allonlinenovel Chapter 1061 Cherry Blossom Season
Chapter 1061 Cherry Blossom Season
As if sensing the subtle change in the atmosphere, Reiko, who was acting as the waitress, served new dishes, exquisite kaiseki cuisine, and new sake warmed in a beautiful porcelain bottle.
The crisp aroma of wine filled the air once more, slightly diluting the invisible smell of gunpowder in the air.
Prince Jingren, who had been like a detached observer, finally spoke again, raising his refilled wine glass with a smile. His smile was gentle, but his eyes were deep and unfathomable: "It seems that you gentlemen have had a very pleasant conversation tonight, and the matters discussed are all for the success of the Holy War and for the glory of the Empire."
Such unity is a great fortune for the nation. Come, let us drink to victory at the front and to stability at home!
The four men raised their glasses, the rims clinking together to produce a clear, hollow sound.
Under the light, four faces with different expressions reflected distorted and fleeting images in the swirling liquid in the glasses.
Outside the window, the night was deep, and from the direction of Tianjin Port, a long, drawn-out ship whistle could be faintly heard again, like some distant and ominous sigh, slowly sinking into the cold and heavy darkness of early spring in 1938.
Reiko moved like a shadow, pouring sake from the spout. The sound was extremely soft, yet it was clearly audible in the otherwise quiet restaurant.
The amber liquid traced graceful arcs, emitting a soft, babbling sound, like the whispers of a distant mountain stream.
A smile suddenly appeared on King Kyohiko's lips.
The smile was initially very faint, like the first ripple of ice melting on a lake in early spring, then gradually deepened, and finally solidified into a meaningful arc at the corner of the mouth.
This smile formed a strange contrast to his previous gloom, as if a cold stone statue had suddenly been given a brief life, making it all the more eerie.
"Speaking of which, Takuto, His Majesty is quite concerned about your marriage to Princess Yuko."
He paused deliberately, letting the words linger in the air for a moment, but his gaze remained fixed on Zhou Zhengqing's face, precisely scrutinizing every muscle movement and every micro-expression.
The light from the chandelier shone down from the side and above, casting a faint shadow on Zhou Zhengqing's deep-set eyes, making them appear even more unfathomable.
“I came here this time also on His Majesty’s orders,” King Kyūhiko continued, his voice as calm as an ancient well, yet concealing turbulent currents. “His Majesty’s previous intention was that your marriage to Yuko be held next year during the cherry blossom season.”
The phrase "cherry blossom season" carried extra weight on his lips.
That is not only the most beautiful season in Japan and the most favored wedding date in the imperial tradition, but also a symbolic moment in time, representing new life, splendor, brevity, and inevitable decay.
“However,” King Jiuyan changed the subject, a shift as light as a butterfly flapping its wings, yet it made the air in the entire restaurant freeze: “Your Majesty intends to bring forward the wedding.”
He placed the wine glass back on the table: "The royal family is currently discussing the specific time with the Takasaki family." Prince Kyohiko continued, his gaze never leaving Zhou Zhengqing's eyes, as if trying to peer into the depths of his soul through that window: "You... should prepare early."
"You know the rules of a royal wedding. From the betrothal ceremony to the final audience, it takes several months, and every step requires meticulous preparation; the slightest carelessness is unacceptable."
He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice, but thanks to the restaurant's excellent acoustics, every word was clearly audible: "Especially you, Takuto. Your every word and action will be under the spotlight."
There's a lot to learn before marriage: court etiquette, proper conduct in various situations... all of this will take up a lot of your time and energy.
After he finished speaking, the restaurant fell into a brief silence.
In the fireplace, a piece of wood suddenly burst open, sending sparks flying; the crackling sound was particularly jarring in the silence.
Zhou Zhengqing sat upright like a pine tree, his face calm and expressionless.
But deep inside him, his thoughts were racing, analyzing and deducing at an astonishing speed.
The wedding was moved up?! How come I didn't know?!
This information was like a pebble thrown into a still lake, stirring up ripples of countless thoughts.
On the surface, this shows the royal family's emphasis on this marriage, their favor towards the Takasaki family, and their recognition of him personally. However, on a political level, the deeper meaning behind this needs to be peeled back layer by layer.
Firstly, His Majesty is indeed concerned about this marriage. Princess Yuko is the Emperor's daughter and has been pampered since childhood, so her marriage is naturally highly valued by the Imperial Family.
Setting the wedding date earlier can be understood as a blessing and expectation for this marriage.
The second layer concerns the situation in China. Since the Nanjing Incident, his actions in Central China have attracted considerable attention.
Although things have calmed down on the surface for the time being, the undercurrents have never stopped surging.
Proposing to move the wedding date forward at this moment might be a form of protection. Being the Emperor's son-in-law is a shield in itself, making those who want to harm him hesitant to act.
The third and most important layer is distraction.
The preparation for a royal wedding, especially the marriage of a prince, is far more complicated than most people can imagine.
From learning etiquette to preparing for various ceremonies, it requires at least several months of dedicated effort.
During this period, I will have to withdraw from Chinese affairs, and at least I will no longer be able to get involved as deeply as before.
Fourthly, it's a political signal. The earlier wedding date is both a subtle warning to His Majesty and a repositioning of himself, shifting from a "capable nobleman's son" to a "royal relative by marriage."
The Emperor probably hopes to "behave" for a while, to "calm down" under the influence of royal etiquette, and to rethink his position.
These thoughts flashed through Zhou Zhengqing's mind in a flash, and in the blink of an eye, he had completed a preliminary assessment of the situation.
On the surface, his reaction had to be appropriate, the proper response of a young man about to marry a prince upon hearing the news of the wedding being moved up.
A smile slowly spread across Zhou Zhengqing's face.
That wasn't a fake smile, but a complex mixture of emotions: surprise, joy, humility, and just the right amount of apprehension.
He slightly widened his eyes, which shone with a sincere light under the chandelier, or at least appeared to do so.
"This..." he began, his voice trembling slightly, a natural reaction to his emotional turmoil: "Your Majesty's grace is boundless, and I... am deeply grateful."
He stood up, faced the direction of the palace, and bowed deeply.
The movement was standard and fluid, demonstrating good manners, yet it was slightly rushed due to the "sudden surprise," making it seem genuine and unpretentious.
"However," he said, straightening up, a hint of worry on his face, "the wedding date being moved up means the preparations will inevitably be more urgent."
Tuo Ren feared that in his haste, he might have been lacking in etiquette, thus disgracing the royal family and failing to live up to His Majesty's high expectations.
These words expressed gratitude and humility, accepted the arrangement, and hinted at the pressure.
More importantly, he mentioned "etiquette," which is exactly what King Kyohiko just emphasized, and will become a legitimate reason to expend his energy in the coming months.