Read Online Yamada Monogatori: The Emperor in Shadow by Richard Parks - Free Book Online Page B

consort, was my adopted daughter.”
    “I was aware of this, and I am sorry for your loss,” I said.
    He frowned. “You really would mourn a Fujiwara?”
    “It may surprise you that this has happened before, Yorinobu-sama, but I understand your skepticism. I never knew her, yet Princess Shigeko is a special case. You know Prince Kanemore is my friend, and he does keep me somewhat apprised of events. I understood Takahito was genuinely fond of your daughter and grieved her loss deeply. Kanemore did the same, therefore. I sincerely grieve for your loss out of respect for them both.”
    Yorinobu bowed very slightly. “I will accept that, and thank you. Yet I have more cause for grief than you may know, which brings me back to the business at hand. My brothers Yorimichi and Norimichi currently hold the positions of chancellor and chief minister. My eldest brother, Yorimichi, is regent in all but name. He plans to resign as chancellor to make way for our middle brother, but do not be fooled. He will retain much power and influence. Together, they speak for the Fujiwara. Yet even they together cannot force an abdication without the support of the greater ministers of the Daijou-kan. There is . . . an internal family situation, shall we say, which places me in a position to see that they do not have it.”
    It was my turn to be surprised. “You would do this for Prince Takahito?”
    He shook his head. “No, Lord Yamada. I would do it for Princess Shigeko. She may have been a Fujiwara, but not all Fujiwara are the same. She was my adopted daughter, but she was born to a minor branch of the family far outside the sekkan-ke . I trust you understand the term?”
    “The inner circle of Fujiwara from which members are groomed to become ministers and other exalted persons of the realm. Is that correct?”
    “It is. In light of this and as an insult to me, my brothers initially opposed the union. It was only Takahito’s persistence and Kanemore’s support that allowed it to go forward. I have never forgotten. Even so, there is something I need before I can help them, which is why you are here.”
    “I am listening,” I said.
    “My daughter’s primary residence was a mansion on the fourth avenue in the Capital, and thus she was sometimes referred to as Princess Shijo. I trust you are familiar with that area?”
    I was. Shijo Bridge had been one of my favorite moon-viewing sites in the entire city. “Intimately,” I said.
    “That mansion is now haunted by her angry spirit. Anyone attempting to enter the building is attacked . . . well, almost anyone.”
    “Meaning you attempted this yourself.”
    “Yes, and I was not attacked. Not like the others, I mean. When I try to enter, I am pushed back by unseen hands, even though I see her plainly before me. I don’t know why she won’t speak to me, but others who have attempted the same for my sake have not been as fortunate. One has died, and another’s injuries were severe. I cannot allow any more attempts.”
    “I am sorry to hear this, but is this not a matter for the priests?”
    His face was unreadable. “You well know I could have had the entire mansion surrounded by priests chanting the rite of exorcism long before now, Lord Yamada. Do not insult either of us by pretending not to understand me.”
    I nodded. “You tried to speak with her. I gather you want to know why her spirit remains, why it is so angered,” I said.
    There was a great weariness about the man now, as if it had always been there, only now he was letting me see it. “She did not look angry. My servants likely have a different opinion. Perhaps she thinks herself a failure, dying as she did without producing an heir. Perhaps . . . well, I have suspicions of my own, but that is all they are. I simply do not know , and I cannot rest until her spirit is also at rest. If I believed an exorcism was the best way to help her, I would arrange it in a heartbeat. I do not.”
    A loved one not at rest.