Chapter 11 Section VI

The child opened his eyes wide, staring straight at Ah Hui's instep wrapped in snow-white gauze, counting to ten for a long time, apparently fascinated by it. However, that face, which was so engrossed, was so beautiful that it was fascinating.Ah Hui had never seen such a delicate face since she was born, it was really extraordinary. If there are only so many "beauties" in the world, it is obvious that this child has received too much.Exclusively too much to use up, so that it is full.The kid doesn't need to be so beautiful because he's a boy. Yes, and he is not a child, but he is not yet heroic, and now he is at the most suitable age to be called a "boy" in his life.

He was dressed in a cool and clean business boy's attire.A starched, striped kimono with short sleeves and a high belt.It also makes him look like a doll, presumably the mother's preference.Like lips with rouge, it has the lip shape that every woman desires to have.The lanugo on his cheeks shone brightly in the sun. "You said...you are the young master of the Kawaiya family in Saga Town?" Hearing the drunken Ah Hui muttering this question, the boy replied with a smile on his face: "Yes, my name is Yumonosuke, and Heishiro Itsutsu is my uncle. I'm really sorry to interrupt you suddenly."

His smile is radiant. "I know that brother Saji must not be here at this time of day, but I still want to mourn Kankuro as soon as possible, so I took the liberty to come here." Gong Zhisuke put his hands upright on the tatami, bowed and saluted.Since just now, how many times is this?What a polite boy. "Where, that guy in my family... also needs to inform Mr. Izutsu and the young master of Kawaiya about Kankuro." "Yes. Thanks to the notice, Uncle also asked me to pay respects on his behalf, because there were many places that were too laborious for Guan Jiulang in the past."

In the past, when Sakichi often talked about the days in Tieping Zayuan, the names of Heishiro Izutsu and Yukinosuke were often mentioned on his lips, followed by the strong aunt Ade from the stewed vegetable shop.However, Sakichi didn't tell her that Gongnosuke is such a beautiful boy. Can this child really succeed Uncle Izutsu to become a public servant of the magistrate?Ah Hui thought it would be a blessing for the world to let him become a famous actress in the Saruwakacho area. "Then, please allow me to pay my respects first." Saying that, Gongnosuke walked to the backyard, facing Kankuro's tomb, folded his hands sincerely, and prayed silently for a long time.Ah Hui hurriedly took advantage of this time to arrange refreshments.When it comes to refreshments, poor people like them don't have them all the time, so she uses the refreshments brought by Gongnosuke.The child obviously did not bring anyone to visit alone, but he was very thoughtful in preparation.Or, is this what Mr. Izutsu's wife asked him to bring?In any case, it was touching to be so thoughtful.

When Gongnosuke returned to the house, Ah Hui invited him to drink tea, and the polite child saluted again before picking up the teacup with both hands.Then, his eyes turned to the gauze on Ah Hui's feet. "Is that... a burn?" "Huh? Yes, it's a shame to have rough hands and feet." Gong Zhisuke smiled: "Kicking down the oven is a common thing." Ah Hui broke out in a cold sweat.How does this kid know?This morning, she guessed that Zuoji would come home after leaving the house, and the first thing he did when he came in was to tidy up the house.The traces of the quarrel should be cleaned up, right?

As a result, she spent the night at Master Banjiro's house yesterday.When passing by the door of the master's house, the master's wife, A Tiao, stopped her.The teacher's wife wore a thick padded jacket outside her pajamas, shrinking her neck in fear of the cold.It seemed that they heard Ah Hui's yelling and their quarrel. This really made Ah Hui feel feverish, and also felt ashamed of worrying about her sick wife.Although Ah Tau looked bad and was thin, she laughed unexpectedly loudly, and called her in, telling her not to be too polite, and to stay at night. "It's nothing to be ashamed of couples quarreling. Like me, I once beat our master with a door stick!"

And Ah Tiao didn't ask any more questions, and this morning she just said softly that if she wanted to go back to her mother's house, she had to tell her before leaving. "Sometimes it's good to frighten unreasonable husbands." In this way, Ah Hui felt even more embarrassed to leave home.Zuoji is definitely not an unreasonable person, and Ah Hui just left without reason. "Sister Ah Hui was born in Prince Seven Waterfalls, right?" Gongnosuke asked.The child's voice is also nice, crisp and loud. "Ah, yes, my natal family runs a tea shop." "My mother also went to the famous Fudo Waterfall to pray for a speedy recovery, because she had a chest disease. After being washed by the efficacious waterfall, she is now cured."

Just listening to him, it's like talking to an older man who knows a lot, but— "Oh, that's it." "I also visited the Prince Inari Shrine. I went to the kite market on the first afternoon of February. I clamored for a tatami-sized kite, and my father scolded me." That's just being a kid. "It is rumored that since ancient times, groups of fox spirits from Yashu have come to visit the Inari Shrine, is that true? Sister Ahui, have you seen fox fire?" Gong Zhisuke asked the question, and without waiting for Ah Hui to answer, he went on to say: "Since there is a place where fox fairies gather, then the world is so big, maybe there is also a place where crows gather. Kankuro will go there too. Speaking of this , What kind of god's messenger is the crow? Is it the Hachiman god? No, it's a pigeon."

He muttered in his mouth that he would ask Mr. Sasaki next time, looking very happy. "Then, sister Ah Hui, are you going back to your mother's house to treat your burns? Be careful on the way." Ah Hui was in a panic now.How does this child know that I plan to return to my mother's house? "Brother Saki is also worried." "Ah, um." "Without Guan Jiulang, he must be very lonely. Why don't we go back to the prince to pay homage together? This is what my uncle said. My uncle also said: I also want to go out for a while. I usually stay in Shenchuan, my office. If you don’t change places for a walk now and then, you’ll get tired of it.”

Heishiro Izutsu has an easy-going personality, unlike ordinary officials, he is not the kind of serious person who is hard to get close to.Zoji also mentioned this. "Ah, but now that the two of you are going out, Kankuro will be alone." Gong Zhisuke looked at the small grave in the backyard, and changed his tone. "So sister Ah Hui went back alone..." Ah Hui couldn't take it anymore, so she interjected, "Young master." Yukinosuke laughed. "Just call me Yumonosuke." "Then, Yumonosuke, how do you know about me..." As if trying to dodge Hui's question skillfully, Kuminosuke stood up and walked down the backyard.Ah Hui also straightened up and knelt up.

"Anyone who lives will die one day." Gong Zhisuke whispered with his back to Ah Hui. That's right.Ah Hui also comforted Taiyi and the others in this way. "But I'm very useless. Thinking of dying one day in the future, I'm so scared, I don't dare to raise anything." Even though there was some distance, Yumonosuke's voice was still very clear.Ah Hui just knelt and stood, looking at his slender back. "So, for me, Kankuro's death is the first time I say goodbye to a life that was once alive. Even though I didn't raise it myself, it's still very sad." Brother Saki must be very sad, Yumonosuke continued. "Before marrying Ahui, Kankuro was the only relative of Brother Saji." Ah Hui remained silent and sat down. "My uncle often said that people's desires are endless." Gong Zhisuke said. "I hate parting from life and death and not raising animals is also a kind of 'desire'." "want……?" "Yes. The thing you love, no matter what the reason, will leave one day. If you can't bear it, it is a kind of 'desire'. Even so, it is because of desire that you can be a human being. It doesn't matter if you have this desire. So It's not smart to choose not to get close to animals like me to avoid parting..." Yukinosuke turned his head to look up at the sky. "Uncle also told me that I was deeply afraid that one day I would lose it. It is stupid to live in fear from the very beginning. It is not fear of parting, but just being played by the desire of 'not wanting to give up what you have'." Ah Hui felt a chill on the back of her neck.Isn't this exactly what Ah Hui is feeling at the moment? Zuoji's heart is no longer on Ah Hui—maybe not, maybe not.Ah Hui was terrified... But, why did this child come to visit at this moment and say these words?How could he come up with such words?It was like seeing through Ah Hui's heart. Or is it all Heishiro Izutsu's instructions?Zuoji asked him to discuss it, but it was too fussy to do it himself, so he sent his nephew to pass the message? "Izutsu-sama is truly an amazing tolerance." Hearing Ah Hui's words, Yukinosuke turned his head and showed a smile like a spring flower blooming again. "Where is it, my uncle is a man who can only pluck nose hair." Oh, I accidentally disturbed you for so long.Kuminosuke apologized. "It's time for me to leave, please give my regards to brother Saji." "Okay, of course." Kuminosuke walked in with the figure of an actor, put on his shoes and walked out the door in a blink of an eye. "Come to play next time." "Okay! Next time I will disturb you with Uncle." "Uh, uh, please come together." "I'll bring the puppy too. I'll definitely teach it to be smart, just like Kankuro." Before leaving, Yukinosuke bounced in surprise, and turned his head with his eyes wide open. "Yes yes yes, I almost forgot something important. Uncle has something to tell Sister Ahui." "Want to tell me?" "Yes." Gong Zhisuke looked overjoyed, with a smile on the corner of his mouth, and recited like a poem: "'Zoji was punished by Ade, Kume and other aunts and aunts in Tieping Zayuan. It's another feeling to be punished by your wife. Just scold him well!'" Ah Hui couldn't help covering her mouth with her hands. "My uncle said it. I don't know what it means, but I did bring it with me." Ah Hui froze on the spot until Gong Zhisuke disappeared.After a long time, he breathed a sigh of relief and laughed. That day, before it was completely dark outside, Sakichi came back with a flushed face.It was not the reflection of the setting sun, but the reason why he ran all the way back, and he was out of breath. "Ah, Ah Hui, it's a good thing you didn't go back." Seeing Ah Hui open the door to welcome him, Zuoji immediately lost his strength, put his hands on his knees and panted. "I heard from Master Banjiro." "I disturbed you at Master's house last night. Mistress kept laughing." Ah Hui responded softly. Seeing Zuoji desperately rushing back, that anxious look, that serious face, Ah Hui felt a burst of warmth welling up in her heart. "Well, I was also scolded by my wife." "What did the teacher say?" "If you're not here when I get home today, I'm not allowed to be angry. The first thing to do is to ask yourself and reflect on yourself." Ah Hui burst out laughing, and rubbed the back of Saji who was still panting. "I also have to reflect on it, sorry." Because of this feeling, I didn't go back to my mother's house. Sakichi stared at Hui carefully as if meeting him for the first time, and shook his head. "The master also noticed that I looked abnormal these days, so he told his wife that Ah Hui must have been very worried after seeing it. Then yesterday... there was another quarrel." Ah Hui nodded, let him enter the room, and closed the door.Then he poured a glass of water for Zoji, and sat down with him on the raised floor at the entrance. "I'm sorry." Zoji bowed his head and apologized as if he really couldn't lift his face. "I only care about myself, I never thought that you would be so worried." Ah Hui turned her head to look closely at his expression. "You must be troubled." Zoji glanced at Ah Hui, and then his eyes fell on his knees. "Actually, it's useless to think about it now, but I just dare not tell you...I'm so scared." "afraid?" "Ok." It's about Minatoya, Sakichi continued.All of a sudden, Ah Hui's mind flashed over the matter of his daughter in the house.It really was that thing?Minato's daughter? "My mother is the niece of the master of the house, you know that? She lost her husband and took me to join the house." "Well, so you grew up in a small house when you were a child." However, Sakichi's mother Aoi left Sakiya behind.It is rumored that she has a man outside, so Sakichi has been guilty of her mother's ungratefulness since she was a child.For a long time, he never disobeyed what Soemon said; he agreed to all Soemon's requests.This is how Sakichi survives. "My mother is a selfish woman. No one is as ungrateful as her, and she doesn't understand the principles of life. I grew up in anger, and I got married and started a business in anger. Now she is probably alive and well, but I made up my mind a long time ago. No matter how good she is, or how poor her situation is, she will never be forgiven." That was obviously his biological mother. "But," Zuoji wiped the corners of his mouth with a rough hand, looked at his feet and continued, "About the beginning of April, I was called to the small house. It's the new one, at Fukagawa's." "Ok, I know." "Now Mrs. Ateng lives there alone with only a few daughters. Madam called me to go and said that I will take care of the garden there in the future. Of course I accepted it happily and worked very hard. Mrs. Ateng is very happy. Satisfied and praised: Zuoji has also become a good carpenter." Then, as if by the way, Mrs. Ateng murmured: ——Ah Kui knows the underground, I must be very happy to see you so capable. Having said this, Sakichi suddenly shuddered.Ah Hui put his hand on his back again. "Ah Kui knows the world—that's what she said. Doesn't this mean that my mother is dead? I was taken aback and asked: "Is my mother dead? When did it happen? Does Madam A Teng know? What?" When did you hear about my mother?" That woman has always been doing her own way, could it be that she secretly contacted Minato behind Zuoji's back and asked for money cheekily?And Minato concealed the matter so far, so that Sakichi would not know?Zoji said frankly that this was his first thought at the moment. "So, my whole heart is cold. If this is the case, how can I be worthy of Mrs. Madam?" However, facing Sakichi's desperate questioning, Ateng just smiled coldly, and then turned and entered without saying a word. "I was so upset that I couldn't calm down. But I couldn't follow up and ask. Later, I sneaked to Shenchuan's mansion, and Mrs. Ateng refused to see me." "Have you talked to the master?" Sakichi finally raised his face and nodded repeatedly. "I don't think there is a way to go on like this. If I don't figure it out, I can't sit still." No wonder.Ah Hui held Sakichi's hand. "and then?" "Then..." Zoji timidly, his words were blunt. "Master stared at me for a while." ——Who did you hear about this matter? — Mrs. Ateng. Then Minaya Soemon fell silent. "Aoi is indeed dead, the master replied." Zoji's hands were cold. "My lord said, it happened a long time ago. I'm sorry to keep it from you, but I never had a chance to tell you. Aoi died shortly after leaving the small house. It's just that there are various difficulties, so I can't reveal where the bones are buried. You will go to the court sooner or later. Paying homage to the Western Pure Land is a prayer for your mother." Sakichi said that the master's words will stop here. This approach is really unreasonable and cruel.Ah Hui couldn't help being furious.No matter what kind of person Aoi is, she is the only mother for Sakichi.Although he said that he couldn't forgive her and that she was a bad mother, he must still have feelings of admiration in his heart.As an elder in the family, why can't Minato understand this? Or, did he torture Sakichi on purpose?Did Ateng foresee Sakichi's troubled appearance, so he deliberately "sneered"? Ah Hui made a fist with her small hand. "It's really annoying, what kind of words are these!" Sakichi sighed heavily and rubbed his face back and forth vigorously with both hands. "However, that's fine." "It's not good!" "No, if this is the case, so be it. My mother has lived like that in her life. Even if there are some secrets that are inconvenient to be disclosed when she dies, it is not worth making a fuss. If this is the case, the master can't bear to talk about it. I I am also convinced, but I should be grateful." Why is this person so good-hearted?He is that kind of person.Ah Hui thought, it was really distressing. "But it's not just like that." Zuoji lowered his voice. "Since then, Mrs. Ateng's sneer and expression at that time have been lingering in my mind. No matter how I try to convince myself that it is too much thinking and impossible, it is useless." "what happened?" Sakichi said that Atou of Minato and his mother Aoi competed for favor with Soemon in a strange way, and the relationship was quite bad.This matter is known inside and outside the house. "I can't help but think... I shouldn't think so..." When did Aoi die?Soemon said it was in the distant past. "My mother left me and left the small house. I thought to myself, since she has a man, she had no choice but to leave me when she left. No, the situation at the time made me think so." However, regardless of the recounting of Aoi's evil deeds by others when he was young, in Sakichi's memory, Aoi was a gentle mother who had never been cruel to Sakichi. "What if... Mother didn't leave me and leave the house? What if she didn't elope at all?" "Husband." Ah Hui said, grabbing Zuoji's arm vigorously. "That thought was so disrespectful, but it couldn't leave my head. Because Mrs. Atten smiled like that—smiled, and looked me in the eye." Could it be that Ateng attacked Aoi and made up a lie about Aoi's elopement in order to conceal this matter? After that, Sakichi's mind was full of this matter, and he was troubled and thought hard, which made him absent-minded. There's no such thing as annoying bugs.Of course, no bugs like either.What tortured Sakichi was even more helpless. I really didn't find him so troubled at all, he only cared about himself. Let your own desires play with it, fearing that Sakichi's heart will be far away. "I dare not tell you such an unlucky thing." Zuoji shook his head. "Speaking of it, it's like avenging the family's favor, which is beyond the law of heaven." "So you've been stuffed in your heart? Didn't tell anyone?" "It doesn't count...Actually, I originally wanted to discuss with Mr. Izutsu. After Kankuro's death, I visited him with an excuse. However, when I saw him, I couldn't open my mouth, so I said 'Say hello to Mr.' as a prevarication. Bring it up again." "At that time, were Yumisuke-sama and Izutsu-san together?" Saki raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Well, he happened to be at the uncle's house too. Why do you ask that?" "It's nothing." Ah Hui shook his head, "It's just today, yes, it's like watching someone do a magic trick." "what?" Ahui told Sakichi everything about Yumisuke's visit.Listening, Zoji's stiff cheeks relaxed, replaced by a shy smile. "Could it be seen through?" "If that's the case, then Mr. Izutsu must be a very smart person." If Heishiro Izutsu had been present, he would have quickly defended himself: It's not that I'm smart, it's that Yumonosuke has an unusual brain. In any case, this cannot be solved overnight, and Sakichi and Ah Hui alone cannot do anything.The two discussed it, and next time they really want to go out and talk to the master, and ask the master to tell them everything. "It's like waking up from a nightmare, much more refreshed." To be honest, Ah Hui is in great spirits now. "When it comes to refreshing, there is one more thing." It's about Desong and Ah Fu, and this is what Saoji heard from Ah Tau. "Although she has wounded virtue, Mrs. Fu seemed to be an unscrupulous woman in the past. She and Brother Desong met at the archery range." Desong is deeply fascinated by Ah Fu and pursues him relentlessly.Ah Fu probably also wanted to get rid of that obscene life, so he committed himself to Desong, and the two became a couple. "But Brother Desong is still worried. He thinks that Ah Fu is a good woman. If he has another man, he will definitely kick him away. He is worried that Ah Fu will go out one day and never come back. Master and Master listened. He was tired of hearing complaints, and he couldn't be more familiar with the situation of their family." Will you not come back?Will he just walk away?Is the heart somewhere else?Ah Hui thought to herself, it was just like me yesterday.That will only make it harder to see. "Brother Desong's mood, Sister-in-law A Fu is very clear, so occasionally, like last time, she will deliberately run away from home and come back. She said that since no amount of persuasion can dispel Brother Desong's suspicion, she will leave as she pleases." Let him see with his own eyes that he will really come back, is the most effective medicine for this disease. Every time Mrs. Fu leaves home, although there will be quarrels, Brother Desong will calm down for a while afterwards." It's a ridiculous medicine, but it is the medicine that Ah Fu racked his brains and exhausted his efforts to concoct.Ah Hui couldn't make fun of it. "Having said that, it's really good to say the word "hate." Zoji smiled. "I thought this kind of bug got on you too." My flower carpenter is not so confused that I let the insects get on me, Zoji said boastfully.Ah Hui also catered to his arrogance without admitting defeat. "Because you have me." "Why did this sentence suddenly appear..." Zuoji was ashamed.Ah Hui smiled and started preparing dinner.Let's pay tribute to Kankuro tonight and go buy some wine.By the way, the sweets that Yumi nosuke gave must also be enshrined in front of Kankuro's tomb. Mr. Yumonosuke—— How did the child's head grow?However, if it was that head, it would definitely be able to solve the big problem in Sakichi's heart smoothly, right? Thinking of that overly beautiful face, Ah Hui couldn't help being dazed.At this time, Tai Yi murmured "Mom, Dad, I'm back" from outside, and it seemed that he had returned home after running errands.Is it the liquor store?Are the neighbors toasting tonight? Looking at Sakichi, Ah Hui smiled quietly.