Volume 3 - CH 2.2

This one took a while

Translation Notes

1. A yuzu is a citrus fruit from the East Asian region

2. Gou (Ao in Chinese) uses the same character as the mythical sea turtle in Chinese mythology. The goddess Nuwa chopped off Ao’s legs to support the sky after a disaster.

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At night, Koushun came to Yamei Palace.

“You smell good,” Jusetsu sniffed around him. “You’re like a dog,” Koushun said, taking a round fruit from his pocket. It was a large, golden citrus fruit.

“This is a Summer Treasure yuzu. (1) I picked it from a tree in the Gyokou Hall garden.”

“You did?”

“Yes.”

Koushun put the fruit in Jusetsu’s hand. It was large enough to cover her hand. The skin looked tough and thick. When she brought it close to her face, the scent grew stronger. It was the refreshing scent of citrus.

“Don’t citrus fruits ripen in winter?”

“They do bear fruit in winter, but they are too sour to eat at that time of the year. The sourness becomes more moderate if you wait until summer. It is a valuable citrus fruit that can be eaten in summer. It was discovered in the countryside during my grandfather’s reign and offered up to him as an auspicious omen. They call it a sign of the gods’ blessing on the Ka dynasty. That’s why it’s called a Summer Treasure yuzu.”

Huh, Jusetsu said, but she was only half-listening to him. She sniffed the fruit. Citrus were the produce of the winter, but it certainly did smell like summer. It was the scent of vibrant life that enclosed sunshine.

“The skin is thick, so it’s better to use a knife to peel it.”

Well then, Jiujiu approached her, but Jusetsu shook her head.

“I’ll eat it tomorrow and leave it here for tonight, since it smells good.”

Jusetsu put the fruit on the table and stared at it. It shined golden, like the sun. Jiujiu had the sense to extinguish the incense that was burning.

“How is your new bodyguard?”

Koushun sat down across from Jusetsu. He seemed to have come here today because he was concerned about that.

“He’s doing just fine.”

“I heard that he and Onkei don’t get along too well.”

Jusetsu glanced at Ei Sei, who was standing behind Koushun. Ei Sei feigned ignorance.

“I see. Should I send someone else, then?”

“No, Onkei said that won’t be necessary. I will also keep an eye on the situation.”

“Tan Kai is talented, but he’s also a smooth talker and has sharp ears. He does have a capricious side to him, though.”

“He’s a bit too easygoing. But, very well. Speaking of sharp ears, I heard from Tan Kai about a ghost haunting the inner court.”

“Ah…” Judging from Koushun’s response, he seemed to already know about the rumor.

“Is there actually a ghost?”

“I’ve never seen it, but some of the eunuchs said they have.”

“Then, does that mean it’s true?”

“It only totters along and doesn’t seem to do any real harm, so we left it alone.”

But a ghost is wandering around.

She felt a twinge of pity when she imagined the old ghost tottering alone in the darkness.

“I want to investigate it.”

When Jusetsu said that, Koushun didn’t seem to like that idea. “You want to go now?”

“You don’t want me to?” Koushun was reluctant, and Jusetsu was surprised. “Up until now, you were the one who kept bringing up the subject of ghosts to me.”

“That’s true, but…” Koushun stared thoughtfully at the fruit on the table. “You once told me that you didn’t want to actively get involved with ghosts.”

“…I suppose I did.” It was back when they were dealing with the ghost who possessed the cloth mask.

“That was why I held it back.”

“You decided to not even mention the ghost in the inner court?”

“That’s right.”

“You’re too considerate at times,” Jusetsu said with a furrowed brow. Koushun looked at her intently.

“Do you think so?”

“I do. I’m sure you must have offended people by considering things too carefully.”

“…I can’t say I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She had assumed that an emperor would be more arrogant and careless of his surroundings. However, after observing Koushun, she found that he looked at things from many angles and was carefully attentive, to the point where she was afraid that he would have a nervous breakdown.

“You should direct that consideration to yourself a little more.”

Koushun listened to Jusetsu’s advice with a serious face. “Is that so. I’ll bear that in mind from now on.”

“…I didn’t say anything of that magnitude.”

“I will try to remember what you said.”

“You don’t need to remember it. I don’t remember every single word you say either.”

Is that so? Koushun, still expressionless, tilted his head a little as though considering her words. Being too serious is something he should also think about, Jusetsu thought. Koushun didn’t know when to relax his shoulders, and he didn’t know how to express his emotions.

“Then, shall we go?” Koushun said and stood up. “Where?” she asked. “You want to see the inner court ghost, don’t you?” he asked back. Come to think of it, that was the original topic.

They left the palace and headed for the inner court. It was east of Yamei Palace. Ei Sei, holding a light, was leading the way, and Onkei was shadowing Koushun and Jusetsu. Tan Kai was left behind to guard Yamei Palace. Jiujiu was also left behind, much to her annoyance.

“I heard that the ghost was apparently a servant from a very long time ago.”

“It seems to be true. That’s why it’s walking around with some sort of vessel.”

“I doubt it’s a rumor that’s been around for a long time.”

“Yes, this is the first time I heard it. I wonder why it appeared now.”

Jusetsu also wondered about that.

They passed through Ringai Gate, which connected the inner palace with the inner court. The inner court consisted of various palaces with Gyokou Hall at their center. Goushi Hall was nearest to the gate, and Koshi Palace was at its back. All of them were places where Jusetsu had been before.

“Where does it appear?”

“It wanders around, so there is no fixed location. Some say they saw it near the walls that surround Gyokou Hall, while others say that it was near Goushi Hall. It’s said that the ghost disappears into thin air after watching it for a while.”

The flickering light stopped. Ei Sei had stopped walking.

“Dajia, look at that.”

Lowering his voice, Ei Sei pointed to the left. Tonight, clouds covered the sky, and the moonlight was unreliable. Under the scanty shimmering moonlight, the tiled roof of the palace was visible. In front of it, in a corner of a coldly glossy clearing paved with polished stones, there it was.

He was an old man with a hunched back, dressed in a dirty linen robe. His gray hair was wrapped in a black kerchief, and he was holding a small vessel in front of his face. His head was hanging down, so only his gaunt cheeks could be seen. He staggered along slowly, one step at a time. It looks as if he was limping.

He was wearing a short jacket with a belt of straw rope and short hakama pants, and his feet were bare. The way his topknot was tied and wrapped was different from how it was done today. Certainly, he was an old man who looked like a servant from ancient times.

Jusetsu approached the ghost. He continued to lurch forward. Rather than walking with a singleminded aim somewhere, his gait was as though he was wandering around without a goal.

She couldn’t see his face even from up close. His figure was also somewhat hazy and unfocused. She couldn’t even make out the shape of the vessel he was holding. Jusetsu pulled a peony from her hair and blew on it. The pink smoke surrounded the ghost and made him stand out clearly.

The ghost’s decrepit old face appeared. His cheeks were hollow, his eye sockets were sunken, and even his wrinkles and blemishes were visible. Fatigue, sadness, and despair was in his face. His half-opened lips were dry and cracked, but they were pale with no blood welling up. His lips were quivering faintly, but no sound escaped them even when she strained her ears. She had thought it was a vessel that he was holding up, but it seemed to be a small ornament. It was a turtle figurine. The ghost’s hands were as thin as a dead tree. His hands were also trembling.

The turtle figurine seemed to be carved out of stone. It was bluish black with stripes.

“…That’s a stone turtle casket.”

Koushun had come up beside her without her knowing and murmured that.

“What is that?”

“That vessel is a stone turtle casket. It’s in the treasure room.”

A casket was a container. And being in the treasure room meant that it was the emperor’s treasure.

“The shell is the lid. At first glance, it looks like an ornament.”

“Is there something in it? Or is it empty?”

“It’s said that it used to contain medicine, but it is now empty. I think it belonged to a dynasty from long ago. The contents must have been lost in the meantime.”

“Medicine…”

Jusetsu returned her attention to the ghost. The expression on his face remained unchanged and hollow. Jusetsu blew out a breath to clear the smoke. The ghost disappeared as well.

“The treasure room, huh,” Jusetsu looked up at Koushun.

“You want to enter it,” Koushun said before she could make her request. “I’ll make the arrangement. Just like before, I’ll send a messenger in the morning.”

“Ei Sei?” Jusetsu glanced at him. He was the one who came to get her when she visited the treasure room. She had been greeted with a look of unparalleled disapproval.

“Okay,” she said. Koushun turned to Ei Sei. “I’m entrusting this to you.”

In front of Koushun, Ei Sei obediently replied, “Yes, Dajia,” but his eyes as he glanced at Jusetsu were still full of disapproval.

When the sky began to lighten, Ei Sei came to Yamei Palace. He gave a perfunctory bow and immediately started walking. Since Koushun wasn’t here, his attitude towards her was open and blatant. Jusetsu had already become accustomed to this side of him and could no longer imagine an affable Ei Sei.

“Ei Sei,” Jusetsu called out to Ei Sei as she looked up at his back while he went on ahead. “You sent Tan Kai here knowing that Onkei wouldn’t like it.”

“Is there an inconvenience?” Ei Sei said without looking back.

“I don’t care if you do it to me, but there’s no need to harass Onkei.”

She thought that he didn’t like the fact that Onkei was close with her. Ei Sei glanced at her.

“Considering his abilities, he was the most suitable for the job. I’m sure Onkei knows that as well.”

“Sly bastard,” Jusetsu glared at him, and Ei Sei knitted his brows together in annoyance.

“If you don’t like Tan Kai, then we can choose someone else.”

“I never said that.”

“That is akin to what you are saying.”

Jusetsu was at a loss for words. It was true that the more she complained about Tan Kai, the more it seemed like she was saying Tan Kai was inadequate.

“…You’re an unpleasant fellow, aren’t you…” she said in frustration.

“I feel the same way about you,” Ei Sei said, cool-faced.

“Aren’t you being a bit too direct?”

“You aren’t a consort stipulated by the codes, and you aren’t recorded in the inner palace’s registry either. The ‘Raven Consort’ is a separate existence from ‘consorts.’ Therefore, I do not consider it necessary for you to be treated with the same courtesy as with the other consorts.”

He spoke smoothly and decisively. Certainly, in regards to the laws, he was right.

Ei Sei coldly looked down at Jusetsu. “You call me an unpleasant fellow, but you assume you won’t hear the same from me? Because I’m a eunuch?”

Jusetsu’s breath caught, and she turned red. He had hit the nail on the head.

She lowered her head in shame. It’s just as Ei Sei said. She had thought that because he was a eunuch, a subordinate, he wouldn’t say such things. Although she usually said that she didn’t care about manners, it was still deeply ingrained in her consciousness.

I’m the one who’s unpleasant.

“…I’m sorry.”

Ei Sei looked at her, then silently started walking again.

“It’s true that I am a sly and unpleasant fellow.” Those were the only words he said after a while.

As they walked in silence, Ei Sei stopped and turned around just before the Ringai Gate. “Could you please stop making such a pathetic face?” he sounded irritated. “Dajia will reprimand me if he finds out.”

“…I can’t see my own face. What do you mean by ‘pathetic face’?”

Ei Sei frowned. “You look like you’re about to cry.”

Jusetsu turned her face away. “I am not making such a face.”

“Didn’t you say you couldn’t see your own face just now?”

“I know without needing to see it. I am not crying.”

“I said that you looked like you’re about to cry. To think that you can’t even remember what someone else just said.”

“I…I don’t want to talk to you anymore!” Jusetsu raised her voice like a child about to throw a tantrum.

“Is that so? Then I suppose we are on the same page,” Ei Sei said without changing his expression.

This was the moment when Jusetsu realized that she would never be able to match Ei Sei in a war of words. Even with Koushun, she had never felt more acutely like a mere sixteen-year-old girl than she did now. In front of Ei Sei, Jusetsu was nothing more than a child.

An old eunuch in a charcoal-colored robe was kneeling and waiting for them in front of the door to the treasure room.

He was Ui, the keeper of the treasure room.

“I’m sure you’ve already heard, but I wish to see the turtle vessel.”

When Jusetsu said that, Ui looked up. He was full of wrinkles but his cheeks were as smooth and ruddy as ever. The fact that he showed no expression on his face also didn’t change.

“I shall fulfill your request. Please, this way, Lady Raven Consort.”

With those words, he easily opened the heavy-looking door of the treasure room. She had also wondered this before, but where did he get such strength from?

Before going inside, Jusetsu looked back at Ei Sei. “I know. You’re going to tell me to be careful not to break any of the treasures,” she said, anticipating his words.

Ei Sei raised his eyebrow a bit and looked bored. Feeling a little triumphant at that, Jusetsu marched into the treasure room with satisfaction. Ui closed the door.

Inside the room, numerous treasures were tucked away in boxes and lined up on shelves. One of the walls was covered with a painting depicting the island nation and the sea surrounding it, as well as the palaces of the gods beyond the sea.

“Please come over here, Lady Raven Consort.”

After saying that, Ui disappeared between the shelves. Almost immediately, he returned with a box in his hands. He put it on a table and opened the lid. There was a cloth bundle inside. He removed the cloth and unveiled a turtle vessel, the same one the ghost was holding last night.

“This is a stone turtle casket.”

It was a casket made of smooth stones. “These stones are called wave stones. Their beautiful striped patterns are their distinctive characteristics,” Ui explained. The carvings were finely detailed, with the patterns on the carapace, the eyes, the mouth, and even the claws on its limbs meticulously rendered. Colored stones were set in its eyes. “Amber is used for the eyes,” Ui said as though reading Jusetsu’s mind. “May I touch it?” she asked. “Of course,” he answered, so she reached out to touch the shell. She then held it up and discovered that the inside was empty.

“It once contained pills. Pills for prolonging life.”

Ui spoke as though he knew that to be the truth, not just a story.

“Life-prolonging medicine. Do you know the specifics?”

“It was medicine made from grinding the claws of a god.”

“What?”

“The claws of a god,” Ui repeated calmly.

“The claws of a god…do you mean Wulian Niangniang’s claws?”

Ui shook his head. “No.”

“Then, whose?”

Ui stared at Jusetsu’s face intently. There was no emotion in his eyes, and Jusetsu felt a strange sense of deja vu. Ui’s expression felt familiar. Why was that—?

“Ui?” Jusetsu called out. Ui’s eyes fluttered, and then he opened his mouth.

“The Gou-no-Kami. Gou means Great Sea Turtle.” (2)

“The Great Sea Turtle…God?”

“Yes.”

“You’re saying that medicine grinded from the claws of that god was contained in this casket?” Jusetsu stared at the turtle vessel. “You said this casket is called a stone turtle casket, yes? So, is this casket modelled after the Great Sea Turtle God, then?”

“Yes,” Ui repeated without intonation.

“This is from a very old dynasty, right? I heard so from Koushun. When exactly is it from?”

“It is from around the time of the Hi dynasty. That was about one thousand and eight hundred years ago.”

“One thousand and eight hundred…so old?”

She truly was surprised. At the fact that such an ancient thing still existed, and the fact that it was so skillfully crafted.

Then, that ghost is also…

He was most likely someone from that time as well.

“Do you know the origin of this casket?”

“It is something that a king of the Hi dynasty had an excellent craftsman make for him.”

There seemed to be no other origin for it.

“Then, have you heard any stories about ghosts or something like that regarding this casket? Such as an elderly servant possessing it?”

Ui tilted his head to the side somewhat.

“I do not know.” His voice was still monotone. Jusetsu was disappointed. She stared at the turtle vessel. It was as if the amber eyes were staring back at her.

“The Hi dinasty and the great sea turtle god, huh…” she muttered as she looked into those eyes.

Jusetsu returned the vessel to Ui, stood up, and left the treasure room.

After returning to Yamei Palace briefly, Jusetsu decided to head for the Winter Ministry.

“I was going to go straight to the Winter Ministry, but Ei Sei insisted that I mustn’t do so, so I came back. He said that it would attract too much attention if I left from the inner court’s gate. He is not a man of flexibility,” Jusetsu muttered while changing into her eunuch’s uniform.

“Niangniang, you really don’t get along well with Attendant Ei, do you?” Jiujiu laughed as she helped her change. “You’re like a cat and dog.”

“Which one of us is the dog, and which one is the cat?”

“Attendant Ei is like a guard dog, and Niangniang is like a kitten with a lustrous coat.”

“A kitten…”

“Yes, like a kitten who desperately making its fur stand on end with all its might. Ishiha, you worked for Attendant Ei for a short time, right? Was it hard?”

Ishiha, who was practicing his writing at the table, looked up. He was supposed to be practicing his penmanship in his free time. Jusetsu, Jiujiu, and Kougyou took turns teaching him. In some rare cases, Onkei and Tan Kai also taught him sometimes. Right now, the one watching him was Kougyou.

“It was…not hard at all. Attendant Ei was strict, but he never said anything unreasonable. He taught me everything one by one in detail.”

He was a bit scary, though, he added apologetically in a small voice.

“Oh, so he’s surprisingly a kind person,” Jiujiu said. “He has nothing but harsh words for Niangniang, though.”

“…I will not quarrel with him anymore,” she grumbled sullenly.

“Because you will lose?” Jiujiu said bluntly, and Jusetsu glared at her. Jiujiu ducked her head.

Jusetsu finished changing and stepped out from behind the curtains. Onkei was waiting for her outside the thrown-open doors. She left Yamei Palace with him.

“Onkei.”

While walking, Jusetsu looked back at Onkei. “Please face forward, lest you trip,” Onkei cautioned and quickly came up to her side. “What is it, Niangniang?”

“What do you think of that ghost?”

“The ghost in the inner court?”

“Yes.”

Jusetsu had thought that he would be bewildered by such a question, but surprisingly, Onkei thought it over with a quiet expression on his face before opening his mouth.

“He is a man of loyalty.”

“A man of loyalty?”

“That man has the appearance of a servant, but more than that, isn’t because it’s obvious that he is a deeply loyal person that everyone who saw him concluded that he is the ghost of a servant?”

“…Why do you think that he is deeply loyal?”

“I can only explain it by his ‘feel,’ but he is someone who only has one thing in mind. He is bowing his head for that one thing.”

I am a eunuch, after all, Onkei continued. “And those who witnessed the ghost in the inner court are also eunuchs, so they can tell that he is someone who serves another and swore loyalty to them.”

A man of loyalty.

Loyal to whom?

“That was very helpful. Thank you.”

“Not at all,” Onkei replied shortly and moved back behind her again, even though she would have liked to have someone next to her to talk to.

The Winter Ministry was located on the outskirts of the imperial palace, and Seiu Temple, which enshrined Wulian Niangniang, was located there. When they passed through the gate, it was as shabby as ever, but it was still clean and tidy. They headed for the Winter Ministry building in the depths of the temple and were greeted by the Winter Minister Senri and the acolytes. Senri led Jusetsu to the outer corridor. There was a table with a Go board set up out there. She recalled Gyoei and Koushun playing Go here.

“Did you play Go with someone?”

“No, I was playing by myself. I was coming up with various moves while remembering a game I played with Master Gyoei before.”

“For a rematch?”

Senri smiled. “…That’s right.”

Senri, who was over forty, was a man whose impresion at first glance was very different from who he actually was. He was tall and thin, and because of his gaunt face, his gaze seemed sharp and highly strung, but when he opened his mouth, his tone was gentle and his laugh was unexpectedly cheerful.

“Are you feeling alright?”

Sitting across from him on the other side of the Go board, Jusetsu observed Senri’s pale cheeks and asked that question. He was prone to illness and had been bedridden for several days recently when the heat and humidity increased. She felt like his cheeks had become even more sunken.

“Yes, I am. I apologize for making you worried. My body can’t keep up when it suddenly gets hot.”

“You should take care of yourself without pushing yourself too much.”

“Thank you. ――Is there something you would like to ask me today?”

Senri was perceptive. Jusetsu nodded.

“Have you ever heard of the Great Sea Turtle God?” she asked without any preamble.

“The Great Sea Turtle…you mean Gou-no-Kami, yes? He’s also known as the Turtle King,” Senri answered without hesitation. “He was a god widely worshiped in ancient times. Sometimes, the ruins of his former shrines have been excavated. There are still a few shrines in the countryside, but they are few and far in between.”

“You’re very knowledgeable about him.”

“That’s because I’ve been researching temples and folk beliefs in various places for many years. Also, he was worshipped as a god of prolonging life and longevity, so one of the shrines where my parents went to pray for me was his…”

It seemed that because of his sickly condition, his parents visited various shrines to pray for his recovery and prolong his life.

“That’s why I’m a bit familiar with the gods of that aspect.”

I see, Jusetsu nodded.

“Have you heard of a medicine that’s made by grinding the claws of the Great Sea Turtle God?”

Senri tilted his head, then shook it. “No, I don’t remember hearing about that or reading about that.”

“I also do not know anything about it, but there is a turtle vessel in the treasure room that once contained the medicine.”

Jusetsu told him about the ghost with the turtle vessel in his hands. Senri quietly listened to her without interrupting.

“Apparently, the turtle vessel is from the Hi dynasty.”

“Hi dynasty, you say?”

That’s before Wulian Niangniang, Senri said.

This country had two histories. The official history that was publicly taught, and the story of the Summer King and Winter King that could never be told. In the official history, the existence of the Winter King had been erased. The two kings ruled the country peacefully for about five hundred years, and then afterwards, after losing the Winter King, Shou entered a long period of war. Many ruins and artifacts were destroyed during this time, and there was little to no way of knowing the details of the previous eras. It was fortuitous that there were some treasures left in the treasure room.

In official history, the Hi dynasty was just one of many dynasties. It was so long ago that it was almost mythical. On the contrary, in the history of the Summer and Winter Kings, the Hi dynasty was a milestone dynasty.

“After the fall of the Hi dynasty, Wulian Niangniang came to this land…”

It was exactly before the time of Wulian Niangniang. That meant the era before she came from Kakurenomiya. Jusetsu didn’t know anything about what happened before. That was because the Soutsuten in Yamei Palace didn’t contain any details about that time. For the Raven Consort—the Winter King, what happened before the arrival of Wulian Niangniang was meaningless.

However, there was of course history between the birth of the country from the corpse of a god and the subsequent arrival of Wulian Niangniang.

“It is a vessel from that time? It must be very well preserved.”

“Perhaps it’s because it’s made of stone. What do you think of that ghost? I’m curious as to who he is, but I’m also curious about why it appeared now.”

“I am as well…” Senri put his hand on his slender chin and pondered.

“Have you thought of something?”

“No,” Senri hesitated for a moment, like he wanted to say something, but he ended up shaking his head. “My apologies. I don’t know.”

“I see…I thought you would know something, because you’re so knowledgeable.”

“You’re overrating me. I am not even close to Master Gyoei in terms of knowledge.”

Senri smiled wryly. It was a nostalgic, wistful smile.

I saw that smile before, she thought. Not from Senri, but Koushun. I think it was at Koshi Palace, when we were talking about Gyoei——.

Jusetsu peered at Senri’s face. He smiled at her. A cheerful smile, different from the one before.

“So, Lady Raven Consort, do you want to save that ghost?”

“…Yes, if possible.”

“If he’s a servant, then he must have a master. Perhaps that master lies at the root of it all.”

Onkei also said that he was a man of loyalty. So was his master the key to all of this, then?

“I’m not sure if I think this because I am ill, but perhaps the servant’s master was also ill. The fact that he is holding a vessel that contained a medicine to prolong life is…”

After saying that, Senri stared off into the distance.

Koutou Palace Academy—generally known as Koutou Academy, was overflowing with books in every room. Wooden strips, bamboo strips, scrolls, transcribed books, and sheafs of paper were piled up on the shelves… The smell of ink was strong.

“Paper gets damp at this time of year, which becomes a problem.”

Meiin said after he led Koushun to a room. It was quiet inside. He thought that there was no one there, but then heard a noise at the back of the room. Meiin called out in that direction.

“Shiki, His Majesty has arrived. Come over here.”

A young man appeared from the other side of the shelves. He stepped forward before Koushun and knelt. It was a gentle movement with no exertion. He was a man who seemed to be a year or two over thirty, and had the air of a third son from a wealthy merchant family, rather than a capable official who had traveled around the rural regions. He wasn’t particularly beautiful, but he had a gentle and refreshing appearance.

From the way Meiin spoke about him, Koushun had imagined a somewhat brusque and obstinate young man, but at first glance, he appeared to be an agreeable young man.

“Raise your head.”

After Koushun told him that, he slowly got up. His eyes were gentle, but he noticed that there was a shade of sadness in his face. There was a shadow over his eyes. Koushun suddenly sensed something similar to himself in his eyes. He had an intuition.

This man holds hatred deep inside his heart.

A smouldering flame of hatred with nowhere to go burned in the depths of his eyes.

He had no proof, but somehow he was convinced of that. Koushun sat down in a chair. “Over there,” he pointed to the seat across from him and prompted Shiki to sit down. Shiki glanced at Meiin with a hint of bewilderment, but Koushun repeated, “We can’t have a long conversation there,” so he obediently sat down.

“I heard that you were in Ga Province until recently.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

His answer was short, but his voice was clear. He had a mellow and deep voice.

“I want to know the situation there,” Koushun said point-blank, and Shiki’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Are you concerned about Ga Province, Your Majesty?”

“I am a little concerned. Did something happen there?”

Shiki looked away in deliberation, then spoke.

“I don’t know if it can be called an issue that happened, but…do you know of the Moon Truth Sect?”

Koushun nodded lightly.

“Its successor is now spreading in Ga Province.”

“The Eight Truths Sect? Is that the Moon Truth Sect’s successor.”

“So you knew about it? The person who was once the evangelist of the Moon Truth Sect became the founder.”

Koushun peered at Shiki’s face. “How do you know so much?”

“I investigated them. Because of that, my life became endangered, so I resigned my position and left Ga Province,” Shiki explained with his gentle expression.

“Wasn’t it because your relationship with the Saname clan had deteriorated?”

“Ah, yes, that isn’t necessarily wrong either. The Saname clan seems to be…somewhat patronizing the Eight Truths Sect.”

“The Saname clan?”

“I don’t have any proof because I’ve never publically became a believer or donated money. I was just trying to obtain some proof when I was poisoned.”

Shiki said that so casually that Koushun was slow to react.

“…Poison.”

“Shiki, this is the first time I’m hearing this as well.”

Meiin was also startled. On the other hand, Shiki looked like it was of no concern to him.

“It wasn’t fatal poison. It was a threat. The Saname clan are poison users, after all.”

“Poison users?”

“It was a rumor that had only been whispered of in Ga Province, but it was true. The Saname clan originally hailed from Kakami. It is said that they have a secret poison. There was a frightening rumor that they obtained it by killing a god.”

I don’t know how much of it is true, though, he added.

“So, I left Ga Province, making it seem like I escaped out of fear.”

“Ho…” Koushun stared at Shiki’s face and expressionlessly responded. Shiki smiled gently.

“You don’t believe me, Your Majesty? Well there’s no proof that the Saname clan poisoned me, so if you say that it’s all a result of me overthinking, then that’s the end of it.”

No, Koushun answered.

“I’m thinking about whether or not Saname believed you. Did they believe that you were the type of person who would give in to threats and run away?”

“I suppose I’m still alive because they believed it. They are also taking the approach of letting me go freely and watching me.”

Or it could be that Shiki is working for Saname—though neither of them said it aloud.

“The Ga Province inspector was Kou, I believe. Were you working under his orders?”

“No, it was my own arbitrary decision. Inspector Kou has no suspicion towards the Saname clan.”

The inspector was an important post that directly answered to the emperor and was appointed by him. The deputy and lower ranks were chosen at the inspector’s discretion. Shiki, who was a deputy inspector, had ignored his superior’s inclinations and acted on his own accord?

This man seems to be acting on some other motive.

He didn’t know what that was yet, though.

Do I have to send spies to Ga Province…?

Normally, the province’s governor or other official dispatched from central would report any suspicious activity without having to do such a thing.

An unspecified official.

Had the real power been transferred to the inspector and he was unable to do a good job?

Koushun looked at Meiin, who nodded as though he fully understood the situation. He would make the necessary arrangements.

“Is it because of the precedent of Reki Province that you decided to probe into the Eight Truths Sect?”

When Koushun suddenly asked that, Shiki looked as though the emotions had slipped off his face.

“Yes, well…”

“You were from Reki Province, weren’t you.”

Yes, he answered and frowned slightly. It seemed to be a topic he didn’t want broached.

“I also lost an acquaintance in the Reki Province riots. It was the man who was supposed to be my friend’s…husband,” Kajou’s face flashed through his mind.  “Things like that shouldn’t happen.”

Shiki lowered his eyes. “Yes—precisely.”

Koushun had a feeling that he too had lost someone important to him.

Koushun invited Shiki to the lotus pond. It was located on the same site as Koutou Academy. Walking along the corridor, they moved from the palace and came to the outer corridor where the beautiful lotus pond could be seen.

“Even though the waterways have been built and the transportation of goods have become faster, Ga Province is still a long distance from here. There must be many things that cannot be seen and voices that cannot be heard there. Even the government there is hard to grasp, so it would be even more so when it comes to the people,” Koushun spoke plainly as he stared at the closed lotus buds. “This doesn’t only apply to Ga Province.”

“…This country is divided by mountains, after all.”

Koushun nodded. The capital was located in the east of the island, with steep mountainous terrain to the north, much of which was unexplored, and a soaring mountain range in the center, impeding travel between the east and west. Although the roads were built on relatively gently sloping terrain, it took many days to travel on them because they took detours around the mountain range. The sea route was somewhat faster, but this was also dependent on the weather.

“The fragmentation of information is very frightening. It can become irreversible at times.”

Shiki nodded. “Yes.”

“That’s why a man like you, who has seen so much of the country, is very valuable. And you know the people well as well as the government. I would like to increase the number of people like you.”

For this purpose, unspecified officials who directly answer to the emperor were very convenient. But there were also downsides. It was difficult to find the right balance, so to speak.

“Your Majesty…is a very serious person,” Shiki said in a tone that was either impressed or astonished.

“I’ve thought about expressing my opinions in a non-serious way, but it was difficult.”

He said with Jusetsu in mind. Shiki laughed in amusement. “You have?”

“Yes, driven by necessity.”

Shiki’s shoulders shook. The air around him was gentle, and there was no hint of timidity even when dealing with the emperor. However, he wasn’t overly familiar. He was relaxed and gentle in a proper manner—and there was sense of loneliness coming from him at the same time. His air was different from anyone he had met so far. Was it because Koushun had sensed something similar to himself in the depths of his eyes?

“Who is it that you hate?”

Those words suddenly came out of his mouth. Shiki’s smile disappeared, and his face became blank. There was a shadow over his eyes.

“I can assure you that it is not you, Your Majesty.” He then added, “Can you tell that because you also harbor a similar hatred, Your Majesty?”

He stared into Koushun’s eyes as he said that, as though probing him.

“…The person I hated is no more.”

Koushun murmured, and Shiki narrowed his eyes as though in sympathy.

“Then, you feel empty right now, don’t you, Your Majesty.”

This man understands me very well.

Koushun turned his eyes toward the lotus pond. There was no breeze, just a sweltering heat and humidity. He wasn’t even sweating. It was simply agonizing.

Koushun wondered what Jusetsu would say to them if she was here.

“Have you ever seen a ghost?”

Despite the suddenness of his question, Shiki answered “Yes” without any hesitation.

“I’ve traveled to many different regions, so I’ve heard many stories about ghosts. People in all regions like ghost stories and strange tales.”

“I see. There are many such stories here in the imperial palace as well. I’ve also seen some with my own eyes.”

“You have, Your Majesty?”

“Yes. Ghosts are tragic beings, aren’t they.”

The ghost that haunted the jade earring, the ghost that stood under the willow tree, and finally the ghosts of his mother and the eunuch flashed through his mind before disappearing.

“Last night, I saw the ghost of an old servant. He wanders the inner court with a treasure from the treasure room in his hand.”

“A treasure?”

“A treasure called a stone turtle casket. It is a turtle-shaped vessel that once contained medicine. He seems to be a ghost from ancient times, but no one knows why he’s wandering around…”

It was pitiful, almost painful, to see the old servant tottering about, holding up the vessel like an offering.

After Koushun told him about the ghost, Shiki was silent, looking perplexed.

“What’s wrong?”

“No…it’s only that I remember hearing a similar story in the provinces.”

“A similar story?”

“It’s not about ghosts. It’s about a pitiful elderly servant who was killed over medicine…”

“What kind of story is it?” Koushun’s interest was piqued, and he turned towards Shiki.

“I don’t know if I can remember it exactly, since I’ve heard it many years ago. I heard it from the people of Raku Province, which is located at the foot of the northern mountains next to Reki Province, while I was working as a patrolling inspector there.”

“Raku Province was said to be where the capital was located in ancient times, during the Hi dynasty.”

Yes, Shiki nodded.

“In the era when the capital was still there, there lived an old servant who served a noble family. The family had already fallen into ruin, and there was only the young lady and old servant in the deserted house. The young lady was bedridden with illness, so the few other servants that were there had given up on her and left. The old servant served and nursed the young lady very attentively. One day, he heard of a life-prolonging elixir in the castle. It was the medicine of the gods, stored in a turtle vessel. He went to the royal family, with whom the young lady’s family had a slight connection, to ask if they might share the medicine with them. The royal family listened to his request and handed over the medicine. However, it was a fake medicine. They were annoyed by the old servant who repeatedly came to ask for help and handed over the drug in order to get rid of him. The young lady died. The old servant, who learned that it was a fake medicine, blamed the royal family but was tortured to death after angering them. After that, the royal family died of a mysterious disease, and it is said that that was the old servant’s curse.”

Shiki sighed.

“It was one of those kinds of stories… One of the legends in that region. I am sure some of it has changed over time, but it is also interesting as a story about a dynasty that died out.”

“It certainly is,” Koushun nodded. “Sometimes there’s unexpected truth behind those legends.”

The old servant and the turtle vessel…

“I’ll tell Jusetsu about this,” he murmured without thinking.

“Jusetsu?” Shiki tilted his head in confusion.

“No, it’s nothing.” Koushun cleared his throat.

Koushun arrived just when the sun was about to set. Looking at his face, Jusetsu thought that he must be in a good mood. There was no change in his expression, but he somehow seemed like that.

“I heard a story about the turtle vessel and the old servant from someone who worked in the provinces.”

That was the first thing that came out of Koushun’s mouth.

“I was wondering what urgent business you had…you came here to tell me that?”

“Yes.”

“A letter would have sufficed.”

“I wanted to tell you directly.”

Jusetsu remained silent, unable to answer.

Because it was still early, Jiujiu and Ishiha hadn’t yet retired for the night. “Have you improved in your handwriting?” Koushun asked Ishiha. “Yes,” Ishiha replied respectfully, then added, “A little.”

“There’s no need to rush. Just work steadily. I taught Ei Sei how to write, and now he’s more skilled at calligraphy than me.”

“Really, Your Majesty?”

Ishiha looked up at Ei Sei. “It’s all because I had a wonderful teacher,” he said with a cool face.

“Ishiha is a quick learner, so he is improving very quickly. He has also improved a lot in reading.” Ishiha smiled bashfully when Jusetsu praised him.

“Shall I bring some books? Something that Ishiha can read,” Koushun said.

“We have the books Kajou lent us. She brought all kinds of books,” Jusetsu pointed at the cabinet. Several books were stacked on top of it. When she had asked Kajou if she had any books that children could read, she happily brought them herself.

“Kajou seems to like reading books,” Jusetsu remarked.

“She does,” Koushun nodded. “I also gift some to her from time to time. They please her more than flowers or hairpins. It’s about time I bring her some new books.”

“She said she wants to borrow some classics from Koutou Academy. She wants to read classic poetry.”

“Okay. I’ll give her permission.”

Even consorts could leave the inner palace with permission. Kajou sometimes went to Koutou Academy or the chronicler’s pavilion in the imperial palace to borrow books.

Jiujiu brought tea, and Jusetsu drank it with Koushun. She had misgivings about drinking hot tea in hot weather, but Keishi, Kougyou, and Jiujiu all said that it was better to sweat to get rid of the heat. She blew on the tea as she drank.

As they drank tea, Koushun told her the story about the turtle vessel and the old servant that was handed down in Raku Province.

“An old dynasty…the Hi dynasty?”

“Yes. It’s said that their capital used to be at the foot of the northern mountains.”

“The turtle vessel in the treasure room is also supposed to be from the Hi dynasty…”

Was that old servant the ghost who was tricked with fake medicine and killed?

“It’s still a mystery why a ghost from so long ago would appear now,” Koushun said, and Jusetsu nodded.

“Mm-hmm. I heard that the vessel once contained medicine made from the claws of the Great Sea Turtle God.”

“The Great Sea Turtle God?”

“Apparently, he was a god that was widely worshipped in ancient times, so he must also have been commonly worshipped in the Hi dynasty. When I asked Senri about it, he said that the old servant’s master might have been ill. If what you told me is true, then he hit the nail on the head.”

But even if it turns out to be correct, we still don’t know what to do about it…

“Medicine…he’s fixated on medicine…?”

The ghost of the old servant holding up the turtle vessel. Did he still want the medicine he never got while he was alive? For the sake of his mistress.

Jusetsu pondered this for a while. “Can I see the treasure room again?” she asked Koushun.

“I don’t mind, but…what are you going to do there?”

“I want to search for the medicine. Even if it isn’t in the vessel, it may be somewhere in the treasure room.”

“The Great Sea Turtle’s? I don’t believe it’s in the treasure room ledger.”

“It might not necessarily be in the ledger. I’ll ask Ui.”

Mm, Koushun made a sound.

“Because he is a strange keeper, indeed,” he nodded. “Are you going tomorrow morning?”

“Oh—no, Kajou said she’s visiting tomorrow morning. She’s going to bring new books for Ishiha.”

“The afternoon, then. I’ll go with you as well if that’s the case. It won’t be too much trouble that way.”

Jusetsu peered at Koushun’s face.

“I asked this before, but are you allowed to just let me in many times like this?”

“It doesn’t change whether it’s one time or many times. I don’t think of those treasures as only belonging to me to begin with.”

They don’t only belong to the Summer King, but also to the Winter King—he was saying.

Then, Koushun’s eyes softened a little. His expressionless face took on a gentler shade.

“Besides, it’s not bad to have you ask me for a favor.”

Because we’re friends, he said.

It was at times like these that Jusetsu didn’t know how to respond. However, she could feel a slight but definite warmth in her chest.