Chapter 302: Is it out of guilt or out of kindness?

"Being put in solitary confinement? What happened?"

When Yang Kui Chitose asked this question, Fujii Shu subconsciously glanced at Jiuhuayue, but quickly looked away, frowned and said:

"According to her aunt, Xinchun said something she shouldn't have said, so she was locked up."

"No, is it okay?" Yang Kui Chitose looked worried.

"I originally wanted to ask more questions, but her aunt didn't seem to want to say more, and she also said that Xinchun also voluntarily agreed to go to the confinement room."

"Can I volunteer to go to solitary confinement? No. I'm going to talk to Xinchun's aunt!"

Chitose Yangkui acted as soon as she was told, and Fujii Itsuki didn't have a chance to stop her. She ran out of the guest room and soon disappeared around the corner.

After a moment's silence, he turned and walked back into the guest room.

Jiu Huayue's eyes were always on him, "When was Xinchun imprisoned?"

"This afternoon." Fujii Itsuki replied.

".This afternoon, when she and Chitose were practicing dancing?"

"Yes."

"Uncle, did you go to see her then?"

"Yes."

"Did you tell her what I thought?"

"."

Fujii Itsuki stared into her eyes, was silent for a moment, and nodded.

Then Jiuhuayue lowered her head, took a deep breath, and stood up.

Fujii Itsuki looked over and asked, "Where are you going?"

"It's unreasonable to put someone in solitary confinement just because they said something wrong. I'm going to go find Matsumae Yoshiko."

Fujii Itsuki did not stop her from leaving, but watched her walk out of the guest room and followed her.

The girl turned her body around the corner and when her figure was about to disappear, Fujii Itsuki saw her clenched right hand.

When Jiuhuayue left completely, Fujii Itsuki smiled instead.

Xiao Jiuhua must feel that it was because of the decision she asked her to help convey that Xinchun fell into her current situation.

Maybe Xinchun's confinement this time is actually a good thing for the two of them.
*
The cold wind blew outside. Jiuhuayue wrapped her coat tighter, but still felt the biting cold. Walking towards the shrine, the lights gradually became brighter. As soon as she arrived at the gate of the shrine, Jiuhuayue's sight was attracted by a figure - Yang Kui Chitose was standing at the door, with her hands on her hips and a face full of anger.

She saw Jiuhuayue coming over and hurried over.

"Xinchun's aunt doesn't want to listen to me at all! She pretends not to hear anything I say! It makes me so angry!"

"Chitose, calm down."

"And then they said that this is their family affair and I don't need to interfere! How infuriating! Although I really can't control this matter."

Yang Kui Chitose suddenly became emotional, and her words revealed a sense of loss and helplessness.

She glared at the shrine behind her angrily, and then Yang Duo glanced at Jiuhuayue in front of him, "How about, Xiaoyue, you go and persuade Xinchun's aunt? To be honest, her aunt looks quite serious and scary."

Jiuhuayue stood in the cold wind, listening to Yang Kui Qiansui's angry complaints, and her heart was even more uneasy because Xinchun was put in solitary confinement.

"I'll go ask." Jiu Huayue raised her head, her expression slightly determined.

"Oh, okay, Jiuhua, you go."

There is also a house behind the shrine, which is usually where the shrine maidens and clergy who live in the shrine live. The place where Matsumae Yoshiko lives is arranged like a garden, with an ancient stone bridge across the stream and neatly trimmed bamboos planted on both sides of the winding path. The green leaves sway in the breeze, making a rustling sound.

Jiuhuayue walked to a house, which was the residence of Aunt Matsumae Xinchun.

There is a string of wind chimes hanging at the door, and the chimes make crisp sounds when the wind blows.

She took a deep breath, raised her hand and gently knocked on the wooden door.

There were subtle footsteps coming from inside the door, and soon the door was opened. Standing at the door was a woman wearing a simple dark kimono, with a cold temperament and sharp eyes.

Matsumae Yoshiko frowned slightly, as if she had already noticed Jiuhuayue's intention.

Jiuhuayue looked at Matsumae Yoshiko carefully, and was slightly stunned.
The woman standing before her was very different from the image she remembered.

The image I saw when I was a child had a very gentle look.
I don't know if it's because of the kimono she's wearing.
"Ms. Jiuhuayue." Matsumae Yoshiko's voice was steady and cold, with a bit of doubt, but not too much hostility. It was a scrutinizing attitude, as if waiting for her next words.

Jiuhuayue nodded, her face normal, but she had already prepared herself in her heart. She looked directly at Matsumae Yoshiko and decided not to beat around the bush: "I don't like beating around the bush. Let me be frank. I came here to persuade you to let Xinchun out."

"Why?"

Jiu Huayue's heart tightened, but she didn't avoid it. She stood straight, with a calm expression, and continued, "It's unreasonable for you to put Xinchun in solitary confinement just because she said something wrong."

"Whether it's reasonable or not, whether he will be put in solitary confinement or not, it's not something you, an outsider, can judge. If you have a reason for Xinchun to come out on her own initiative, please speak up right here and now."

"Then why do you care about Haru? Just because she said something wrong?"

"Because what she said didn't take her own identity into consideration at all!"

"You mean her 'identity', her responsibility as the heir of the Matsumae family?" Jiuhuayue's tone was still firm. She didn't want to passively fall into the disadvantage of the conversation, although she felt a little uneasy. She spoke slowly, her eyes staring straight at Matsumae Yoshiko, "But Xinchun never chose her identity. All she can do is to adapt to this role as much as possible. And you - what do you want her to do?"

Matsumae Yoshiko's gaze remained the same, her voice steady:
"Adapt? It's her responsibility to adapt. The Matsumae family is not a place where everyone can choose their own role. Her identity and her responsibilities have long been determined."

Her tone was unquestionably tough, "Not everyone can indulge their emotions and personal will. Didn't you not want to leave here before, but were dragged away by your parents? Why do you still understand this?"

Jiuhuayue's heart sank. Matsumae Yoshiko's words seemed to have ruthlessly hit something deep in her heart.

She couldn't help but think back to that time, remembering her parents' persistence, her inability to resist, and her reluctance and sadness when she left here.

Although many years have passed, the memory of being forced to leave has gradually turned into disgust for this place over time.

"You're right," Jiu Huayue finally spoke, "I was once forced to leave, and I have complained about my parents' decision countless times. Why couldn't they give me the right to choose? But that doesn't mean I agree with this kind of coercion. It should be said that it is precisely because I have experienced such a thing that I can better understand how unreasonable your forced kidnapping is!"

"She is in a position to do her job. She is the heir of the Matsumae family, and her responsibilities have been determined from the beginning. The family's mission and responsibility are what she must consider first. She wants to use the family's honor as a reason to apologize just because she wants to reconcile with you. This is not allowed by the Matsumae family."

"I understand the importance of what you call responsibility! But if everything is too stressful, Xinchun will collapse. She will feel that she can never get rid of this role, and she can never really find her own voice. You yourself understand that the Matsumae family is not without flaws, and its traditions and rules are not perfect. Or do you intend to let Xinchun listen to you for the rest of her life and always accept the fate you have arranged for her?" "."

Matsumae Yoshiko didn't say anything this time, she just looked at her. Then, she seemed to have no intention of talking to her anymore, and turned around and chose to leave.

"stop!"

"What else do you want to say?" Matsumae Yoshiko's voice was a little cold, but she didn't seem to mean to refuse.

Jiuhuayue bit her lip lightly, her eyes firm: "I just want to say that I understand your position and the so-called responsibility of the Matsumae family."

She paused for a moment, and said in a low voice, "But I really hope that you can understand that Xinchun also has her own ideas. After all, she is also what you call an 'heir'. Since she is an heir, should she always live under your shadow?"

Matsumae Yoshiko was a little surprised by Jiuhuayue's words, but the surprise in her eyes only lasted for a second.

She raised her chin slightly, as if re-evaluating Jiuhuayue's remarks:

"Is this statement due to your guilt towards her, or is it from your own heart?"

Jiuhuayue didn't answer, but just kept looking at her.

Matsumae Yoshiko smiled and put one hand behind her back: "Xinchun has told me about your relationship dozens of times. Later, you returned to Otaru, but never thought of looking for her. Why do you want to speak for her now? Don't you hate her in your heart? Hate her identity, hate everything about the Matsumae family, hate her for ruining your efforts because of a joke? If that's the case, why are you here to help her?"

Jiuhuayue stood there, silent for a moment. Matsumae Yoshiko's question pierced her heart like a needle.

Matsumae Yoshiko's voice sounded again, with a hint of fatigue, shaking her head:
"I know you have a lot on your mind, but you don't have to speak for Xinchun anymore."

She turned around, her back to Jiu Huayue, and her voice gradually became low, "But... there is one thing I know. After Xinchun knew about your situation, she always hoped that you would go to your side, but she always wanted to understand what you had endured in the past."

After saying that, Matsumae Yoshiko didn't wait for her to answer, she closed her eyes, turned around, and slowly walked into the house.
Jiu Huayue stood there, looking at her back, with a complex emotion involuntarily welling up in her heart.

Jiuhuayue left the courtyard alone and walked in the cold snowy night. Her mind kept replaying Jiazi's last questions before the relaxation.

yes.
Since I hated her so much in the beginning, why am I in such a hurry to explain for her now?

Is it because you’ve let go of the past?

Is it because so much time has passed that I no longer care about what happened in the past?
Obviously, obviously she had competed with me for my uncle not long ago.
Obviously, obviously she was thinking of kicking herself out of the uncle's side not long ago.
Now?

Why can you accept her now? Why do you allow her to stay with you?
Jiuhuayue folded her arms, stepped on the soft snow, and kept thinking and recalling.

She felt that her current relationship with Matsumae Shinharu was more like a tacit acceptance of each other's existence because of the uncle.

It was just like what she said to the uncle two days ago.
If it weren't for the uncle, the two would never have had any contact again.

but why.
Why, when I heard that Matsumae Shinchun was locked up, I cared so much again?
Jiuhuayue was thinking until Yangkui Chitose, who had been huddled at the entrance of the shrine, trotted over.

When she saw Jiuhuayue's expression, she saw a very sad expression:

"It seems that you, Xiao Jiuhua, have also failed~~"

Jiuhuayue raised her head and looked at Yang Kui Chitose who had a lost expression: "Did Matsumae Yoshiko say anything to you just now?"

"What did she say? What can she say? She just said to me, 'It has nothing to do with you. This is a family matter.' And then, she kicked me out! Damn it! When I first came here, they said I was a distinguished guest of Xinchun!"

Sometimes when looking at Yang Kui Qiansui’s little expression, Jiuhuayue actually wants to laugh, but she can’t really laugh now.

"How can you be a distinguished guest when the person who invited you is in solitary confinement?"

"Ah? This, this, that's right! What about Brother Tree?"

"Uncle has been confirmed as the future head of the family, so Matsumae Yoshiko will definitely treat him better."

"What! These snobs!"

Chitose Haruki angrily raised her fist in the direction of Matsumae Shrine.

Because it was getting late and snowing heavily, it was not a good idea for the two to stay here any longer, so they hurried down the stairs.

After returning to the guest room, Yang Kui Chitose briefly explained the matter to Fujii Itsuki and prepared to rest early. She thought about how to help Xinchun, but she was exhausted after a whole day of running around, so she decided to think about it tomorrow. After taking a shower, she got into bed and planned to have a good sleep.

But she didn't expect that when she had just finished taking a shower and went to bed in her room, Jiu Huayue, wearing pajamas, pushed the door and walked in.

Yang Kui Chitose's jaw dropped in shock and she almost jumped out of the bed, "You—?"

"What's with that expression?" Jiu Huayue raised her eyebrows.

Yang Kui Chitose quickly shook her head and softened her eyes to make sure she was not mistaken.

Now she was certain that the person in front of her was indeed Jiuhuayue.

"I can't believe that you, Xiao Jiuhua, would actually come here."

Jiuhuayue didn't expect Yang Kui Chitose's reaction to be so huge. It seemed like she had thought about something and was full of curiosity about her.

Seeing this, Yang Kui Chitose instantly became nervous, picked up the pillow, and shrank to the corner of the bed, her eyes full of vigilance.

"What did you come to see me for?" She glanced at Jiu Huayue's pajamas, her voice sounding a little defensive.

"What are you afraid of? What else can I do to you?"

Jiuhuayue sighed softly, walked to the bed, sat down on the edge of the bed opposite Yang Kui Qiansui, and looked down at her toes.

"I just can't sleep." Jiu Huayue said in a low voice, with a hint of barely perceptible fatigue, "I've been thinking about something just now, Qiansui, how about you chat with me?"

"Hey! Little Jiuhua, it's unprecedented that you took the initiative to come and chat with me! Why don't you go to Brother Shu?"

"Uncle is asleep. I think he is really tired these days. It is not good to disturb him."

"So you're so embarrassed to bother me, right?"

Jiu Huayue spread her hands, "We are still in a hostile state, so of course I have to come to you and waste your energy."

"Jiuhuayue you——!" Yang Kui Qiansui hugged the pillow and raised her chin, "Humph! Despicable!"

She refused verbally, but she patted the other side of the pillow hard, motioning her to come up.

Jiu Huayue looked at her in surprise and subconsciously said, "Thank you."

"Hmph, you're welcome!"

(End of this chapter)