Japan's Sengoku Period: The Sanada Clan's Ambition

Chapter 114 Just make do, what else can we do but divorce?

"Pack your things!"

"I want to go back to Kyoto!"

Inside the Sanada residence, Yamate-dono lay on a box, tears streaming down her face, ignoring Mrs. Muramatsu's repeated attempts to persuade her.

"Your father is really something!"

"That explains why I've been going to Ueno so much these past few years!"

"I was so stupid to actually think he was going to soak in the hot springs."

"I can't believe it, you already have a child!"

Before even entering the house, Sanada Nobuyuki could already hear Yamate-dono's complaints from inside.

Sanada Masayuki was standing at the door, unsure whether to go in or not.

Seeing Sanada Masayuki's still shaken expression, Sanada Nobuyuki couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

Actually, it wasn't a big deal. It was just that a couple of years ago, when Sanada Masayuki was soaking in a hot spring in Kusatsu, he met a local woman by chance and couldn't control himself.

Such things were quite normal in Japan's Sengoku period. Given Sanada Masayuki's status, it would have been common for him to have three or five concubines.

However, for some reason, Sanada Masayuki didn't tell Lord Yamate about this and secretly settled the woman named Ato in Iwato Castle.

And she also had a four-year-old son.

This was unacceptable to Yamate-dono.

If this gets out, who knows what outsiders will think of her?
Rumors will surely spread throughout the territory that Yamate-dono is jealous and therefore prevents Sanada Masayuki from taking a concubine.

"Alright, Mother, things have come to this point. Why don't we listen to what Father has to say?" Mrs. Muramatsu naturally advised kindly.

Sanada Masayuki and Yamate-dono have been married for many years and their relationship has always been very good.

There's no need to make a big fuss over something like this.

"Just make do, what else can we do but get a divorce?"

"Does Mother intend to give that Adten position?" Mrs. Muramatsu continued.

Upon hearing this, Yamate-dono realized what was going on, immediately stopped crying, and just stood there stunned.

Hearing that the noise inside had subsided considerably, Nobuyuki Sanada outside the door quickly gave Masayuki Sanada a wink.

Sanada Masayuki had no choice but to muster his courage and push open the door.

Yamate-dono had calmed down, but his emotions became agitated again after seeing Sanada Masayuki.

Sanada Masayuki quickly stepped forward, grasped Yamate-dono's hand, and pulled him into his arms.

"Ah Xun, what are you doing?"

"After all these years, don't you still understand my feelings?"

Yamate-dono was stunned by the sudden hug and even showed a shy expression.

"What are you doing? Asong and Genzaburo are still here." Yamate-dono gave Sanada Masayuki a shy shove.

If it weren't for Sanada Masayuki's sweet talk, how could he have gotten such a good deal with so many samurai in the Takeda clan?

“What I did to Ade was wrong, but it is precisely because you are the only one in my heart that I have not taken her as a concubine.”

"I will cherish Anfang for the rest of my life, and you, Ah Xun, are my only wife."

"You must know how much I love you, Ah-Xun?" Sanada Masayuki's words implied, "Look at me, I don't even take a concubine. How much do I love you?"
Inside the house, upon hearing Sanada Masayuki's words, Sanada Nobuyuki could only call him a scumbag.

That's impressive!

Sure enough, after hearing Sanada Masayuki's explanation, Yamate-dono smiled.

"If I hadn't accidentally bumped into that child, were you planning to keep it from me forever?" Yamate suddenly pouted again, broke free from Sanada Masayuki's embrace, and said with a haughty expression.

“How could that be? I, Awa no Kami, am not the kind of person who would dare to do something but not dare to take responsibility!” Sanada Masayuki quickly shook his head in denial.

As he spoke, Sanada Masayuki reached out and tried to pull Yamate-dono back into his arms, "It's just that I haven't had a chance to tell Kaoru yet."

"But it's good now that you already know, so I don't have to explain anymore."

"So what are you planning to do next?" Yamate turned away, refusing to cooperate, and began demanding an explanation from Sanada Masayuki.

Sanada Masayuki quickly looked at Sanada Nobuyuki with pleading eyes.

Nobuyuki Sanada had no choice but to speak up, "Mother, Father is already preparing to have that child adopted into the Kiso family."

"It's all thanks to that child, otherwise it would have been Genjiro."

"No, Genjiro can't go." Yamate's expression changed, and he quickly said, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's get that child adopted out right away."

Sanada Nobuyuki continued, "In that case, the child will have to be given a proper status. In my opinion, the father of this concubine is still indispensable."

“Father!” Sanada Nobuyuki suddenly stepped forward, grabbing Sanada Masayuki with one hand and holding Yamate-dono’s hand with the other. “I know that Father’s heart is with Mother, but for the sake of the Sanada family and for the sake of Genjiro, please be sure to take Ato as a concubine.”

"Please, Father. It's all for the sake of the Sanada family. Mother will certainly not blame me." Sanada Nobuyuki winked at Sanada Masayuki, who looked completely bewildered.

Then she turned to look at Yamate-dono, "Isn't that right, Mother?"

Prince Yamate nodded subconsciously.

Seeing this, Sanada Masayuki quickly seized the opportunity to back down, but still feigned modesty, saying, "Since it's for the Sanada family, then I'll reluctantly agree to take a concubine." After saying this, the father and son exchanged glances.

Nobuyuki Sanada: How do you plan to thank me?

Sanada Masayuki: Good lad, I haven't spoiled you for nothing!
Seeing that the situation was under control, Nobuyuki Sanada and Mrs. Muramatsu quickly left the house, leaving Masayuki Sanada and Lord Yamate alone for a while.

"Gensaburo, I never noticed before, but you're quite the smooth talker."

"After going to Kyoto, you must have picked up some bad habits from those people there," Mrs. Muramatsu joked.

“Sister is right, the people of Kyoto are indeed rotten.” Nobuyuki Sanada nodded vigorously.

Mrs. Muramatsu nodded in deep agreement.

"What's your brother-in-law up to lately?"

"I haven't seen him in a long time." Nobuyuki Sanada inquired about Shigeaki Oyamada's recent situation.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Muramatsu's face immediately darkened. "Your brother-in-law went to the Hojo family."

"What are you going to Hojo for?" Although the Hojo clan has withdrawn its troops, the Sanada and Hojo clans are still at war.

“It was Father who sent him,” Mrs. Muramatsu explained. “After Oyamada Echizen-no-kami was executed by the Oda family, many of the Oyamada family’s samurai fled to Musashi for refuge.”

"Father asked your brother-in-law to go to Musashi to contact these former retainers of Takeda and see if any of them are willing to return to Shinano to serve the main family."

"But your brother-in-law didn't take me with him. He's been gone for two months without even a letter. He must be following in Father's footsteps, seducing women outside, and has completely forgotten about me!" Mrs. Muramatsu said through gritted teeth.

Hearing his sister's complaints, Nobuyuki Sanada could only patiently persuade her, saying that Shigeaki Oyamada must have encountered something he couldn't get out of, which was why he hadn't returned.

Shigemasa Oyamada has indeed run into trouble.

Hachioji Castle is located in the western part of Musashi Province, adjacent to Kai Province.

Hojo Ujitsugu, the third son of Hojo Ujiyasu, built this castle in 1571 as an important military stronghold in Musashi Province to defend against the Takeda clan, and also to protect Odawara Castle.

When the Takeda clan was destroyed, the Oda clan issued a "Takeda Pursuit Order." As a result, many Takeda family members and samurai fled to Musashi to escape the pursuit and hid near Hachioji Castle.

At this moment, in the Heart Source Temple outside the castle of Hachioji.

Shigeaki Oyamada paced back and forth at the door, scratching his head. The sound of Buddhist scriptures being chanted inside sounded like incantations to him.

"Lord Oyamada, you should leave. Shinmatsu said she wants to stay here to pray for the lost."

Just then, a nun came down the corridor.

"What about the others?"

"They are too young and still need the care of Xinsongni." The nun had lost count of how many times Oyamada Shigeaki had come to Xinyuan Temple, and she would repeat these words every time he came.

Shigemasa Oyamada had no choice but to continue waiting.

I don't know how much time passed, but the chanting inside finally stopped.

Then, the door opened.

A young woman wearing a white headscarf slowly walked out.

Oyamada Shigeaki quickly bowed and said, "Lady Matsuhime."

“Since you have already become a nun, just call me Xinsongni,” the young woman said calmly.

Matsutsuhime was the daughter of Takeda Shingen. She was once engaged to Oda Nobutada, but the marriage was called off during the Battle of Mikatagahara.

After the Takeda clan was destroyed, Oda Nobutada invited Matsuhime to Kyoto, but before she could set off, the Honnoji Incident broke out.

Upon learning of Oda Nobutada's death, Matsuhime stayed in Musashi and later became a nun, taking the Buddhist name Shinsho-ni.

"Madam, I have been entrusted by my lord to come and lead everyone back to Shinano."

"Now that our lord has reclaimed Shinano, although it's not as powerful as Kai, it's still part of the Takeda clan," Oyamada Shigemasa continued earnestly.

However, Shinsune was determined and replied firmly, "There's no need to mention this matter anymore. The Takeda family no longer exists, so what home do I have?"

“Doesn’t the lady have an older sister in Echigo? If she doesn’t want to go to Shinano, how about going to Echigo?” Oyamada Shigeaki continued.

Shinsune was born to Lady Aburakawa, a concubine of Takeda Shingen, and his elder sister, Kikuhime, was the principal wife of Uesugi Kagekatsu. He also had two younger brothers, Nishina Morinobu and Katsuyama Nobusada, but both died during the Koshu Campaign.

Upon hearing his sister's name, Xin Songni's face showed a hint of interest, but he quickly sighed and said with a touch of helplessness, "You've seen it yourself during this time. There are still many children here. Even if I can leave, can we just leave these children unattended?"

"The Sanada and Hojo clans are still at war. You should leave quickly. If the Hojo clan finds you, you won't be able to leave either."

When Shinsune escaped from Kai, he was with a group of children, including Takeda Katsuyori's daughter, Sadahime; Oyamada Nobushige's daughter, Kaguhime; Nishina Morinobu's daughter, Kotokuhime, and so on, all of whom were young children.

Adults might be able to walk, but how can they run with a child? Especially right under the Hojo family's nose.

Seeing that Shinsune's attitude was firm, Oyamada Shigemasa had no choice but to say, "I will not waste any more words. If you are willing to leave, you can send a message to Shinano at any time. Our family will do our best to bring you and your party back to Shinano."

"Here's a little money, consider it a token of my appreciation." With that, Oyamada Shigeaki put down a few gold coins and turned to leave.

Xin Songni didn't speak, but silently put the golden bean into his bosom. Raising so many children was no easy task.

"Shinano, Echigo," Shinsune murmured.

"Perhaps it's time to think about the children."

　Hachioji Castle is not strictly speaking finished yet, but I'm still labeling it Hachioji for the sake of clarity.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)