He frowned. “Hmm. And is that all you have to report?”
“Well, she is also humming to herself,” I offered, thinking that would make it clear that she was far too happy to be innocent.
He sat up and looked at me more sharply. “What is wrong with your face? It looks lopsided.”
Oh, dear. I flushed under my make-up. “A bad tooth, Sire.”
“Hmm. What was she humming?”
“I could not hear the words, Your Majesty. Little songs. Common little songs, from the sound of them. She looked happy.” People sing when they are happy, so that was a sensible deduction.
His Majesty exchanged a glance with the nun, then said, “Ask her about the songs she sings and report back to me.”
I touched my forehead to the boards and crept away. Really, I thought to myself, He has some very peculiar interests for such an august person. And He is far too young to have lost all memory of romance. It crossed my mind to pretend an avid interest in songs myself to make him more approachable. Why should He spend all his time with an elderly nun when He could be with me? After all, given daily close proximity, who knew what might not happen? As the poet said, “The strength of our love may yet prolong our unfinished dream forever.” This made me so happy that I forgot all about the awkwardness with the swallowed plum.
I was still turning the idea over in my mind when I reached the door. His Majesty and the nun had returned to their conversation, and I was about to open the door to leave, when His Majesty called out after me, “On second thought, Lady Sanjo, bring her back with you. I will ask her myself.”
Ah, I thought, that should prove interesting. I obeyed with alacrity.
In the first place, I knew that the Oba girl had just washed her hair. Nothing looks more slovenly than a female with wet hair and disordered gowns. Perhaps He would be sufficiently disgusted to ask her about the letter. Secondly, if she really knew something about those silly songs He was forever gathering and singing, then I might make use of her to teach me.
She was undressed, sitting near a brazier filled with glowing coals to dry her hair. I was glad to see that none of the others had offered to help her by brushing and fanning the long strands and that her hair was still heavy with water and tangled.
She blanched and balked when I brought her the message. “I cannot go like this,” she cried. No wonder. She had also washed her face and looked positively naked without paint, just like the peasant she was. No man could possibly find her attractive.
“Nonsense, you look fine,” I snapped. “Besides, you cannot refuse an imperial command. Heavens, don’t they teach you anything in the country?”
“Oh, please, Lady Sanjo,” she pleaded, “couldn’t you explain? If I might just have a little time, I could change my clothes, paint my face, and dry my hair a little more.”
“No,” I said firmly. “You will report to His Majesty now.”
I could see from her face that I would have no more trouble from her. She bowed her head, tied her wet hair with a ribbon and threw a red jacket over the thin white undergarment. I would have forbidden that also, but water had soaked the gauze and it clung most indecently to her figure.
We returned to His Majesty.
I saw immediately that He was startled by her appearance and smiled to myself. She fell to her knees and murmured an apology about having been caught unprepared.
His Majesty shot me a glance, but said that it did not matter, that He only had one little question and then she might go back. This pleased me, since it showed His lack of interest in her as a female.
The girl sat up and looked at him expectantly. Very improper, of course. I myself kept my face down and only stole a glance now and then.
His Majesty said, “Lady Sanjo tells me that you sing sometimes, and I recalled your father mentioning that you had a knowledge of local songs.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” said she, still staring brazenly at His face. “I was ashamed to say so before.”
He smiled at that. “Would you favor us with one of your songs?”
“Now? Like this?”
His Majesty smiled more broadly and nodded.
She bowed. “With Your Majesty’s permission, may I rise? The songs are performed with movement.”
To my amazement, His Majesty clapped His hands. “Imayo,” he cried. “Do you hear that, Otomae? It was true what they said. Yes, yes, of course. Rise, Lady Toshiko, and let us see and hear you.”
I was appalled, but the strange nun looked as pleased as His Majesty and nodded encouragement. The girl rose, took up a pose, and began.
“They’re in love,” she sang, raising her arms and looking up at the ceiling, “the weaver maid and the herdsman in the sky.” Lowering her arms slowly, she turned, and dipped. “The pheasants in the field, the deer in autumn.” She twisted her body, waving her arms from side to side. “The women who sell their charms in the street.” I cannot possibly describe the gestures that accompanied that scandalous line. “And in winter, so are the mandarin ducks.” She pressed her hands together, then she bowed deeply to His Majesty.
It was an exceedingly vulgar performance. Most of the images in her song were ordinary enough — that old legend of the star-crossed lovers in the sky, deer and pheasants, ducks — I daresay I could have done better, but no lady should be aware of street women. Her voice was also quite crude and strong. The song was uncouth enough, but when she danced, all semblance of decency departed. She behaved like a harlot would — or as I imagine she would, for I am, of course, not familiar with such creatures. Whenever she flung out her arms, her jacket parted and nothing was left hidden from our eyes. I still shudder with shame and disgust.
To my surprise, His Majesty and the nun listened and watched with the greatest interest. Of course, even an emperor is merely a male beneath his silk robes. Some people have said that His Majesty has put all thoughts of sexual matters from His mind to prepare himself for a religious life. If true, it would be a great pity. He is still a most handsome man. But I saw with my own eyes how He flushed with pleasure as He watched the slut.
I thought the nun would surely object, but she smiled widely – her teeth were not blackened and at her age very unattractive. Given her silence, I thought it must be true that she once was a harlot. How abominable to pretend holiness when one’s mind dwells in the gutter of writhing bodies.
Since the proper deportment of the young ladies falls within my responsibilities, I was forced to interfere. As soon as the girl was done, I hissed to her, “Cover yourself! Are you totally shameless?”
She turned quite red and instantly fell to her knees, bending her head to the floor. Apparently the fool had been so flattered by His Majesty’s interest that she had forgotten her state of undress.
“I do beg Your Majesty’s pardon,” I said quickly. “This young woman is still very new, and Your Majesty’s summons found her unprepared.”
He looked angry, as well He might, and snapped, “I said it did not matter,” adding, “You may leave us now.”
I bowed and started to back away. To my dismay, the girl did not move. “Toshiko,” I whispered, angry that she was making things even more difficult than they already were.
“Only you, Lady Sanjo,” said he. “Lady Toshiko will stay.”
Well, I was furious. I had to return alone to our quarters where I was instantly surrounded by the others who wanted to know why the girl had been called so urgently and in undress. If it had been night, they would have assumed that she had found favor, but it was still an hour until sunset and they were puzzled what His Majesty could want with her at that time.
“His Majesty is working on His song collection with an assistant,” I said, “and had a question about the music of her homeland.”
It was probably the truth, but I had seen His eyes widen when Her jacket fell open. Oh,“ the anguish of my heart!”