Culinary Chronicles of the Court Flower: Volume 10 [Complete] by Miri Mikawa

Author:Miri Mikawa
Language: eng
Format: epub

III

After returning to the Palace of Great Purity, Consort Ho flopped down on a sofa and closed her eyes.

“This work is brutal.”

The four consorts had been cloistered in the Palace of Northern Peaks and buried themselves in piles of books as they researched the Quinary Dragon. Ho had grown deeply fatigued in the process. Despite retiring to their respective palaces like this when they became exhausted, the work essentially continued day and night.

Yo had immediately given up on reading, so she spent her time bringing tea and sorting books for the other three consorts. On, the most focused and enthusiastic of them, had spent her time reading in total silence. Ho had been impressed with the Worthy Consort’s persistence.

Ho and So, not nearly as resilient as On, took frequent breaks. Even so, Ho’d grown rather exhausted.

The most impenetrable of the books were the ancient Bureau of Sacrifices writings. They were full of complicated jargon related to holy days.

I need to rest a bit and then hurry back.

Rimi had said she’d heard the voice of the Quinary Dragon in Koto. If they could learn what it had meant, they would likely be able to divine Shohi’s fate. Hopefully, it was a good sign. The four consorts could ask for no one better than the young emperor. He recognized them as vassals, respected their opinions, and even occasionally sought out their help. None of them wanted to lose their master.

It was a cool autumn afternoon, and the chill breeze swept through the door and around Ho’s ankles.

“Virtuous Consort Ho, the director has come to see you. What shall I tell him?” a handmaid asked as she kneeled in the doorway.

Ho sat up in shock.

Hakurei?!

After his insult at Castle Seika, she had, at first, utterly despised the man. But when he had told her he planned on investigating the Ho House, she had sensed something in him. Hakurei still had the same noble heart.

At Castle Seika, Ho had been unable to contain her feelings anymore and had confessed them to the eunuch. He had pretended to be vulgar to hide the truth and protect her. When Ho had finally realized that’s what he had been doing, she became ashamed and angry with herself for treating him so callously.

“Let him in,” Ho replied.

The consort peeked in the mirror, fixed a few stray hairs, straightened her ruqun, and sat back on the couch. Hakurei soon appeared in the doorway and offered a perfect bow.

“Forgive my sudden arrival, Virtuous Consort. His Majesty needs something.”

“It’s fine. Come in. You said His Majesty needs something? From me specifically? Not all four of us?”

“Indeed. From you,” Hakurei said. He slipped inside the room and approached Ho. “His Majesty will be arriving at your palace tonight. I ask that you make preparations.”

“My palace...? Why?” Ho asked. Her expression suddenly turned shocked as realization dawned, and she looked up at Hakurei. “No! But it’s so sudden! Why? He has Setsu Rimi!”

Hakurei kneeled and leaned in so close that his lips nearly grazed her eyes.

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