suddenly remembered him saying he liked her, and hesitated before saying, "Whether I refuse or not is Tai Shi's decision. I can't decide anything for him. You have the right to refuse or accept." "Then what would you do if it were Liu Li?" he persisted, a faint blush rising on his face from the alcohol. "Me? If it were me, it would be simple. If I like him, I'd accept; if I don't, I'd refuse." "Like your marriage to Qing Ji?" "Yes..." She paused, then said, "I married Qing Ji because I like him." "Yasu remained silent, only gazing deeply at her, a bitter smile appearing on his face. 'But, being in this position, I have no choice.' Poor Yasu, Ruri's sympathy began to overflow again. She softly comforted him, 'Perhaps on the bright side, this Grand Councilor might be a great beauty, maybe Yasu would like her very much.' 'Ruri, you know the person I love is you.' His voice suddenly carried a hint of suppressed anger. 'I... I can't... No... I said the person I love is Kiyotsugu. I was originally saying goodbye to you. I'm going back to Yoshino tomorrow.' Ruri's heart panicked, and she spoke incoherently. Suddenly, she regretted coming in. 'Leaving tomorrow?' Yasu's voice was unusually deep. Ruri looked up at his face; his face was unusually red, and his expression kept changing. 'Yes, I'll leave tomorrow.' 'Can't you stay a few more days?' '--------------No.'" "Liuli hesitated for a moment, but still spoke up. If she kept dragging it out, she didn't know when she would be able to go back. "I have to leave tomorrow. You should drink your hangover tea and rest early." "Looking at Taishi's unusual expression, Liuli felt a little scared. After speaking, she tried to get up and leave. Just as she was about to stand up, her sleeve was suddenly tugged, and she stumbled, being pulled onto the tatami. Startled, she tried to sit up, but a pair of large hands pressed down on her shoulders, rendering her unable to move. She stared wide-eyed in astonishment at Taishi's face, which was only half a foot away from her. It seemed like the first time she had seen his face so closely since they met. A small flame flickered deep in the depths of his dark eyes, and this flame seemed to reflect on his cheeks. The faint scent of incense mixed with alcohol wafted from him, and a sense of fear suddenly welled up in Liuli's heart. She had never seen Taishi with this expression before... "Taishi, you look... so strange." (Related to the work, "Helpless" (Qidian update time: 2006-3-13 4:55:00, word count: 2761) "Taishi, you look... so strange.") "She stammered. "Ruri, I've said I only like you. I could never like another woman. As long as you're willing, as long as you agree to be with me, I will never marry that Grand Councilor's daughter!" His expression was agitated, the alcohol burning away his reason. "Taishi, you're drunk, calm down!" Ruri also sensed something was wrong. "I've also said I only like Kiyotsugu." "Didn't you say you liked me too?" The flame in his eyes seemed to burn even brighter. "Yes, I like you too, but it's different." "How is it different!" "I... I can't explain it, it's just different!" Ruri began to feel a sense of pressure, and she reflexively pushed Taishi. Taishi was a good person, how could he become like this? He must have drunk too much and didn't know what he was doing. "Taishi, you're really drunk, you're scary like this..." "Don't go, Liuli, don't go..." Taishi murmured, the alcohol burning within him giving him immense courage. Looking at his beloved girl so close, he could no longer control his emotions. He lowered his head and quickly captured Liuli's lips. The moment his lips touched her soft, delicate lips, his mind went blank, unable to think, only obeying his body's will, lingering on her lips, lost in their sweetness. If this was a dream, could he never wake up... just like this... completely succumbing... Until he was pushed away forcefully, until he saw Liuli's frightened face, her panicked eyes, he suddenly came to his senses, abruptly letting go. God, what had he done? "I'm sorry, Liuli..." A trace of remorse flashed across his face. Liuli looked like she was about to cry. She bit her lip and suddenly shouted, "I hate Taishi the most!" With that, she stood up and stormed out of the room without looking back. Ruri… Taishi sighed softly, watching her retreating figure. “I hate Taishi the most!” His heart felt like it was being stabbed hard with an awl; it hurt so much. ====================================== The next day was another bright and sunny morning, but for Ruri, her mood had been terrible since she woke up. She had spent a long time falling asleep after returning to her room last night. How could the usually gentle Taishi have acted like Minamoto no Yoriie? Only Kiyotsugu could do that; no one else could. Maybe… maybe it was because he was drunk, but he wasn’t completely intoxicated. Wasn’t he quite sober when he spoke to her? Anyway, it was just awful. If Kiyotsugu knew, he would be furious. No, she had to get back to Yoshino as soon as possible and wait for Kiyotsugu to come pick her up from the capital. Thinking of this, her mood improved slightly. She quickly packed a few things, changed into a light blue blouse printed with the family crest of the Tang Dynasty flower pattern, and headed out. No need to say goodbye, she'd just go out like this. Just as she reached the corner of the corridor, she bumped into someone. She looked up and realized how coincidental it was; she'd bumped into him exactly where she was. Taishi looked tired, as if he hadn't slept well all night, and his eyes were bloodshot. When he saw Ruri, a complex expression flashed in his eyes. Seeing his tired face, Ruri's heart softened, but remembering his actions last night, a surge of anger rose within her. She glared at him, turned, and walked down the corridor, intending to cross into the courtyard. “Liuli,” Taishi followed her down the corridor to the courtyard, stopping her urgently, “Liuli, listen to me, I was wrong yesterday, I…” “I don’t want to talk to you, I’m going back.” Liuli replied curtly. “Go back?” Taishi’s expression changed, the suppressed emotions in his eyes seemed about to burst forth. “Yes, I’m going back, do you hear me?” Liuli turned her head away, then whispered, “Taishi, you’re a good person, please, don’t make me hate you.” Taishi was shocked by her words, staring intently at Liuli. This was the first time he had seen such a complex expression on Liuli’s face. “Taishi, take care of yourself.” After Liuli finished speaking, she walked forward. Was he just going to watch her walk out of his life, marry someone else? Never to cross paths again? Never to see her smile again, never to hear her voice again? Thinking of this, Taishi felt a pang of heartache, the flood of emotions breaking through the floodgates of reason. Almost without thinking, he quickly reached out and grabbed her sleeve. "Tai Shi?" Liu Li was stunned for a moment, then tried to pull her sleeve back forcefully. "Let go!" She was really angry; if this continued, she would really hate Tai Shi! Tai Shi, however, slowly calmed down. He didn't want her to leave, he didn't want her to leave. This thought clung to him like a demon, devouring his reason. He glanced at the lotus pond behind Liu Li, then suddenly changed his mind and abruptly released her hand. He silently said, "I'm sorry, Liu Li, forgive me..." Suddenly losing her grip, Liu Li lost her balance and fell backward, straight into the lotus pond behind her. Although the water wasn't deep, she was terrified of water and struggled desperately. After a few splashes, before she could even cry for help, she swallowed several mouthfuls of water, and her consciousness began to blur. In her semi-conscious state, she suddenly felt a pair of hands pull her up and quickly pulled her into a warm embrace. After that, she knew nothing more. ------------------------------------------ When she woke up, the first thing she saw when she opened her eyes was Tai Shi's dark eyes, filled with heartache and guilt. "I fell into the pool again?" she asked helplessly. "Yes." "Did you save me?" "---Yes." "It seems like the second time. You pulled me out of the water." "I'm sorry, Liu Li... I..." "It's okay, you didn't do it on purpose. Besides, you saved me again," "..." Looking at Liu Li's pure and unquestioning eyes, Tai Shi's heart trembled slightly. He couldn't speak. What had he just done? But, as long as she could stay by his side... "I have to go back." Liu Li said, trying to stand up. But as soon as she sat up, she felt dizzy and couldn't help but lie down again. She sighed softly and said, "My head is so dizzy." "Although it's early summer, the pool water is quite cold. Besides, you've been soaking wet for a while. It's not surprising that you caught a chill," Tai Shi said softly, looking at her. "But if I don't go back soon, Father and Mother will worry." "No buts. The apothecary said you need to rest for a few days. I'll send someone to take you back once you feel better." Taishi smiled gently. "I'll write to Lord Fujiwara and tell them you'll be back immediately. Tell them not to worry." Taishi had regained his gentle demeanor, and Ruri felt a little relieved. She said softly, "Thank you." "Then you should rest well." Taishi smiled slightly, stood up, and went out. "Butler, the letter has been sent to Yoshino." Taishi walked to the corridor, and his retainer, Nikaido, stepped forward to report. "Is there any mistake?" A subtle, unreadable look flashed in Taishi's eyes. “Absolutely right, just as you instructed, tell them that Miss Ruri is leaving Kamakura today.” “Good, I’ll head back to the manor now. Nikaido, you stay here and guard her, don’t let her out.” “Yes, but sir, you’re leaving her here…” “Nikaido, there are some things you don’t need to concern yourself with.” “Yes, yes, Steward, please take care.” Yasutoshi sighed softly, deciding to take things one step at a time. (This is from a novel published on . The novel is titled “Heart's Desires Without End” and is updated on March 15, 2006 at 7:42:00 AM. The chapter contains 4545 words.) In the council chamber of the shogunate, Yasutoshi seemed somewhat distracted today. Masako noticed this the moment he stepped inside. After finishing his official business, he hurriedly took his leave. "Wait a moment." Masako glanced at him and said slowly, "Yasutoki, how have you considered the marriage alliance with the Gon Dainagon family? If there are no problems, I will write to the capital and have the Onmyoji (yin-yang masters) divine an auspicious day." Yasutoki's expression changed slightly. He hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and said, word by word, "I'm sorry, Aunt, I refuse." "What!" Masako seemed to be greatly surprised. "Yasutoki, do you know what you're saying?" "I know, I'm sorry, I cannot agree to the marriage alliance with the Gon Dainagon." Yasutoki looked at Masako calmly. "Why? Tell me your reasons." Masako also suppressed her surprise and regained her usual expression. "Why? I think it's because of that Fujiwara Ruri, right, Butler?" Before Yasutoki could answer, Yoriie chimed in. Yasutoki gave him a cold look, and Yoriie's eyes flashed with an unfathomable light. "Fujiwara Ruri? Is she still in your residence?" Masako asked expressionlessly. “Yes! I saw her a few days ago when I visited the Steward.” Lai Jia quickly interjected. Masako continued to stare at Taishi, coldly saying, “General, I’m asking about the Steward.” Lai Jia gave a dismissive sneer, then stopped, looking at Taishi with schadenfreude. “Yes, Aunt, the reason I refused is because of Ruri. She is the one I want to marry. Please forgive me, Aunt!” Taishi said through gritted teeth. This matter couldn’t be hidden forever. Masako looked at him thoughtfully and said, “But Ruri and Abe Kiyotsugu seem to be getting married soon.” A complex expression flashed across Taishi’s face as he said, “That’s not important. If Aunt doesn’t object, I will naturally resolve this matter.” “Steward, isn’t what you’re doing a bit excessive?” Lai Jia seized the opportunity to say. Masako suddenly laughed. Seeing her smile, Taishi felt uneasy. “Since you’re so insistent, then I have no reason to object, but…” Her eyes sharpened, “The position of principal wife must be reserved for Anko, the daughter of the Grand Counselor.” Taishi was startled upon hearing this and asked in astonishment, “Aunt means to take Ruri as a concubine?” “That’s right. If you want to marry Ruri, you must marry Anko.” “No, I will never let Ruri be a concubine. I don’t want to marry anyone else but her!” Taishi’s emotions became visibly agitated. "Steward, please calm down." Masako's smile faded. "Please don't forget your duty. You are not an ordinary person. We, the Hojo family, exist to uphold the shogunate's rule. Don't let so-called love cloud your judgment. A marriage alliance with the court nobles is inevitable. I've already made concessions regarding Ruri. Shouldn't you consider the bigger picture?" Yasutoki looked up at Masako and slowly said, "Aunt, I would go through fire and water for the shogunate, but regarding this marriage, I simply cannot agree. How can I let such a simple woman like Ruri be caught up in the infighting among wives and concubines? I..." "All I want is her." "Don't you understand? Marrying into the Hojo family means you're already embroiled in conflict." A suppressed anger flashed in Masako's eyes as she whispered, "What's wrong? Mother is like this, and so is I." "Aunt..." "Alright, stop talking. I'm tired too. I'll reply to the Grand Councilor in three days. Please make a decision then, Steward." "Aunt, I've made my decision..." "I hope you'll give me a satisfactory answer in three days. Think it over carefully, Steward." Masako interrupted him, stood up, and walked towards the door. A trace of worry appeared on Taiji's face. He sat there without moving. "Actually, Mother still loves you more. Last time I wanted to take Ruri as a concubine, but it didn't work out. I really don't understand you. What's wrong with a man having three wives and four concubines? You can just leave that Anko there after you marry her. Just focus on Ruri." Rai said, somewhat bewildered. “What do you understand?” Tai Shi said in a low voice, “I want the person I love most to have a title worthy of her. To Liu Li, being a concubine is an insult. I absolutely cannot let her suffer the slightest grievance, even if my aunt disagrees, I will insist on doing so.” Lai Jia suddenly sighed softly and said quietly, “Liu Li, she doesn’t belong here. You and I have long since involuntarily fallen into this bottomless swamp. Do you want her to fall in with us?” Tai Shi’s body trembled slightly, staring at Lai Jia in disbelief, unable to believe that those words had just come from his mouth. “Alright, I think you should worry about how to deal with Liu Li’s parents and her future husband.” Lai Jia emphasized the words “future husband.” “General, I’ll take my leave.” Tai Shi glanced at him coldly, stood up and left. Watching Tai Shi’s departing figure, a mysterious smile appeared on Lai Jia’s lips. =========================================== It wasn't until he saw the sleeping Ruri that Taishi's mood gradually improved. Looking at her unguarded and adorable face, he felt a sense of ease. His gaze gently swept over Ruri's eyebrows, eyes, and lips. Just looking at her like this, he could feel a sense of happiness. If he could always look at her, always protect her, then perhaps he would be the happiest person in the world. The girl under the fluttering cherry blossoms, their encounter under the cherry tree—it all seemed so vivid before his eyes. Only the pure mountains and waters of Yoshino could nurture such an innocent girl. Unconsciously, his fingers, instead of his gaze, gently traced her eyes and nose, finally stopping at her pink lips. Remembering the irrational kiss of the previous night, a surge of heat rose within him. "You and I have already fallen into this bottomless swamp, do you want her to fall in with us?" At this moment, Lai's words flashed clearly through his mind. Tai Shi's fingers trembled, and he abruptly withdrew his hand. "Hmm..." Liu Li made a soft, animal-like sound, stirred, and slowly opened her eyes. "You're awake?" Tai Shi asked with a smile. "Yes, Tai Shi, you're back?" Liu Li didn't seem fully awake yet. "Are you feeling better?" "Yes, much better. I think we can probably set off tomorrow." A smile appeared on Liu Li's face. Taishi was silent for a moment, then smiled slightly and said, "Perhaps." "Liuli, I'm really sorry about what happened last night, I..." Taishi said softly. "Never mind, last night... it was because Taishi drank too much, so it can't be entirely Taishi's fault," Liuli said hesitantly. Taishi liked her, but she liked Qingji. Thinking of this, she suddenly felt a little sorry for Taishi. Moreover, she had never disliked Taishi, and even had a vague fondness for him. If it weren't for Qingji, perhaps... So even though her behavior last night was very excessive, she couldn't bring herself to scold him. How could she bear to hurt someone who liked her? "Really, Liuli, you're not angry with me anymore?" A hint of joy flashed in Taishi's eyes. Liuli gently shook her head and said, "But Taishi, don't drink so much in the future." "I will never drink so much again, I promise," Taishi said happily. “You can’t cheat, okay?” Ruri’s face lit up with that familiar smile again. “Come on, hook your fingers. If you cheat, it’ll be…” She thought for a moment, then said, “It’ll be a spider!” Spiders were her least favorite animal anyway. Taishi was slightly surprised, then laughed. He nodded, hooking his pinky finger with Ruri’s. The soft, warm feeling from his fingertips stirred his heart again. He was once again certain that this girl was his happiness, Hojo Taishi’s happiness. Happiness, wasn’t it something you had to fight for? So—even if it meant using despicable means, he wanted to keep his happiness. =================================================== Two days later, Abe Kiyotsugu, who had come from Kyoto, also arrived in Yoshino. "Kiyotsugu, are you here to pick up Ruri? We received your father's letter a long time ago." Xiaoxue looked at her future son-in-law with a smile. No wonder there's a saying in modern times: the more a mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law, the more pleasing he becomes. Now she deeply understands this. In the future, her family will have all kinds of protective talismans, feng shui talismans, and peace talismans. Moreover, their shikigami deliver messages faster than airmail. Having an onmyoji as a son-in-law is indeed a good thing. "Yes, Lady Fujiwara, Lord Fujiwara, please forgive my rudeness for coming so abruptly." "Indeed rude. We haven't replied yet whether we agree or disagree." Chengfan's face was not smiling. Xiaoxue smiled inwardly. How could she forget that the more a father-in-law looks at his son-in-law, the less he likes him? "How could we disagree? Anyway, Ruri will soon be your wife. It's good for her to go to the capital for a visit. We will also be going to the capital soon to prepare for your wedding." Xiaoxue's smile made Kiyotsugu breathe a sigh of relief, but for some reason, Lord Fujiwara didn't seem to like him very much. “But Ruri hasn’t returned yet. We just received her letter yesterday saying she’s already set off and should arrive soon today,” Xiaoxue said with a smile. Arriving today? A question flashed through Qingji’s mind. Why? He couldn’t sense a strong aura. Normally, the closer they were, the stronger her aura should be. If she was on her way back, why didn’t her aura show any signs of strengthening? Suppressing his unease, he waited until nightfall. As darkness fell, not only him, but also Chengfan and Xiaoxue became anxious. “What’s going on, Xiaoxue? I should go check,” Chengfan couldn’t help but stand up. Qingji closed his eyes, concentrating intently on sensing. This feeling was very wrong, and his unease slowly grew. “Lord Fujiwara, if I’m not mistaken, Ruri should still be in Kamakura,” Qingji said slowly. “What!” Chengfan and Xiaoxue were both shocked. “Could something have happened to Ruri?” Xiaoxue said in a panic. Chengfan steadied himself and said, “I’ll go to Kamakura right now.” He tried his best to remain calm. "Wait a minute," Qingji suddenly stopped Chengfan. "Liuli is my wife. Let me go." Chengfan looked at Qingji with some surprise. Something was actually gleaming in Qingji's usually cold eyes, a kind of unwavering determination he had never seen before. But in that instant, Chengfan immediately understood that he could completely trust the person in front of him. "Alright, then I'll leave Liuli in your care." Chengfan's decisiveness surprised Xiaoxue as well. "Thank you." Qingji nodded slightly and walked towards the door. Just as he was about to step out, he suddenly stopped. "Father, Mother, I will definitely bring Liuli back safely." "What did he call us? I haven't even married my daughter to him yet," Chengfan complained, watching his retreating figure. "You've already accepted him in your heart, haven't you?" Xiaoxue shook her head and said, "Otherwise, why would you have agreed just now?" Her face darkened, and she whispered, "I don't know if he can bring Liuli back safely." "He definitely can." Chengfan gently embraced her. "We must trust our son-in-law, mustn't we?" Liuli is in your hands now, Abe Kiyotsugu. ---------------------------------------------- This was the third day since she fell into the water. Although Liuli was still a little dizzy, she was determined to leave today no matter what. Kiyotsugu might have already arrived in Yoshino. She really wanted to see him soon. Moreover, she had been lying in bed for two days, and her head was almost flat from sleeping. Liuli glanced out the window. The weather seemed nice. She should get up and go for a walk, otherwise she would really get sick from lying in bed. As soon as she stepped out of the room, she was stopped. Looking up, she felt like she had seen this face somewhere before. That's right, it was the person picking flowers next to Taishi when she first met him! "Miss Liuli, the master instructed that you should rest well and not come out to catch a cold," Nikaido said politely. "Why? The weather's so nice, how could I catch a cold? Strange!" Ruri continued walking out nonchalantly, but Nikaido quickly blocked the doorway, saying repeatedly, "I'm sorry, Miss Ruri, please don't make things difficult for me. This is the Lord's order." "Taitoki? Why won't he let me out? I need to see him!" Ruri was both confused and annoyed, reaching out to push Nikaido. "Let me tell you why." A slightly arrogant voice reached her ears, and Nikaido turned around in surprise. Upon seeing the person, he was startled and quickly bowed, saying, "Shogun..." Shogun? Ruri looked in the direction of the voice and, sure enough, Minamoto no Yoriie, dressed in a dark blue robe, was holding a cypress fan and staring at her with a half-smile. Q, authorized release of good books (, bookmark ebooks) Related works: Tears of Glazed Glass (Qidian update time: 2006-3-17 20:04:00, Chapter word count: 3970) Yuan Laijia? What are you doing here? "Glassed Glass was also surprised to see him. Laijia shook his head and looked at her with a helpless look, saying, "When will you learn to call me General?" Glazed Glass rolled her eyes at him and snorted softly. She couldn't stand the sight of him, not to mention that her first kiss was given to this person she hated the most... "How can you be the wife of the steward like this?" Laijia's next sentence stunned Glazed Glass. She stared at him and said in disbelief, "What did you say?" "What, you don't know yet, you will soon marry the steward." "You're talking nonsense!" "Ruri immediately interrupted him. Why did that bastard Minamoto no Yoriie always pick on her? "Nonsense? He told my mother himself yesterday. I don't think I misheard." Yoriie gradually approached her, a mysterious smile appearing on his face. "Impossible. I'm about to marry Abe no Kiyotsugu, and Lady Ni-Midai knows about it. Besides, and Taitoki wouldn't do that." "Ruri remained defiant, but a vague unease crept into her heart. If this weren't true, why would Minamoto no Yoriie have gone to the trouble of telling her this lie? Judging from his expression, he seemed unable to completely disbelieve her. But Yasutoshi… how could he? He clearly knew she loved Kiyotsugu. Would he really do such a thing? A chill ran through Ruri, and she dared not think any further. 'Haha, Fujiwara Ruri, so you still trust him so much. But unfortunately, the person you trust will disappoint you,' Yoriie approached her, a strange smile flashing in his eyes. He whispered in her ear, 'Actually, if I had known it would end like this, I should have insisted on taking you as my concubine last time. Now you're Yasutoshi's concubine, isn't that the same? But there's still a chance. If you want to…' 'Shut up!' A surge of heat rushed to Ruri's head. She shouted, clenching her fists, unable to resist the urge to punch him hard in the face. Just as she was about to strike, a slightly tense voice interrupted Yoriie. 'General! What are you doing here!'" "Tai Shi had returned sometime earlier, his face pale, glaring at the Lai family. "Oh, Steward, don't get too excited. I just came to congratulate my future cousin-in-law. Cousin, you're being unreasonable. She doesn't even know the good news yet. Are you trying to give her a surprise, or..." "Shut up!" Tai Shi's expression immediately changed. He glanced at Liu Li, and to his surprise, she didn't make a scene or show any anger. She just stared straight at him. Looking into her crystal-clear eyes, Tai Shi's heart clenched, and he blurted out, "Liu Li..." "Is it... really?" Liu Li gazed at him and asked softly. Under her gaze, Tai Shi felt he could no longer run away. She would find out the truth eventually anyway, so he might as well tell her everything today, whether it was anger, hatred, or curses. He... was already mentally prepared... Thinking this, he no longer avoided her gaze, staring intently at her, and slowly uttered a single word: "Yes." Liuli's body trembled slightly, but she didn't speak. "Oh, cousin, no, steward, I won't disturb you two's private conversation any longer. Farewell." Before leaving, Lai Jia glanced at Liuli, his smile fading, and said in a voice only she could hear, "Remember, the people you can't trust most in this world are—our family." Liuli looked up in astonishment. Lai Jia's expression was unusually solemn, tinged with a hint of helplessness. "Liuli..." The Lai family's departure didn't ease Tai Shi's mind at all. Liu Li kept her head down, making it impossible to see her expression. "Liu Li, say something! I know what I'm doing is despicable, but I... I love you so much. I can't control my feelings at all. I don't even know what I'm doing. Just thinking about you marrying someone else is driving me crazy. Liu Li, I know you must be very angry. If you want to yell at me, then yell..." Tai Shi suddenly stopped halfway through his sentence. He stared at the ground in surprise as a drop of water slid down, leaving a small stain on the floor. A jolt went through him, his gaze slowly shifting upwards. Tears were sliding down Liuli's face. Could it be that she...? This thought sent a chill down Taishi's spine. Forgetting what he was saying, he immediately reached out and cupped Liuli's face in his hands. What he saw was even more shocking: Liuli's crystal-clear eyes were brimming with tears, swirling in her eyes as if they might overflow at any moment. In that instant, Taishi felt an unbearable heartache, a profound loss of joy. Even this girl, whose smile was as radiant as the cherry blossoms on Mount Yoshino, could shed tears. "I... I believed in you so much, Taishi, I believed in you so much..." she murmured, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Don't cry, Liuli, don't cry!" "Tai Shi was in turmoil. He pulled her into a tight embrace. 'Don't cry, or my heart will break.' Was what I did right? Was it right? The sudden embrace brought Liu Li back to her senses. She pushed Tai Shi away forcefully, took a few steps back, wiped away her tears, and choked out, 'Don't touch me! I want to go back! I want to go back to Yoshino!' 'Liu Li, do you remember you said happiness is something you have to fight for? You are my happiness. Stay by my side, Liu Li, stay by my side.' Tai Shi had calmed down and said softly. 'No,' Liu Li shook her head vigorously, 'This isn't my happiness. You're not my happiness!' A deep sense of loss flashed in Tai Shi's eyes. He suddenly swept her up in his arms and strode towards the room. 'Tai Shi, what are you doing? Let me go! Let me go back!'" "Ruri was terrified and struggled, kicking and punching. Taishi didn't say anything, but simply carried her into the room and gently placed her on the tatami mat. He then quickly left the room, grabbing the sword from his waist and using it to jam the sliding door from the outside. 'Let me out!' Ruri tried desperately to move the door, but it wouldn't budge an inch. 'Hojo Taishi, you bastard, I hate you!' Ruri kicked and pounded on the door, struggling for a long time without any effect, and finally sat down dejectedly by the door. 'Ruri, believe me, I will definitely make you happy.' Taishi's voice suddenly sounded from outside the door. He hadn't left; he had been standing there the whole time. 'But I won't make you happy.'" "Ruri leaned against the door, speaking softly. There was silence outside, then a very soft sigh. The warm breeze of early summer blew in through the lattice window, carrying a faint scent of kudzu. Ruri gently closed her eyes. Why? It felt like something was pressing down on her heart, a dull ache. She'd never felt this way before—like she was about to cry at any moment. Was this still the Taishi she knew? The Taishi who gave her sweet wisteria cakes, the Taishi who gently picked wisteria blossoms for her, the Taishi who said he was afraid of cats, the kind Taishi who always smiled—where had he gone? She really hated—the smell of kudzu. ====================================================== "Nikaido, keep a close eye on Miss." Taiji remained silent for a moment before finally moving. "Butler, are you going out?" Nikaido asked somewhat worriedly, as the butler seemed a little unstable. "Yes, I'm going to visit my sister." Taiji paused and said, "I'm entrusting Ruri to you." "Having said that, he turned and walked away without looking back. By the time he reached Nobuko's place, it was nearly dusk. Taiji, who had just stepped down from the oxcart, immediately saw a man wearing a black hat and a white hunting robe standing in front of the mansion. The man seemed to have heard the noise and slowly turned his head. The pure white sleeves fluttered gently in the wind, and the colors of the world seemed to dim and disappear. His calm expression could make flowers lose their elegance, and his incomparably elegant demeanor was as graceful and ethereal as the moonlight in Sagano. Only he was worthy of such a appearance—Abe no Kiyotsugu. He had finally come, and so quickly. Taiji tried to remain calm, walked to Kiyotsugu's side, smiled slightly, and said, "Lord Kiyotsugu, what brings you to Kamakura? Is there some official business again?" Kiyotsugu looked at him coldly and said, "Steward, I have come for Ruri." "Ruri? Didn't she go back?" "Yasu said calmly. "Steward, I know she's still in Kamakura, perhaps..." Kiyotsugu's eyes grew colder, "...still in your residence, sir." "No." Yasu's answer was equally simple. The brief conversation ended there. The two stared at each other, hostility slowly growing in their hearts, the air seemingly freezing in an instant. "Since you don't know, sir, I won't force you. But please don't forget..." Kiyotsugu suddenly said expressionlessly, "No matter where she is, my Abe family's Yin-Yang techniques will surely find her." "The words had barely left his lips, before his voice even faded into the air, when he vanished without a trace. Abe Kiyotsugu seemed to care about Ruri more than he'd imagined. Yasutoshi gazed into the distance, lost in thought, not missing the suppressed anxiety deep in Kiyotsugu's eyes. To others, it was unbelievable that Abe Kiyotsugu, a man seemingly devoid of emotion, would travel all the way to Kamakura for a woman. Perhaps things wouldn't go so smoothly," a hint of worry crossed Yasutoshi's face. --------------------------------------------- Leaving the Hojo residence, Abe Kiyotsugu hurried to an open area outside the castle. He took out a talisman drawn with the Big Dipper, chanting an incantation. Suddenly, a green light flashed, and the talisman swiftly transformed into a white dove. Kiyotsugu pointed towards the castle and shouted, "Go! Find Fujiwara Ruri!" "The white dove seemed to understand human nature, immediately spreading its wings and flying away, quickly becoming a tiny white dot disappearing into the sky. Watching the dove vanish into the air, Kiyotsugu's heart calmed down slightly. Ruri must still be at Hojo Yasutoshi's residence, but he couldn't be 100% certain. He would confirm it once the summoned shikigami found Ruri. He absolutely, absolutely had to bring her back safely, because if he lost her, if… Thinking of this, Kiyotsugu's brows furrowed slightly, and he reached out to cover his chest. So this is it—the heart really can hurt… The girl who had entered his life since he was five years old, he absolutely could not lose her." ==================================== Onmyodo Tips: Shikigami is a term specific to Onmyodo (the Way of the Onmyoji), referring to illusory beings summoned by Onmyoji and at their beck and call. The summoned shikigami are naturally classified into ranks based on the summoner's spiritual power. Besides Abe no Seimei's twelve shikigami—Seiryu, Gouchen, Rokugo, Suzaku, Tengshe, Nobleman, Tengu, Daiyin, Genbu, Osaka, Byakko, and Tenku—Onmyoji also summon shikigami of the Thirty-Six Birds. The Thirty-Six Birds refer to spirits that appear before humans in the forms of thirty-six kinds of birds and beasts. The thirty-six birds are: raccoon dog, leopard, tiger, fox, rabbit, mongoose, dragon, cicada, carp, snake, horse, elk, goose, eagle, baboon, ape, monkey, bird, chicken, pheasant, dog, wolf, jackal, pig, weasel, pig, cat, rat, winged animal, ox, crab, turtle. I think it would be a bit difficult for our Kiyotsugu to summon the twelve shikigami of our ancestor Seimei. Authorized release of good books at (, collect ebooks) Related works: "Helpless" (Qidian update time: 2006-3-19 1:15:00, Chapter word count: 5143) Since the suppression of the rebellion, the court and the public have become uniformly pro-shogunate, and the remaining strength of the Kubo (Kublai Khanate) has been exhausted. The newly established Emperor Go-Horikawa is also firmly controlled by the Hojo clan. From then on, the samurai family completely controls the decision of the successor to the throne. Kyoto seems much more peaceful, and the shogunate can breathe a slight sigh of relief. However, there are still many things to discuss every day, so Yasutoki is even busier than before. "Aunt, then, I'll take my leave." Yasutoki is worried about Ruri and is eager to go back to see her. “Steward, it seems you’ve forgotten something,” Masako said coldly, looking at him. “You haven’t given me a satisfactory answer yet.” Yasutoki was silent for a moment before saying, “I’m sorry, Aunt, my answer remains the same: I will not marry into the Gon Daigon family.” A flash of surprise crossed Masako’s eyes, and she asked again, trying to remain calm, “Is this your answer?” “Yes.” Yasutoki nodded decisively. “Good, very good, Yasutoki. It seems you’ve forgotten you’re a member of the Hojo family. Since you’re so willful,” she laughed instead of getting angry, and her next words shocked Yasutoki, “then perhaps the position of steward is no longer suitable for you.” Not only Yasutoki, but the Yori family members standing nearby were also secretly taken aback. Yasutoki’s expression changed slightly, his gaze falling on the ground in front of him. His expression was complex, his eyes shifting unpredictably, as if he were making a difficult decision. After struggling internally for a while, he suddenly asked, "So, if I give up my position as butler, I can decide my own marriage, right?" "That's right. If you're not a butler, then you have no connection with the shogunate. Who you're with is your own business." Masako's eyes also gleamed with an unfathomable light. "Then, I accept." Yasutoki slowly bowed and whispered, "I will leave Kamakura. I'm sorry, Aunt." "Yasutoki, what did you say!" Yoriie couldn't help but blurt out. Masako looked at Yasutoki calmly, then suddenly burst into laughter. The laughter grew louder and louder, as if she were laughing at the most ridiculous thing in the world. She laughed and laughed until tears streamed down her face. Yasutoki and Yoriie stared dumbfounded at the scene before them. They had never seen Masako like this before. A bad premonition suddenly welled up in Yasutoki's heart. "Yasutoki, you have really disappointed me." Masako abruptly stopped laughing, immediately putting on a cold expression. A slow, mocking smile crept across her lips as she continued, "I was just testing you. I didn't expect you to be so blinded by love, so captivated by that woman. As the heir to the Hojo family, you've abandoned your ancestors' legacy for a woman, completely forgetting your responsibilities. Taishi, if you leave now, your talents will be extinguished, and you'll live a mediocre life, all your ideals and ambitions will come to nothing. Would you be willing to accept that? Aren't these things important?" Taishi bit his lip tightly and said, "These things are important to me, but there are things more important in my heart. If I have to make a choice, then I can only say I'm sorry." "Is it worth it?" An incredulous look flashed in Masako's eyes. “It’s worth it, she’s worth it for me to do this.” Taishi said with certainty, as if he could hear Ruri’s words echoing in his ears, “I love lying in the valley during cherry blossom season, listening to all kinds of birdsong, watching the clouds constantly changing in the sky, feeling the breeze on my face, it’s so comfortable and ticklish. This feeling is something you can’t experience in Kamakura. Have you ever tried it?” Perhaps, he could try that feeling too, with Ruri. Thinking of this, a gentle smile appeared on his lips. “Butler, if you insist on going your own way, there’s nothing I can do,” Masako’s tone was like ice, “However, this woman who has caused our shogunate to lose its most outstanding talent, and caused the Hojo family to lose its heir, I really have to consider whether she still has the need to exist.” As soon as she finished speaking, Yoriie exclaimed, and Taishi was even more shocked, trembling as he said, “Aunt, you mean…” “You are a smart man, you should understand what I mean.” Masako said calmly, but her face was cold. Taishi was momentarily stunned and at a loss for words. He knew his aunt's ruthlessness all too well; she was capable of anything she said. He understood that his aunt had already decided to kill him. To protect the shogunate, she was capable of anything. No, he had to protect his beloved; he absolutely could not let her suffer even the slightest harm. Quickly regaining his composure, Taishi bowed again, repeatedly saying, "Aunt, please forgive my impulsiveness. I was confused for a moment and said some childish things. As the heir of the Hojo family, how could I forget my duty? I will certainly serve the shogunate and the shogun to the utmost." A fleeting, almost imperceptible smile flashed in Masako's eyes. She smiled gently and said, "So it was just a joke. I know you are a wise man, Steward. Then, I will reply to the Grand Councilor and choose an auspicious day to hold your marriage with Miss Anko." Taishi did not look up or speak; no one could see his expression at that moment. "As for Liuli, you can take her as a concubine if you wish, but she cannot have children." Zhengzi's expression remained gentle, but her eyes held a chilling glint. Taishi shuddered at these words, remaining silent until Zhengzi left, still unable to straighten up. "Cousin, do you truly love Liuli?" Lai Jia, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke. Taishi gradually straightened up, saying somberly, "If I didn't love her, why would I have done such a thing?" "But if you truly love her, why drag her into this quagmire?" Taishi abruptly looked up; Lai Jia's expression was strange. He continued, "She will drown in this quagmire before any of us." "Stop!" Taishi shouted, leaping to his feet, grabbing Lai Jia's collar, and saying, word by word, "I will absolutely not let her drown here!" With that, he abruptly released her grip and strode out of the room. What should he do? Why is fate so stingy with him, even depriving him of the smallest happiness? No matter how hard he tries, no matter how much he fights, no matter how much he's willing to give up everything, happiness remains so far away. His aunt's cold gaze and the Lai family's words haunt him like a nightmare... He was the one who said he would give her happiness, but now, he's starting to doubt himself. Can he really give her happiness? Can he really? Why, why can't he be stronger, strong enough to completely protect her? Since he can't give her a happy future, then perhaps only... ============================================== As dusk approached, thunder suddenly rumbled in the sky, and a shower began. Summer rains always come and go quickly; the air after the rain was as if it had been washed clean, fresh and pleasant. The summer insects outside the window began their incessant chirping again, and the rich scent of kudzu wafted gently into Ruri's room through the lattice window. Ruri lazily lay by the window, gazing at the sky. She had tried everything she could, but to no avail. Now, she could only rest and recover her strength. Her father and mother must be worried sick. Kiyotsugu should have arrived in Yoshino by now; she wondered if he was worried about her. Another waft of kudzu scent came from outside. Ruri frowned slightly, about to leave the lattice window, when suddenly a small white dot flew straight towards her. Before she could react, the dot darted through the lattice window into her room. Ruri looked at the little creature in surprise. It was a pigeon, its red eyes fixed intently on her. "Huh, are you lost?" Ruri reached out to touch it, but the moment her fingers touched its feathers, a flash of green light appeared, and the white pigeon vanished, leaving only a thin piece of white paper floating down. Ruri was startled, bending down to pick up the paper. Looking closely, her eyes welled up with tears, a mixture of excitement and joy welling in her eyes. Wasn't this Kiyotsugu's Big Dipper talisman? Could it be that Kiyotsugu was in Kamakura? Had Kiyotsugu come to save her? She clutched the talisman tightly, a hot tear sliding down her cheek. So hot, the tear was so hot, her heart was so hot too, as if something deep within her was burning, transmitting this heat little by little to her limbs. So, it turns out, one can cry when extremely joyful. Tears of sorrow are salty, so are tears of joy sweet? So, she loved Kiyotsugu so much, more than she had ever imagined… So much… She wanted to get out, she wanted to see Kiyotsugu. Ruri wiped away the tears from her eyes, her heart filled with renewed strength. She couldn't just wait for Kiyotsugu to save her; she had to save herself. She had to find a way to leave this place and return to Kiyotsugu's side. The instant the white dove transformed into a talisman, Abe Kiyotsugu, who controlled the shikigami, confirmed Ruri's location. Anxious and impatient, he immediately rushed into the city. Tonight, no matter the method, no matter the spell, even if it summoned a ferocious spirit, even if he was consumed by it, he would bring Ruri back. -------------------------------------------- That night, the moonlight was crystal clear. When Yasutoshi returned to his residence, it was late. The mansion was quiet, the only sound the rhythmic tapping of stones by the monks in the courtyard adding to the stillness. "My lord, you're back." Nikaido immediately noticed Yasutoshi's extremely poor complexion. "How is Ruri?" "Miss Ruri hasn't eaten anything today. We've asked her several times, but she refuses to eat anything, saying she won't touch it even if we bring it in." "That won't do." A hint of worry flashed in Taishi's eyes. "Quickly prepare some snacks." "But, sir, Miss Ruri said..." "What did she say?" "She said she wants to see you." "She wants to see me?" Taishi glanced thoughtfully in Ruri's direction, a bitter smile appearing on his lips. He nodded and said, "I'll go in a bit." He took a few steps, then stopped, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Nikaido, no matter what happens later, you must pretend you didn't see anything, understand?" "Ah, sir?" "Understand?" Taishi emphasized. "Understood, sir." Nikaido replied with a puzzled look. When Taishi reached Ruri's door, he hesitated slightly, stood for a moment, then removed the knife blocking the door and slowly opened the sliding door. As the sliding door opened, a wisp of cool mist drifted in. Ruri slowly turned her head, looking at the man standing in the doorway. Today, Yasutoshi wore a white Tang-style short-sleeved robe underneath a purple veil of Harima wisteria and a silk overlay. He wore a folded eboshi hat and a katana at his waist. Although his handsome face showed slight weariness, it did not detract from his elegant demeanor. His appearance was pleasing to the eye, and his aura was as refined as jade. If Kiyotsugu was likened to a water lily glistening with morning dew, then Yasutoshi was undoubtedly like a willow branch swaying gently in the warm breeze by a lake, tender yet resilient. But the Yasutoshi of today… At the same time, Yasutoshi also gazed deeply at her. Her half-hidden, pale blue blouse revealed her smooth, jet-black hair and delicate, flower-like skin. If one could lightly touch her cheek with their fingertips, it would surely feel as exquisite as a cherry. Why, when faced with the girl who still shone brightly in the darkness, did the darkness in his heart deepen even more? That once endearing, unguarded gaze had vanished, and that smile as radiant as cherry blossoms—when would it bloom before him again? He slowly closed the door, walked in, and sat opposite Liuli. "Are you alright?" The moment the question left his lips, he felt he had uttered a foolish question. Sure enough, Liuli quickly shook her head. Both remained silent for a while, then Taishi spoke again, "Eat something." Liuli shook her head again. "Liuli, do you hate me?" Liuli remained silent. She quickly glanced at the doorway, then at Taishi, her gaze settling on the short katana at his waist. Suddenly, she slowly moved closer to Taishi and asked, "Taishi, do you truly love me?" A flicker of surprise crossed Taishi's eyes. He smiled slightly and said, "Of course I truly love you." As Liuli spoke to him, she tried to snatch the katana from his waist, but it was difficult. She had no choice but to sacrifice a little more. Just as she was about to move closer, Taishi suddenly reached out and hugged her tightly. "What are you doing!" she cried out involuntarily. "Liuli, don't move. Let me hold you for a while, just a little while. Maybe it's the most..." Taishi's voice sounded like he was suppressing extreme pain. His hands were tight, so tight, as if he wanted to force his way into her body. Time seemed to freeze at that moment; they could only hear each other's heartbeats. Liuli herself didn't know why, but she stopped struggling. A moment later, taking advantage of his loosened grip, Ruri slowly reached for the katana, gently unsheathed it, and the thought of stabbing him flashed through her mind, but she immediately dismissed it. As long as she could knock him unconscious, she wouldn't need to resort to anything more drastic. Taishi seemed completely unprepared. Ruri gritted her teeth, and with a determined heart, slammed the scabbard heavily against the back of his neck. Taishi collapsed without even a groan. "I'm sorry, Taishi, but don't blame me. You were in the wrong first," Ruri said incoherently, her heart pounding with panic. As she spoke, she walked to the door, quietly opening the sliding door. There was no one outside. Overjoyed, she quickly ran towards the mansion's main gate. Nikaido, who had been waiting in the shadows, was surprised to see Ruri run out of the room and was about to give chase when he suddenly remembered Taishi's words. He hurriedly entered the room and saw Taishi rubbing his neck as he sat up from the floor. "My lord, are you alright?" Nikaido was secretly startled, then quickly said, "Miss Ruri, she..." "Let her go, Nikaido." Yasutoki sighed softly, rubbing his neck, a hint of helplessness flashing across his lips: "You were quite heavy-handed." "My lord, did you already know? That's why you called me..." Nikaido was even more surprised. "Ruri is such a simple girl, it's not hard to guess her thoughts. She specifically wanted to see me to take the opportunity to escape." Yasutoki's expression was unreadable. "But my lord, you valued Miss Ruri so much, and did so many things, why are you letting her go now?" "Because—I love her." After saying that, Yasutoki gently closed his eyes, feeling an emptiness in his heart, as if his soul were drifting away, perhaps also a kind of indescribable painful relief, only waves of pain constantly surging from the depths of his heart... What pain in the world could be more painful than this... The following is an authorized release of good books from Q (, collect ebooks). Related work: Return to Yoshino (Qidian update time: 2006-3-21 1:12:00, Chapter word count: 5146). Liuli ran to the mansion gate in one breath, reaching out to open it, but the door was firmly bolted. She couldn't budge it with her strength. In a panic, she thought, "What should I do? If I delay any longer, I might alert others." She fiddled with the bolt, but only heard a few soft clicks, making no progress. Frustrated, she continued trying while constantly looking around, afraid of being discovered. Just then, a small owl suddenly flew in from the high wall, circled above her head for a while, and then landed steadily on her shoulder. Liuli was startled at first, then suddenly seemed to remember something, and scooped up the owl, asking repeatedly, "Qingji, is that you? Qingji?" "I'm here." Qingji's tone was still calm, but those simple three words made Liuli want to cry. Qingji, Qingji had finally come to save her... "I... I'm in Taishi's mansion. I knocked him unconscious and ran out... no, I haven't gotten out yet, I can't open the door," Liuli stammered. "Don't be afraid, I'll get you out right away." As soon as Qingji finished speaking, the owl flapped its wings and quickly flew over the wall. "Qingji, don't go!" Liuli cried out in alarm, reaching out to grab the owl, but it was too late; she could only watch helplessly as he left. She stamped her foot. What was Qingji doing? Was he really going to just leave like that? "What should we do now?" Ruri glared angrily at the wooden bolt on the door, throwing a heavy punch. "Ouch, ouch!" she winced, shaking her weak hand. Helpless, she could only try pushing it again. Completely focused on the bolt, Ruri didn't notice the two figures in the distance. "My lord, Miss Ruri... seems unable to get out," Nikaido said, amused by the scene. Taishi gazed at the girl busily working ahead, his expression complex, yet a helpless smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He whispered, "Nikaido, perhaps we need your help." "My lord, are you truly determined to let her go?" "Ah." "Go on." Taishi repeated, then turned his head away, no longer looking at her. *Ruri, go, go quickly. If you don't leave, perhaps I'll regret it, perhaps I'll keep you, perhaps I'll marry you without hesitation. As long as you're by my side, I won't consider anything else.* *Ruri, go quickly, leave this place.* *Looking at you like this, I'm afraid I'll lose control of the last vestiges of my reason.* Nikaido was about to walk over when he suddenly looked up at the sky, abruptly stopping, his face showing utter astonishment. At the same time, Ruri also heard a very strange sound coming from above, like the flapping of birds' wings, and it seemed there were many, gradually getting closer and louder, like countless raindrops pattering on the ground. The moment Liuli looked up, she was startled and took a step back at the sight before her. Hundreds of pure white pigeons were flying towards her in a dark mass. When she came to her senses, she realized that the pigeons were nibbling at the hem of her clothes, carrying her into the air. Liuli was terrified as her feet left the ground. She quickly closed her eyes, feeling a strange itching sensation in her abdomen. Slowly, curiosity overwhelmed her fear, and she slowly opened her eyes, letting out a cry of surprise. The pigeons carried her through the fence. Watching the red fence flash past below, she couldn't help but feel excited. So this was what flying felt like—it really felt like soaring through the clouds! Was she dreaming? After flying over the fence, she looked down, and a white figure caught her eye. When she saw his face, Liuli's eyes widened. Good heavens, was this really not a dream? A handsome young man, exuding a cool and aloof air in the night, wore a white hunting robe that fluttered in the evening breeze. Beneath his black hat, his face, as pure as moonlight, revealed no trace of emotion or desire, making him appear otherworldly, like a thousand-petaled lotus quietly blooming before Buddha. Suddenly, a smile flickered in his dark eyes as he gazed at Liuli, a slight curve forming at the corners of his lips. He slowly opened his arms. "Ah! Qingji, help!" Liuli cried out in horror, realizing the pigeon had long since left her body. She screamed and plummeted downwards. Before her screams had even faded, she was already in a warm embrace. Such a warm embrace! Liuli nestled her head tightly against Qingji's chest, her eyes closed. A faint fragrance wafted from him. Was this still a dream? Thump, thump, Qingji's heart pounded rapidly, each beat clear to her ears. It was Qingji. This wasn't a dream; it was real. Finally, they could be together again. A surge of immense joy washed over her, and something seemed to well up in her eyes again, but she knew it would be sweet. The two, reunited after so long, felt each other's heartbeats and warmth. Neither spoke, only countless pure white talismans danced in the moonlight, like winter snowflakes gently falling into the darkness. "Ruri, it's alright," Kiyotsugu's calm voice held a hint of joy. "Mmm," Ruri whispered. "I was so worried about you," Kiyotsugu said, pulling her closer. Ruri felt a mixture of joy and shyness, and a blush quickly spread across her face. She opened her eyes, and saw that Kiyotsugu, gazing at her, also had a faint blush on his face. "Alright, let's hurry back to Yoshino," Kiyotsugu said, turning his head slightly, his usual cool expression masking the ripples spreading within him. As he spoke, he lifted Ruri onto the oxcart, gently placing her inside, and sat down beside her. "But, Qingji, there's no one driving the carriage. How are we going to get there?" Liuli asked, tilting her head in confusion. "Don't worry." Qingji smiled faintly, took out a talisman, and chanted a few incantations. The talisman transformed into a man in a green light. The man bowed to Qingji and went straight to take the reins. "Wow, Qingji, you're amazing! We won't even need maids anymore. What kind of shikigami can you summon? Can I see? It's so amazing!" Liuli seemed to have forgotten the hardships of the past few days, pestering Qingji with questions. "Liuli, these past few days you've been at Taishi's residence..." Qingji seemed to hesitate. "Don't worry, I'm fine. It's just—I knocked him unconscious just now. I wonder if I hit him too hard." Liuli felt a little uneasy. She wondered if she had hit him hard enough. Would Taishi send someone after her when he woke up? Would he hold a grudge? Oh well, never mind. "It's alright, close your eyes and rest for a while." Qingji didn't say anything more, just gently embraced her. "Mmm." Liuli snuggled closer to Qingji, tugging at his clothes, and closed her eyes peacefully. After a while, she suddenly whispered, "Qingji, thank you for saving me." She didn't look up at Qingji's expression, but in that instant, she clearly felt his arms tighten around her. ... Is this... the feeling of happiness? ------------------------------------------------------------ "My lord, you should rest early too, it's already very late." Nikaido looked at the forlorn-looking Taishi and couldn't help but offer his words of comfort. Taishi gazed in the direction where Ruri had been carried away by the pigeons, a slightly bitter smile playing on his lips. He said helplessly, "Ruri, she doesn't truly belong here." "My lord, are you alright?" "I'm fine," Taishi said gently. "I'm going to rest too. There are many official matters to attend to tomorrow." He turned and walked towards his room, but stopped after a few steps. "Nikaido," he said, "you've already forgotten what you saw today, haven't you?" Nikaido was startled and quickly replied, "I've forgotten everything." Taishi nodded and continued walking inside. "My lord..." Nikaido started to say something but then stopped, wondering why Taishi had entered the room where Ruri was imprisoned. Looking at the lonely figure of his lord, illuminated by the candlelight, even this warrior couldn't help but sigh. His lord's mood at this moment must be like the dim, flickering candlelight. The tiny candle flame grew weaker and weaker, dimmer and dimmer, until—it was completely extinguished in the darkness. ========================================================= Ruri woke up and, as soon as she opened her eyes, saw the familiar ceiling. This was… Right, she was back in Yoshino. She gently rubbed her face against the pillow. It wasn't a dream after all. She suddenly remembered the surprised and delighted expressions on her father and mother's faces when they saw her, especially her father, whose eyes were even red-rimmed. So cute. But this time, she really worried them… A delicate floral fragrance drifted into the room on the warm breeze. She sat up abruptly, threw on a light yellow Tang-style robe, and walked to the latticed window. Looking out, she saw a newly blooming white gardenia swaying on the tree outside. It must be the first gardenia of the year; its eight-petaled, jade-like petals trembled gently in the morning breeze, as if unable to bear the weight of the dewdrops. She could faintly hear voices in the courtyard. Listening closely, she recognized the voices as her father and mother. "I think we should arrange their wedding sooner rather than later, lest things get complicated," Xiaoxue's voice said. "I agree. Why don't we go back to the capital with Qingji this time, and have Taiqing choose an auspicious day to hold the wedding?" Chengfan unusually agreed. "That's fine too. I haven't been back to the capital in a long time," Xiaoxue said, a complex expression suddenly flashing across her face. "Little Bird, are you alright?" "Yes, I'm fine. I'm really looking forward to my daughter's wedding." "Yes, we should decorate the Fujiwara residence properly, especially Ruri's bridal chamber." "Bridal chamber? But Narifumi, it seems like many people are having 'bride-in-law' weddings these days. Shouldn't the bridal chamber be in Abe no Yasukiyo's residence?" "How can that be? Our Fujiwara family has always followed the tradition of 'son-in-law marrying into the bride'." "Narifumi, you're confused. Kiyotsugu is an Onmyoji and has always lived in Tsuchimikado. Besides, if it's a 'son-in-law marrying into the bride', are we going to have Kiyotsugu travel back and forth every day?" Koyuki glanced at him. According to her modern thinking, wouldn't that be like a son-in-law marrying into the bride's family? Narifumi pondered for a moment and said, "Then let Ruri live in Tsuchimikado. However," his tone was particularly firm, "the first three nights of the wedding must be spent in the Fujiwara residence according to the old custom." "Alright, Lord Narifumi..." Koyuki smiled helplessly. It turned out her parents were arranging her and Kiyotsugu's wedding ahead of schedule. Ruri's heart pounded, a sweet feeling filling her. She took a deep breath of the gardenia-scented air. "I love the scent of gardenias!" "Lord Fujiwara, Lady Fujiwara." Huh, it was Kiyotsugu's voice. Was he already up? "Yes," Chengfan replied curtly. "Kiyotsugu, thank you so much this time." Xiaoxue's voice held a hint of a smile. "Ruri is my betrothed, this is only right and proper," Kiyotsugu said calmly. Chengfan's cold attitude stirred a slight sense of disappointment within him; he had never truly loved him. "Father, Mother, Kiyotsugu!" Ruri called out from afar, running barefoot from the corridor. "Ruri, the morning dew is cold, don't come into the courtyard." Although being barefoot was usually fine, the stone floor was still a bit chilly in the morning. Before Cheng Fan could finish speaking, Liu Li suddenly darted in front of him. "Liu Li..." A hint of worry flashed in Qing Ji's eyes, and he instinctively reached out and quickly scooped her up in his arms. "Ah, Qing Ji..." Liu Li was slightly surprised, then laughed. The usually aloof Qing Ji could be so bold. But then again, her father and mother... she glanced at the stunned Cheng Fan and Xiao Xue with amusement. Her father and mother must have been startled too. "Ah, sorry, I was rude." Qing Ji then realized he had done something impolite. He was about to carry Liu Li to the corridor to put her down, but Liu Li clung to him like a little octopus, refusing to get down. This was a golden opportunity; she wasn't going to let him get down so easily. It was Xiaoxue after all, a modern soul, who quickly recovered and said with a smile, "Qingji, once you hug me, you can never let go, you know?" "Yes." Qingji looked at the girl in his arms and nodded gently. "No matter what happens, I won't let go." Xiaoxue tugged at Chengfan's sleeve again, winked at him, signaling him to leave quickly and let the young couple have some time alone. Chengfan reluctantly moved, his gaze sweeping over the bright smile on Liuli's face, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his own lips. Perhaps only this man could give his daughter happiness. "Liuli, I'm entrusting her to you. If you dare to bully her, I will definitely not forgive you." Chengfan didn't forget to threaten her a few more times before turning to leave. "Lord Fujiwara..." Qingji was interrupted by Chengfan, who had stopped in his tracks, after only a few words. "I still prefer you calling me Father-in-law." Watching Cheng Fan and Xiao Xue's retreating figures, Qing Ji smiled with relief. So, Father-in-law had long ago... "Qing Ji, did you hear that?" "What?" "Father said if you dare bully me, hmph..." "How could I bully you? (It seems like you're the one who bullies me more.)" Qing Ji held back from saying what was on his mind. "Really?" "Liuli..." Qingji's gaze suddenly deepened, fixing intently on her eyes. He slowly lowered his head, gradually drawing closer to her face. Liuli's heart skipped a beat. Just that one glance was enough to capture her attention. His face drew ever closer… Was he going to kiss her here? The thought made it hard to breathe, but she blushed and closed her eyes. After a long while, nothing happened. Just as she was wondering what was going on, she heard Qingji's voice whisper in her ear: "Liuli, you seem to have gained weight…" "Die, Abe Kiyotsugu!!" ============================================= Soon, Ruri's family returned to the capital with Kiyotsugu. Upon arriving in the capital, Chengfan asked Taiqing to perform a new divination and moved the wedding date forward to early autumn. As the autumn leaves in the capital gradually took on a new hue, the wedding day of Ruri and Kiyotsugu was fast approaching. ( 《TXT Forum》Forum collects excellent novels. For more ebooks, please visit 《TXT Forum》Literature Originals, Mood Diaries, Leisure and Entertainment) Related Works: Wedding Night (Part 1) (Qidian Update Time: 2006-3-22 15:20:00, Chapter Word Count: 3527) Taiqing indeed chose an auspicious day. The day of the ceremony was sunny and breezy. In the pond of the Fujiwara residence, autumn leaves covered the water, not a riot of colors, but possessing a delicate charm. The leaves, some dark, some light, shimmered on the water, creating a particularly elegant scene. The silver osmanthus, transplanted from the Tang Dynasty years ago, had also quietly bloomed, its tiny clusters of flowers emitting a sweet, honey-like fragrance. A branch of silver osmanthus, its stamens adorned with dewdrops, had somehow extended into the outer corridor, reflecting the sunlight, utterly charming. Early in the morning, the maids were busy dressing and grooming Ruri, applying powder, combing her hair, choosing headdresses, and selecting dresses—a flurry of activity. Even Xiaoxue was overwhelmed by the choice of color and pattern for her dress. According to custom, Kiyotsugu would send a waka poem in the morning. Ruri eagerly awaited what Kiyotsugu would write. She anxiously looked towards the door; why hadn't he arrived yet? Kiyotsugu was so slow. Just as she was getting impatient, she suddenly heard Chengfan's voice outside the door: "Yahiko, is it you who brought the message?" "Yes, Father. Since it's my sister's happy occasion, I, as her younger brother, should do my part." Yahiko's voice clearly carried a smile. "Then hurry and take it in; your sister must be getting impatient." Truly, no one knows a daughter better than her father. Yahiko nodded and called out again from outside the door, "Sister, I'm coming in." Upon hearing Ruri's reply, he stepped into the room, walked around the screen, and presented the letter to her like a precious treasure. The pale red Mutsu paper was tied to a graceful red leaf. Carefully scented with a delicate, subtle fragrance of Qingxi incense, it revealed the color of autumn fragrance, like the warm glow of the setting sun. Even before seeing the contents of the waka poem, Ruri couldn't help but smile. She hadn't expected the aloof Kiyotsugu to have such an elegant side. She carefully examined the letter; the handwriting was delicate and refined, just like Kiyotsugu himself. "Beneath the rocks of Osaka Pass, a clear spring flows. The rocks are silent, yet longing resides in my heart." Upon seeing the word "longing," Ruri couldn't stop smiling. She read it again and again, smiling foolishly for a while, before carefully folding it and placing it in her bosom. This was Kiyotsugu's first love letter to her. "Mother, shall I reply?" "Liuli suddenly remembered something and looked at Xiaoxue, asking. Xiaoxue smiled and said, "It wasn't necessary before, but you can go back now if you want." Liuli thought for a moment and said, "I want to go back!" "Kiyotsugu will surely be happy to see her love letter." She quickly picked out a piece of cherry-colored Chinese paper, pondered for a moment, took the brush handed to her by the maid, dipped it in ink, and began to write. "The flowing water rises from the high mountains, flowing downwards with all its heart. My heart holds longing, which will last forever." As Xiaoxue read, she couldn't help but laugh again. Chengfan had forced Ruri to practice waka since she was a child, saying that if she couldn't express her feelings with waka, she was not worthy of being a member of the Fujiwara family. It seems that no matter what, Chengfan's aristocratic habits from the capital are still deeply rooted. It's just a pity that her daughter seems to be more like her mother in this regard, and doesn't seem to have much interest. But today's poem is quite good. Ruri folded the letter and was thinking about what to tie it to when she looked up and saw the silver osmanthus tree almost reaching into the lattice window. She suddenly had an idea, stood up, and casually picked the long branch attached to the silver osmanthus tree, handing it to Masahiko along with the letter. Masahiko took the letter and smiled teasingly, saying, "Sister, then I'll go back to my brother-in-law's place." He emphasized the words "brother-in-law," and Liuli quickly rolled her eyes at him. Yayan suppressed a laugh, quickly said goodbye to his mother, and left the room. "Mother, what is Father busy with?" Liuli asked. Xiaoxue shook her head helplessly and said, "Your father is very busy. He's instructing the servants to prepare enough candles to burn for three days, and there are some things to do for the three-day cake ceremony three days later." Chengfan had been waking her up since midnight yesterday. She didn't know if he was too worried or too excited. But perhaps all parents are like this when their daughter is getting married for the first time. Today, she was able to see her beloved daughter get married with her own eyes, to see her child find happiness. Although God had taken away many things from her, He had also given her a lot. Looking at her daughter's smiling face, Xiaoxue's heart softened more and more. "Ah! A ghost!" "Liuli looked at her face in the mirror and suddenly screamed. Her once beautiful face was now deathly pale from the white powder, and her cheeks were painted two bright red blotches with pigment extracted from safflower. Liuli turned her head away, wiping her face with her sleeve, and angrily shouted, 'Wipe it all off!'" "Ruri, be quiet," Xiaoxue quickly gestured for the maids to leave. Ruri, who had grown up in Yoshino, had never seen such makeup before. Even Xiaoxue herself couldn't stand it, remembering her own reaction when she married Chengfan. She hurriedly used a silk handkerchief to wipe Ruri's face. The makeup was truly exaggerated. Oh well, she'd better do a lighter makeup for Ruri herself. Xiaoxue suddenly missed modern brands like Lancôme and Estée Lauder... ================================================ It wasn't until evening that Ruri was finally taken to her bedroom, sitting on the platform surrounded by silk curtains, waiting for her new husband's arrival. She looked helplessly at herself, wrapped up like a doll. It seemed like she hadn't worn such a cumbersome dress in a long time since her wedding ceremony; even moving was so difficult. Today is really the day I'm marrying Kiyotsugu. It feels like a dream. Although my mother gave me a crash course on what to expect on our wedding night, I didn't fully understand, but I vaguely grasped what my mother meant. Anyway, my mother said every couple would consummate their marriage. It's almost 9 PM, and my mother said Kiyotsugu would arrive around that time. Her anxiety grew with each passing moment. Meanwhile, Koyuki and Narifumi were also anxiously awaiting Kiyotsugu's arrival. "Koyuki, do you remember what we're going to do later?" Narifumi reminded Koyuki again, as their wedding in Kamakura had been rushed due to circumstances, and they hadn't followed many of the traditional customs. "Yes, I know, don't worry. As soon as Qingji arrives, take his shoes off and put them in your bosom; you'll have to carry them through the night. Also, put the candles he brought and ours together in front of my tent and keep them burning for three days. I've also done a lot of preparation for the wedding banquet three days from now. I know these customs; after all, I grew up in the capital." Xiaoxue gave me a look that said, "Don't underestimate me." Cheng Fan smiled slightly, satisfied. "It's rare to see a little bird so thoughtful." "When have I ever been inconsiderate? I've been telling Liuli a lot about things to be careful about on our wedding night these past few days." Xiaoxue glared at him. Cheng Fan suddenly looked at her with amusement, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Little Bird, her husband will naturally teach her these things." "Her husband? Qing Ji is a virgin too, how can he teach her? Do you think everyone is like you, so experienced?" "Cough, cough, cough..." Cheng Fan seemed to choke on his words, coughing several times. He glanced around and whispered, "Little Bird, watch your mouth." Seeing Cheng Fan's embarrassed expression, Xiao Xue couldn't help but burst out laughing again. "Don't worry about it," Cheng Fan regained his usual elegance, his tone slightly teasing. "These things are innate instincts for men, they don't need to be learned." "Especially with you," Xiao Xue added mischievously. "Oh dear, Little Bird, I only mean to you..." "Hey, shut up..." Xiao Xue covered his mouth with one hand, stopping him from saying anything more. "My lord, my lady, Lord Kiyotsugu has arrived!" The maid's announcement immediately lifted the spirits of the Fujiwara couple, who hurried out to greet the groom. "Miss, Lord Kiyotsugu has arrived. The young master will guide him here shortly. Please wait patiently." The maid outside also informed Ruri immediately. What? Kiyotsugu is here? How could he be here so quickly? Just now it felt like it was going too slowly, but now that he's really here, time seems to have flown by. What should she do? How should she face him later? Ruri's mind was in chaos, her thoughts racing. She didn't know how long she had been thinking when she suddenly heard soft footsteps coming from the corridor outside the door. He—he's here? Ruri felt her heart pounding like a deer. She gripped her cypress fan tightly, her palms sweating profusely—no, it seemed her forehead was also sweating. The moment she heard the door open, Ruri felt as if her breath had stopped. As Qingji opened the door, a delicate fragrance wafted out. His gaze swept over a sandalwood incense burner with a gold-inlaid handle adorned with embossed cloud and vine patterns, placed on the inner side of the door. The rich aroma emanated from there, as refreshing as the cool breeze of an autumn twilight. Slowly closing the door, he approached the bedchamber step by step, stood silently for a moment, took a deep breath, bent down, and reached out to lift the curtain. Upon seeing the person sitting inside, he couldn't help but gasp again. The pale silver moonlight filtered through the thin curtain, illuminating Liuli and casting a soft, jade-like glow. He vaguely saw her cascading black hair, flowing down to her sides, set against her magnificent twelve-layered kimono. Her crimson Tang-style outer robe was subtly embroidered with wisteria patterns, revealing a vibrant kerria japonica beneath. The robe's shimmering hem trembled slightly with her movements, making her exceptionally endearing. She slowly raised her head, her dark eyes sparkling like stars, filled with joy and shyness. A blush crept onto her face, as delicate and alluring as a cherry blossom in full bloom. For a moment, Qingji was captivated. The mischievous three-year-old girl he had just met was now finally going to be his life partner. Liuli also gazed tenderly at the man before her. Today, Qingji wore a gossamer-white robe and cool blue sashes. Over this, he wore a snow-white Tang-style robe, adorned with delicate pale purple butterfly flowers, adding to his elegance. She couldn't help but smile; it seemed she had never seen Qingji wear any other color besides white. Authorized release of good books on Q (, bookmark ebooks) Related works: Wedding Night (Part 2) (Qidian update time: 2006-3-24 7:22:00, Chapter word count: 3875) "Qingji, this color suits you very well." For some reason, when Qingji actually appeared in front of her, Liuli seemed less nervous. "You look beautiful today, Liuli." The coldness in Qingji's eyes had been replaced by gentleness, and deep in his eyes was undisguised joy. "Really?" "Yes, Liuli looks really beautiful in this outfit." Liuli's mood immediately improved, and her tense nerves relaxed. She tugged at her clothes and said helplessly, "I'm almost suffocating, these clothes are so heavy, I'm even a little out of breath when I talk." Qingji couldn't help but smile slightly. Suddenly, the surroundings became quiet. The two stared at each other, neither of them speaking, and an ambiguous atmosphere flowed in the room. Qingji's gaze grew increasingly gentle, a misty haze seemingly floating within his black, crystal-like eyes. Under his dreamlike gaze, Liuli's heart raced once more. "Clatter!" The cypress fan in Liuli's hand fell to the ground. She stared in astonishment as Qingji's hand gently grasped her wrist. "Qingji..." she murmured, unsure what to do. "Liuli..." Qingji pulled her close, embracing her tightly, his voice trembling with suppressed excitement. "The girl I've never forgotten since I was five, is now truly going to be my wife. This isn't a dream, is it, Liuli?" Liuli looked up at him. Perhaps it was the candlelight reflecting off his eyes, but a flickering fire seemed to dance deep within them. She nodded heavily, then laughed and said, "Yes, it's not a dream. Why don't you slap yourself and see if it hurts?" Qingji smiled and nodded, whispering, "I do need to prove it." With that, he lowered his head and gently captured Liuli's small lips. Liuli, slightly surprised, closed her eyes and responded to him. Qingji's soft tongue lingered gently between her lips and teeth, its fresh scent like a water lily, yet it made her dizzy and unable to think. She could feel her face burning hot—no, not just her face, her whole body was burning. "Are we...are we consummating our marriage?" she asked groggily as the warmth left her lips. Qingji couldn't help but chuckle. He stared intently into her eyes and said, word by word, "So, Liuli, are you willing to consummate our marriage?" As soon as he finished speaking, his own face flushed slightly. "I do!" Liuli nodded frantically without hesitation. "Liuli, do you—do you understand what the 'Duke of Zhou's Ritual' is?" Seeing her agree so readily and without any shyness, Qingji couldn't help but feel a little doubtful. "Well, anyway, Mother said every couple does it. Only after the 'Duke of Zhou's Ritual' are they truly husband and wife, and only after the 'Duke of Zhou's Ritual' can they have children." (Xiaoxue: Liuli, do you even understand?) "You—really understand?" Qingji suddenly felt a cold sweat break out on his back. "I understand, let's hurry up and do the 'Duke of Zhou's Ritual'..." Liuli urged. "Liuli..." Qingji smiled helplessly, gently laid her down, and kissed her tenderly again. The moment she felt his warmth, Liuli's head began to spin again. In a daze, she felt Qingji's hands seemingly unbuttoning her dress. Right, her mother seemed to have said that one had to take off their clothes for the 'Duke of Zhou's Ritual'. Besides, she didn't want to wear such heavy clothes anymore... I wonder what Qingji would look like without her clothes. After a long while, with no movement around her, Liuli opened her eyes in confusion. She saw Qingji still fumingly entangled in her outermost garment. Right, she'd been wearing this twelve-layered kimono for two hours today; taking it off... wow, it would take a long time! Seeing Qingji's incredibly frustrated expression, she couldn't help but chuckle. "Making love is so troublesome," Liuli pouted, and simply sat up. "I didn't expect the twelve-layered kimono to be so complicated." Qingji seemed a little discouraged, but still stubbornly continued her battle with the garment. "Let me do it myself." Liuli tried to untie the skirt tied around her waist, but after twisting and turning, she ended up twisting it again. Sigh, her mother used to help her take it off; now she really wanted her mother's help. "Ah, I'm exhausted! I don't want to make love anymore!" After struggling for a while, Liuli finally untied the willow-colored kimono. But there was still so much... "Oh, right, why don't you summon a shikigami for me to see? I'll enjoy it, and maybe I can solve the problem faster," Ruri suddenly said, her eyes sparkling with inspiration. "What? Now?" Kiyotsugu asked incredulously. "Yeah, yeah, didn't you say you could summon the Thirty-Six Birds last time? I want to see a rabbit!" Ruri suddenly exclaimed excitedly. "But..." "No buts, I really want to see it! Please, my dear Kiyotsugu, conjure it up for me, just once, just a rabbit, it's so cute." "But... tonight is our wedding night," Kiyotsugu whispered, only he could hear, and reluctantly pulled out a talisman. "Wow, Kiyotsugu really carries one with him everywhere." "Yeah. I'm used to it." "Great, quickly turn it into a rabbit!" "Just once." "Okay, just once!" A flash of green light appeared, and the talisman quickly transformed into a white rabbit. Liuli was both surprised and delighted, picking up the rabbit and hugging and kissing it, repeatedly saying, "So cute, so cute." Qingji glanced at Liuli, feeling even more depressed. Liuli seemed to have no intention of continuing to undress. It seemed this precious wedding night... Sigh... "You've seen the rabbit too, we..." "No, I want to see the cat!" "Liuli... okay." "Wow, so great, such a cute cat!" "Liuli..." "I want to see the dog too!" "Bird!" "Deer!" "Monkey!" "Crab!" "..." (Qingji: Waaah, I want to cry...) Two figures not far from their dormitory finally moved. "Why are these two making such a commotion?" Xiaoxue shook her head with a smile. "You can't blame them, young people are always a bit hot-blooded." Chengfan smiled understandingly. "I wonder what sweet nothings they were saying, I'm so curious." "Don't be curious, anyway, Ruri's wedding night was a happy one, you can rest assured now." "Yeah, I can finally rest assured." "Let's go get some rest, we have to do it all again tomorrow, there are still two days left." "Fanfan, I'm so looking forward to our future little Ruri." "Hehe." The two smiled at each other, embraced, and went back to their room, completely unaware that the groom was in the throes of passion. ... According to custom, the groom had to leave the Fujiwara residence in the early hours of the next day, and return again at 9 PM. Abe Kiyotsugu, tormented all night, glanced at the sleeping Ruri, feeling both amused and annoyed. Such a precious first night had been spent summoning shikigami! Thankfully, it was only the Thirty-Six Birds; thankfully, there were some animals she dared not take, otherwise, it probably would have continued tonight... Couldn't he escape his fate of being bullied by her? But... sleeping Liuli was truly adorable, making him want to take a bite. Qingji slowly lowered his head and kissed her cheek. Let her bully him then; hadn't he said he'd be willing to be bullied by her for a lifetime? Seeing Qingji leave the manor, Xiaoxue immediately ran to Liuli's room and shook her awake. "Liuli, yesterday... how was yesterday?" "Um... Mother..." Liuli was still in a light sleep, mumbling, "It was great! We played all night, and I just fell asleep. I'm so sleepy, let me sleep a little longer." "What, played all night?" Xiaoxue frowned. Although a night of passion is precious, one should cherish their body. There's a long future ahead. Why was Qingji's desire in that area so strong? Appearances can be deceiving. No wonder he had dark circles under his eyes earlier. Kids these days... really... "Are you feeling unwell anywhere? Is anything hurting?" Xiaoxue suddenly remembered something important. "No..." "Ah! Why are you still wearing so many clothes!" Xiaoxue then realized a serious problem. "It's so hard to take off my clothes..." "What? How can we have sex without taking off your clothes?" "No... we have sex..." "What!!!! What were you all doing yesterday!" Xiaoxue's lips twitched... "Playing..." Good heavens, after a few minutes of stunned silence, Xiaoxue turned and rushed out. "Fanfan! Fanfan!" Xiaoxue's frantic shouts echoed through the Fujiwara residence. That night at 9 PM, Kiyotsugu arrived at the Fujiwara residence on time and was led to the bedroom by a maid. As soon as he opened the sliding door, Kiyotsugu was immediately pleasantly surprised to find Ruri smiling at him while wearing only a cherry blossom-colored kimono. No twelve-layered kimono, that's great, Kiyotsugu breathed a long sigh of relief. "Kiyotsugu, I've been waiting for you," Ruri's words made Kiyotsugu's heart leap with joy, but the next words poured cold water on his head. "What kind of shikigami are you going to summon for me tonight?" "I didn't bring any talismans." Kiyotsugu started to feel depressed again. "Ah, what a pity." Ruri yawned, "Won't tonight be boring?" "Boring?" Kiyotsugu took a step to Ruri's side, staring into her eyes and said, "Ruri, don't you want to do something else with me? Like—the 'Duke of Zhou's Concubine'?" A mischievous smile flashed in Ruri's eyes, and she pretended to forget, saying, "What 'Duke of Zhou's Concubine'?" Kiyotsugu didn't miss the smile in her eyes, and immediately laughed as well, pinching her little nose and saying, "You always like to tease people like this." "Kiyotsugu, are you really not angry with me? I used to bully you like this." Ruri grasped the hand that was pinching her nose and asked softly. "Then, let me bully you just once." As soon as he finished speaking, Kiyotsugu picked her up and gently placed her on the bed. "What... are you teasing me?" Liuli's face suddenly flushed. Her mother had given her a thorough lesson on matters of the heart today, so she knew a little about sex. It turned out that the act of consummating their marriage was more... than she had imagined. But with Qingji... she was actually quite looking forward to it... Qingji smiled slightly, untying his hair tie, his long, smooth, black hair cascading down. He lowered his head, and his hair brushed against his handsome face, a strand landing on Liuli's neck, tickling her. Liuli couldn't help but giggle, reaching out to touch his hair. It felt so good, soft as satin. His usually cold eyes were now overflowing with warmth, so tender it was unbelievable. "Liuli, now it's really time to consummate our marriage," Qingji's smile deepened, and he casually lowered the bed curtains. The cool breeze of early autumn carried the refreshing fragrance of osmanthus blossoms into the room. Soft moonlight bathed the entire bedchamber. In the tranquil night, lovers, amidst the delicate floral scent, happiness was truly that simple... (Authorized release from Q. Bookmark eBooks at ) Epilogue (Qidian update time: 2006-3-26 4:01:00, Chapter word count: 3181) Spring arrived quickly. At the Abe residence in Tsuchimikado, upon entering, one could see lush clusters of flowers and plants: dragon's tooth grass, five-phoenix grass, and silver coin flowers, flourishing throughout the courtyard. Willow branches swayed gently by the lake, their long branches drooping to the ground; their fragrance was intoxicating and rich. Wisteria blossomed in succession, and kerria japonica was reflected in the water. Occasionally, a few water birds floated on the spring waves. It was cherry blossom season, and pink petals fluttered down like snowflakes, dancing in the wind. Some landed on the clear, green lake, while others settled on the neglected corridors. The fallen petals drifted down like rain. Even the air was filled with a faint, sweet fragrance. The newly appointed head of the Yin-Yang Bureau, Abe Kiyotsugu, was catching up on unfinished work from the Bureau of Onmyō. Half a year had passed since Ruri and Kiyotsugu were married. Since Abe Yasuyoshi resigned as head of the Bureau, this heavy responsibility had been handed over to the young Abe Kiyotsugu. Since the beginning of spring, Kiyotsugu had been busy with the Bureau's affairs. The cherry blossoms had just bloomed when Yasuyoshi went back to Yoshino with the Fujiwara couple to enjoy the blossoms, leaving Kiyotsugu and Ruri alone in Kyoto. At this moment, Ruri was watching Kiyotsugu working from a distance with a smile. He looked so handsome working; his serious expression made her want to kiss him. She wanted to take him to the garden to admire the flowers, but he seemed very busy. Even on his rare day off, he had so much official business to attend to. Oh well, she decided not to disturb him and wait until he finished. But his face was just so adorable; she couldn't tear herself away. Qingji stopped writing, seemingly troubled by something. He pondered for a moment, then suddenly stood up and walked towards Liuli. Oh no, he might have found out! He might be angry. Liuli tried to dodge, but he swept her up in his arms. "Qingji, what are you doing?" she cried, a sudden panic rising within her. Qingji didn't speak, but simply carried her back, sat down, gently placed her on his lap, and picked up his pen to continue working. Liuli looked at him, somewhat confused. She had thought Qingji would scold her, but he was so gentle. She smiled sweetly and wrapped her arms around his waist. The moment she touched his waist, she felt his body tighten. She looked up at him; his face remained expressionless. Although his face remained calm, Qingji's heart was in turmoil. From the moment he sensed her presence nearby, he became restless and unable to concentrate. He had initially thought that holding her might help, but now it seemed to have the opposite effect. Liuli's warm, petite body and her cherry-scented fragrance were gradually eroding his clarity, making it impossible for him to focus. "Thud." Qingji sighed helplessly and put down his pen. "What's wrong, Qingji?" Liuli asked, still puzzled. "Right now, I have something else to do." "What?" A smile flashed in Qingji's eyes. He leaned down and kissed her skillfully and quickly. Today's kiss seemed particularly passionate. He reluctantly released her when Liuli was almost out of breath. Before she could even react, Qingji picked her up and carried her towards the bedroom. "Ah, Kiyotsugu, aren't you working?" "I can do those tasks later." "But work is more important..." "Right now, there are more important things to do." "Kiyotsugu, you idiot..." "..." Ruri, who had been thoroughly loved by Kiyotsugu, finally understood one thing: never provoke Kiyotsugu while he was working. ------------------------------ "By the way, I'm going to the Rokuhara Mansion tomorrow." Kiyotsugu said softly as he dressed. "Rokuhara Mansion?" Ruri also grabbed a light purple robe and draped it over herself. "Yes, it's the agency the shogunate uses to control the capital. The new Rokuhara Tantai seems to have arrived yesterday." "The new Rokuhara Tantai? Who is he?" Kiyotsugu looked at her, a hint of something unfathomable flashing in his eyes, and slowly said, "I heard it's the shogunate's steward—Hojo Yasutoki." "What!" Ruri was immediately shocked. Yasutoki had come to the capital? What would he do then? Would he take the opportunity to retaliate, now that he held power, after all, she had knocked him unconscious. Seeing Liuli's constantly changing expression, Qingji couldn't help but smile slightly, reaching out to embrace her, saying, "Don't worry, you're my wife now, nothing bad will happen." "But, but I knocked him unconscious, what if he..." "Liuli, don't overthink it. Perhaps, Taishi isn't as scary as you imagine. Like your escape last time, didn't you think everything went too smoothly? And there weren't any pursuers, wasn't that a bit too unbelievable?" Qingji also harbored a trace of doubt. Liuli remained silent, recalling the scene before her escape that night, Taishi's unusual behavior, and how no one noticed her actions during the long time the door was open. Indeed, there were no pursuers after she escaped. If Taishi had sent someone after waking up, perhaps... But he didn't do that... Could it be...? No, by running away from him like this, he must already hate her... "Liuli, I will always be by your side to protect you." Qingji gazed deeply at her, embracing her even tighter. "Madam, someone just delivered a letter to you." A maid's voice suddenly sounded outside the door. "A letter? Where did it come from?" Ruri asked疑惑地. "Madam, it came from the Rokuhara Mansion." Rokuhara Mansion? Ruri's expression changed upon hearing this. Then there was only one person who wrote the letter—Hojo Yasutoki. "Put it at the door for now." "What should I do, Kiyotsugu? It must be Yasutoki. What will he write? It must be something to blame me, right?" Ruri's heart, which had been calm for a long time, began to flutter again. Kiyotsugu, however, remained calm and said, "Then let's take a look." Ruri opened the sliding door and immediately saw the letter. The light purple Korean paper was tied to a pale pink cherry blossom branch. She gently picked up the branch, took the letter, composed herself, and slowly opened it. A faint fragrance wafted out. The letter contained a waka poem, the ink sometimes thick and sometimes thin, showing that the writer was somewhat distracted when writing it. "If I harbor even the slightest resentment towards you, as beautiful as purple, how could I possibly still yearn for you, now a married woman?" - Taishi. Ruri, reading this waka poem, felt a jolt in her heart, speechless for a moment. Through the letter, she seemed to see Taishi's helplessness and struggle, and—painful love. "I'm sorry, Taishi," she thought, "someone has long resided in my heart, so I cannot, and should not, reciprocate his love." Now that she was a wife, even if he still harbored feelings, it was futile. What was the point of saying anything more? Taishi himself understood this. However, the only thing that brought her relief was—he didn't hate her. Was this what he wanted to tell her in this letter? He would never hate her. "Are you planning to go back?" Qingji's tone remained calm. She smiled, then gazed thoughtfully ahead, saying, "No need to go back. I already understand what he means." "Qingji, come here!" Liuli suddenly stood up, took Qingji's hand, and walked towards the courtyard. Cherry blossoms danced in the air, the warm spring breeze carrying layers of petals that kept brushing against their faces, clothes, and sleeves. Before she knew it, the petals had dazzled her eyes. "Don't move." Qingji gently brushed the petals from her eyelids, his warm fingers gliding across her cheek. "Qingji, the cherry blossoms are so beautiful this year." "Yes, they really are." "What?" "It's so nice to see the cherry blossoms with Liuli." "Qingji..." Liuli looked at the person beside her, a wave of emotion washing over her. A tender feeling welled up from the bottom of her heart. She gripped his hand tightly, and his hand held hers just as tightly, their fingers intertwined, inseparable. It was so nice to see the cherry blossoms with Qingji. This was what she wanted—happiness. A happiness tinged with the faint scent of cherry blossoms... She smiled slightly, looked up at the pink petals fluttering in the air like rain, and gently closed her eyes... This year's cherry blossoms—they're blooming so beautifully.