During his convalescence, a number of events took place. Bishop Sesshin made a brief visit to inquire into Akitada's state of health and to take young Lord Minamoto back to the family mansion. Sesshin told Akitada that he had appointed two legal scholars to fill the positions of Hirata and Akitada, and that Fujiwara had been given Oe's rank as eminent Chinese scholar. Sato had received special permission to accept private students, and his wife had already performed at two noble houses and was becoming quite popular.
Next Kobe stopped by to report that Kurata's trial was over and he had been condemned to hard labor on the island of Tsukushi. "Draining swamps," said Kobe with great satisfaction. "I doubt he'll survive the year."
"What about Okura?" asked Akitada.
Another grimace. "The bastard keeps petitioning the court. No telling when we'll get a trial."
The third event was the most private and most important. Tamako became officially Akitada's wife and the junior Lady Sugawara. This brought with it a surprise for Akitada. When he went to his mother to inform her of the event and to request the preparation of the special rice cakes, customarily presented to the newlywed couple on the morning of their third night together, she caused him a moment of acute embarrassment by pointing to an elegant footed lacquer tray which was covered with a square of precious embroidered silk.
"They have been ready since last night," she said, smiling a little at his discomfiture. "I had it on good authority that your injuries did not stop you from doing your duty. It was most gratifying news."
Lady Sugawara's approval of the marriage was not entirely unexpected. Akitada had discovered that Tamako seemed to have a special touch when it came to handling his mother. In fact, every day he spent with his new wife brought a new wonder to him, who had never been close to anyone before. Tamako was an indispensable companion in his convalescence, and he fell imperceptibly into the habit of sharing even his innermost feelings and thoughts with her.
But this blissful time, of course, could not last forever. Akitada had to return to his work at the ministry. The rainy season had started with the storm of the night of his attack. It was on a particularly drizzly morning in a series of wet days, that Akitada told Seimei to lay out his official robe and hat. He and Tamako had spent the previous evening looking out at the lush wet growth in the garden as he told her of his intention to face the minister the following day. He had been frank about their precarious financial condition, his past difficulties with his superiors and slim chances for promotion, and of his own impatience with the dull paperwork. As always she had been supportive and reassuring. This morning he was in a much better frame of mind and approached the inevitable with resolution.
Ironically, a series of unforeseen events almost immediately began to change his plans.
First Kobe arrived, his official robe rain-spattered and his face full of barely contained excitement.
"You'll never guess what happened!" he cried, sitting down on a cushion and accepting a cup of tea from Seimei. He took a big mouthful, immediately gagged, and spit it back into the cup. "Are you trying to poison me?" he roared. "What is that nasty bitter stuff?"
"Tea," said Akitada.
"Phew! Don't you have wine?"
Seimei muttered something about tea being good for the belly in such wet weather, but went to fetch some wine.
"Well, what happened?" asked Akitada.
"Okura hanged himself. The guard found him this morning."
"I thought he had hopes of support from his powerful friends."
"Hah! He had visitors yesterday. They didn't give their names, but you could tell their rank by their cap colors. One third rank and two fourths. He knew them all right. I don't know what was said- they made me stay outside- but their faces were the grimmest I've ever seen. Okura was limp as a rag after they left. By the way, do you wish to press charges against Ishikawa?"
"Good heavens! Are you still holding him?"
Kobe grinned and emptied his cup of wine. "Of course. Jail has improved his manners greatly."
Akitada smiled also. "Good. Let him go now. He has been punished enough by losing any chance for a degree. Fortunately he is bright. He can get a living as a provincial teacher. They need good ones."
Kobe nodded. "As long as I don't have to see the insolent puppy again. Well, I'll be on my way then. "They both rose. Kobe bowed, saying, "I suppose you will return to your former duties soon and trust they will be less exciting than your recent activities."
"Thank you, Captain." Akitada suppressed a sigh at the thought, though it had probably only been a hint to stay out of Kobe 's business in the future.
He watched Kobe walk away through the drizzle, thinking about those hated duties in the archives of the ministry.
Then he squared his shoulders and returned to his room to set up the mirror and put on his formal hat. At that moment, Seimei stuck in his head. "Good, you are dressed. Come to the main hall. His Reverence, Bishop Sesshin, and young Lord Minamoto have called."
Seimei certainly knew his protocol for formal visits by high-ranking individuals. Wondering what had brought both of them out on such a wet day, Akitada rushed across via the covered gallery, noting with irritation that the roof had sprung more leaks. Skirting the puddles, he stepped into the main hall of his house.
Sesshin and the boy were seated on brocade cushions, somewhat faded and threadbare, but passable in the gray light of the rainy day. His guests were quite dry and unexpectedly resplendent in their silk gowns. Akitada bowed, still painfully, though Genba had only that morning loosened the bandages for the first time.
Sesshin said immediately, "Please do not strain yourself, my dear fellow! How are you coming along?"
"Much better, thank you." Akitada seated himself gingerly on the third cushion, while Seimei poured tea and served sweet rice cakes. When his guests had helped themselves and Seimei had withdrawn again, Akitada said, "Actually, you see me in my formal robe for the first time today. It is time to return to my duties at the ministry."
"Oh," cried young Minamoto, "but surely you must take a longer rest, sir. It has only been a few days."
"Ahem!" The bishop gave the youngster an admonishing glance, then said, "My young charge is overeager to speak his mind, but I think there cannot be much harm in a brief delay. I trust you will take at least another day to consider your future." He regarded Akitada benevolently, his broadly smiling face and round shape disconcertingly reminiscent of the fat, jolly god of happiness. "In fact," he said, "one of the reasons we came today is to extend our best wishes to you and your new lady."
Akitada was touched. "Thank you both," he said, and turned to the boy. "Sadamu, I believe you have met Tamako, haven't you?"
"Oh, yes," grinned the boy. "I quite approve, you know."
Sesshin chuckled, and Akitada said, "I am deeply gratified."
The boy nodded solemnly. "She was very nice to me," he said. "We talked about death, my grandfather's and her father's. What she said made me feel much better. I think she has much wisdom for a woman."
"Ahem!" Sesshin cleared his throat again.
This time the boy blushed. "I beg your pardon," he murmured. Reaching for a small, beautifully decorated lacquer box which rested beside him, he pushed it across to Akitada. "It is the reward you have earned," he said and then glanced at Sesshin, who gave an encouraging nod. Sitting up a bit straighter, Sadamu looked earnestly at Akitada and announced, "Your loyalty to me and my family in our distress and your cleverness in seeing through Lord Sakanoue's plot have put me and my family deeply into your debt. I wish to make formal acknowledgment of the great service you have done. The Minamotos will be forever in your debt, and I shall see to it that the fact is recorded for posterity." He bowed with great dignity.