CHAPTER FORTY FIVE
"Your Majesty, if it is about the Inner Court then I believe that this is a very private matter." Moriya said.
"Your Majesty, the rumors that are circulating throughout the whole of Nara are quite fatal as it is that nothing concerning the Imperial family is a private matter." Fujiwara no Shige.
"Tell me what is it that you wish to say?" The Emperor asked.
"I am afraid Your Majesty, there are things that are beyond my control and forgive me for prying as I may sound a little bit out of line but I have discovered reports that indicate collusion between the Inner Court and the Imperial Court." Fujiwara no Shige replied.
"Who is it that desires to tear down my Court and divide it?" The Emperor asked.
"I won't say that I too know the person Your Majesty." Fujiwara no Shige replied as he bowed his head.
"Your Majesty, how could His Excellency pose and make such assumptions that threaten the stability of the Imperial Court without any proof?" Moriya asked.
"I believe that what you are saying sounds to be a little bit too far fetched." The Emperor said.
"You could say that Your Excellency but perhaps most of you mustn't have heard but there are rumours that are spreading around the Capital Your Majesty." Fujiwara no Shige said.
"Can you prove to that to me?" The Emperor asked.
"Yes Your Majesty." Fujiwara no Shige replied.
"Very well then." The Emperor said.
"Bring them in." Fujiwara no Shige said and a short while later, a small group of street children were brought into the Throne room that the other Courtiers were surprised.
"What's with these children? Is he alright?" He heard most of them asking themselves.
"Certainly not." Others concluded.
"I was expecting you to bring me books or some grown up prisoners, why is it that you are bringing little children to me." The Emperor asked.
"Your Majesty, we believe that children are very innocent and naive, they know not what is good or evil and need guidance and they must always speak the truth." Fujiwara no Shige said.
"What's your point?" The Emperor asked.
"I am a concerned citizen of the country and I happened to be passing by the streets of Nara when I heard these children singing a song." Fujiwara no Shige said.
"They are young Your Majesty, it's natural for them to louse around while listening to rhymes." Moriya said.
"I thought that before but surprisingly for a song that we are all familiar with only when you would listen to it fully you'd know that something else was added at the end." Fujiwara no Shige.
The Emperor looked at the children who stared innocently at him as the Crown Prince also looked down at them.
"Ask them to recite the song." The Emperor ordered and at once Fujiwara no Shige turned to them and nodded his head.
"THE EMPEROR'S TEARS ARE SCATTERED BY THE WIND, HIS HEART SHATTERED LIKE JADE ACROSS THE FLOOR, WHEN FALLEN IN HIS LAST HE'S LEFT BEHIND, HIS FAIREST SOGAS OF AGE ALONE MADE EMPRESSES." The Children said.
The Courtiers were astounded.
"I remember that rhyme very well, the last line says that HIS FAIREST OF AGE ALONE MADE EMPRESSES." The Emperor said.
"Yes Your Majesty." Moriya said.
"So what is it that you are pointing at?" Umako asked, "Are you trying to say that the Emperor's Soga Consorts have conspired with us Courtiers and factionalized the Imperial Court?" He added.
"No Your Excellency." Fujiwara no Shige said.
"Then what is it that you are trying to imply?" The Emperor asked.
"Your Majesty, perhaps you might have misunderstood me all of you but what I am saying here is that if such a rumours and songs are popularised amongst the people, it shall implicate all the Courtiers of the Imperial Court." Fujiwara no Shige said.
"I see." The Emperor said.
"Since the Times of Emperor Keitai, The Imperial Palaces have been frequented by Courtiers and scholars in the name of being near the Emperor at all times in case of needed and offices were extended right near it to report daily to the Emperor so that Nara having been capitalised, it wouldn't be easy for rebels and usurpers to take the throne.
This has yielded the country fruitfully but I fear that in the eyes of the Common people who have little knowledge of this it might be misunderstood and the state needs us to convince them that the Imperial Court is sturdy so that such a rumour can be quelled naturally." Fujiwara no Shige said.
"That's a very good observation." The Emperor said, "What do you think Imperial Chieftain?" He turned to Moriya and asked.
"His Excellency has a point Your Majesty, if we ignore such a mild incident in the near future it may become a fatal mishappening that could alter the sturdiness of not only the Imperial Court but also the Inner Court along with the entire state." Moriya replied.
"Speaking about it I believe that Fujiwara here is right." The Emperor said.
"But Your Majesty, drawing Conclusions itself is something that is not enough, if we have identified the problem then we must find a way of curbing it and something that is a rumour that has been popularised as a song how would His Excellency suggest that we dealt with it?" Moriya asked as he turned to look at Fujiwara no Shige.
"What do you suggest?" The Emperor asked him.
"Originally Your Majesty, I was thinking that as it is that we fight fire with fire and poison with poison, the most effective way that we can kill a rumour is by using a rumour as well." Fujiwara no Shige said.
"And how are we going to do that, should we also change the lyrics of the song as well?" Moriya asked.
"As it is the Commons don't really understand the political language much better than we scholars and Courtiers.
Additionally, they wouldn't be as suspicious about it if the lyrics of the song were changed because I believe that they are very much ignorant and there is a possibility that many versions have different opinions and words that make them different from one another.
If we could make about four to five more versions of the song there would be so much disorganization." Fujiwara no Shige said.
"So people won't have to be suspicious on which is the right one and in the end, no one would use the song to their advantage." The Emperor said.
"Yes Your Majesty." Fujiwara no Shige replied.
"That is good enough." The Emperor said.
"Pardon me Your Majesty but in addition to that we I think that we also needn't give the people a reason to be suspicious." Fujiwara no Shige said.
"What do you mean by that?" The Emperor asked.
"Your Majesty, some people in nature would be suspicious if the Courtiers spent so much time around the Palace and as it is now that Nippon is in its glorious age and it is flourishing and cultivating peace and trade with the mainland I believe there is no need for the Courtiers to frequent the palace any more and restrictions should be made to all people that visit Imperial Consorts and wives." Fujiwara no Shige said.
"I second Honourable Fujiwara's opinion Your Majesty." Umako said.
"This will eliminate any public excuse to defame the Imperial Court and Courtiers can only visit family members at only your invitation or after your consent." Fujiwara added.
"What does everyone think about this?" The Emperor asked.
"I oppose it Your Majesty." Moriya replied.
"Why?" The Emperor asked.
"Your Majesty, I believe that if we act according to the situation among the commoners then they shall be all the more suspicious about the Courtiers' activities.
He also so said that they are ignorant so why then would they take an interest of the Courtiers frequented the Palaces?" Moriya replied.
"Since when has the Palace been a Courtiers abode, have they ever made it the Courtiers' household, we could over look the fact that most of the commons are ignorant but just like the one eyed man is King among the blind, there are smart people that are waiting to grab that opportunity to themselves.
If even if one man would instigate the rest of the common people into revolt on those grounds it would be easier for them to believe because as the water is quick to flow where a tunnel is dug, they would be quick to admit whatever they are being told is the truth." Fujiwara no Shige said.
"From Honourable Fujiwara's point of view Your Majesty, if we do as he has suggested then I believe we shall be able to ease the work of curbing these rumours.
We that are gathered here possess houses and homesteads that we call our own and from the example of the Late Imperial Chieftain we can conclude that he was just as exemplary in keeping his distance.
None of our wives reside in the Palace so there is no need for us to louse about it any longer and as he has said it that we are in the age where Nara and Yamato are flourishing in all we do the Courtiers and scholars look to Nara and provinces worship us.
If we can give them room to critique us then it's not only the Imperial Court but the whole of Nara falling from glory." General Fujiyaro said.
"I believe that considering everything that Honourables, Fujiwara, Umako and Fujiyaro have said, I should react accordingly." The Emperor said.
"Yes Your Majesty." Soga no Umako said.
"As it is that Courtiers have no business with the Imperial Wives and Concubines therefore upon immediate dismissal from the Court, all Courtiers shall reside nowhere withing the Imperial Palaces." The Emperor said.
"Yes Your Majesty." The Courtiers said in unison.
"For those that are interested in seeing their in laws and family members that are either Princes or Princesses or Imperial Wives and Concubines you shall get my approval first and except at invitation alone also through me would you be able to enter the Palaces." The Emperor said.
"Yes Your Majesty." The Courtiers said in unison again.
"Should all the above be disobeyed then I think that we should all come to an agreement, what kind of crime would it be?" The Emperor asked.
"Your Highness, collusion between members of the Inner Court and Courtiers should be considered treasonous but the punishment of treason shall be given accordingly." Fujiwara no Shige replied.
"Why?" The Emperor asked.
"I believe that should it be death then the state would lose some of its talents but when it isn't that serious a matter then sinners could be able to find redemption and return to righteousness." Fujiwara no Shige replied.
"I am in deed impressed by your diplomacy skills." The Emperor said.
"I am but a servant of humble service." Fujiwara no Shige said.
"To curb such a problem ai believe it has not been so easy but your strategy is brilliant, that being said I'd wish to have a word with you sometime." The Emperor said.
"Yes Your Majesty." Fujiwara no Shige said.
"You're all dismissed." The Emperor said.
"Long Live His Majesty, Long Live our Emperor." The Courtiers said as they bowed their heads while the Emperor stood up from his throne and he walked away leaving the Courtiers behind.
Fujiwara noticed that they all looked at him awfully while some even murmured behind his back but he didn't show any remorse in his actions as he turned around and looked at the children who were led out.
Empress Ishi Hime read through the letter that Hinote had given her and she folded it.
"What's the problem mother?" The Crown Princess asked.
"HIS FAIREST SOGAS OF AGE ALONE MADE EMPRESSES." The Empress said, "Perhaps she is insinuating that the nation's Empresses shall all be from the Soga bloodline." she added.
"She is in deed quite smart, first she has succeeded in possessing the will of heaven right now when you walk on the streets all that you here is that the Princess is a demigoddess and the High Priestess nothing but a devotee waiting at the backdoor of the Kami." The Crown Princess said.
"The High Priestess was infuriated but she's unable to do anything in her position as it is that against Princess Toyomike she can no longer compete for heaven's will." Empress Ishi Hime said.
"I still don't understand, she would have attacked us directly but why does she have to move all around?" The Crown Princess asked.
"To curb the situation at hand Fujiwara no Shige requested the Emperor to restrict us from communicating with the Courtiers.
If what I am thinking about is what's going on in his mind, rather than taking either Princess Toyomike's hand or mine he wishes to develop his own individual influence in the Imperial Court." Empress Ishi Hime said.
"He can't do that alone." The Crown Princess said.
"He's managed to win over the Emperor's attention in his twilight years and on top of that while we run the factions of the elderly, he rather rallies the support of the lower administrative officials.
It hasn't been that long since he climbed the political ladder but to us he has clearly shown that against both the Princess and me he is quite fatal." Empress Ishi Hime said.
"But if it's to fall out in the race, don't you think that Princess Toyomike would abandon the arena first?" The Crown Princess asked.
"No." Empress Ishi Hime replied.
"Why mother?" The Crown Princess asked.
"The Imperial Princess has nothing much to lose as the Sogas though supporting her do it rather distantly whereas if someone is to get into trouble then it would be me because I have much more to lose and and my support comes directly." Empress Ishi Hime replied.
"So to survive Your Highness, we must oust Fujiwara no Shige." The Crown Princess asked.
"No." Empress Ishi Hime replied.
"Then if he lasts longer we'll be the ones to suffer a fatal blow from him." The Crown Princess said.
"As long as he can bring harm onto the Imperial Princess Toyomike then he is very much useful to us but when a sword is double edged then make the other blunt." Empress Ishi Hime said.
"How are we going to do that mother?" The Crown Princess asked.
"Fujiwara may look so powerful but as long as one is human they always have a weakness, he is a forthright man so that can only mean that if he willingly can't come to our side then he shall by force." Empress Ishi Hime replied.
"Every man's weakness is his family." The Crown Princess said.
"But that alone shall not do." Empress Ishi Hime replied.
"Then what shall we do Your Highness?" The Crown Princess asked.
"To win this war we must think like the enemy and be at least a step ahead, if we can force him through his family to outside, we need to also pick from the mud and rally supporters from the humble castes for an equally powerful contender of his generation." Empress Ishi Hime replied.
"Who would that be Your Highness?" The Crown Princess asked.
"I had Moriya to try and carryout a survey and since young there was a boy who like Honourable Fujiwara wasn't so privileged to begin with." Empress Ishi Hime said as she got a small piece of paper and handed it over to the Crown Princess who opened it and read
"Jinnō?" The Crown Princess called his name.
"They went to the same school and used to be best friends until along the way he became Shige's shadow." Empress Ishi Hime said.
"No one wants to live in another's shadow, should we ask for his devotion to make him the best then naturally Shige will have every reason to serve our cause as well." The Crown Princess said.
"What's so sweet and fun about favour when you have no one to jockey with for it?" Empress Ishi Hime asked.
"As it is." Princess Toyomike said as she placed the paper on the table.
"Your Highness, are you sure that this Fujiwara no Shige isn't working for the Empress?" Kabane asked and Princess Toyomike laughed.
"Why would you say that?" Princess Toyomike asked.
"Could this be related to you meeting with your Uncle?" Sina asked.
"It could be and it also could not, two of the Emperor's Consorts are Soga women and the Her foe is a daughter of the woman that she resents with her whole life.
Competing with her for her son's favour and also putting at risk the Empress' title, all these could be the very things that the Empress has to say about me and the reason that she has to contend with me so that she can defend her power, influence and might." Princess Toyomike said.
"As it is, this is a sign that Fujiwara no Shige is but another enemy to us." Sina said.
"But do you think that the Empress put of her desperation would become foolish to cut off her own hands?" Princess Toyomike asked.
"Come to think of it Your Highness, this could have an equally negation effect on her." Kabane said.
"Isn't it funny that she should have seen it by now that it'd be orchestrating her own downfall?" Princess Toyomike asked.
"She would do anything but she wouldn't be that irrational." Sina said.
"I believe that by now she should have been aware that Fujiwara no Shige is a threat to us both and the only way that she could possibly think of is that if he can hurt me then he is equally as valuable to her so she won't kill him." Princess Toyomike said.
"Rather she'd try to get him on her side." Kabane said.
"Yes." Princess Toyomike replied.
"Shouldn't that worry you Your Highness?" Sina asked.
"I am constantly worried about whether I shall wake up tomorrow or I'll be free to do each and everything that I want.
I am worried that the Empress doesn't have the time to rest because she is trying to conjure a way for me to fall from my newfound grace and favour." Princess Toyomike replied.
"What are you going to do Your Highness?" Kabane asked.
"For the time being I won't do much, let's just wait and see for ourselves what the Empress is going to do and depending on the way that she is going to react with this crisis we shall be able to figure out what our next move is going to be." Princess Toyomike said.
"Yes Your Highness." Sina replied.
"It's been a while hasn't anyone come here to visit me?" Princess Toyomike asked.
"Not yet Your Highness." Sina replied.
"That's strange." Princess Toyomike said.
"Your Highness, are you expecting someone?" Kabane asked.
"Yes." Princess Toyomike replied.
"Is it the Crown Prince?" Sina asked.
"No." Princess Toyomike replied.
"Consort Kasuga?" She asked again.
"Just be patient for a few more days and you'll see for Yourselves." Princess Toyomike replied.
"Yes Your Highness." The two replied in unison.
Umako was walking through his courtyard when Shizu walked up to him.
"Your Excellency." Shizu said as he bowed his head.
"What is it?" Umako asked.
"General Fujiyaro is here to see you." Shizu replied.
"Let him in." Umako replied.
"Aye." Shizu said as he withdrew from his presence a while later returning with General Fujiyaro by his side.
"Honourable Umako." He said as he bowed his head.
"Honourable Fujiyaro." He replied as he did the same.
"Would a walk with me delight you?" Umako asked.
"I have heard that amongst all the Courtiers, your residence possesses the most beautiful flower garden here in Nippon." General Fujiyaro said.
"I'd like to give you the honour of enjoying it's Beauty with me." Umako said.
"Very well." General Fujiyaro replied as the two of them strolled through it slowly.
"I hadn't imagined that everything would come to this." Umako said.
"So you seem to be threatened by Honourable Fujiwara as well." General Fujiyaro said.
"You rather seem happy about everything." Umako said.
"Me, you, Moriya, Suke, and Mori were all the same young and naive scholars that had our fathers known not the Emperor or possesed a particular degree of influence in the inner court we would have walked the same path that scholar has taken." General Fujiyaro said.
"We were the young generation of our fathers' age but now we are the older generation of Fujiwara's." Umako said.
"You should at least be pleased that should it be to topple Moriya then he'll certainly help you clean out all his rats serving under you." General Fujiyaro said.
"True." Umako said, "With his brain he'd serve best as my sword against him but I am worried that between the both of us he is still Untamed and it doesn't appear that trying to tame him will be easy as well." He added.
"Everyone must pay a certain price." General Fujiyaro said.
"So which one is ours?" Umako asked.
"Probably this one." General Fujiyaro replied.
"Isn't Honourable Fujiwara no Shige cautious that his actions shall only make for himself more enemies?" Umako asked.
"That's his price for his loyalty." General Fujiyaro said.
"So what is your plan?" Umako Asked.
"At a time like this when you can no longer fight then defending you must, I believe that if we do not wish to aggress Honourable Fujiwara let's like him convince him that we too are diligent statesmen.
It won't be easy because as much as we want him I am certain that so does the Empress and should she intend to use force then we are the only ones that can protect him." General Fujiyaro replied.
"You think that I did not think of that in the first place?" Umako Asked.
"Why didn't you do it.?" General Fujiyaro Asked.
"Haven't you been curious why the Emperor decided to play along with his trick of trying to impeach Honourable Mononobe no Mori that he foolishly confessed his misdeeds in front of the Imperial Court?" Umako Asked.
"I have seen that it seems to me recently there is not one single thing that escapes your attention." General Fujiyaro said.
"When you think of it ever since my father's passing away there was a lowly Courtier that chose to speak up in the Court and he suddenly had him elevated." Umako said.
"Come to think of it on the basis of his wisdom and some fearing to arouse the suspicion of the Emperor not a single one opposed his nomination and appointment and they also didn't dare to defend Mononobe no Mori." General Fujiyaro said.
"Simply when I think of it, this man's loyalty is quite bothersome as it is that he could curry favour with His Majesty then there is someone bigger behind him." Umako said.
"Who could that be other than His Majesty?" General Fujiyaro asked.
"As you have said it for yourself this could be a plan by his Majesty, if we react so hastily we would fall into the trap of saving others and as it is this trap could have been set to purposely round off all those Courtiers with selfish interests because as it is that the Emperor is growing old, before he can leave he needs to prepare a sturdy nation for the Crown Prince." Umako said.
"That he'll only do by curbing the clouts so whoever it is that shall approach Honourable Fujiwara no Shige would be running towards the fire with hay?" General Fujiyaro said.
"Yes." Umako replied.
"Such a well laid strategy, how did you figure it out?" General Fujiyaro asked.
"I believe my father had been preparing me throughout my entire life for this and only if I can match up to his wisdom can I survive the Imperial Court." Umako replied.
"Now that we are aware it could be your intention to wait but you can not wait forever." Fujiyaro said.
"The Emperor himself shall never be suspicious for so long because come to think of it if he instigated Honourable Fujiwara no Shige to come up with an excuse to get Courtiers away from the Imperial Palaces then someone must have tipped him off that Courtiers have been frequently meeting with the women of the Inner Court." Umako replied.
A couple of days had passed and Princess Toyomike was seated within her Chambers when someone knocked on her door.
She was writing something down on paper so she sent Sina to go and check out who it was and she returned a while later.
"Your Highness." She said.
"What is it?" Princess Toyomike asked.
"Concubine Unako no Otoshi is here to see you." Sina replied.
She stopped writing as she smiled.
"At last after waiting long enough." Princess Toyomike said.
"Is she the one you have been waiting for?" Kabane asked.
"Yes, you can let her in." Princess Toyomike said.
"Yes Your Highness." Sina replied as she bowed her head and a short while later, she led her in with a few gifts and also a lunchbox.
"Your Highness." Concubine Unako said as she bowed her head.
"At ease." Princess Toyomike said and she stood up. "I understand that you are here to see me." She added.
"Yes Your Highness." Concubine Unako replied.
"Please, sit down." Princess Toyomike said as she pointed to the chair that was opposite from where she was seated.
The two women smiled at each other.
"It wouldn't be good of me to bother you without coming with some gifts and I also brought some ginseng tea and other spices including okra and tumeric." Concubine Unako said.
"And pastries?" Princess Toyomike asked.
"I had that they are your favourites." Concubine Unako said as she opened the lunchbox and showed it to Princess Toyomike.
"I also heard that you had fine cooking skills." Princess Toyomike said.
"Would you mind if I impressed you with them?" Concubine Unako asked.
"Not at all." Princess Toyomike said as she got a hold of one of the pastries and she ate it.
As she swallowed a smile overwhelmed her face.
"Did you like it Your Highness?" Concubine Unako asked.
"In deed I am by far impressed." Princess Toyomike replied.
"That puts my heart at ease." Concubine Unako said.
"As it is that you have given me so much I must give you something in return, I have come to notice that you are quite gloomy and perhaps there must be a reason as to why you decided to come here and visit me." Princess Toyomike said.
Concubine Unako looked at all the others that were around the Princess and she raised her hand and she halted them at a distance.
"Please go ahead." Princess Toyomike said.
"You must know it all, after all rumours must have circulated about the fight that happened between Consort Kasuga and me." Concubine Unako said.
"And you are here to ask for my help?" Princess Toyomike asked.
"I am here to support you." Concubine Unako replied.
"I am sure that your support is with a price." Princess Toyomike said.
"It's right for me to say that you can understand me as a fellow woman and perhaps in you I am very confident that anything can possibly come to pass." Concubine Unako said.
"You wish for me to contend with Consort Kasuga?" Princess Toyomike Asked.
"Pardon me Your Highness." Concubine Unako replied.
"I see." Princess Toyomike said.
"You'd understand me much better than any of those other Imperial wives and Concubines Your Highness.
Under the Crown Princess and Consort Kasuga I have had no peace within the Palace all that has ever happened to me is constant suffering each and every day.
I am by title inferior to those two women because firstly the Crown Princess is the Crown Prince's most legal wife and at one point for the case of Consort Kasuga His Highness doted on her quite frequently she had his favour." Concubine Unako said.
"But the tide has changed as it is that you might have had that I am the Crown Prince's favourite?" Princess Toyomike asked.
"If I am to think about it Your Highness those two for you are primary foes and while the Crown Princess has the support of the Empress and the other powerful Courtiers in the Inner Court you are just starting to build yours." Concubine Unako replied.
"I suppose that you are also well versed with the politics of the Inner Court that eventually, you decide to come to me for aid." Princess Toyomike said.
"You have popularised yourself amongst the Imperial women declaring war on the Empress but I am afraid as all of them have isolated themselves even some of those who would have been your supporters have also become independent enemies." Concubine Unako said.
"Why did you not side with them?" Princess Toyomike asked.
"I have nothing much to hold dear and considering all of them I can only guarantee my safety if I side with you.
"You are free to turn me down Your Highness but as it is that you have few supporters in the Inner Court you have so much to lose if you can not hold on to us that are humble.
Our alliance additionally can be guaranteed much more than that of those Imperial villainesses as for me whether it's a yes or a no, I have nothing to lose." Concubine Unako replied.
"I like Your honesty and perhaps as a woman I understand you, however as you have said it for yourself those Imperial women are all nothing but villainesses so you must understand that through fostering an alliance with me you shall have indirectly declared a war on them." Princess Toyomike said.
"Compared to all of them I believe that you are smart, you even have the support of some Primary Courtiers within the Imperial Court, the will of heaven has made you a demigoddess of the people and a female sage and patron of Nara.
If I am to make an estimation on the most powerful woman in Nara of our age then it must be You Your Highness yet you are roughly seventeen years of age.
You are the Emperor's favourite daughter so when I put all this into consideration, I believe that you surpass their might and you are the only one that can crush them.
For me, there is nothing that gives me so much satisfaction like the very end of those women." Concubine Unako replied.
"I understand." Princess Toyomike said. "And I know that you having been with those women long enough you must know which ones are their strengths and weaknesses." She added.
"Yes Your Highness." Concubine Unako replied.
"It's not that I distrust you but I wish to ask you one question." Princess Toyomike said.
"Please do so Your Highness, I am listening." Concubine Unako replied with a smile.
"How can you prove your Loyalty to me dear?" Princess Toyomike asked.