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

Chapter 29 Wedding
Nobuyuki Sanada really had no choice.

To be honest, Xiao Xing was indeed quite good-looking; even from the perspective of later generations' aesthetics, she could be considered a beauty in the making.

But since the two were close relatives, Sanada Nobuyuki really couldn't bring himself to do it.

It's not that I'm pretending to be a saint; his nine years of compulsory education really didn't teach him to do such a thing.

Ordinary reasons naturally wouldn't convince Sanada Masayuki, so Sanada Nobuyuki could only resort to this theory.

The core idea is that while marrying Koyuki is beneficial to the Sanada family at present, what if the Sanada family continues to expand its territory in the future?

Should we choose a more powerful daimyo as the marriage partner?

“Genzaburo, even so, the engagement between you and Koyuki was ultimately arranged by Katsuyori.”

"Our main family serves as retainers of the Takeda clan."

“Father!” Sanada Nobuyuki interrupted Sanada Masayuki, “Our main family is now a retainer of the Oda clan, and the Takeda clan is a thing of the past.”

“I know that my father’s wish is to restore the Takeda family’s territory. That’s why we need a strong ally even more.”

“For example, the Uesugi clan, or even the Hojo or Tokugawa clans, right?” Sanada Nobuyuki continued to persuade.

Sanada Masayuki remained silent.

Finally, Sanada Masayuki sighed, "Your marriage is on hold for now, but how are we going to explain this to Koyuki?"

Yes, we can't just call off the engagement, can we?

That's Sanada Nobutsuna's daughter, the daughter of the former head of the clan. Doing this will definitely provoke resentment from the retainers.

At that time, comments such as "Did you, Masayuki Sanada, forget about the person who planted the tree after you picked the peaches?" will surely cause turmoil within the territory.

"I'll go talk to Xiaoxing."

"Be nice to her. That child is sensitive; don't let her suffer any injustice," Sanada Masayuki whispered to her.

"Yes!"

Nobuyuki Sanada got up and went back inside.

When Koyuki saw that Sanada Nobuyuki had returned alone, and then looked outside and found that Sanada Masayuki was nowhere to be seen, she immediately lowered her head shyly.

"Lord Genzaburo, it's a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to your guidance." Xiaoxing's soft voice rang out, and the tone, which was similar to a "naturally sweet" voice, made Sanada Nobuyuki feel a shiver run through his body.

Sanada Nobuyuki quickly said, "Sachi, do you know why your father brought you here?"

"Of course I'll marry Lord Genzaburo." Koyuki squinted her eyes, a look of joy appearing on her face.

Sanada Nobuyuki crossed his legs and faced Koyuki, saying, "Although this may hurt your feelings, I still have to say it: this marriage may not be able to take place."

"Huh?" Xiaoxing looked bewildered, and tears welled up in her eyes, as if she might burst into tears at any moment.

"Has there been anything I did that displeased Lord Genzaburo?"

Seeing this, Nobuyuki Sanada quickly comforted him, "No, no, no, it's not your fault."

"To be honest, I was unaware of the marriage agreement beforehand, so I agreed to the Oda family's marriage proposal." After saying this, Sanada Nobuyuki lowered his head somewhat embarrassedly.

I really feel bad about lying to a young girl.

"It's alright." Unexpectedly, Xiaoxing suddenly smiled and said, "I can be a concubine. Lord Genzaburo was forced to marry such a noblewoman for the sake of the Sanada family. I'm sure Lord Genzaburo is also very troubled."

distressed?

It doesn't exist at all.

If the Oda family really wants to marry a princess to us, I'll even accept the Oda surname. That's how we make it official.
"Wouldn't it be a bit of a hardship for you to be a concubine?" Nobuyuki Sanada asked cautiously.

No, this isn't about side rooms or not; it's a matter of principle.

Before Sanada Nobuyuki could speak again, Ayuki on the other side declared directly, "For the Sanada family, I am willing to do anything."

"What's more, Lord Genzaburo is so outstanding and extraordinary." After saying that, Koyuki looked at Sanada Nobuyuki with eyes full of admiration.

This is really bad. What am I going to do if I encounter someone who's love-struck?

"But if the retainers find out about this, it will cause a riot."

"It's alright, I will personally explain to everyone that I voluntarily became a concubine," Xiaoxing waved her hand and said sincerely. Sanada Nobuyuki:
Nobuyuki Sanada miscalculated.

He thought he could persuade the girl with his silver tongue, but no matter how eloquent Sanada Nobuyuki was, Nobuyuki only said one sentence from beginning to end.

"It's alright, it's all for the Sanada family."

"If it's Lord Genzaburo, I'll do anything you ask."

"Lord Genzaburo is my heaven and earth."

Since it is a side room, everything is kept simple.

Apart from the Sanada family's retainers and other members of the local populace, no one else was invited.

After holding a small banquet, Ayumi publicly told the retainers that she had volunteered to be a concubine and hoped that everyone would continue to unite and work hard for the Sanada family.

The banquet went on until late at night, with everyone coming over to urge Sanada Nobuyuki to drink.

Although Sanada Nobuyuki has only been back in Sanada territory for a few months, his abilities have already been unanimously recognized by his retainers.

Especially in mediating between Uesugi and Hojo, and in dealing with matters such as Mori Nagayoshi and Takigawa Kazumasu of the Oda clan, Sanada Nobuyuki has successfully established sufficient prestige within the family.

More importantly, Sanada Nobuyuki's status as the heir to the Sanada family had long been established (the character "幸" is used in both "marrying Ayuki" and "receiving the Sanada family title," while Sanada Nobushige does not have the character "幸").

Therefore, from today onwards, Nobuyuki Sanada's position in the family is unshakeable.

"Lord Genzaburo, have some soup to sober up."

After helping Nobuyuki Sanada back to his room, Koyuki went to the kitchen and cooked him a bowl of hangover soup.

This is a soup made by cooking red beans and chestnuts together, and it has a sweet flavor.

After finishing a full bowl of soup, Nobuyuki Sanada felt a little better.

Although the rice wine of that era had a very low alcohol content, it was still enough for dozens of people to drink it all.

"feel better now?"

"Thank you for your hard work, Yuki." Sanada Nobuyuki looked at Yuki with a complicated expression.

Although he found it hard to accept, since the die was cast, Nobuyuki Sanada had no choice but to go with the flow.

"Lord Genzaburo, may I know who your future principal wife will be?"

"What's your personality like? Are you easy to get along with? I'd like to prepare in advance." Ah Xing smiled slightly, revealing a crescent moon.

His well-behaved and sensible demeanor left Nobuyuki Sanada speechless, as if he were watching a science fiction movie.

"Lord Genzaburo, why are you looking at me like that?" Ayumi felt flustered under Sanada Nobuyuki's gaze, her chest heaving and her heart pounding.

Sanada Nobuyuki snapped out of his daze and quickly said, "It's nothing. It's too early to talk about the legal wife. I'll tell you when the time comes."

Where did this so-called legal wife come from? Even Sanada Nobuyuki himself didn't know which mother's womb this legal wife was in.

"Alright, it's getting late, let's get some rest." Nobuyuki Sanada pulled the blanket over himself.

A hint of anticipation flashed in Ayumi's eyes before she lay down next to Sanada Nobuyuki.

Just as Nobuyuki Sanada closed his eyes and was about to drift off to sleep, he suddenly felt something slip into his blankets.

Wait, what is that?
"Ah Xing, what are you doing?"

"That's how my wet nurse taught me."

"What's wrong, Lord Genzaburo? Did I do something wrong?" A gruff voice came from under the covers.

Nobuyuki Sanada couldn't help but shudder. So Japanese women from hundreds of years ago were already this good?
"Continue without you."

"hiss"

　Koyuki: Daughter of Sanada Nobutsuna, she married Sanada Nobuyuki in history, ensuring the legitimacy of Sanada Masayuki's line of succession as head of the Sanada family.

　　The couple had a son, Sanada Nobuyoshi, who was posthumously known as: Seion-in-dono Tokuyo Enju Ōne.

　　Historically, the Asai family in Omi Province was similar. Asai Ryomasa married his cousin and inherited the Asai family as an adopted son-in-law. He then consolidated the family's power, thereby sidelining the Kyogoku family and gaining control of northern Omi Province.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)