Spring was in its waning days. The breeze was perfectly warm, and everything graced by the sun’s rays heralded the arrival of summer. In the imperial palace of Konkoku, tucked in a corner of the Ministry of Rites, was the cuisinology hall. The books covering the walls and few windows meant the scent of ink was thick within the space. In contrast to the warmth outside, the air here was cold and heavy. One could feel the cool, stone floor leech the heat right through their shoes.

Perhaps the chilling atmosphere was a result of the building having lost its master.

“Did I make a mistake?”

Setsu Rimi sat alone, lost in thought as she gazed at the light escaping out a tiny window near the ceiling.

Early that morning, a messenger had arrived at the Palace of the Water Spirit where Rimi was temporarily staying. Shohi had summoned her to the palace, apparently wishing to speak to her about something. However, when Rimi had arrived, she had been told he was in a conference and she would need to wait at the cuisinology hall.

For more than half an hour she had waited, yet Shohi still hadn’t appeared.

A little silver-furred creature with an elongated body sat atop Rimi’s shoulder. She was Tama, a divine dragon. As if in response to Rimi’s muttering, she gazed at Rimi with her big blue eyes and squeaked. What’s wrong? she seemed to ask.

“There’s so much I just don’t understand,” Rimi murmured.

Two days before, Shusei had reappeared without warning. But he was not the old Shusei. He had announced that he was the new head of the Ho House and had taken the name of Ho Shusei. Then, right in front of Shohi, he’d turned to Rimi and made a brazen declaration.

“I want you.”

Rimi couldn’t understand why Shusei was doing this.

She’d wanted to press him for answers, but immediately after making his proclamation, Shusei had excused himself. She hadn’t found a chance to speak directly with him since then.

Rimi and Shusei both knew that the love they held for each other was unacceptable, and so they had been actively burying their feelings. Then, just to pile on to that struggle, they had each learned the truth of Shusei’s birth: he was the legitimate son of Ho Seishu.

If Rimi had pressed on with her feelings, Shusei’s station, his very life, would have been in danger. Shusei himself had said in no uncertain terms that they needed to deny their feelings. In what world would it be right for Rimi to cling to those feelings when Shusei had let go? Wouldn’t the right choice be to respect each other’s duties and protect their places in the world?

Such thinking was what had driven Rimi to accept Shohi’s marriage proposal. She would be his empress. She’d once believed that was the best course of action. She’d once believed it was right.

But now she wondered if it had all been a mistake.

Had Shusei become the master of the Ho House as a way of telling her that she had made the wrong decision?

Yet Shusei had been the one to say they needed to bury their feelings. During his tutoring to prepare Rimi for her enthronement, he had claimed that he wanted her to be the empress. If that was really how he felt, surely it was not connected with his decision to raise the banner of revolt against Shohi. But if everything he’d said was a lie, then perhaps Rimi really had made the wrong choice...

Whatever the case, right or wrong, Rimi’s enthronement ceremony was proceeding as planned. The Executive Audience was already behind her and the Nocturnal Liturgy was tomorrow.

“Rimi,” someone called from behind her, drawing Rimi from her thoughts. She turned to see who it was and was greeted by the sight of Ryu Shohi, the fifth emperor of Konkoku.

“Forgive me,” Shohi said as he entered the room, “I called you all the way here from the Palace of the Water Spirit, yet I made you wait for me.”

“I don’t mind at all,” Rimi said with a smile. Their eyes met, but Shohi averted his gaze for some reason, seemingly uncomfortable. His long eyelashes cast shadows across his cheeks.

“I’m sorry, Rimi,” he said in a small voice after a moment’s hesitation, only to fall silent once more.

“What are you apologizing for, Your Majesty?”

Shohi paused for a moment as if trying to find the words.

“The Nocturnal Liturgy. It was supposed to be tomorrow, but I’ve decided to postpone it,” he said.

“Postpone it? Until when?”

“I cannot say. And so... I’m sorry.”

An indefinite postponement, in other words. And therefore, a suspension of Rimi’s enthronement ceremony. She was speechless.

“I’m sorry,” Shohi said. The words seemed to pain him. He bit his lip.

From atop Rimi’s shoulder, Tama gazed with her big, blue eyes at the young, suffering emperor.

During the year 113 of the Konkoku calendar, in the twilight of spring, it was as if a quiet earthquake had thrown the imperial court into upheaval.

Chapter 3: Kan Cho’un, the Traitorous Retainer

I

“You must not worry us like that. Kunki was on the verge of tears when he reported last night’s events. The news frightened me as well.”

Shohi had begun to scold Rimi the moment she’d entered his chambers. His harsh tone made her duck her head.

“I am sorry, Your Majesty. Tama suddenly ran off, and I simply lost my head,” she said.

“And that’s why you ditched your appointed guard?” Jotetsu said with amusement. He chuckled under his breath.

Rimi was truly sorry for worrying Kunki so badly. Upon finding her, he had screeched her name and collapsed in front of her with tears in his eyes.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt as bad about something as I did then...

Kunki had escorted Rimi back to the Palace of the Water Spirit after that. She had bathed and dressed, then immediately after received a summons from Shohi. He had apparently wanted to make sure she was safe.

Rimi’s injured ankle was still sore, but after receiving some medicine and a tight cloth bandage, it was stable enough to walk on. She hadn’t fallen ill either, which was more than one could ask for after being stranded in the mountains.

“You said a man was living in the shrine. I wonder what sort of man would be living in a place like that. Maybe he was an actual, real-life heavenly immortal?” Jotetsu said. He had his hands crossed behind his head, seemingly amused by the whole matter.

“He would’ve been terribly pale and grumpy for an immortal. He seemed more like a bureaucrat from Hell,” she said.

“All alone with one of Hell’s officials? And you weren’t scared?” Shohi said.

Rimi flinched at his words.

When Kunki had arrived at the temple, neither the man nor Shusei had been there. She had mentioned the presence of the strange man but had left out the fact that she had met Shusei.

Even if Shusei had meant it as a provocation, he’d told Shohi that he wanted Rimi. If Shohi knew she’d spent a night together with Shusei, it would’ve thrown him into turmoil. He didn’t need that now, not while he was dealing with the threat of rebellion.

Still, I feel bad about keeping secrets...

Meeting with Shusei without Shohi’s knowledge felt immoral. The thought of the lullaby lilies Shusei had given her, which were soaking in water back in the Palace of the Water Spirit’s kitchen, made her heart ache. It was as if they were proof of her misconduct.

If I’m going to feel this miserable, I might as well tell him, Rimi thought.

Just as she was about to let out a hesitant “umm,” she was cut off as someone appeared in the doorway.

“Ah, Your Majesty. If I may intrude for a moment? It’s urgent, so I had to forgo the usual formalities.”

“Keiyu?”

It was Jin Keiyu, Minister of Rites. Though he wore his usual, frivolous smile, something in his manner showed he was tense.

“Ordinarily, Chancellor Shu or Rihan would come to you with this, but both of them are handling other matters at the moment. Chancellor Shu has ordered me to come on his behalf,” Keiyu said.

“Other matters? What other matters? For what possible reason could they not even bother to appear before me?” Shohi demanded.

“Kan Cho’un, the prefectural administrator of An, has come to the palace. He states he wishes to report directly to you on behalf of the administrators. The chancellor felt it was necessary to have a number of officials present for his report and asked me to obtain your consent,” Keiyu explained.

The color drained from Shohi’s face. Rimi’s eyes widened with shock. Administrator Kan Cho’un, the man at the center of a possible revolt.

“What could he be thinking? He marches into the capital before we can even summon him?” Shohi asked.

“He was adamant that the details of his report be given directly to you. We have no idea as to what he’s after. That was why Chancellor Shu decided it was important to have a cadre of officials in attendance so we can deal with matters immediately. May we proceed with the summons, Your Majesty?”

“Of course. I will go to the Hall of New Harmony as well.”

By Shohi’s command, the ministers and vice-ministers would be ordered to assemble at the Hall of New Harmony. He also ordered Jotetsu to take Rimi back to the Palace of the Water Spirit, after which he left alongside Keiyu to meet with Kojin and Rihan.

“Something is starting...” Rimi murmured as worry overwhelmed her.

“Should we go too? Get a peek inside the Hall of New Harmony?” Jotetsu chirped.

“Can we? Is that allowed?”

“We’ll just sneak over before we head to the Palace of the Water Spirit. Nothing to worry about. Besides, I want to get a look at this Hero of the Countryside too.”

The man at the center of a smoldering rebellion had marched into the capital. If there was a possibility of seeing what was about to happen, Rimi would rather do that than go back to the Palace of the Water Spirit and worry.

“Will you take me?” Rimi said.

“Just follow me,” Jotetsu said. He smiled at her, the smile of a troublemaker, and began to walk.

Jotetsu brought Rimi out through the north side of the Hall of the Rising Dragon where Shohi’s chambers were located. From there, he kept them out of sight as they approached the Hall of New Harmony. The officials had received Shohi’s command and had begun to gather, entering through the hall’s southern entrance. Jotetsu slipped around to the other side of the building, bringing them to the northern entrance that led to an immense curtain, which hung behind the emperor’s throne.

Jotetsu gently pushed aside the curtain and peeked through. He whistled softly.

“Well well, there he is. The one kneeling in front of the throne. That must be Administrator Kan Cho’un. He’s awfully young,” Jotetsu said, and then he tilted his head gently. “Roko, my hometown, is in An too. I’ve been hearing stories about the Hero of the Countryside since I was a little brat. There’s no way he could be that young.”

“Is he really so young?” Rimi asked.

“Can’t be much older than me. He woulda been a brat when I was a brat.”

“The rumors said he would be the youngest minister ever. Was that in any of the stories you heard as a child?”

“That’s what I’ve been hearing ever since I entered His Majesty’s service,” Jotetsu said. “I’d heard about a Hero of the Countryside when I was a little squirt, so I was sure they were the same guy. But it doesn’t matter how smart a kid is, they can’t take the promotion exam. This has gotta be someone different. Just take a look.”

At Jotetsu’s urging, Rimi peeked through the crack in the curtain to get a look at the man kneeling before the throne. She let out a small peep as she realized who it was.

It was a man with a ghastly complexion and a scowl. The bureaucrat from hell.

“That’s the man who was staying in the temple in Gisan!” Rimi said, trying to muffle her voice despite her panic. Jotetsu peeked through the curtain from above Rimi’s head.

“You sure?” he asked.

“Mmhmm,” Rimi acknowledged with a nod.

The man, who was clothed in a modest, green shenyi, was undoubtedly the same one.

The gathered officials flanked the throne on both sides, exchanging curious whispers as they watched Kan Cho’un. They had all been informed that the administrator of An had come seeking an audience with the emperor, but none of them had any idea why.

There was another official standing in the doorway who was creating a small fuss. Rimi gasped when she spotted him.

A man had boldly stepped forward, clad in a dark-colored shenyi and draped in all the majesty of a young royal. He strode through the room without hesitation, taking position right along the right-hand side of the throne.

Cho’un, sensing the presence of someone nearby, looked up. His eyes narrowed when they met Shusei’s.

“Why is Master Shusei here?” Rimi asked.

“Master of the Ho House is, outside of the emperor, the most prestigious position there is,” Jotetsu explained with a sour expression. “It means he’s first rank, as well. He has no official post, which means he has no government duties or responsibilities. The one thing he does get to have is a voice. Whether or not he gets listened to is up to His Majesty and his officials. But Ho Neison never bothered to show his face for government matters. I wonder what Shusei’s up to...”

Master Shusei, you’re so far away from me even now.

When he’d held her during the thunderstorm, she had believed he was the same old Shusei. But he had dashed her hopes and beliefs with the wave of a hand. And now, as she watched him stand there regally in all his finery, she realized Shusei was standing in a place she could never reach.

“His Majesty is coming!” one of the officials announced. Shu Kojin, To Rihan, and Jin Keiyu all appeared; Shohi followed behind them. All of the officials, even Shusei, bowed in unison. As Shohi went to ascend to the throne, he suddenly noticed Shusei. The emperor frowned slightly but continued making his way to the throne.

“All of you, raise your heads,” Shohi commanded. Cho’un raised his head but remained on his knees.

Shohi glared down at Cho’un from his throne, who met his gaze with cool, composed eyes.

“Kan Cho’un, Administrator of An Prefecture,” Shohi began, “I am told you have something to report directly to me. Something you could say to neither my ministers nor my chancellor. So tell me now, what is it that has such grave importance.”

Cho’un took a long, deep breath.

“I am Administrator Kan Cho’un. I come as a representative of all five prefectural administrators to inform you of our collective intent,” he said. Though his voice was soft, it somehow echoed throughout the Hall of New Harmony, as if it were gliding along the polished stone floor. “We will not be collecting taxes in any of the prefectures for the next year.”

The significance of the words was lost on Rimi, but from the sound of disbelief Jotetsu made, she could tell that Cho’un had said something unbelievable.

Shohi’s eyes widened and the other officials’ mouths hung agape. Kojin, Rihan, and Keiyu all seemed lost for words as well. Even Shusei stared at Cho’un incredulously.

What was it I learned when I was studying with Master Shusei for the Executive Audience?

Konkoku was a centralized government organized around an emperor. The imperial court was involved in every single domestic matter. The territory of the empire was split into five regions known as prefectures, which were governed by administrators who were dispatched by the capital. The administrators were responsible for supervising the prefectures, upholding the law, fostering the economy, and collecting taxes. The taxes they collected made up fifty percent of the empire’s total funds. The other half came from the profit made by overseas trade and merchants operating within the city.

If the administrators refuse to collect taxes, then doesn’t that mean the empire’s funds will be cut in half?! The administrators were sent by the capital! There’s no way they can do that!

A terrifying word bubbled to the surface of Rimi’s mind: rebellion.

Everyone was dazed and left speechless by the enormity of the situation. Cho’un, the only one who was still composed, bowed.

“The economic situation in the five prefectures grows ever worse,” Cho’un said. “We do not presently have the luxury of transferring tax money to the central government. This is all I have to report. Therefore, I will excuse myself.”

Cho’un stood and turned around. As he slowly walked away, Shohi finally recovered his senses to the point he could stand up from his throne.

“I order you to wait, Kan Cho’un! You and all the other administrators truly intend to defy me?!” he shouted.

Cho’un stopped and turned back around.

“No, Your Majesty,” Cho’un said with a composed expression. “I simply came to inform you that what cannot be done cannot be done.”

“This is treason! Apprehend this traitor at once!” Kojin shouted.

Right as the guards were about to move, someone stepped forward to defend Cho’un.

“Please wait. Don’t you think declaring him a traitor after just a few words is a bit rash, Chancellor Shu?” Shusei said with a smile, breaking the tension as he stood up for Cho’un.

“You?” Cho’un mumbled in apparent shock. Shusei simply responded with a reassuring glance.

“You, Shusei?” Shohi groaned.

“I beseech you to keep a cool head as well, Your Majesty. Arresting the man without any sort of deliberation would be outright barbaric,” Shusei said. “Should we not carefully consider the situation before jumping to conclusions? If you were to arrest the Hero of the Countryside without any manner of deliberation, it could very well shake the people’s faith in you. He is particularly popular among the citizens.”

Kojin glared at Shusei as if he were trying to murder him with his eyes. Rihan’s hands balled into fists, and Keiyu narrowed his eyes.

“Regarding the matter of Cho’un’s report, we must investigate the true state of affairs. Only then can we know whether it is a simple notice of intent or an act of rebellion,” Shusei continued, never faltering.

The other officials watched in confusion, holding their breath as Shohi and Shusei stared each other down.

“Of course, I understand that Cho’un cannot be left unchecked,” Shusei continued. “Therefore, I have a suggestion. Would you be willing to hand custody of him to the Ho House? You, the chancellor, and your ministers would be able to investigate matters at your leisure. As the Ho House cannot involve itself in matters of rulership, I believe leaving him with us would be a perfect compromise. Is this acceptable?”

Rimi wasn’t sure why Shusei had suggested taking in Cho’un, but everything he’d said made perfect sense to her. Konkoku was a country of law. No matter how outrageous the statement, arresting someone on the spot was simply barbaric. Deliberation was obviously required. While the Ho House could not involve themselves in politics, as a branch of the royal family, they had the status, wealth, and public confidence that made them a natural choice to hold Cho’un.

The other officials seemed to feel the same as many began to nod in agreement.

However...

This is going to look like His Majesty and Master Shusei butted heads and Master Shusei came out as the clear victor.

A cold flame of rage flared in Kojin’s eyes. He continued staring at Shusei as if the young Ho were his bitterest enemy, but Shusei didn’t meet his gaze. He was focused solely on Shohi.

“Dammit, Shusei. He’s trying to show all the ministers he’s challenging His Majesty directly,” Jotetsu grumbled.

Rimi could feel the anxiety growing inside of her. Making a public display of their confrontational attitudes wouldn’t benefit either of them. She felt it would only lead to unintended disaster.

She wondered how badly Shohi was suffering at this very moment. What did the officials think, seeing him cornered by Shusei? They’d already felt some measure of scorn for the young emperor.

Shohi was biting his lip, and she could see it tremble a bit. He must have been furious.

Moments before Shusei had offered a reasonable argument, Shohi had seemed to support Cho’un’s arrest. It made the emperor look like a child with no common sense. He should have simply accepted Shusei’s claim, but Shohi’s pride wouldn’t allow him to relent.

“It would seem you have no objections. I will depart with Cho’un, then. I leave the deliberations to the rest of you,” Shusei said, smiling at the emperor. Shusei urged Cho’un to move with a pat on the back and began to walk away.

As Shusei turned his back on the emperor to leave through the large door, Shohi could bear no more.

“Shusei!” Shohi roared, his lip still trembling.

Shusei turned back around and gave a graceful bow. He then smiled victoriously at Shohi as he turned to leave once more.

Shohi threw himself down into his throne and pounded both armrests with his fists. The sound echoed through the Hall of New Harmony.

Chapter 6: An Imperial Way of Negotiating

I

Rimi had to practically run to keep up with Hakurei as he quickly strode through the estate’s walkways.

Before he rushed off, Hakurei had explained that there were about five guest houses distantly surrounding the main hall. Just as he had described, each one was quite far from the central building, so moving from one building to the next took great effort. Each appeared vacant, except for the one that had a guard posted outside. That was likely where Ho and On were being held, but Shohi would have to handle that. It pained Rimi to leave them behind, but she had to move on with Hakurei.

The next guest house was hidden deep in a bamboo thicket. The door was open, and a man could be seen inside with his back to the window. It had to be Kan Cho’un.

“He’s here. That’s Kan Cho’un,” Hakurei said, straightening himself up. There was a nervousness in his voice. He had likely never met the administrator, but he seemed to know of the Hero of the Countryside. “Shall we?”

“Master Kan Cho’un?” Rimi called and bowed deeply. Hakurei, who was close behind her, did as well.

The Hero of the Countryside, who was at a desk with paper in hand, turned around in shock at the sound of Rimi’s voice.

“Flowers-for-Brains? Why are you here? Are you telling me you really are a member of the Ho House?” he asked.

“No, I am not. My name is Setsu Rimi. And this is the director of Konkoku’s rear palace, Sai Hakurei.”

“Traveling with the director of the rear palace? So you’re not just anybody, are you? I can’t imagine a regular palace woman traveling with the director, so I assume you’re of higher status than him. A consort, then?” Cho’un intuited.

“I am not a consort. Right now, I have no official status. I’m currently in the middle of my enthronement ceremony,” Rimi said.

Cho’un’s eyes widened.

“You’re the candidate for empress?” he asked. As an administrator, he would be aware that the emperor had chosen a bride and the enthronement ceremony had begun.

“That’s right. And I’m here because I want you to hear me out. I know you wouldn’t listen to me in Annei, but I’m here to see you again,” Rimi said, refusing to look away.

“I told you I’d hear you out if we met again,” Cho’un said after a moment of silence. “A deal’s a deal. Come on in. The director’s welcome too.”

He turned and ushered Rimi to a table. Hakurei refused, choosing to stand by the wall, but Rimi sat across from the administrator.

“Well, let’s hear what you have to say,” Cho’un said calmly, folding his hands on the table.

Cho’un had witnessed the exchange between Shohi and Shusei in the Hall of New Harmony. He likely already understood that the two weren’t exactly allies. If the emperor’s bride-to-be had come to the Ho House in spite of that, he must have understood that there was a pressing reason for it.

I’m no strategist. All I can do is come right out and ask.

Rimi straightened herself up.

“Master Cho’un, please come with me to the imperial palace. His Majesty ordered an investigation into the dire situation in the five prefectures and has found the cause. He wants to speak with you personally,” she said.

“What do you mean he ‘has found the cause’? He found something, just like that, when none of the administrators have been able to figure anything out?” Cho’un asked doubtfully.

“His Majesty has someone in his service who was able to cut right to the heart of the matter. It turns out that Ma Ijun created a secret organization called the Mutual Aid Group. Its purpose is to disrupt the economy,” Rimi explained.

Cho’un’s eyebrow twitched. She wondered if he’d realized something.

“Master Cho’un, neither of us wants a war, right?” Rimi asked.

“War? Don’t be ridiculous,” he said.

“Armies from all five prefectures are marching to rescue you. They’re headed for Gokogen, which is close to Annei. We think they’re going to arrive tonight,” she said.

“What? Why? I’m a guest of the Ho House. I can come and go freely. I’ve sent letters to my substitute in An and the other four—”

He suddenly fell silent and stared down at his hands.

Afterword

Hello, everyone! Miri Mikawa here. Last volume, we had a major affair(?) with Shusei, and this volume follows up on that. Rimi and Shohi got up to a lot, but the hardest part for me was how to handle Shusei. I wasn’t sure what direction I should take him as I worked on the plot, so I asked my editor what they thought of what I had. They had three words for me:

“The Horny Scholar.”

“The Horny Scholar” wasn’t going to work for me, so Shusei ended up going in a different direction. Thanks to my editor, Shusei’s dignity was preserved. He should be grateful.

Which is a good segue into saying thank you to my editor for always putting up with me. I’m sorry for all the trouble I cause, but I know I can always count on you!

Then there’s Kasumi Nagi, who did the illustrations. Last volume’s cover was so painfully beautiful. I’m spellbound every single time I look at it. The moon, the lilies, Shusei and Rimi’s expressions, and the ambience around them, it’s all absolutely brilliant. It was Jotetsu’s cover debut as well and I was so happy to get to see him in color. Thank you for always providing such gorgeous illustrations.

And finally, to all you readers. Thanks to all of you, after a lot of struggling, I was finally able to get myself to Shusei’s big moment. I am truly appreciative of all of you. Rimi, Shusei, and Shohi all have more trouble in store for them, but you’ll just have to keep on reading.

Next time, I have plans to reintroduce a certain character. For now, I just hope you had a good time.

Miri Mikawa