Sano explained. Then he, Reiko, and Hirata were suddenly locked in a fierce embrace, faces pressed together. A catharsis of weeping shook them. As their blood and tears mingled, Sano experienced a deeper satisfaction than ever before at the end of a case. His wife was safe, his dearest comrade restored to honor. Each of them had played a crucial role in the investigation. Their shared victory was infinitely sweeter than the lone heroics of Sano’s past.
“Let’s wake up our troops and go home,” he said, wiping tears from his cheeks.
Still embracing, with Sano in the middle, they started down the hill.
40
Three days after the death of Lord and Lady Miyagi, a guard captain escorted Chamberlain Yanagisawa to the shogun’s private audience chamber. A banner printed with the characters for secrecy decorated the entrance, indicating that a meeting of extremely confidential nature was in session. Sentries stood outside, ready to repel intruders.
“Please go right in, Honorable Chamberlain,” said his escort. “His Excellency awaits you.”
Somewhere in the city below Edo Castle, a funeral drum beat. As the guards opened the door, Yanagisawa swallowed the metallic taste of fear. His destiny would be determined here and now.
Inside the chamber, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi knelt upon the dais. On the floor to his left, Lady Keisho-in and Priest Ryuko sat side by side. The shogun’s mother glared at Yanagisawa, then turned away in a huff. Ryuko flashed the chamberlain a glance of smug triumph before respectfully lowering his eyes. Opposite them, in the place of honor at the shogun’s right, knelt Sōsakan Sano, his expression carefully neutral.
A volcano of jealous hatred erupted in Yanagisawa. The sight of his enemy occupying his own usual position seemed a realization of his worst nightmare-that Sano had replaced him as their lord’s favorite. Yanagisawa wanted to rail against the outrage, but a crude display of temper would ill serve his interests. His whole future depended upon skillful handling of the situation. He needed to remain in absolute control. Kneeling before the dais, he bowed to the shogun.
“Good morning, Yanagisawa-san,” said Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. His voice held none of its customary affection, and he didn’t smile. “It is unfortunate that this session must interfere with your, ahh, administrative duties.”
“On the contrary-I’m honored to be called to your presence at any time.” Although the chilly reception filled him with dread, Yanagisawa spoke as if he had no idea that this secret meeting had been called because his plot against Sano had backfired and he was now facing treason charges. “My service is yours to command.”
“I have summoned you here to resolve some, ahh, serious issues that have been raised by Sōsakan Sano and my honorable mother,” said the shogun, nervously toying with his fan.
Chamberlain Yanagisawa’s heart thumped like a wild creature trying to escape the cage of his body. Though he’d envisioned this scene countless times since Ryuko had come to his office, the reality was still terrible. He must conquer his fear and concentrate on repairing the damage he’d done himself.
“Certainly I shall cooperate in any way I can, Your Excellency.” Yanagisawa made his expression reflect puzzlement and a somber eagerness to please, inserting just the right note of innocence into his voice. “What seems to be the problem?”
“It appears that you have, ahh, tried to frame my beloved mother for the murder of Lady Harume, and to ruin my dear, loyal sōsakan by forcing him to accuse her. This is not only treason of the, ahh, highest order, but also a personal betrayal.” Tokugawa Tsunayoshi’s voice was high and tight; tears glistened in his eyes. Lady Keisho-in muttered angrily as she patted her son’s hand. Ryuko smiled ever so slightly at Yanagisawa, while Sano watched everyone with wary alertness. “For fifteen years I’ve given you everything you desire-land, money, power. And you repaid my, ahh, generosity by attacking my family and my friend. This is an outrage!”
“It would be if it were true,” Chamberlain Yanagisawa said, “but I can assure you that it is absolutely not.” Sweat drenched his armpits and his hands turned to ice, but he knew exactly what he must do. Letting shock and hurt register on his face, but careful not to overact, he said, “Your Excellency, whatever led you to believe I committed such heinous acts?”
“Ahh-” The shogun gulped and blinked. Overcome by emotion, he gestured weakly toward Sano.
“You ordered Shichisaburō to plant a letter written by Lady Keisho-in among Harume’s possessions for me to find,” Sano said.
The sōsakan-sama’s cautious tone signaled his knowledge that the battle wasn’t over, despite Keisho-in’s smirk and Ryuko’s veiled gloating. While Sano explained how the ruse had been discovered, Yanagisawa shook his head in dismay, then let feigned anger harden his features.
“Shichisaburō acted without my orders or my knowledge,” he said.
Lady Keisho-in gasped. “Incredible!” Ryuko’s eyes narrowed. Sano frowned.
“Is that so?” Hope lifted the shogun’s voice. “Do you mean that it’s all the boy’s fault, and you had nothing to do with the, ahh, plot against my mother and the sōsakan-sama?”
Chamberlain Yanagisawa felt the weight of victory shift in his direction. Tokugawa Tsunayoshi still cared for him, desiring reconciliation as much as justice. “That’s exactly what I mean.”
The shogun smiled in relief. “It seems we’ve misjudged you, Yanagisawa-san. A thousand pardons.”
Now the double purposes of Yanagisawa’s plan came together. Shichisaburō would take the blame for the failed plot, and the natural course of events would end their affair. No longer would he awaken dangerous cravings in Yanagisawa, or undermine his judgment and strength. Yanagisawa bowed, humbly accepting the shogun’s apology, preparing for the next round.
Just as he’d expected, Sano said, “I suggest that Shichisaburō be allowed to tell his version of the story.”
“Oh, very well,” the shogun said indulgently.
Soon Shichisaburō was kneeling before the dais at Yanagisawa’s side. Worry pinched his small face. He looked to Yanagisawa for reassurance, but the chamberlain refused to meet his lover’s gaze. He couldn’t wait to be rid of the despicable creature.
“Shichisaburō, I want you to tell us the truth,” Tokugawa Tsunayoshi said. “Did you, upon your own initiative, without, ahh, directions from anyone else, steal a letter written by my mother and hide it in Lady Harume’s room?”
Of course the boy would spill the whole story, Chamberlain Yanagisawa knew. But it was a humble actor’s word against his own, and he could easily make Shichisaburō look like a liar.
“Yes, Your Excellency, I did,” said Shichisaburō.
Yanagisawa stared at him, astonished. Excited mutters arose from Lady Keisho-in and Priest Ryuko; the shogun nodded. Sano said, “Your Excellency, I think that the present company is intimidating Shichisaburō. We’ll have a better chance of learning the truth if you and I speak to him privately.”
“No!” Shichisaburō’s cry rang out. Then his voice dropped. “I’m all right. And I-I am telling the truth.”
Confusion rendered Chamberlain Yanagisawa speechless. Was the actor crazy, or just stupid?
“Do you realize that you are admitting that you, ahh, tried to frame my mother for murder?” the shogun asked Shichisaburō. “Do you understand that this is treason?”
Trembling visibly, the boy whispered, “Yes, Your Excellency. I am a traitor.”
Tokugawa Tsunayoshi sighed. “Then I must condemn you to death.”
While guards chained Shichisaburō’s arms and legs for the trip to the execution ground, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi looked away from the distasteful sight. Lady Keisho-in burst into tears. Glaring at Yanagisawa, Priest Ryuko comforted her. Sano’s face mirrored dismay and resignation. Chamberlain Yanagisawa waited for the actor to plead for his life, to incriminate his master in an effort to save himself, to protest the betrayal. Yet Shichisaburō passively accepted his fate. As the soldiers led him to the door, he turned to Yanagisawa.