Sachiko had been surprised to see this showing up a few days later. She thought that the Satou clan had ignored her letter, as she thought they would have done so at this point. And thus, she was coming here. Being over for tea, something she knew that would take time and allow them to discuss things without being strange.

And it was better that it had been between two women, perhaps as a chance for her to become a part of the social scene. Make connections and see who was available for her, or who would be asking for her hand. This was something that many assumed she was here for, rather than to help her family’s fortunes. Taking advantage of this to make alliances, and this was her front.

Heiresses should not be underestimated to say the least. They held great wealth, even if they were underestimated. But some of them had more wealth than twenty man combined, and some would say that it was unnatural. But not so, as long as she knew how to keep her power. Even when married, a woman was not powerless and she did not fully cease to exist.

And even now, she was able to leverage herself. The same could be said even later. The palanquin stopped, with Kaede at the side of her. Lifting the cloth and helping her to get out, it was a quick one either.

And at the front had been the footman who was bowing upon meeting her. Before showing her the way into the house, and bringing her to the study room. Not the tea room, this was an important distinction in terms of its size.

Inside, was a young woman. Her face had been emotionless, she held a fan. Her kimono was a dark blue kimono, her hair was into a high ponytail. The sleeves had been tight, barely a few inches from her hands. While Sachiko’s had been slightly longer. She turned to see her before giving a curt bow.

Sachiko returned it as well. Before taking the chance to have a seat. Taking a seat, even as a maidservant poured a cup of coffee. She looked at it in skepticism. Even as the door opened to reveal Enyou stepping in. The most shocking thing in that moment. Her sleeves were far longer, and today she chose to wear a paler orange dress.

Before seating right next to her. “So, you both happen to be in an alliance.”

“Precisely.” As Enyou took the cup to drink from it. “It became easier for us to join together since our enemies became one and the same. From those who wish to rise and take our position, funny as it may seem. And those whom we owed a lot to.”

And thus it served them better to simply do it together. Even as it might end in the near future. “So, when you came to them you also came to me.” And effective explanation, even as it was curt.

“It would also be easier to have them come to me first. Since they were spies first and foremost and her safe places to do this discussion.” And here might not be so, given that her own estate had spies in them. And who knows what else she might find there.

“The shogun assigns a spy here, that is a definite in this city. He can’t stretch his surveillance to the ends of the country, and instead chooses to track the correspondence coming in and out. It just needs to be something suspicious. That was something we had filled while we served him.” And thus, it would be common to say that it had occurred. “But in times of greater trust, they mostly waited until there was something truly suspicious. A rumor spreading around, to finally send someone there to see whether it needs to be so.”

“And for us, we were effectively diplomats and spies of the Shogun to the Emperor.” Having chose to stand by their side, and taking the lucrative appointment as a delegate between the two parties. And could also mean as a spy for both at any times. Even as they were retired because Misaki had been a woman.

“Does this mean that the relationship is not always cordial?”

“Far from it. A lot of Emperors resented the Shoguns, for their break in traditions. And the shoguns resented the Emperors for their lack of understanding of their vision. Which could be said to have brought much help to us, if we remained closed who knows just what sort of world we would have ended up living.” But it was far from the whole picture.

Their relationship would have varied and depended on each shogun, more so than anywhere else. And this was the selling point of their connection. She would know intimately just how the imperial court could hold sway over them, and of the effects of it. It would also mean fully understanding perhaps who was behind it. It seemed too simple to blame one without factoring in the other.

“But this is something you know of.” She nodded. Even as they lifted their cup to drink. “And something I can bargain for.”

“And also, important information about the truth behind certain events. One where the official story does not cover everything and omitted quite a bit. But that comes with a price, as only we have records of it.” Perhaps for future use against the Emperors of the shoguns. And that was all she needed from her right now.