Heisei To Sengoku - Chapter 71 My Man

Harumi’s private living room was rather spacious but right now it looked cozy. Everywhere stood small tables with a few women sitting on them. In the middle of all the table’s stood tiered cake stands with all kinds of delicious looking food on them. In one corner of the room sat the two tea brewing specialist who were brewing tea for everyone. In total there were a little over thirty ladies. When everyone entered they had payed their respects to Harumi but now she was making the rounds. As a good host it was her job to make everyone feel at home and welcomed. It was kind of strange because she was the new girl in this group of people. Most of the women knew each other already for years. Their husbands had been Daimyo’s for years so it was only natural for them to meet at this kind of events. Still, Harumi didn’t got the feeling that they didn’t accept her. She didn’t know if they all feared her due to her husband or if they really liked her. She didn’t really care either way. She just wanted everyone to have a good time.

“Can you believe it?” One of the ladies whispered to another lady. The two were sitting a table over from where Harumi was at the moment but she could hear their conversation crystal clear.

“I know!” The other lady whispered. “The audacity to bring her here…” Harumi tried to look behind her without looking suspicious to see about whom the ladies were talking. In a corner of the room was a table almost completely empty. One girl sat alone at the table with her back to the rest of the room. She wore a beautiful sky blue kimono and the top part of her hair was put in two loops while the bottom part was braided. Harumi felt pity for the girl sitting all alone in this crowded room.

“Who is that?” Harumi asked the three ladies that were sitting at the same table as her. They quickly looked at the lonely girl before averting their eyes.

“That is the newest concubine of Daimyo Tamura Yoritoshi.” One of the ladies whispered.

“Rumor has it that she worked in the red light district in Edo and that she had drugged Tamura Yoritoshi-sama to get him to buy her.” Another one explained.

“Nothing but trouble comes from her.” The first one said. Harumi looked at the ladies at her table with doubt. She was fairly sure that this were only rumors. Maybe she was from low birth and people made up stories about her. That made Harumi pity her even more.

“If you would excuse me.” Harumi said. “It is time for me to continue the rounds.” The three ladies bowed their heads and thanked her again.

Without being to obvious Harumi walked across the room and sat down at the same table of the lonely girl. Now that she could see her face she almost gasped. This girl was beautiful! She was attracted to men, but damn! If this girl would put the moves on her she wouldn’t mind it one bit! Her skin was milky white and it looked so extremely soft. Just like the skin of a new born baby. Her dark hair had a reddish tint in it and her face was that of a doll.

“Lady Nohime-sama.” The girl greeted her with a bow.

“Thank you for coming….” Harumi said with a kind smile.

“Lady Nishi. One of lord Tamura Yoritoshi’s concubines.” She introduced herself quickly.

“Lady Nishi, are you enjoying yourself?” Harumi asked softly. To her surprise the girl looked at her with tears in her eyes. Lady Nishi had to be around the same age as her but right now she looked so young. Like a small child that was scared of something.

“I am being shunned by all the other ladies since I’m from lowly birth.” She said with a trembling voice.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Harumi said compassionately while she held the hand of lady Nishi for a moment. The girl clearly never received this treatment. For a moment she flinched but then she relaxed and gave Harumi a smile.

“The rumors are true.” She said still smiling.

“What rumors?” Harumi asked.

“About what a wonderful person the legal wife of lord Oda Nobunaga-sama is.” Lady Nishi answered what made Harumi blush.

“Actually I have a favor to ask.” Lady Nishi said shyly after they had been talking for a while. It was already the end of the afternoon and slowly some of the other ladies came to say goodbye to Harumi for now. They wanted a few hours to get ready for the banquet that evening.

“Sure, ask away.” Harumi said with a smile. It felt like she had made a new friend and was happy to help her in any way she could.

“A while ago lord Tamura Yoritoshi-sama was in quite a tough spot. Thanks to Lords Nobunaga-sama he managed to overcome that.” She explained. “I wish to personally thank Lord Oda Nobunaga for his aid back then.” Harumi though for a while, about how she could help her new friend.

“I know that it is inappropriate, but you can thank Nobunaga tonight at the banquet.” Harumi said. For a split second there was a weird expression in lady Nishi’s eyes before she turned back to normal. Harumi must have imagined it.

“Thank you.” Lady Nishi said while bowing her head. At that moment Lin-chan quietly walked to Harumi’s side.

“Ladr Nobunaga wished to convey a message.” She said when Harumi looked at her, giving her the OK to speak. “He is done early with all the negotiations and he wished for his wife to accompany him before the banquet.” Lin-chan continued. In a flash Harumi’s heart began to race and her eyes lit up. They were both so busy the last couple of days that she didn’t have to chance to really see him and properly talk to him.

“Please tell him that I’ll be there as soon as possible.” Harumi said to Lin-chan who excused herself to convey her reply.

“I’ll excuse myself. I’m rather tired. I’m looking forward for tonight.” Lady Nishi said when they were alone again. Harumi said her farewells for now and moved to another table while her new friend quietly left the room.