Chapter 9 Chapter Nine Asahi Dies

Mrs. Asahi has been unable to eat smoothly since she moved to the inner courtyard of Juledi to live with her mother, Dazhengsuo.In the past, she also often lost her appetite. In fact, since George Hinata Shou committed suicide, she was overly worried and confused.After she married to Junfu, although she occasionally felt hungry, her appetite was very small.After entering Beijing, the person has become obviously thinner, lingering on his last breath, just waiting for Xiuzhong to enter Beijing. "Mother, do you think it's appropriate for me to come to Beijing as Nagamatsu Maru?" Asahi asked his mother.

As always, the Dazheng Office said softly: "Don't worry, Guan Bai will call him soon." "Brother called him?" "That's right. Even if you say you don't want to see him, you'll call him. Guan Bai is about to attack Odawara. Since you want to see him, call him as a hostage..." Hearing this, Mrs. Asahi hurriedly put down her chopsticks and held her throat, the rice grains were choked in her throat, making it difficult to swallow.She coughed violently and had to leave the table.Since then, she has often been unable to eat. The doctor at the Dazheng Office once asked Asahi if he felt a lump in his throat.She thought for a while and said, "No, it may be caused by heartache. Don't think about anything, just calm down."

But Asahi didn't expect that he was terminally ill.The person she most wanted to see in this world was Xiu Zhong.But she knew that Xiuzhong didn't come here voluntarily, but when he was called as "Guan Bai's hostage", she suddenly felt extremely angry. Otani Yoshitsugu, who came back from Junfu, reported: "Master Tokugawa said that during his stay in Beijing, Mr. Xiuzhong will stay behind. After he returns, he will let Mr. Xiuzhong enter the capital." Hearing this, Mrs. Asahi went to see Hideyoshi in person, and said in a tough tone that she found incredible: "If my adopted son Hidetada came because he missed his mother, that's fine, but if he is sent as a hostage, I don't want to see him. If he is a hostage, don't come to see me."

Hideyoshi nodded readily, and said: "Sister, I know. Having a child, I understand the painstaking efforts of being a mother. Don't worry, I won't treat him as a hostage." So he informed Junfu that Xiuzhong didn't have to Enter Beijing and so on. "Guan Bai sent a message, let me tell you, Changsong Maru does not need to enter Beijing as a hostage." Da Zhengsuo told Asahi.At this time, it was snowing quietly outside the window.Since the day before yesterday, the severe pain has shifted from the throat to the abdomen. Once it occurs, Asahi suddenly feels dizzy.She had no choice but to set up a screen in the room and lie down to rest.

"Asahi, even though you are being brave in your mouth, you still want to see him in your heart." Mrs. Asahi glanced at her mother, but did not answer directly: "My lord, what did the imperial physician say?" "Say what?" "I want to live until the plum tree blooms." "What are you talking about? It's all discouraging words." Dazhengsuo's embarrassed expression made Asahi feel more and more that his death was approaching. The Dazheng Office couldn't take it anymore, sobbed and left.Asahi shunned the maid and stared at the roof silently.Today is the eleventh day of December in the seventeenth year of Tianzheng.If Asahi can no longer eat, needless to say, when the plum trees bloom, I am afraid that they will not even be able to reach the first month.The madam used to go on hunger strike and wanted to follow her ex-husband, but now she is quite afraid of the imminent death. "I still have important things to settle." All kinds of anxiety made her hair stand on end.When she thought of Xiu Zhong who might be a hostage, she felt heartbroken.She was going to beg her brother, but she felt uneasy——I love Xiuzhong deeply, but what gift should I give Xiuzhong?As a wife, she has nothing; as a mother, she has nothing.If she asked for Xiuzhong to visit, but Xiuzhong was taken hostage, she would regret it until she died.

Asahi fell asleep unconsciously.She had only planned to take a nap, but she fell into a drowsy sleep because of her physical and mental exhaustion.After an unknown amount of time, she suddenly felt that there was someone next to her pillow, and slowly opened her eyes, it was already twilight outside the window.Asahi hurriedly lifted the quilt and sat up straight. "It's my lord... I don't know it's you." Asahi didn't know why she was so panicked, and felt incredible. Her husband Tokugawa Ieyasu, who had no real relationship with her, sat quietly beside the couch with a servant with a knife. "Are you sick? Just lie down."

"Yes, it is……" "Why didn't you tell me? Tell me earlier, and I'll let Xiuzhong accompany you." When Madam heard this, her eyes were moist.She had always been indifferent to Ieyasu and had cold feelings towards him, but when she heard about Xiuzhong, she became very emotional, probably because of the memory of Xiuzhong after she passed away soon, this is probably the last time she and Ieyasu will see each other in this life.She knew why Ieyasu came to Beijing, and also knew that the Odawara war was about to start, so she murmured: "No, my lord can't bring Xiuzhong. If you bring him, he will be taken as a hostage."

"Oh, that's not the case." "I have negotiated with Guan Bai about this. I asked him if the Tokugawa clan would send their family members as hostages like other big names in the world... I asked him, even Asahi's son would be sent as a hostage." , will he be at ease?" Ieyasu quietly raised his hand to stop her: "You are tired, go to sleep for a while." "yes……" "Have a good rest, so that you can enjoy your old age in Xiuzhong's care." Ieyasu clapped his hands, and called the maid from the next room, "Take good care of Madam. Asahi, don't think too much."

"but……" "Okay, I get it. I'm nearly fifty years old, and I know some things about the world. Don't think too much about it." After Asahi lay down again, for some reason, she trembled and cried.If she wasn't Toyotomi Hideyoshi's younger sister, the couple might have comforted each other... Unnamed sadness welled up in her heart. "Because of your mediation, Guan Bai said that there is no need to send Xiuzhong as a hostage." "I heard it from my mother." "Don't worry. As soon as the first lunar month comes, I will arrange for Xiuzhong to come to Beijing to pay his respects to Guan Bai. Of course, he also wants to see you very much. Well, you have a good time to rest and welcome you with a smile."

"The first month..." "Yes. Xiuzhong also wants to see you. The child didn't say it, but he could tell it at a glance. After Xixiang Bureau went, Xiuzhong poured all his feelings for his mother into you. Although he didn't have to come here as a hostage, But if he knows that this is the result of your mediation, he will be extremely happy." "Oh! Ah!" Mrs. Asahi couldn't get into tune, and exclaimed excitedly, "I want to live! I want to live until the day I see Hidetada." Ieyasu quietly turned his face away. In his opinion, the wife might not be able to last. It's the first month.

"My lord, I want to give Xiuzhong something... what should I give? What is the child's favorite?" Jia Kang couldn't bear to look at her directly, and said: "You have already given him mother's love. Your affection is the best gift, and what's more, it is your Kangtai body and Kangtai's smile..." He couldn't continue up. Mrs. Asahi looked at the roof, her eyes softened.I don't know when, but only when thinking about Hidetada, Asahi would feel hopeful in life.Now, she was thinking about what gift Xiuzhong would give him after he came to Beijing.She seemed to be a different person, looking radiant, and said, "Xiuzhong is almost fifteen." "Yes, it will be fifteen next year." "It's time to get a wife..." Asahi suddenly shut up and didn't say anything.Her life is about to come to an end, if possible, she wants to find a kind-hearted and gentle woman for Xiuzhong, so that she can be by Xiuzhong's side.However, she didn't intend to tell Ieyasu her thoughts.According to Hidetada's temper, if Asahi said this, he would definitely discuss it with his father.She wanted Ieyasu to know about it at that time, so that it would be more interesting. "What do you want to say?" "It's nothing. He's already fourteen, so he probably doesn't like children's playthings anymore. But it's not appropriate to give weapons..." "You're still thinking about it. I said, it's better than anything else for him to see you alive and well." "Ah..." Asahi suddenly changed his face. "What's wrong with you? Does it hurt somewhere?" "No, it's not!" Asahi shook his head desperately, looking at Ieyasu tremblingly, "Twenty days until the New Year?" "That's right, the first month is coming soon, and in another twenty-five days, you can meet Xiuzhong." "grown ups!" "What's wrong? His face suddenly became so ugly." "Twenty-five days...can this concubine live for such a long time?" Jiakang's chest tightened suddenly, he shook his head hastily, and said, "What are you talking about! I didn't mean to ask you to treat your illness properly..." "My lord, please call the maids. No, I cannot sleep any longer. I must see him, and I must live." "Of course, so you have to take care." "No. They should have cooked the porridge for noon... Ask them to bring the porridge. I want to eat something. In order to meet Xiuzhong, I must eat something." Her tone was extremely serious. Ieyasu helped Asahi to sit up and pick.A kind of feminine breath that he had never felt before suddenly permeated from the quilt, which confused Ieyasu.This wife has never had physical contact with him, but to Xiuzhong, she is a loving mother. "Okay. Madam said, go prepare the meal." Ieyasu gently instructed the maid. Mrs. Asahi drank gruel hard.Ieyasu said something about taking care of her health, and then left the room, but Asahi also mistook that Ieyasu had been watching her. "Your Excellency is actually a gentle person... I turned out to be wrong about you." "Ah? What did Madam say?" The maid who came to serve was taken aback. "I'm not talking to you, I'm talking to adults." "My lord?" The maid looked back in horror and said nothing. "I'm sick this time... You still come to take care of me... I know I blamed you, please forgive me." The maid lowered her head in fear: Madam may be unconscious... "Think about it, it's all because of my elder brother that I fell into this situation... My lord and I are both poor people who can't change the reality." Holding the chopsticks, Asahi ate the porridge ecstatically, muttering to himself in a low voice.After taking a few mouthfuls, she put down her chopsticks in a daze, but she almost drank two bowls.Will a miracle happen to Asahi's body if this continues? "I must give Xiuzhong a good gift." Asahi silently pushed the bowl in front of the maid, a faint blush appeared on his haggard face, and his eyes became moist, "Yeah, I want to live first. You called me here. Is that good, Xiuzhong?" "Ah, what did Madam say..." "I'm not talking to you, I'm talking to Nagamatsumaru." "what?" "I will tell Guan Bai again, let him not embarrass you and your father. I must tell him." "..." "If he doesn't listen to me, your mother will definitely punish him! He ruled the world, but unknowingly committed a serious crime... If this continues, he will no longer be in power." When the maid brought the third bowl of porridge, Asahi put down her chopsticks as if awakened, "Okay. Put it away, I'm much better." "Madam is really much better. Da Nayan-sama said, you will definitely recover." "My lord... what did he say?" "He said that the family temples and shrines of the Tokugawa clan in Mikawa, Yuanjiang, and Junfu will all pray for you." Mrs. Asahi gently put down her chopsticks, clasped her hands together and said, "Oh, that's what he said? Oh, oh..." Mrs. Asahi's condition improved slightly on December 12th, when Ieyasu and Hideyoshi had finished meeting and discussing various matters and went to visit the Emperor before returning to Junfu.Because Ieyasu asked the tea house Shiro Jiro to present ten ingots of gold to the palace in his name, the royal family specially gave him incense refining that day. What was discussed between Ieyasu and Hideyoshi, of course, people have no way of knowing.It's just that there are rumors that Hidetaka will go to Beijing in the first month to see Hideyoshi. She was quite surprised when the news got to the office of the Great Political Bureau, "It's strange to say that when I heard that Xiuzhong was going to Beijing, Asahi's body improved day by day." Hearing what his mother said, Hideyoshi smiled wryly and said, "She is a woman after all, and she is still very happy to see her husband." "Hey, but she never talked about Ieyasu, but she talked about Xiuzhong all day long." "Haha. Mrs. Dian often uses Shemaru as an excuse to meet me. What a woman says is not the same as what she thinks in her heart." On December 25th, Asahi told Hideyoshi through his mother that he wanted to see him no matter what, saying that he wanted to ask for something. On that day, Hideyoshi returned to Juledi from Osaka via Diancheng. After greeting his mother at his mother's room, he went to Asahi's room.Asahi sat up from the mat, and was greeted with the support of the attendant doctor.Hideyoshi said: "I heard that your illness is cured, and your complexion is indeed better. Get well sooner, so that mother can rest assured." "Yes. There are still five days until the first lunar month...I want to live to welcome the new year." "That's good. It's not filial to worry the elderly mother. I heard that you have something to ask me..." "Yes." Asahi said in a voice much clearer than Hideyoshi imagined, "Let's not talk about Ieyasu first, please promise me not to make things difficult for Hidetada." "You... what did you say?" "Asahi can go there with peace of mind after seeing Xiuzhong. Before going, please agree to my request." Hideyoshi opened his eyes wide and was speechless for a while.He did not expect Asahi to make such a strange request.He pondered for a long time, and murmured, "What nonsense are you talking about!" "I'm talking nonsense?" "Yeah, you think I'll make things difficult for Xiuzhong?" "Haven't you realized how sinful you are? Haven't you seen that even when you claim to have good intentions, you are more likely to cause pain?" "You... you surprised me! Are you serious?" "Yes, I know that the time of death is approaching, and death is like a lamp going out... This is the last request of your dying sister... Please promise me, my lord!" Hideyoshi looked at Tanba Zenmune, the doctor who was supporting Asahi, and asked with his eyes: "Is she crazy?" Quanzong won Hideyoshi's trust, and later became the envoy of Shiyaoyuan.He shook his head slightly, turning his head to the side. "Yeah." Hideyoshi looked at Mrs. Asahi again, "So, you already know about your illness?" "Yes. I don't ask for anything more. I hope you understand." "You mean, you want to wait until Xiuzhong comes to meet him?" "Please... please promise me." "Asahi," Hideyoshi looked at his younger sister's cold gaze, "Why do you think that I would embarrass Hidetada or Ieyasu? The world knows how much I rely on Ieyasu and his son. Did you hear something from others? You really don't understand brother." "No." Chao Tong immediately shook his head and denied, "You are called Yan Wang Guanbai by the world, don't you understand what it means? Please promise me!" "I promise you yes! No matter what others say, Ieyasu is my sister-in-law, and Xiuzhong is your stepson. I swear before the gods: I will never embarrass them!" "I'm relieved when you say that." Asahi continued like a puppet, "I have one more request——I want to find a wife for Xiuzhong." "That's it... yes, Xiuzhong is about to turn fifteen. You want to handle this matter for him yourself. Well, it's up to you. Is there anyone you like?" "Yes, and it must be her." "You're digging into a dead end again. Well, tell me, which family's lady is it?" "It's Oda Nobuo-sama's youngest daughter, Xiaohime. I want Hidetaka to marry Miss Xiaoji in front of me when she comes to Beijing." "Nobuo's daughter?" Hideyoshi's face suddenly changed.He had already told Ieyasu that he was going to change his territory, so the plan to transfer the three lands of Mikawa, Tone, and Suruga that Ieyasu had previously owned to Nobuo was inevitably brought up.If Nobuo's daughter married Hidetada, even if the Hojo clan was destroyed, Junyuan Sansan would still be under Tokugawa Ieyasu's control.Even Ieyasu couldn't think of something, but Asahi suddenly and decisively brought it up.Hideyoshi smiled and shook his hands: "Hahaha... This doesn't sound like your idea. This is not okay." Hideyoshi changed Ieyasu's territory, so he had the intention of separating him from Oda Nobuo.Could it be that Asahi found out about this from somewhere?If someone told Asahi about this, it could only be Ieyasu.But when Ieyasu visited Asahi, the conversation between the two of them had been reported verbatim to Hideyoshi by the maid.Was it a coincidence, or did Asahi dream about it?Hideyoshi continued shaking his hands and laughing: "Haha, Oda Xiaohime is only six years old. Hidetaka is already fifteen, and he is almost at the age of marrying a concubine. You have worked so hard to choose a wife for him, or you can find someone who can consummate the house immediately. It's better. What do you think?" "No, no!" Mrs. Asahi coldly rejected Hideyoshi's proposal.I don't know what she was thinking, "No one else can do it, but Miss Xiao Ji!" "This...why do you like Xiao Ji so much?" "While I was worrying about this, the undead of George Hinata appeared." "George's... undead?" Hideyoshi widened his eyes.Asahi nodded coldly: "Yes, when I was at a loss, Hinata Mamoru always came out to give me advice. He said that Hidetada's wife can only be Oda Xiaohime, and he wants me to settle this marriage..." "no!" "It seems that brother, you still haven't given up your evil thoughts..." "It's because of your sickness that I listen to your nagging...how dare you say such things..." "My lord," Danbo Quanzong hurriedly raised his hand and said, "Madam is sick, that's why." "Ok……" "In any case, madam, please pay attention to your body." Danbo Quanzong persuaded. Hideyoshi smacked his lips vigorously, and a chill suddenly appeared all over his body: "The undead of Saji Hinata? Nonsense!" But he felt very strange, "Haha, so, well, well, you are my only sister, since you are I will obey your sister's last request. Then I will ask Youle to talk about it." "I've already sent people to negotiate. I think that as soon as Xiuzhong arrives, a grand ceremony will be held in Juledi." Hideyoshi smacked his lips again, and looked back at Quanzong.Jeonjong avoided Hideyoshi's gaze and just nodded vigorously. Thinking about it carefully, Asahi is indeed pitiful.She will miss Xiuzhong who is not her own so much, which means that although she put on a smile in the past, how can anyone know the pain in her heart?If it is said that she is obsessed with the world, she may be obsessed with her feelings for Xiuzhong.Thinking of this, Hideyoshi no longer minded Asahi's request, and he didn't seem to care about it. Even if Oda Nobuo and Ieyasu got married, he still has a way to deal with it.Hideyoshi originally had no intention of handing over Junfu, Enjiang, and Mikawa to Nobuo, but just to make excuses for Ieyasu to change his territory.At this moment, he decided to temporarily agree to Asahi's request.Nobuo is different from Ieyasu, as long as he finds some troubles, he can take back the Three Kingdoms at any time. After learning that Hideyoshi wanted to adopt Xiao Ji as an adopted daughter and betrothed to Hidezhong, Asahi was so strong that it was shocking.She couldn't even swallow gruel, so she followed Quanzong's advice and spent a long time licking honey or drinking.While licking, she counted the days when Xiuzhong would enter Beijing with her fingers. Xiuzhong set off from Junfu on the third day of the first lunar month, but the journey was too long for the anxious Mrs. Asahi.He spent nine days on the road, and it was already the afternoon of the twelfth day when he appeared in front of Mrs. Asahi. "Master Hidetada has arrived! Accompanying him are Naomasa Ii, Tadashi Sakai, Masanari Naito, and Chunari Aoyama." Hearing the report from the servants, Mrs. Asahi sat up supporting her thin body, and began to make up with the help of the maids. "Don't let my son see my emaciated appearance." After finishing the make-up, Mrs. Asahi ordered, "Ask Mr. Jing Yi to accompany him alone." Then, Asahi lit incense in the room and looked in the mirror again.Her throat was completely stuffed with lumps. Doctors Qu Naose Genshuo, Hanai Mingying and Tanba Zenzong believed that she might not be able to survive the end of the year, but she survived miraculously.Maybe it was because of the makeup, but there was some strange brilliance in her haggard and gloomy eyes.Seeing her like this, the maids couldn't help feeling terrified. "Mother, Xiuzhong saw you coming." Xiuzhong walked in accompanied by Naomasa Ii.Although he came to the capital, he was still dressed in the plain clothes of a countryman, and his clothes were as dark and simple as the clothes of an old man. Mrs. Asahi looked at him lovingly, "You are finally here. I have been waiting for you for a long time." "Is mother feeling better?" Asahi desperately stretched out his hands and said, "Come closer, come to me, let me hold your hand." Xiuzhong was as obedient as ever.He walked up to Asahi on his knees, stretched out his hands, and held his stepmother's hand.Asahi's hands were cold, she grabbed Xiuzhong's hand and put it on her cheek to caress.With tears in her eyes, she looked at Xiuzhong obsessively, and said, "Bring the things you have prepared." "Of order." The two maids got up and left, and quickly brought a set of clothes inlaid with gold and silver leaf.Ii Naomasa glanced at it, then turned away.Three other maids came in with knives, mirrors and basins.The maid who picked up the clothes went to fetch the lady's comb.During this time, Mrs. Asahi kept holding Xiuzhong's hand. Mrs. Asahi said: "Master Jingyi, this is my gift to Xiuzhong." "what?" "I don't want my son to be criticized by the people of Kyoto because of his clothes. I want to see my son's decent appearance, which is not lost to any nobleman." "yes." "I'm going to change his clothes here." "As ordered." Ii Naomasa quickly turned around, with his back to the two of them, and sat up straight. "Are you ready? Comb your hair first." The five maids stood up understandingly.Mrs. Asahi murmured: "Xiuzhong, mother always dreams of your handsome figure. Well, first comb your forehead hair into the style popular in Kyoto, and put on this clothes. This is the best Tang suit. This is The knife, called Onikirimaru, is said to be made by Xinghei. Do you know that a warrior named Tsuna Watanabe used this knife to cut off a hand of a ghost, so it got its name. This is through this book A famous sword appraised by Ami Koetsu." "Thank you, mother." Although Xiuzhong was very happy, he looked back at Ii Naomasa suspiciously.Naomasa turned his back on them. "This is a gift from my mother. I spent all my private money for you. Do you like it?" "like!" "Come on, let the maids comb your hair." The two maids wet Xiuzhong's forehead hair, parted it in the middle, and tidied it up.Fearing that this is the longing of Asahi for many days, she has taken care of every detail. A screen was erected in the room, and Xiuzhong changed clothes behind, from underwear to waist ornaments one by one.Needless to say, these were carefully prepared by Asahi.Mrs. Asahi gently closed her eyes, she wanted to see Xiu Zhong transform into the most beautiful boy in the world.On her haggard face, there was a calmness like a Buddha statue. Jingyi Naomasa struggled to guess what happened behind him.Although he is a warrior, Mrs. Asahi's misfortune often makes him sad.Although she is the sister of Guan Bai, she can't get what she wants, she is deprived of the freedom to choose a husband, and she can't be a real wife... All these misfortunes made her devote all her affection to Xiu Zhong.If someone else manipulated Xiuzhong like this, he would definitely frown and scold him loudly.But when he saw Mrs. Asahi, his chest tightened and tears were about to fall. Xiuzhong had already changed his clothes behind the screen. "This is a pocket knife..." Zhizheng heard someone say, followed by a messy sound of packing boxes. "Oh..." Mrs. Asahi's exclamation sounded, although her breathing was chaotic, her voice was full of praise. Asahi continued: "It's really gorgeous! Isn't it, Kikuno? I've never seen such a handsome boy before." "Yes! Master Guan Bai will be surprised when he sees it." "Yeah, the color of the coat is really bright. The young master is like a person in a painting." "Mum must have a look. Go ask her to come over, and tell her that Xiuzhong is already dressed. When you go out, you ask the servants to practice the etiquette of handing over cups." Asahi ordered. "Yes... yes. The maidservant has gone." Ju Nai responded. At this time, Xiuzhong said in surprise: "Master, hand over the cup?" "Oh, haven't I told you yet? Tomorrow, you're going to see Guan Bai. At that time, you're going to give the cup ceremony." "My child knows..." "No, it's not Guan Bai giving the wine, it's you who want to hold a big ceremony with Miss Oda Xiaoji." "Great gift?" Xiuzhong was taken aback, and looked at Zhizheng.Zhizheng still turned his back to them, and said in a strong tone: "No matter what, please do what your wife said." "Oh, does father know about this?" "Of course...but, just do as I tell you." Asahi said. "En." Xiuzhong seemed a little worried, but when he saw Asahi's stubborn expression, he no longer had any doubts. "Come on, come here and sit down." "yes." "Remember, when you meet Mrs. Taisho, you must straighten your back like a general... Yes, that's it. Hidetada, you must become the general of Tōkaidō, an outstanding general who is invincible. " At this time, Da Zheng hurried in with the help of his maid.Before she sat down, she exclaimed in admiration: "Oh! It's so beautiful! It's really handsome." As she spoke, she stretched out her trembling hands and greeted her. Naozawa fought back tears.He didn't expect that there would be such a simple human kindness in the house of Minister Guan Bai, who was very popular! Dazhengsuo tremblingly walked up to Xiuzhong, opened his arms, and embraced him without any pretension, sighing repeatedly: "You are the son of Asahi, my grandson! You are here at last! At last! Can Asahi be here?" It's been a long wait! You've come, and your mother's spirit has improved a lot. Great! Really great!" She raised Xiuzhong's hand, placed it on her forehead, and then put it into Asahi's palm. "It's so dazzling. Come on, stand up and let me see. Oh no, you'd better sit down. Sit next to your mother, lean to the right, and get closer to her." When Dazhengsho comes, it will always bring a faint and simple earth fragrance, and the warmth hidden in the depth of this fragrance makes Naomasa think of the power that breeds life.He thought of when the Dazheng Office came to Okazaki before, the simple feelings resolved the grievances between the two families... "Oh, Ii-sama!" Dazhengsuo finally recognized Naomasa, "You are here again this time? Great, great! With you following, Xiuzhong can feel at ease. Come, come, let the old woman respect you a glass of wine." Naomasa could no longer turn his back on his face. "Madam Dazhengsuo, you haven't changed, you are still in good health." "It's obvious that you say that. You are not our friend. At that time, thanks to your care." "I don't dare to do it. I have to ask Madam Tai to forgive me for my poor hospitality." "By the way, what happened to Zuo Zuo? At that time, Guan Bai was very angry, and he wanted to cut him seppuku. Thinking about it now, my old woman still wants to borrow the loyal retainer of the Tokugawa family." "I think he will oblige with great gratitude." "Oh. That'd be great! Anyway, it's not good to hold a grudge. How's he doing now?" "Not long ago, he asked for seclusion, and now he has no official status." "Oh, that's not bad. Come on, let's have a drink. Chrysanthemum, you sit down for a while on behalf of Miss Xiaoji. I don't want you to drink, you come to help pour the wine..." Naomasa noticed that Mrs. Asahi, who was sitting next to Hidetaka who was arranging the cups and plates, had blurred eyes and lost her spirit. Was it because she was too happy, excited, and violently moved, or was she exhausted? "Ah, ma'am!" Naomasa suddenly exclaimed.Mrs. Asahi's body fell limply. "Ah, Asahi, what's wrong with you?" "Mother!" Xiuzhong hurriedly supported Asahi's body. With the support of Xiuzhong and Dazhengsuo, Mrs. Asahi shook her hand slightly.She seemed too tired and wanted to rest. "Asahi, what's wrong with you?" "Mother, are you feeling unwell?" The maid was holding the wine glass, not knowing whether to put it down or continue to pour the wine, she was at a loss for a moment. "That's it, that's it..." Mrs. Asahi murmured, "I want to see... I want to see how you look at the ceremony..." "Yes... yes..." Xiuzhong picked up the wine glass again, and the Dazheng Office urged the maid to pour the wine quickly.Seeing Dazhengsuo's calm behavior, Zhizheng knew that the mother knew that her unfortunate daughter was about to die. "That's good..." Asahi said lightly.Her vision was already blurred, and she wondered if she could still see Xiuzhong clearly. "That's fine... Your bride is the granddaughter of the late Lord Youfu, Guan Bai's adopted daughter... You are my son..." "My lord!" "Don't worry... on the thirteenth, you must successfully complete the handover ceremony." "Yes! The child must do what the mother says." "I, as a mother... really want to go in person..." "Mother, cheer up!" "No, I won't die! I won't die!" Asahi shook her hand vigorously in front of her chest again, "Listen, mother will be by your... side!" "yes!" "I will live...to see your...cup ceremony..." "yes!" "At that time, even if I can't move, I will definitely be here watching you and Guan Bai..." "My child understands, my lord!" "I will never let Guan Bai make things difficult for you! No...you can rest assured." This was Mrs. Asahi's last resistance to her brother, and it was all the strength to support her to live. "Okay... let's go down... I'm going to rest..." Only then did Naomasa Ii realize that the warm tears from Omasa dripped onto the back of his hand.What did this simple old woman hear from her daughter's last words?The man who reached the pinnacle of power was her son: this ordinary woman who didn't trust her brother and was about to die was her own daughter. "Okay, rest. Thank you for your hard work!" Dazheng said, and quickly covered Asahi's face with his sleeve.She doesn't want Xiuzhong to know that Asahi is gone...