[Comprehensive] Love and Hunter

Keicho 19, autumn, Osaka Castle.

It has been 16 years since His Royal Highness Toyotomi Hideyoshi passed away, but the city of Osaka, which was built by Taiko, is still as gorgeous and strong as before.

This city, which symbolizes the overlordship of the Toyotomi Clan, not only sits on the luxury Honmaru, but also has the vast attached castles such as Ninomaru and Sannomaru.After the death of His Royal Highness Taige, the people of the Toyotomi clan continued to build and improve, which made Osaka Castle more and more dazzling and indestructible.

In late autumn, the weather is slightly cold, and the women of the Toyotomi family living in Osaka Castle all put on thick brocade jackets to resist the autumn chill.Like other female family members, Yu also dug out last year's thick clothes from the cage, put away the summer bat fan, and replaced it with a decorative folding fan for men.After tidying herself up properly, she walked slowly through the corridor to the front of the hostess Mrs. Yondian.

Mrs. Yododen's surname is Asai, and she was the most beloved concubine of the late Taiko Highness, Toyotomi Hideyoshi.Toyotomi Hideyori, the lord who now controls the Toyotomi clan and Osaka Castle, is the child born to her and His Royal Highness Taiko.

Because Hideyori inherited his father's business, Yododen also became the de facto hostess of Osaka Castle.

Youxing arrived in front of the bamboo curtain of Diandian's residence, and wanted to say hello, but happened to hear the hostess talking to the courtiers close by.

"Has the messenger sent to Tokugawa's house returned?"

"It's still on the way."

"Hurry up."

Yu was not surprised to hear the hostess asking this question.Today, although His Royal Highness Hideyori is still the nominal lord of the world, the Tokugawa clan who once surrendered to the Toyotomi family have long been ambitious.Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was not satisfied with being under others, planned to steal the world for himself; since spring, the Tokugawa clan has been acting frequently, provoking Toyotomi from time to time.

Compared with Tokugawa Ieyasu, the patriarch of the Tokugawa family, His Highness Hideyori is really too young, and can only rely on a few retainers and his mother Yododen to deal with these matters.Therefore, as long as you stay by Yododen's side, you can hear some news about the Tokugawa family from time to time.

Although the inside of Osaka Castle is still peaceful and peaceful, and the female relatives are still worrying about the lack of elegance in the Liange they performed when appreciating the maple leaves, outside of Osaka Castle, it is already a precarious situation.

No one knows when the Tokugawa family will send troops to attack the Toyotomi family, so they can only take one step at a time.

After the hostess asked about the messenger, the minister withdrew.You stepped forward in time and said to the hostess: "Madam." Seeing her figure, Diandian showed a gentle smile and said, "It's Ayou."

Yu is a maidservant of the Yodo Palace, known for her proficiency in zither and liange.She was originally the daughter of a small lord under Toyotomi's rule. When Yododen heard that she was talented, he summoned her to Osaka Castle and asked her to teach the young women in the city.In his spare time, You would also sit with Diandian for a while to relieve his boredom.

Although Toyotomi is a samurai family, the girls also need to have a decent upbringing.In Osaka Castle, besides Yododen’s daughter-in-law Chihime, there are also many retainer’s daughters, and they just need someone like Ruyou to serve them.

You came with a zither, she sat down beside Dian Dian, and asked, "I wonder if Madam has time to listen to the zither music?"

Diandian nodded, but there was still some melancholy in his eyes.

she was

She is the eldest daughter of Oda City, who was once known as the most beautiful woman in all countries.Yododen, who inherited his mother's appearance, was also famous for being popular in various countries when he was young.Perhaps it is for this reason that Toyotomi Hideyoshi loved her so much that he even gave her a city named "Yodo".

But time flies, no matter how beautiful a person is, they will grow old after decades.Today's Diandian's face has some aging wrinkles, although it has not completely lost its complexion, but after all, it is not as good as before. When others look at it, they can only feel a sense of melancholy.

"The world is in turmoil, it's really difficult..." Diandian looked at the courtyard outside the eaves, where a maple tree was standing quietly, its branches and leaves were burning, and the roots were covered with bright red.She murmured, "Shouldn't you young girls be ordered to leave Osaka earlier?"

You put on the zither armor, but didn't answer, just plucked the strings slowly.

It has been many years since Yu came to Osaka Castle, and she almost watched Yododen's daughter-in-law Chihime grow from a little girl to the young girl she is today.And Yododen's care for her also made her reluctant to leave Osaka.

It seems that Yododen's reputation in Toyotomi's family is not good, and some men feel that she has bewitched His Highness Taige, so they sneer at her.It is often said that Yododenko is beautiful, but he doesn't understand any strategies and tactics, and making plans beside his son Hideyori is just adding trouble.But Youke doesn't care about these things, from her eyes, Diandian is a kind-hearted elder who treats her tolerantly.

If Yododen had not summoned her to Osaka Castle, she would still be the concubine daughter of a small country lord. Because the mistress of the family was jealous, her lowly biological mother, who was born as a maid, fell ill and could not afford medicine.

Therefore, no matter whether there is a war with the Tokugawa family or not, Yu will not leave Yododen.She had already made up her mind that in order to repay Dian Dian for her kindness, she would definitely follow this lady all the time.

The strings of the zither are very quaint, and after plucking a piece leisurely, Yododen’s expression is not much relieved, still as stagnant as before. It seems that the affairs of the Tokugawa family are so melancholy that even the zither music has been lost The original meaning.

After You dialed a song and sat quietly for a long time, Yondon came back to his senses and said to her: "I'm getting old too, and I'm always in a trance recently, or thinking about things when I was young...Ayou, you play well, Your zither music is as lovely as the flowing water in autumn."

Received the compliment from the hostess, You smiled and said, "Thank you, Ma'am, for the compliment."

Looking at her appearance, Dian Dian sighed regretfully, and said: "At first I wanted to find a husband's house for you, but in such a precarious situation right now, I don't know when a fight will break out, so let's let it go."

Two or three years ago, Dian Dian also arranged a marriage for her. The other party was the elder's child with a high status.It's just that You's luck seems to be not very good, the fiancé died of illness before getting married, just when the dowry was being prepared.After that, her marriage was delayed.

After talking with Diandian for a while, You left the hall with the kite in his arms.

When passing through the side corridor, she happened to meet the Sanada father and son who came to tell their fate.Sanada Yukimura is a retainer who joined Toyotomi Osaka not long ago. He is quite strategic and uses soldiers like a god. He is very prestigious in Toyotomi's family.Yukimura's eldest son, Xingchang, is only 16 years old this year, just the age of a young man in high spirits.

Seeing You, the young Xingchang couldn't help but stop, and called her in a low voice: "Sister Ayou."

Hold

Zheng's You stopped in his tracks, and cast a gentle look at him: "Master Xingchang, do you have any advice?"

Xingchang's face turned red.In fact, he didn't have anything to say, he just wanted to spend more time with her.This elder sister is a well-known beauty in Osaka City, and is the sweetheart of many men in the army.It's just that Diandian has been holding on to her marriage, making many men wait for no reason.

Xingchang asked in a low voice: "How is Mrs. Diandian recently? Are you in a good mood? I'm afraid I might say something wrong and make Madam angry."

You heard the words, shook her head, and said, "It's still like that, worrying about the Tokugawa family." Thinking of Yododen's melancholy look, she sighed, touched the kite she was holding, and said , "I have learned the zither for many years. I thought it was something that could solve people's problems, but now I know it is useless."

Xingchang is not very good at comforting people, and his personality is very stubborn. Hearing the words, he agreed and said: "I think so too! Qin and zither are really useless. According to me, it is better to learn swordsmanship. In this way You will be able to protect Yododen, right? Have you ever heard the story of "Ano Bureau"? She is the maid next to Lord Oda Nobunaga, and she has excellent martial arts. When she was in Honnoji Temple, she held a naginata, With one against a hundred, many enemies have been killed..."

"Xingchang!"

Xingchang's father, Xingcun, had been walking for a long time, but when he saw that his son hadn't followed him, he turned his head and found that Xingchang was talking to the woman next to Yododian, and he was suddenly a little out of control.

——Son Xingchang likes this woman named Ayou, and Xingcun is not unaware of it.It's just that it's not a good time to talk about love, and Ayou's age is too much, so it's not suitable.Therefore, Yukimura urged the eldest son: "Hurry up, don't keep Madam and Your Highness waiting."

The 16-year-old Xingchang was a little helpless, so he had no choice but to say to You reluctantly: "Sister Ayou, next time I come, I will teach you swordsmanship!"

The advantage nodded, Xingchang waved his hand, and hurried away after his father's footsteps.

Looking at the boy's back, You felt speechless for a moment.

Such elegant things as qin and zither are useless in troubled times.What can come in handy, maybe it really is only a sharp thing like a sword...

She sighed, holding the kite and walking slowly towards her residence.She lived on the west side of the Honmaru, next to the residences of the maidservants of His Majesty Qianji, the Young Wife.Occasionally when I am free, I can hear the laughter of the women next door.But it's only a courtyard away, but her place is always extraordinarily quiet.

There is no maple in the garden tree, so there is no scene of being in full swing, only the evergreen pines are still standing in dense green.

After she put away the kite, she rummaged through the cage and took out a short knife.This was a gift from her elder half-brother when she set off from home, saying that Osaka Castle was dangerous and she had to keep something for self-defense.This short knife is not the work of a famous master, but a cheap one found in an ordinary forging village. The pattern of the hilt and the tan are very common. It is a product of Cantonese forging, and you can easily find it in the market. Many of the same come.

She tried to hold the dagger tightly, but felt cold and uncomfortable.Her hand, which is used to playing the kite and always holding a pen, is the first time she encounters a sharp instrument that hurts people, so it is inevitable.After a while, she put down the dagger and stared at the pine needles in the garden in a daze for a while.

If the Tokugawa family really sent troops to attack Osaka Castle, she and Yododian would meet again.

how?I heard that His Highness Hideyori doesn't like to go to the army very much. In the previous wars, His Highness Hideyori never showed his face in front of the soldiers, and stayed in the numerous palaces of Osaka Castle.Now that the Tokugawa family is almost pointing at Osaka, what will happen to Hideyoshi?

She smiled wryly, secretly thinking that it was time for her to learn some weird sword skills.At that time, staying by Mrs. Diandian's side may be of some use.Otherwise, when the samurai of the Tokugawa family came, relying on the zither and Liange, they would not be able to save their lives.

But she is a woman, how can she learn these things?I don't know who the Anengju next to the world-famous Oda Nobunaga learned swordsmanship from?If you ask Mr. Yukimasa of the Sanada family for advice, Mr. Yukimura, Mr. Yukimura's father, will inevitably feel unhappy...

She is no longer young, and she is still getting close to the man in the Yuan suit, which sounds absurd.

With a trace of apprehension, she passed the rest of the day.The autumn night is very cold, because of the war, this year's charcoal seems to be a bit rough, and it can't warm the room.She was so cold that she couldn't sleep, so she simply got up and put on thick clothes, left her residence, and went to find a place with maple.

If there is anything that can make people temporarily forget the uncertain fate in this treacherous moment of the world, it is Qiu Feng in Osaka Castle.No matter how belligerent a person is, when he sees the continuous red maple, he can't help but stop his sword and feel the beauty and elegance.

She walked slowly through the quiet side corridor and stopped at the steps in the outer court.The night wind is calm, and a few lingering summer insects are unwilling to grow old with the seasons, and they are still screaming uneasily in the late autumn night, making "interesting" sounds.Tonight is the first quarter moon, the moon is curved like a hook, hidden among the clouds, very interesting.She looked towards the courtyard, but noticed a strange man standing there.

"...Are you?" She was a little surprised.

This is the inner city of Osaka. In the middle of the night, why are there men other than His Highness Hideyori appearing here?

The young man was tall and slender, wearing a paulownia patterned feather, with long hair scattered to his waist.His hair color is very strange, showing a gorgeous blue-blue color under the moon, which is almost the same as the color used to decorate Osaka Castle.

Is this...a prowling ogre?Or is it the gods who have not dispersed?

Yu was a little surprised, staring at the strange visitor for a long time.

The young man with long hair turned around slowly and answered her question: "I don't even know who I am."

He has a pair of dreamlike golden eyes, almost like the color of the sun shining on the roof tiles of Osaka Castle when the sun is rising.Under the cold moonlight, those eyes became more and more radiant.

Yu was stunned on the stairs, hesitating whether to look for the patrolling person, and suspected that what happened in front of him was a dream. It is true that the man in front of him was too different from ordinary people. He was as handsome as someone in a legend. figure.

She squeezed her palms and said, "How can a person not know who he is? What is your last name, who is your lord, who is your father, where you live, and which country you come from—these are absolutely impossible to forget. "Forget it, her eyes fell on the man's waist, and she found that he was wearing a gorgeous sword, and whispered, "You...seem to be a samurai...or a ronin?"

The young man blinked and laughed: "I am the one who serves His Highness Taige."

His smile is very gentle, which makes people feel good when they see it.

But his words, as far as Yu You is concerned, are undoubtedly nonsense: "absurd...His Royal Highness has passed away for more than ten years, how can you serve him? And I have been in Osaka City for many years, and I have never seen you..."

The young man replied, "But I know your name."

You was stunned, and whispered: "How is this possible? We just met for the first time."

The young man said: "Your name is 'You', and you are the maid beside Mrs. Diandian. During the spring festival and the offering of Tibetan knives, you are responsible for writing Lian Ge for the female family members, for the singers to sing."

You listened, and was very surprised.

how come……

She has never met this man before, why can he know all this clearly?And every spring on the day of worshiping Tibetan knives, only people in Osaka City can attend. How did this strange-looking golden-eyed ronin know about it?How strange.

"I won't believe you." Now it's an eventful time, and the relationship between Toyotomi and Tokugawa is on the verge of breaking out, and she will not let down her vigilance.

After dropping these words, she hurriedly turned around and went to look for the warriors guarding the inner city.

Not long after, she led a few men with knives to the courtyard under the moon.But to her surprise, the man with golden eyes had long since disappeared.You hurriedly said: "He shouldn't have gone far, so please look around."

Several people with knives looked at each other in blank dismay, and searched around obediently, but found nothing.It was silent and there was no one around.The leader couldn't help feeling a little impatient, and said, "Where did such a man come from? I'm afraid you are dreaming. We guard the inner city, but we have never seen anyone sneaking in."

Seeing that she was carrying a knife and refused to believe it, she had no choice but to give up.

After a while, she walked towards the resting dormitory alone.It was very quiet along the way, with a gust of wind blowing past her ears, she couldn't help but think of the weird things she had just encountered.

A man who claimed to serve His Royal Highness Taige who had passed away for more than ten years clearly stated her name, and also knew that she was in charge of composing songs at the Tibetan knife sacrifice. What kind of strange thing is this?Could it be, is she really sleepwalking?Or encountered some undead monster?

When she thought of things like "dead souls" and "demons", she felt a little in awe.The autumn night is cold, and the cool wind blows, which makes a layer of pimples on the shoulders.Although he didn't think that such a beautiful and outstanding man would be some kind of demon, but when he encountered such a thing, he would inevitably feel worried.

After returning to the house, she couldn't fall asleep either, so she pulled out the short knife given by her first brother, held it tightly in her hand, and made a defensive posture.

If that strange man reappears, she will use this dagger to...

"Your knife is held backwards."

The man's voice suddenly sounded from behind, she was startled, and when she let go of her hand, the dagger given by my brother-in-law fell down.When the short knife was about to fall to the hem of the clothes, a hand firmly caught the handle of the knife.

Yu breathed a sigh of relief, and found that it was a very beautiful hand, neither rough nor ugly, like the hand of a literati holding a pen.She looked up her wrist, and her eyes fell into a pair of gentle golden eyes.She froze, staring at the man who suddenly appeared in the room, not knowing what to do.

But this beautiful young man with water blue and waist-long hair was already holding the short knife, sat down in front of her, and explained to her: "The knife has two sides, the blade and the back. hurt myself

already. "

He spoke patiently, and his tone was not aggressive, as if he was facing a friend who had been with him for many years.When people listen to him, they are unexpectedly quiet, and even have a vague sense of trust in him.

……weirdo.

She looked at the dagger in the man's hand, still a little wary.But the man carefully put the short knife back into her palm and said, "If you haven't learned swordsmanship, you still have to be careful not to hurt yourself."

Yu was startled, and his heart became more subtle.

This strange young man... doesn't seem to have any intention of hurting her.

But why did he appear here?

"Yu, you've never touched a knife, have you?" The man held her hand, inserted the short knife back into the scabbard, and asked her with a smile, "I remember, you were always playing the zither, the sound of that musical instrument It’s very wonderful, it can be transmitted to distant places, and people’s mood becomes very peaceful. Why do you suddenly think of holding a knife today?”

You held the short knife in his hand and said: "I just want to try swinging the knife... Brother gave me this knife, if I don't know how to use it, wouldn't it be in vain?"

"I see." The young man said thoughtfully, "Do you want to learn swordsmanship?"

She nodded.

The young man said: "If you don't mind, you can let me teach you. I still have a lot of experience in swordsmanship."

Saying that, the young man with aqua-blue hair and waist-length hair slowly stood up and walked into the courtyard.He wears a tachi on his waist, the exterior is gorgeous red, and the blade is gold, which is absolutely extraordinary at first glance.You always felt that this knife was very familiar, but she couldn't tell where she had seen it; she had seen very few generals, and she couldn't think of anyone carrying a similar knife for a while.

The young man slowly pushed the knife out of its sheath, and slashed the blade towards the spring pool under the moon.The blade is as bright as snow, sharp and exquisite; when piercing through the moonlight, it is as bold as pulling thousands of troops and horses.Just by swinging the saber three or four times, he acquired a fairy-like demeanor; the most famous swordsmen you have ever heard of may not have such an outstanding saber demeanor.

For a moment, You was a little fascinated by watching, and forgot to be on guard against this strange visitor.

"How?" the young man asked her, "Do you want to learn swordsmanship from me? If I can help you, I will be very happy."

Doesn't seem to be malicious.

She hesitated, and couldn't help asking: "Who are you? I've never heard of someone like you in Osaka City..."

"Ah... who am I?" The young man raised his head and looked at the first-quarter moon in the sky, "You can call me 'Yiqi Yizheng'."

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