Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Return to Osaka

Tokugawa Ieyasu and Toyotomi Hideyoshi's meeting again was completely arranged by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Ieyasu has repeatedly stated that he has no intention of being an enemy of Hideyoshi, and Ishikawa Suzumasa, who is at the same table, is also smoothing things over.According to Hideyoshi's arrangement, Ieyasu accepted the post of Second Grade Quan Da Nayan, and after entering the palace to thank the emperor, he returned to Mikawa.Before the trip, he said that Asahi was not in a hurry to return to Beijing.If there is an emergency, the old Dazhengsuo can be brought back on the grounds that she is critically ill.

"Asahi doesn't want to leave Junfu? Haha, she can't be in love with that child, right? It's true for a woman, she gave the child the name 'Xiuzhong' and went back. Asahi Ying Huanyue. In this way, her adopted son will become Tokugawa Hidetada is the head of the fifth rank Tibetan." Hideyoshi smiled relaxedly, and then prepared to move to Juledi. The date of relocation is set on September 18th, the 15th year of Tianzheng.Hundreds of ships were used to transport gold and silver and other items, and they were transported to the wharf before changing vehicles.Five hundred vehicles and five thousand people were used.

Five days ago, the Beizheng Office and the Dazheng Office set off from Osaka City to Kyoto.At the beginning were fifteen sedan chairs carried by the great government and six sedan chairs for people to ride, accompanied by four warriors on horseback; after that were about 500 entertainers, all dressed in red, as if the gods passed by. Scene; next is the wife of the abbot of Hongan Temple; followed by Ning Ning and his party from the Beizheng Office.There are hundreds of sedan chairs for carrying objects in this procession, and 200 sedan chairs for people to ride in. Countless rectangular cabinets are arranged in a long snake, followed by horse-riding warriors in the same attire as the front.

Although men and monks are prohibited from watching, there are still many men and women watching on the road.There was no questioning or blame, and the ban was in name only.Of course, Ning Ning didn't want to strictly enforce the order, and she turned a blind eye until the team arrived in Kyoto. Although Ning Ning saw Jule Mansion for the first time, but judging from Hideyoshi's words and deeds, it must be an extremely luxurious mansion.But its luxury is still far beyond Ningning's imagination.There are three thousand steps of stone walls around it.The gate tower is supported by iron pillars, and the magnificent copper gate is shining brightly, opening left and right.I am afraid that there is no second such bronze door in the country.Ning Ning thought, walked through the gate, and saw the breathtakingly gorgeous roof tiles on the porch of the main entrance.There are words in the later "Jule Di Xing Xing Ji" as evidence: Yao Pavilion is towering, almost reaching the sky; Qiongdian is full of light, pointing directly to the sky.The jade tiger on the corner of the eaves pecked high, roaring proudly against the wind; there was also a golden dragon, circling in the clouds and singing.Cypress roof, wrap around porch.The song stage is warm and full of joy.The Wiz screen is made by a master craftsman, and its beauty is indescribable.

Facing such a luxurious mansion, Ning Ning shook his head helplessly. On the third day after arriving in Jule, Ning Ning heard about Cha Cha Ji from the maid.It wasn't that someone took the initiative to inform, it was just a whisper among the maids, which she overheard unintentionally.At that time, a maid was arranging his wife's belongings, and at the same time said to another person: "Do you know why Miss Chacha didn't go to Beijing with my wife?" "Miss Chacha has not been officially sealed as a concubine. If she comes, she will receive the same treatment as us. Of course she doesn't want to."

"Hehehe, there is actually another reason." "What?" "I heard that Miss Chacha is pregnant." "Oh? An adult's child?" "Yes, I heard that there are other articles in it." "What the hell is going on?" "This is a big secret, listen. If your lord doesn't agree, Chacha won't go with Madam." "what?" "This is not something that Miss Chacha could think of. It's all Master Oda's idea. He gritted his teeth at the fact that Miss Chacha was taken away by the Lord, so he arranged this way, and wanted to wait for an opportunity to take Miss Chacha back."

Hearing this, Ning Ning walked through the room and walked into the room of the Dazheng Office.She was not at peace.Just the fact of bringing Chacha to Beijing already made her very unhappy, and now that Chacha has made her own decision and doesn't go with her, it's no wonder she is angry.Ning Ning talked with Da Zheng for a while, then returned to her room, and ordered the housekeeper: As soon as You Le arrives in the capital, send him a message to come over immediately. The setting sun shines on the brand new roof tiles.After a quarter and a half, Youle came. "Madam summoned, I'm here quickly." He bowed solemnly to Ning Ning, squinting at a peacock painting of Kano Yongde on the right wall, "Oh, it's a good painting. It looks like he is fighting with the wife of the Beizheng Office." Yan."

"Youle, you mean the live peacock is fighting for beauty?" "A live peacock?" "Hehe, isn't it right there? Have you prepared a place to put the peacock?" "What... what did Madam say?" "It's the peacock who doesn't know if she's really pregnant." "Oh ma'am..." "You should have decided what to do. Hmph! Although that peacock is pregnant with Lord Guan Bai's blood, I will let you take care of her as you wish." When Ning Ning said this, You Le became wary and began to think about it.He couldn't be more clear about Ning Ning's being strong and sharp.He knew that one day the matter would be exposed, and he had already thought of various explanations, but for some reason, he just couldn't say it.Just now about the peacock, Ning Ning was obviously asking.

"Why don't you talk? Isn't Master Oda always able to come up with good ideas?" "I'm terrified." "Oh? This is not like you." "This... is Lord Guan Bai's behavior, and it was unexpected." "Hmph!" Ning Ning sneered, "Don't you even know exactly what Guan Bai ate?" "This...in fact, I didn't know it before I came down." "What time do you mean?" "This this……" "It was February or March, before Guan Bai went to Kyushu, right?" "Yes. But at the time, I really didn't expect such a thing..."

"Okay. The thing has already happened, the important thing is how to deal with the aftermath. If you have the heart to discuss it with me, you should have a countermeasure." "I'm just half-believing, and haven't reported it to Madam yet." "Youle, do you think Guan Bai is easier to deal with than me?" "lady." "Did you tell Guan Bai that Chacha was pregnant?" "No, that's..." Beads of sweat had already appeared on Youle's forehead, "How dare I talk nonsense?" He always felt that Ningning was just a girl, and it was not enough to drive her away from Hideyoshi. easy.But now it seems that he still underestimated the "female Guan Bai".Before Hideyoshi said anything to Ning Ning, she had already made the first move. "No? It means that the pregnancy is groundless?"

"Then, this..." "What the hell is going on! You are so hesitant, mother-in-law! Are you cheating Guan Bai knowing that Chacha is not pregnant?" "Madame of the Beizheng Office..." "Say! What did you say to Guan Bai? Why doesn't Chacha go with me?" "Ma'am." You Le hurriedly avoided Ning Ning's aggressive edge, "I want to discuss with you what to do with tea. I'm already in a mess." This is You Le's sincere words, but it's also a clever way delay. Ning Ning looked at You Le with a sneer on the corner of his mouth.He also said at this time that he didn't know what to do, which made her feel suspicious and angry.Perhaps the rumors are not without foundation.Could it be that Youle is desperate to snatch Chacha back from Hideyoshi?Even so, Youle said that Chacha might be pregnant, but hit Hideyoshi's life, how treacherous it is!Ning Ning also knows that this is the most able to control Hideyoshi's words. "Youle, let's continue." "It's very tricky." "Is it about the pregnancy? Did Chacha say it herself, or was it your trick?" "My confession. This is a clumsy plan I came up with when I was helpless." "Why are you helpless?" "Because Lord Guan Bai and his wife both said they wanted her to go to Beijing together, but Chacha refused." "You couldn't convince Chacha, so you went to deceive Guan Bai?" "Madam, please be merciful, don't tell Guan Bai about this." "Guan Bai will definitely know, hum! It's even more rude for you to despise Guan Bai so much!" "Ma'am!" Youle couldn't help crying, kneeling on the tatami, "If you say that, Youle will have no face to stay by your side any longer. Madam, please be merciful. Seeing that Youle is confused for a while Only made a big mistake, please forgive me!" Ning Ning didn't say a word, watching You Le.Maybe it was as he said.But such rumors made Ning Ning, who could no longer have children, feel pain in his heart. "That's the truth. You Le was so terrified that he couldn't persuade Cha Cha, so he had to coax Guan Bai. This was the biggest mistake You Le had ever made in his life." Ning Ning gradually felt that although she was also very sad, You Le was more sad than her.Although he is Nobunaga's younger brother, he has to obey Hideyoshi now, he has no opinion and can only please his master like other attendants. "I see. The matter has come to this, what do you think should happen?" "Madam, are you happy to forgive me?" "I don't blame you anymore. But, Youle, don't you think that you have sinned deeply?" "Youle is too late to regret." "Okay. So where do you want Chacha to live?" Ning Ning suppressed the churning emotions, and said in a nonchalant tone, "If she comes to the capital, you have to build a nest suitable for the 'Peacock' to live in." what." "I'm afraid it depends on Lord Guan Bai's opinion. I don't have any opinion." You Le had already surrendered to Ning Ning completely. "Guan Bai said, let her stay with me temporarily, and then make another plan." "Stay with Madam for the time being?" "Yes, Guan Bai doesn't seem to have made up his mind yet." Ning Ning said indifferently.She stopped asking.Up to now, no matter how much you scold Youle, it won't help. It is enough to know clearly from Youle that the pregnancy was his plan. "I'm sorry to trouble you. The relocation has also troubled you. I don't care about today's matter. You don't mind, go and do your own business." "Yes, thank you madam." Youle stepped back, and Ningning fell into deep thought.The matter was not caused by fun, but by Hideyoshi.In the past, Ning Ning always laughed off Hideyoshi's affairs, but for some reason, only this time he couldn't let go, not because of anxiety, but more or less out of jealousy.Why would he treat such a woman... Think about it, Chacha does have a talent that other concubines don't have, even Ningning seems to be inferior.Chacha doesn't mind everything and is defiant.The other side rooms gave way to Ning Ningqian, but she felt an irrepressible evil spirit from Chacha.Is it because I have lost some vigor after living a peaceful life for too long? With extraordinary vision and talent, Ning Ning can also resist Hideyoshi in peacetime.But she always feels inferior because of her origin.Nobunaga's niece, Asana Nagamasa's daughter, Shibata Katsuie's stepdaughter... Chacha's identity is incomparable to Ning Ning.Ning Ning actually developed a fear of Ju Le Di, thinking that she would live here with Cha Cha, she was about to go crazy. Ning Ning and Hideyoshi had a face-to-face discussion on this matter on the night of the 18th when everything was transported from the pier to Juledi.Hideyoshi came to the inner courtyard happily, squinted his eyes, sat cross-legged in front of his wife, and asked, "How is it? Are you satisfied with this room?" Ning Ning smiled slightly, lowered her head and said, "I have something to ask your lord." She moved the candlestick closer, thinking that she must smile all over the face tonight, but felt her cheeks twitch unconsciously. "Want to ask me... the name of the artist who painted this room? He is Kano Yongtoku, who is known as the number one artist in the country." Hideyoshi was keenly aware of Ningning's intentions, and slyly changed the topic. "There are many firsts in China." "That's right. The tea ceremony is Rikyu, the tea set is Chojiro, Honami Kouji is the most important for distinguishing swords, and singing and dancing... Artists and craftsmen from all walks of life have housekeeping skills." "Who has the most women?" "woman?" "In Japan, who has the most wives and concubines?" "This...maybe Ieyasu." "Oh? Why not Guan Bai?" Ning Ning said calmly. Hideyoshi rolled his eyes.Although he sensed that the atmosphere was not right from the very beginning, he never expected Ning Ning to question so sharply while smiling. "Haha, have you heard any rumors again?" "none." "Haha, it's really a bit of a nonsense talk. What did you say that I want to marry the daughter of Layman Lixiu, Ah Yin." "The daughter of Layman Lixiu?" "Yeah. But it's not unreasonable. Recently, Rikyu has often disobeyed me, saying that I'm stubborn. In fact, it's just because of the tea set. You know, I'm going to have a banquet with the Emperor at Juledi, and I'm going to ask the Emperor to appreciate Chojiro's firing. Rikyu said that black tea sets must be used. I don’t like black, it’s too tasteless. I said to use red, but he blamed me in front of everyone, saying that red is messy, and black is noble and elegant. All the tea sets are in his hands.” "hehe." "Don't laugh. So I blamed him for being complacent and contemptuous of Guan Bai. Of course, this was just a joke. I said that if he didn't change his mind, he would let his daughter Ayin serve me. Immediately someone said that I Ask Lixiu to hand over his daughter. Zong An or Zeng Luli are the only ones who say such things." "grown ups." "What's the matter, you seem unhappy." "I know about Ah Yin. What about Chacha? Don't you think it's an unfounded rumor?" Hideyoshi fell silent immediately.Ningning only cares about tea.That's why Hideyoshi wanted to change the subject, but Ningning was still hot on her heels.For Chacha, Hideyoshi has not considered it properly.He looked a little flustered at the moment.He seemed to try the newly made pipe, took a puff, tapped the ashtray, and threw it aside.Ning Ning looked at her husband calmly. "Ning Ning," Hideyoshi whispered, "You have changed." "hehe!" "In the past, no matter how unbearable things you encountered, you would understand me. But recently you have changed, and you have become cold and reasonable, regardless of your feelings and mine." "Hehe," Ning Ning was still laughing, "My lord said so, so I won't ask any more. However, what has changed is not the concubine's body, but the adult who is Guan Bai. That's how the concubine sees it." "I have changed?" "If you think this is understanding, I will say no more." "Ningning, no matter what happens, my love and respect for you will never diminish. You should understand this." Having said that, Ning Ning was speechless.She felt so helpless.In the past, as long as she acted like a baby, Hideyoshi would coax her desperately until she changed her mind.But this time is different.Perhaps it was because Youle said that Chacha was pregnant, which fulfilled Hideyoshi's long-cherished expectations.It's no wonder that compared to Hideyoshi, Ning Ning can feel the desolation under her knees better.But Youle said that it was his strategy and it was all a lie.Ningning couldn't bear to see Hideyoshi's disappointment and anger. "The matter of Chacha..." Ningning couldn't keep silent anymore, she was thinking of Hideyoshi like a mother. "What's wrong with Chacha?" Hideyoshi was like a wayward child, waiting for Ningning to comfort him. "I hope my lord will not be ridiculed by the world and be in line with his status." Ning Ning said decisively.As the wife of the Minister of the Taizheng, she had to suppress her sorrows and joys and show her generosity, which is really sad. "That's what my wife said." Hideyoshi leaned forward and said loudly. Ning Ning laughed again, she had no choice but to laugh.She looked at Hideyoshi, he was like a naughty and self-willed child, which was loved and hated at the same time. "How can I meet the identity?" "My lord, please decide for yourself." "Well, Chacha is a bit stronger, but she is also very smart. I'm afraid she is second only to you." "hehe!" "You laugh again!" "Hehe, it's because the adults are too serious, that's why I find it funny." "You don't think Chacha is a smart woman?" "I think she's too smart." "No, no, there is no end to being smart. No matter how smart you are, you can't be too smart. But compared to you, Chacha is still a bit inferior. There is no way, you are too outstanding." Hearing such naive words from her husband While flattering her, Ning Ning shivered violently and made up her mind to return to Osaka.She felt that only in Osaka Castle, where Hideyoshi lived in his heyday, could she feel that she was Hideyoshi's wife. "Then allocate a room in the inner courtyard to Chacha first. I will arrange for Youle to take her over from Osaka. Chacha will not contradict you." Hideyoshi wanted to settle this matter before Ningning changed his mind. , "How about this? About you, I have thought about it carefully. I will welcome the emperor at Juledi first, then play Kagura in the palace in your name, and then announce the conferment of you from the first rank in the palace. Ning Ning, what name should you use then?" Ning Ning kept smiling, staring at Hideyoshi's constantly wriggling lips, only to hear Hideyoshi say again: "'Ning Ning' is not bad for a cute girl's name, but it's a bit inappropriate as the name of Yipin Beizheng Institute." "..." "If you have no objection, I'll ask Lieutenant General Zuo Konoe to report the matter to the Emperor. Anyway, this is the ultimate glory for us husband and wife. Looking back, we have also experienced a long period of hard times." "..." "Oh, what's wrong with you, Ningning? Why are you crying?" Ning Ning finally couldn't control herself, and leaned down, she was filled with emotion for Hideyoshi's thoughtfulness.Taizheng Minister Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the husband who is praised as a rare great man, is so considerate of himself.What a happy woman I am!I'm afraid there is no second person in the world who can speak freely in front of Hideyoshi like himself.Ning Ning was happy and grateful, but despite this, sadness still filled her chest, her eyes became hazy, and she couldn't hold back her tears. "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" In front of Hideyoshi, who couldn't hide his worry, Ning Ning couldn't help but said, "Please forgive me, my lord." "what?" "I'm too capricious." "No, I allowed you to say it. If a woman can't say what she thinks in her heart, she is no different from a cow or a horse. I want you to do what you want. Before the lives of Lord Nobunaga and Mrs. Nong, I That’s what it says, and you’ve been doing it.” "Please forgive me." Ning Ning looked up at Hideyoshi, "Please forgive my capriciousness, I have one more thing..." "Another thing?" "Yes, I have something to ask." "Tell me." Hideyoshi showed a look of guard, "Your words must have been carefully thought out, so go ahead." "Please allow me to live in Osaka." "Ningning! This is very different from other things. We moved all the way here, and it's only been a few days. Are you dissatisfied with this place and want to go back to Osaka?" "How can you be dissatisfied?" "Why is that?" "I don't need to be by your side anymore. There are both Mrs. Dazhengsuo and Mrs. Miji Miyoshi here." "Are you fighting against Mrs. Sanhao?" "No, no..." "You shouldn't be at odds with your mother. Why do you say that?" "With all due respect: the roots of adults are in Osaka." "so what?" "I am the Beizheng Office, and I hope to stay in Osaka as usual." "Do you really want to stay in Osaka?" "Yes. When I was young, my lord went to war, and I felt like my whole body was torn apart. I was worried about my lord's safety and prayed wholeheartedly. I hope I can live like this in the future. Therefore, I think I should stay in Osaka. There are lords My lord can't ignore the foundation." Ning Ning's eyes glistened with tears. Telling the truth as a distant past, Ning Ning does not feel sad.She felt a strong emptiness and anxiety, as if Hideyoshi's life had come to an end.The ambition to unify the world, which is as brilliant as the sun, was once something my husband would never give up.Now this ambition has been realized.Hideyoshi jumped from a mere stepping foot to the position of Minister of the Taizheng, and he was hesitantly looking for his next target.He has reached the peak, no one dares to defy him, and no one dares to confront him head-on.However, where should we go next? The next step is "heaven" - is Hideyoshi going to ascend to heaven, or to enjoy earthly glory?Dozens of concubines waited on him, indulging in feasts all day long. Thinking about it carefully, there was a terrifying crisis lurking in it.Ning Ning wanted to explain this to Hideyoshi.She wanted to tell Hideyoshi now that he was facing a decisive battle that was more dangerous than any other war, so she wanted to concentrate on protecting his foundation in Osaka Castle. But Hideyoshi didn't seem to understand Ning Ning's true meaning, and there was a slight smile in the corner of his eyes.He probably felt that Ningning could not restrain his jealousy towards Chacha, so he said such far-fetched words. "Oh, you have a point in saying that." "Then, please allow me, my lord." "But Ningning, the world doesn't think so. They must think that Guan Bai and the Beizheng Office are at odds. Otherwise, why did they arrive in Kyoto with such a grand ceremony and return to Osaka in less than ten days? There must be such rumors. " "Your Excellency, you don't have to care about those rumors. Moreover, this is a battlefield, and strengthening the rear is also for the future." "Ningning, you said this is a battlefield again." "Yes, this is the final battlefield to decide whether or not to add glory to your career." "Haha! You and I have been walking all the way, so you will inevitably think so. But, don't say such things in the future. This is the capital where the imperial palace is located. It will not become a battlefield, but a place of carnival." "In any case, Osaka Castle is the pillar of your lord." "Okay, since you said so, I will follow you. Well, you wanted to live in Osaka, but I asked you to come and see Juledi. After you watch Juledi, you will go back to Osaka." Ning Ning was very dissatisfied with Hideyoshi's statement, as if he was trying to appease an aimless person. On September 13th, the Beizheng Office announced that it would return to Osaka on the 24th.People are all surprised.In Juledi, everyone was intimidated by this matter, and they didn't even dare to speak out.But rumors spread quickly. "Have you heard? Guan Bai and his wife had a quarrel." "Oh, I heard that Guan Bai wants to take Asai Nagamasa's daughter as his concubine, is Beizheng annoyed?" "No! Guan Bai came from a poor background. Even the Beizheng Office was shocked when they saw Ju Ledi, so they advised Guan Bai not to be so extravagant. Guan Bai was furious..." "No. I heard that it was because the fat queen Shou Sasao Chengzheng elected by Beizheng was unable to suppress the local foreign religious riots. Guan Bai said that this was caused by women's participation in politics. Of course Beizheng would not admit defeat, so there was a big fight .” "I heard that it was Guan Bai who got his hands on a married woman. He went too far." "Meddle with a married woman?" "Yeah, without the war, he has nothing to do. Guan Bai didn't have time to play with women when he was young, but now he has time." "That's your own story." "That's not true! I've heard people say that. The late Nobunaga's daughter, Maeda-sama's daughter, Asai-sama's daughter, Rikyu's daughter--the widow of Bandaiya, and Mitsuhide's daughter--the Mr. Hosokawa's wife, Azhu, seems to have taken a fancy to him. At the beginning, he also found some women of status, but gradually his taste became worse and worse, and Beizheng couldn't bear it, so he persuaded him." There were different opinions for a while, but there was one thing in common, that is, Ning Ning returned to Osaka because of the feud between Guan Bai and his wife. Amid these rumors, Ningning left Juledi and returned to Osaka by boat.According to her request, the number of people who went back was less than 20% of that when they came, and there were only a dozen maids.At the pier, Ningning kept staring at the mountains of Kyoto towering under the autumn sky.Compared with the sadness and loneliness suppressed in my heart, it was more emotion. An inexplicable excitement surged in Ning Ning's body, but it was not because of leaving her husband alone on the battlefield. Ning Ning stood on the boat, looking at the capital gradually going away without blinking.She is not the kind of submissive woman, she and her husband have always been equals.What is the purpose of chacha?I'll wait and see quietly in Osaka City... The thorn of life brought great pain, and Ning Ning had to fight it.