Chapter 85

After seeing Daisuke Tomomitsu off, Masahiro immediately gathered Mijima Shigetada and Yixin for a discussion.

"It seems the Kutsu family can no longer tolerate the Sashi family," Masahiro said first. "The power distribution in Higashimatsuura is about to undergo a significant change."

"Your Highness, this is precisely an opportunity for our family. Otherwise, if the Sashi family recovers, they will turn their attention to us. According to my information, Shōryō Jishō's wife is the daughter of the Sashi family, giving the Sashi family a legitimate reason to attack our family," Mijima Shigetada said, bowing.

"Hmm? The Shōryō family has such a relationship with the Sashi family?" Masahiro was surprised. "What about that woman now?"

"She probably fled back to the Sashi family. After the Oda family captured Furai Castle, the traitor Kinza, who had long coveted Shōryō Jishō's wife, led people to search for her, but found nothing. It is likely that she escaped back to the Sashi family under the protection of her escort samurai," Mijima Shigetada replied.

"It seems that no matter what, our family will have to fight the Sashi family. Since that's the case, we should use this opportunity to weaken the Sashi family," Masahiro clenched his fist and said firmly. He was quite frustrated, having inadvertently made a powerful enemy.

"Your Highness, should we let the spies hidden in the Nagakura and Taku families spread the news that our family is on good terms with the Kutsu family?" Yixin suggested at this moment.

"Yes, that's a good idea. Your Highness, our family needs enough time to digest the results of the battle. After receiving this news, these two families will at least need to confirm the Kutsu family's attitude toward our family before taking any action," Mijima Shigetada clapped his hands in approval.

"Good, Yixin, you are responsible for this. Also, for now, do not make any rash moves against the Myōgō and Sashi families to avoid them attacking our family first," Masahiro nodded and said.

"Yes, Your Highness," Yixin was very excited to see that Masahiro seemed satisfied with his suggestion, feeling that his position in the family had become more secure.

"Your Highness," just as Masahiro was about to continue discussing other matters with the two, a Cloakman hurried in.

"What is it?" Normally, during deliberations, Masahiro did not allow interruptions, so the Cloakman must have something important to report.

"Your Highness, a woman has come to the checkpoint and has repeatedly tried to break through our checkpoint," the Cloakman knelt and said, "She seems to be looking for you." According to Masahiro's military regulations, it was not allowed to harass the people. Although this woman was trying to enter our territory from another domain, she was constantly cursing the lord, indicating that she had some connection with the lord. The foot soldiers and Cloakmen responsible for the guard did not dare to take her lightly. After several unsuccessful attempts to persuade her, they had to let her wait and quickly send someone to report to the lord. Strangely, as soon as she heard that she would soon see the lord, she stopped cursing.

"Looking for me?" Masahiro was surprised. Apart from the few women in the back yard, he did not seem to know any other women.

"Is she alone?" Masahiro asked.

"Yes, Your Highness," the Cloakman replied.

"Then bring her in," Masahiro said.

"Yes, Your Highness," the Cloakman left to carry out the order.

Soon, a woman in a white kimono with long hair was led in by a Cloakman. Upon closer inspection, Masahiro realized that this was not a woman but a little girl around 11 years old, and he was instantly speechless.

The little girl, suddenly seeing three men in the room, was clearly a bit scared. She lifted her dark eyes and cautiously looked around. Finally, she seemed to remember something, pouted her lips, and pointed at Masahiro with her small, delicate finger, saying, "You... you are that bad person, right?"

"Bad person?" Masahiro's forehead was covered with black lines.

"Hmph, you must be the bad person Father talked about. You took my sister, give my sister back," the little girl, seemingly back in her father's arms, started to act spoiled. Since she was the most pampered in the family, she often sneaked to watch her father's deliberations, knowing that the person sitting in that position was the highest-ranking person.

When did I become a bandit and take someone's sister? Masahiro was stunned. The two vassals below were also at a loss, clearly a family matter. They should avoid getting involved, but seeing Masahiro's increasingly dark face, they wisely did not suggest leaving. They raised their heads, pretending not to see anything, and started counting the spider webs on the roof of the council hall.

"Enough," Masahiro shouted. Anyone would be angry after being accused and cursed without knowing why.

"Wah...," the little girl burst into tears, "You are a bad person, you took my sister, and now you are forcing me to marry that big bad person. You are a bad person, wah..." Her cries grew louder, and the entire Nakao Castle could hear them. The foot soldiers and Cloakmen, who did not understand what was happening, all looked toward the council hall.

This little girl was the youngest daughter of the Taku family, Taku Sakura. This morning, she accidentally overheard her father's plan to marry her to the young master of the Kutsu family, and she was terrified. She had met the young master of the Kutsu family once, and he had been inappropriate with her. After escaping his advances, Taku Sakura was determined not to marry such a person. Although the young master had tried to force the marriage several times, her strong opposition had prevented it. Now, hearing the bad news, Taku Sakura was panic-stricken.

She returned to her small wooden house in a daze, drove away all the maids, and cried herself to sleep. In her drowsy state, she thought of her unfortunate sister. When Taku Sakura was very young, her mother had passed away, and her sisters had either married or become nuns. Only her older sister, Taku Reina, remained by her side. Taku Reina treated her well, and Taku Sakura considered her like a mother. Even so, two years ago, Taku Reina was married to the Oda family. Taku Sakura knew her sister did not like the marriage and lived unhappily there. But even knowing this, what could she do? Although she was pampered by her father, mentioning her sister always led to scolding.

Suddenly, she thought of the "bad person" her father talked about. This bad person had defeated the person who harmed her sister but did not return her sister. It must be that he took her sister. Now, this bad person had made her father afraid and decided to marry her to the young master of the Kutsu family. Everything seemed to be caused by this bad person. No, I must ask this bad person to return my sister. With this resolve, Taku Sakura boldly left the castle and ran in the direction she remembered. The foot soldiers at the gate, although puzzled by Taku Sakura's departure, did not stop her, considering her the lord's beloved daughter.

Fortunately, Taku Sakura found the right direction and arrived at the checkpoint of the Rō family shortly after Daisuke Tomomitsu left. At this time, the Taku family had just discovered that their princess was missing.

Looking at the little girl, whose face was streaked with rain and tears, and whose kimono was dirty from the long run, Masahiro sighed and waved his hand, signaling the vassals to leave. The surrounding vassals left the council hall as if they had been granted a pardon.

"Alright, stop crying," Masahiro said softly.

"Wah...," hearing Masahiro's voice, Taku Sakura felt even more wronged and cried even louder.

What is this? The lord's usual commanding presence, which had defeated several powerful families, seemed powerless in the face of this weak girl's cries. "If you keep crying, I won't give your sister back," Masahiro finally said, though he did not know where her sister was.

Surprisingly, the little girl's cries weakened, though she had not stopped crying, she gradually turned to sobbing.

"Can you tell me your name?" Seeing that his words had worked, Masahiro took a deep breath and asked softly.

"Taku... Taku Sakura," the little girl said, sobbing.

"Ah?!" Hearing her name, Masahiro understood everything, "You are Taku Yoshinori's daughter?"

The little girl lowered her head, not answering, but it was a silent acknowledgment.

"Is Taku Reina your sister?" Masahiro continued.

"Yes, where is my sister?" Hearing Masahiro mention Taku Reina, the little girl immediately lifted her tear-streaked face, looking at Masahiro eagerly.

"Um, she is fine, she is with her two maids," Masahiro said, "I will arrange for two people to take you to her, but you will have to stay there and cannot return to the Taku family for now."

"Really?" Hearing that she would soon see her sister, the little girl's face lit up with joy, her tearful eyes fixed on Masahiro. She did not care if she could return home; all she wanted was to see her