Free Dream of a Spring Night (Hollow Reed series) by I.J. Parker Page B

father’s disappointment seemed small when measured against it.   But then she knew it could not be because that would mean failure and failure was unacceptable.   Anger against Lady Sanjo stirred.
     
    Without raising her head, she murmured, “She does not like me, Father.   Perhaps her words were not as truthful as they should have been.”  
     
    “Silence!”  
     
    Toshiko tensed.  
     
    “It is of no concern,” her father growled, “what a mere female thinks.   We came here to make our bows to His Majesty and were refused an audience.   How is this?”
     
    Oh, heaven.   “He sees very few people.   He is the Emperor, Father.”
     
    “He sees my daughter.   For that He owes me courtesy.”
     
    “Father, you do not understand—”
     
    “How dare you?”
     
    Toshiko could not control her trembling any longer.   “Forgive me, Father,” she whispered.   “I only meant that customs are different here than at home.”
     
    “How so?”
     
    “I don’t wish to offend again.”
     
    “Speak.”
     
    “Your armor.   Nobody addresses Their Majesties in armor.”
     
    There was brief silence, then her Father said, “The courtiers are glad enough of us in our armor when they need help.   But let it go.   I would have thought that by now you had found his ear.   Was he not pleased with your singing?”
     
    Oh dear!   The imayo.   Toshiko had to make a clean breast of it.   “I have only spoken to His Majesty once.   He asked if I knew imayo, but I was afraid that he would think me very improper if I admitted it.”
     
    “What?”   A roar, followed instantly by another:   “You fool!   That is why he sent for you.”
     
    “Yes, Father.   I know that now, but I did not at first.”
     
    A heavy silence settled over all of them.   Toshiko wondered again if her father would take her home now that all was lost.   Perhaps he would forgive her in time.   Surely he would.   He was just.
     
    After a long time, Oba no Hiramoto said, “Sit up and look at me.”
     
    She obeyed, hoping that the traces of her tears had dried.   Her father studied her appearance.   The anger was gone, replaced by resignation.   With a sigh, he said, “I had high hopes of you, daughter.”
     
    She looked at him without blinking.   “I know, Father.   If I have truly shamed you, I shall gladly die.”
     
    He compressed his lips.   “The fault is perhaps not altogether with you.   You are young.   But you have been taught that, as long as her father lives, a daughter must study his wishes.”
     
    “Yes, Father.   And after he dies, she must study his life so that she may be worthy of her own.”
     
    “You must never bring shame or dishonor on your name.”
     
    “I know, Father.”
     
    “If necessary, a son must die in battle for his family and his lord, but a daughter need only give obedient service.   It is a small thing.”
     
    “Yes, Father.”
     
    Another pregnant pause fell.   Toshiko began to feel a great relief.   She was to be forgiven and taken back into the family.   Her lip trembled and tears of gratitude pricked again at her eyelids, but she held her father’s gaze.
     
    He was the first to look away.   He glanced up at the ceiling and said almost casually, “The great sage himself affirms that the three hundred songs in the world are free from evil thought.”
     
    She frowned, trying to understand.   “The great sage, Father?”
     
    He glanced at her briefly.   “Kung Fu Tse.   Never mind.   You’re just a woman.   It means that your songs are not improper and that you should not be ashamed of them.”
     
    “But you brought Takehira back when he followed the shirabyoshi.   You said they were whores and low dirty women.”
     
    Her father turned red.   “Hold your tongue, girl.”
     
    She put her head down again and whispered, “Forgive me, Father.”
     
    He cleared his throat.
     
    “You must try again,” he said.
     
    “What?”   She was