Chapter 17 Chapter Seventeen

In the inner room of Osaka Castle, it has been a long time since I saw the figure of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who had passed through Guanbai. Today he brought his servants to the room of the Beizheng Office.Therefore, even the small stones in the courtyard are full of candlesticks. In addition to Dazhengsuo, Asahi Hime and Hidecho, there was also Hideyoshi's sister, Mrs. Miyoshi Yiyi. On the surface, this was a very happy family meeting.Hideyoshi and his mother sat opposite each other, putting their hands on their mother's lap like a child from time to time, talking about some interesting things about the capital and Sakai Port.

"Oh, Asahi!" He said to the most gloomy sister in the room, "Tokugawa Ieyasu's third son is called Nagamatsumaru, he is a very well-behaved child. Although he is very honest, he is the heir to the family business. Therefore, you If you arrive in Hamamatsu, you should immediately adopt him as your adopted son. It’s not enough for you to be the main wife, you must also be the heir’s mother!” Dazhengsuo was even more surprised than Asahihime.She widened her eyes and asked, "So, it's finally decided?" "What mother is talking about, didn't I say it a long time ago?"

"Why did Lord Guan Bai say such things again?" "It's strange, but it's okay. It's been decided, and now I'll officially tell Asahi." "Asahi, do you know?" When the worried mother asked, Hideyoshi didn't wait for Asahihime to answer, and said first: "Tokugawa sent Saburo Amano to discuss the marriage, and I scolded him. How did he put Asahi on?" What is it? I reprimanded him because Guan Bai's younger sister is about to marry, but he sent an unknown minister to discuss it. What is his intention? There is no one in the Tokugawa family?"

The Beizheng Office asked: "The Tokugawa family also has several famous retainers?" "Of course!" Hideyoshi caressed his mother's knee, "There are many warriors who can scare me too. Honda Tadakatsu and Kanbara Yasomasa are the dragons and phoenixes. Therefore, I strictly ordered him to send these two people here immediately. When they come, they can decide the date. This is the wedding of my Guan Bai family! How can I just drink a glass of thin wine like I did back then!" "Then, after seeing off Asahi, shall we hold a wedding again?" Bei Zhengsuo said.

"Troublesome!" Hideyoshi reprimanded his wife affectionately, "We are ready. I ordered Asano Yahei, Oda Yuraku, Tomita Sakon and others to make no mistakes, and to put on an unprecedented ostentation! Passers-by You have to be surprised, even the people of Sanhe and Yuanjiang, no, even Ieyasu and his retainers will have their eyes wide open! When that day comes, my mother will also take a good look. Asahi, don't forget, you are Guan Bai's younger sister, Keep your chest up and go with high spirits. Hahaha." Asahi Hime looked sullenly at the shadows of Western lanterns in the corridor of Gaodian.

"Is the son-in-law a gentle person?" Da Zhengsuo seemed very worried about the depressed Asahihime, "I hope he has a gentle temperament at least." "Don't worry! He's honest and honest. But he's not just gentle, is he, Yamato Mori?" Hideyoshi glanced at his younger brother Hidecho, "He's not only the first bow of Kaido, but also a gentle person, in my eyes good sister-in-law." "That's good. But there are always strange legends in the world." "What rumor did mother hear?" "According to them, there is only one person in the world who is Guan Bai's opponent, and that is Tokugawa. Guan Bai married his younger sister to him. In fact, he made his younger sister a hostage."

"Haha, Yamato Mori, did you tell mother?" "No, no!" Xiuchang shook his head and glanced at his sister. Mrs. Sanhao gave her younger brother a stern look, "People who say such things are jealous of Guan Bai, don't worry about it." "Yes!" Hideyoshi continued, "Tokugawa has become a sister-in-law, and the two of us rule the world together. At this time, we are still afraid that people will covet it? This marriage is really meaningful." He smiled happily: "Mother, sister , Brother, please rejoice for this marriage! How could I send my beloved sister as a hostage?"

"Then, is this son-in-law's strength second only to Guan Bai?" "Of course. He's not as good as Guan Bai, but far better than me, Xiuchang." Xiuchang said. "Oh? Above you?" Dazhengsuo deliberately elicited these words so that Asahi Ji could listen, "Did you hear that, your husband-in-law is the second most powerful person in the world!" However, Asahi Hime didn't answer.Her face was much thinner than before, and she looked ageless, but her brows were very pale, as if she had just recovered from a serious illness. "Why don't you say anything? I'm really worried as a mother if you marry far away like this!"

"..." "Are you still unable to let go? If so, if you have anything to say, let me tell Guan Bai. You can speak your mind now." Asahiji looked at her mother for the first time, and said coldly: "My daughter is getting married, I am very happy." Asahi Ji was very dissatisfied with what her mother said just now. Perhaps it should be said that she was very angry at what her brother and sister said-do you think I am a child?I am no longer a little girl of thirteen or fourteen!They coaxed and lied to a woman in her forties like a child.If this is also called kinship, she really wants to spit on them.The brother's principle of "for the sake of the world" seems to have been fully accepted by Xiuchang, sister and mother, and they seem to have believed it from the beginning.Asahi Hime was already disheartened.

"Asahi, is this your true intention? Although it is a happy event, you can't see a smile on your face." Dazheng said, "Making a decision against your will will affect your body. If you get sick after marriage, your mother will Worrying, you know?" "I know." Asahi Ji suppressed the emotions that were about to explode, "I have already understood that the so-called being famous is a sad thing, so please don't worry anymore." "What? It's a sad thing to get ahead?" "Yes, the affairs of the world have nothing to do with my affairs. It's just that I was born in this family. I can't laugh when I'm with everyone. Please don't blame my daughter!"

"I blame you?" Dazhengsuo was about to lean out in surprise, when Hideyoshi gently pulled her from the side: "Haha, I understand! Don't worry, mother, Asahi has already figured it out." "Ah! Saying such self-defeating words..." "No. The affairs of the world are closely related to one's happiness. It is sensible to know this." Hideyoshi said with a cheerful smile again, "Dedicating oneself for the sake of the world is one's own happiness. But , Reaching this level requires a process. Now Asahi has started, congratulations, she is indeed Guan Bai’s younger sister. Ningning, ask them to bring the food. Let’s drink and have fun tonight!” "Okay, ask them to bring it right away." The Beizheng Office clapped their hands, as if it had been arranged in advance, and the maids came in with the food immediately. Asahi Ji suddenly fell down and cried bitterly.All these things that were contrary to her intentions were moving forward like a ship with the wind.She cried bitterly, but everyone didn't care much.Perhaps both Hideyoshi and Hidecho had expected it. Hideyoshi deliberately didn't look at Asahi, "Come on, I'll do it first! Congratulations!" He took the wine poured for him by the maid, drank it in one gulp, and handed the cup to Hideyoshi.Xiuchang only glanced at Asahi Ji, and followed his elder brother's example, and drank up the wine. "Congratulations sister." At this moment, Asahiji had stopped crying, she realized that crying was useless, so Shan quietly wiped away her tears with her sleeve.Only the mother seemed to know the meaning of her daughter's unusual cries. "Ah, Asahi!" When the cup was passed to Daisho, she asked her daughter, "Are you still missing Mamoru Hinata?" "Yes." Asahi immediately replied, "It's hard to forget his death like that." "yes." "Is there a panacea that can make people forget? If there is, my daughter really wants to try it." "Asahi!" Hideyoshi said nonchalantly, "Time is the best medicine. As time goes by, new experiences will cover up old traces, so there is no need to deliberately forget." "Hmph! Then, if you miss the person who passed away in your heart, but marry Mr. Tokugawa, everything will be fine?" "Of course, everything will gradually fade with time." Hideyoshi said simply. Anger flared up in Asahi's eyes again, but this time instead of erupting, she felt an undercurrent of resentment and loathing sinking to the bottom of her heart. "Mother passed you the cup! Drink it happily, Asahi!" Hideyoshi said. Asahi Hime took the cup.She understood that it was useless to say anything now, her fate was already doomed, and she had to follow the path planned by her brother.If you want to get rid of this shackles, you have no choice but to commit suicide like Saji Hinata! "Are you feeling better, Asahi?" Dazhengsuo said while watching the maid pour the wine.At this moment, Asahi suddenly thought of something.right!After marrying, tell Jiayasu exactly what happened!Asahi felt that this was the best way to get revenge on his brother. "Hey! Is it appropriate to drink so much wine, Asahi?" Dazhengsuo was worried.She had just seen Asahiji ask the maid to pour a glass and a half of wine, and drank it all in one go. "Not bad, Asahi!" "Already figured it out." When the two elder brothers said this, Asahi Hime laughed out loud.After she wanted to marry Ieyasu, she told him the real situation, saying that she had committed suicide with a grate, but for the sake of her mother, she gave up the idea of ​​dying.Jiakang has many concubines, after hearing this, what should be done to her who has entered the old age?This is the greatest revenge for my brother! "Oh, mother, my daughter has figured it out, please rest assured." "okay!" "Daughter said, you can rest assured that I will not die. Even if I am not satisfied with my husband who is only inferior to Guan Bai, I will be blamed by gods and Buddhas." Saying that, Asahi passed the cup to his sister, Mrs. Miyoshi , personally took the flagon from the maid's hand and poured wine, "Sister is very happy!" "What did you say, Asahi?" "How many good children do you have, Sun Qilang Xiuji, Xiaoji Xiusheng, Chen Xiujun, each of your own children is enough to inherit a family!" "It's not that you can't bear children! I don't know if it's you or Hinata Mamoru who are unable to bear children!" "Hehe, but I already have a son named Nagamatsu Maru in Hamamatsu." "Are you going to adopt him as an adopted son?" "I can't bear children, but I can still have children. Is this really happy?" "Hey!" Hideyoshi stopped them, "Stop talking about those things, what's wrong with you?" "Forgive me!" Mrs. Sanhao bowed to the Beizheng Office.Asahi was already drunk at this time, her chest and head were hot, and in her eyes, the roof seemed to be shaking.She smiled inexplicably, stood up unsteadily, and the maid hurriedly supported her. "I'm drunk! Excuse me, I'm going back to my room, sorry..." "Asahi!" She didn't seem to hear the shouts of the crowd at all, and swayed out. "It's really worrying, why did she suddenly become like this." Da Zhengsuo looked at Hideyoshi, "Is there nothing wrong, Guan Bai?" Hideyoshi closed his eyes and thought seriously, in fact his heart was like a mirror.He stood up abruptly, wanting to chase after Asahihime. The Dazheng Office grabbed him from the left and the Beizheng Office from the right, and found that his expression had changed. "Ah! Lord Guan Bai!" "Don't worry!" Hideyoshi said to his mother seriously, "Don't worry about the child, go and have a look. It's nothing serious, don't worry!" The last sentence was whispered to Beizheng, and then he walked out of the corridor. The anger of the Dazheng Office and the Beizheng Office is still there, but they don't know what to say.Xiuchang said in a reproachful tone: "Mother, sister-in-law, leave the matter to Guan Bai. Asahi is too unreasonable, so Guan Bai is going to persuade her. Leave it to him with confidence!" At this time, Hideyoshi had already reached the door of Asahi Hime's room, but stopped suddenly. Hideyoshi is a person who can rule the world, but he finds it difficult to deal with his only sister.Ieyasu, who my sister is going to marry, is also a person who will make him feel troublesome?He was not only angry with Asahi Hime, but also angry with Ieyasu. Asahihime's maid saw Hideyoshi standing outside, and hurried to greet her in the dark corridor.Asahiji had already entered the house, and she knew that her brother had already chased him.However, Hideyoshi remained silent, and the room was also silent.This reminded him of the scene when Nobunaga pulled out his saber and chased relatives and retainers. Originally, he was dedicated to the world, but he was considered to have "ruthless ambition".This kind of conceptual opposition is definitely not the opposition between the ruler and the ruled, but the emotional discord between people.If Hideyoshi's success or failure depends on his sister's attitude, what will the world say?Hideyoshi took a steady breath and ordered the maid to open the partition. The maid frantically opened the door.The candlelight inside was flickering, and Princess Asahi lay under the lamp, crying until the sky was dark, and she was dying. Daughters may often resemble fathers.Their father Chikuami was a man of indecision.Hideyoshi couldn't help hating his stepfather, who was at odds with him, and took another deep breath.Asahihime knew that Hideyoshi was behind her, but she still curled up and wept endlessly. Although she felt that her brother was burning with anger, she could only resist in this form. Hideyoshi walked to Asahihime's side.He felt so embarrassed that he even wanted to kick her roughly—can I even control my sister?But self-control and self-importance made him put his raised foot down. "Asahi." "..." "Are you so dissatisfied with your brother's arrangement?" Asahi remained silent. "Tell me! Say what you think! I will do as you think." As he spoke, he scolded in his heart: Will you do what you want?Why do you force yourself to smile in front of your mother and Xiuchang, and why can't you be as reasonable as your sister? "No, it's useless to say these words, just do as you want. Tell me, what do you think?" Hideyoshi knelt down next to Asahi Hime.Backing away from Japan, he raised his head abruptly.Perhaps it was because of Hideyoshi's face and voice showing a murderous look, Asahi Hime shook her head inexplicably when she raised her head. "No matter what, you don't want to marry Ieyasu?" "no no!" "Then, what exactly do you mean? I have said many times that the clansmen of the 'People of the World' must take the world as their responsibility. Don't you understand?" "No……" "Ning Ning sincerely persuaded you, and Ishikawa Bokishou, who knew the inside story of the Tokugawa family, also told you the details. Every time you seem to have figured it out." Asahi Hime stepped back, "No, no, I don't know!" she yelled, "I want to know, but I don't know yet! So, I don't know!" "You?" A vein popped up on Hideyoshi's forehead.This kind of nonsense was nothing short of provocative to Hideyoshi, who said nothing differently. "Hmph! What nonsense!" "yes!" "What do you want? Why don't you say it?" Asahi was completely confused, she was terrified, trembling all over, moaning intermittently: "Oh, please...don't let the ghost of Hinata Mamoru...appear..." "Hinata Mamoru's ghost?" Hideyoshi couldn't help holding his breath, looking around, because the words were so unexpected, he was a little dazed for a while, "Ghost...appeared?" "Yes Yes!" "That ghost won't let you marry?" "Yes! He said, if you get married, that night will definitely..." "Is there a ghost? Hold the lamp!" Hideyoshi looked around in shock. Hearing what Asahi said, he also felt that this room was eerie, and it was very different from Ningning and his mother's room.Compared with the people living here, the flowers and birds painted by Motonobu Kano on the paper door are the most gorgeous colors. "yes." "What did the ghost tell you?" "He said, my brother is a cruel and vicious person..." "Hinata Moruma surprised me!" "He is a poor man." "You're right. He pities you for sinking and not being enlightened because of this matter. Then his seppuku suicide would be a meaningless death." Hideyoshi wanted to laugh out loud, but also wanted to cry for Asahi's stupidity and pity.Buddhists say that couples are originally destined.The thread of affection that has not been cut off in this life is still firmly tied to her heart, so ghosts can be seen. "Asahi!" Hideyoshi shouted, "If that ghost doesn't reappear, will you make up your mind?" Asahi Ji Wuji.The poor woman could only refute in her heart, showing a little stubbornness in her eyes. "Hmph, I got it!" Hideyoshi said, "Successor, immediately do something for Hinata Mori. Pass on the world's number one mage, so that Hinata Shou can become a Buddha with peace of mind!" "..." "Before I do anything, I will pray here tonight! Toyotomi Hideyoshi is not cruel by nature, but he is ordered by the gods and Buddhas to act for the common people in the world. Hinata Shou understood my wish, so he died of seppuku. Therefore, my dear Come and pray, his ghost will never reappear, nor should it reappear! Bring the censer!" Hideyoshi said, asking the maid to bring the censer and the censer, burned the incense devoutly, and prayed with palms together. Asahi Ji still sat blankly by the side, after all, she was an ordinary, clumsy woman who could do nothing for her brother.