A/N:  This chapter is sponsored by Jessica P.  Thank you so much for your support.  xoxo -ptd

The Offical Magistrate Hibi came to call upon the Mori family at dusk.  He waited for two hours to finally be seen for five minutes, before he left to go back to town.  

Sweat dripped down his forehead as he waited in the Mori Estate.  When Hibi heard the gossip of his first love, Juri, causing trouble in Illuminating Splendor, he didn’t believe it.  Juri is an innocent woman, talented and obienant. Juri would never cause trouble, unless she was provoked first.  

Hibi sent his men to find out the truth.  It only took them half an hour to find out how much trouble Juri caused for him.  He and Juri had met when they were only kids. Their mothers were friends with one another, however Juri’s family fell into misfortune and had to move away when they were 12 years old.  

Hibi spent his time making his way in the world, carefully planning each event to ensure that his family never fell like Juri’s family.  He married his first wife, Riko, whose family held a fourth rank official status. With his first wife, he became a fifth rank official and could finally become an Official Magistrate to the small town, Miru.  

Who would have thought that after 23 years of being apart, he met Juri once again.  Juri traveled through Miru last year when Hibi saw her, he chased after her and took her to a tea shop to catch up on their lives.  

After her family moved away, her father made connections through merchants and their family began to thrive again.  Not only that, but Juri had refused to marry and had been waiting for Hibi the whole time. 

After hearing Juri’s confession, he immediately began courting her.  He spoke to his first wife, Riko and his husband, Keino about marrying another woman into the household and although they were hesitant.  After meeting Juri, they gave into his request and gave him their blessing.  

Now that his wedding is set, he began preparing for the big day, hoping to reunite with his first love.   However, now that Juri had created trouble for him, he had no way out except to apologize for Juri’s ignorance.  

Because she was new in town, she didn’t know who the big landlord of the fief is.  Who Juri could or could not push around.  

Hibi held his forehead and tried to repress his headache.  If he married Juri, will the Mori family hold it against him?   Should he pull out of the engagement? But Juri has always held a part of his heart for so many years.  On the other hand, he has four sons that he has to protect. His first wife’s family lived too far for him to ask for help.  

In a bind, he sought advice from his wife and husband and they came to the conclusion that the family’s safety is paramount to his feelings towards Juri.  

Although slightly heartbroken, he did as his spouses advised.  He had planned on first apologizing to the Mori family and promise to them that he will not to marry Juri.  Hopefully, his life and the life of his family would be spared.  

“You have waited for a long time, Official Hibi.”  Soshu said as he lead the way. Behind him was Jiro, Miyoko and Yasu.  The four of them sat down before Hibi before he was given permission to sit down once again.  

“No.  It was this Official that has intruded into your home so early.”  Hibi said as he felt his heartbeat faster.  

“For you to intrude to early, must be because of an urgent official business.”  Jiro stated.  

The Mori family was pressuring him.  They all knew why he came to their home, yet they all played dumb.  

“No.  Not an urgent official matter, but an urgent personal matter.”  Hibi tried to make things clear to them.  

“A personal matter?”  Soshu asked. “Ah, I hear your family is getting a second wife.  Congratulations to Official Hibi for obtaining another wife. Even those official in the capital couldn’t afford a second wife, but Official Hibi is blessed enough to obtain a second wife.”  

Hibi felt as if they were cursing him instead of giving him their good and well wishes. 

“Yes, please make sure to send an invitation to our family.  We all would like to partake in your family’s blessings.” Miyoko said as she gently smiled.  

The Mori family were forcibly tying Hibi closer and closer to Juri, not letting a way out of marrying her and escaping the calamity.  

“I must apologize to Lady Miyoko and Young Lord Yasu for yesterday’s matter.  Lady Juri is new in town. She does not have eyes and has offend you--”   

“Official Hibi, are you trying to say that Lady Juri will bully and offend our own townspeople, if they didn’t do what she wanted?  If not our Mori family, she would do it to others?” Yasu interjected. “If not for our Mori family that she offended, would her offenses go unknown and unpunished?”  

“That is not what I meant.   I--” Hibi began to panic.  

“So you mean that she could bully and offend commoners, but not notable families such as ours?”  Yasu pushed Hibi to a corner once again. “Your choice for a second wife is profound. Lady Juri must have great talents and merits to convince Lady Riko and Sir Keino to accept her into your family.  With such great talents, Lady Juri will be a great addition to your family. What a blessing you have added into your household.”  

Hibi felt like digging a hole and burying himself inside of it.  How did things go so far from his original task? He was only engaged to Juri and could have still broken off the engagement to save his family and his career.  

Yet the Lords and Lady of the fief was tying him tighter and tighter to the calamity.  How can he go against their well wishes? He was bound to Juri now.  

Hibi stood up and bowed to the Mori family.  

“This Official apologizes to the Mori family.  This Official did not intend to offend the Mori family and ensures that there will be no future offenses.”  

Soshu grunted and accepted his apology.  “Your apology is accepted. Ensure that it doesn’t happen again.  We look forward to your wedding to celebrate the happy occasion with your family.” 

Hibi swallowed his saliva, however it felt as if he was swallowing dirt and gravel.  His carefully planned life was quickly falling astray. If not for Juri, he could enjoy a safe and steady life.  

“Thank you for benevolence.  You all must be busy, I will no longer take up any more time.”  Hibi said as he bowed once more before leaving.  

After Hibi left, the Mori family went back to their daily lives.  Everything was normal and peaceful.  

Around town, more rumors about Lady Juri sprang up at least once a week of her misdeeds.  Complaints began piling up at Official Hibi’s study of Lady Juri’s misdeeds, which caused him more headaches.  Hibi gave full authority to Lady Riko to arrange the wedding and forced Lady Juri to stay home until their wedding day.  

News also began to spread of disrest on the border.  The summer drought along with the summer heat caused many crops to fail for the farmers.  As well as many livestock to die of dehydration. There was a shortage of food everywhere.  

Luckily for Yasu, his Dad, Jiro had long prepared for such situation.  The grain and vegetable storage was enough for his small fief to survive until the autumn, where they will plant autumn and winter vegetables.   

When Official Hibi’s wedding day finally arrived, the festivities wasn’t grand, yet it was still in accordance to propriety.  Those that attended where of notable background and wished Official Hibi blessings and well wishes.  

Two months after the wedding, Official Hibi announced that Lady Juri, his second wife, suddenly became sick and passed away from the sickness.  The funeral was small and only accepted close friends and family to visit the home. Afterwards Official Hibi’s home was closed to everyone, due to grief.