PFC Chapter 1052 is probably permanent.
Chapter 1052 is probably permanent.
The sound echoed in the hall, and a spark crackled and popped from the fireplace.
Reiko stopped, turned around, and bowed again: "Yes, Your Excellency. My father is Fujita Aruo."
Reiko's voice was soft, yet each word was clear, carrying the unique gentleness of a Kyoto accent.
A complex look flashed in Prince Asaka Yasuhiko's eyes as he looked Sakura up and down. His gaze moved from the pearl hairpin in her hair to the exquisite embroidery on the collar of her kimono, and then to the hands that steadily held her military cap. Her fingers were slender, her nails were neatly trimmed, and they were not painted, but had a healthy pale pink color.
“I saw you in Kyoto in 2,” he said, his voice suddenly becoming distant. “You were probably five or six years old then? You were following behind Takasaki Motonori, too afraid to look up.”
Reiko slightly raised her eyes. This was the first time she had looked directly at Prince Asaka Yasuhiko. His eyes were clear and calm, like a deep pool.
He had never met Prince Asaka Yasuhiko. At that time, Prince Asaka Yasuhiko may have met Sakurako, but Reiko did not explain anything.
"Your Excellency has a good memory. When I accompanied the head of the Takasaki family to the palace to offer New Year's greetings, I did indeed pay my respects to you from afar."
"Greetings from afar..." Prince Asaka Yasuhiko repeated these four words, a smileless curve appearing on his lips: "The daughter of the Fujita family, now here, working as a maid."
This was said bluntly, almost offensively.
Jing Ren's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and he was about to speak when Zhou Zhengqing calmly replied:
"Sakurako is the eldest daughter of the Fujita family and someone who grew up with me. The Fujita family sent her to my side, ostensibly as a maid, but in reality, she is a close friend and an indispensable helper in this household."
Zhou Zhengqing spoke calmly, yet every word was clear. He not only explained Yingzi's identity but also clarified their relationship: not that of master and servant, but that of equals.
Prince Asaka gave Zhou Zhengqing a deep look, then turned back to Sakurako: "What a pity, the Fujita family is also a prominent family."
That's an even stronger statement.
The air in the hall seemed to freeze; the fireplace was still burning, but the warmth seemed to have diminished somewhat.
Lingzi remained calm. She bowed again, her voice completely still.
“My father always taught me that everyone has their place in the world and should fulfill their responsibilities. I am grateful to be able to follow Master Takuto.”
Prince Asaka Yasuhiko stared at Reiko for a long time, and finally, for the first time, a true expression appeared on his face. It was not a sneer, nor a mockery, but a look that could be described as one of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a deep feeling of emotion or reflection).
"The Fujita family's daughter is indeed extraordinary," he said slowly, full of praise.
"Working by your side is quite comfortable." This sentence was said to Zhou Zhengqing.
Zhou Zhengqing nodded slightly but did not reply.
Reiko saluted again, holding her military cap as she stepped back. Her steps were light, her wooden clogs making almost no sound on the carpet. Her pale purple figure passed through the archway and disappeared into the depths of the corridor.
The interlude ended, but the echoes of their conversation seemed to linger in the air.
"Uncle Wang, this way please." Jingren spoke up at the right moment, breaking the silence.
He led Prince Asaka Yasuhiko to the armchair in front of the fireplace: "It's been exceptionally cold in Tianjin these past few days, so I've had them prepare some shochu, a fine brew from the local time-honored brand 'Yongfeng.' It's said to be made with spring water from the Taihang Mountains, giving it a unique flavor."
The three of them took their seats.
Zhou Zhengqing sat opposite Asaka-no-miya Yasuhiko, while Kagehito sat to the side.
On the mahogany coffee table, next to the white porcelain tea set, there was already a set of celadon wine set and a wine warmer.
Lingzi returned this time with two maids, bringing several small dishes: thinly sliced braised beef, golden tempura, bright green pickled cucumbers, and a small dish of edamame sprinkled with white sesame seeds.
The dishes are simple, but the presentation is exquisite.
"I don't know your taste, so I've only prepared some simple home-style dishes." Zhou Zhengqing picked up the wine warmer and poured wine for Prince Asaka Yasuhiko.
The clear liquid is poured into the celadon cup, and the rising steam brings out the unique aroma of the grain.
Prince Asaka Yasuhiko looked at the wine in his cup but did not immediately reach for it.
He leaned back in his high-backed chair, his gaze sweeping across the living room.
The place is luxuriously decorated with Persian carpets, Western oil paintings, crystal chandeliers, and mahogany furniture.
"This house, it used to belong to the French?" he suddenly asked, reaching out to take the wine glass, but not drinking it, just twirling it in his hand, watching the liquid swirl in the glass.
“Yes, it was originally the director of a large French trading company. In 8, that French trading company moved south, and this place was taken over by the Japanese consulate.” Zhou Zhengqing poured himself a glass, his movements unhurried: “After I arrived in Tianjin last year, Consul General Kaneki Hokunai allocated this place for me to stay temporarily.”
“Temporary stay…” Prince Asaka Yasuhiko repeated the word, a half-smile playing on his lips. “This temporary stay, I suppose, is permanent.”
After saying that, he exclaimed, "This house is much better than my residence in Kyoto!"
"Uncle, you flatter me," Jingren replied with a smile. "Your residence in Kyoto was bestowed by His Majesty himself, and it has the grandeur of a royal residence, far surpassing this Western-style house. It's just that Tianjin winters are bitterly cold, and the house needs to be well-insulated before I dared to invite you to stay here."
The conversation circled around the house, then returned to the weather, the trip, and trivial matters.
Jingren chatted amiably, talking about everything from the Yangtze River ferry to the Jinpu Railway, from Peking duck to Tianjin steamed buns, never mentioning anything serious.
He is the mediator tonight; his task is to ease the tension and keep the conversation going.
Prince Asaka Yasuhiko seemed distracted, giving brief replies, occasionally uttering "hmm" or "ah," but mostly remaining silent.
His gaze wandered across the living room, from the oil painting to the fireplace, from the fireplace to the bookshelf, and finally back to Zhou Zhengqing's face.
His gaze was complex and difficult to decipher, as if he were assessing, speculating, or reminiscing.
Zhou Zhengqing remained silent for most of the time.
He poured wine for Prince Asaka Yasuhiko and added tea for Prince Kagehito, occasionally offering a few words of agreement at the appropriate time, his voice steady and his expression indifferent.
But if you observe closely, you'll find that he always speaks at the crucial moment. When Keijin's topics are about to run dry, when Prince Asaka Yasuhiko's silence lasts too long, when the air begins to freeze, he always manages to say something just in time to keep the conversation going.
After a round of drinks, Prince Kyohiko put down his wine cup, the porcelain making a crisp, light sound as it touched the table.
He raised his eyes, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's, staring directly at Zhou Zhengqing, no longer bothering to conceal his intentions, and cut straight to the point.
“Takuto, speaking of which, your father and I have a very good relationship, we are very close friends. Now that you are going to marry Princess Yuko, we are practically family. So I won’t beat around the bush.” His voice was not loud, but it carried the unique authority and unquestionable tone of a seasoned general: “The matter in Central China has become too big of a fuss.”
Nanjing is now in chaos. The Central China Expeditionary Army has suffered heavy losses, morale is low, and the command system is almost paralyzed.
This was not only a military defeat, but also a serious blow to the empire's prestige in China.
He paused, observing Zhou Zhengqing's reaction.
Zhou Zhengqing listened quietly, his face expressionless, as if he were listening to a battle report that had nothing to do with him.