(4)

"…What do you think?"
Leaving Kaden, Youko asked the two behind her. One was silent without expression. "Even if you ask me..." another one replied.

" Whatever the situation is, we at least know the development of Tai-ou and Tai Taiho's disappearance."
I do not mean that, Youko gave a bitter smile.
" She would like us to help Tai... What do you think about that?"

Koukan slightly knitted his eyebrows.
" It depends on what Miss Risai would like to request specifically. Also, from the beginning, the question lies on what Kei right now can do."

As Koukan was saying so, Keiki stopped his tracks and gave a bow. Keiki was called out from the middle of his administrative affairs at the provincial government office, so he had to return there. Seeing him off, Koukan also retired from Seishin (正寝) to return to his official residence (冢宰府, tyousai-fu).

Everyone here could not get too occupied with Risai, Youko thought as she returned to the inner hall (内殿, naiden). Even within this period, Kei was moving. Also, Kei had its own house of problems.

Koukan was right. It was easy to promise to help, but in reality what could Youko do? Youko herself had just survived her second year after coronation. She still felt uneasy -- and unfamiliar with this world's affairs. This taika emperor could not even read the documents well, and administrative affairs were often shouldered by Koukan and Keiki. Using the free time due to their help, Youko received teachings from Taishi (太師) and studied, and such was the situation. Youko could not spare herself to give a helping hand towards other kingdoms, let alone the national treasury or the government.

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