Chapter 636: On the Eve of the Wedding

PS: Cold's better, sending today's 7300-word super double chapter!

Amid a series of searches and settlements by the Prosecution, time flew by; the external environment grew increasingly intense, and Uesugi Muneyuki's side also had to prepare for the grand wedding.

Before the grand wedding, he had to take Minami to see Grandfather and his parents one last time.

As mentioned earlier, the Uesugi residence in Tokyo is located in Bunkyo Ward, a mansion blending traditional Japanese style with modern Western style, possessing a Taisho Democracy romantic atmosphere; on the surface, this mansion seems no different from the surrounding scholars' residences, only those in the know can glimpse its unusual historical origins from the silhouettes on the courtyard walls and the family crests on the gateposts.

Uesugi Muneyuki stood before the gate, his palms unusually damp.

Really getting married, he instead felt a bit terrified.

How come I've got a touch of marriage-phobia?

He wore a deep blue custom suit, the fabric soft and the tailoring exquisite, yet on his tall straight figure it appeared somewhat constrained.

Beside him, Watanabe Minami was lightly straightening the hem of her furisode kimono — today she had chosen a pale cherry-blossom houmongi, cuffs and hem embroidered with delicate wisteria patterns, both respectful of the formal occasion and cleverly avoiding excessive magnificence.

"Ready?" Uesugi Muneyuki turned to ask, his voice lower than usual, and even trembling slightly.

Watanabe Minami looked up at him, those sharp eyes that usually left suspects nowhere to hide now rippling with gentle amusement: "Muneyuki's far calmer than you look, my fiancé, University of Tokyo PhD candidate, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Forensic Examiner?"

Uesugi Muneyuki chuckled softly, reached out and pressed the doorbell. His gaze fell on the exquisite family crest composed of bamboo and sparrow on the gatepost — the Yonezawa Uesugi clan's "Bamboo Sparrow Crest".

For several centuries, this family crest has witnessed the Uesugi family's transformation from Sengoku Daimyo to Meiji Peerage, and then to a modern scholarly lineage.

Before long, he would bid a final farewell to this place; the door slid open soundlessly, an elderly woman of about sixty, wearing a plain kimono, bowed slightly: "Young Master Muneyuki, Miss Minami, we have been waiting."

"Aunt Sawako, long time no see." Muneyuki nodded in return.

A flash of gratified light passed through the eyes of this housekeeper who had served the Uesugi family since his childhood.

Japanese anime has a very strong maid culture, but that's actually just a bunch of otaku's fantasies; real maids like in anime — unconditionally loyal, diligent, capable in both senses — basically don't exist in modern times anymore; only families like theirs, old Peerage families, still have some similar traditions, but in essence it's still doing a job for money, at most with a bit of family-like affection.

Even Cao Xueqin knew that even bondservant maids had to be paid to guarantee loyalty and diligence!

At the genkan, three pairs of slippers were neatly arranged — two men's, one women's. Minami noticed this detail: the Uesugi family had anticipated their visit and made thorough preparations, yet the order and placement of the slippers still followed strict traditional etiquette.

As she took off her wooden clogs, Muneyuki naturally reached out to steady her — a tiny gesture, yet keenly caught by Sawako, the approving look in her eyes becoming even more pronounced.

The feelings between these two are still very good; although it's a political marriage, if private feelings are good, it can only benefit the future, never harm it.

Passing through a corridor hung with modern Japanese paintings, they arrived before the tea room door; on the paper sliding door two silhouettes were cast, conversing in low voices.

Uesugi Muneyuki took a deep breath, and slid the door open.

The tea room interior was more spacious than expected, about ten tatami in size. The air was filled with a faint scent of incense and the clear fragrance of aged tatami. Most eye-catching was a calligraphy scroll hanging on the wall — "Wei Er Bu Zheng", brushstrokes vigorous, ink flowing freely, the signature precisely that of the current Head of the House, Uesugi Kuninori.

In the position below the calligraphy, two men were kneeling on the tatami.

Facing the doorway was a white-haired elderly man, over seventy years old, spine straight as a pine, wearing a dark gray striped kimono printed with the Uesugi Bamboo Sparrow Crest, eyes sharp as a hawk's — this was the current Uesugi Head of House, Tokyo University Professor of Cosmic Dynamics, Uesugi Kuninori.

Beside him knelt a man who looked about fifty, slightly awkward, wearing a well-tailored but conservative suit — precisely Uesugi Muneyuki's father, Uesugi Yüken, Director of the Tokyo Cultural Exchange Hall.

"Grandfather Ancestor, Father." Uesugi Muneyuki stopped at the threshold, bowing solemnly.

Minami followed his movement, her posture elegantly flawless.

"Come in." Uesugi Kuninori's voice was steady and low, carrying the authoritative cadence formed by long years of teaching.

The two removed their shoes and entered the tea room, seating themselves opposite the host.

The whole process was silent, only the faint sound of clothing brushing against tatami.

The maid Sawako soundlessly brought the tea set, and began preparing matcha.

Uesugi Kuninori's gaze fell first on Minami, examining her for a moment before nodding slightly: "Miss Watanabe, welcome. Has your father been well lately?"

"Thanks to your concern, Father is fine. He asked me to convey his greetings to you, and said he hopes to have a chance to visit in person before the wedding." Watanabe Minami's voice was clear and respectful, yet without any trace of flattery.

"The Superintendent General is busy with affairs; thoughtful of him." Uesugi Kuninori's reply was polite and restrained, but a flash of satisfaction in his eyes did not escape Muneyuki's observation.

At this moment, Uesugi Yüken cleared his throat, attempting to speak: "Snow Pine, how's the case on your end progressing? I hear things have blown up huge, even the Koreans' side—"

"!!!" What are you saying this for on a joyous day?! Uesugi Kuninori immediately shot a fierce sanctioning glare!

Uesugi Yüken's voice gradually weakened under his father's gaze.

"Yes, but I'm only responsible for the autopsy; the rest has nothing to do with me." Muneyuki took over, tone steady: "Thank you, Father, for your concern."

Uesugi Kuninori raised a hand slightly, signaling not to speak of this now, signaling the tea was ready.

Sawako respectfully placed the first bowl of matcha before him. According to tea ceremony etiquette, the first bowl should be presented to the most honored guest, but on this occasion, the Head of House tasting first signified this was an internal family meeting, not purely a guest-receiving ceremony — a subtle signal.

"The date for your and Watanabe's wedding has been set for the fifteenth of next month." Uesugi Kuninori spoke slowly, the tea bowl in his hand steady as a rock: "To be held at the Tokyo Imperial Hotel; the guest list has been drafted. Is there anyone you particularly wish to invite?"

Uesugi Muneyuki and Watanabe Minami exchanged a glance.

Minami nodded lightly, then Uesugi Muneyuki spoke: "From the Medical Department and the Metropolitan Police Department, I've listed about twenty people. Minami's side is around thirty, mainly Special Mission Unit colleagues and her Police University classmates."

"The Superintendent General's daughter marrying, high-ranking police officials will naturally attend in full force." Uesugi Kuninori's tone betrayed no emotion, "On the Uesugi side, besides relatives, about forty academic colleagues, plus some cultural figures — Yüken, you handle this part."

"Yes, Father." Uesugi Yüken hurriedly responded, pulling a notebook from his suit's inner pocket to record.

Uesugi Muneyuki noticed his father's hands trembling slightly — this nervousness before authority, he had taken for granted since childhood; no help for it, who let Dad's business rely entirely on Grandfather's resources?

Hmph, from now on I'll have to rely on myself, so Dad is placing extremely, extremely high importance on this wedding; he's got to find a way to catch all the resources from my side!

Watanabe Minami elegantly accepted the tea bowl Sawako handed her, right hand holding the bowl, left hand supporting the bottom, gently rotating it three times before sipping; every movement displayed fine upbringing.

"Regarding the specific flow of the wedding ceremony," Minami set down the tea bowl, voice gentle yet firm: "Father and I both hope to simplify the traditional segments as much as possible. After all, both Muneyuki and I have official duties; the wedding day's schedule should not be overly lengthy."

A moment of silence in the room.

Uesugi Yüken uncomfortably adjusted his sitting posture, his gaze shifting between his father and son.

Give me a bit more time, let me meet a few more people.

Uesugi Kuninori frowned and slowly set down the tea bowl; a crisp sound rang as bowl bottom met tray.

"Omit the san-san-ku-do sake ceremony, retain the shrine vow and ring exchange." Uesugi Muneyuki took over, tone steady yet brooking no dissent: "Banquet speeches limited to five people maximum."

"This— seems a bit too simplified." Uesugi Kuninori's voice remained calm, but the air in the tea room seemed to freeze: "Uesugi family weddings have always..."

"Always decided by the family." Uesugi Muneyuki finished his grandfather's words, but his tone held not the slightest retreat: "I am already Watanabe Uesugi."

Uesugi Yüken sucked in a sharp breath, almost speaking to dissuade, but under Uesugi Kuninori's gaze swallowed it back.

Unexpectedly, Uesugi Kuninori did not fly into a rage.

He looked at his grandson quietly for a moment, a hard-to-fathom emotion flashing in his eyes — admiration? Resignation? Or some kind of compromise?

"Is that also Miss Watanabe's opinion?" Professor Kuninori turned to Minami.

"Yes." Minami bowed slightly: "Father said the same thing."

Uesugi Kuninori fell silent for a long time; in the tea room only the kettle made a faint boiling sound on the brazier.

Finally, he nodded slowly: "The times are different. Since this is your joint decision, and it is the Superintendent General's wish, the Uesugi family will not insist on its own view."

Uesugi Hironori visibly relaxed, his whole body nearly going limp.

"Then, let us discuss the matter of the surname." Uesugi Kuninori's gaze grew even sharper: "Although we have already sent Sōsetsu away as an adopted son-in-law, your decision is still — Uesugi Minami?"

This question pointed straight at the most essential peculiarity of this marriage.

By tradition, an adopted son-in-law sent away should take the wife's surname, but the Watanabe family considers "Watanabe" too ordinary and wishes to preserve

the glory of the "Uesugi" peerage surname.

Minami Ojou-sama straightened her back slightly: "Yes, that is also what we hope for; after all, Kenshin Kō also entered the Yamanouchi Uesugi as an adopted heir and achieved peerless renown!"

She put it tactfully, but everyone present heard the implication: the Watanabe family, though high in rank and power, is ultimately a post-war upstart bureaucratic family, while the Uesugi family, though stripped of real power, is an old peerage house with a long history.

In this marriage, both families have their aims, and both have made concessions.

"Grandfather, my thinking is simple," Uesugi Muneyuki interjected, his voice firmer than before: "My name is part of my identity. Under the name Uesugi Muneyuki I studied, researched, worked, accumulated a certain reputation in my professional field, and made a small contribution; changing my surname would bring many inconveniences. More importantly."

Uesugi Muneyuki paused, looking at Minami: "Minami and I both believe that, whatever the surname, our family will be a new beginning."

Uesugi Hironori watched his father tensely, as if sensing a coming storm.

But Uesugi Kuninori merely stroked his tea bowl lightly, a complex light flashing in his eyes — Ishihara Mikoto had tried for months without conceiving; since the Uesugi surname can be kept, then later Minami's possible second son could be brought back to the main house!

This is making a two-pronged preparation!

"You and your father are very different." Uesugi Kuninori said at last, his gaze sweeping over Hironori, who lowered his head in shame: "Yukimatsumaru, you have grown strong enough to define your own rules."

"I dare not accept that, Grandfather, Father, I am just a passing forensic pathologist." Uesugi Muneyuki bowed his head and shook it, then behind him Hironaka Mariko, Miyahara Toru, Arimura Hana, Ōsumikawa Minoru, and Ōsumikawa Rina all let out a "tsk" sound together.

Posing!

"However." Uesugi Kuninori continued, as if he had not heard his son's voice: "This is precisely why the Watanabe family chose you. A second son who relies on family prestige holds no appeal for the Superintendent General's daughter. They need a capable spouse with an independent personality, not merely a peerage descendant."

"True strength does not depend on external things, but comes from one's own heart; Yukimatsumaru, you have done well on this point!

"

These blunt words made Minami's sweet large eyes widen slightly.

Uesugi Muneyuki accepted the praise calmly: "Thank you, Grandfather."

"Very good." Kuninori nodded: "Then, regarding the other details of the wedding..."

For the next hour the four discussed the wedding arrangements in detail. Surprisingly, most of the time it was Grandfather and Minami speaking directly, while Uesugi Muneyuki and his father were more like bystanders.

With the precision and order she uses managing Special Mission Unit affairs, Minami confirmed every link of the wedding one by one, from the choice of flowers to the seating arrangement, respecting traditional etiquette while cleverly blending in a modern concise style.

Uesugi Hironori occasionally interjected, offering suggestions about cultural-circle guests, but each time before speaking he would subconsciously glance at his father, seeking permission.

Uesugi Muneyuki remained silent most of the time, voicing opinions only at key points. His gaze moved between grandfather, father, and fiancée, as if observing each person's role and posture in this meeting.

Am I really getting married? I'm a little nervous!

When all details were basically settled, Uesugi Kuninori suddenly asked: "Have you decided on your residence after marriage?"

"We'll continue living in the Sakata Bridge tower mansion for now." Uesugi Muneyuki answered: "It's close to both the Metropolitan Police Department and the University of Tokyo Medical Department. We plan to consider buying a new house in a year or two."

"A wise choice." Uesugi Kuninori rarely showed a faint smile: "Then, the final agenda item — the issue of offspring."

The air in the tea room froze again.

Even for a modern Japanese family this is an extremely private topic, let alone discussing it on such a formal occasion.

Minami's cheeks flushed slightly, but her voice remained steady: "I hope to have the first child within one to two years after marriage, but the exact timing will depend on work circumstances."

Another one or two years???

Grandfather felt like ants were crawling in his heart, but for Japanese people this is already considered fast (Japanese couples generally only consider children three to five years after marriage), so he couldn't say much.

"What about the child's surname?" Uesugi Kuninori's question went straight to the core.

Uesugi Muneyuki and Watanabe Minami looked at each other, clearly they had already discussed this.

"The child, whether boy or girl, will bear the surname Uesugi." Muneyuki said calmly: "This is the consensus reached with Superintendent General Watanabe."

"Good!!!" Uesugi Kuninori was clearly very satisfied with this answer; he nodded slightly: "In that case, I have no further questions."

The meeting seemed about to end.

But just then Professor Kuninori made an unexpected gesture — he took a small paulownia wood box from his kimono sleeve, placed it on the tatami mat, and pushed it toward Muneyuki and Minami.

"This is for you two." His voice suddenly grew gentle, losing some authority, gaining some elder warmth.

Uesugi Muneyuki opened the wooden box; inside lay a pair of simple white jade rings, their faces carved with delicate bamboo-sparrow crests.

"This is yours and Grandmother's..." Uesugi Muneyuki rarely showed a surprised expression.

"Yes." Uesugi Kuninori nodded, sighing: "When we married, your great-grandfather gave them to us. Now they are passed to you two."

"Thank you, Grandfather." Uesugi Muneyuki said solemnly; Minami also bowed in thanks.

"The wedding is a new beginning in your life," Professor Uesugi Kuninori rose slowly, the others standing as well: "but never forget your origins. The Uesugi house has weathered four hundred years of wind and rain, from the Sengoku Daimyo of Echigo to the Yonezawa Domain lords, then to Meiji peerage, now a scholarly family. Every era has its own way of survival, but the family's backbone has never bent — even when Ieyasu Kō reduced us from Aizu's 1.2 million koku to Yonezawa's 300,000, even the seven-house disturbance caused by Hawk Mountain Lord's reforms, even the Sonnō Jōi of the Bakumatsu, or when Moiken Kō was dismissed for petitioning for the people —"

He looked straight into Uesugi Muneyuki's eyes: "You need not change your surname, need not follow all traditions, but you must remember: the pride and wisdom of Kenshin Kō flow in your blood. Whatever surname you bear, whatever path you choose, that pride and wisdom will accompany you for life."

Uesugi Muneyuki bowed deeply, this time without any hesitation or resistance: "I will keep it in heart, Grandfather."

After the formal tea-room meeting ended, Uesugi Tomoko — Hironori's wife, Muneyuki's mother — appeared at this moment.

Uesugi Tomoko carried herself elegantly, wearing a fine light purple twisted-silk kimono, her hair done up in an exquisite bun.

She had been in the kitchen personally supervising dinner preparations until now, only now finding time to join. She and Minami had met many times; after exchanging greetings, Uesugi Tomoko affectionately took Minami's hand and asked in a low voice about the final choice of wedding dress, and the atmosphere softened considerably.

Minami Ojou-sama keenly noticed the father and son's state, so she turned on the television.

An advertisement was playing.

"Premium Vietnamese imported fermented tofu, big, plump, white! Big! Plump! White! Rich flavor, no extra salt needed!"

"You really pulled? I really was pulling! You really pulled? I really was pulling, don't believe me go watch the video! Hakata Riku Kurogarlic Tonkotsu Ramen, I really was pulling!"

The television's sound slightly drowned out all the noise, and also gave father and son a space for communication.

Uesugi Muneyuki looked at his father, seeing Uesugi Hironori hesitate uneasily, wanting to speak but stopping, he couldn't help but say: "Say what you want to say, Father."

"Yukimatsu." Uesugi Hironori spoke, his voice a little dry.

"Father." Uesugi Muneyuki, expression consistently calm, waited for what came next.

"That incident — " Uesugi Hironori, this past year, his business grew bigger and more prosperous, but he became increasingly fearful of this son of his.

As a typical broker and intermediary on the fringes of high society, Uesugi Hironori was useless at other things, but reading people's expressions and various rumors were top-notch.

He had vaguely known of Uesugi Muneyuki's influence, especially the guests booked at the Imperial Hotel.

Chief Cabinet Secretary, Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission, Director of the Imperial Household Agency, Vice Minister of Finance, Vice Minister of Justice, Executive Director of Mitsui Sumitomo Group, Director of Mitsui Fudosan, President of the University of Tokyo, Dean of the University of Tokyo Faculty of Medicine, Director of Fujitsu, Managing Director of Mitsubishi UFJ Bank — these people weren't coming for Watanabe Eiji or Uesugi Kuninori at all, but for Uesugi Muneyuki!

He actually started fearing his own son!

Turning his gaze toward the not-so-distant Tokyo University, which was also the height he himself had never been able to reach in his youth, he then looked at his son's eyes, similar to his own but far more resolute.

Many words surged to his throat, finally he could only say in a low voice: "Sorry, Father failed to be a good example."

Uesugi Muneyuki fell silent for two seconds, he understood his father's awkward, attempting-to-approach intention in his words, also saw the fine lines at the corner of his father's eyes and that hard-to-conceal tension, only feeling a bit sour, a bit sad.

What do you have to apologize for? Father.

Clearly it was me who was unreasonable and had to stir up trouble, clearly you never shortchanged me on tuition and living expenses, clearly it was you who took out the tower mansion for me to live in, clearly you have always supported me — or at least never caused me trouble.

You always treated me as your son, and I always treated you as my father.

What do you have to apologize for?

But this is society, this is the essence of power, the essence of power is being able to make others do what they don't want to do, since ancient times, surrounding power, humanity has paid countless prices yet cannot resist the yearning for power.

It fascinates and frightens.

Especially for someone like Uesugi Hironori.

"It's nothing." Uesugi Muneyuki turned his head, rather embarrassed, said: "I am — always — the one who has caused you quite a bit of trouble — "

"Wherever wherever — " father and son were very awkward, neither dared to look much.

"In short, when the time comes, reception and handling recommendations, still have to trouble Father, much trouble — " Uesugi Muneyuki said in a low voice.

This "much trouble" made Uesugi Hironori's shoulders relax by an imperceptible millimeter.

He quickly glanced at his son, then looked away, his fingers unconsciously pinched the suit cuff again: "Nothing — I was originally doing this."

He brushed it off vaguely, then, as if having made a great decision, spoke quickly in a voice almost inaudible: "You — "

"Just like Chitokumaru, you are both my pride, you two brothers make me — make me — "

This sentence was short, vague, even some words not reaching their meaning, but it contained too much: it was acknowledgment, it was pride, and also that deep-seated, as a father yet unable to be a pillar, guilt.

After speaking, Uesugi Hironori's face flushed slightly, as if he had done something extremely bold and improper, he immediately turned his head to look out the window at the courtyard, pretending to be drawn by the stone lantern in the sunset.

Uesugi Muneyuki's heart seemed to be lightly bumped by this awkward sentence. He looked at his father's slightly thin and uncomfortable profile, that figure in his childhood memories sometimes busy, sometimes hesitant before his grandfather, now, in this extremely awkward way, trying to extend a tiny olive branch called "fatherly love."

"That's also because Father you have good stock." Uesugi Muneyuki first solemn, then half-jokingly said: "Also thanks to Father for not tying us brothers up and throwing us into the trash bin."

"???" Uesugi Hironori snapped his head back, a flash of relieved and grateful light in his eyes, but instantly turned to anger: "Yukimatsu!!! What are you saying?!"

"Hahahahaha!" Uesugi Muneyuki finally laughed, laughter with tears: "Because you are our father, that's enough, isn't it?"

Uesugi Hironori stared, after a long while, he joined in the laughter.

Yeah, not smearing you brothers on toilet paper, I am a great merit tooth sound!

Because I am your dad!

After dinner, at the genkan, the family solemnly bowed and said farewell.

Uesugi Hironori stood half a step behind his father, watching his second son carefully put a coat on Minami.

When Uesugi Muneyuki finally bowed to say goodbye to him, Uesugi Hironori only deeply, deeply nodded, thousands of words all condensed in that action, wider than usual and longer in duration.

The sunset's afterglow stretched the two shadows long, briefly overlapping on the polished genkan floor, then separating.

The car door closed, the engine started, carrying the new family unit slowly driving away from this old manor.

Yukimatsumaru is leaving.

It is truly leaving.

Uesugi Hironori stood under the eaves, until the taillights disappeared at the corner, Uesugi Tomoko lightly walked to his side, gently patted his arm.

Uesugi Kuninori had already turned back into the house, leaving the rustling evening wind in the courtyard.

"What did you just say?" Uesugi Tomoko asked strangely, how could you have such a big reaction?

"Huh?" Uesugi Hironori responded, gazing at the empty street, after a long while, said in a tone mixed with annoyance, loss, and relief: "Yukimatsumaru said he and Chitokumaru both want to thank me!"

"Hah?! Thank you for what? You are their father, them thanking you should be natural, right?" Uesugi Tomoko completely didn't understand what happened.

"He, he said he and Chitokumaru want to thank me, back then didn't tie those two brothers up and throw them into the trash bin!" Uesugi Hironori roared angrily: "Damn Yukimatsu, don't forget, even if you were sent away, I am forever your father!"

"Forever!!!"

But in this sentence, it seems no longer just the former self-pity and comparison, but a hint of indescribable, fatherly relief. Beneath those awkward and restrained feelings unable to pour out the chest, some emotional transmission ultimately reached them in their own way.