In the afternoon, the Mercedes-Benz sedan drove deep into an unnamed mountain range. The road stretched straight ahead, flanked on both sides by vast bamboo forests. This remote, uninhabited mountain was the private land of the Tsukiyuki Family. Gao Sijin felt that if he died here, it might very well become an unsolved mystery.
The rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind was incredibly soothing. Gao Sijin closed his eyes lightly, contemplating his life after he finally left Tsukiyuki Rio. All in all, having regained his freedom from captivity, even the worries of mundane life would surely taste sweet.
“We’re here, Young Lady Tsukiyuki, and Master. This is the main residence of the Tsukiyuki Clan.”
Yu Qingxue smoothly parked the car among the bamboo grove at the roadside.
Soon after, slow, heavy footsteps approached from the distance. Women wearing black kimonos and wielding naginatas entered Gao Sijin’s field of vision. On the sleeves of their kimonos, one could clearly see the image of a gray bird soaring with outstretched wings, looking almost exactly like an ink wash painting.
“Gao-kun, do not be afraid. They are people sent from the main residence to welcome us.”
“If I were scared by just this much, you would be underestimating me terribly.”
The two women bearing naginatas walked up to Tsukiyuki Rio and began conversing in Japanese, which Gao Sijin could not understand at all.
Yu Qingxue translated from the side.
“It’s been a long time, Eldest Miss Tsukiyuki Rio. The Family Head has been thinking of you constantly.”
“Lead the way. Today, I have brought the man to whom I will entrust the rest of my life.”
“Is it this gentleman behind you?”
“Yes.”
“We understand.”
Tsukiyuki Rio took the lead, walking ahead, while Yu Qingxue followed closely behind. Her position was very close to Gao Sijin, as if she were guarding against potential danger at any moment.
As for Tsukiyuki Rio herself, she did not need Yu Qingxue’s special protection. After all, there was no principle in the world of the weak protecting the strong. Whether it was kendo, marksmanship, or agility, Tsukiyuki Rio, who seemed like a sheltered young lady from a noble family, surpassed Yu Qingxue in every aspect. Moreover, Tsukiyuki Rio was the “Prophet” behind the Tsukiyuki Zaibatsu, revered as an almost godlike existence within the Tsukiyuki Family.
Yu Qingxue had even personally witnessed the indifferent expression on Tsukiyuki Rio’s face as she pulled the trigger at the back of her embezzling cousin-uncle’s head.
That cousin-uncle was later buried under the cherry blossom tree at the family mansion. During the flower-viewing season that year, the cherry blossoms bloomed more vividly than ever before.
Yu Qingxue glanced at Gao Sijin with a hint of pity. He had absolutely no idea of the absolute authority Tsukiyuki Rio’s status commanded within the Tsukiyuki Family. The little schemes in Gao Sijin’s heart were nothing more than a source of after-dinner amusement for Tsukiyuki Rio.
“We’ll be arriving soon, Gao-kun~”
Tsukiyuki Rio smiled exceptionally brightly. Gao Sijin finally saw the destination of this trip.
It was completely different from the zaibatsu’s main residence he had initially imagined. The Tsukiyuki Family’s main residence held not a trace of modernity or technology. It was a Japanese-style castle, with cyan-blue roof tiles and white walls, looking somewhat like a one-to-one replica of Himeji Castle.
Though that wasn’t entirely accurate either. Compared to Himeji Castle, the Tsukiyuki Family’s main mansion seemed even larger and more imposing.
“This is your Tsukiyuki Household’s main residence?”
“Yes, Gao-kun. But there’s one thing to correct: it’s not your Tsukiyuki Household’s main residence, but our Tsukiyuki Household’s main residence.”
“I never agreed to marry you.”
They crossed a stone bridge connecting to the other side of the moat. The place exuded an ancient, elegant, and refined atmosphere everywhere.
Gao Sijin remembered that Tsukiyuki Rio was supposed to be a chaebol heiress, right?
But someone living in a place like this should clearly be a princess. Could it be that the Tsukiyuki Clan was an incredibly distinguished family in the past?
He felt that Tsukiyuki Rio carried many secrets that he had no way of knowing. As they walked down the path, the samurai immediately dropped to one knee, heads bowed low, not daring to meet Tsukiyuki Rio’s eyes directly. It gave Gao Sijin the illusion that he was filming a historical drama.
Looking further into the distance, an old man with a snow-white beard, wearing a kimono and holding a folding fan, walked out from the main gate. He spoke in a dignified, heavy tone, saying words Gao Sijin could not understand.
Yu Qingxue translated:
“This old man is the Patriarch of the Tsukiyuki Clan, Tsukiyuki Kyoichi. Welcome to my humble abode, everyone. I am truly honored beyond measure.”
“Is that Tsukiyuki Rio’s grandfather?”
The old man’s gaze hovered between kindness and forcefulness. When he looked at Tsukiyuki Rio, his eyes carried heartfelt pride, yet also a trace of wariness.
Gao Sijin also noticed something amiss.
Tsukiyuki Kyoichi, as the Patriarch of the Tsukiyuki Clan, had personally come out to welcome a junior member of the family. Especially in a place like J-Country, with its strict hierarchical system, it was almost unthinkable.
“Long time no see, Grandfather.”
Tsukiyuki Rio smiled sweetly, showing not the slightest restraint in her demeanor or actions.
It was as if this Japanese castle and the samurai around them were nothing more than superficial playthings.
Gao Sijin kept his head bowed low, feeling that saying the wrong thing here could spell utter disaster.
“And who is this young man?”
Tsukiyuki Kyoichi looked at the unfamiliar young man standing behind Tsukiyuki Rio, a hint of puzzlement on his face.
This was the Tsukiyuki Family’s private land. Only members of the Tsukiyuki Household could enter this castle, where many internal family matters were discussed. The sudden appearance of a stranger came as a surprise to Tsukiyuki Kyoichi.
“Grandfather, he is the man destined by fate to be mine.”
Tsukiyuki Rio stated it simply.
Gao Sijin stood frozen, watching the conversation between grandfather and granddaughter, unable to utter a single word. He could only stand rooted to the spot like a statue.
He had actually been frantically cramming Japanese during this time, but he had absolutely no talent for languages.
The entire exchange had to be translated by Yu Qingxue.
Gao Sijin could see that Tsukiyuki Kyoichi’s expression was somewhat complicated. But after Tsukiyuki Rio whispered a few words to him, Tsukiyuki Kyoichi slowly walked toward Gao Sijin. The elderly man still looked very robust, showing no signs of decrepitude, and his gaze had not grown murky with age.
One could even tell that in his youth, the old man must have been a handsome, dashing gentleman.
“Hello, Mr. Gao. Welcome to the Tsukiyuki Household.”
The old man spoke in rather non-standard Chinese.
This caught Gao Sijin somewhat off guard, making him feel both surprised and flattered.
The Patriarch of the Tsukiyuki Clan had actually, for his sake, specifically switched to Chinese to welcome his arrival. It was something Gao Sijin had never expected.
“As the most honored guest of my clan, please make yourself at home.”
Tsukiyuki Kyoichi then turned his back and led the group into the castle.
From that brief scene just moments ago, Gao Sijin could roughly deduce a few clues.
Namely, Tsukiyuki Rio’s status within the Tsukiyuki Family was probably far higher than he could have imagined. For Gao Sijin, this was anything but good news.
“Gao-kun, I bet you’re feeling especially miserable right now, aren’t you?”
Tsukiyuki Rio slowed her pace by a step to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with Gao Sijin. As always, her snow-white little hand intertwined with his.
“Not at all,” Gao Sijin forced a dry laugh. “To be welcomed like this by your grandfather, I couldn’t be more honored.”
