"She must be a witch," they said. "Probably the spirit of the ancient Tamamono Maye!"
Lord Yamakage, now quite pleased with her, handed her a cup of saké. He gave his full consent to her marrying his son Saisho, and bestowed upon them as a settlement twenty-three hundred cho of land, together with twenty-four servants to wait upon them, and for their bridal chamber he allotted them the Hall of Bamboos.
So Saisho and the Bowl-Wearer were at last married, and all their troubles ended. Never was there such a merry wedding, such a lovely bride, or such a happy bridegroom. The days flew into weeks, the weeks flew into months, for the flight of time is unnoticed when one is happy.
At last one day Saisho said to his wife: "I cannot believe you to be the daughter of a common man. Will you not tell me who your father is? I should like to know. Whatever wrong you have suffered, why hide your parentage any longer?"
The Princess knew that if she told her husband the truth, the name of her cruel stepmother would have to be mentioned, and it would be most unfilial to speak of the woman's cruelty, for she was her father's wife, so she decided not to tell Saisho to what family she belonged. She made some excuse, saying that he should know all in good time, and begged him to wait a little longer.
SAISHO AND THE BOWL-WEARER WERE AT LAST MARRIED