On the day of the meeting, the mansion was decorated with all kinds of flower arrangements. Four maids with red ribbons hanging from their shoulder to their waists were waiting for the guests at the gate, and taking them to the tea house. Yos.h.i.+moto very much appreciated Sakura’s design decisions. There was even a saying on the ribbon by Confucius that read: “Pleasure to have friends coming from afar.” Although banquets needed flower arrangements, this time, the flower arrangements were too many, even including a huge bamboo basket as tall as a man, with flowers interposed, which was totally not j.a.panese style.

“Master, Sakura made our place a mess without any manners. How could you tolerate this?” Nades.h.i.+ko complained secretly.

Yos.h.i.+moto was fanning his fan, as if he didn’t hear her. Until the maid used her shoulder to touch him, he answered slowly, “Didn’t you see all the guests were surprisingly satisfied?”

“Master, why are you always looking at Sakura? Don’t you like me anymore?” Nades.h.i.+ko turned near to lean on him.

“You are someone arranged by my mother. Though you are a maid, I have made your life as wealthy as a lady. Don’t you understand I have done everything I can for you?”

Yos.h.i.+moto raised the corners of his eyes, glancing at the maid with a special meaning. Nades.h.i.+ko’s face soon turned pale.

“Nades.h.i.+ko asks for your leave, my lord.”

“Hey, Yos.h.i.+moto, why are you still here?” Later, Sakura went to see him standing there alone.

Seeing Sakura’s appearance, Yos.h.i.+moto was so shocked that he took a step backward.

Sakura was wearing a skirt of white with blue seagull patterns. The fabric was fine, however, half of her bosom was naked, and two golden ribbons spanning about a palm wide were circling her arms to drop on the ground like Tang Dynasty women. He guessed she was wearing a pair of thick geta, so she looked much taller and slimmer than usual.

“Sakura . . . are you planning to follow me to the tea house in that skirt?” Yos.h.i.+moto’s eyes couldn’t move away from her anymore.

“Aren’t I pretty? But I won’t wear this skirt long. The banquet will last for two days. I have arranged the main tea meeting for tomorrow. We can have a party today, to let everybody get to know each other well. Follow me to the first floor; I’ve thoroughly prepared everything. You, remember to invite me to dance.” Sakura took his arm and stepped toward the tea house like a famous model walking the catwalk.

The main tea meeting was arranged one day later on the second floor of the tea house. Now the first floor was already crowded with all kinds of guests, most of them from duke and samurai circles. She counted the total of about 100 people. Fortunately, the Imagawa Family was wealthy; even the tea house was ten times bigger than Harun.o.bu’s. So they didn’t feel cramped. Sakura suddenly thought of Walmart. At this time, the fastest mode of transportation was a horse. Thinking of opening a supermarket-style tea house, Sakura found herself interested in the business aspect of it.

When she entered the tea house, at the insistence of Yos.h.i.+moto, Sakura put on an outer scarf that covered her from head to chest.

“Who is the one behind Master Imagawa? Covered up from top to bottom. . . ”

“A woman? Looks so slim, maybe she is a belle with unrivaled beauty.”

“I think she is a witch girl. Only witches dress like that. Maybe Master Imagawa went to the shrine to invite a witch girl to bless today’s movements?”