Chapter 8
The wisteria canopy flitted overhead, columns of pink and purple blossoms draping from the high branches as Aihi walked arm-in-arm with her husband-to-be, Fu Chunfeng. Despite the looming date of their union ceremony, her stomach was not aflutter with the romantic intentions claimed by the wild stories blossoming within the palace walls.
She and Chunfeng thought to instigate the same tall tales by being seen in public together for the first time since the unofficial announcement had spread.
Behind them marched two rows of shōgun-bushi, following them to Tatsu-Ji, the Dragon’s Temple, which towered over the southern side of the Palace District. Aihi blocked the warriors out of sight with her cherry blossom printed paper parasol, beneath which she huddled from the high sun.
“Yo
