Jinshi received a letter in his office.


    It was neither wooden slip nor paper, but parchment with a beeswax seal. The letter sending culture changes depending on the location, but this form ismon in the west.


    Is it from the western capital? Baryou peered over from his side of the partition.


    As you say. Its from Gyokuou-dono, Jinshi said.


    Gyokuen-samas oldest son, was it?


    Yeah.


    In other words, Empress Gyokuyous older brother. He was many years older than the empress so they must have different mothers. Jinshi had memories of him not really resembling the gentle Gyokuen-dono.


    What is it about?


    Although Jinshi and Baryou were the only people in the room, it was slightly impolite to suddenly ask about the contents of the letter. Baryou must have understood it as well, but probably had ventured to ask.


    Its about wanting to get his daughter into the inner pce. He had hinted at it some time ago, but he directly cut to the chase, Jinshi said.


    Is Gyokuen-sama aware of this matter as well?


    Wanting to get his daughter into the inner pce. Any high official would attempt it, but Empress Gyokuyou has already been established as his majestys main wife. Was he trying to say that he wished to deepen their ties?


    Or, was he trying to say that if possible, rather than the crown princes uncle, he wanted to be the crown princes grandfather instead?


    Empress Gyokuyou must feel conflicted.


    Gyokuen-dono looks like such, but hes a cunning individual. He might have known of it, but left it alone, Jinshi said.


    He looks like a good-natured old man who could get tricked, but this individual had risen to be the emperors father inw.


    Was it seventeen years ago, when the I(, Xu in Chinese) n disappeared?


    The western capital is the most important region in Rii. The region was called Isei Province() in the past, but the namesake I n was put to death by the Empress Regnant, the previous empress dowager. They were dealt with under suspicions of rebellion, but Jinshi was three years old at the time. There was no way he could remember that.


    Yeah. And after that, Gyokuen-dono gained a great deal of power.


    Gyokuen was staying at the central region, with no signs of returning home as is. This meant that it was appropriate to continue assuming an important central office.


    When Gyokuen showed up at the central, a capable person from the central who matched his criteria was dispatched to his son.


    It was Rikuson, the military official who had been working under the weirdo tactician.


    Gyokuen had pointed out that he wanted support for his son, of whom was still inexperienced in the matters of government.


    Normally, this request would be strange to hear. It was certainly the case that Rikuson is a military official, but he is skilled at paperwork. He should have done various things in the desk-work-hating weirdo tacticians stead.


    But there should be other more capable people around.


    No, or could he be trying to separate the military official from the weirdo tacticians side?


    Baryou, do you know about a man called Rikuson?


    hes the person who was once Rakan-samas adjutant.


    With only a bit of thought, Baryou effortlessly got the correct answer. He was bad at forming human rtionships, but he had a great memory for official positions and names.


    I heard that Rakan-sama is bad at remembering people, so he, who was once a civil official, was headhunted, having heard that he is good at remembering faces.


    Civil official. That fits him to a tee, Jinshi said,


    He is a delicate man. It fit him more to carry books than to carry a sword or a spear.


    Its better to ask my sister for the details.


    Maamei, huh. Is she the source of your information?


    So thats how it is. If its Maamei, he could agree that she is well-informed.


    Yes, my older sister speaks to my wife often.


    wife. Which reminds me, youre married.


    Quite some time ago, Gaoshun had mentioned that his grandchild was born. Was that Baryous? Baryou looked like a weakling who would faint from a touch of a girl outside his familyJinshi looked at the other man while feeling a strange sense of defeat.


    Can I ask you something?


    What is it?


    When did your romance start? Jinshi found himself swallowing saliva. It was all just out of curiosity.


    older sister Maamei and mum had plotted it. Afterparing me to Basen, it seems they had picked the method that would most reliably leave behind an heir.


    .


    The pr opposite Ma brothers. Certainly, whenpared to the idiosyncratic Basen, Baryou with his weak constitution might be the better of the two.


    I was told that I dont know how long left I would be alive, so quickly make a child. I was forced to prioritise it over the Civil Examinations.


    Since Jinshi heard that Baryou had passed the examst year, chronologically speaking, he must have taken the exam after getting a child.


    what kind of wife, no, Ive heard about it before.


    Jinshi was so busy he forgot about it, but it slipped in his ears before.


    She is descended from the Mi(, Si in Chinese) n.


    A valid answer. The Ma n heads as the guards of the imperial n, whereas the Mi n is the intelligence agency who reports directly to the imperial n.


    The Ma and Mi ns protect the imperial n overtly and covertly. To strengthen the rtions, asionally, there would be political marriages where they marry children from both ns.


    Must be rough, for you too.


    No, both appearance and position-wise, it is not asplicated as Jinshi-sama. Besides, my older sister told me that if I lie down and shut up at night, my wife will make do.


    .


    On top of easily telling something rude, Jinshi had a strong feeling that he had heard something that he shouldnt have heard.


    If such a candid political marriage was possible, the world will be easy.


    As they chatted, they heard footstepsing from down the corridor. The corridor in front of Jinshis office was purposely fashioned to make footsteps audible.


    It seems my older sister is back. Please ask herter, Baryou said.


    The sound of female shoes. Since courtdies are kept away at a distance for as much as possible to reduce trouble, they naturally knew that it belonged to Maamei.


    Got it, Jinshi said.


    With a knock on the door, Maamei came back, as they had expected. She was holding onto documents and a teacup.


    Im, back what are you two doing? Maamei tilted her head at Jinshi and Baryou who turned to stare at her.


    What do you know about Rikuson, who is Rakan-donos former adjutant who is currently in the western capital? Jinshi asked.


    They finally returned to the topic.


    Rikuson-sama, is it? Lets see. What I know is basically from connections, Maamei said as she put down the documents and prepared tea in the teacup she brought in. It is said that before he worked directly under Rakan-sama, he was a civil official, but I heard he wasnt a civil examination passer, but came in through connections. He came from a family of merchants or something.


    Through whose connections?


    I dont know that much. Shall I investigate?


    No need to hurry.


    It only just caught his attention. That should be all it was, but


    Clever Maamei set the tea and tea cakes before Jinshi and started to write a letter. It was probably to promptly check up on Rikuson. After she finished writing, she allowed it to dry and then put it in her bosom pocket.


    This is thest of todays documents, she said.


    Got it.


    Compared to before, it had decreased substantially. It seems it would be fine even if he were to take a short rest.


    Its gotten considerably easy now, but its going to get busy again. Maamei breathed out a deep sigh. At the end of her gaze was the parchment letter Jinshi had been reading just now. Are you serious? About going to the western capital?


    Its needed. Gyokuen-dono is bothered about how the western capital is going to end up. His majesty also said that hes concerned.


    Above all, the region is close to Shaou. He wanted to take one proper look.


    Does Jinshi-sama have to personally go there?


    Basen had said that to him too. That guy wasnt around, as today was when he trained with other military officials. If he was, it would probably be noisier.


    In terms of duty, it didnt have to be Jinshi. However, it was Jinshi who made the countermeasures for the locust gue while being concerned about the movements of the west sincest year. Regarding the counter-measure Jinshi had put forward, there were other officials whoughed it off as needless anxiety.


    If he were to send a high official to a pleasure jaunt, it would be pointless.


    Above all, the enemy wasnt just other countries or natural disasters.


    Hypothetically, what would you do if your life was targeted in the distantnds of the West?


    The greatest element of anxiety for Maamei was probably that.


    For that, I n to bring elites among court physicians and military officials, Jinshi said.


    The talk you had with Court Physician Ryuu about increasing the number of dependable court physicians, right? Then what about military officials?


    As for military officials Jinshi tugged at his hair.


    Maamei made a face that told him it was improper.


    This was the result of Jinshis many considerations. I was thinking of having Rakan-donoe along.


    Hahhhh? Maameis face contorted to an impossible degree. It was rare even for her to make such a tant look of disgust. What are you thinking? Hes going to go on a rampage. Itll be a huge problem, you know?


    I know, I know.


    Just who is going to hold his reins? Its absolutely impossible to bring Rahan-sama along. No, theres also Ruomen-sama if were talking about court physicians, though.


    As expected of Maamei. She understood.


    We cant have Ruomen-dono. Long journeys will be hard for him at his age. More importantly, he has a bad leg. Even if we were, hell be ast resort, Jinshi said.


    Then who are you dont tell me.


    He could skip the exnation since she was perceptive. If Rahan and Ruomen was no good, there could be only so many people left.


    could it be Maomao-san? Maamei said, face twitching.


    Jinshi averted his eyes from her with a wry smile.