Chapter 28 Ning Zi's heart

"The Hall of Seven Songs!" When Asano Mataemon Nagakatsu came home, he called out to his wife. Qiqu Hall rushed out to meet him. "I'm home!" "Prepare some food and drink." Asano Mataemon Nagakatsu said. "There are guests coming." "Really, you are really welcome! Which guest is it?" "My daughter's friend..." "Ok……" Qiqudian looked at Fujikichiro who came in behind: "Is it Kinoshita-kun?" "The Hall of Seven Songs..." "Hey?" "As the wife of the samurai family, you are really embarrassing. You have kept it from me until now. Kinoshita-kun and his daughter have known each other for a long time, and have had a relationship. You clearly know it, why did you keep it from me!"

"It made you angry, it's my fault." "It's not a question of whether it's good or not, what our parents did really..." "Ningzi told me everything they wrote." "Of course she told you." "Ning Zi is so smart. Mother, I believe she can't be wrong. It's normal for her to receive some letters from men in the world. I don't think it's necessary to let your mother-in-law know." "That's true, but don't always think about praising your daughter. I really don't understand, the current daughter, the young people in the world..."

Saying that, Asano Mataemon Nagakatsu looked back at Tokichiro who was still standing at the door, "Hahahaha!" he laughed. Fujikichiro just scratched his head.He was still a little uneasy. He felt a sense of trepidation when he was invited to the house by the father of the person he liked. "Come on! Come in." Mataemon greeted him from the front to enter the living room. The so-called living room is only ten tatami mats, which is the best room in this house. The house in the longhouse dedicated to archers was similar to the room he saw today, small and simple. Although life in the Oda clan from the old post to Ashgaru is almost simple, it is very rare that there is almost nothing decent in the living room like the Mataemon family except for weapons.

"Where did Ningzi go? Why can't I see Ningzi?" "She's in her room." Maetemon's wife said while pouring water for the guests. "Why don't you come to say hello to the guests, are you avoiding me?" "Why, she is combing her hair and changing her clothes." "It's almost enough, hurry up and let her help prepare the wine and dishes, and let Mr. Fujikichiro taste her craftsmanship." "Ah, don't be too busy..." Fujikichiro was still very embarrassed. This important minister who works in the city, it seems that the tough and cheeky man here is just a good young man who is very shy.

Ning Zi finally came out after a simple dressing. "There's nothing good to entertain, I'll go and prepare. Father likes to chat with people very much, so you guys chat first." After finishing speaking, Ning Zi turned around and walked towards the kitchen, and came back in a short time with food and wine jug. "Yes Yes……" Tokichiro absent-mindedly responded to Mataemon's conversation, as long as Ningko appeared, his eyes would be entirely on Ningko. ...Even if it's a side view. Fujikichiro likes Ningzi's natural innocence, and she doesn't have the contrived obsequiousness of vulgar fans at all.

Does it lack some femininity? No, her body carries the leisurely fragrance of wild flowers under the hazy moonlit night, which is very charming. Sensitive Fujikichiro's eyesight and sense of smell were completely attracted to him. "Well, how about another drink?" "it is good." "I heard you like drinking." "Please!" "What's the matter, haven't you never been drunk?" "I drank a lot without realizing it..." Fujikichiro still looked affectionately at Ningzi who put the lacquer painting in front of him and sat beside the flickering fire, as if he wanted to see through Ningzi.

Seeing Ningzi's eyes also looking towards this side, Fujikichiro blushed quickly to avoid Ningzi's gaze, and then replied in a daze, "Ah, I've drank a lot tonight." He thought that he was not as good as Ning Zi, a girl, and he looked unnaturally petty, and his face burned even more. Sooner or later, I will have a family. If I want to marry a wife, I should marry such a beautiful woman, Fujikichiro thought to himself. Such a woman will definitely be a good wife who can share weal and woe with you, survive poverty and hardship, and give birth to a lovely baby. Now Fujikichiro is more worried about the difficulties and poverty after having a family.I always feel that there will be mountain-like difficulties waiting for me who can't focus on money in the future.

If he gets married in the future, the first thing he considers is the woman's virtue and appearance.She doesn't need to have any profound knowledge, but she cares more about herself than her loving mother as a common people. Also, be able to encourage your husband both internally and externally. In addition, it is to be able to share joys and sorrows with oneself. "If Ningzi..." Fujikichiro kept thinking in his heart. The idea of ​​marrying Ning Zi was not unique to tonight. He noticed Ning Zi and tried to give gifts quietly before there was a comment about "Asano's daughter is so nice" in the world, but tonight he was more serious. I have strengthened my mind.

"Ning Zi." "Ugh!" "Kinoshita-sama and I have something to talk about, so please avoid it for now." Mataemon said. Immersed in all kinds of fantasies, Tokichiro, who had almost lost consciousness of the sound, inadvertently sensed this sentence, and suddenly his face became hot again. Mataemon changed to a more formal tone and said, "... Kinoshita." "yes." "I want to talk to you honestly." "yes." "I see that you are a refreshing person who wants to talk to you about this." "Just say it!"

Seeing Ningzi's father showing intimacy with him, Fujikichiro was very happy.Regardless of whether what Masamori was about to say was in line with his own wishes, he quickly sat down again to show his sincerity to listen attentively. "Actually, it's nothing. My daughter has reached the right age." "...Indeed, indeed." His throat was dry and tangled, as if he wanted to intercept his voice. In this case, it was okay to nod silently, but Fujikichiro always felt that the situation would be bad if he didn't respond well. "One after another, people from all over the world began to come to propose marriage. As parents, we really want our daughter to have a good marriage, but we are very confused about the choice."

"This, even though it's like this..." "But……" "Yes Yes……" "Sometimes what parents value is not necessarily what their children want." "Yes. Marriage often determines the happiness of a woman's life." "A little surname who is often by the lord's side - Maeda Inuchiyo, do you know this person?" "Huh?... Inuchiyo?" Fujikichiro looked surprised, he didn't expect Maetemon to mention this person suddenly. "Yes, that Maeda Inuchiyo has a good family background, and he has asked people to propose marriage several times recently." "what……" Rather than saying it was an answer, it was more like a sigh. Suddenly, there was a feeling of a strong enemy appearing, and Inuchiyo's tall figure suddenly pressed on Tokichiro's heart.In addition, his handsome features, clear speech, and the gentle demeanor cultivated in the boy boy group all made Tokichiro feel threatened.I am always called a monkey, a monkey, very helpless, but I have to admit that I really don't have much confidence in my appearance.What he hates the most now is the word "beautiful man", and Maeda Inuchiyo is a beautiful man. "Do you agree?" Fujikichiro couldn't help but blurted out and asked, feeling a little uncomfortable after asking. "Not yet, this..." Mataemon shook his head, straightened his back, and put the glass of cold water to his mouth. "From the perspective of being a parent, the gentle and steady Inuchiyo is indeed a good son-in-law candidate. I am very happy. I originally wanted to settle this marriage, but recently my daughter always goes against our wishes." "Oh! That means Ning Zi disagrees with this marriage?" "She didn't say she disagreed in front of her parents, but she didn't say anything about agreeing either. It seems that she didn't want to." "Oh. That's it, that's it." "The embarrassing thing is, how should I reply?" This is also related to the face as a samurai. Mataemon's eyebrows were full of embarrassment. Maeda Inuchiyo was originally very optimistic about Maeda Inuchiyo, thinking that he was a promising young man, and Inuchiyo could propose "Let Ningko be my wife", Maetemon was undoubtedly very happy. When he took this incident as great good news to Ning Zi, "How about it, such a son-in-law is really rare!" Ning Zi was not as happy as he imagined, but sad.He knew immediately that his daughter, in his lineage, did not think the same way he did when it came to choosing a life partner. How to deal with this matter?Mataemon was at a loss for ideas.If not, as a father, as a samurai, Mataemon will not be able to face Inuchiyo. Inuchiyo has already told others: "Recently, I will marry Mr. Asano's daughter, Ningzi." Word of mouth, many people should know.The agreed deadline is approaching, what should I do. It has been delayed for a while with excuses such as "Sorry, my daughter's mother is not in good health recently", "Women say that this year is not good", and now such excuses are not good, it is really difficult, and You Wei The door expresses its difficulties. "...What should I do, everyone says you are a genius, what do you think?" Maetemon put down the empty cup. Drunk but not drunk, Fujikichiro had been immersed in fantasy, but he couldn't help feeling sad after hearing Mataemon's troubles. "It's all bad for the other party!" Fujikichiro thought.It's not that the other party is a villain, but if this person is Maeda Inuchiyo, things will not be so simple. Inu Chiyo is a handsome boy that Fujikichiro hates, but he is not a handsome boy either.Much of his beauty also comes from the fortitude and indescribable unyielding and boldness created by the special environment of the Warring States Period. When he was fourteen years old, he followed Nobunaga and was promoted to be the chief servant. Just some time ago, in the rebellion set off by Nobunaga's younger brother Nobuyuki's subjects, Inuchiyo, as a member of Nobunaga's vanguard, performed very bravely.A man named Kanbei in the palace shot Inuchiyo in the right eye with an arrow, and Inuchiyo jumped off his horse and cut off Kanbei's head to offer to Nobunaga without even pulling it out. In short, he was a brave and handsome man.Now his right eye is like a needle-shaped slender line on his fair and straight face, even Nobunaga thinks he is a somewhat troublesome pageboy. "Ah, that Inuchiyo..." Fujikichiro was worried about Youemon's worries, but he didn't have any good ideas. "This really bothers you. Fujikichiro has already understood this matter, and I will think about it carefully and help you solve it." At last he said this, returning to the city at night.This trip to the home of his sweetheart left him with only half of Maemon's troubles on his back. However, if you think about it carefully, the father of the woman he likes can open up his heart and tell him his troubles, even if it will make him bear a burden, it should be an honorable burden. Fujikichiro really likes Ningzi very much, so the trust from Ningzi's father makes him happy anyway. "Is this love?" Looking back on his recent state of mind, Fujikichiro was quite emotional, but at the same time he suddenly felt disgusted with the word "love" that he thought of.He didn't like the word "love" that people often say. Because he has given up on the so-called "love" since he was young. Circumstances, appearance, demeanor, all these innate things he possessed in this world made him suffer from the contempt and ridicule of beautiful women. When he was young, he also had feelings of compassion for flowers and moons. Such endurance in sentimentality is beyond the imagination of frivolous beauties and nobles. Even so, since you are a human being, you have to accept ridicule, and there is no reason to give up yourself because of this. "One day," Fujikichiro thought, "sooner or later, sooner or later!" Fujikichiro swore secretly in his heart. He wants people to see how beauties in the world flatter ugly men, which is also the motivation for him to always motivate himself to move forward. This kind of mood has unconsciously cultivated his views on women and love.It is precisely because of this that the word "love" is not to his liking. He looks down on those men who worship the beauty of women. He regards love as the first priority of life, lives in a rose-colored world, and plays in sweet tears. The men also felt nauseated. "...But, if it's Ning Zi, it's a different matter. I can fall in love..." Likes and dislikes are all in people's minds.Fujikichiro is no exception here, so he compromised.Before falling asleep, he still drew the outline of Ningzi in his mind. The next day, he was off duty and had no work assignments in the city.He should tidy up Kirita's mansion that he saw yesterday, and prepare some furniture items, but he just wandered around the city, looking for opportunities to meet Inuchiyo. Inu Chiyo often stood by Nobunaga's side politely and did not speak to Fujikichiro much.He looked at Nobunaga's servants from the side of Nobunaga even worse than Nobunaga. Sometimes when Fujikichiro waited to make a speech in front of Nobunaga, he could see that Inuchiyo, who was listening to him, would have a special smile on his lips, as if saying: "This monkey..." At the same time, those eyes seemed to have seen through people.Fujikichiro was very unhappy because of this, and hardly had any contact with him. "Fujikichiro, aren't you on duty today?" Fujikichiro was talking to Fanshi from the middle gate, when someone greeted him and walked over. Looking back, it was Inuchiyo who just heard that he was going to do some business today and was not in the city. "Ah!...Long time no see!" Fujikichiro hurried to catch up. "Inuchiyo-kun, there is something I want to talk to you sincerely." Inuchiyo, who was much taller than Tokichiro, looked down at Tokichiro with his usual eyes. "Business or private?" "When it comes to speaking sincerely, it is naturally a private matter." "If that's the case, I can't do it now. I'm here at the command of my lord. If it's a private matter, let's talk about it later." How indifferent! I saw Inu Chiyo continuing to walk his way neatly. "What a nasty fellow, but he's surprisingly good too." Fujikichiro stared blankly at his back, and after a while, he finally turned his head and strode away. Fujikichiro went to the city. When he came to Tongtian's new house, he saw someone washing the door and someone carrying luggage inside. "Oh, did you go to the wrong door?" Fujikichiro looked around quickly, only to hear a male voice calling him from the direction of the kitchen. "Hey, Toyoshiro!" "Oh, it's you!" "Yes, it's me. Where have you been? Someone else needs to help you clean up your new house and take care of the housework." Those who came to help were colleagues in charge of warehouses and kitchens that Fujikichiro knew when he was working as a charcoal firewood manager. "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" As if talking about someone else's house, Tokichiro entered the room while talking. Drinks are served. New wardrobes and tea set racks have also been placed in the home. These were specially brought to congratulate him by those who admired him and were grateful to him after hearing about his promotion. After these friends brought their congratulations, seeing that the unhurried host was not there, and that the new house had not been tidied up yet, they hurriedly cleaned it, arranged the furniture, and cleaned the door. "Yeah, thank you so much, thank you!" Fujikichiro scratched his head, and quickly reached out to do what he could together. The so-called things within one's power are just to fill the wine jug and serve meals. Since then, the merchants who have received Fujikichiro's kindness have prepared delicacies and bought many daily necessities, which have helped a lot. I saw a fat woman in the kitchen doing some kitchen work. "That maidservant was brought from our village, and she may not be doing well. You should give it a try first." The merchants said to him. Fujikichiro took advantage of the situation and replied: "I want an old man who can be a butler or a housekeeper. If there is a suitable one, please introduce me." In this way, while talking, everyone sat around together, and the new house feast finally started after the arrival of the host. "Fortunately, I came here today to take a look. If everyone who came to help couldn't even see the owner..." Fujikichiro felt a little sorry, although he didn't feel that he was too unhurried, but somewhat. Drink whatever you want.So is drinking.On weekdays, I would like to follow the etiquette and throw away all veils when drinking freely. This is not just the customs of the indigenous warriors in the villages here, but also the court samurai of Gongqing and Muromachi.This was the style of the wine market at that time. Everyone showed off their hidden skills, dancing ape music and dancing, and tapping utensils with chopsticks. It was very lively. The wives and daughters of the same job who live nearby also heard the sound and came to congratulate. "Hey, Kinoshita-kun, the owner of this house!" "What's wrong?" "It's nothing. You should also go to the neighbors around to say hello." "not return……" "What, don't you go? How can you just wait for others to come here singing and dancing. Come on, put on your coat and go to visit. I will move you here and tell everyone about working in the stables." After four or five days, a man from the same village as the maid came to serve as the middle priest, and he also summoned a young warrior to accompany him. In this way, at least there is a small mansion, and there is a Fenggong. Although the salary is not much, Fujikichiro can be regarded as the head of the household. When leaving, the maids and young attendants will go out to see them off. "Go slowly!" Fujikichiro also bought a handsome shawl with cyan cotton thread and paulownia pattern in a second-hand clothes store, and brought a big knife, so it always feels good to go out and walk around like this. In addition, Ningzi's affairs can't be dragged on forever. This morning, Fujikichiro came to the moat outside Qingzhou City while thinking about Ningzi's affairs. There was someone walking towards Fujikichiro with a smile on his face. Tokichiro just looked at the moat and walked his own way, and didn't notice.Apart from Ning Zi's matter, he inadvertently thought of the siege and defense of the city during the war by the river. "The so-called moat is just a name. The river is so shallow that you can see the bottom if it doesn't rain for ten days. If it's time for war, you only need to fill it with a thousand bags of soil and grass to cross the river. Drinking water is also relatively scarce. Water conservancy is the weak point of this city. This is a city that is easy to attack but difficult to defend..." Fujikichiro muttered to himself.At this time, the tall man who had already walked to the side patted Fujikichiro on the shoulder, "Monkey-kun, are you going out now?" "……ah!" When Fujikichiro looked at the other party, the matter he wanted to solve suddenly became clear. "Exactly," he said.That's a really heartfelt statement. Because this person is Maeda Inu Chiyo.Since I went to Ning Zi's house, I haven't had a chance to have a good talk with him. It's great to meet him just outside the city. When Fujikichiro was about to talk about Ningzi, Inuchiyo said first: "Monkey-sama, you said you had something to tell me in the city that time. I don't have official duties today. What you want to tell me is What's the matter?" "Ah, that's right." Fujikichiro looked around, found a stone by the moat, and brushed off the dust on it. "It's not good to stand all the time, please sit down." "What's the matter?" "It's about Ning Zi." "Ningzi's?" "yes." "What's your relationship with Ning Zi?" "We have an agreement on some things." "...?" Inuchiyo stared at Fujikichiro's face, trying to tell from it whether he was serious or joking.As a result, he couldn't help laughing at Fujikichirou's overly serious expression. "Oh, is that right, I have an agreement with Ningzi...hahahaha, it's really great!" Inu Chiyo didn't take him seriously. As a rival in love, Inu Chiyo felt that Fujikichiro was not his opponent at all.It's not arrogant, no matter how you compare it, I don't think any woman can abandon the agreement she made with the monkey.Of course, I don't know about the daughters of the villains in the town, the daughters of the Ashgaru, but the archer Asano Mataemon Nagakatsu family is a typical samurai family, and the daughters are relatively well-bred. "so what?" Inu Chiyo not only didn't pay much attention to his words, but felt that there was a lovely childish look in his words, and urged him to continue. Fujikichiro tried his best to tell the other party with his expression that this is a major event related to his life, and continued bluntly: "Inuchiyo-kun." "What's wrong?" "Do you like Ningzi?" "Ningzi?" "Asano Mataemon Nagakatsu-sama's daughter." "Ah, that girl." "Like it?" "If I like it, what do you want to say?" "I want to remind you. I heard that you asked someone to propose marriage to her father without knowing it." "Can't you?" "Can not be done." "why?" "Ningzi and I have been in love for a long time." "...?" Inuchiyo stared at him intently as if trying to stare at Fujikichiro's face, suddenly shrugged his shoulders and smiled. Although the other party didn't take himself seriously at all, Fujikichiro said seriously: "No, this is not a ridiculous thing. No matter what happens to Ning Zi, she will never betray me and be good with other men." "Hahahaha! Really?" "Because we will stick to our agreement." "If that's the case, that's fine!" "However, there is one person who will be in a dilemma. Ningzi's father, Mr. Aemon. If you don't cancel the engagement, Mr. Aemon will be in a dilemma and have to cut seppuku." "Seppuku?" "Because Mataemon-sama is totally ignorant of the matter between me and Ningzi, that's why I temporarily agreed to this marriage when you proposed marriage. As I just said, Ningzi will never become your wife." "Then whose wife will she be?" Hearing the other party's questioning, Fujikichiro pointed to himself, "It's just like I said, me." Inuchiyo laughed again, but not as much as before. "There is a limit to joking, monkey, have you ever looked in the mirror?" "You mean I'm lying?" "How could Ningzi make a lifelong decision with you!" "If it is true, what do you plan to do?" "If it's true, I congratulate you!" "Ning Zi married me, you have no objection?" "monkey." "Ok?" "Be careful of being laughed at!" "It doesn't matter if you are laughed at, two people who really miss each other will not be affected." "Are you serious?" "right!" "Even if a woman hates the man who is courting her, she will react like a willow tree swaying in the wind. In the future, don't think that you were so stupid at that time, or regret that you were cheated." "Anyway, if Ningko and I get married, you won't resent Maemon-sama, right? I just don't know what you think now?" "Whatever. A few days ago you said you wanted to talk to me about something, so that's it?" "Ah, it's good to hear that from you, don't you forget what you just promised." Fujikichiro saluted Inuchiyo, and when he raised his head again, Inuchiyo was no longer in front of him. in a few days. Fujikichiro visits Mataemon at the archer's longhouse. "What happened a few days ago," he said in a very formal tone, "afterwards I met with Inuchiyo-kun and told him about my difficulties. Inuchiyo said that if your daughter does not want to marry him, you can marry me again. With a lifelong contract, he has no choice but to give up." Although Mataemon looked a bit puzzled, Fujikichiro still said to himself: "Inuchiyo-kun also said that although he also likes Ningko very much, he can't accept the fact that Ningko is married to other men, but if I say it, then There is no other way. If Ningzi and I have made a lifelong agreement before and planned to start a family, he can only give up regretfully, and send blessings generously, and will never accept that Maemon-sama chooses another man." "Ah? Kinoshita-kun, wait! According to you, Inuchiyo-kun means that it's okay to marry Ningko to you, but not to marry another man besides you?" "yes." "What's going on? Who said that Ningzi would be entrusted to you?" "It's really embarrassing!" "What the hell are you talking about. I, Maemon, don't remember asking you to tell Inuchiyo about this." "yes." "Then why are you talking nonsense with Inuchiyo? It's really unreasonable to say that you have a lifelong contract with Ningzi. What kind of joke are you talking about?" The kind-hearted Maetemon couldn't help getting angry, "Because I said this from you, people who heard it thought it was a joke, and you will bring trouble to my daughter who is about to marry. Do you think it's fun to mess around with such embarrassingly tangled things?" "Where..." Fujikichiro lowered his head, "I also feel that it is my fault that things are now like this, and I am very sad..." "Don't say it's useless!" Andemon was very upset, "You don't need to be sad. I don't want to see if I'm a reliable person, so I open my mind casually. It's my fault." "...Actually, I'm really sorry." "Okay, let's go back and say more here, and you will never be allowed to step into my house again in the future!" "Well, I will definitely proceed with caution before making our engagement public." "Bastard, bastard!" Maetemon completely tore off his gentle face and roared angrily. "When did someone say they wanted to marry Ningzi to you?! Even if I said to marry you, Ningzi would not agree." "This, it's like this." "What is this?" "There is nothing more wonderful than love. Ningzi has already regarded me as the best candidate for a husband. Although this is impolite, you Weimon-sama, did you mistakenly think that you are going to get married? What I want to marry is Ningzi, it's not you!" "How could there be such a person?" Mataemon lost his voice in astonishment. "It's time to go. No matter how brazen a man is, seeing my ugly face..." Maetemon became more silent and did not give him a good face.But Fujikichiro didn't look like he wanted to go back at all, and he still sat there steadily. Not only that, but he continued: "Tokyoshiro is absolutely not lying. I hope you will ask Ningko what he means." Andemon couldn't bear it any longer, he shouted back loudly, "Schiqukuden, Qiquden!" Qiqudian became so excited to see her husband who seldom spoke loudly, and had been wandering around the fan for a while. Seeing his wife open the door, Mataemon said angrily, "Call Ningko... tell her to come here!" "OK." Although Qiqudian said so, he just stood at the door and looked at her husband worriedly. "Why not?" "But……" Chikakuden was about to appease Maetemon, but Maetemon called out directly, "Ningko, Ningko!" Ning Zi didn't know what happened, so she ran to hide behind her mother in a panic. "Come in!" Mataemon sternly shouted: "You and this Kinoshita-kun didn't make any promises that your parents wouldn't approve of, did you?" "..." This incident was too sudden for Ning Zi, she stood there in a daze, looking at her father's expression with her round eyes, and at Fujikichiro who lowered his head. "What's going on, Ning Zi? This is a major matter related to the reputation of the family, and it is also related to your innocence. Let me be clear. It can't really happen, right?" "..." Ning Zi was silent for a moment, then said respectfully and decisively: "...No." "Well. Not really." As if to say "Look", Mataemon puffed out his chest as if he was finally relieved. "...but, father." "what?" "It just so happens that my mother is here, so I have something to say." "Well, let's talk." "Ningzi, I would like to ask you one thing. If Kinoshita-kun does not dislike an unruly girl like me and is willing to marry you as his wife, please hand me over to Kinoshita-kun!" "What, what?" Maetemon couldn't control his tongue. "I said, Ningzi!" "yes." "Are you serious?" "This is a major event related to a woman's life, and I will not be rash. Speaking from my own mouth shamed my father and mother, but because my major event is also a major event to my parents, I dare not hide it. out." "Hmm..." Maemon responded with a groan, and looked at his daughter. "It's amazing." Fujikichiro admired Ningzi's beautiful way of speaking from the bottom of his heart.The whole person was also invaded by endless joy.But why did this indifferent and simple daughter of the Wu family fall in love with her?Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a little strange.