been blessed. But now I’m tired. Too many terrible things have happened. Now I leave it to my daughter-in-law. She runs everything. She’s a strong woman. You can come to me ifshe makes you miserable. I haven’t forgotten what it’s like to be a daughter-in-law.’
‘Lady Honju-in is still a power in the palace,’ said Lady Tsuguko gravely when they were once more gliding along the corridor. ‘It’s good that you have her approval. If the gods are with you and you tread with care, your life may turn out like Lady Honju-in’s. To be the mother of the shogun’s heir and later of the young shogun himself – there is no position more powerful than that. I will make sure that everyone knows you are under her protection. You must be very careful. There are many people who will be jealous of you.’
There were many more visits still to make. Swishing grandly from room to room, Lady Tsuguko led the way to the apartments of Dowager Lady Jitsusei-in, the shogun’s mother. But instead of her usual frown the Old Crow’s sallow face, framed in its black cowl, was wreathed in smiles.
Then they paid their respects to the three ladies – the chief elder, Lady Nakaoka, Lady Chiyo and the lady priest – who had watched over Sachi throughout her night with His Majesty. They thanked each of them for their help and kindness and presented them with lavish gifts. They also had to visit the other six elders, the lady priests and all the ladies of high enough rank to enter the presence of the shogun.
The day was coming to an end by the time they turned wearily back towards the princess’s chambers. The last visits had been a blur – the warrens of rooms, the doors sweeping open, the bowing, the smiling faces, the choruses of greetings, the polite exchanges. Sachi’s legs were as heavy as if she had climbed several mountains. She had seen corners of the palace she had never even imagined existed. Her face was aching from smiling so much.
‘In days to come you will find that the most unlikely people want to be your friends,’ Lady Tsuguko told her. ‘Beware of those who conceal enmity behind a mask of kindness. Her Highness has always protected you, but now your fortunes have changed she may no longer be able to do so. If you are to survive you will have to understand the workings of the women’s palace. It is time for your education to begin in earnest.’
Sachi had been hoping that the princess might summon herwhen they returned to her apartments. But Princess Kazu remained invisible behind her screens. Perhaps she was writing poetry or just looking blankly into the darkness as she sometimes did. Sachi wondered what she thought about at those times. Did she wish her life had turned out other than it had? She had given up everything to marry the shogun and now he was not even there. If only Sachi could bear a son for her, that might make her happier.
Then Sachi remembered what old Lady Honju-in had said: ‘You are only a womb for hire.’ The words made her shudder.
II
Early next morning Haru’s round smiling face appeared at the door of the princess’s chambers.
‘Congratulations, my lady,’ she said to Sachi, bowing deeply. ‘How does it feel to be the new concubine?’ They retired to the usual corner where they had their lessons.
‘Oh, Big Sister,’ whispered Sachi, ‘it’s so hard to keep silent. My thoughts are not my own. Ever since that night with His Majesty, I have been floating about like a bit of pondweed. I’m counting the days till he comes back.’
Haru covered her mouth with her sleeve and laughed until her eyes crinkled up and disappeared in the folds of her cheeks.
‘Sounds like someone gave you powder of dried lizard,’ she said. ‘Did you ever hear of that? They find two lizards, let them copulate, and just as their yin yang essences are about to spill they pull them apart. Then they put them in separate ovens and bake them. Their desire for each other is so strong that the smoke
‘Lady Honju-in is still a power in the palace,’ said Lady Tsuguko gravely when they were once more gliding along the corridor. ‘It’s good that you have her approval. If the gods are with you and you tread with care, your life may turn out like Lady Honju-in’s. To be the mother of the shogun’s heir and later of the young shogun himself – there is no position more powerful than that. I will make sure that everyone knows you are under her protection. You must be very careful. There are many people who will be jealous of you.’
There were many more visits still to make. Swishing grandly from room to room, Lady Tsuguko led the way to the apartments of Dowager Lady Jitsusei-in, the shogun’s mother. But instead of her usual frown the Old Crow’s sallow face, framed in its black cowl, was wreathed in smiles.
Then they paid their respects to the three ladies – the chief elder, Lady Nakaoka, Lady Chiyo and the lady priest – who had watched over Sachi throughout her night with His Majesty. They thanked each of them for their help and kindness and presented them with lavish gifts. They also had to visit the other six elders, the lady priests and all the ladies of high enough rank to enter the presence of the shogun.
The day was coming to an end by the time they turned wearily back towards the princess’s chambers. The last visits had been a blur – the warrens of rooms, the doors sweeping open, the bowing, the smiling faces, the choruses of greetings, the polite exchanges. Sachi’s legs were as heavy as if she had climbed several mountains. She had seen corners of the palace she had never even imagined existed. Her face was aching from smiling so much.
‘In days to come you will find that the most unlikely people want to be your friends,’ Lady Tsuguko told her. ‘Beware of those who conceal enmity behind a mask of kindness. Her Highness has always protected you, but now your fortunes have changed she may no longer be able to do so. If you are to survive you will have to understand the workings of the women’s palace. It is time for your education to begin in earnest.’
Sachi had been hoping that the princess might summon herwhen they returned to her apartments. But Princess Kazu remained invisible behind her screens. Perhaps she was writing poetry or just looking blankly into the darkness as she sometimes did. Sachi wondered what she thought about at those times. Did she wish her life had turned out other than it had? She had given up everything to marry the shogun and now he was not even there. If only Sachi could bear a son for her, that might make her happier.
Then Sachi remembered what old Lady Honju-in had said: ‘You are only a womb for hire.’ The words made her shudder.
II
Early next morning Haru’s round smiling face appeared at the door of the princess’s chambers.
‘Congratulations, my lady,’ she said to Sachi, bowing deeply. ‘How does it feel to be the new concubine?’ They retired to the usual corner where they had their lessons.
‘Oh, Big Sister,’ whispered Sachi, ‘it’s so hard to keep silent. My thoughts are not my own. Ever since that night with His Majesty, I have been floating about like a bit of pondweed. I’m counting the days till he comes back.’
Haru covered her mouth with her sleeve and laughed until her eyes crinkled up and disappeared in the folds of her cheeks.
‘Sounds like someone gave you powder of dried lizard,’ she said. ‘Did you ever hear of that? They find two lizards, let them copulate, and just as their yin yang essences are about to spill they pull them apart. Then they put them in separate ovens and bake them. Their desire for each other is so strong that the smoke
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