Chapter 70
Wakako hadn’t finished hanging all the talismans; more than half remained.
Despite being invited to help, Miki was acting so strangely that even Wakako, with her good temper, couldn’t help but frown.
“Why are you acting so strange today?” she said with a frown. “If something’s bothering you, just say it outright. There’s no need for all this evasiveness.”
Miki reached out and lowered the bed curtains layer by layer, creating a barrier between them; even her voice became muffled again, “Senior…”
In Wakako’s memory, Miki was usually cheerful and straightforward, rarely so hesitant. She had heard that pregnant women could experience significant personality changes, and it seemed to be true.
“It seems Senior really doesn’t know,” Miki sighed softly, “The morning after the first trial ended, many citizens saw the mercenaries retreating from the outskirts. Now, the whole capital is aware of just how dangerous the trial was…”
Wakako retorted, “So what? We won, and spreading the news can boost morale.”
Even through the curtains, it seemed as if she could see those captivating eyes.
Miki said slowly, “Yes, now everyone knows that the Crown Princess won a great victory, and they also know that you, Senior, carried the Saint out of the manor at dawn…”
Wakako froze, nearly tying the string of the sachet into a knot.
She tried hard to keep her voice down but couldn’t help raising it, “We were just helping the Crown Princess together!”
Everyone present knew that!
“Yes. Princess Tsukiyo said so herself when she visited the wounded, that she achieved victory with the help of both of you. Who would doubt it?”
Miki’s voice suddenly turned cold, “The nobles don’t believe it.”
“Others may not know about your past in the Saionji household, but how could the nobles be unaware? Everyone’s gossiping behind your backs, claiming the two of you had an improper relationship since childhood. They say the Saint is no longer pure, that she’s been forsaken by God — and that’s why the trial happened.”
No longer pure…
These harsh words struck Wakako’s ears. The paper with the talisman for good luck in her hand was crumpled and flattened until it could no longer be smoothed out.
The thing she feared most in her life was damaging the Saint’s reputation.
“I’m sure Senior also knows how much the nobles value their so-called reputation,” Miki said calmly, “I, who am engaged to you, and even the entire Jin clan, have naturally become the laughingstock of the nobles recently.”
Wakako said nothing, recalling Lady Jin’s strange look when she arrived. It turned out to be because of this.
After a while, her hand rested on the dagger at her waist, and she suddenly asked, “Who are the people spreading these rumors?”
“Oh? Are you planning to kill them, Senior?”
“Why not?”
She admitted that her past relationship with Miki wasn’t entirely innocent, but on the night of the trial, they had wholeheartedly assisted Tsukiyo, with no distractions or ulterior motives.
The Saint is impure…
But what was purity, and what was impurity?
Who defined it?
“You’re adorably naïve, Senior,” Miki said with a faint smile. “Killing one or two, what good would that do? Do you plan to slaughter all the nobles in the city? And even if you did, how would you explain it to the Queen?”
Miki’s tone suggested that she already had a solution in mind.
Wakako simply closed her mouth and listened to her idea.
“The nobles often socialize among themselves,” Miki said, “If you’re willing to appear with me in public more frequently, they’ll naturally gossip less.”
“Aren’t you pregnant and unable to see anyone?”
“Didn’t Senior hang these talismans for me? After a few days, I’ll take the medicine that was delivered the other day and resolve this matter. After some rest, I’ll be able to go out.”
Miki was also a mercenary, and her physical foundation was good, so she didn’t need to recuperate for as long as ordinary people.
Wakako knew that her method was feasible, and interacting with the nobles wouldn’t require any significant sacrifice. However… appearing in public together meant they would have to act like a deeply affectionate couple to dispel any doubts.
She was afraid she wouldn’t be able to put up such a pretense.
It wasn’t that she couldn’t, but that she didn’t want to.
Wakako didn’t answer immediately, and Miki didn’t press her, only sighing again, “This is the only solution I can think of. The rest is up to Senior to decide.”
Silence settled between them.
Wakako untied the poorly tied sachet from before and reattached it to the string at the top of the curtain.
The items from the divine temple were naturally exquisitely crafted, every stitch and thread meticulously embroidered, exuding a faint pleasant fragrance that was masked by the smell of medicine in the room and could only be detected up close.
The white petals used for worshipping God had a similar scent.
Before Wakako left, Miki said, “If you’re worried the Saint might misunderstand, I can explain it to her on your behalf.”
Wakako paused, “No need,” she said softly, “Let me think about it.”
She had originally planned to reveal her poisoning after everything was arranged, but considering Miki’s special circumstances, she decided to tell her now, “On the night the Kitagawa estate was attacked, I was poisoned by the enemy… The doctor said I have less than three months left.”
“So, I’ll die not long after our wedding,” Wakako’s lips curled into a bitter smile, “I just hope I won’t leave you with a reputation for being unlucky.”
After a long silence, Miki didn’t show any surprise or offer any comfort. She only asked, “Is this the real reason why Senior decided to help me?”
“Yes. Since I don’t have much time left, I might as well help you through this difficult time while I’m still alive…”
Miki suddenly pulled back the curtains, revealing her beautiful face. But for some reason, the corners of her eyes were slightly upturned, giving her an inexplicably cold and alluring look. Her lips were as red as cherries, and her eyes sparkled like stars.
Completely different from her usual self.
“Have you ever thought about yourself instead of others?” she asked softly, echoing Wakako’s own words. “Since you don’t have much time left, why waste it on others? Why not live according to your own heart’s desires?”
Wakako was stunned.
“Live according to my own heart’s desires?” she murmured these words, “I wish I had that privilege.”
Miki’s hand slowly released, allowing the layers of the curtain to fall.
“Forget it. I’m already grateful that you’ve decided to help me; I wouldn’t dare comment on other matters.”
She reverted to her usual polite and restrained demeanor.
“Lady Huo’s fifteenth birthday is coming soon, and the Huo clan will be hosting a banquet. If Senior has made a decision, I’ll have someone send an invitation to the Kitagawa residence as well.”
***
Wakako had a dream again after a long time. In the dream, she and a woman were sitting in a small boat, drifting together and enjoying the beautiful lake scenery.
The woman was facing away from her, her black hair falling forward to obscure her face, making it hard to see her face. But even with the blurry outline, it was easy to tell that she was a beauty.
They chatted about something, and suddenly the woman turned her gaze and smiled gently.
“Whose scent is that on you?”
Wakako finally saw the woman’s face clearly. Who else could it be but Miki?
Before she could answer, her wrist was grasped. That soft, pale hand rested on the back of her hand, not very strong yet impossible to pull away from.
“Whose scent is that on you?” Miki asked again, her smile unwavering.
“…”
“Who did you meet?”
“…”
“Did you… for even a moment, mistake her for me?”
Wakako abruptly woke up, feeling a fine layer of sweat on her forehead. She thought she should take a bath to wash away her exhaustion.
Although it was already evening, it was far from bedtime. She had unknowingly dozed off earlier and now felt completely awake.
The Kitagawa estate had servants on standby at all times, but Wakako was still not used to being waited on, so she went to fetch water and bathed herself.
Just as she finished washing, she vaguely heard voices coming from outside. It wasn’t exactly a commotion, but it was hard to ignore.
Wakako put on her black clothes, opened the courtyard door, found a passing servant, and asked, “What’s going on?”
“Lady Wakako, the Second Daughter asked me to call you to the front hall,” the servant bowed, his eyes showing some confusion, “Didn’t you know?”
“What’s happening at the front hall?”
“The Saint is here.”
The dream she had been trying hard to forget flashed back into her mind. Wakako was startled, “Why would the Saint suddenly come here?”
The servant explained, “It’s not a sudden visit. Didn’t she come earlier to select guards? Unfortunately, she didn’t find any suitable ones. This time, the Second Daughter has assembled another group for her to review, and she’d like you to come and offer your opinion.”
That’s right, how could the Second Daughter miss the opportunity to get acquainted with the Saint? If it didn’t work the first time, she’d naturally try again.
Wakako recalled how Miki had mentioned earlier that rumors were spreading among the nobles in the capital. She really shouldn’t do anything that might further tarnish the Saint’s reputation.
Whether it was between the Saint and her, or the Saint and the Kitagawa clan, there should be no further interaction.
“I’ll go with you,” she took a deep breath.
When they reached the front hall, Wakako didn’t enter. Instead, she asked the servant to call the Second Daughter out alone.
To welcome the Saint’s arrival, the Second Daughter had had deliberately changed into new clothes, dressing very plainly. But no matter what she wore, it couldn’t conceal the calculating glint in her fox-like eyes, a trait common among merchants.
“What’s the matter?” she asked, affectionately taking Wakako’s arm, “The Saint is waiting inside, you’re the only one missing. Why aren’t you going in?”
Wakako lowered her gaze and removed the Second Daughter’s hand with her other hand, “Why didn’t you consult me before inviting the Saint?”
The Second Daughter was taken aback, “Is there something wrong with that?”
“Of course there is.”
Wakako briefly explained the rumors circulating among the nobles, but that wasn’t the main point. She knew what merchants valued most, and only by addressing their core interests could she make the Second Daughter compromise.
“If the rumors continue to spread and damage the Saint’s reputation, displeasing the Queen and angering the royal family, do you think they’ll let the Kitagawa clan’s business continue?”
She hit the Second Daughter’s sore spot. As expected, the Second Daughter’s expression changed, and she frowned, seemingly weighing the pros and cons, “Why didn’t I hear about these rumors? How did you find out?”
“Through the Jin clan.”
After all, the Kitagawa clan wasn’t part of the nobility. No matter how extensive their connections, there were still limitations to their information network.
Just as they were about to continue their conversation, a figure in white appeared at the entrance of the front hall.
Miki’s feet stepped on the soft carpet laid out specifically for her. She leaned against the doorframe, her gaze sweeping over them.
“So Lady Kitagawa is here,” her tone was polite and distant, “Why are you standing outside instead of coming in?”
The Second Daughter glanced at Wakako and gave her a meaningful look, “We’re coming in now.”
Miki suddenly sniffed the air and narrowed her eyes.
“Lady Kitagawa,” she said.
“Whose scent is that on you?”
Her smile was just like in the dream.
