Free A Tale of False Fortunes by Fumiko Enchi

her, all of whom were wearing the same robes of mourning. The empress’ grief-stricken appearance, with her sleeves drawn together, was so captivating as to surprise an observer that, depending on the wearer, dark robes could arouse such wistfulness.
    “Since he has not seen your highness’ face for some time now, I can tell that the emperor is not in good spirits. With due respect for your highness’ grief, I ask that you take strength and meet with him. . . .” Ukon no Naishi’s tone was encouraging as she handed the emperor’s letter to the empress, who wiped her eyelids, swollen from weeping, and opened it. Looking at the 46 c A Tale of False Fortunes beautiful, masculine cursive hand, the empress could not help feeling pleased that in the short time she had not seen him, his handwriting had matured to such neatness. Although he was the first man with whom she had been intimate, in the mind of the empress—who was five years his senior—he was always like a younger brother on whom she lavished affection.
    Michinaga had already told the emperor that he must not meet with the empress because she was mourning the regent’s passing. Yet knowing that she was within the same palace compound, he simply had to spend at least one night with her. Since she could not be openly summoned, would she mind mingling with the ladies-in-waiting who would be returning with Ukon no Naishi? He missed her sorely, and moreover there were many things he needed to discuss with her. . . .
    Such was the gist of the emperor’s letter. For some time the empress buried her face in the letter, her comely eyebrows beneath the forelocks tumbling over her face alternately appearing and disappearing as her eyes followed the vertical cursive lines. Although she was older than the emperor and possessed an unusually intelligent nature, her status in society was nevertheless backed by few years, and she had, up to that point, not been tempered by adversities. Fortune had been on her side when she, as the regent’s daughter, had met with favor. Now, with the sudden passing of her father, even Ukon was pained by thoughts of the fate that might be looming before the lovely empress.
    Thus the empress ended up going secretly to the emperor’s evening quarters, mingled in the ranks of Ukon’s attendants.
    There is no way of knowing what kind of sweet nothings passed between the two royal personages that night, but the emperor seemed to accept the empress’ petition, and was of a mind to have Korechika continue in the regency.
    Although the ladies-in-waiting attending the emperor were strictly forbidden to tell anyone about the empress’ secret visit, it was immediately made known to the steward of the empress’
    household. Michinaga at once informed the empress dowager, who went to Teishi the next day and determined that the latter’s residence would henceforth be the upper quarters of the Koki-Chapter Two c 47

    den Palace, which was linked to the emperor’s evening quarters by a single passageway. The empress dowager would easily be able to maintain surveillance, and it would henceforth be impossible for the empress to visit the emperor in secret. In spite of their proximity, it was as though they were separated by a raging torrent. They were reduced to helpless fretting, with no way to speak to one another.
    In deciding whether formally to appoint Korechika to the regency or to hand it over to Lord Awata (Michikane), who had already been made minister of the right, the emperor had interests at stake that were in every way equal to those of the empress dowager, of Korechika, or of Michinaga. For that very reason Michitaka had given the emperor a warning shortly before his death. The empress dowager summoned the emperor to her quarters and once again admonished him, saying that appointing Michikane to the regency would be an impartial and magnanimous decision, the kind of judgment a sovereign should make. The emperor was astute enough to grasp the