Chapter 53: The Determination of the Traces Department

  Back at the Kanagawa house, Shinoda was holding an invitation and deep in thought.

  "Grandfather." Toda and Masa asked together.

  Sanada's expression softened a bit as he looked up and saw them, "Yakaze is back."

  "Yes, Grandfather." Yafeng replied.

  Sanada then went to ask Sanada old master and went to the dojo to practice sword.

  Yafeng sat down beside Shinoda and asked, "Grandfather, what's troubling you?"

  Nothing much, just an old friend's birthday next weekend and he's invited us old folks to get together.

  "That's great! It's been a long time since Grandpa and those old friends have seen each other too, right?"

  "Yes, but my old man is thinking whether he should bring Yafeng along, after all you've been back for two years yet never attended any banquet. This time those old men specifically mentioned they hope to see Yafeng."

  Yahiko's heart skipped a beat, she had always been repelled by these kinds of banquets and parties, which were nothing but venues for people in high society to network and discuss business. They were essentially gatherings based on self-interest. However, as the eldest daughter of the Arata family, attending these events was her responsibility. For the past two years, her grandfather had indulged her, but now that others had specifically invited her, she couldn't avoid it any longer.

  "Grandpa, I'll go with you." Yafeng gave a brilliant smile to the old man, Shinoda.

  Sanada didn't expect Yafeng to agree so quickly and looked at him for half a day without speaking.

  "Grandfather, I'm also a member of the Sanada family. I can't always be protected by you and my brothers under your wings. The women of the Sanada family don't lose to men."

  "Good, you're indeed the granddaughter of Sanada Genzō. Next weekend, let those old men see what kind of splendor the little princess of the Sanada family has." Old Man Sanada said with great praise.

  "Hehe, where is Grandpa going now?" Yafeng asked.

  "The old man of the Atsuki family is over 75 years old, and his grandson, who is the same age as Ryōichirō and also plays tennis, should know Yakaze."

  "Is it Atsushi Kajiura?"

  "Yes, that young man is not bad, he will definitely be able to take over the Toki family's business in the future." The old master of the Toda family said with great praise, "Moreover, children from other families will also go together, Yafeng you can get to know them well, they are all good kids."

  "Hehe." Yafeng chuckled twice, why did she feel like there was a conspiracy?

  Of course, such things did not only happen in the Sanada family. The same was true for other daimyos like Yukimura, Nifuji, Yagyu and Tetsutaka families, as well as the main house of Niniwa.

  Tsubasa was called by his rarely-at-home grandfather to the study room as soon as he got home.

  "Grandfather, what can I do for you?" The usually arrogant Tsubasa was surprisingly well-behaved in front of his grandfather.

  "Kei, you're not young anymore either. Take a look at next week's banquet and see if there's anyone suitable." said the old man from Atsuki.

  "Grandpa, I've found someone I like." Tsumabuki said calmly.

  "Oh? Whose child is this? What's his name?" The old man from the Atsuki family suddenly became interested, after all, his grandson's eyes were on top of his head, and those who could catch his eye were few and far between, let alone someone he liked.

  "She's called Manata Masakazu," Tsubaki told him honestly.

  "Sanada? Is it the Sanada family of Sagano?"

  "Yes."

  "Is that the little princess who returned to the Sanada household two years ago?"

  "Yes."

  "Alright, the Sanada family is an ancient clan of a thousand years, and our Tsuba family has been acquainted with them for generations. You two are quite a match, when will you bring that girl back to meet me?" asked Old Man Tsuba in high spirits.

  "This..."

  The trace department is in trouble, now that the girl hasn't even agreed to date yet, how can I bring her home?

  Tokube's old man narrowed his eyes and looked at Tokube: "You haven't caught up with him yet, have you?"

  Ji Bu lowered his head and remained silent for a moment before saying: "Yafeng will ultimately be mine."

  "Good! It's like the style of our Toki family. However, next week at the dinner party, Ryotaemon will probably bring that girl over. At that time, Hontaro-san should take a good look at the girl Kageyu has his eye on, but you also need to see if there are any other girls who catch your eye."

  "I've only acknowledged one person as a true artist: Akane." Kizuka said firmly.

  The old master of the Traces family angrily said: "What nonsense, as the heir of the Traces family, how can you be infatuated with a girl? You must marry the most suitable woman to be the mistress of the Traces family."

  "I've only acknowledged one person as a worthy opponent, and that's Yafeng." Kizuka continued without backing down.

  "Get out and reflect on your actions!"

  After Tsuba left, old man Tsuba smiled. He's indeed the successor recognized by the master, with the same determination as the master had back then - once decided, never let go! As for the young lady of the Sanada family? It seems I need to take a good look at her during the banquet, the granddaughter of Yagyu Munenori shouldn't be bad.

  He was summoned to the main house as soon as he returned home, his grandfather and the current head of the Nii family are close relatives being real brothers, but since Nii is excellent, he has been raised as the next heir of the Nii family since childhood.

  "Has Zhou arrived?" asked Niji's old master with a smile as he looked at Niji.

  "Yes, Grandfather." said Ni no Kuni humbly and politely.

  "Sit down, I asked you to come today to ask if Zhou Zhuo has time next weekend and can accompany Grandpa to a banquet?"

  "Grandpa, don't worry, I have time."

  "It's better this way. Old man Jing Tai is turning 75 next week and has invited all of us old folks to get together, with Zhou Zhuo accompanying me I won't be lonely."

  Looking at the rarely seen childish smile of Master Nii, his smile deepened a little more.

  "I heard that this time Jing Tai is planning to have a big celebration, and Zhou Zhuo's age isn't young anymore. At that time, we can take a look and see if there are any girls he likes."

  Zhou Zhuo was taken aback for a moment, then thought that he was already 16 years old and according to Japanese law, he was already of marriageable age. No wonder his grandfather would think this way.

  "Could it be that Zhou Zhuo has someone he likes?" How could the old master, who was normally so perceptive, not notice that momentary lapse in Zhou Zhuo's attention?

  When he heard Master Nifu's words, the image of Yafeng immediately appeared in his mind, but he quickly recovered and said, "Not yet."

  "Zhou Zhuo said so with a hint of something." Master Ni'er didn't catch the underlying tone or hidden meaning.

  "Alas."

  "Hehe, Zhou Zhuo, don't be shy, whose daughter is she? The little girl from the Ijūin family?" Old Master Ni Er asked jokingly, remembering that the youngest daughter of the Ijūin family was quite close to Zhou Zhuo.

  "No."

  Nii saw that he was denying it so quickly, and Nii-san immediately knew whether it was true or not. However, since Nii didn't want to say anything, he didn't force him either. Anyway, there would always be a day when he would find out for himself. What he was worried about now was that the girl he liked was an ordinary girl, and in that case, Shuu might have a hard time inheriting the Nii family.

  "Not today, but next time Zhou Zhuo will tell Grandpa." Old Master Wú thought it's better to just go with the flow.

  "Yes." Not two's heart slightly relaxed.

  Of course, as Sanada said, the children of other big families will also participate in this grand banquet. Even the Shinobi and Shiroishi families from Kansai have received invitations and are preparing to attend, so this gathering can be considered a grand assembly of Japan's high society.