On a mountain road in spring, a girl holding an oil-paper umbrella met a monk. The monk was sitting on the deserted roadside, reciting Buddhist sutras softly. I don’t know why. The girl passed him by again.
Every time I looked at him a few times, I always felt that I had suddenly forgotten something and then remembered something.
Is this an interlude or an overture?
·
Of course, Yu Qiuping didn't know what was happening far away. After some time, he and Imagawa Kaede came to the cabin in the mountains, which was Imagawa Kaede's former home. The two had left countless sweet memories here.
, and it was also here that the first real union occurred.
"I haven't been back for many years." Imagawa Feng turned around and smiled at Yu Qiuping, then opened the door and was stunned for a moment.
"What's wrong?" Yu Qiuping thought it was Imagawa Kaede who was so moved that he was speechless when he saw his former home that he hadn't seen for a long time. But when he got behind Imagawa Kaede and looked over her shoulder, he was also stunned.
The house that was supposed to have been abandoned for 20 years turned out to be unexpectedly neat... It looked like someone lived here and was cleaning it carefully.
Imagawa Kaede walked into the house quickly in disbelief and looked at the layout of the house - it was the same as when she left 20 years ago, not much moved. She opened the cabinet and dresser drawers and checked the items inside - also
Nothing is lacking.
Imagawa Feng turned around again, but Yu Qiuping's expression was as gloomy as the abyss.
"Besides you and me, the only people who know about this house are your Majesty and His Highness the Governor." Yu Qiuping clenched his hands into fists and muttered in a low voice, "Then... His Highness the Governor's bodyguard must be moving behind this.
Already…”
"But it doesn't make sense. What are they doing here?" Yu Qiuping squatted down in confusion and rubbed his hair with both hands. "Is it just that an Orion passed by by chance and stayed here for a while..."
"I'll have someone come and check." After hesitating for a long time, Yu Qiuping suddenly stood up and prepared to walk out of the house, "Let's go now, let the people from the Military Intelligence Department come, they will definitely find some clues..."
"Wait." Imagawa Feng grabbed Yu Qiuping, then took a step forward, blocking Yu Qiuping and the door.
"What's wrong with Feng'er?" Yu Qiuping looked at Imagawa Feng's face in confusion, but found that the latter's expression was a little sad.
"I don't allow others to search this house." Imagawa Kaede resolutely opened his hands and said in a deep voice without any doubt.
"What did you say?" Yu Qiuping was stunned when he heard this, thinking that he had heard wrongly.
"This house has left memories of my loving family and my strict family, and my peaceful memories. It is my most precious place...I don't allow outsiders to come in casually and make a mess." Imagawa Kaede did not hesitate.
Repeated, "I will not allow anyone to search this house."
"Feng'er, listen to me." Yu Qiuping put his hands on Imagawa Feng's shoulders and whispered as if coaxing a child, "I know this may be very important to you. But now I want to find out the cause of death of His Highness the Family Governor.
This is the last clue, so I..."
"So is the cause of death really that important?" Imagawa Kaede shook her head and interrupted Yu Qiuping's words.
"Of course! This is..." Yu Qiuping was shocked by Imagawa Kaede's question and stammered in retort.
"But even if you find out, Jia Yan will never come back, right?" A sad smile appeared on the corner of Imagawa Feng's mouth, and he raised his hands and stroked Yu Qiuping's cheek, "Revenge is also
Well, it’s okay to find out the truth, but what’s the point?”
"Ah?" Yu Qiuping didn't know how to answer Imagawa Kaede's question for a while, and stood there in shock.
"But I have been pursuing this truth for so many years..." Yu Qiuping murmured after a long time, "Finding out the cause of death of His Highness the Governor is already part of the meaning of my life... We finally returned to Suruga
, we are finally getting closer to the truth, how could I not pursue it further?"
"You've been too tired these days. I don't want to see Ping getting so anxious and blaming himself for that truth." Imagawa Kaede gently rubbed Yu Qiuping's cheek, leaning into Yu Qiuping's arms and speaking softly.
He said, "Your expression was so low and gloomy this morning... I don't want to see it anymore. Let this matter end here, okay? There is no need to investigate any further. Ping, you are willing to go to that extent for Jiayan,
I’m already very touched.”
"But..." Yu Qiuping pursed his lips and shook his head unwillingly, "It's obviously only a little bit close... It's just a little bit short... Don't you want to find out? Your Highness, the Governor..."
"I don't want to think about it anymore, let's stop it here." A smile that Yu Qiuping couldn't understand appeared on Imagawa Feng's face, "Promise me, please? Let's stop it here."
Yu Qiuping lowered his head and said nothing, but Imagawa Feng reluctantly held up his face with his hands.
"I want you to promise me, that's all." Imagawa Kaede said to Yu Qiuping very solemnly, "You always do what you say, don't you?"
"Can you tell me why?" Yu Qiuping's voice was trembling.
"I'm scared. The closer I get to the truth, the more scared I am." Imagawa Kaede hesitated for a moment, then whispered the answer, "That's it...it's good not to know who the murderer is. I'm so scared, scared.
The murderer found is someone so dear to my mind. When that time comes, how should I face it, and how should I face those beautiful memories of the past? Anyway, even if he is found out, Jia Yan will not come back... Since
So, let’s stop here. Haven’t you ever thought about how you would face it if it was found out that the murderer was your close friends and elders? Some truths are best left in the fog.
OK."
Yu Qiuping's Adam's apple moved violently up and down.
Yes...I never realized it before. For more than 20 years, I always thought it was Okabe Motonobu. Everything I did was not so much to explore the truth, but to prove Okabe Motonobu.
The crime. But if it wasn't Okabe Motobu... who would be the traitor? His Highness Asahina? His Highness Sena? Takechiyo? Or my eldest brother? It can only be one of them... But how is it possible... How can I... be willing
believe?
Yu Qiuping couldn't imagine his emotions and reaction after discovering the truth, and sighed helplessly.
That's it for now.
"Okay, I promise you."
·
After all the aftermath matters were completed, Yu Qiupei was ready to lead his army back to the country. In order to stabilize the situation, Tokugawa Ieyasu led his army to sit in Sunfu Castle personally and would not return to Yue. Before leaving, Tokugawa Ieyasu personally came to the west gate of Sunpu Castle.
Send Yu Qiuping off.
"Last time Hongye came to support me, I couldn't do it well for you. This time I will make it up for you." Tokugawa Ieyasu personally held a cup of tea from the tray held by the guards behind him and handed it to Yu Qiuping's hand.
"Take tea without wine, Takechiyo is thoughtful." Yu Qiuping took the tea cup with a smile, smelled the fragrance of the tea, took a sip, then raised his hand and drank it all in one gulp, and put the tea cup back to Tokugawa.
On the tray of Ieyasu's guard.
"By the way, Nanosuke." Yu Qiuping turned around and greeted Honda Tadakatsu behind him, "I just happened to come to the Tokugawa family this time. Do you want to stay here? I will arrange it after I return to Maple Leaf Mountain Castle.
Please send your family members here."
After hearing what Yu Qiuping said, Honda Tadakatsu nodded stiffly.
"Takechiyo, how is Nanosuke's territory and treatment?" Ame Qiupei smiled and patted Tokugawa Ieyasu on the shoulder, "It's been more than 20 years, and he is the number one samurai around me. He is very famous! If you are ready
The land is not good, I can’t bear to let Nanosuke go back to your place!”
"Don't worry about Momiji." Tokugawa Ieyasu said with a hearty laugh, "The position of elder of the family and the territory of 30,000 koku have been prepared. We are just waiting for Nanosuke to come."
"This treatment is similar to what I had at the Imagawa family back then." Yu Qiuping laughed twice with emotion after hearing this, "Where is the fiefdom? Where is it?"
"Mikawa Anxiang Castle." Tokugawa Ieyasu nodded.
Honda Tadakatsu was stunned for a moment when he heard the name of this city.
This city is where his father died fighting for the Matsudaira family.
More than thirty years have passed since his father died in battle. Honda Tadakatsu has always kept in mind his father's last words before his death: to become an outstanding samurai. Yes, to become a great samurai and to devote loyalty to the Matsudaira family from generation to generation.
This was the last wish of Honda Tadakatsu’s father, and it was also the driving force for Honda Tadakatsu’s progress for more than thirty years. When he was released, this dream was once shattered. But with thirty years of continuous hard work, relying on life and death again and again,
After struggling hard for a long time, his dream was finally within reach - to fulfill his father's last wish, return to the Tokugawa family, lead a city as the patriarch of the family, and become a great samurai in the eyes of his father - as long as he nodded and thanked him.
However, Honda Tadakatsu, who usually obeyed orders no matter how dangerous or absurd, without hesitation, shook his head this time, then knelt down and saluted:
"My lord, please make atonement for your sins, Your Highness Hongye. I still have one unfinished matter. I will return to Sanhe after the matter is over. I hope that your two highnesses will give you permission."
"Huh?" Yu Qiupei and Tokugawa Ieyasu looked at each other in confusion, and then looked at Honda Tadakatsu together, "What is that?"
"There is a warrior who is very strong. Only by killing him can I return to the Eastern Kingdom with peace of mind." Honda Tadakatsu stood up slowly and replied angrily.
"Who?" Yu Qiuping vaguely already had the answer in his heart, but he still asked.
"Juga Icun." Honda Tadakatsu took a deep breath, and then said in a deep voice, "His Royal Highness Hongye will definitely encounter him when he conquers the four countries. He is very strong and very dangerous. A samurai like that can not be afraid of anything.
He is someone who can tenaciously make the final cut in any situation. Against him, anything can happen. If I were not here, His Highness's safety might not be guaranteed."
"Are you still worried about Tosa?" Yu Qiuping remembered that in the battle of Tosa, Shihe Yicun and Hata Ben broke into the battle alone, and Yu Qiuping cut off his beard and discarded his robe, only to escape with his own life. Even though all the guards sacrificed their lives.
Although Honda Tadakatsu fought with his life to save him, he could not stop Shiga Issun's attack. If not for the unexpected collision of his mount Pipa, Yu Qiuping would have died. Afterwards, Honda Tadakatsu was blamed for this incident many times.
I regretted the incident and felt that I had failed to live up to the guards' accusations.
"It doesn't matter. The Sanhao family is now only the land of the Three Kingdoms. It's not what it used to be, and the Hongye Army is stronger than before. Shihe Yicun will never have another chance to attack me." Yu Qiuping showed a confident expression.
To be continued...