The tea party ended and Yiyin left the tea room.
The annex of the garrison was not far from the castle tower. The members of the Kamo clan and the others silently followed Yoshigan and walked back.
Yoshigan always felt that Oda Nobunaga was a little unspeakable when he said goodbye. He was still recalling whether there were any mistakes or omissions in his words and deeds, which caused Oda Nobunaga's strange attitude.
While he was deep in thought, Kamaojigo said something behind him.
"Royal Palace."
Yiyin looked up and couldn't help but smile. A handsome figure was leaning on the threshold, his eyes staring blankly at him.
"Yukino, why are you here?"
Takada Yukino walked up to Yoshiyin step by step, but did not say a word. She opened her eyes wide and looked at the master she had longed for, and suddenly her body softened.
Yiyin was startled and hugged her quickly, only to find that her face was sickly rosy. When she reached out and touched her forehead, it was frighteningly hot.
"What's wrong? Yukino? Are you having a fever?"
Yukino struggled and put something into Yi Gin's hand and said.
"I'm sorry, I'm very sorry. I didn't do what I promised you. I failed to protect the general."
After saying that, she fainted.
Yiyin looked at the Japanese king's gold and silver in his hand, his eyes became dull, and then he shouted.
"Kamoji Township! Call the doctor! Hurry!"
"Hi!"
Yiyin picked up Yukino, feeling that her body was light and weightless, and felt sour in his heart.
This simple fool, she remembered in her mind that she had ordered her to protect the general. How could this small body protect Ashikaga Yoshiki, who was surrounded by malicious intentions?
Yiyin picked her up and walked into the house, feeling full of guilt that he had harmed her.
———
When Takada Yukino opened his eyes again, he found himself lying on the quilt on the tatami, and the master sat aside and looked at him silently.
She struggled to get up, but was unable to do so. Yiyin found her awake and pinned her down on the quilt.
Yiyin shouted.
"Lie down!
The doctor has already seen it. Your injuries from the battle in Kyoto have not recovered yet. Why are you coming to Mino in the middle of winter? You have been traveling by boat and horseback all the way, and you are risking your life?
Fortunately, the fever has subsided, otherwise I would have turned into a fool, do you know, you little fool!"
Takada Yukino was listening to Yoshigan's scolding in the quilt, her face became more rosy, and her heart was filled with sweetness.
She wanted to speak, but found that her throat was as dry as if it had been burned by fire.
Seeing that she was feeling uncomfortable, Yiyin picked up the tea on the slip, carefully lifted her head up, and used the tea to moisten her lips.
Takada Yukino blushed and behaved like an obedient puppy. After drinking the water, she lowered her head and said softly.
"I'm very sorry, General, she..."
Yiyin put down the teacup, glared at her, and sighed.
"You little fool, you have tried your best.
I know your performance in Nijo Castle. Surrounded by a large army, how useful can you be with one person and one sword?
I told you a long time ago to protect yourself. What happened to General Ashikaga was not your fault, and you cannot shoulder such a big responsibility.
You have accomplished both merit and demerit by delivering her will and golden seal to me.
Your task now is to take good care of your body. The doctor said that you are deficient in energy and blood and your body is hollowed out. You should take good care of it.
You are not allowed to use the sword anymore for the time being, and you should practice meditation, do you understand?"
Takada Yukino looked at Yoshigan's obedient appearance, nodded obediently, and said.
"But I still failed to protect the general. When you went to Guandong, you clearly told me that I failed to fulfill my agreement with you."
Yiyin rolled her eyes in anger, "What are you saying is nonsense?" She didn't listen to a word.
This little girl is such a stubborn person that she keeps putting the responsibility for the general's death on herself. Is it interesting?
Others are so frightened that they want to clean themselves up and have nothing to do with this matter. She is better, wishing that she was the mastermind. It is really a suffocating brain circuit.
Just as Yiyin was about to speak, there was a knock on the door outside, and he asked.
"What's up?"
Pu Shengshixiang opened the door and bowed.
"At the Imperial Palace, Takada Haruno has arrived and asks to see you."
Yiyin raised his eyebrows and sneered.
"Isn't the person who is truly responsible here here? Well, let her wait for me in the council chamber and see how I deal with this wanton bastard!"
Just as Yoshigan was about to stand up, his hand was grabbed by Takada Yukino. He looked at Yukino in surprise, and couldn't help but feel soft when he saw her pleading face.
"I know, I'm just trying to scare your sister, I won't kill her."
However, Yukino's hand gripped even tighter. She didn't speak, but just looked at her master blankly.
Yiyin had no choice but to turn around and said to Kamo clan.
"Go and bring Takada Harano over."
Kamao clan bowed and left. As he left, he glanced at Yukino's hand holding Yoshigoshi's hand and thought to himself. Hearing that these two Takada-sama were from the old Shiba family lineage, their feelings for each other were indeed different.
Yiyin looked back at Yukino and smiled bitterly.
"I'll take care of her right here, and you'll be watching the scale. Can you let go with peace of mind?"
Under his doting gaze, Takada Yukino let go of her hand shyly.
Yiyin looked at her other hand. Even if she fainted, she did not let go of the knife.
"Lie still and I'll help you put this knife on the knife rest."
Yukino let go obediently, Yoshigami picked up the knife and put it on the knife holder aside. He couldn't help but look at it a few times. This knife was not ordinary.
Seeing Yi Gin looking at the knife, Yukino murmured.
"The general asked me to leave. Before leaving, he gave me this knife and told me to protect you and not to follow in her footsteps."
Yiyin's heart felt sour.
Ashikaga Yoshiteru, you fool, what is it about me that deserves your obsession? What do you mean you are still thinking about me when you are about to die? I can't repay your affection.
Yiyin was silent for a while and said.
"You are a little fool and she is a big fool. What is the name of this knife?"
"Mikazuki Munechika."
"Mikazuki Munechika, right? Then stay with me from now on and use this sword to protect me."
Yoshigan looked at Mikazuki Munechika on the knife rest, recalling every time he met Ashikaga Yoshiteru, it seemed that the two of them would quarrel every time.
He laughed dumbly.
Ashikaga Yoshiki, you are just too stubborn and too proud. I will never be tricked to death like you. Don't worry, I will live a long life.
Because I am more shameless than you.
The room suddenly became quiet. Yukino lay on the bed blankly and looked at Yoshigoshi. Yoshigin stared at Mikazuki Munechika on the knife rest and remained silent.
———
Soon, the tranquility was broken by the sound of footsteps outside the house, and the knock on the door came to mind again.
"What's up?"
"Your Majesty, the Minister of Shiba Town, Takada Yoshino, would like to request an audience."
"Get in here!"
Kamao clan opened the door and bowed slightly. Takada Haruno saw Yukino lying down, and was stunned for a long time, then walked into the room, knelt down and saluted Ui Bank.
To be continued...