Chapter 13 Chapter Thirteen

Ah Xing did not leave the brazier all day, but silently embroidered on the small square scarf, a skill she learned from her aunt.Hon-Ami Koetsu's mother, Miaoxiu, is in good health and lives in Kyoto. She is over 60 this year, and until now she refuses to wear silk and silk, and only wears cotton and linen.She said that excessive extravagance is a violation of the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin. Guanger and Guangyue father and son often went to the mansions of famous people, and they were given a lot of silk.Miao Xiu all made silk into small square scarves and distributed them to everyone in the mansion.A Xing once asked her why she was like this, and Miaoxiu said while threading needles: "One can't just do it for oneself. Everyone recognizes my Ami family and gave these precious gifts. If I keep all of them for my own family, I will pretend to be people's hard work." Work hard. Those who pretend to be credited by others will be punished by the patriarch. Divide these up and pass on my thanks." Miaoxiu was very pleased that everyone's hard work was appreciated, and she happily embroidered pine, Bamboo and plum are given to everyone.

However, what Ah Xing is embroidering on the square scarf is not pine, bamboo and plum, but autumn grass.In addition, she often embroiders platycodon and hibiscus as the main pattern, accompanied by maidenhair and daylilies.She was embroidering the figure of a woman who was extremely desolate, and wanted to keep this embroidered square scarf as a relic. Ah Xing now knows how strongly he is in love with his cousin Guangyue.The older sister who became associated with Koetsu passed away, and the obituary and another piece of news reached Sado—the Honami family had been split into two.Ah Xing was very shocked and felt hopeless in life.She always believed that her father and cousin Guangyue were always in the same heart, but the facts proved that this was not the case.In order to unite the two families, she gave Guangyue to her sister, but the two families eventually parted ways due to worldly interests.So what exactly was her sacrifice?She immediately lost all hope.

After that, Yuki forcibly withdrew from Sado.There is no so-called "prime wife" around Okubo Chang'an. In the eyes of others, Axing may want to be the principal wife for peace of mind.But no matter what her original plan was, what she saw in Hachioji's mansion made her despair. Chang An is not someone who stays at home.His unrestrained humor and unconstrained imagination only shine when he is having fun.Once he returns to the mansion and turns back into chief acting officer Okubo Ishimi to guard Chang'an, he is a tyrant.The only thing in common is that he is always drunk and crazy everywhere.However, when he was drunk and crazy outside, he was still swaying freely, but at home he was eccentric.The twelve side rooms in Chang'an are bound like twelve horses in a stable, and even the maids and servants are strictly required to observe modest etiquette, and everyone is eccentric.Maybe he's just a short-sighted, one-shot mortal.Even if Ah Xing is unwilling to look at Chang'an like this, she still feels deeply touched by Ben Ami Guangyue's consistent temperament: Even though Guangyue has narrowness, he still strives to be the most upright and purest person.

Chang An is bluffing.From the bottom of his heart, he doesn't love others very much, but with a special determination, he smoothly blends in this troubled world.It was difficult for Ayuki to respect and appreciate Okubo Chang'an as her husband. What the Eighth Prince saw made Xing feel that he was farther away from Koyue and Chang'an, and if he stayed in Sado, he might still have the opportunity to go from Noto to Kaga and meet Koyue who was also in Kaga. Ah Xing started embroidering square scarves two months ago. One of the reasons was that she didn't like extravagant materials;

"Ah Xing, haven't you rested yet?" Chang'an came suddenly.He seemed to be drunk again. If he wasn't drunk, how could he take a look at the woman in the house? The door of the room was opened with a "swipe", and a scent of persimmons rushed in. "Oh, it's my lord! Please come in!" The maid hurriedly crouched down. "Please come in." Ah Xing did not stop his work, his voice was cold, "What do you want?" Chang An smacked his lips and walked in swaggeringly, "Tsk tsk, so indifferent!" "My lord is cold enough. Ah Xing finally understands what kind of concubine you are, my lord." Ah Xing didn't stop his hands, and his words were still as sharp as usual.

"Hmm..." Chang An stood there, pursed his mouth, narrowed his eyes, and let out a mouthful of alcohol, "You seem to be tired of me?" "It's not that I'm bored, it's that I understand and I'm disappointed." "Disappointed? You woman speaks nasty things. I'm angry!" "I embroidered these jobs knowing that the adults would be angry. Please distribute these square scarves to the maids and relatives." "Is this a will?" "Yes. I've prepared it long ago. You can vent your anger anytime." "Huh." Changan muttered, and sat beside Ah Xing, "Ah Xing is indeed a relative with the eccentric Guangyue, and his words are becoming more and more poisonous."

"No, Guangyue is not eccentric. You are too fair." "Too fair?" "Yes. Being too impartial is not fair. Impartiality is what a fool does." Ah Xing finally seemed to be breathing smoothly after saying these unbearable vicious words, and smiled lightly. Chang'an clicked his tongue again: "There is no tougher person in the world than those women who have gone through disasters in ancient times. Apart from poisonous words, they neither know how to look up and down, and they don't understand the love of love." "That's because things are hard. What's your job? I want to keep embroidering."

"It's up to you. But Xing, you've been disrespectful tonight." "Oh? Ah Xing hopes to make adults angry, so that he can live in bliss..." "Xing, I actually have something to trouble you." "It's really rare. You come to ask me? Tell me first." "Are you still unwilling to calm down? How short-sighted!" At this time, three young women came in with wine and food.Ash was indifferent.Two of these three women have been serving Chang'an all the time, and they are very troublesome.From this point of view, Chang'an cannot be reassuring.

"Have a drink first. What I'm going to talk about tonight is something extraordinary." Seeing that Ah Xing was about to start working again, Chang An roughly tossed the handkerchief aside, and stretched out the wine glass in front of her, "Others retreat." Exit. Ah, yes, I will sleep here tonight, and you will leave after you spread the quilt for me.” He put the wine glass under the tip of Ah Xing’s nose, “Ah Xing, I want you to make two beautiful boxes You and Guangyue are relatives, you can paint and make lacquerware." "Box?" "Yes. It is the size of a letter box, but it is deeper than a letter box. You make two beautiful boxes, which can hold some hair accessories. One is for you, and the other is for me to keep. Well, I will use it to store your leftovers. My relic."

"That box, what will adults use it for?" "If you put important things, you can also put some gold and silver. Decorate with mother-of-pearl, mother-of-pearl, and lead. You should also inlay green jade on the box and draw stars." After finishing speaking, Chang An stretched out his hand to touch his bosom.But seeing a flash of light on the tatami, he threw out two green jades. Chang An's words came so suddenly, I don't know what he was thinking.Ash had no intention of reaching out. "Is this the best jadeite?" "It's not emerald. It's the jade Sodero gave me. It's called emerald."

"Given by Sodero?" "Yes. I heard that this kind of jade should be kept separately from the people closest to me. I just want to make two boxes, one for each of us. Haha, how do you feel better?" Ash shook his head solemnly.She is no longer the Xing who can be coaxed by sweet words.What does it mean to inlay gems and make two beautiful mother-of-pearl boxes?Ah Xing believes that this must be one of Chang'an's crazy dreams, and it is somewhat unexpected and bizarre. "What are you thinking? Take this beautiful jade and have a look. This is not an ordinary jade that can be seen everywhere." "What's in the box?" "What are you pretending to be? Of course it's the most important thing." Chang'an said. "The things you store are different, and the patterns and patterns also have to be different. You need to decide the background color first. If you don't tell me, I will be helpless. What Ah Xing has done must not become the laughing stock of future generations." Hearing what Ah Xing said, Chang An muttered in a low voice again, picking up the gem on the tatami and putting it in the palm of his hand.The beautiful and warm jade is like a dewdrop shining on the sweet potato leaves. "If you don't tell you what to put, you won't do it?" Chang'an looked at the gemstone in his left palm and drank the wine in his glass, "If you were the old Xing, I would tell you everything You. But the recent Yuki..." "Are you saying I can't be trusted?" "You are hostile to me. You are going to kill me after you sew this square scarf that is a relic?" "Hehe, I have such courage, so I won't sew relics under the eyes of adults. Ah Xing felt... the end of women has come, so he began to prepare for his own withering." "A woman's doomsday... Well, there are such preparations? You are always dreaming." "It's better not to let suspicious women make such important boxes, and find the right person." "Ashin!" "What's wrong?" "I'll ask again: you don't plan to change back to the old Xing?" "The old Xing?" "I like my Xing very much." "That's strange. It's not you, my lord, who are tired and don't want to be disturbed?" "Okay. Actually, I went to Mutsu Shoufu to have a meal today." "What does this have to do with a jeweled box?" "If you say yes...you have it, if you say no...you don't." "You just say it clearly, like you before... Maybe Axing can also change back to the previous Axing." Chang An suddenly opened his eyes wide, stared at A Xing for a while, and then turned his gaze back to the gemstone in his palm. Ah Xing felt that something must have happened, Chang'an was too unusual today.He often reveals a deep loneliness, which makes people close to him feel lonely.Tonight, that loneliness seems to be starting to creep in. "Ashin, I actually really like you." "Well……" "Although I like it, I'm also a little afraid of you. It's not because you're scary, but because I'm afraid of Honami Koetsu behind you." "..." "You know this well. Your eyes have told me. From my point of view, Guangyue is arrogant and wary of me. He only believes that I am a frivolous person who will bring trouble to Japan and the Tokugawa Shogunate , so he is very wary of me. But Guangyue also went to Kaga, he used to be as close as Itakura, but recently he has also become estranged." "What does this have to do with boxes?" "Listen to me: Guangyue is not in the capital! So I tell you clearly, it doesn't matter what you put in the box. This is what I want to say, do you understand?" Chang'an fell into deep thought again. Ash's eyes gradually brightened.Not only because of Chang'an's unusual attitude, but also because Date Masamune's name appeared in his words, and even the whereabouts of Koyue, whom Axing was most concerned about, and Itakura Katsushige, who had a close relationship with Koyue, and others, This makes it all the more important.These people and boxes are by no means unrelated and cannot be taken lightly. "People have likes and dislikes." After a while, Chang An squinted his eyes, looked at the wine glass and gemstones in his hand, and said, "But once Guangyue hates something, he will only become more and more disgusted, so stubborn, it can be seen that no one is perfect. " "..." "Guangyue is wary of everyone around me and wants to monitor all my activities. If I fix the Balitai, he will think that I am planning for war; if I widen the road, he will think that I have two ambitions ;I brought some gold and silver out of the mine, and he thought I was cheating for personal gain and enriching his own pocket; I was close to other big names, and he thought I was plotting evil. As a result, you and I became estranged unconsciously. .” Ah Xing listened silently.Chang'an's words are somewhat true, but there are also many exaggerated elements. "Listen, Yuki, I like women like you. Men and women are like war. Your disrespect makes me restless. You are beautiful, which makes me happy. But I am afraid of Koetsu. Koetsu and Soji Dai Itakura , Fushimi Fushimi Kobori, the head of the business, Chaya, and Sakaiko Naruse all have a close relationship, and they have firmly grasped the heart of the Ogosho. If Koetsu says something wrong with Okubo Changan, Changan will lose his head." This is the truth!Ash suddenly laughed.She felt a little sympathetic to Chang'an.Chang An was estranged from himself, not only because of this, but because he was deeply disgusted by Chang An's drunken debauchery, so he alienated him.Ah Xing's resistance sometimes rejuvenates Chang'an's fighting spirit, and sometimes makes him helpless.However, this is all about Guangyue. "What's so strange? Do you understand my heart?" "Understood. You should have known to tell me about the box." "Ah Xing." "Ok?" "If I tell the truth, can you swear not to tell others?" "My lord, you said some inexplicable things again. If you find out that I have leaked important things, you can kill me immediately. Ah Xing is just a bug in the hands of my lord." "Hehe, I'm afraid this little bug will escape from the cage." After saying that, Chang An drank the wine in his glass, "Then I will tell the truth. Actually, I want to put this in the box. " Putting the green jade on his lap again, Chang An stretched out his hand into his bosom.What came out was the letter of joint signature.Drunk, he untied the belt on the joint name certificate, and unfolded it in front of Ah Xing. Ayuki deliberately looked at it lightly, but when he took a look, he almost cried out. The document was headed by Matsudaira Tadaki, and the names of Okubo Tadao and other daimyos were written below. "This is... what kind of game is this?" Ah Xing tried to pretend nothing had happened, but his voice was trembling.Among those names, Takayama Yujin and Naito Roan did appear that Koetsu was most worried about. "What's the matter, I was shocked?" Chang'an seemed to have made up his mind, looking extremely calm, and rolled up the joint signature again, "Actually, I wanted to bring this to Date Masamune's mansion today to ask him to sign it, but unexpectedly, did not expect……" "Mutsu refused?" "Exactly. Mutsu Mamoru was very surprised." Chang'an said, "He thought it was a joint letter of rebellion, and said that he would seal it in a place where others could not see it. But look, what kind of rebellion is this? On the joint letter, it is clearly written: People with lofty ideals swear to work together and work together to move towards the sea!" "So, you asked me to make the box in order to seal the joint signature?" "Exactly. Hearing what he said, I was a little bit worried. I understand that although the world is still ruled by General Xiu Zhonggong, if you really want to subvert it, there is no gap..." "..." "After all, the big palace is old. Once the big palace is gone, if the general doesn't follow us and the business is not easy to do, just wait for the Netherlands and England to come over. Mutsu Mamoru assumes so. But I think, right It is because of such an opinion a few days ago that Sodero is desperate. Because the second-generation general trusts Miura Anzhen more than him. Sodero. At that time, the general will have to abdicate and give way to the third-generation general, that is, me My master, the general’s brother, Mr. Sousuke. Although I think so, Mutsu Mori doesn’t think so. He is afraid of being suspected, so he not only refuses to sign, but also wants to accuse me of crimes and inform me .” Ash sighed.If the idea of ​​Chang'an gets the support of Osakajo Hideyori, the situation will definitely develop in the most serious direction that Guangyue expected. "Then...then, what's the result?" Ah Xing had to ask urgently. "Cough, I'll just forget about the dream." Chang'an said softly, with an unexpectedly calm tone, "I have experienced the ups and downs of life, and I have achieved a little. Maybe the world still envies me. Although I feel disappointed, I don't want to Fight with Mutsu Mori and be charged with treason." "Really?" Seeing that there were many wrinkles on Chang An's forehead, Ah Xing couldn't help feeling sad. "Oh, what a pity!" Chang'an took a sip of his wine, "Don Rodriguez once told me in detail about the division of mountains in the Nanman kingdoms. It is just more than 20% of the output, half of which is distributed to the gold diggers, and the rest is distributed to the Imperial Palace and Emperor Philip. In this way, it is not surprising that my net worth will be comparable to that of the Imperial Palace and the General, but I cannot do that. More than three times, I put half of the treasury...in order to enter the sea in the future, I deliberately transported the gold here. But if there are some unfounded rumors that I am playing favoritism for the sake of fighting for the world, I will let it go immediately. I put Seal up your dreams and continue to be my chief deputy. The dreams in your heart should be sealed up and left as a topic for future generations. As for the box, I want to make it more beautiful." After saying that, there were tears in Chang'an's eyes Fluttered into the wine glass. Ah Xing will not be easily deceived by tears.This ambitious person must be very frustrated if he has to say goodbye to his dream.Feeling lucky, Ah Xing felt a little sympathetic, "My lord, I understand what you mean. I will do my best to make the box." "real?" "My lord originally asked my concubine to make a box to hold some jewelry, but you want another one, just to seal the document?" "I'm going to give you the box." "the only?" "Uh, my relic... just treat it as my affection." Ash was deeply disappointed.Chang An still only speaks strange words.She asked specifically because she was worried that Chang'an would put the copy of the joint letter in a box, forge Masamune's signature at the end, and present it to Date Masamune.If you don't, you won't be able to keep Masamune's mouth shut.Ah Xing believes that this must be the case.However, if Chang An has no plans, there is no need to say it rashly. Ah Xing finally took the cold wine and brought it to his lips. As Chang An said, Ah Xing is not an ordinary woman.If she had been a man, she would have urged Guangyue to practice Nichiren sect long ago, and maybe she would practice the extremely arduous practice that challenged her demonic nature.But Ah Xing is a woman after all, and has all kinds of troubles.Therefore, even though she knew very well that Chang An should not be taken lightly, she still felt sympathy for him. Ah Xing silently took the gemstone from Chang'an, and roughly estimated the size of the joint letter, "The size is compared to the letter box..." "Ashin, do you understand me?" "It was your words that made me decide to help you. Do you really want to leave a box for my concubine?" "Don't doubt it. The box is the husband who married you—the box that I, Okubo Ishimi Shou Chang'an, used to seal the dreams of a lifetime. Draw the most beautiful pattern on me!" Ah Xing has already started planning in his mind, how to use another box.Make a Western-style locket with a key, and then drop the lock to become her relic.So, what should be put inside?She often thinks about this before making the box.At this time, the entanglement with Chang'an's past even appeared in front of her eyes, like a cluster of small flowers in the spring glow. It was night, Chang'an was not as drunk and crazy as usual, he must have something on his mind. Chang'an, who hasn't spent the night with Ah Xing for a long time, is so rare and quiet this night, which makes people feel incredible.In the early hours of the morning, he put the precious document in his arms and left quietly. As soon as Chang An went out, Ah Xing opened a window and looked out.In the back of her mind, a question swirls: What am I leaving behind? There was still a moon hanging in the sky at dawn, but Ah Xing didn't pay attention to the faint moonlight.If the girl's flower withers, there is only a flower stem left, which is not even considered a flower.The woman who is about to wither wants to leave a living thing in this world. If she can leave a child, it will be the best relic, but Ah Xing never gave birth.Thinking of this, a strange smile appeared on Ah Xing's face. If you can't leave your offspring as a guarantee of your life, then make a small box with a different destiny.After thinking about it, Ah Xing hurriedly closed the window and hurried back to the bedroom. She put away the white quilt, sat in front of the desk, lit the candle, grinded the ink, dipped the tip of the black pen, put it in her mouth and bit it twice.Suddenly, her heart brightened: Chang'an and other side rooms have children, so it is not impossible to entrust the small box to one of them for safekeeping. Ah Xing prepared his pen and ink, but stood up as if obsessed, and reached out to rummage through the bookshelf.The letter from my brother-in-law Tawara is still there.Tawara, also known as Sotatsu, was good at painting on the native products of the capital.He looks mature and stable on the surface, but he is actually quite stubborn.He refused all aid from his father-in-law, and worked hard to make ends meet by painting fans.Tawaraya Sotatsu painted ferns and deer animals on the thin paper made by Kamiya Fujihei, and made letter paper, which was sold in bundles of ten and was well received.He once gave some to Ah Xing. "The paper doesn't grow worms, and it can be preserved for hundreds of years." Tawara is very proud of the paper and paintings he makes, and spreads it everywhere.Therefore, in addition to fan painting, the income of this livelihood is also quite good. Taking out the paper, Ah Xing concentrated on writing. This box was made by Axing, a woman from the capital.Ayuki has admiration for the sword master Honami Koetsu, and marry Okubo Ishimi Shou Chang'an as his concubine.At the end of the 14th year of Keicho, Okubo Ishimi Shouling Ayuki made this small box.There are two types of this box.The other is from the Okubo Iwami Shou Collection, which contains an important document. The document should have been signed by Date Mutsumori, but was rejected by him on the grounds that Ishijianshou coveted the world... After writing this, Ah Xing put down his pen.In any case, to leave a true record——she thought so, and wanted to write like this, but it was too difficult.Even if it is written like this, it can't convey what's in the mind.Just write a letter to Guangyue. Ah Xing quietly put his hands on his chest and closed his eyes.She thought of her sad girlish feelings, and almost choked up. Outside the window, the birds began to chirp.Ash stood up and opened the window.The morning sun hits people.The past is so fleeting, which makes people very disturbed.However, in the end how to write, it is a good student to deliberate.It is a strange idea for a childless woman to make a locket as a keepsake.In the future, the small box was opened by someone, and the contents inside were seen under the bright sunlight.A slight deviation in the meaning of the text will only attract people's ridicule, and it will also have a huge impact on the fate of the box itself.The small box is beautiful, but if it is to be recognized by others, it should give the viewer a feeling, as if the sorrow of a woman's life is spreading through time... "Let's add another poem." Before returning to the case, Axing carefully admired the pattern drawn by the connoisseur Ya Sotatsu. Zong Daxi used silver foil to paint ferns, but the silver would turn black and gray over time.If you don't think carefully, the part written in a pseudonym will be difficult to read later.For the calligraphy part, it is best to ask Guangyue to borrow some pictures to see.Guangyue is proficient in calligraphy, and is highly praised among the world's famous names and their staffs. Axing's calligraphy can only make people think of shriveled and stiff morning glory with withered vines.There is no rush for this matter, let's practice handwriting first. Thinking of this, Ah Xing's mood immediately relaxed.She will do her best.It will take a lot of time to select the pattern, draw it on the box, and then determine the position of the gemstones and mussels. "Madam is up?" A maid came in with water. "Yes. If I want to have a baby, I must wash my heart and hands clean." "Ah, what did Madam say?" "Hehe, let me tell you, I'm going to have a baby from now on." "Madam is going to have a baby?" "Yes, but when I was born, no one could watch, and I had to give birth quietly by myself." The maid was taken aback, spread a red blanket beside the quilt in a panic, and poured some water into the basin. "Okay, prepare me some iron paste for dyeing teeth. Since I am going to be a mother, I must dress up beautifully." "Mother?" "Yes. I want to have a beautiful baby who will dazzle the world!" "Oh yes." "Hehe, you are so interesting, it seems that you really understand." "Yes... yes. But this servant did not expect that Madam, you are pregnant." Seeing the serious look of the maid, Ayuki laughed out loud.Smiling and laughing, as if something hit her chest, tears rolled down immediately.