wrote in 2018Warning: Starting from this chapter, all the verb tense will change to past tense. It has nothing to do with the story. It is just that I am lazy.
Iemitsu's Theme
“Master, we have arrived at the inn.” A servant whispered to the person in the carriage.
“Um.” Iemitsu got off, still emitting the momentum that was stronger than men, but her heart was already out of breath, crushed by the past.
Looking into the distance, that was Kyoto — the direction of the imperial city.
She once thought countless times, carefully deliberated the words to stop his stupid game.
But she was not sure if she could speak calmly when facing him.
Snowflakes drifted, covering the garden with a layer of white yarn.
The sound of wooden swords colliding could be faintly heard. A girl and a boy were learning martial arts. Both of them were very noble, but at this time their words were very incompatible with their status.
“Bitch! Look at this!” The boy stabbed out with a sword but was lightly dodged by the girl.
“Hahaha! Bastard! You won’t beat me!” The girl laughed, without the temperament, a girl should have at all.
“Prince, Master Iemitsu, the emperor has arrived.” A female servant hurriedly arrived. A man in the back walked into the garden. The imperial robe on him was particularly eye-catching.
“Father.” “Your Majesty.” Both of them saluted obediently.
“Ay! You practice sword with the daughter of the Tokugawa family again. You have ruined her life. Also, where did you learn those bad words, huh?” Although the emperor kept complaining, there was no anger in his eyes, but a smile: “However, the term ‘bastard’ fits you well.”
“Hey!” The boy’s face was full of displeasure.
“Heehee, Your Majesty also thinks it fits? I created this name!” Iemitsu straightened her chest.
“Oh, this is not the thing you should be proud of.” The emperor reached out and touched her head.
Such cozy scenery has planted a bloody storm.
A few years later, the emperor died and the prince ascended the throne.
Many guests gathered at the enthronement ceremony, which was very lively.
However, one of them was missing.
“Uh…” Iemitsu opened her eyes, the dim space and bound limbs made her immediately understand her situation at this time.
“Are you awake?” The beautiful woman called out, but Iemitsu’s guarded murderous aura was greeted: “Don’t worry. You are just a hostage. We will let you go after we kill the person we want to kill.”
“Who are you going to kill?” Iemitsu shouted, but she knew it well. Today is the enthronement ceremony. Is their goal unclear?
“He won’t come,” Iemitsu said, but was ignored by the woman.
Yes, that was just a useless counterattack. She hoped that he would come, and hoped that he would come to save her and protect her for life.
But he did not come.
He did not come at all.
In the end, someone from the General’s family rescued her. He completely avoided meeting, without even a word of greeting.
“Fine, he should be very busy after he became the throne.” She tried to comfort herself until she saw a familiar figure in the courtyard. That day, their childhood was broken.
“Yo! Bastard, congratulations!” Pushing his shoulder, she still hoped that they would be the same as before.
“Pay attention to your words, Iemitsu Tokugawa.” His cold voice made Iemitsu’s eyes widen.
“Are you…just kidding…”
“Now that I have ascended the throne, you must salute.”
“…No.” Her calm voice surprised herself as if she had known that they would have this day: “Execute me.”
He did not speak, which calmed her heart a lot. At least, he still had her in his heart.
But she suddenly saw a little red dot on his neck.
“You…” He did not stop her, letting her tear his clothes: “Did you go to the brothel?”
“Um.”
“Why?”
“It is not your business.”
Hearing that, she laughed, laughing miserably. She lost, she lost completely.
After saluting neatly, she left, as if she no longer had anything to do with this place.
He will always be her Master, and she will be his General.
It was just a master-servant relationship.
“General.” At this moment, after a long period of silence in the Edo Castle, Natsu took the lead: “As for the contest mentioned yesterday, although I do not know the specific information yet…”
Natsu regained his previous confident smile and branded a kiss on the back of Jianxue’s hand.
“I will win no matter what the challenge is. You have to be prepared.” After speaking, he calmly left.
“Hey, Iemitsu.” Takatsukasa appeared in front of Jianxue as if alternating with Natsu: “Come with me.”
“…Okay.” There was still some time before the Daily Summon. Jianxue walked towards Takatsukasa.
Maybe it was still early, they did not meet anyone on the road. Takatsukasa opened a red door.
“This is Takatsukasa’s room?” Jianxue asked casually.
“Um.” There was a serious look on Takatsukasa’s face, with reproach in his tone: “What were you thinking yesterday? Do you understand your situation now?”
“…”
“Hey, are you listening to me!”
“…Um.” Taking a deep breath, she returned to her cold face and looked at his slightly anxious face.
She knew he was caring about her, but at the same time, he reminded her of who she was at the moment.
She was Jianxue Yang, a member of the Ancient Tomb Sect, and she could not be so cowardly.
Because being afraid was equal to death.
“It was my negligence yesterday, but I had my plan.”
“Huh? Oh.” As if frightened by Jianxue’s cold gaze, Takatsukasa paused for a while: “Aren’t you thinking about finding Kasuga?”
“It was originally planned, but I am afraid Mr. Kasuga won’t agree.”
“…”
“Is there anything wrong with Mr. Natsu? Why does Takatsukasa want me to be especially careful about him?” Since Takatsukasa had nothing to say, Jianxue changed the subject.
“That guy wants to be Iemitsu’s Principle Husband.”
“So?” For a person in Ooku, this kind of thinking is normal.
“But that guy doesn’t like Iemitsu at all, and he said he wants to use her.”
“Really?” Jianxue quietly raised a smile upon hearing this. Sure enough, he was very similar to her, and both were people whose emotions have been erased by the world.
“You, believe in Natsu?” Seeing Jianxue’s smile, Takatsukasa asked tentatively.
“Um.” She replied. However, she did not tell him that it was when Natsu removed all the masks: “Business time is coming, I have to leave now.”
“Hey!” Because she was about to leave, he quickly said: “Even if you can’t stop this contest, I will win!”
“Um?”
“By the way, I won’t do anything to you, so don’t worry!” As if wanting her to rest assured, she showed a fearless expression and smiled softly.
“…Thank you.” With a smile in return, she stepped away.
Looking at her back, a worried look appeared on his face.
Has he succeeded in dispelling her anxiety?
Although she seemed so indifferent, he knew that it was just her disguise.
He could take her away from this place, away from all exploitations, and let her return to her place. If possible, he hoped that she could be a pure white snowflake, like her name (Jianxue means Sword Snow).
But he knew it was impossible, at least for now, she needed Ogata’s healing, so he would do everything he could to protect her.
Just like this contest, he must win.
The moment Jianxue stepped into the study, she saw Kasuga sitting there as if waiting for her.
“Regarding the commotion that occurred in Ooku, Man has already explained to me. Tomorrow we will hold a swordsmanship competition.”
“Swordsmanship Competition?” Jianxue was very surprised at Eikou’s efficiency.
“What? Haven’t you heard of it? Man just announced it at Ooku. Presumably, the news has spread.”
“Um.” She stopped paying attention and approved the documents.
“I thought you would ask for the replacement of the winner’s reward.” Kasuga raised the corners of his mouth with interest.
“Since you are already determined, why bother with any words?” The temperature-less eyes projected forward. He did not want to change, and she had her way.
Just as Takatsukasa was about to return to his room, Natsu walked over.
“Have you heard of the swordsmanship contest that was just announced?” Takatsukasa spoke first.
“Swordsmanship Contest? Oh.” Natsu raised a confident smile: “I see. They want us to compete with swords, then I am even less likely to lose.”
“I will see if you can be such confident tomorrow.” Takatsukasa glared at him.
“At that time, don’t give up your weapons and surrender. The more invincible the opponent, the more worthy of defeat.” Natsu stepped proudly, but his shoulder was grabbed by Takatsukasa.
“From when you served as my servant until now, have you only regarded the people around you as your tools?”
“Yes.” Natsu looked at him fearlessly: “There are only people who use others and those who are used. I don’t want to be used.”
“But that woman is really strange. She makes me not myself.” Natsu frowned as if talking to himself.
“Makes you not yourself?” Upon hearing this, Takatsukasa twitched his eyebrows.
“What?” Natsu returned to that smile again.
“ I won’t let you win. You don’t deserve her.”
Takatsukasa’s words caused Natsu to flash a bit of surprise and then evoked a sarcastic smile: “I see. You are a young master from the top families, of course, your words will be extraordinary.”
“You don’t understand if you only use people as tools.” Takatsukasa still stared at him, and then stepped away.
“…It’s too strange. That guy hates the General so much. Why does he try to protect her so desperately?” Watching Takatsukasa leave, Natsu narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
“After lunch, just stay in Ooku.” In the study, seeing Jianxue finishing her tasks, Kasuga ordered.
“Is it because of that contest?”
“Yes, tomorrow is the contest, and the General also has the responsibility to motivate everyone’s morale.”
Although it was meant to encourage people, when Jianxue stepped into Ooku, a large group of people crowded around excitedly. They seemed to know that Jianxue was coming, and they all begged the General to come to the contest. Facing the situation, Jianxue just nodded slightly and secretly relieved. It seemed that she did not need to say anything, the group of people was already full of confidence, so that she could avoid the crisis of being revealed because of speaking.
It seemed that Jianxue’s cold aura began to take effect, and everyone did not know what else to say, so they all dispersed in a short while. She stepped forward, preparing to head to the courtyard she visited last time, which was quiet enough for her to stay until dinner time.
“Master Iemitsu.” Natsu’s call came from behind, still with that charming smile on his face.
“What’s the matter?”
“Do you have time later?”
“Hey.” As soon as Natsu’s voice fell, Takatsukasa’s dissatisfied voice rang: “Don’t stand in my way.”
“This isn’t the only way. You should be able to take another one.” Even though Natsu resisted the unhappiness in his heart, his tone still showed impatience.
“Excuse me, I just want to go this way.”
“Heh…look at our great candidate for the Principle, even if you are out of control, people still have to obey.”
“Huh?”
“If you don’t have any else to say, can you not get in the way?” Seeing the opportunity came, Jianxue stepped forward and pushed the two away: “I don’t want to watch kids fighting.”
“Then…Master Iemitsu…”
“Shut up, I don’t want to meet anyone now.” Jianxue interrupted Natsu directly, and walked away, leaving the two at a loss.
After passing through the promenade, she came to the garden that she passed by last time. Compared with the noise, it was incredibly quiet here. Trying to slap a palm, her abdomen was still empty and without strength. She simply sat under the tree and took a nap, and fell asleep gradually.
Did not know how much time has passed, she opened her eyes, stretched her body. The nap restored her spirit somehow. She looked in the direction of the sun, trying to measure the time.
“It’s still afternoon, you have time.” The male voice came. there was a red figure beside her when she was asleep.
“Um, a moment ago, thank you.” She was referring to Natsu earlier. It seemed that because she had just woke up, her voice was no longer as cold as before, but instead had the soft voice of a girl, which made Takatsukasa’s face blush.
“Have you stayed here all the time?” Jianxue did not notice the strangeness of Takatsukasa but asked self-consciously.
“Um.”
“Aren’t you afraid that somebody will find us?”
“Don’t worry, they have all gone to the training field. Besides, if no one looks after you, what should you do if you faint like last time?” Takatsukasa smiled. Maybe he was the only one who did not know that how gentle his smile was.
She could not even respond for a while. The gentleness was way too scorching hot, like the sunlight sprinkled into the eternally frozen glacier.
But that sunlight made her felt very comfortable as if all the blood has never appeared in her world.
“Sleep for a while?” He sat on the turf silently: “I’ll call you when the time is up.”
“Um.”
When it was time for dinner, Jianxue returned to the Room of Sunflower with Eikou. While she was thinking about the solution to tomorrow’s contest, Ogata carried a bowl of soup and entered the room.
“Excuse me.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Ogata.” She picked up the decoction and drank it.
“I heard about the contest.” Ogata frowned: “Are you okay? What happened?”
“This…Actually…” Jianxue briefly described what happened.
“I see…Young Master Takatsukasa stopped Young Master Natsu’s plan, and Mr. Man came up with the idea of a contest to mediate this dispute…” Ogata thought for a while: “You should thank Young Master Takatsukasa. If he didn’t come forward to stop him, you may…”
“Yes.” Jianxue was also lost in thought. Why did he help her so much? Whether it was actual action or the “warmth.”
“However, Young Master Natsu is really positive. I hope he won’t regret it.” Ogata smiled.
“Mr. Ogata doesn’t seem to hate him?” Obviously, Takatsukasa disliked him so much.
“Um…How do I say it…Although it’s difficult to understand his thoughts, he also has many characteristics of human nature. I quite like him.”
“Characteristics of humans nature?”
“Should I say that he…he doesn’t believe in love, but he desires love more than anyone…” Ogata smiled mysteriously: “But it has nothing to do with Miss Yang. The most urgent thing right now is probably the reward of the contest.”
“Um, about that, I plan to announce the cancellation of the contest at the Daily Summon tomorrow.” Jianxue’s tone did not have a trace of hesitation, as if the problem would be resolved in this way.
“This…But Master Kasuga probably won’t agree…”
“I won’t tell him in advance.” Jianxue looked at him: “In this city, the orders of the ‘General’ are everything.”
“…Yes, you are the master of the city now.” Ogata smiled as if feeling gratified: “After that, please let me help with the aftermath.”
“Of course, thank you so much.”
“Then, please take a good rest.”
After Ogata left, Jianxue was the only one left in the room.
Yes, it was pretty easy to solve.
But why can’t the anxiety in her heart be calmed?
Why did she feel that things are not over yet…
“Hmm!” Suddenly, a hand covered her mouth, and her eyes fell into darkness in a moment.
Who was that?
“Uh…” Jianxue opened her eyes, her head was aching.
Observing the surroundings, her hands and feet were all tied up, lying quietly in the woods.
“You finally woke up.” The male voice came, and a stranger appeared in front of her.
“Who are you?” Her cold eyes stared straight at the person.
Hearing this, the man frowned displeased: “We meet in the corridor every day, but of course Master Iemitsu doesn’t remember me.”
Corridor? In other words… “You are from Ooku?”
“You are finally willing to look at me.” The man suddenly pressed his body against her.
“Get out!” The murderous aura that was no longer concealed attacked like a storm. The man paused and then smiled emptily.
“I thought for a long time, Master Iemitsu. I am not good at swordsmanship. Rather than watching other men win the contest, I might as well take you as my own right now.” As he said, the man stretched his hand to the neckline of her kimono.
“Stop, I’m not Sister Iemitsu.” Her voice was so clear and without temperature at the time as if everything happening now had nothing to do with her, but she knew that her emotions were just paralyzed by fear.
“You are not Master Iemitsu? Your resistance is really cute.” The man only took Jianxue’s words as a joke.
“You will regret it.” Silently closed her eyes and buried herself into the darkest fear.
This was the first time she experienced something more terrifying than death.
Then, let death be the end, ending her innocence, or the blood.
Feeling a bite on her shoulder, her teeth touched her tongue.
There was nothing left in her heart, only a bright red figure flashed, that was her most truly desire.
“Taka…help me…” Unfortunately, no one would hear her words.
“Uh…” With a low moan, the man was thrown to the tree trunk on the side and lost his consciousness, making Jianxue stop.
“Na…tsu?” Standing in front of her was Natsu. He glanced at the man with contempt, and then untied the rope from Jianxue.
“Are you okay?”
“…Um.” She only responded in a single tone and nodded stiffly.
He sighed slightly, stretched his hand behind Jianxue’s knee, and hugged her.
“That, I…”
“Shut up.” Natsu stopped Jianxue from continuing to speak, softening his voice: “I will take you back to your room directly. You may rest for a while.”
“…Thanks.” She knew that he only regarded the people around him as tools, but she still chose to believe him, believe the sincerity hidden under his ambition, just like she knew clearly that she was not as strong as her appearance.
Giving up the alert completely, she gradually fell asleep.
“…You are not the General…” Natsu stared at her sleeping face with a complicated expression: “Then…who are you?”
Unfortunately, his question did not receive any answer.
Jianxue opened her eyes again. She had returned to the Room of Sunflower. Ogata sat aside with a bowl of soup medicine. A servant lowered his head tremblingly.
“Are you awake?” Ogata said worriedly.
“…Um.” What happened a moment ago was still clearly in her mind. Fear made her breathe hard. She quickly took the medicine in Ogata’s hand: “Where is that man?”
“The crime is already in prison. I don’t know if…”
“Kill it.” Jianxue interrupted the servant. The cold aura made the servant tremble severely.
“Yes…Yes!” After nodding frequently, the servant then hurriedly ran out of the Room of Sunflower.
“This…Miss Yang?” Ogata showed a surprised look. He had never seen her being so cruel since he knew her.
“I’m fine. Sorry to scare you.” The murderous aura gradually faded, but her eyes still flew coldness. She really hated the guilt brought by blood, but there was no doubt that blood could also wash away her excess emotions and be a truly ruthless person. This was what she needed the most.
“Mr. Natsu sent me back here?” Jianxue asked Ogata after calming down a little bit.
“Yes. After finding that you were missing, Young Master Takatsukasa and Young Master Natsu led all the people in Edo Castle to search for you.” Ogata explained: “Also, Master Kasuga has ordered the cancellation of tomorrow’s contest because of the crime’s purpose…”
“I got it, thank you.” She said lightly.
“I won’t bother you anymore. Please take a good rest.” Ogata sighed slightly and left the Room of Sunflower. The room was silent again.
Jianxue breathed loudly, trying to fade the fear a bit.
Yes, she was not as strong as she looked. She was just a sixteen-year-old girl who was naive and eager to smile.
But her innocence has killed so many people, so she had to hide all her emotions, picked up the sword, like the snow in the cold winter, without temperature.
The clenched fingers were paler. The cold blood was flowing all over her body.
Do not think about it anymore. Do not recall any memory. She could go home after she was cured, then everything here would have nothing to do with her.
“I’m going in.” The sliding door opened, and Takatsukasa walked in.
“…What’s the matter?” Her thoughts were interrupted, and Jianxue looked up at the incoming person.
“Can you not putting on that ‘okay’ face…”
“Um?”
“I mean! Why do you want to suppress yourself so much? Cry if you want to cry, get angry if you want to be angry!” His tone seemed to be more painful than hers, making her vision blurred.
She cried?
She cried just because of a few words?
“Don’t bear it.” He sat down and hugged her tightly in his arms: “No matter how long you have to cry, I will be here.”
The gentle words seeped into her fragile heart, causing tears to burst out of her eyes.
Without the usual coldness and the calmness pretending to be strong, she was merely a wounded girl at this time.
She was not qualified to cry. It only meant to show her weakness to others, but his gentleness easily peeled off the layers of defense in her heart, making her greedily want to have this extravagant warmth.
[To Be Continued]
Iemitsu
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