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In the Second Month, Kaoru took the Second Princess of the emperor for his bride. At first, Kaoru visited her in the palace. Later, the Second Princess was allowed to move to Kaoru’s mansion. On the day before her removal, the emperor was hosting a wisteria-viewing banquet. People were surprised at this extraordinary marriage, in which a princess of an emperor became a bride while he was still in his reign.
The Lord Inspector, Azechidainagon, who was the eldest son of the late To-no-Chujo, was jealous about the luck of Kaoru, for he had wanted to marry the mother of the Second Princess in the past but was unable to.
The concert for the banquet continued until midnight. Each guest was asked to write poems and put them on the lectern that had been prepared at the corner of the south garden. Some toasted the glory of the emperor and others the prosperous future of Kaoru. In the middle of the highest festivity, Kaoru was still not happy. He was sunk in loneliness.
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