I felt very tired.
I was going to set my father's box aside until the morning, but an inscription in red on the back of one of the papers caught my eye: Put this one in her grave.
"Put in my mother's grave? What is it? Why?"
I strained my eyes to read the missive:
To the Most Honorable Lady Akiko,
I trust this message finds you well and at peace. As always, I reflect often upon our recent conversations and the depth of wisdom you shared. It is not simply your wisdom that leaves an impression, but the way in which you carry yourself, with such poise and grace. I must confess, your counsel has meant more to me than words can express, and in ways I had not anticipated, it has been a guiding light for my thoughts in these troubled times.
There are those who say that bonds between families are forged by acts of duty and obligation, but I have come to believe that the strongest connections are built from moments of understanding, mutual respect, and trust. It is not a mere formality that ties our houses together; it is something far deeper, something that has quietly grown over time, and now stands as a foundation that will endure for many years.
I am reminded daily of your quiet strength, which has shown me a path I had once failed to see clearly. In a world full of noise and uncertainty, it is rare to find such calm and clarity. You have my deepest gratitude, Lady Akiko, not just for your assistance, but for your unwavering presence in matters both delicate and crucial. Your influence, though subtle, has made all the difference, and I find myself forever indebted.
As we look ahead, I cannot help but feel certain that the future we build together will be one of shared strength and prosperity. The bond between our families shall remain unbroken, and I look forward to the days ahead with a quiet sense of anticipation, knowing that we walk this path side by side.
Until we meet again, may peace and joy be yours.
With all my respect,
Lord Katsuya
No wonder my father wrote to me of possible unpleasant revelations!
The letter from Lord Katsuya, the head of the Shiroyama Clan, had all the hallmarks of a love letter.
I mean, he talked about her unwavering presence, poise and grace!
"I am reminded daily of your quiet strength, which has shown me a path I had once failed to see clearly!"
Even with the passage "knowing that we walk this path side by side" alone, how much more was necessary to conclude that she had an affair with Lord Katsuya?
Of course, my father must have been livid!
Not just about the notion of the affair, but that it was with a Shiroyama.
All I knew was that my family was supposed to hate the Shiroyamas. Apparently, that was the case for generations. The Shiroyama family owned the lands adjacent to ours, on the other side of the valley. And now, to find out that my own mother had a nefarious connection with them!
I felt overwhelmed. I didn't come to the Edo era to unravel dangerous mysteries. Having sex with all the women around me was fine, but this…
I slid the box under the low table and fell on the mat. I misinterpreted the Edo era. It was in fact dark and cold.
Before I knew it, it was morning.
"Master, I fear you look very tired," remarked Takumi, watching me closely.
"That's because I am, Takumi," I said, taking a kimono from him. "I didn't sleep well, if at all, and I have a lot on my mind."
"I'm very sorry to hear that," uttered the trusted chamberlain. "Is there anything at all I can do for you?"
I only shrugged. "Well… Tell me this… When did the whole Shiroyama rivalry start? I know my father loathed them, but there must've been a reason."
Takumi bowed before replying.
"As it relates to the Shiroyamas, it's not an uncommon predicament, master," he said. "Most neighboring clans feud. That's just how life has been for most families for generations. They contest the land, they vie for higher status… If a clan doesn't dominate another clan, there is always a risk its going to be dominated by them at some point in the future. The balance of powers is always shifting and uncertain, unless there is a clearly stated allegiance."
"So you're saying it's not like my father had a particular reason to hate the Shiroyamas?"
"Your father had his own reasons," said Takumi, sighing. "But before that, even before Lord Ieyasu established the Tokugawa shogunate, the Shiroyama family and the Matsuda family fought each other many times. The borders of the estates were drawn through much bloodshed."
Bloodshed…
I nodded. "You mean, during the Warring States?"
"Precisely. After the battle of Sekigahara, this family and the Shiroyamas both secured their place under the new rule. So the borders haven't changed since. But the animosity and competing claims remained."
I was losing my patience with his long-winded attitude again.
"What claims? Could you be more to the point?"
"There are many. For example, the Shiroyama family always wanted to control the roads out of their timber-rich forests. Otherwise, transporting the timber they sell to Matsumoto City, Edo, and beyond would be too expensive. It would virtually negate their profits, if they used the paths on the other side of the mountain. Your father had a lot of debates with your late mother about this particular claim. She thought your father should've been more flexible."
There! She wanted my father to give the Shiroyamas access to our roads to sell their timber. She really must've been Lord Katsuya's lover… Why else would she do that?
"Did he agree?" I asked.
"Who?"
"My father. Did he agree with my mother about giving the Shiroyamas access?"
"At times he did, your lordship, but then he'd change this mind." He shook his head solemnly. "In any case, soon after your mother passed away."
The way he said it struck me. Soon after she passed away...
"How exactly did she die?" I asked.