Free A Tale of False Fortunes by Fumiko Enchi Page B

power would likely be handed over to Michikane according to the empress dowager’s entreaty, and even when she saw her ladies-in-waiting in a state of distraction, weeping with disappointment, she did not lose her composure.
    Middle Counselor Takaie was the first to visit her, and said:
    “You’re weak after all, aren’t you? At this rate, you’ll never win in any future rounds with the empress dowager.” In spite of her younger brother’s reproachful tone of voice, the empress said with a faint smile, “You still don’t understand the mind of a woman. No matter how spineless I seem to myself, when I really consider the matter, it’s the emperor who is to be pitied for having to agonize over this. I can’t bear to look at him.
    If I said this to our older brother or to our grandfather, there’s no telling how much they might resent me for it. But yesterday when I heard that it had been decided to appoint Michikane to the regency, I was actually relieved.”
    “It’s disheartening to see that you’re so weak-spirited, you who ought to provide the focus for our family now that our father has passed away. But the recent proclamation on the regency is only a formality at this point, and both Korechika and I think that the real battle is yet to be fought. Michikane is ill from the current epidemic, and is only getting worse. His life will probably soon end. What is really frightening is not Michikane, but the next person.”
    “You mean the steward, Michinaga?”
    “That’s right. I’ve been on rather close terms with that uncle of ours, but in my judgment, if the power of government passes on to him, I’m afraid it will never return to our family. The empress dowager looks on him with special favor, and I think she secretly harbors a desire to have the regency given to Michi-50 c A Tale of False Fortunes naga rather than Michikane.” Upon saying this, Takaie drew closer to the empress and tugged at the sleeve of her dark gray robe. “If such a time comes, then you must not fail to manipulate the emperor’s feelings. No doubt, it must be painful for him to think that he has disappointed you and Korechika this time.
    And, of course, his majesty misses your affection. But think, too, of what will become of the prince who is sure to be born eventually. Korechika is very talented, but there is something weak-spirited about him, and as a politician he is no match for our uncle. But I’ll be able to help our brother. I may be young and of low rank now, but one day when the prince you’ll bear grows up, I’ll be his advisor and wield as much power as our uncle. At certain times, of course, political power shifts because of circumstances, but at the same time it’s also a showdown. As far as I can see, the sway you hold over the emperor is in no way weaker than that of the empress dowager. What is weak is your own spirit. Resolve that you will not give in if another opportunity like this should come around. Otherwise, you’re sure to regret it later.”
    Takaie’s words were spoken softly, but his eyes were brimming with an intense light.
    The empress heaved a sigh and said, “I don’t believe that sort of strength of character is in me. All of you are unfortunate to have such a spineless sister.”
    “You speak that way, but the rumor among everyone on the side of the empress dowager and our uncle is that the influence you have on the emperor’s mind is just like that of Yang Kuei-fei in China.”
    “The fact that they see me as Yang Kuei-fei has less to do with me than with the Japanese and Chinese books I studied under our mother’s guidance since I was small. People may talk about a woman’s talents, but it seems to be difficult for them to ascertain her personal character. In my own real intentions, there is no such bold cunning at all.”
    As the empress spoke, there was in her noble visage an unusual, severe luminance, like that of the moon on a cold night. For a while Takaie stared at her