wrote in 2017
“By the way, I should remind you that after your one-month substitution, please don’t take any man from Ooku.” Kasuga says solemnly. His tone doesn’t sound like a joke.
“What do you mean?” Jianxue asks in confusion as to why he said the requirement.
“The men gathered in Ooku are all served for the General. They are not people that the commoners can fall in love with, nor taking them out of the castle. Please remember.”
“I believe you know that you can’t restrain everyone.” Jianxue smiles slightly: “But I will remember.”
“Are you talking back to me?” Kasuga sneers: “Whatever, go back to your room, ‘Master.’”
After the brief conversation, Jianxue recovers the coldness that the General should have and walks out of the study. When passing the corner of the corridor, she suddenly feels a strong pulling force, dragging her into the dark warehouse. Looking up, Takatsukasa is staring at her with a serious face.
“I don’t like to ask the same question twice.” Takatsukasa puts his hand on the sliding door, blocking Jianxue’s path: “Who are you?”
Hearing the question, Jianxue suddenly lost her words. His voice was so sure as if nothing can change his mind.
But no, she can’t let anyone find her yet. She has promised Iemitsu.
“What’s your name?” Seeing Jianxue’s silence, Takatsukasa asks again.
“Iemitsu Tokugawa.” Jianxue hides her thoughts and replies in a clear voice.
Takatsukasa sighs: “Let me change the question. Iemitsu or Kasuga has the goods on you and makes you a substitute, right?”
Takatsukasa hits the mark with a comment, making Jianxue can’t help but holding her breath. She swiftly looks at him and sees him bend a smile.
Crap! He notices it!
Takatsukasa doesn’t miss the flashes of surprise on Jianxue’s face, and nods with understanding: “I am correct. It’s really like the idea they would think of.”
“Mr. Takatsukasa…” Jianxue is just about to speak, and Takatsukasa interrupts.
“Um, don’t worry. I won’t expose you.”
“Eh?” She hasn’t said anything yet…
“You didn’t do anything. Deliberately revealing your identity only cause trouble to the castle.”
“Thank you.” Jianxue relieves. Great, it won’t cause trouble for Iemitsu.
“…But you have to promise me one thing.” Takatsukasa stares at her sharply.
“Go ahead.” Of course, there are conditions. Who will help people for no reason?
“You must stay away from me as much as possible.”
Hearing the words, Jianxue goes blank for a second. What is going on in this castle? Those conditions are incomprehensible…
“How much do you know about me?” Seems feeling Jianxue’s confusion, Takatsukasa asks.
“This…Mr. Takatsukasa was born in the top family, the candidate of the Principle Husband for Iemitsu, and they don’t like each other.” Jianxue recalls the contents of the letter and replies.
“Yes, correct.” He pauses: “…I don’t want to be the ‘General’s Principle Husband.’ If you accidentally show a friendly attitude towards me, people will misunderstand that the relationship between me and Iemitsu is getting better. That will be a lot of trouble.”
He frowns as if disgusted from the bottom of his heart: “If such a rumor appears, Kasuga might hold the wedding immediately, so you have to promise me to stay away from me.”
“I understand. I’ll stay away from you.” Without saying more, Jianxue agrees. It’s just a little thing, even she can do it.
Finished speaking, she looks at him and lost in thoughts.
He tried his best to avoid anything from Iemitsu, just because he doesn’t want to be the Principle Husband?
That’s why he even sat at a different table four years ago, just to convince people that he hates the position.
Could it be that even after so many years, he never changed his mind?
She is so envious. He is different from her, that she surrendered to blood, and became a slave of death.
But there is nothing to hate, she has chosen the path.
“By the way, if you meet me in the public, you have to taunt at me.” Takatsukasa doesn’t aware of Jianxue’s thoughts and continues.
“Got it.”
“Are you sure you can do it?”
“Yes.”
“…Then show me. Try to get me out of here.” He tests.
Jianxue thinks for a moment. She doesn’t know how Iemitsu usually does, so she can only act in her own way.
“Get out.” The devil-like murderous aura releases, as if it reduces the surrounding air to a freezing point.
But it is different from what she expected, Takatsukasa just goes blank and then laughs out loud.
“Puff, haha! Look at the death in your eyes, everyone will know you aren’t Iemitsu!” He laughs: “She smiles when she kills people.”
“You…” She seems surprised and gasps.
Why…he is not afraid of her?
“What’s wrong?” He tilts his head. There is warmth in his eyes that even he doesn’t notice it.
“No, nothing.” She puts away her mind and returns to her expressionless face.
Maybe it is because of toxicity that the power weakens.
With a “brush,” the sliding door opens and Ogata walks in.
“Oh? It’s Master Iemitsu and Young Master Takatsukasa.” Ogata smiles: “Did I bother you again?”
“Tut, bye, Iemitsu.” Takatsukasa then walks out of the warehouse.
“Miss Yang, I made some decoctions. Would you come to the clinic?” Ogata asks after seeing Takatsukasa walking away.
“Why I need the medicine now? I thought seven days haven’t passed yet.”
“This medicine just keeps your body not so weak. It has nothing to do with the poison. After a;;, the General’s job could be really tired.” Ogata looks around: “Somebody will hear us. It’s better to come to the clinic.”
“Yes.”
Takatsukasa walks in the hallway, thinking of Jianxue’s surprise, and smiles self-deprecatingly.
It is not that he isn’t afraid of her murderous aura, it’s that he is used to it. Everyone bows at him first, and finally becomes ruthless and cruel.
But her murderous aura is so familiar…to the girl in his memory.
The girl wants to have emotions so much, but eventually push them away.
When they arrive at the clinic, Jianxue explained what happened today to Ogata.
“One month? Iy should be good and bad.” He still has that mysterious smile.
“How?”
“The good thing is that I can monitor your condition at any time so that I can adjust the medicine. The bad thing is the environment here, that I don’t know what will happen.”
“Really?” Jianxue doesn’t care: “In any case, I will do my best. Thanks for saving my life.”
The two chats until the orange sunset spill in from the window. Eikou comes to pick up Jianxue at the Bath Palace.
“Master, here you are.” Natsu still stands in the Bath Palace as yesterday.
“Aren’t you already a candidate for the Side Husband?” Jianxue asks. The bath officer should be replaced…
“Yes, but I made a request to Master Eikou and asked him to continue to let me take this position.” Then, he shows a smile that fascinates thousands of girls: “This is the best chance to get along with you. I wonder if you remember what I said yesterday.”
“…Um.” Jianxue responds.
“I will let you fall in love with me.” Did he mean these words? Unfortunately, the person standing in front of him is not the “she” he is looking for.
“Then, it will be the same as yesterday.” He walks towards the door: “If you need anything, please call me at any time.”
Jianxue walks into the locking room silently.
Mr. Natsu has already become a candidate for the Side Husband, but he still volunteered to serve as the bath officer.
Does he like Iemitsu?
If this is the case, she seems a bit rude for her murderous aura yesterday…
“Master Iemitsu.” As Jianxue steps out of the Bath Palace, Natsu stops her: “You forgot something.”
“Um?” Jianxue turns her head and sees Natsu flips her hair behind her ears, and then puts a barrette on it.
“This, you forgot about it.”
“But I only have this hairband.” Jianxue takes out another hairband from her arms.
“Is that so?” Natsu curls his mouth: “But this barrette also belongs to you. It fits you well.” The meaningful words and the overly gentle eyes make Jianxue immediately understands his intentions.
He really likes Iemitsu.
“Thank you.” She smiles. Although she is not Iemitsu and doesn’t know what she will think, she is grateful for his kindness.
“You’re welcome. Wish you have a good rest.” Natsu salutes and leaves.
Jianxue returns to the Room of Sunflower and gently takes off the hairband from her head. It’s a barrette decorated with peach blossoms.
She didn’t expect Mr. Natsu to give a gift in this way, but this isn’t a gift for “her,” so it’s better to put it away.
She puts the hairband into the cabinet and lies down on the bedding.
At the same time, Takatsukasa, who has just returned to his room, looks at the bedding next to him.
“Natsu, what are you doing?”
“I’m packing my luggage.” He replies in a flat voice.
“Oh, yes. You are already a candidate for the Side Husband, so you have your own room.” Takatsukasa suddenly smiles: “Thanks for your care during this time.”
Natsu doesn’t look at Takatsukasa, but smiles sarcastically: “Finally being free from such a life makes me feel much pleasure.”
“…Natsu?” Takatsukasa frowns in surprise.
As if feeling ridiculous about Takatsukasa’s reaction, Natsu sneers: “Do you really think that I serve for you willingly? The noble family is such carefree and doesn’t need to think.”
“You…”
“Who do you think would voluntarily be a caregiver of a young master?”
“Have you always thought like this?” Takatsukasa stares at him, but without moving.
“Yes, being as a candidate for the Principle Husband but also refuse to take the position, just live aimlessly, looking at a spoiled guy like you makes me feel nauseous.” Natsu doesn’t show fear and stares back at Takatsukasa.
Takatsukasa remains silent.
“If you don’t want, then I’ll have the General.”
“You like Iemitsu?” Takatsukasa asks carefully, and Natsu sneers again.
“Of course not.”
“Of course not?”
“I want to become the ‘General’s Principle Husband.’ To achieve my goal, I take advantages of everyone, even the ‘General.’” Natsu raises the corners of his lips and leaves.
Takatsukasa stares in the direction Natsu was leaving, silent.
He doesn’t care about Natsu’s abuse and criticism, which he is already used to them.
What emerges in his mind now is the girl who is a substitute this morning, overlapping with the white figure in his memory.
It feels too similar. The cold deep in her bones struck a light in his desperate heart.
He once wanted to give up, and become the Principle Husband and spend his life in this luxurious prison.
But her smile gave him hope, letting him know that not everyone in the world has only interest in their eyes, just like her.
Even if he can only help a little, he still wants her to stay safe in the castle.
He wants to protect her.
“General.” The next day, a little earlier than the past, Kasuga has already got to the Room of Sunflower.
“Come in.”
“You actually get up earlier than me. It makes my life easier.” Looking at Jianxue’s cold gaze, Kasuga suddenly smiles.
“Really?” To recover faster, she has slept longer than usual.
“Please be prepared as soon as possible. There is an urgent business that needs to be handled after breakfast. You must attend as the General.”
“Yes, but I still don’t know anything about government affairs, so I would like to ask Mr. Kasuga for help.” Since it’s the General’s job, she can’t make an excuse, so she doesn’t hesitate much.
“Not bad, pretty straightforward. It saves my time.” Kasuga smiles with satisfaction: “In fact, this task is related to the letters that I asked you to arrange a few days ago, so you should not be troubled.”
“I understand.” Fortunately, she still remembers the contents of those letters, so she shouldn’t mess up.
“Inaba.” Kasuga calls.
“Yes.” The man behind Kasuga walks up.
“Inaba is Master Iemitsu’s servant. He also knows your identity. He will take care of your daily life. Inaba, the General needs new clothes.” Finishing speaking, Kasuga steps out of the room as if there is nothing more to say.
Inaba, who stays in the Room of Sunflower, bows respectfully: “Nice to meet you, Master Jianxue.”
A few hours later, Jianxue smoothly handles her tasks. Although several ministers were puzzled, they didn’t point it out.
“Although it was rusty in every aspect, your menacing attitude has overshadowed everything. Is your coldness innate?” After the ministers dispersed, Kasuga smiles. Although it’s a pleasant smile, it makes the servants standing far away all in a cold sweat.
But Jianxue looks straight into his eyes as if nothing happened. It’s the coldness that she always meets. She has to face the devilish eyes in the bronze mirror every day, and she doesn’t even know why she has to be this cold.
“Tomorrow’s tasks will also start in the morning. You’d better prepare with the remaining time.” Kasuga hands Jianxue a stack of letters again.
“Yes.”
That night, she doesn’t go to bed early but instead read books and letters repeatedly.
Everything is so silent until the wooden board makes a “click” sound, and the light flickers.
“…It’s exactly the same.”
[ To Be Continued ]
Jianxue Yang
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