Caught up in his uncomfortable reflections, Akitada passed Mibu Road, the turn-off to the university, and absent-mindedly entered the greater imperial enclosure, turning his steps towards the ministry as if he were headed for his usual workplace. It was still early, but already clerks and scribes were rushing past him on their way to their various bureaus and offices. When he realized his mistake, he decided to look in on Seimei.
The old man was crouched over documents, taking rapid notes with his spidery brush strokes. He looked up anxiously, but brightened when he saw Akitada. "Good morning, sir." Rising, he bowed and said, "I found some records of the holdings of Prince Yoakira in the archives of the Bureau of Revenue and am making a copy for you. The papers must be returned before someone asks questions."
"Good man!" Akitada reached for the document and ran his eye over it. "Heavens!" he said. "Such wealth!"
"Yes. Five manors near the capital, one palatial in size, some thirty-five others all over the country, and huge rice acreage in the richest provinces, of which over two hundred acres are tax-exempt. I have made friends with a clerk in the Records Office. In time I may be able to consult the wills on file there."
Akitada nodded, leafing through the documents.
"But sir!" said Seimei, "I have become even more uneasy. Everyone at court is content to let matters rest. Lord Sakanoue, who has laid claim to a large portion of the estate as dowry of his bride, and who was never well liked before, has been received by both the emperor and the chancellor."
Akitada angrily tossed the papers down. "I am not surprised," he said grimly. "He married the granddaughter for gain and is said to be the grandson's guardian. All the more reason to keep on asking questions. Such wealth is a tremendous temptation to an unscrupulous man. It opens doors to him which would otherwise be closed. I want you to find out whatever you can." When he turned to leave, he remembered something else. "Oh, and also ask about a young man called Okura. He placed first in last year's examination, and must have received a good post in the administration."
"Okura? Wasn't that the name of the young gentleman who ran into Tora a few days ago?"
Akitada frowned. "Surely not! That silly fop? But I believe you are right! What an unimpressive figure he makes! Did he say he worked in the Ministry of Ceremonial? Well, see what you can find out about him! He may be connected with Professor Hirata's problem."
Akitada's classes passed uneventfully. He had finally managed to accustom himself to his subject and charges and even enjoyed himself. With the late Prince Yoakira's wealth still fresh in his mind, he had set the class a topic on tax exemptions for members of the imperial family. This had produced some very intelligent and original comments from the students, but none more so than young Minamoto's, who had argued forcefully against the practice.
Still, many of his students showed a woeful lack of accuracy in Chinese. This was not his subject, but Akitada decided to stretch his legs by calling on his colleagues in the Chinese faculty.
He found only Ono and the student Ishikawa in the main hall. Both were grading student papers.
"The master is in the library," Ono informed Akitada, "but he is preparing for his poetry reading and must not be disturbed." He attempted to soften this news by many bows and profuse apologies, twisting his body, rubbing his hands together, and bobbing his head up and down, so that Akitada was forcibly reminded of Oe calling him "squirrel." Ishikawa watched the performance, a sneer on his handsome face.
"No matter," said Akitada. "It is nothing of great importance."
"Genius needs the utmost privacy," Ono insisted. "Perhaps Mr. Ishikawa or I may be of assistance?"
So it was Mr. Ishikawa now. Akitada glanced at the young man, who acknowledged his surprise with a raised eyebrow. Turning his back on him, Akitada asked Ono, "Is there some arrangement by which weaker students receive tutoring in Chinese? I am afraid I have discovered some dunces in my class."
"Oh," said Ono, "if they can pay, we can always find a senior student to work with them. Of course, if the student comes from one of the great families, he will have his own tutor already. But I hope you are not too severe? It is only rarely that we have someone as talented as Mr. Ishikawa."
Forced to acknowledge Ishikawa's presence, Akitada remarked to him, "Yes. I have been told that you are favored to win first place in the next examination. My compliments."
"Thank you," Ishikawa said complacently, adding, "Unfortunately that is still many months away."
Irritated by the other's assurance, Akitada nodded, saying, "Quite right! An uncertain business, apparently. I am told that the last favorite did not win after all."
Ono cut in, "Oh, that was a shock, to be sure! But it happens only rarely that a young man produces superior work so suddenly at the last moment. Surely it is not likely to happen this time. Not at all!"
Ishikawa smiled. "I'm not worried," he drawled. "After all, I have worked too hard and for too long a time to miss out now. Oh, no! I am quite certain of success."
Akitada did not like Ishikawa's tone. It was not so much his arrogant certainty that troubled him, as a hint of threat. After a trivial comment about the weather, he left to prepare the next day's lessons.
When Tora arrived with his master's good robe and hat, Akitada was still bent over his notes.
"You'd better change, sir," Tora cried. "It's almost time to leave for the professor's dinner."
"So late already!" Akitada rubbed his eyes and stretched. "Thank you, Tora." Suddenly the prospect of this evening's meeting overwhelmed him. He rose. "Help me out of this gown. And I suppose I had better wash my hands and face. See if you can find some water."
"Shouldn't you go to a barber?" Tora asked.
Akitada ran a hand around his chin. "Why? I never shave before dinner."
Tora grumbled but went for the water.
After Akitada had splashed his face and washed his hands, he patted down his hair before a mirror. Tora stood by holding the robe, his head cocked, watching Akitada with a broad grin. "You do look like a nervous suitor," he pronounced with a chuckle.
Akitada swung around. "How did you know?"
"Oh, it figures. First your lady mother insisted on selecting this robe. Then she had her maid sponge it. Then she mixed some incense and perfumed it personally. She said you're careless with your clothes." Tora chuckled and brought one of the sleeves to his nose. Inhaling deeply, he staggered a bit, cried, "Mmmm!" and rolled up his eyes comically. "The young lady will swoon! I can't wait to see it."
"Don't be ridiculous!" Akitada snapped, snatching the robe away from him. "I am merely going for a dinner at the house of friends. And you are not needed."
"Sorry, sir." Tora grinned broadly. "Lady Sugawara's orders. You are to be accompanied by your servant."
Akitada glared at him, but Tora immediately put on an injured look. "Oh, very well," Akitada said grudgingly, slipping into the gray silk robe and belting it. Tora looked pleased and handed him the tall black hat.
Akitada slapped it on, saying impatiently, "Let's go then!"
Outside he strode out so quickly that Tora had trouble keeping up with him. "Wait," he cried, when Akitada passed through the university gate with flying skirts and his chin in the air. "There's no hurry if you're not going to stop at the barber's first."
Akitada came to a halt. Before him lay the green expanse of the Divine Spring Garden in the evening sunlight. On an impulse he crossed the street.