Chapter 23 Chapter Twenty-Three

Mrs. Tsukiyama came to the corridor and stared at the sun without moving for a long time.The clear sky looked very high, and the shrike flew to the treetops.From time to time she looked up at the mournful bird and sighed.Xinkang has triumphantly returned yesterday, and is going to give wine to the generals in this city today.She wanted to meet Yashiro Ohgami before then.How is Kai?How did Katsurai come to welcome her? Goro Shigemasa Nonaka, the envoy sent by Xinyasu, told her: "Nagashino Castle has finally been breached. The Lord left Matsudaira Geki to garrison and retreated to Hamamatsu Castle by himself. The young master also won a complete victory. It is really gratifying."

It is a good thing that Xinkang can return safely, but how is the plan going?Aqin, who was sent to call Mishiro, has not returned yet.Madame sighed again.Of course, the war was not over.In order to regain Nagashino, the Takeda army will launch a more violent attack, and good luck will not favor Ieyasu for long. At this time, the partition fan in the next room was gently opened. "Is it Ah Qin?" "No, servant girl Xina." "What's the matter?" Madam asked sternly.She still hated Kina and sent her to Hamamatsu to assassinate Awan, but she didn't even see Awan's shadow.

Kina tremblingly looked up at Mrs. Tsukiyama. "The young lady has given birth successfully." "Baby boy or baby girl?" "It's a lady." "Oh, Miss." Madam said to herself reassuringly, and suddenly became violent, "Hurry up and report the good news to the young master, and let him see his daughter." "Yes... yes." Xina quietly closed the door.Suddenly a man's voice came from the courtyard: "Why are you angry?" It was Yashiro she was looking forward to. "Ah, Yashiro? Where's Qin?" "I didn't see her. I was checking the arsenal with the young master just now." Yashiro said as he went straight to the palace and knelt on the floor of the corridor. "In any case, the lord and the young master have returned in triumph. Congratulations." Madam." His tone was so cold that Madam was taken aback, "Besides, it's the family's good fortune that Miss was born smoothly."

"What kind of family luck... How is your plan going?" Madam asked anxiously. "My plan?" Yashiro asked coldly. Yashiro caught his wife by surprise, her lips trembled, and she stared at him closely.Yashiro knew the meaning of her eyes very well.He looked at the treetops and narrowed his eyes. "Oh, what a nuisance these Shrikes are." "You'd better be careful with what you say." Yashiro then reprimanded in a low voice, "I'm afraid someone will tell the secret in front of the young master. Just now in front of the armory, the young master suddenly asked some strange questions..."

"Saburo?" "Yes. He said that someone reported to him that I, Oga Yashiro, had betrayed my heart. If it was other retainers, he would have... He also told me to pay attention to my behavior so as not to be jealous of my retainers." Yashiro finished speaking with his head raised. , turned around and looked at Madam, "Young Master seems to be in a very good mood, and even rewarded me with something to comfort me." The madam couldn't bear it any longer and asked, "What's wrong with Mr. Sheng Lai?" "Well, he is afraid of the young master and the lord, and he dare not even show his face. Of course, these are all rumors."

"He... didn't even show his face? What about reducing respect?" Yashiro rolled his eyelids and said with a smile: "That coward, afraid that the young master will suspect him, may have escaped." Mrs. Tsukiyama couldn't bear Mishiro's casual tone, so she couldn't help moving forward. "So, what about the secret letter you sent me?" "Confidential letter? What secret letter?" "Of course it's Katsuyori's oath! He said he wanted Oyamada to marry me to Kai—" "Ma'am!" Yashiro frowned, "Please be careful with what you say. How could I, Yashiro, know about such things!"

"What? What did you say?" "Hush——you really put Chi Xia in a difficult position. There must be a winner in a war. No matter what happens in the future, but this time in the battle of Changxiao, it is indeed the lord who wins; if the lord loses, it will be a different matter." "I'm even more confused. Then, the rumors about Katsuyori's death in battle—" Yashiro slapped his leg violently. "Don't mention these things anymore. Wait for the opportunity." He looked up at the sky again, and said to himself casually, with his hands on the ground, "The weather is fine today, and there will be a banquet in this city soon. I'd better go and have a look." Please be happy young master. Madam, please take care."

Mrs. Tsukiyama stared at Yashiro like a knife, but Yashiro didn't care about her embarrassment and anger at all, and calmly and slowly went down to the courtyard. Mrs. Tsukiyama convulsed all over, staring blankly at the sky.The normally smooth and moist skin looks wrinkled and dull today, as if it is four or five years old.Yashiro's attitude made her particularly angry, and she couldn't bear it.The wife no longer has any feelings for Tokugawa Ieyasu, she pins her dreams on Kai, and only expects Oyamada to come to marry her, even the dowry is ready! War is indeed unpredictable.The Kai army, which could have won, failed to reach its destination because of poor scheduling.But Yashiro Ohgami's cold mockery was too cruel and heartless.He treats his wife like his own woman!Thinking of this, she convulsed even more violently, regret and resentment hit her heart fiercely - Yashiro, a bastard, didn't even tell me the truth of the matter!

The lady stood up angrily, took out the letter from the bookcase with trembling hands, and suddenly wanted to tear it up, but she finally unfolded it... As she read it, Mrs. Tsukiyama burst into tears.This letter once pinned all her dreams, revenge on Ieyasu and Oda Nobunaga, which made her dream that she would laugh at Ieyasu and Nobunaga from above, otherwise she would die with regret. Mrs. Tsukiyama quietly rolled up the letter.The current situation is not good for Kai, both Ashsuke and Nagashinojo have fallen into the hands of the hateful Ieyasu, but the war is not over.The Takeda Army will definitely go to Okazaki Castle-it is not so much that she believes in this fact, it is better to say that she is very persistent in her dream.For the current wife, the only consolation is to quietly pray that that day will come soon.At that time, she will teach Yashiro a lesson.Mrs. Tsukiyama, who seemed to be struggling in purgatory, put the secret letter back in the bookcase and wiped away the tears that were about to dry up.At this time, Ah Qin came back.

"The servant is back." Ah Ling put his hands on the ground, trembling.In her opinion, the lady in front of her was like a hair-raising evil ghost.Although I have seen Madame crazy before, but today she looks even more terrifying: her eyes are wide open, her lips are pale.When Aqin came in, she was looking around in fear, and put the secret letter that terrified Aqin into the bookcase. Hearing Ah Qin's voice, Madam turned her head in horror, as if she had stopped breathing.The wife who let Ah Qin see the secret letter because of carelessness before, is now even more suspicious because of the sudden change of the situation.Her voice was very dry, and she approached Aqin aggressively, "Did you see it?"

Ah Qin wanted to close her eyes and tried her best not to tremble, but she still trembled; she tried her best to say something, but she couldn't make a sound.Not only did she know the secret letter sent by Katsuyori, but she also learned about Mrs. Tsukiyama in detail from her sister.Xina described Ah Wan in this way: "A lady with no malice." She called Ah Ai a kind-hearted heroine.The younger sister who has been favored by the enemy has been attracted by Ai.Her words are a heavy burden to Ah Qin. "Aqin!" "Yes." Ah Qin responded immediately, trying to smile.She instinctively felt that if she didn't do this, not only would her life be lost, but her younger sister Xina would also be endangered. "If you see it, tell the truth." "Yes, I...I...although I didn't see it, but it seems...Jia Jing sent me...the good news." She tried her best to control herself and forced a smile. Madam's expression suddenly softened, which made Aqin feel very scary.Is she already crazy?At this time, the lady suddenly burst into tears. "Qin." "Ok." "I heard that my lord has finally captured Changxiao City." Ah Qin felt embarrassed, not knowing how to deal with it, she just said lightly: "Oh." "And... Awan has also given birth." "Any news?" "No. I hate Ah Wan. Is it a baby boy or a baby girl?" Before Ah Qin could answer, the lady straightened her clothes again and said softly, "Ah Qin, my hair is messed up, comb it." Aqin brought the mirror from the next room as she said.She stood behind Madam, holding up Madam's black hair.In the mirror, the madam's eyes were filled with tears, and she smiled weakly. "I'm afraid I'll have to apologize to Mr. Hamamatsu." Ah Qin hurriedly looked away, feeling a pain in her chest, Madam became so fast.Just now he looked like an evil ghost, but in a blink of an eye he was so lovely and pitiful.Which one is the real her?Ah Qin has always been cautious in serving his wife, and she doesn't think she is pretending. "Why...why do you say such discouraging words?" Mrs. Zhushan did not answer, but quietly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Ah Wan gave birth to a child, I really want to congratulate her. If you like it... Aqin, do you really hate me?" "No, never..." Ah Qin replied in a panic, and quickly closed her mouth again.Why did she say that?If you answer casually without knowing Madam's true intentions, the consequences will be unpredictable. "You think he doesn't hate me?" "Yes... yes. Impossible to hate..." "Oh. Alright, I've already combed it, just tidy it up." Aqin combed his wife's hair like walking on eggshells. "I also want to change my mood. I want to see Agui, you call her here." Mrs. Zhushan was so gentle that she seemed to be a different person.Aqin stood up and came to the corridor, very puzzled. The change in the situation is clearly unfavorable to Mrs.It seems that Kakino didn't send her any more letters, even Yashiro was very indifferent to his wife.The young wife, De Ji, has safely given birth to a daughter, and Ah Wan, whom the wife hates so much, is not injured at all.Could it be that these made Madam regain her composure and rethink?If that's the case, Aqin and Xina may be able to let go of the burden in their hearts... Aqin went to Miss Agui's room in Erdaocheng, and found that Agui was packing up her things and was about to go out.She had just been to Xinkang and was on her way to visit her mother. "How does mother look?" "very good." After hearing this, Agui was taken aback by surprise, and continued to tidy up with a serious face.Ah Qin sat quietly and waited. Xinkang's elder sister, A Gui, is petite and speaks casually. She looks more like Xinkang's younger sister than her elder sister.She is becoming more and more willful now, not so much out of nature, but as if she was influenced by her mother. She often treats servants roughly and apologizes afterward.Therefore, in the minds of the Okazaki people, she is not as good as the young wife Tokki, or even Calamus. Seeing Agui, Mrs. Zhushan immediately beamed with joy and said, "It's rare for you to come here." The madam had never said such a thing before, and Agui was a little surprised: "Rare?" "Sanlang returned triumphantly, and your father finally obtained Changxiao City as he wished. Also, the young lady and Awan gave birth smoothly...isn't it rare?" Turtle nodded.She felt the same way. "Mother, I heard that my daughter's marriage has been settled." She pouted and asked, "My daughter will sacrifice for her father and brother no matter what. I am already desperate." "You really want to marry into the Opin family?" Agui nodded indiscriminately, "Just now my younger brother went to my room and said sternly, this is my father's decision, don't think about it meaninglessly." "Saburo has been to your place?" "Yes. He said that the matchmaker is Lord Nobunaga of Gifu. If I go on my own way, it will affect the relationship between the Oda and Tokugawa families, so let me prepare." Madam suddenly paled. The word "Oda" is very harsh to her no matter what the occasion is.Ah Qin, who was sitting at the entrance, also held her breath.What a cruel irony and sarcasm for Mr. Nobunaga to be a matchmaker... Ah Qin watched the change of Madam's expression in horror.If this topic continues, one can imagine how Madam's mood will change. It's not like A Gui didn't know what his mother was thinking, and continued: "Mother and I are just the mounts or swords of my younger brother and father, and they are gifts for any retainers who can use them." Ah Qin no longer dared to look at Madam, Madam must have looked angry. "Agui," after a while, the madam finally said to her daughter in a trembling voice, "Stop talking." "why?" "That's not your father's and Saburo's fault. If you don't do that, you can't survive. This is a cruel crime of troubled times..." Aqin looked up at Madam in surprise.In the past, as long as these topics were brought up, Madam would never let her go.Now these unexpected words made Ah Qin doubt her ears.Agui also looked at his mother in surprise. Seeing Agui's confused face, Mrs. Zhushan moved the Fuji forward. "Agui, are you not convinced? My mother was wrong before. My mother always believed that the world is more cruel to women than your father, and it was your father who caused our tragic fate." Madam's words were so abrupt, and Agui's face turned pale. puzzled. "But now I finally understand that this world is more cruel to your father. Women can marry and survive, but your father is always struggling on the edge of life and death..." Turtle laughed loudly. "What's so funny? Mother is only speaking from her heart." "Mother has forgiven Father, has she not?" "I just realized now that whether I forgive or not depends entirely on whether I am paranoid. Agui, mother, please, don't object to everything Sanlang and father have arranged for you." "Mom will probably tell me the real countermeasure next, right?" "What did you say?" "Okay. The daughter has a general understanding of the mother's thoughts, so she came to discuss with the mother." A Gui said while looking sideways at A Qin, "I have already promised my brother." "Okay, that's good." "Since the matchmaker is Nobunaga-sama, I will promise them for now, and then surprise them on the wedding day! This is the best reply to them! Isn't it, mother?" "Ah... this..." Seeing his wife leaning over in a panic, A Gui happily shook his body and smiled. "Father will be shocked, and Lord Nobunaga will be ashamed. I am my mother's daughter. Whatever mother hates, Agui also hates. Who will do what father wants?" Aqin lowered her head in panic, trembling with fear Peeking at the mother and daughter.The mother who suddenly changed into a different person, and the daughter who seemed to have inherited the style of the previous mother, this ironic pair did not make Aqin feel funny. What lingered in her heart was great anxiety: what will happen to them in the future? What are you going to do? "The daughter came here to know if the mother had a better way." "Can't you be obedient and obedient for once?" "Hehe, I don't listen to your words, but I can see your heart clearly." "..." "Mother, you must have ideas too. Please tell me. You are not like this on weekdays!" Hearing this, the madam had tears in her eyes.Ah Qin was still huddled there in horror.If A Gui's judgment is correct and Madam really has other ideas, then it must have something to do with the A Qin sisters.What did the lady's tears mean? "Mother, my daughter once thought about whether to make them lose face when they are about to get married, or to surprise them when they get on the sedan chair calmly?" Agui smiled happily, "If it were a mother, would you do anything?" What choice? I will also consider mother's countermeasures..." "Gui!" Madam's tone became severe, "Stop talking. Life shouldn't be so absurd." "That's right, so I won't be a doll that my father can dispose of at will." "Don't you understand, mother, I'm sorry?" "I understand. Pretending to regret is actually to paralyze the enemy, but I think this is a bit troublesome..." "Shut up!" Madam's stern voice shocked Agui and frightened Aqin.She knelt down, and the shrike could be heard in her ears, and the mother and daughter in front of her were relatively silent.After a long time, Agui finally stood up angrily. "Mother really thinks that way? My daughter doesn't depend on anyone, she just does what she wants." "Turtle!" "Take care, mother. Ah Qin, I want to go back." Aqin quickly stood up and sent Agui to the door. "Miss, madam..." After stepping down the steps, Ah Qin finally managed to squeeze out these words.A Gui turned around and laughed, but soon left with an angry face. The lady came to the porch and stood on the pillars.When Ah Qin came back, she didn't turn her head, but stared at the sky.Ah Qin quietly packed the tea bowls and dessert plates.The banquet in the outer court seemed to include the ashigaru samurai, with lively singing and clapping from time to time. "Qin." "Yes... yes." After finishing packing, Ah Qin walked gently behind his wife.The madam was sweating on her forehead, and said to herself: "Ah, this blue sky in late autumn seems to be sucking me in...Help me, hold me steady, hold me."