The autumn of the fifteenth year of Tenmon was the first autumn when Tokugawa Ieyasu moved from Hamamatsu Castle to Sumpu. On this day, Mrs. Asahi left the city with three maids and four servants.Tokugawa Ieyasu went to Beijing and sent Matsudaira Iechu to stay behind.Messenger often travels between Junfu and the capital.Jiazhong told his wife: The lord Jiakang met Guan Bai without incident, and was appointed as Da Nayan as expected. Everything is very good. For Madam, whether it is Da Na Yan or Guan Bai, they are as far away as the clouds in the sky.It's just that when she heard that her adopted son Nagamatsumaru was awarded the title of Hidetada by his elder brother Toyotomi Hideyoshi after the Yuanfu ceremony, and was named a fifth-rank attendant, for some reason, she was so excited.Chang Songmaru was not Mrs. Asahi's own biological mother, but became her adopted son for the needs of her brother and husband.However, at some point in time, he has become the closest person to Madam in this city.

Xiuzhong is a child who strictly abides by etiquette and acts meticulously.When he was in Junfu City, he would go to his wife's place every morning, stretched out his hands that were too fair for a man, and said, "Good morning to my lord mother, how are you?" Who ordered him to do this?There is no doubt that it was his dead mother Xixiang Bureau.Thinking of this, Madam didn't like Xiuzhong a little, maybe it was out of jealousy towards Xixiang Bureau.However, although Xiuzhong lost his biological mother, he did not give up this habit.Not knowing whether she is satisfied or not, Mrs. Asahi always feels that Xiuzhong seems to be closer to her after losing her biological mother.She often thinks, if this child is my own, how wonderful it would be!

"Madam, do you know who made you move from Hamamatsu to Junfu?" Hearing the maid's question, Madam turned her head slightly and pondered for a moment.The maid said again: "It seems that it is not an adult, but Mr. Chang Songwan." "Oh, it's Changmatsu Maru?" As long as the wife doesn't see Xiuzhong for a day, she will feel restless.Today is the third day I haven't seen Xiuzhong.Hidetada went to Hamamatsu and went hunting with Okubo Hikozaemon and Tadine. "Ma'am, there is Zuiryuji Temple in Abe Village." A maid pointed to the forest ahead.However, the lady didn't answer, she was walking in a trance while drawing the picture of Hamamatsu Castle where Hidetada was located in her mind.

"Ma'am, is there something wrong with you?" "Oh no, nothing." "Be careful! There are tree roots on the road." The maid helped the lady who almost fell.Madam smiled quietly: "When will Changsong Maru come back from Hamamatsu Castle? Don't get hurt." The maid laughed. "What's so funny? Can't I talk about Changmatsu Maru?" Madam also felt that there was something wrong with herself, "I don't know why, but I'm always a little worried. You won't meet wild boars, will you?" "If you encounter it, it will be a big harvest, and you can easily subdue it."

"That's right, it should be like this..." Madam seemed to be talking to herself, "Not to mention the adults, Changsong really makes people feel distressed." The maid didn't answer.She knew that Ieyasu and Asahi had the name of husband and wife, but they were not actually husband and wife.Madam can only transfer all her feelings to Chang Songwan. "If I knew the road was so difficult, I wouldn't let the sedan chair go to the temple first." After a while, the maid said. "It's okay, isn't Changsong Maru also running on this road? I'll come and have a look too."

"There will be a sedan chair when you come back. Please bear with me, Madam." "Let's go." Madam tilted her head slightly, and murmured softly, "Speaking of which, how did the Beizheng Institute know about this Ruilong Temple?" Ruilong Temple has little to do with the Tokugawa family and Mrs. Asahi.However, the Beizheng Institute in Osaka wrote to her and told her that there was a highly respected monk here and asked her to come here to pay homage.In fact, compared with Beizhengsuo, Xiao Hagi, the maid brought from Osaka, tried her best to persuade her to come to the temple: "When the weather is good, my wife must go to worship. I heard that the eminent monk converted by Beizhengsuo's wife came from Kyoto. .”

But at this time, they realized that the road was farther than they thought.Xiao Hagi said: "Come on, let this servant help you. This section of stone steps is worn out." From the thick treetops of the fir trees came the crowing of pigeons. The lady was fascinated by the sound and almost fell down again.Xiao Hagi and another young maid hurriedly supported her from the side. "The birds are chirping...it sounds very lonely." Madam said. "Yes, at night, owls hoot too." "I've heard owls can't see during the day. Birds at night... poor thing."

"Look, the people from the temple have come to the mountain gate to welcome them." "I'm sorry to bother them so much." "Ma'am, what are you talking about? It is their supreme honor for the wife of Lord Nayan to come." "Oh! It's just a false name." Madam sighed. "Anyway, Madam is also the mother of Mr. Changsong Maru." Xiao Hagi said. "That's right, after the son comes back, the servant will tell him about his visit to Ruilong Temple today." Another maid said. Under the ancient mountain gate, three monks and the bearers who arrived first were already waiting there.Madam cautiously moved to the lower guest hall next to the eight large main hall.

Everything is so tasteless.Although I have never met, the people in the temple are very polite.First, the young monk came to serve tea. After the young monk went out, an old monk with white beard came in.He is probably the abbot of this temple, Madam guessed so, the old monk respectfully held the pastry, said politely, with a tense expression, his forehead almost touched the tatami.Not satisfied with anyone's order, even the maids were dismissed, and only Mrs. Chaori and the old monk were left in the guest hall. Tokugawa Danayan's wife... Mrs. muttered in her mouth, feeling at a loss in her heart.She is still the wife of Saji Hinata Mori who committed suicide.Ieyasu never appeared in her dreams.Maybe life is just a dream after all. People cry, fear, and get angry, but they don't know it's a dream.Madam looked at her hands and knees quietly, was her body an illusion in a dream?Perhaps the day of death is the day when one wakes up from a dream?

The madam was contemplating when a young monk about twenty-seven or eighty years old and dressed in black came in.The old servant and Xiao Hagi followed behind him.This young monk is not as respectful as the old monk just now. "This is Master Fujiyin from the capital." Xiao Hagi said.The man just saluted slightly with his eyes, and the madam simply nodded and saluted.The two were speechless for a moment. After a while, the young monk asked, "Madam, have you always been healthy?" "fine." "Someone is very concerned about Madam." "Oh. Who?"

"The wife of the Beizheng Office and the wife of the Dazheng Office." "Oh, I've been doing fine lately." "How is Madam's life in Junfu?" "very good." "Is there any discomfort?" "very good." "How are Madam and Tokugawa-sama?" "very good." "Does Madam often miss Kyoto or Osaka?" "No, it's the same everywhere." The young monk glanced at Xiao Hagi, then took a step forward, "Ma'am, this poor monk has brought a secret letter from Master Guan Bai." "Oh, Lord Guan Bai's secret letter?" "Yes, the Jule Building in Kyoto has finally been completed. In the first ten days of next month, the Dazheng Office, the Beizheng Office, Miyoshi and his wife will move there. My lord asked the villain to ask my wife what she means." The young monk looked sharply at the sun. lady. Mrs. Asahi lowered her head in a trance.The monk is the elder brother's secret envoy. If the elder brother wants her to return to Osaka, he will directly ask her to move to Juledi, which is really confusing.Madam really didn't have the energy to think about it. "What do you think Madam? Isn't Madam's life in Junfu very boring?" Madam did not answer, bowed her head in thought. "If Madam wants to live in the capital, the poor monk thinks it is a good opportunity to move to Juledi together." "Oh." "After the Dazheng Office, the Beizheng Office and others have all moved in, an unprecedented tea party will be held in Beiye. Now the matter has spread throughout the capital." Madam was still silent, and everyone thought she was a bit pitiful.Madam secretly glanced at Xiao Hagi, as if asking for help.But instead of helping her out, Xiao Hagi stood by the monk's side, "Madam, you can say whatever you want. Mrs. Dazhengsuo and Mrs. Sanhao really want to see you." "You seem to know about this? Why doesn't Master Guan Bai let me live in Junfu?" "This...the reason why Madam is not allowed to live here is because Madam is his close relative. If Madam is not happy here, she will move to Juledi. This is also the meaning of being considerate to Madam." Xiao Hagi said.The young monk also nodded. "Oh." Madam nodded, "Then, please tell Master Guan Bai to thank him for his concern. For me, everything in this world is the same." "Madam has no intention of returning to Beijing?" "It's the same when you go back, please don't worry about him in the future." The monk glanced sharply at Xiao Hagi.Xiao Hagi nodded slightly at him, and said with a smile to Asahi: "Madam, you are talking angry again. This must not be your sincere words. You still want to go to Kyoto to live with Mrs. Dazhengsuo. Isn't it?" "No!" Madam shook her head resolutely, "I have gradually gotten used to the life in Junfu. Besides, there is Changsong Maru here, and I have something to rely on in my heart. Life is like a dream, and women, don't they just live as mothers? " Xiao Hagi stepped forward with a confused face, "Ma'am, there are no outsiders here, so I might as well just say, please move to Kyoto!" "Why? As I said, I am a mother. Didn't you hear clearly?" Mrs. Asahi was not resisting, she was just speaking her mind.She actually became suspicious of Xiao Hagi. Sweat dripped from Xiao Hagi's forehead, he changed his breath, and said: "Madam, I understand your feelings, and because of this, I have to say: Master Changsongmaru absolutely does not want you to treat him like this." "how do I say this?" "He is not a child born in October of his wife's pregnancy, but he greets him every day and asks questions. Everyone has a lot of opinions on this." "Your opinion?" These words hurt Mrs. Asahi, like the wind blowing through a weak heart lamp in this world, "Tell me, what do you think of Changsong Maru?" "Madam, please think about it. Your Excellency has four sons, Mr. Xiukang is the adopted son of Lord Guan Bai, and there are three other sons, and the position of the heir has not yet been determined." "what do you want to say in the end?" "Master Changsongmaru, who lost his biological mother, tried his best to please his wife, and Mrs. Bai was behind her. Isn't this clear enough?" "Shut up!" Madam suddenly reprimanded Xiaohagi excitedly, "Your heart is so dirty! Chang Songmaru's temperament was developed before his biological mother passed away. As my adopted son, he admires me from the bottom of his heart." Madam She didn't know why she was so furious, she was in great pain, as if she had fallen heavily from the clouds. "This..." Xiao Hagi was quite astonished, so he stopped talking.She had never seen the madam so angry.Is it because the husband and wife have been at odds for a long time, and she regards Changsong Wan as the only one to rely on?She then said: "So, what does Madam mean, as long as Mr. Chang Songmaru is around, Madam will not go to the capital?" The lady replied simply: "Yes! No matter what you say, I will not go back. Changsong Maru has lost his biological mother, and I cannot let him lose to a child with a mother. Without me, he... In short, I am Changsong Maru's mother !" People who have nothing to love can't survive. People have such a sad fate, especially women.Mrs. Asahi was deprived of her husband, and at some point, she took Hidetada who lost her biological mother as an object of love.But Xiao Hagi's misunderstanding deepened, because Chang Songmaru had gradually grown from a boy to a strong young man. Xiao Hagi held his breath and said, "Although Madam is kind-hearted, Madam's thinking is too far from ours." "What does that matter?" "No, that won't work. Who in the Tokugawa family can understand Madam's kindness? They all have malicious intentions..." "Enough!" Master Asahi interrupted Xiao Hagi, "I'm just doing my mother's heart." "No, Madam will be brutally framed by them." "Xiao Hagi, do you dare to lie to me?" "This kind of thing, slaves don't even dare to think about it." "No! You said that an eminent monk came from Kyoto and asked me to come here to pay homage. I can say whatever I want. You have been embarrassing me from the beginning, and you want to send me back to Kyoto." "Madam misunderstood, everyone is thinking of Madam." "Enough, shut up! How do you know what I need? Hmph!" The young monk who had been listening with his eyes closed just now suddenly said: "Anyway, the poor monk will not allow madam to be so capricious." "What? You won't allow—who are you talking to?" "To you." "I am Mrs. Da Nayan, why do you speak to me like this?" "This is the order of Lord Guan Bai." "It's Guan Bai again!" "Be clear, my lord thinks you will undermine his dignity." "what?" "During the next Eastern Expedition, in order to prevent you from committing any irreparable mistakes or losing your composure in Junfu, for the sake of both parties, I will bring you back to Kyoto. Based on this consideration, the lord has issued a secret order to us , I hope you will not violate it." "Hmph!" Madame Asahi cried out, "I am not Guan Bai's puppet. I just want to make my brother lose face. Go back and tell him that I want to make Guan Bai the laughing stock of the world!" The brother-sister relationship is completely broken. The young monk's eyes widened in surprise, and he was almost out of breath.Xiao Hagi was also speechless for a while: they never thought that his wife would be so decisive. Everyone was also pale and trembling.Although she was emotional, it was shocking to make Hideyoshi the laughing stock of the world.Madame's nature was not like this, so she herself was taken aback, feeling that she had reached an embarrassing impasse for everyone. After a long time, the young monk glanced at Xiao Hagi, with fear on his face, as if asking: "Is she crazy?" Xiao Hagi shook his head slightly.A new question arose in her heart, whether Ieyasu and his wife became husband and wife without her knowing.It's not just out of love for Chang Songwan.This was the case with her late husband back then. After they truly became husband and wife, the wife became a loving and docile wife.This is the temperament of the lady. Just as Xiao Di was thinking, the young monk curled his lips and said, "The poor monk understands that Madam is not planning to return to Beijing. The poor monk will report the truth." "I've gone too far." The lady looked down at her knees with piteous remorse. The monk noticed this, but felt that although she was old, she was still naive. "The purpose of the poor monk is not to tie you back in disregard of Madam's wishes. Master Guan Bai did not order me to do so. If Madam insists on not returning, the poor monk will report back to you like this. The poor monk only hopes that Madam will remember that we are already in this monastery. I have met, and I have passed on your words to you." "Please wait a moment!" Xiao Hagi hurriedly stopped the monk and said, "Madam didn't make it clear that she wouldn't come back. Please tell Master that Madam wants to stay in Junfu for a few more days after returning." "But now is a good opportunity. The big tea party in Kitano is a grand ceremony to welcome peace. That's why the lord let his wife go back. The poor monk thinks that such opportunities don't come often. Xiao Hagi can persuade his wife again." "The servant understands, and will soon convince Madam." "From now on, the contact with Osaka will be through this temple. In addition, my wife will come here to burn incense from time to time, so please discuss with Xiao Hagi more often if you have anything to do." Mrs. Asahi kept silently staring down at her lap while they were talking. It was past noon when Mrs. Asahi and his party left Ruilong Temple.The lady, who was in a relaxed mood when she came, sat quietly in the sedan chair when she returned, without saying a word.Visiting Zuiryuji could not relieve her distress, it was just a secret place to communicate with Osaka.Thinking of this, Madam felt even more filthy in the world: in a dark life, as long as you live, you will be manipulated all the time.Am I the only one being manipulated like this, or is everyone in the world like this?Why don't people try to get rid of it? Just when the lady was in a trance and lost in thought, the sedan chair entered the city gate. "Madam, here we are, please get off the sedan chair." The sedan chair stopped in front of the brand-new gate that was filled with woody fragrance. The madam lifted the curtain of the sedan chair, and there were about twenty maids standing side by side in front of her.She thought to herself: Are these people living in fear like me? Leading Madam through the long corridor, and returning to the new house specially built for her, Xiao Hagi heaved a sigh of relief, and hurriedly said: "Madam, you must not hide anything from your servant." "What am I hiding from you?" "Did your lord come to Madam before going to Beijing?" "Oh, so what?" "Forgive me for talking too much, did your lord have any... husband and wife affairs with your wife?" Madam blinked inexplicably, but did not blush, she did not understand what Xiao Hagi meant, "A matter of husband and wife?" "This... Excuse me for speaking bluntly, this is a boudoir matter." After hearing this, Madam turned her face away, she was not very sentimental, but seemed to be sneering.Perhaps these words touched the scars in her heart and caused her unhappiness. "The servant is talking too much. Madam must be thirsty all the way. I'll go and pour water for Madam." Just as he was talking, a young maid's voice came from the door of the new house: "Master Changsongmaru is back." "Changsongmaru is back?" Madam was in a hurry, "Xiao Hagi, go and get that cushion; also, hurry up and bring some Changsongmaru's favorite snacks." "yes." "I have to go out to greet you quickly. Maybe Changsong Maru is the only person in this world who is destined to be with me. I can't neglect it... Hurry up and open the window to ventilate the room." The lady seemed to be a different person, and she was full of energy ordered. "My lord, the child is back. When the child is not at home, how are you?" Xiuzhong came in, bowed his head slightly as usual, and greeted respectfully. "How can I be okay when you're not here?" Mrs. Asahi tilted her head slightly, narrowing her eyes happily. "You are not well?" "Yeah, I can't even talk to someone close to me. I just look at the carp in the pond and listen to the wind all day long. Oh, what prey did you catch this time?" "There were no geese, and I didn't see any cranes. I galloped across the fields for a while, and then returned." "Did you meet any wild boar?" "I heard that wild boars appeared and ruined the crops, so I wanted to go hunting, but I didn't even see a shadow." "Oh, the wild boar probably didn't dare to come out because it was afraid of you. The snacks are here. Come, tell your mother what you saw and heard in Hamamatsu." Tea and snacks were put on the table.Xiuzhong still ate snacks and drank tea in an orderly manner. "Changsong Maru." "Mother, what's the matter?" "You are no longer a child. As a servant of the fifth rank, you are already an outstanding adult." "The child is just a name, I'm really ashamed." "No, you are extremely intelligent, so, mother would like to ask you something, okay? Do you think there will be a war between Lord Kanbai and the Hojo clan of Odawara in the near future?" Xiuzhong tilted his head slightly, and thought about Fan carefully for a while, "My child is not very clear about this matter." "Mother asked you, but you refused to say so?" "..." "Even if you don't know what your father and those important ministers think, Chang Songmaru should have his own thoughts. Tell mother, what do you think?" "My own... thoughts?" "Yes. Just say what you think. Don't worry about others." "Then, my boy thinks that there must be a battle between Lord Guanbai and Odawara. But this is not a battle between Lord Guanbai and the Hojo clan." "Who is fighting who?" "Between Lord Guan Bai and father." "Why is that so?" "The Hojo Clan behind my father makes Kanbai-sama worry, he will conquer Odawara. But this is just an excuse. The real reason is to isolate and weaken my father. We have to accept all of this." After finishing speaking, Xiu Zhong looked away, not daring to look directly at Mrs. Asahi.He was trying to figure out how these words made his wife feel.But Mrs. Asahi was unexpectedly calm, and immediately asked: "Oh, I think so too. So, who will win this war?" "The Hojo family is no match for Kanbai-sama at all. Therefore, our family's status will be even lower after the war." "So, your father intends to fight Guan Bai?" Xiuzhong shook his head.Only at this time, the seriousness of the young man was clearly revealed between his brows, "For the sake of the world, we should form an ally with Lord Guan Bai." "For the sake of the world?" "Yes, what the people expect is peace in the world." "For the sake of the world? Mother doesn't know. Then what should I do? Once the war starts, will mother have to leave you and move to the capital?" Xiuzhong was surprised again and kept silent.He also had several conversations with his attendants on this matter.Will Guan Bai leave his wife in Junfu and go to war directly, or will he take his wife back to the capital first, and then face the Tokugawa clan with a tougher attitude?Although this matter will not have much impact on the overall situation, most people believe that this is the key to understanding Hideyoshi's thinking. "Changsongmaru, why don't you answer? Will I be separated from you and brought back to Kyoto, or will I stay in Junfu?" Xiuzhong said nothing. "Think about it and tell me what you think." "Mother, no matter how much the child thinks about this matter, it will not help." "Why?" "Because this matter is decided by Guan Bai." "Oh." "If Guan Bai said so, I feel that my mother can only go back to the capital, and be filial to the wife of the Dazheng Office..." "Changsongwan, what do you mean, not only the mother, but also you will obey Guan Bai's decision?" "yes." "My mother doesn't know. Guan Bai and I were born to the same mother. One gives orders and the other has to obey. It sounds ridiculous! What if mother decides not to return to Beijing?" "This..." Xiuzhong thought about it again, and said, "If this can reduce disputes in the world, even if it is unreasonable, even if it is sad, it will be a blessing to the world." Madam seemed dissatisfied with Xiuzhong's answer, she took a step forward and said, "You mean, in order to avoid disputes, you should obey Guan Bai?" "Yes, in order to avoid disputes..." Xiu Zhong swallowed the following words back.He knows that if he speaks casually, if he is misunderstood, it will definitely cause irreparable mistakes. The madam dropped her shoulders and sighed: "Changmatsumaru, you don't seem to like mother." "Children love mothers." "Then you want me to stay in Junfu?" "Of course, but if Master Guan Bai has orders..." "Oh, that's enough. This is your opinion... I have my own plans." Madam smiled desolately, and turned her gaze to the courtyard. For a while, Xiuzhong was still sitting upright, looking at his wife.He still can't understand the dissatisfaction and anxiety of his wife.But he had heard talk of the feud between Hojo and Hideyoshi.Some people assert that this war has greater significance than the battle of Komaki, and will determine the fate of the Tokugawa clan.Some people also said that if he did not take the opportunity to completely sever relations with Hideyoshi, the Tokugawa clan would become Toyotomi's retainers forever.Others said that if they confronted Toyotomi, the Tokugawa clan would become ronin with no fixed place to live. Xiuzhong was noncommittal about these statements.It may be influenced by his biological mother. For him, his father has absolute authority.All important matters must be decided by his father. He believes that he should obey his father and assist him.He understood his father's thoughts very well. "Father doesn't want to disobey Hideyoshi." Father firmly believed that the peace of the world is more important than the interests of the family.Xiuzhong also inherited his father's ambition, so he was a little indifferent towards his adoptive mother at this time. "My idea shouldn't be wrong!" While Xiuzhong was talking to himself, Mrs. Asahi suddenly bent down and cried.The maid sitting side by side at the bottom seat was taken aback.Gradually, the shrill cry turned into a whimpering sob. "Master, what's the matter with you?" The madam lowered her head and said, "Oh, you are still young, and you have not been tortured and hit like me... Please forgive my mother for her boring complaints." "No, my son understands what mother wants..." Xiuzhong couldn't continue.He wanted to say that he understood Madam well, but that was a lie.Xiuzhong didn't understand why his wife was so excited. Mrs. Asahi wiped her eyes, but couldn't help but burst into tears.This is the lonely sob that bursts from the depths of the heart of a woman without husband or child.