Interlude: The Emperor

For the second time that week, someone from the back palace had broken protocol and entered his court without an audience.

This time was particularly egregious, given they were discussing the internal attack on the barracks that led to the injury of one of their own.

“Your Grace!” Sayuri cried out, stopping to catch her breath.

“Has your sister not taught you etiquette?” The Shizhong called out, stepping in front of the young girl.

“She has, but this is urgent!” Two guards were approaching to remove the girl from the court.

“Jiro-san is awake!”

The guards stopped, relief showing on their faces. Even the Shizhong and the Emperor gave a sigh.

“That is wonderful news, but next time…”

“That’s not all!” Sayuri cried out, ducking around the Shizhong and the guards, appealing directly to the Emperor. “He said that he knows where Kitsuya is heading!”

The three chancellors and the Emperor stared at the girl and one of them made to speak but the Emperor raised his hand.

“Sayuri, is it?”

Sayuri gasped, surprised that the Emperor knew her name. She made the most polite bow in her life, staying bent as she continued speaking.

“Yes, your Grace.”

The Emperor studied the girl as his Shizhong stood flabbergasted at the audacity of one of the lowest ranked members of the back palace having bypassed every bit of decorum.

“We were just discussing the errant Kitsuya and what to do.” The Emperor’s gaze never left the still bowing girl, the three chancellors also stunned by the scene in front of them. “If it is true that Jiro told you where to find that rogue, I would very much like to know where. Lift your head, Sayuri.”

Sayuri awkwardly stood at full height, suddenly realizing the gravity of the situation. Multiple guards, the Shizhong, the three chancellors and the Emperor himself were all staring daggers into the young girl. It made her appreciate Kaede’s few appearances in the court even more, realizing the pressure she must’ve felt each time. She took a few slow, deep breaths before running down what had led to Kitsuya and Jiro’s conflict the night before.

Sayuri spoke slowly and clearly, the pressure making her more nervous by the moment as everyone remained silent, listening to her narration of the events, as Jiro had passed along to her. Her eyes danced between all the faces staring her down, but she avoided the gaze of the Emperor.

“That doesn’t tell us where he is…” The Shizhong muttered and Sayuri panicked, realizing she had only told the events leading to the old guard being bedridden. She took another deep breath, steeling all of her willpower to meet the Emperor’s eyes before saying:

“Jiro-san said that Kitsuya is going after Kaede and Gakuto! There was something he thought that Jiro-san had, that Kaede actually had!”

The three chancellors all muttered, having heard about Hinoki’s improprieties from a few cycles earlier, feeling this was a plot. Yet the Emperor’s eyes remained on Sayuri’s, as she clenched her fists tightly.

“Do you not understand!? Kitsuya is going to Tsuiraku! If you want to catch him, that’s where we should head!”

The guards also muttered and the Shizhong looked exasperated, stepping forward to grab Sayuri’s arm and drag her out.

“That is what Jiro said?” The Emperor firmly stated, stopping all chatter and movement in the chambers. Sayuri meekly nodded, gulping slightly. The Emperor stared at her for another moment before turning to his chancellors.

“Prepare a vessel to head to Tsuiraku immediately!”

Sayuri sighed as the Shizhong released his grip, glaring at the young girl.

“Sayuri.” The Emperor’s voice snapped her back to attention.

“I’m trusting your word as a messenger for Jiro. If it's wrong, you know the consequences, don’t you?”

Sayuri gulped again, nodding her head nervously. The Emperor was not the man to make a fool of.