IV. HOW KANE-UJI BECAME A BRIDEGROOM WITHOUT HIS FATHER-IN-LAW'S CONSENT
Traveling with great speed, the nakodo quickly arrived at the dwelling of the Hangwan, and gave the letter to the master, who removed the cover with hands that trembled for joy.
Very, very short the answer was,—only these words: Oki naka bune, "a boat floating in the offing."
But Kane-uji guessed the meaning to be: "As fortunes and misfortunes are common to all, be not afraid, and try to come unseen."
Therewith he summoned Ikenoshoji, and bade him make all needful preparation for a rapid journey. Goto Sayemon consented to serve as guide.
He accompanied them; and when they reached the district of Soba, and were approaching the house of the princess, the guide said to the prince:—
"That house before us, with the black gate, is the dwelling of the far-famed Yokoyama Choja; and that other house, to the northward of it, having a red gate, is the residence of the flower-fair Terute.
"Be prudent in all things, and you will succeed." And with these words, the guide disappeared.
Accompanied by his faithful retainer, the Hangwan approached the red gate.
Both attempted to enter, when the gate-keeper sought to prevent them; declaring they were much too bold to seek to enter the dwelling of Terute-Hime, only daughter of the renowned Yokoyama Choja,—the sacred child begotten through the favor of the deity of the Sun.
"You do but right to speak thus," the retainer made reply. "But you must learn that we are officers from the city in search of a fugitive.
"And it is just because all males are prohibited from entering this dwelling that a search therein must be made."
Then the guards, amazed, suffered them to pass, and saw the supposed officers of justice enter the court, and many of the ladies in waiting come forth to welcome them as guests.
And the Lady Terute, marvelously pleased by the coming of the writer of that love-letter, appeared before her wooer, robed in her robes of ceremony, with a veil about her shoulders.
Kane-uji was also much delighted at being thus welcomed by the beautiful maiden. And the wedding ceremony was at once performed, to the great joy of both, and was followed by a great wine feast.
So great was the mirth, and so joyful were all, that the followers of the prince and the maids of the princess danced together, and together made music.
And Oguri-Hangwan himself produced his flute, made of the root of a bamboo, and began to play upon it sweetly.
Then the father of Terute, hearing all this joyous din in the house of his daughter, wondered greatly what the cause might be.
But when he had been told how the Hangwan had become the bridegroom of his daughter without his consent, the Choja grew wondrous angry, and in secret devised a scheme of revenge.