Chapter 6

Changed into a white Wu-style robe, he combed his long hair neatly behind him.

With rouge, water, and powder, he drew his eyebrows, and in the bronze mirror, a handsome young man with rosy lips and white teeth gradually came to life.

He glanced at his attributes.

Charm +8 (can live off his looks) +1 (eldest legitimate son of the Sassa family) +2 (before your face is smeared with makeup remover, you are the coolest guy on the street).

Very good.

"Let's go."

He turned to Yangno and Yuki and said a word, then walked out. The two women behind him were still immersed in the beauty of the young man, and after a moment of shock, they followed.

All the way, Maeda Toshiie kept his head down, not daring to look at Yoshinaga's face.

Beautiful things always make people feel ashamed and dare not to desecrate them, especially when he had such an awkward mission.

His family had just been killed, and he had to come to solicit business for his boss. Toshiie was a man of dignity, secretly thinking that he should not forget to compensate this unfortunate nobleman in the future.

This time, Maeda Toshiie came on horseback. The Sassa family's stables were a mess last night, but fortunately, they were not affected. They had a Kiso horse at home.

Japanese horses are small, only 1 meter tall, and a 1.2-1.3-meter-tall Kiso horse was already considered a good horse.

Yoshinaga, who was 14 and still growing, was over 1.6 meters tall, making him quite tall among the Japanese, who were generally 1.5 meters tall.

Maeda Toshiie was also over 1.6 meters tall, but unfortunately, his horse was rather ordinary. The two rode side by side, and Toshiie was noticeably shorter than Yoshinaga.

The two slowly moved forward, followed by Yangno and Yuki, and two female samurai from the Maeda family on foot.

Maeda Toshiie was a loyal and honest person, and at this moment, he felt it was inappropriate to speak. Yoshinaga's character also made it difficult to speak, so the two walked in silence.

As the sun set, Yoshinaga returned to the foot of Kiyosu Castle.

"His Highness is waiting for you in the keep, Lord Yoshinaga. Please hurry and do not keep His Highness waiting."

Leaving these words, Maeda Toshiie hurriedly took his leave. Yoshinaga smiled and waved in the direction he was leaving, and Toshiie nodded in return.

Suddenly, Yuki, who was by the horse, snorted, and Yoshinaga then spoke seriously to the two women.

"Once we enter the keep, you are not allowed to speak or act rashly. Lord Oda is not Lord Maeda; it could really cost you your life."

"But, Lord Yoshinaga, you are too wronged."

Yangno still had a faint smile, but her voice was slightly choked.

"The Sassa family cannot be destroyed. This is my responsibility and my wish. I need you, and you must stay useful to help me revive the Sassa family.

No matter what happens next, you must remember that all these sacrifices are for a purpose."

While Yoshinaga was saying words that made Yangno and Yuki tear up, he thought of Oda Nobunaga's domineering and fierce presence, and his heart raced, his body feeling a bit hot.

In the tea room below the keep, Oda Nobunaga had been waiting for a long time.

Last night, all she could think about was Yoshinaga's body. Even after satisfying her desires with Nobufusa before bed, she still couldn't get Yoshinaga out of her mind.

Rebellious and domineering since childhood, Oda Nobunaga always went all out to get what she wanted. Although she had some dealings with the Sassa family in the past and had met Yoshinaga many times, last night's Yoshinaga was different.

If the previous Yoshinaga was a noble peony cherished by the Sassa family, then last night's he was a blood-red rose blooming in the storm.

Even knowing that reaching out would result in a hand full of blood, she couldn't help but want to pick it.

Why is Kuchinose taking so long? An impatient Nobunaga couldn't help but scold.

"Fujikichi, get out here!"

"Your Highness, I'm here."

A girl hurriedly ran out from the corner and knelt down, her head touching the ground. She looked like a boy, and she was the servant who helped Nobunaga put on her shoes.

"Go check if the person has arrived!"

"Hai!"

Knowing who the Highness was waiting for, she hurriedly went out. He was a noble heir, a man Fujikichi could only dream of.

If I work hard, can I... No... What am I thinking, Fujikichi? Desiring the noble and feeling inferior, she was still just a servant who warmed Nobunaga's shoes.

Just as she reached the door, a young man walked in. Fujikichi stared at him, her mind blank.

How could there be such a handsome man in the world? Tall and slender, with a well-built figure, sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, and skin as white as snow, Fujikichi's mouth almost drooled.

"Hey, your saliva is about to drip."

Yoshinaga looked at the delicate girl in front of him and smiled.

Yangno, who was behind him, pursed her lips. She dared not speak because of Yoshinaga's earlier warning, or she would have scolded her.

"Are you Lord Sassa? Ah... His Highness is inside. I'll show you the way."

She scolded herself for being stupid. Who else could His Highness be waiting for? She quickly led the way.

Crossing the courtyard, Oda Nobunaga saw Yoshinaga and her eyes lit up. She put her hands on her hips and said,

"Lord Yoshinaga, I've been waiting for you. Come, come, come."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Yoshinaga gave a signal to Yuki and Yangno, took off his shoes, and stepped onto the tatami in the tea room.

Yangno and Yuki exchanged glances, looking at the eager Fujikichi closing the sliding door of the tea room with sorrow.

The moment the door closed, Yoshinaga turned and gave them a radiant smile.

The subtle sadness and helplessness in that smile were deeply etched in the hearts of the two women, making them never forget this moment.

Fujikichi closed the door enviously, the wild fire in her heart burning fiercely. I must become a female samurai, a great female samurai...

Oda Nobunaga inside the room had no interest in the thoughts of the three women outside. Facing the elaborately dressed Yoshinaga, she had only one thought.

"Lord Yoshinaga, please accept my condolences. I never expected Oda Nobuyuki to commit such a heinous act."

"I dare not, I must thank His Highness for your assistance. If it weren't for your timely military aid, it's hard to say when this evil bandit would have been punished."

The two exchanged a few polite words, and then Oda Nobunaga couldn't wait to hold Yoshinaga's hand.

"Given the current destruction of the Sassa family, I wonder what your plans are. I am willing to take care of your life and ensure you do not suffer any more harm. What do you think?"

Yoshinaga gently pulled away from Nobunaga's long, fair fingers, and Nobunaga's smile froze.

"Your Highness, yesterday I promised the Sassa family's loyalty to the Oda family.

Now, with the head of the Sassa family and all the other family members dead in the rebellion of Oda Nobuyuki, the Sassa family is in decline, and I fear I cannot provide the title you need.

I have come to accept my punishment."

Yoshinaga knelt before Oda Nobunaga with a holy look, making her heart itch and feel hot.

Regardless of whether Oda Nobunaga was in a daze, Yoshinaga had to clarify the matter first.

The Sassa family now had no women to inherit the family business, which was equivalent to extinction in this chaotic era. The promise he made to Oda Nobunaga was now in tatters.

If he didn't clarify this matter, it would be unclear if it came up in the future.

Don't think that Nobunaga, who now seemed infatuated, was easy to fool. Which of the daimyo in the Warring States period was not a ruthless and decisive person?

When needed, they could cut off their pillow talk, let alone a fleeting romance like Yoshinaga without a formal title.

"Supporting the guardian is our duty... emmmm? ? ? ?"

Just as she was about to say a few more polite words, Oda Nobunaga's beautiful almond eyes widened. Because, in front of her, Yoshinaga once again took off... his Wu-style robe.

"Yoshinaga has nothing to offer but my purity. Please, His Highness, judge it."

As the sky grew dark, the wind started to blow outside the tea room.