CHAPTER FIFTY TWO
"Did you find out who have been in contact with Sakae frequently ever since we returned to the Palace?" Consort Toyomike asked.
"You are right Your Highness, in deed, the Dowager Empress' moles are everywhere ever since we left there are only a few loyal people that are in your service." Sina replied.
"Good." Consort Toyomike replied. "How is Concubine Unako no Otoshi?" She asked.
"She is fine Your Highness." Sina replied.
"I want you to give her this message." Consort Toyomike said as she got an envelope and handed it over to her.
"Yes Your Highness." Sina replied as she got hold of the envelope and she took it away.
Consort Toyomike smiled at herself ghastly while she stretched her hands and placed them into a drawer where she pulled out the Posthumous Edict that the Emperor had left behind prior to his death.
"This is a challenge if wit and wisdom Your Highnesses, how grateful I am to you for having left behind for me this one thing that has made me realize my dream." She said to herself as she tightened it into her grip.
It was already dark and Umako knocked onto a thick brown door.
He faced the street afterwards as he cuddled the thick cloth that he was wearing to protect himself against the cold while he blew into his hands.
The door was opened and he turned around to see a valet who was standing there.
"Excuse me Sir, who are you?" The valet asked.
"It's me Ōmuraji Soga no Umako." He replied.
"Your Excellency." The valet said as he bowed his head, "How may I help you?" He asked.
"I am here to discuss with your master a very urgent matter." Umako replied.
"Very well then, Let me check with him first." The Valet replied as he closed the door and walked back inside leaving Umako alone with Shizu.
"Your Excellency, are you sure that this visit is worth it?" He asked.
"We need to at least give it a try." Umako replied.
"Ōmuraji Otomo Kanamura Maro isn't the type of person that seems to show any interest in the political struggle for power within the Imperial Court." Shizu whispered.
"Just because he doesn't show any interest it doesn't mean that he doesn't have one and besides, if you are to take a closer look Sometimes it's about the first one to approach him or the one who is much more willing to confide in him." Umako replied.
"What if he refuses?" Shizu said.
"We'll see about that but it is not something that is much important for him to decide immediately he'll have some time to think about it." Umako replied.
"It's so cold out here." Shizu said.
"What more do you expect for moving out with me in the dark?" Umako asked.
"I see." Shizu said as the doors were opened and the Valet returned to them.
"Please come in." He said and the two walked into the Courtyard.
Umako was led to a room and there she found Otomo Kanamura Maro seated and facing the wall.
"Your Excellency." The Valet said.
"Is he here?" Otomo Kanamura no Maro asked.
"Yes Your Excellency." The Valet replied.
"Greetings Your Excellency." Umako said as he bowed his head
"Spare yourself the formalities, we both share a similar position after all." Otomo Kanamura no Maro replied.
"Thank you so much." Umako replied as the man stood up, turned around and faced him.
"You may leave us." He ordered His Valet.
"Yes Your Excellency." He replied as he withdrew from their presence and left the two alone in the room they looked at each other for a while.
"Are you here for long?" Otomo Kanamura no Maro asked.
"It seems so." Umako replied in a very reserved manner.
"Then I understand that it is very cold outside and you'd very much not mind sitting down to have a cup of tea with me." Otomo Kanamura no Maro requested.
"I wouldn't mind." Umako replied as he was led to a nearby table where the two of them sat down and Umako ceased the jug first.
"Allow me." He said.
"But you are my guest." Otomo Kanamura no Maro said.
"And you are my senior." Umako insisted.
"If you insist then there is no use trying to stop you." Otomo Kanamura no Maro remarked.
"Thank you." Umako said as he poured them some tea in their cups and it's aroma rose up into the air.
"Fine Ginseng tea." Umako said.
"I am quite addicted to its heavenly taste that I didn't know the mainland boasted such a remarkable menu." Otomo Kanamura no Maro replied.
"I can't seem to remember the last time that the two of us ever had a cup of tea together." Umako said.
"I remember you must have been eighteen at the time when I visited you at your home and you sat down with both your father and me in his study." Otomo Kanamura Maro replied.
"You seem quite old but I laud your brilliant memory." Umako praised.
"I always take some time to reminisce those days of our youth, you can only live once so every memory that I have comes so precious to me that I hardly forget those friends of mine." Otomo Kanamura no Maro replied.
"I am inspired." Umako said.
"If I am not mistaken then you aren't here to reminisce the days of old with me." Otomo Kanamura no Maro said.
"It wasn't entirely what was on my agenda." Umako replied.
"Then I am curious and I need to know why you are here." Otomo Kanamura no Maro asked.
"No worries, I am here to foster a personal relationship with you just like it was with my father." Umako said as he raised his cup and took a sip of his tea.
"I see that you are as ambitious as your father was." Otomo Kanamura no Maro said.
"You are well versed with the saying like father like son." Umako remarked.
"In deed my son does take after me but perhaps the best version of myself is my granddaughter." Otomo Kanamura no Maro said.
"She must in deed be extraordinary." Umako remarked.
"She is no different from Your father's granddaughter and your niece." Otomo Kanamura no Maro remarked.
"Consort Toyomike is one headstrong girl." Umako said as the both of them laughed.
"Do you intend on helping her?" Otomo Kanamura no Maro asked.
"She is someone who can voice out our requests and interests to the Emperor given that she is the favourite and at this time that the Dowager Empress and the Empress are the most powerful women in the inner court and throughout the land her influence over the Emperor is her most solid guard that we must help her keep a little bit longer.
It was quite visible in the hustle that followed the Emperor's death and much as she didn't become the Empress her influence over the matter did draw much attention that perhaps everyone must have seen for themselves how dearly the new Emperor loves her." Umako said.
"She is such a good fortune to you and all the other Sogas." Otomo Kanamura no Maro said.
"We are only lucky that she was born a Soga." Umako said happily.
"In deed as it is that fortune favours the bold." Otomo Kanamura no Maro said.
"I am bold to go up against the Dowager Empress, the Empress Consort and the Imperial Chieftain." Umako boasted.
"It was that trait of desiring authority that your father passed down to you." Otomo Kanamura no Maro said.
"In deed." Umako said.
"So what makes you desire and alliance with me?" Otomo Kanamura no Maro asked.
"I believe that our clans can come to a common understanding and we could form a coalition." Umako replied.
"What good shall a coalition do us at this rate?" Otomo Kanamura no Maro asked.
"Just think about it this way, we are the most persecuted and the Mononobes have grown so highly in the favours of the Dowager Empress and her companion daughter in law.
As it is the only way that we can survive is to either abstain from any conflict with them or we side with the sides that are contending with them." Umako replied.
"The earlier sounds to be safe enough." Otomo Kanamura no Maro said.
"But you can not be safe forever and time is something that isn't on our side, this may sound a little bit too vexatious but if you can not master the courage of resistance then when we fall automatically you shall follow.
Besides all that we have we have acquired from fighting this battle and should you choose to remain idle do you think that the little you yourself have left to protect shall be spared?" Umako asked.
"Shouldn't you be a little bit too confident in presenting something that is guaranteed?" Otomo Kanamura no Maro asked.
"I have put it all into consideration." Umako replied.
"How certain can we be that when the Mononobes fall we won't also become your enemies?" Otomo Kanamura no Maro asked.
"You can take my word to be something that is unbreakable and also perhaps we also wouldn't desire that you leagued with the lower Officials against us." Umako replied.
"I am still not satisfied." Otomo Kanamura no Maro insisted.
"Perhaps you are reluctant to hear me out " Umako said.
"I'd rather sit and lose it all slowly than fight to gain so much more and lose it all in a glance." Otomo Kanamura no Maro said as he sipped at his cup of tea.
"I admire your cautiousness Your Excellency but you understand that for the Empire to be stable especially the Inner Court then all arms of governance and factions even aristocratic parties must be in a state of equilibrium." Umako said.
"Usually one in the end gets the lion's share and the other is left out, isn't ignorance the true trait of all politicians and lying a common conviction to us both?" Otomo Kanamura no Maro said.
"Then if it can not be a negotiation you can look at it as your only choice and last resort." Umako said.
"I can conjure a number of ways to survive this." Otomo Kanamura no Maro said.
"Then please enlighten me and tell me some." Umako said while Otomo Kanamura no Maro kept quiet.
"As expected." Umako said.
"You have me cornered." Otomo Kanamura no Maro said.
"Perhaps but I leave it all up to you, the only reason that I proposed this alliance is because we have a problem that is common to us both." Umako said.
"You can't be fighting an inner battle and you also pave way for an Enemy to enter." Otomo Kanamura Maro said.
"If I recall we weren't enemies to begin with." Umako said.
"And neither were we allies." Otomo Kanamura Maro replied.
"The final decision is with you and I don't need an immediate answer, before the Dowager Empress and her people can cultivate the soil to for their own profit, someone else must steal it from them." Umako said as he placed his tea cup on the table.
"Before you there are three options, me, the Dowager Empress it you yourself and your people alone, I can't promise you that none has no consequences but my question is which of the consequences can you bear much more than the other?" Umako asked.
"Well said." Otomo Kanamura Maro said, "I'll think about it." He added.
"Whatever it is that you do then, please choose wisely in the end." Umako said as he stood up while Otomo Kanamura Maro followed him.
"Thank you for the visit." He said.
"Thank you for the tea." Umako replied as they both bowed their heads to one another before Umako turned around and treaded slowly out of the old man's abode.
He reached outside the doors where Shizu was waiting for him.
"What did he say?" Shizu asked.
"He didn't accept." Umako replied.
"You were in for a long time for nothing?" Shizu said.
"I told you that he needed some time." Umako said.
"Sure." Shizu replied as the two walked away.
Bidatsu was seated on his throne when Mononobe no Suke spoke up.
"Your Majesty." He said as he bowed his head.
"What is it?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.
"Your Majesty, according to our norms and traditions it's been a couple of months since you ascended the throne and the Mausoleum of the late Emperor has been finished.
It is important that you ask the Kami for providence and that your reign may be a prosperous one." Mononobe no Suke replied.
"And what are you suggesting?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.
"Your Majesty must seek sanctity in front of your predecessors and thou must conduct a prayer in front of your father the Late Emperor's Mausoleum." Mononobe no Suke replied.
"It's tradition as you have said and I bear in mind the best interests of our people at heart so when the auspicious date is decided then we shall all gather." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"One more thing Your Majesty." Mononobe no Suke said.
"What is it now?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.
"Your Majesty, the ritual can be performed with one of your Consorts and we thought about it and we came to a conclusion that if His Majesty is willing then he should do it with Consort Toyomike." Mononobe no Suke replied.
"For such an auspicious occasion I think that I should rather perform it with Her Highness the Empress Hirohime but I wonder why you have chosen Consort Toyomike." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"Her Highness the Empress has been quite sickly of late and she has decided to give the honour to another of His Majesty's two Consorts, Consort Toyomike was the Late Emperor's favourite child and also she has quite a renowned reputation amongst the people especially after the events that went down two years ago at the Kii Mountain Ranges.
She also holds a very exemplary position in the inner court when it comes to all the Imperial women that she has spared no effort in easing the governance amongst the women inside it." Mononobe no Suke replied.
"Very well then, when you say it that way you leave me with no choice at all." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"The Empress us dignified and humble and intelligent and Consort Toyomike to the people is much more outgoing and she is popular, if His Majesty wishes to have the hearts of the people then we'd propose it should be to captivate them with this chance.
The prayers shall not only show your Filial piety to the world but they shall in a way show the stability and coordination that exists within Your Inner Court." Mononobe no Moriya supplemented.
"My Imperial Chieftain is foresighted and my Minister of Rites and Culture is also very calculative " Emperor Bidatsu said.
"Thank you Your Majesty." The two said in unison.
"What about my mother the Dowager Empress?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.
"Her Highness is welcome along with all the other members of the Imperial family." Mononobe no Suke replied.
"Which is the most auspicious day for this occasion?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.
"Your Majesty, I have discussed with the High Priestess and we have come to an agreement that the best day to carry out the ceremony is in a week's time." Mononobe no Suke replied.
"Very well then, it has been decided." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"Thank you Your Majesty." Mononobe no Suke replied.
"Ōmuraji Soga no Umako." Emperor Bidatsu called.
"Yes Your Majesty?" Umako replied.
"I believe that there was an issue that you wished to bring forward before us all." Emperor Bidatsu replied.
"Yes Your Majesty." Umako replied as he faced the Emperor
"I have a memorial to present Your Majesty." He added.
Sato descended from the Emperor's side and he got hold of the memorial in his possession and he handed it over to the Emperor.
Emperor Bidatsu took it into his possession and he opened it to read it.
As his eyes perused through it, Umako received a series of glances from the Mononobes who were present in the Court but he didn't seem to show any concern.
The Emperor folded it and he placed it onto the table.
"Umako?" He called once again.
"What is it Your Majesty?" Umako asked.
"What you are proposing is something that I believe we need to further expound on it." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"Your Majesty, I am concerned about your well-being like everyone else that is in here and also I am concerned by the wellbeing of the people." Umako said.
"So you propose that a new prefect for Nara should be appointed." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"When Your Majesty held that office Nara experienced a series of developments and it was able to thrive in your two year term of office.
Nara is also the Capital prefecture of the Nation and for it to run I believe that it should have a competent prefect." Umako replied.
"Your Majesty, this is an issue that needs your deliberation." Mononobe no Moriya said.
"And in your humble opinion you believe that the best person for this job is Minister Otomo Ren Nukate?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.
"Yes Your Majesty." Umako replied.
"He is a very diligent and hard-working man and he is most sincere in all his conduct as well as the finances of the state.
He isn't someone that is meddlesome and he could help us improve public works and develop the Capital to continue your hard earned legacy." General Fujiyaro remarked.
"Where is Honourable Otomo Ren Nukate?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.
"Here Your Majesty." A middle-aged man nearly about two decades older than the Emperor stepped out.
"What position have you been holding?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.
"I have been the Vice Chancellor of the Imperial Secretariat in charge of publications and also keeping Imperial records and compiling ancient texts." Otomo Ren Nukate replied.
"Very well then." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"I have checked on His Excellency's activities recently and he is old enough so he is reliable for the position for the time being." Umako said.
"Is there anyone who is opposed to this?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.
"No Your Majesty." They all replied in unison.
"It has been decided." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"Thank you Your Majesty." Umako, Nukate and General Fujiyaro said in unison.
"If there is nothing more then the Assembly is hereby dismissed." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"Long Live His Majesty, Long Live our Emperor." The Courtiers jointly said as Emperor Bidatsu stood up from his throne and walked out of the throne room while everyone else bowed their heads to him.
"You are back Your Majesty." Consort Toyomike said the very moment that she saw her husband walking through the door.
He found her holding their third daughter in her hands and slowly shaking her
"How is she?" Emperor Bidatsu asked as he drew closer and touched his daughters soft chubby cheeks.
"She is fine, she just fell asleep." Consort Toyomike replied.
"She looks like you when you were also very Young and a baby." Emperor Bidatsu praised.
"How would you tell?" Consort Toyomike asked.
"I might have been in the early years of my teenagehood but I still remember you also had chubby cheeks " Emperor Bidatsu replied.
"Really?" Consort Toyomike asked.
"I still remember your smile very well and your bright dark eyes." Emperor Bidatsu replied.
"You fell in love with a baby?" Consort Toyomike asked.
"I just liked that you were adorable but I had never hoped that you would grow up to be the most beautiful woman in Nara that I have ever seen and the one that I would truly love with all my heart." Emperor Bidatsu replied.
Let me first put her down into her crib." Consort Toyomike said as she lowered the baby and covered her.
When she was satisfied she turned to her husband and they walked towards the dressing table where she helped him remove the Imperial robes and change them.
"Tell me Your Majesty." Consort Toyomike said, "How was the Assembly this time around?" She asked.
"It was fine, your Uncle proposed to appoint Honourable Otomo Ren Nukate as the New Prefect of the Nara prefecture." Emperor Bidatsu replied.
"I never thought that he'd take such an interest in that position." Consort Toyomike said.
"It is a very vital position because it also puts one in charge of the state finances and expenditure." Emperor Bidatsu replied.
"Was that all?" Consort Toyomike asked.
"Apparently while observing the mourning rituals and traditions, its been a few months after my coronation and everyone believes that I have finally settled on the Throne." Emperor Bidatsu replied, "They proposed that it is time that I prayed to the Kami for providence and sustainability of my Kingdom in front of my father's Mausoleum and they also proposed that you conduct the Empress' rituals on her behalf." He added.
"Why me and not the Empress?" Consort Toyomike asked.
"Her Highness has been a bit sickly of late and she can not manage the long ritual so it shall be me and you." Emperor Bidatsu replied.
"No one opposed to me taking part in the rituals?" Consort Toyomike asked.
"Nobody dared." Emperor Bidatsu said.
Consort Toyomike having removed the robes looked at him when he pulled her closer to his chest and she stared him in the eyes.
"Honey." She said.
"You are so beautiful that I can't bear to stop thinking about you." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"Have you consented to me attending the ceremony with you?" Consort Toyomike asked.
"I wouldn't even need to think twice because as long as you are right here beside me then I would be feeling nothing more than complete joy." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"If you say so but let us get one thing right?" Consort Toyomike said.
"What is that?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.
"I won't be attending and carrying out the rituals because I want to but because you are my husband that I love and because I promised that whatever you decide as the Emperor of this country I shall stand by your side." Consort Toyomike replied.
"Yes." Emperor Bidatsu replied as Consort Toyomike leaned into a hug.
"Your Majesty." She said in a very lowly tone.
"What is it." Emperor Bidatsu asked.
"Sometimes I can't help but keep wondering what I ever did in this life of mine to deserve your love." Consort Toyomike replied.
"I should be the one to ask myself that question." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"Why?" Consort Toyomike asked.
"I'm not the best of men or the most handsome throughout the land." Emperor Bidatsu replied.
"You don't need to be because for me you are perfect the way you are and you are everything that I need, everything that you are a part of gives me satisfaction and you don't have to be the best husband, having you right by my side is good enough." Consort Toyomike said with her head still placed on his chest.
"Do you remember one time when you told me that it would be more peaceful if you married an ordinary man?" Emperor Bidatsu Asked.
"I realised that both me and you could never be ordinary people, you'll always be a Sovereign and me a Princess or perhaps one day a Queen.
As long as my heart is content and as long as I can see you every morning when I wake up and every night when I go to sleep then it is good enough for me." Consort Toyomike replied.
Raising her head she looked at the Emperor.
"I want us to have another child." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"Are you serious?" Consort Toyomike asked.
"If we can have enough children then perhaps we do not have to worry about having to ever grow old at all and be bored.
We could be Imperial but we could leave the life of ordinary people as well." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"Alright then." Consort Toyomike agreed.
Dowager Empress Ishi Hime was seated in her chambers when Sakae walked in.
"Your Highness." She said as she bowed her head.
"Did it go according to the plan?" Dowager Empress Ishi Hime asked.
"Yes Your Highness, it was arranged and His Majesty agreed to carry out the ceremony with Consort Toyomike." Sakae replied.
"Very good." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said.
"Given the fact that she is the Emperor's favorite, for him to decline the offer was close to impossible." Sakae said.
"He really has been enslaved by his feelings towards that woman." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime remarked.
"But at least this is what you wanted your Highness." Sakae said.
"I still need to find a head " Dowager Empress Ishi Hime asked.
"Don't worry Your Highness, I can do that for you very well." Sakae replied.
"I know that I can count on you." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime remarked.
"Thank you Your Highness." Sakae said, "But I have one thing that is still bothering me Your Highness and I thought that perhaps I should inquire from you." Sakae added.
"Are you confused?" Dowager Empress Ishi Hime asked.
"It's not that I am confused Your Highness bit don't you think that Consort Toyomike shall be very suspicious of you?" Sakae asked.
"I know that she shall be very suspicious but nevertheless there is not much that she can do because she shall be just as surprised as I intend to make her on that day." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime replied.
Consort Toyomike was seated as she thought about the words that her husband had told her.
"No one opposed to me taking part in the rituals?" Consort Toyomike had asked.
"Nobody dared." Her husband had replied.
"Something's not right." Consort Toyomike said to herself, "What are you up to Your Highness?" She asked herself but she couldn't seem to cup up to any conclusions.
"Your Highness." Sina said as she bowed her head.
"Yes?" Consort Toyomike replied.
"I have already made the order." Sina replied.
"Good." Consort Toyomike remarked.
"Is there something that is bothering you?" Sina asked.
"Her Highness the Dowager Empress is up to something otherwise why would the Courtiers ask me to perform a ritual that is meant for the Empress all of a sudden if there wasn't something that they were cooking up?" Consort Toyomike asked.
"You know Her Highness Milady, she won't rest until she has vanquished you, I too have no idea what she is planning but you can take it to be like a bargain." Sina said.
"You are right, this is not the time for me to show the Empress my weakness." Consort Toyomike said to herself.
"You don't have to complicate things, if it is an attempt to kill you then don't worry I had Kabane organize some soft armour underneath that shall protect you." Sina remarked.
"Thank you." Consort Toyomike remarked.
"It's my duty Your Highness." Sina replied as she bowed her head and she walked away leaving her Mistress alone.
Consort Toyomike picked up the mirror that was on her table and looking right inside it she stared at her reflection as slowly by slowly, her mind wandered away.
It was very early in the morning and the Palanquin that was carrying the Emperor led the way while the one which was carrying Dowager Empress Ishi Hime along with that of Consort Toyomike followed his closely from behind.
The Procession was being accompanied by an entourage of Shinto priests and palace attendants while it halted right outside Kawachi no Shinaga no naka no o no misasagi and the gates of the site were opened.
The Emperor stepped out of the Palanquin dressed in bright red and golden robes as he descended the small staircase that set his feet onto the ancestral grounds.
He was led away into the compound while Consort Toyomike Toyomike stepped out of her Palanquin next.
She was dressed in a white and gold dress and she wore a white peacock headdress and golden Jewelry that went perfectly along with it, her dress had a train that was very long and stretched up to ten metres while she had applied some nearly thick make up.
All the Courtiers and other members of the Imperial family were marvelled while the Priests and priestesses also present admired her lavish and charming nature.
The Commons that were kept at a distance would ably see that Consort Toyomike stood out in the Crowd and Dowager Empress Hirohime who followed her as another senior member was dressed in a bright green attire with gold.
Emperor Bidatsu halted in front of his father's mausoleum and he stared at the tall stele that had been erected right in front of it.
He put his hands together and then he looked up at its might which towered and nearly touched the sky.
He began by bowing his head three times while he got a group of incense sticks and then he put them in the pot that was right in front of his father's altar.
The Shinto Priests that were present chanted a series of prayers in unison while while a fire in front of them burnt.
The mausoleum had been surrounded by a sacred thread and there a series of offerings had been put in place.
After Bidatsu was done praying for his father he moved away while his wife Consort Toyomike stepped onto the stage right where he had been.
"Sanctity, eternal peace and Providence of the Kami?" She asked as she stared at the magnificent mausoleum.
"Yes." The priest who was presiding over the ceremony replied.
"Wonderful." Consort Toyomike replied as she put her hands together right in front of her and bowed he first, second and third time's.
She had just been given the incense sticks when suddenly a personal turned up from behind the Mausoleum dressed as one of the priests.
"Consort Toyomike?" He said as he stretched out a bow and an arrow from behind a rock and he pointed it at the young woman.
Consort Toyomike stared at him while the Emperor Bidatsu called for the Imperial guards.
The rest of the people were just staring at Consort Toyomike who was rather unmoved by the incident that a certain degree of confidence appeared on her face while she stretched out her arms widely.
The guests gasped while she showed no desire of retreat and she only breathed so deeply as she raised her chin and closed her eyes while facing the sky.
The Archer who was scared while she smiled as though in prayer gathered all the strength that he could find and he let the arrow break free from his grip.