Also obsessed with seeing the true face of Shiba Yoshigan, Gifu Castle's Noge-kun was forcibly stopped by Tsuchida Gozen, and Otani Castle's Ichi-kun was even more audacious.
She actually sent an envoy in the name of Asai Nagamasa to invite Yoshihiro Shiba to come to Otani Castle.
Asai Nagamasa's anger is self-evident.
Yu Gong, the Shangluo army is gathering towards Zuohe Mountain Castle. As the core figure, Shiba Yiyin has too many things to coordinate.
What does it mean that the mayor actually sent someone to invite him to Otani Castle for the sake of his children's affair? Will Yoshihiro Shiba misjudge the attitude of the Asai family because of this? This is related to the prosperity of the family business!
Privately, Asai Nagamasa subconsciously felt at a loss.
Although she was already married and had a family, Yoshihiro Shiba should know about this. However, Asai Nagamasa didn't want him to see her husband at all, not at all!
Like an ostrich with its head buried in the soil, she only wished that time could stay in the time when she first met Shiba Yiyin three years ago.
At that time, women were unmarried and men were unmarried, so they could freely think about the future.
Even if the mayor wants to smash this little bit of mirror that is deep in his heart, how can Asai Nagamasa not be angry?
Looking at Asai Nagamasa's angry expression, Ichikun felt desolate in his heart. Since the two got married, he has restrained his temper and really wants to be a virtuous husband.
But Asai Nagamasa treated him well on the surface, but deep down there was a hidden sense of alienation.
Ichikun once thought that he was not doing well enough and he kept trying. But it was not until today, when he saw Asai Nagamasa's rage, that he truly realized that nothing he did was of any use.
Because his wife's heart has never been on him. No matter how real she acts, it is still fake!
The city king smiled sadly.
"You've never been angry with me, ever."
Asai Nagamasa took two deep breaths, stabilized his emotions, and said coldly.
"I've never been angry with you. This is no reason for you to act recklessly!"
Ichijun stared into her eyes and said slowly.
"You don't get angry because you don't care about me. If you feel unhappy, you will choose to leave, leaving me alone in the inner courtyard of the boudoir.
And you are angry today not because of me, but because of that man!"
Asai Nagamasa seemed to have been exposed, so he looked away and said with a guilty conscience.
"Nonsense!"
The city king suddenly exploded, even more angry than Asai Nagamasa.
His temperament was originally like that of Oda Nobunaga. He had been lying on the ground for the past two years and had long been unable to bear it. But today, she finally couldn't bear it anymore.
"Look at me! Asai Nagamasa! Look at me! I am your husband, and I am the one who promises to stay with you for the rest of your life!
Why don't you dare to look at me? Have I never had the slightest place in your heart?
In your eyes and in your heart, there is only him! Only him!"
Ichikun stood up, crossed the tea table, straightened Asai Nagamasa's head with both hands, faced his own eyes, shouted and cried hysterically.
"Tell me, what did I do wrong? Tell me! I can change it!"
Seeing the mayor losing control of his emotions and bursting into tears, Asai Nagamasa felt a throb in his heart.
Ichijun is very good, whether it is his appearance, family background, or his true love for himself, he is extremely good. But in matters of love, there is no reward for what you put in.
Asai Nagamasa didn't want to forget that young man. She also tried hard to get along with the mayor, Qin Se, and they would help each other.
But she failed, she couldn't do it.
Asai Nagamasa will never forget the boy who pulled her out of the abyss when she was in hardship.
No one knows how helpless and helpless she was before the Norada battle.
She was bent on fighting, and if she failed, the entire Asai family would be ruined by her. This heavy and breathless pressure made her feel suffocated and almost collapsed.
It was that boy who came with the cavalry, and when she was at her most desperate, he defeated Rokkaku Yoshiken's main formation and gave her new life.
The thing Asai Nagamasa regrets most in his life is that he did not express his feelings at the beginning. This hesitation caused the two of them to drift apart, and they never had the chance to hold hands together for the rest of their lives.
She once thought that the story between the two of them had just begun, but she didn't expect that it had already come to an end.
If time could go back again, Asai Nagamasa would definitely express his feelings for Yoshihiro Shiba. But the past cannot be repeated, and looking at each other has become a memory.
Every time she saw Ichikun, she would think of Yoshihiro Shiba, and subconsciously asked herself, if she had confessed her love back then, would her husband at this time be Yoshihiro Shiba?
Whenever she thinks this way, her mood becomes very bad. How can she respond to Ichijun's true feelings?
But people are not plants and trees, so how can they be ruthless?
She saw the kindness of the city king to her and kept it in her heart, but she had regrets in her heart that she could not be a good wife.
Today, Shi Jun screamed excitedly in front of her, which made her even more confused. She stared at Shi Jun in silence.
Ichijun bit his lower lip, stared at his beloved wife, and gritted his teeth.
"Tell me, why don't you speak?"
Asai Nagamasa looked at his emotionally broken husband, took off his hands that were on his cheeks, squeezed them tightly, then slowly released them, and said with a sincere expression.
"I'm sorry, please give me a little more time, okay?"
The mayor just looked at her but said nothing.
Asai Nagamasa had a complicated expression and said sadly.
"I know it's my fault, it's my fault. But please give me a little more time. I will become a good wife, I promise."
Ichijun's expression gradually softened, he lowered his head and wiped his tears, and said softly.
"Let's just trust you again..."
Suddenly, he suddenly covered his face, stepped back, and complained.
"It's really ugly. I have to clean it up."
Just as he was about to leave, he was stopped by Asai Nagamasa.
"Mr. City, no matter what thoughts you have in your heart, you cannot affect military and state affairs.
Yu Taishu... He did nothing wrong. It was all my wishful thinking and selfishness.
Your behavior this time is very dangerous. Once this action leads to a misjudgment by the imperial office, what will the retainers think?
If this delays the important things in Shangluo, your sister will not forgive you easily."
Ichikun covered his expression with the sleeves of his kimono and spoke forcefully.
"I take responsibility for what I do myself."
Asai Nagamasa sighed.
"You would do this because I was wrong in the first place. You and I are one and the same, so how can I sit back and ignore it?
I will take care of the invitation to Otaisuo to Xiaodani City this time, so you don’t have to worry."
"you.."
Ichikun put down the sleeves that blocked his sight and looked at Asai Nagamasa with a gentle face, not knowing what to say.
Asai Nagamasa touched her hair and smiled.
"You should rest first, I'll go out and arrange things."
After saying that, he sighed, stood up and left the tea room. Ichijun stared blankly at her leaving figure, speechless.
The fierce conflict between the two not only did not hurt the couple's relationship, but instead deepened their mutual bond, which was unexpected.
The mayor was silent for a while, muttering to himself.
"Did I...really do something wrong?"
———
Asai Nagamasa walked out of the inner courtyard and came to a side room of the castle tower. There was already a Hime warrior waiting for her inside, it was Akao Kiyozuna.
The Akao family is a relative of the Asai family, and Akao Kiyosuna is the chief patriarch, with a high status.
Seeing Asai Nagamasa come in, she took the initiative to bow and salute, and Asai Nagamasa returned a half salute before sitting down.
Meeting Akao Kiyosuna's gaze, Asai Nagamasa sighed. She didn't want to hide anything from this important member of her family, so she said.
"I have already asked clearly. It is indeed the city king who did it."
Akao Kiyosuna frowned slightly, feeling very dissatisfied with the ignorant Asai husband.
The army is gathering towards Sawa Mountain Castle. The Asai family has put in a lot of effort to defeat their old enemy the Rokkaku family in one fell swoop this time.
A large amount of materials were transported to the front line, and a large amount of manpower was used to support logistics. These things were all at the cost of delaying spring plowing and affecting the autumn harvest, and the Asai retainers group inevitably complained.
In order to seize this opportunity, Asai Nagamasa managed to suppress the opposition of the retainers. At this sensitive moment, the mayor's behavior was simply to hand the opponents a knife and an excuse.
Once there is a backlash at home, affecting the mobilization of the Asai family, it will cause problems in frontline logistics.
Nagamasa Asai has already made promises to Yoshihiro Shiba and Nobunaga Oda. If problems arise in the Asai family at this time, the consequences will be very serious.
Akao Kiyosuna thought for a while and asked.
"How are you going to resolve this matter, Your Highness?"
Asai Nagamasa said.
"The imperial office has agreed to come to Xiaodani City, so I can't cancel this meeting again, right? That will only make the matter more complicated and make it a scandal.
According to my opinion, I might as well accept this matter.
Odaisho and I are old friends, and we have fought side by side as early as the battle in Noragada.
I invited him over to reminisce about old times, and although it may be a breach of etiquette, it is less serious than denying that I sent the envoy."
Akao Kiyosuna narrowed his eyes and looked at Asai Nagamasa without saying anything.
She was a little angry, but also a little helpless. As an important member of Asai Nagamasa's family, she and the Asai family shared weal and woe. Of course, she was very angry at the mayor's actions.
But Asai Nagamasa's response was also correct.
The wood has become the boat and the rice has become the cooking pot. Changing one's words now will only make others laugh and provide excuses for the opponents. In this case, it is better to admit it.
But taking the blame for Asai Nagamasa's arrogance will also hurt her prestige.
First, a major event in Shangluo was imminent, and she invited Sibo Yiyin to reminisce about the past. She was bound to be criticized and acted indifferently.
Secondly, Yoshigan Shiba's family status is much higher than that of Asai Nagamasa, so being sent by her as an envoy to reminisce about old times is too rude in the eyes of others. He ignores his superiority and inferiority, which can easily attract the ill will of the outside world.
Akao Kiyosuna knew that Asai Nagamasa had no choice but to choose the lesser of two evils, but she still couldn't bear it. It was an unreasonable disaster.
she asked.
"Then what are you going to do with your husband?"
In the name of Nagamasa Asai, the mayor invited Yoshihiro Shiba to Otani Castle. This was a very serious act of interfering in the politics of the inner court. Even if Nagamasa Asai divorced his husband because of this, it would not be an exaggeration.
But Asai Nagamasa shook his head and said.
"I've already scolded him, and there won't be a next time."
Akao Kiyosuna's eyes were wide open. He couldn't believe it. Such a serious mistake could be done with just a few curses? No punishment at all?
Even if he is afraid that outsiders will know the truth, he can find other reasons to deal with the city king, but how can he let him go so lightly.
Asai Nagamasa sighed and explained.
"After all, Ichi-kun is His Highness Oda's younger brother, and now it's a critical moment for Luo, so we need to work together with the Oda family.
At this time, I don’t want to cause trouble between the two families.”
Asai Nagamasa was unwilling to punish the city king out of marital affection and his own guilt, but he could not tell Akao Kiyosuna clearly about this.
Personal relationships are personal relationships, politics are politics, how can military and national affairs be trivial? If Asai Nagamasa acted emotionally, Akao Kiyosuna would definitely spit on her face and refuse to give up easily.
As a last resort, Asai Nagamasa had to use the perspective of Ichikun's family background to excuse him. Fortunately, he had a powerful sister, which made this excuse justified.
After hearing this, Akao Kiyosuna couldn't help but nodded silently. The master became more and more steady, considering everything comprehensively and taking into account the overall situation.
The Oda family currently occupies Owari Province, Mino Province, and Northern Ise Half Country, with a stone height of 1.4 million, and is close to the border with the Asai family.
After the marriage between the two families, the relationship became much closer. Especially this time, the plan to kill the Rokkaku family with the help of Shangluo relied on the military strength of the Oda family as the main force.
Asai Nagamasa tolerated the mayor's arrogance out of political considerations. Akao Kiyosuna expressed understanding, but she still had to say something.
"Your Highness, the inner courtyard needs to be strictly controlled. This kind of accident cannot happen again and again."
Asai Nagamasa nodded with a wry smile and said.
"I know it well."
Seeing that Akao Kiyosuna no longer demanded that the mayor be held accountable, Asai Nagamasa secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The two then discussed how to receive the imperial court so that the matter could be settled without letting outsiders notice it or letting the retainers know about it.
While he was exhausted, Asai Nagamasa felt a glimmer of hope in his heart.
No matter what, he is here. After two years of separation, I can finally see him again.
———
Compared to Yoshigan Shiba, Oda Nobunaga set out later.
The Oda family was the main force in going to Luo this time. They mobilized more than 30,000 soldiers alone. It was not an easy task to organize an army of this size to go on an expedition.
When Oda Nobunaga entered Kitaomi and learned of Asai Nagamasa's strange behavior, he couldn't help but ask.
"What? Asai Nagamasa sent someone to ask the imperial office to go to Otani Castle?
Didn't we make an appointment to gather at Zuohe Mountain Castle? Did something unexpected happen?"
Seeing that no one knew the specific situation, Oda Nobunaga subconsciously frowned.
This trip to Luo was the first time that the Oda family's tentacles had penetrated into recent areas. Although Oda Nobunaga looked complacent, she was actually very wary.
She has finally taken the crucial first step on her journey to becoming a world-famous person. No matter how cautious she is, she is right.
Yoshigan Shiba has great influence in recent times, but upon hearing that he had arrived in Gifu City, the Asai family's attitude towards Ashikaga Yoshiaki instantly turned cold.
Now that he has returned to Kitaomi, Asai Nagamasa immediately invited him over to reminisce about old times. What was he talking about?
If there is any matter, we cannot wait until Sawa Yamashiro to talk about it. We must urgently invite Yoshihiro Shiba to the residence of Governor Asai to have a private discussion.
The more Oda Nobunaga thought about it, the more uneasy he became, and finally he rolled his eyes and sighed.
"I haven't seen you for a long time, I miss you so much."
Randomly finding an excuse to visit relatives, Oda Nobunaga gathered all the female guards and quickly headed to Otani Castle, intending to find out.