Well, things are getting interesting. Firstly Arikoto and Chie fell in love for real. Secondly Arikoto established order in Ooku. He has assigned some admin duties for the remaining two concubines and started to conduct discussion sessions with the participation of the majority of Ooku population. Since he cannot practice the sword, he has started archery and slowly beginning to be better at it. As you may have guessed one year has passed. Chie proved herself to be a clever politician. And young men in the country are still dying of red small pox.
However, there is still no heir. Kasuga blames Arikoto and of course she looks for a new candidate. She found someone at a nearby area. Sozeto is good looking and looks healthy. He is the son of a second hand clothes store owner and currently works as a gigolo. Despite looking like a prince, he has no manner, an atrocious accent (good job subtitle team who made it easy for the non Japanese viewer to distinguish it), he doesn't like to work and he has no qualms sleeping with women for money.
He is introduced to the other concubines and his meeting was very different from Arikoto's first one. Arikoto treated him with kindness, not sugar coat things but gently explaining them. So Kasuga thought it would be good for Arikoto to train Suzeto (that woman is going to reach a bad end I suppose). Of course Arikoto is not happy with the situtation but he has the intelligence to ask Kasuga why. And of course Kasuga explains that keeping the Tokugawa shogunate intact will avoid war. So Arikoto finally sees the light. Talks to Chie who wildly opposed to the idea. She doesn't want anyone else, only Arikoto. I can understand her very well. Also she says the birth of her daughter was very difficult and something must have gone wrong and that is why she cannot get pregnant. Not because Arikoto has faulty seeds.
Gyokuei, the side kick is not a very good swordsman and he is still as misguided as he is. Instead of following Arikoto's example, trying to better his mind, he assumed the role of Arikoto's protector. Thinking Arikoto needs someone who will get angry in his stead. Arikoto is patient and understanding. Of course he never gets angry (aahhh Arikoto, why don't you exsist in real life??)
There is a side plot of Kasuga's son (who everyone thinks is dead), Shogun impersonator. His wife and two kids still mourn for him even after all these years and he misses them terribly. There is tension between Kasuga and her daughter in law Yuki - she instinctively senses that he husband may not be dead.
Meanwhile Tender is the Night is so good that I have formed a bond with the characters and they are all very sad. This one is not a pleasant read but very filling and good.
However, there is still no heir. Kasuga blames Arikoto and of course she looks for a new candidate. She found someone at a nearby area. Sozeto is good looking and looks healthy. He is the son of a second hand clothes store owner and currently works as a gigolo. Despite looking like a prince, he has no manner, an atrocious accent (good job subtitle team who made it easy for the non Japanese viewer to distinguish it), he doesn't like to work and he has no qualms sleeping with women for money.
He is introduced to the other concubines and his meeting was very different from Arikoto's first one. Arikoto treated him with kindness, not sugar coat things but gently explaining them. So Kasuga thought it would be good for Arikoto to train Suzeto (that woman is going to reach a bad end I suppose). Of course Arikoto is not happy with the situtation but he has the intelligence to ask Kasuga why. And of course Kasuga explains that keeping the Tokugawa shogunate intact will avoid war. So Arikoto finally sees the light. Talks to Chie who wildly opposed to the idea. She doesn't want anyone else, only Arikoto. I can understand her very well. Also she says the birth of her daughter was very difficult and something must have gone wrong and that is why she cannot get pregnant. Not because Arikoto has faulty seeds.
Gyokuei, the side kick is not a very good swordsman and he is still as misguided as he is. Instead of following Arikoto's example, trying to better his mind, he assumed the role of Arikoto's protector. Thinking Arikoto needs someone who will get angry in his stead. Arikoto is patient and understanding. Of course he never gets angry (aahhh Arikoto, why don't you exsist in real life??)
There is a side plot of Kasuga's son (who everyone thinks is dead), Shogun impersonator. His wife and two kids still mourn for him even after all these years and he misses them terribly. There is tension between Kasuga and her daughter in law Yuki - she instinctively senses that he husband may not be dead.
Meanwhile Tender is the Night is so good that I have formed a bond with the characters and they are all very sad. This one is not a pleasant read but very filling and good.
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