Chapter 13 Chapter Twelve

On the first day of the Lunar New Year in the twelfth year of Tianwen, people congratulate the birth of the son while celebrating the new year in the vestibule.A thin layer of snow fell yesterday, and people in the city spread the news that it was an auspicious snowfall. It is also a delivery room, and Yu Da's delivery room in Fulugu is spacious and bright, with warm sunshine.But Ajiu's delivery room was moved to a maid's room at the end of the long house.A bleak house is depressing.For two days no one visited.Only the maid Awan accompanied her, blowing the charcoal fire under the pot.

"I heard that the young master inherited his grandfather's baby name, and the city lord decided to give him the name Zhuqiandai in the seventh day." Awan blew on the charcoal fire under the pot, and said quickly: "When Mr. Kan Liu was born, the city lord even came to the house specially Come to visit." Mrs. Ajiu didn't speak, but looked at the pale window paper, and sighed weakly from time to time. "Nurse Suga told Okubo-sama in the corridor that the young master was born at Yinshi in the Yin year and was the incarnation of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. After hearing this, Okubo Jinshiro said, "Oh, this world belongs to our Matsudaira family!" Then he cheered , danced and ran out... If it is said that Yinshi is Yinnian, Madam, your son was also born at the same time. I don't know which one is the real Samantabhadra."

Beside Mrs. Ajiu, lay a sleeping baby.He and Takechiyo, who was born to Mrs. Shangfang, were born at the same time in the same year, the same month and the same day. Mrs. Ajiu felt incredible and felt very sad.Can the struggle between women go to this extent? "Madame Shangfang is about to give birth." When Ajiu heard the news, his stomach suddenly ached sharply. It was the end of the year, the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month. The twenty-sixth day was Yin's day, and she made up her mind not to give birth before that.After a few hours, labor pains hit her, making her feel dizzy.Father Matsudaira Sakon took the midwife sent by the decent and shouted happily: "Ah, he is born, he is born, it is a man, born on Yinri and Yinshi."

While the midwife was shouting hoarsely, Ajiu heard the sound of watchmen beating around the city, and then lost consciousness.But subconsciously, a sense of triumph overcame her.However, when she heard that Mrs. Shangfang also gave birth to a jade-like boy at the same time, her joy tragically disappeared. Although they were both boys, one was born in the concubine and the other was born in the main wife.Moreover, one was named Takechiyo, a name of great significance to the Matsudaira family, while the other had no name after seven days had passed.Mrs. Ajiu felt aggrieved.Why didn't Yu Da give birth to a young lady?Why don't the two have an hour together?

Mrs. Ajiu heard about the miracle at Fenglai Temple at noon on the 26th. Giving birth to a baby boy at the same time - this alone is enough to make Mrs. Ajiu extremely painful.However, she also heard that the Rokusho Myojin of Matsudaira Village had sent holy water for baby bathing.Yu Da's baby is still the incarnation of Samantabhadra, so I don't know who is spreading the rumors.Not long after that, there were rumors that the son Ajiu gave birth to was a servant who came to serve the incarnation of this noble Bodhisattva... The blood all over Ajiu's body rushed to the top of his head.She started to have a high fever, her whole body went into convulsions, and the high fever lasted for two days. "What nonsense... Isn't it the same father..."

She originally thought that Guangzhong would at least send someone over to take a look at him, even if he didn't come in person when he heard that he was feeling unwell after childbirth.She has been calling for Guangzhong's arrival in her heart.But Guangzhong did not come in person, nor did he send anyone over.Everyone in Okazaki City is cheering for the birth of Mrs. Shangfang's son... Ajiu thought it was necessary for him to re-examine all this.Before that, she always thought that she had defeated Yu Da in love, so she didn't hate her, but now, Yu Da suddenly became her archenemy.Not only Yu Da, but also the heartbroken person who was fascinated by Yu Da's beauty made her feel heartbroken.

"Madam, the porridge is ready." Awan came to Mrs. Ajiu with a steaming bowl of porridge. Ajiu suddenly began to cough violently, feeling the blood in his body was boiling, as long as he was emotional, maybe his life would flow with the blood like this. "Ah Wan, I don't want to eat yet, let's put it aside first." "But...if you don't eat..." "I said, I don't want to eat!" Awan held the bowl in embarrassment, walked around the room, and said, "It's really unbearable." "What's wrong?" "I heard that Mr. Sakai's servants told Nanny Suga that the woman serving tea and water also gave birth to a child on the day Mr. Shangfang was born. I don't know if it's a boy or a girl."

"What, you said I was serving tea and water..." "Yes. They don't know the city lord's intentions at all, and they treat the lady as a servant. I don't know who made the rumor!" Awan wanted to comfort Mrs. Ajiu, but Mrs. Ajiu curled up into a ball and began to cry.Although Awan said that everyone doesn't know what the city lord wants, but now Ajiu can no longer trust him.How did Yu Da, who was still a little girl, fascinated Guangzhong?Regardless of Awan's surprised gaze, Ajiu kept crying while trembling. The partition door became a little dim, probably because the sun was covered by dark clouds.A singing sound came from nowhere, probably congratulating the birth of the eldest child...

After a while, Ajiu suddenly opened her eyes wide, and she felt that it was her father who sang. Today is the third day of the Lunar New Year.Did the father know that when he congratulated the city lord on the new year and wished the son's birth, his daughter was crying alone in a corner of the city? Back then, it was his loyal father who gave Ajiu to Guangzhong as his concubine.At that time, Ajiu was only fifteen years old, and he didn't know the difference between men and women very well.The father said to her: "I will send you to the city lord. You must serve him well." Then he entrusted the matter to the mother, and the mother told her the physical difference between men and women with a straight face. "Although the city lord has taken Yuanfu, he is only thirteen years old. Everyone still treats him like a child, so you must serve him with all your heart." She blushed when she knew that serving didn't just mean eating and dressing.If his mother showed a little shame when telling Ajiu these things, Ajiu would definitely run out of the room blushing.However, the mother, who is known as the heroine of women, and even her father tolerated three points, explained to her carefully in a rigid tone: "These are all for the reproduction of offspring, so don't be careless."

After explaining, she told Ajiu solemnly: "The future is up to you." During the cherry blossom season, Ajiu followed his mother to the city.The cherry blossoms at the racecourse in Erdaocheng are in full bloom, and Ajiu meets Guangzhong for the first time.Beside him is Mrs. Huayangyuan and a servant boy. "City Lord, let Ajiu serve you in the future." Huayangyuan calmly introduced Ajiu to Guangzhong. Guangzhong, who was still a young man at the time, said, "Oh, you are Ajiu. I will come back after another round of riding. You wait for me." After finishing speaking, he returned to the racetrack.

That night, Ajiu served Guangzhong to take a bath for the first time.Ajiu still remembers his heart pounding when he discovered the difference between men and women that his mother said.But after serving Guangzhong to take a bath for more than half a year, Guangzhong still didn't notice this difference. "If he doesn't ask, I'll just wait for him to take a bath like this." Although she thought so in her heart, every time she stood in front of Guangzhong, she felt restless and stiff. The first time Guangzhong looked at Ajiu with a man's eyes was in the late autumn of that year. "Ajiu, your body is different from mine, why?" Still in the bath, Guangzhong's eyes were full of teasing, Ajiu was at a loss. "Oh, that's weird. You take off your clothes too, and I'll rub your back for you." At this time, Ajiu told Guangzhong exactly what his mother told her.They had just had a good time. Ajiu thought he knew Guangzhong's habits and hobbies well, but he still lost to Yu Da... As Ajiu was thinking this way, the sound of clogs stopped outside the delivery room. "The weather is really nice today." It was Ajiu's father, Matsudaira Sakonjo, who said calmly at the door.Men considered the delivery room to be an unclean place, and they would not enter it for twenty-one days after the birth of a child. Ajiu thought his father was just dropping by to say hello to him, and raised his head slightly on the mattress. "Although men are not allowed to enter yet..." Chengzheng said to himself, as if he had drunk some wine, "But, good things happen, why can't I not come? Namo Akiba Daimyojin, please forgive me." He dumped Shaking the mud stuck to the clogs, he took off his shoes, "Today I am not a man, but a father who came to visit his daughter." He opened the door, laughed, and walked in, "Kanroku is in good health. You Don't worry." Ajiu opened his eyes wide, neither nodded nor smiled.Because before that, she had completely forgotten about Kanroku who was fostered by her natal family. Although Chengzheng said so, he sat very upright.He first told Ajiu about Kanliu's recent situation, then bent down and looked at his second grandson. "Oh...it really looks like a city lord." Chengzheng put his hands on the ground and said.The wrinkles on his forehead and the corners of his eyes are clearly visible. "It's unbelievable that this child will come into the world on the same day as Mr. Takechiyo." His voice choked.Ajiu couldn't help being startled, and looked up at his father.In the Songping family, the father is mediocre and has always been known for his honesty, so he is often deceived and despised by others.He looked at his grandson with tears in his eyes.Only his father understood his difficulties. Thinking of this, Ajiu leaned down again and began to cry, tears wet the pillow. "Kanroku didn't cry, did he?" "Oh, no, I'm obedient. He likes the tigers on the partition at home very much, so he put his bed next to the partition and let him rest there." "Hehe." Awan, who was kneeling in the corner of the room, suddenly laughed, and immediately realized his impoliteness, and quickly corrected his posture.Cheng Zheng is always so easy-going, and his actions are somewhat funny, which makes people laugh. "Haha, even Awan laughed. Just smile, haha, this younger brother was born when elder brother Kanliu slept with the tiger..." Only then did Ajiu show a slight smile on his face.That's right, my child also has an older brother, Kanroku.The two brothers work together and will surely surpass Takechiyo.Ajiu was thinking of this, Chengzheng patted his knee with a fan, and said: "The elder brother who likes tigers, the younger brother who was born in Yinshi Yinnian, is really a match made in heaven. If these two brothers work together, they will assist Master Takechiyo, who is the incarnation of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva , our Songping family is definitely invincible in the world. This is what makes good things come in pairs. This is a rare happy event for the Songping family. Haha..." Ajiu turned his head involuntarily.Her father didn't understand her mind at all. "There is nothing more stupid than brother killing. Look at Sakurai's Shinsada and Sazaki Castle's Sanzaemon. Whenever there is a dispute between the same clan, the power of the family will be weakened. In Anxiang City, even Duli and Tuozhen have attracted enemies. If you work together, you can be invincible in the world, but if you fight between brothers and sisters, you will inevitably end. Do you understand this truth?" Chengzheng has always been a peacemaker, and he came here on purpose today , seems to be to appease the grievance and injustice in Ajiu's heart. "Today, I gave a few words of advice to the Tibetans in Sanmu. The city lord's uncle was also agitated by the city lord's weakness. I told him that if he wanted to become stronger, he had to calm down and not be anxious. He was not strong enough. In time, be patient, accumulate strength, and wait for the future.” "Father!" Ajiu couldn't bear it anymore, turned his head and said to his father, "My daughter is weak after giving birth, and I want to be alone for a while." "Oh, I was careless." "My daughter gave birth to a child for the city lord. After seven days, she still hasn't been given the name by the city lord. My daughter is very sad." "Oh, damn it, I forgot about it." Chengzheng seemed to have just remembered, "Ajiu, you should be happy. I came today to tell you the name of the child." "Oh? The child's name is..." "Good name, good name, good name." "What... what is it called?" "Huixin." "Huixin...Huixin...how does this relate to the ancestors of the Songping family?" "Haha..." Chengzheng laughed, but there were tears in the corners of his eyes. "Hui is wisdom, newness is the newness of new things, and Huixin is to create a new world with wisdom. What a name. The Matsudaira family has never had such a name. The little Matsudaira family cannot afford such a name." , only the children of the Buddha who is in charge of the three thousand worlds can have it." "Buddha's child?" "Yes, that is, a Buddhist disciple. This child is a born eminent monk." Cheng Zheng suddenly turned his face away, his eyebrows trembling violently. "Don't cry, don't cry. It's not a bad thing to be born in the same year, the same month, and the same day as Mr. Takechiyo, but a kind of luck. When two tigers fight, there will be injuries. Instead of this, it is better to let the child enter the Buddhist gate from an early age and devote himself to the bamboo. Lord Chiyo and the ancestors of the Matsudaira family pray..." Ajiu raised his head, his face was as white as paper. "This...this...whose idea is this?" She stared closely at her father, her voice trembling. Chengzheng hurriedly turned his face away. "Don't cry, don't cry..." He seemed to be talking to himself. Ajiu widened his eyes, looked at the child, and then at the father.It is also Guangzhong's child, why is the whole city cheering for Yu Da's child and dismissing my child?For a mother, this alone is very wronged and sad, but the father actually wants the child to become a monk as soon as he is born. "Don't cry. Don't think it's unlucky just because of the slight injustice in front of you." Cheng Zheng also seemed to feel that the child was very pitiful. He put his hands on the ground, looked at the baby, and began to sob. "They are just different in the secular world. The Buddha was born in the royal family, but he gave up the throne and founded Buddhism. If the Buddha was content with being the king of a small country, how could he rule the world of three thousand dagans?" "But this is no ordinary monk." "No, no, it makes more sense to become a monk this way." "No, my daughter doesn't think so!" "You child is so ignorant! So what do you think?" "As soon as the child was born, he was regarded as a thorn in the side. The daughter felt sad." "Oh, there's really nothing I can do about you. Didn't you say you won't cry?" Chengzheng turned his face away in embarrassment, and Ajiu said again: "I became a monk because I saw through the world of mortals. Decide?" Cheng Zheng choked up and couldn't speak.In a corner of the room, the water in the kettle on the stove was boiling and gurgling. "You really want to know?" "Yes, for the sake of the child, the daughter must know." "Then let me tell you, I proposed this matter and it was decided after everyone discussed it." "It's you?" "Ajiu, you must be patient. What is needed in this era is patience. People must restrain their desires and know how to be patient. Life is like this, it is predestined." "Father……" "I went to the city to celebrate the New Year, and congratulated the birth of the child by the way. I found that amidst the joy, there was a problem hidden. The city lord got two sons at the same time, and these two sons were born by half-mothers. Whether this is good or bad, even Abe Brothers, Sakai Yalesuke and Ishikawa Anyi are also difficult to judge. So I said to everyone, this is a good omen. Can you understand your father's intentions? Ajiu, have you forgotten why your father sent you to the city lord in the first place? Everything is for the Songping family. The Songping family can only prosper if they are united. I can't let those who cause trouble get close to the city lord... That's why I sent you to the city lord at the beginning! Ajiu, this is what I mean, you have to be patient. Be patient." After finishing speaking, Chengzheng, who had always followed the mediocre way, put his hands on the ground and began to cry. "How can the Matsudaira Clan survive in such troubled times because they cannot unite internally? Oda in the west is like a wolf like a tiger, and Imagawa in the east is watching. If we kill each other, we will immediately become prey for others. I understand in my heart that I am deeply worried when I see the two tigers born at the same time. Why is the city lord? It’s just that he cares about your feelings, so he didn’t say it. If you show dissatisfaction at this time, what will happen in the end?” Ajiu buried his head in the pillow and began to cry. "Father, I know that you are wronged in your heart. But people live in this world, there are things to say, and there are things not to say. I also know that you are wholehearted to the city lord...isn't it?" "It's because of this...it's because of this that Ajiu feels sad." "So, Ajiu..." Chengzheng glanced at Awan who was kneeling in the corner, and she also broke down in tears. "You love the Santo, don't you?" "Ok." "You love your children too, don't you?" "Ok." "Since that's the case, you should learn to be tolerant. This is very important. If you show any dissatisfaction with this decision, you will be... expelled." "This……" "Don't you think that someone might kill this newborn child for the sake of family unity? In Songping's family, there are some loyal ministers and good generals who will do anything for the benefit of the family. Don't you understand?" Ajiu was speechless. "That's why I came up with this perfect plan, which can ensure that you and your children are safe and sound, and will not hurt the harmony of the family. Ajiu, don't complain about the city lord, and don't hate the old officials of the Songping family. If you want to blame, blame me... ...Ajiu." Ajiu was still lying on the pillow, whimpering.At the same time, Yu Da's delivery room is another scene.The city lord Guangzhong has already visited his son.The baby, named Takechiyo, lay in his own room next to the delivery room, staring innocently.His little hands were red and chubby, and there was a dent on the back of his hand.The baby's room was converted from the maid's room. It was not luxurious, but it was very clean.The two chosen wet nurses are with the baby.One is Azhen, the wife of the retainer Amano Kiyozaemon, and the other is Kameme, the wife of Shimizu Sonzaemon of Tomura.They also just gave birth to babies, their bodies are still a little weak, and their expressions are tense, as if they are not used to life in the inner court. No one went to the delivery room, but a few veterans visited the baby room.They scolded the two wet nurses as soon as they came, no wonder they were so nervous. "There are guests!" Another voice shouted, "Okubo Shinhachiro Tadatoshi came to congratulate the young master Takechiyo on the New Year, please inform." Turtle Girl noticed that he seemed to be drunk, so she hurried to the door, put her hands on the ground and said, "Please come in." Unexpectedly, Shinhachiro yelled loudly: "Shut up! How dare you bully the young master and make your own claims without notifying him, you are extremely rude! What's your name?" "The servant girl is called the turtle girl." "Turtle girl, for the sake of your good name, let me spare you today, hurry up and report to me!" "Ah... yes!" The turtle girl hurriedly got up and went back to the house, looking at the baby who had not yet opened her eyes and Ah Zhen beside her as if asking for help. Sanhe officials have always been known for their bravery and heroism. They are pure-minded and proud of it;This has become the family tradition of each family.Of course, this approach is not feasible in all eras.But in this chaotic world of years of fighting, how can one have both?It is not easy to be both civil and military.What's more, if you live today and don't know whether you will live or die tomorrow, how can you care about learning essays?It is not easy to survive on the cruel battlefield if you can practice martial arts and know how to use soldiers.Among the important ministers of Mikawa, the Okubo clan is even more famous for their bravery.They know that pure retainers are the safest, able to show their talents and make their personality known. Shin Hachiro is the roughest in the family, and he came to say hello today with his mouth full of alcohol, no wonder the two nurses looked at each other in panic. "Hey, don't hurry up!" Shinhachiro shouted again, "Ask the young master for advice?" The turtle girl became more and more embarrassed, and whispered to Ah Zhen softly.Ah Zhen nodded, knelt in front of the baby, and said, "Young master, Okubo Shinhachiro Tadatoshi, the bravest Okubo family in Kamiwada, came to pay you New Year's greetings, and begged to see you." When Shinhachiro heard it outside, he couldn't help laughing, "This woman from Kiyozaemon can really talk. But the most brave words are too much. I have to teach her a lesson." Not long after, Ah Zhen appeared in front of Shin Hachiro with a serious face, "The young master said, I knew that you would come, and I have been waiting for you, please come in quickly." "What, the young master is waiting for me, the young master really said that?" "Yes, the young master said so." "I kept the young master waiting for a long time. It's really embarrassing for me to be so good at talking after being born less than ten days old." "Yes, I think it's because the young master is the incarnation of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva." "Haha, then I'll go in." Okubo couldn't hide his inner joy, and smiled.He leaned outside the door, bent deeply, and said: "Young master... Okubo Shinpachiro Tadatoshi came to pay his respects to the young master, and pay his respects to the young master..." He suddenly remembered that it was the first time he saw Takechiyo, looked around, and continued: "Young master, let me get closer? I obey!" Sitting in the corner of the room, Xiao Sasa couldn't help but burst out laughing.Shinhachiro didn't care.The posture of him kneeling next to Takechiyo reminds people of a toad after the rain.He looked at the baby, said something, and put his furry ears against the baby's nose. The baby's weak breathing seemed to tickle his ears. He giggled, and then immediately put on a serious face. Ah Zhen who was on the side asked, "What did the young master tell you?" "The young master said he had a secret to tell me, so I put my ear on it. What's so ridiculous about it?" "We dare not laugh." "No, I know, you are not smiling on the surface, but you are laughing in your heart." "My lord is overthinking. We just laugh because we are happy. If your lord insists on thinking this way, we really don't know what to do." "Huh? You guys are happy..." He took a step back, knelt on the ground, and said solemnly, "I know that the young master feels heartache, and I will definitely admonish them severely. Mrs. Kiyozaemon." "exist." "Just now the young master said that there is a frivolous and rude person around him, let me reprimand him severely, do you know who that person is?" Ah Zhen was at a loss, and exchanged glances with Gui Nu.Xiao Sasa knelt in the corner, turned her head to one side, trying not to laugh out loud. "You have to be very careful about breastfeeding the young master." "We also—" "Look, I haven't finished my words yet, you immediately act innocent... The young master said, this is not acceptable." "yes." "The behavior of the nurse will affect the character of the young master. You are also virtuous at home. Why do you praise people for being brave when you speak today?" Ah Zhen suddenly realized: So it was because of this matter.She saluted solemnly. "We will serve you carefully in the future, please forgive me, young master." "The young master said that he hates flattery and flattery the most. Listen, the young master said, you can't raise him into a stupid person who only likes flattery." "yes." "He also said you can't let him develop frivolity. Carnival is followed by sorrow. Simple emotions are nothing but stupidity." "Slaves will always remember it in their hearts." "Okay, these are the young master's intentions, and the rest is my private matter. It's really gratifying, gratifying and congratulating! Haha..." Seeing that Shin Hachiro finally stopped scolding, Ah Zhen and Gui Nu breathed a sigh of relief.In the Matsudaira family, the Okubo family is the most independent and extraordinary.There are more than 30 people in their clan, and the main family is the three brothers Shinjuro, Shinhachiro and Jinshiro.As soon as the younger brother Jinshiro Tadashi heard that Takechiyo was born, he wanted to send his child to Takechiyo to be a servant. This made Hirochu a little at a loss because Jinshiro's child had not yet been born.Guangzhong told him that since he doesn't know whether the child is a boy or a girl, it is better to wait until after the birth to discuss.But Jin Shiro was very unhappy, "City Lord, don't you trust me, Shiro? Do you think I'm that kind of unfaithful person? How could I give birth to a girl at a time like this?" Hearing this kind of words, Hirochu became even more embarrassed, "I know, but if there are so many children in the inner court suddenly, it will be very troublesome, after your child can walk, let him serve Takechiyo. " Everyone took this matter as a joke, but they didn't mean to make fun of him for his recklessness and stupidity.But behind the Okubo family's weird words and deeds, there is sarcasm and irony hidden.Guangzhong's uncle recently had a feud with Guangzhong, so they satirized and threatened him. "We hand over all the unborn children to the lord and fulfill our duties. But you, as the uncle of the city lord,..." The sarcasm was beyond words. Shinhachiro and the two wet nurses finished talking, and when he was about to step down, he bowed respectfully to Takechiyo and said, "The young master has the virtue of bravery before he was born, and he began to protect us in the womb. Go to Qiuxiaodouzaka and fight. , thanks to the young master." When he said this, he deliberately opened his voice.Of course, this was for Mrs. Yu in the next room. Yu Da sat on the mat, appreciating the meaning of these words.Perhaps Shinhachiro wanted to say that it was precisely because Yu Tai was pregnant with Takechiyo that the Mizuno family did not seek refuge with the Oda family, and the Matsudaira family was able to win the battle in Shodozaka.After Shinhachiro left, Yu Da couldn't help clasping his hands together gently.Everyone in the family rejoiced at the birth of Takechiyo. What Yu Da is most grateful for is his eighty-six-year-old great-grandfather Daoyue Rendao who has lived in seclusion in Erdao City. He came to see Takechiyo.He watched his son Matsudaira Nobusada take refuge in Oda Nobuhide, and he completely stayed away from the world. Even when Yu Da married, he just said: "I am already an outsider, a bad old man, so I don't want to join in the fun." But now seeing Takechiyo, he cried: "It's really a happy event, a great happy event." Yu Da was so happy that he put his hands together.Suddenly, Takechiyo who was lying next door burst into tears.The sunlight shone on the partition fan, a little dazzling.Yu Da put his palms together and sat there motionless.