Swallow Return

If it is a conspiracy, who is it targeting? How widespread is it? Are there any follow-up moves?

Think carefully.

Liu Yun is usually very quick-witted, but he is not good at solving puzzles and lacks patience, so he couldn't come up with anything for a while.

After Lady Guidie was rescued, she was initially overjoyed, but soon frowned and pondered for a moment, clearly realizing that something was wrong.

However, she did not dwell on it or make a fuss; she simply instructed the surviving servants to clean up the mess.

After thanking Liu Yun, Madam Ningning focused on treating the wound on her shoulder and did not show any unusual expression.

But clearly, given her cunning, she simply kept the problem to herself, rather than failing to notice it.

It was still midnight, and visibility was still low thanks to the sparse moonlight and candlelight. In addition, the destruction caused by the monster was quite significant, and the survivors were exhausted. They could only try to restore order, but it was inconvenient to sail back to shore.

Lady Guidie and Lady Ningning briefly discussed their division of labor before each going to handle the aftermath and soothe the spirits of their followers.

Liu Yun's responsibility was to look after the greatly frightened Miss A-Shi and the three little girls.

Especially the second daughter named Achu.

Although Miss Oichi was physically weak, she was still an adult who had seen many ups and downs and had the ability to control her own emotions.

Nine-year-old Chacha is a fearless girl. Having just escaped from the clutches of a monster, she curiously looked around.

Three-year-old Xiaodu probably doesn't quite understand what life-threatening danger means, and may vaguely think it's a joke.

The six-year-old second daughter, Achu, had always been well-mannered, quiet, and precocious. However, she was the most frightened after the incident and cried incessantly.

Ashi tried frantically to coax her, but to little avail. Although she had three daughters, she still looked like a young girl inside and out, hardly like a qualified mother.

Lady Guidie didn't seem to like children that much. Hearing the cries, she frowned and muttered to herself, "Even if she's a girl, she's still a descendant of the Wu family. How can she be so weak? She's really letting down the reputation of her father and her uncle!"

Judging from Lady Guidie's expression, she really wanted to scold the six-year-old girl Achu, but she held back out of consideration for the others present.

Although Lady Ningning did not give birth to any children herself, her attitude towards children was completely different, and her methods were much more skillful than those of Oichi. She took the child in her arms and comforted him, gently advising him, "With the loyal and brave people around you taking care of you, you will surely be safe and sound."

Three-year-old Xiao Du chattered away beside him like a broken record: "Zhong Yong! Ping An!" It was unclear whether he understood what Xiao Du was saying.

Nine-year-old Chacha chimed in, "Don't worry, little sister, Uncle Sasaki is the best. Everything will be alright since he's here!"

Those words seem to have had an effect.

Ah Chu had probably witnessed the fight firsthand and knew of Liu Yun's active role. Seeing this tall and reliable figure around her, her crying gradually subsided.

So it was decided that Gui Die and Ning Ning would handle the aftermath, while Liu Yun would stay in the cabin to keep watch.

That is, being with Lady Oichi—considering Nobunaga's suggestion that Lady Kicho had conveyed earlier, it has to be said that this is a little awkward.

Fortunately, there were three underage children together, which prevented any erotic or scandalous things from happening, making them seem much more innocent and harmless.

Liu Yun pretended to be a wooden figure, sitting still in place to avoid trouble.

Soon after, Achu calmed down and fell asleep, clutching his clothes. After all, she was only six years old, and it was easy for her to get sleepy at midnight.

Nine-year-old Chacha followed suit, pulling on the other side of her clothes as she drifted off to sleep. Liu Yun observed her closely and realized that although the girl seemed lively and bold, she was actually quite sensitive and fearful inside, so he couldn't bear to reject her.

Three-year-old Xiao Du didn't try to get close to her; she just fell asleep on the tatami mat and then unknowingly rolled over and snuggled up to her legs.

Is it perhaps stemming from an unconscious desire for protection?

With the children all asleep, it was time to spend alone with Miss Oichi.

Liu Yun decided not to speak much and closed her eyes to rest and recuperate.

Miss Oichi, however, couldn't sleep. She sighed softly, bowed slightly, and said quietly, "This was terrible. I really want to thank Lord Sasaki. I can't even imagine what would have happened if you hadn't been there."

Liu Yun remained expressionless, simply stating that it was "his duty."

Miss Aichi then lowered her head and fell silent again.

After a while, she suddenly looked up and said, "Ashi is not a good mother. She has always had a headache with her three children, but I didn't expect them to be so close to you."

Liu Yun remained calm and replied, "It's just that tonight's situation is special."

Upon hearing this, Aichi lowered her head even further than before and fell silent once more.

After a long pause, she finally spoke in a hoarse voice, "Lord Sasaki... um... Lady Kicho has already conveyed to you the purpose of Oichi's visit, hasn't she?"

Liu Yun was taken aback when the other party brought up such an awkward topic. He then decided it was best to be direct, so he straightened his expression and replied seriously, "I am indeed aware of this, and I am honored, but please excuse my refusal."

"Is that so..." A faint blush rose to Oichi's face, and her voice became shy, but she still insisted on continuing the conversation: "May I ask why you don't accept it? Is there anything I can do to help with this?"

Liu Yun was genuinely puzzled by these words.

Judging from this, is Miss Oichi widowed for too long and eager to remarry? Or has she taken a fancy to me?

It doesn't really look like it...

While Ryuun possesses the ability to manipulate people's hearts and see through emotions, it is not effective on everyone. It is useless against heroes like Oda Nobunaga, Tokugawa Ieyasu, and Hashiba Hideyoshi.

But tonight, facing Miss Oichi, I can't perform well either.

It's probably because the other party has a very unique aura. Although it doesn't seem like a powerful supernatural force, it might be even stronger in some ways.

Faced with this kind of person, Ryuun couldn't figure her out and could only ask directly, "Please forgive my intrusion... Miss Oichi, do you expect me to accept Lord Oda's (Nobunaga's) proposal?"

"Hmm...you could say that." Oichi was, after all, a woman who had experienced life's ups and downs. Although she was shy and embarrassed, she was still able to speak coherently: "Most women in this world are born with a life of hardship and poverty. Oichi was fortunate to be born into the Oda family and could grow up in luxury. So when the family needs her, she should naturally offer up the only thing she can offer."

Chapter 268 Jade Beauty Under the Moon

"Most women in this world are born into a life of toil and poverty. Oichi is fortunate to be born into the Oda family and can enjoy a life of luxury from a young age. So when the family needs her, she should naturally offer up the only thing she can offer."

Aichi's words were sincere and heartfelt, and although they were not without "historical limitations," they were still quite moving.

At least Liu Yun immediately felt impressed.

Rights and obligations should be equal, a fact that is universally acknowledged and self-evident in later generations. However, for her to possess such awareness in the 16th century, especially considering she was a woman with limited education, is truly remarkable.

impressive.

Despite his admiration, Liu Yun, having made up his mind, could only maintain his meticulous and serious expression, resolutely shaking his head to express his refusal, and explaining his reasons: "I understand what you mean. But my wife, Yizhi, has never made any mistakes over the years and has no reason to be punished."

I'm repeating what I said to Lady Guidie a few days ago.

Upon hearing this, Miss Oichi disregarded her shyness, raised her head in surprise, stared wide-eyed for a moment, then lowered her head and sighed softly, "Lady Iori of the Sasaki family is much luckier than Lady Hirai of the Asai family."

Liu Yun wasn't particularly familiar with this period of history, and for a moment he was completely confused. It took him a while to understand what the other person was saying.

Lady Hirai of the Asai family refers to the first wife of Asai Nagamasa, and the "former" of Miss Oichi.

Back then, the Asai family submitted to the Rokkaku family. Asai Nagamasa had no choice but to marry a woman from a collateral branch of the Rokkaku family as his principal wife. Later, he befriended Oda and gained external support, which gave him the confidence to resist. He immediately drove the woman out of the family and sent her back so that she could become Nobunaga's brother-in-law. He even went so far as to demote his already born eldest son to a concubine's son.

The position at that time is somewhat similar to the position now.

What would Oichi have been feeling at that time?

It is said that a girl is happiest on her wedding day, but if she already knows that the groom is a ruthless and ruthless man who does not care about his wife and children for the sake of power, can she still be happy?

Liu Yun was unaware of the previous events and did not want to criticize the deceased. He simply smiled calmly and said in a steady tone, "As a daimyo of northern Omi, he bore the weight of life and death, honor and disgrace for many retainers and subjects. It is inappropriate to comment on his actions. Perhaps I am just an ordinary person without much ambition, which is why I can put personal feelings first."

"Bearing the life, death, honor, and disgrace of so many retainers and subjects..." Miss Oichi repeated the sentence softly, paused for a moment, and then said in a low voice, "These are matters of national importance that men care about, and it is indeed not something Oichi should discuss carelessly. After all, my father and brother have always put the interests of the family first. They acquired wealth and power so that Oichi could enjoy a life of luxury, instead of being like an ordinary peasant woman who toils for decades without even being able to eat white rice... Compared to them, I should only be grateful, so what is there to complain about?"

"You are a wise and open-minded person." Liu Yun sincerely praised, "Many heroes and great men who have achieved fame and success cannot escape the human tendency of wanting more after gaining something. However, Miss Ashi can understand the principle of giving and taking, which I admire very much."

“It seems that Oichi can accept this compliment with a clear conscience…” Miss Oichi slowly lowered her head and said sadly, “After all, I was not even ten years old when I saw my eldest brother and second brother killing each other. From that time on, Oichi understood that I was born into a very special family.”

Touching on the other person's sore spot, Liu Yun was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to respond.

Miss Oichi, however, quickly recovered, flashing a sweet but slightly stiff smile. She shook her head and said, "These are truly chaotic times! Many people have done nothing wrong, yet they've lost all their families and possessions simply because of the war. Compared to that, Oichi's experience is insignificant; she should be content..."

Liu Yun remained silent.

Miss Aichi's voice grew softer and softer until it disappeared completely. Then, she hugged her knees, leaned against the cabin wall, turned her head to look at the night view outside the window, and fell into silence.

At this moment, Liu Yun was being pulled away by the three sleeping girls and could not leave. She could only sit there quietly watching the cold and beautiful figure in front of her.

Then a feeling that was unprecedented and indescribable suddenly arose in my heart.

Speaking of Miss Oichi, she was the kind of petite beauty that the Japanese loved most. Her skin was fair, delicate and flawless, and her features were so small and exquisite that she looked like a porcelain doll sculpted by a craftsman. Her silky hair was smooth and straight, hanging down like a waterfall. In short, she exuded a youthful aura that defied age, giving people the feeling of branches and flower buds covered with dew in the early morning, which would drip water if you gently pinched them.

At the same time, she possesses an indescribable charm that makes people feel close to her, love her, and feel affection for her, making them reluctant to hurt her or refuse her.

In modern terms, it should be called "girlishness".

The anecdote in "A New Account of Tales of the World" that says "I feel pity for him, let alone the old servant" is probably based on the same principle.

Perhaps it was this "girlish charm" that attracted Oda's retainers.

However, Liu Yun wasn't too interested.

He's always been attracted to tall, graceful, and mature women. If they possess a heroic spirit, even more so than men, capable of wielding swords and spears, then that would be ideal. A woman with an elegant, dignified, gentle, and virtuous demeanor, like a breath of fresh air, would also be acceptable. (Don't misunderstand, this isn't specifically referring to Gui Die and Ning Ning.)

As for the slender and adorable "legal loli"... well, I don't have much of a soft spot for her. (What happened to the shame of pedophilia?)

The fact that it refers to itself by its own name, in particular, has a hint of "malicious cuteness."

Therefore, she was able to effectively resist the charm of Miss Oichi and not become as bored as others.

A few days ago, Lady Kicho brought Nobunaga's proposal to arrange a marriage, but Ryuun was able to refuse without any regret.

However now—

The moonlight was obscured by clouds, and the dim lamplight rippled on the water, making it difficult to see Miss Ashi's face clearly. Her delicate and exquisite features, coupled with her cool and melancholic expression, created a serene and sorrowful atmosphere, making it hard for Ryuun not to feel a protective instinct towards her.

People who spend all their time complaining, like Xianglin's wife, even if they are truly miserable, will inevitably attract the annoyance of those around them and will not gain much sympathy.

The fact that Ms. Oichi kept saying "be content" and "don't complain" only made her more pitiful.

Human emotions are fascinating, with intriguing patterns that are difficult to summarize.

However, although a hint of affection arose, it was not entirely romantic.

Moreover, Ryuun had already made up his mind not to mistreat Iori, nor could he allow himself to waver.

He remained quietly seated on the ground, acting as a guard, while the three little girls nestled beside him and slept peacefully, without showing any excessive affection.

After an unknown amount of time, Miss Oichi stared aimlessly out the window for a long while, then turned back, hesitated for a moment, and suddenly said to Ryuun, "Lord Sasaki, have you heard of the 'Beans in a Bag'?"

Liu Yun nodded: "I've heard a little about it."

The so-called "beans in a bag" is a story that happened six years ago.

At that time, Oda Nobunaga led his army to attack Asakura Yoshikage in Echizen. Azai Nagamasa was originally an ally, but after Nobunaga set off, he suddenly turned against him and led his troops to cut off the retreat, plunging Oda's army into a great crisis.

Oichi, as the legal wife of the Asai family, sent a bag of beans with both ends stuck together to her family as a reminder.

Nobunaga received the intelligence immediately and was able to retreat safely from Kanegasaki in time, preserving his own forces. Several years later, he made a comeback and destroyed the Asakura and Asai families.