3. Gojo Bridge
It is Yuiko’s
habit to go to Oxen Street every 1st and 15th day of the
month. She goes there by impersonating herself as a young male physician with
the name of Koremitsu. In order to reach Oxen Street, she has to pass thru Gojo
Bridge; a small one way wooden bridge located at the southeast of the fifth
avenue.
As this day
is the 1st day of the month, Yuiko would sneak out from the palace
at dawn, ride a horse and gallop her way to the Oxen Street. The traffic
usually is smooth during this hour, as people yet to wake up. However today,
when she reaches Gojo Bridge, there is a litter with four menservants carrying
it at the opposite direction intending to cross the bridge. By looking at the
decoration of the litter, Yuiko knows that the person inside must be the Regent
Fujiwara no Tadamichi or someone from their family. It is the Heian’s etiquette
to give way to the superior especially the royal family and the regent, when
passing bridges or streets. However, Yuiko does not intend to do so, she’s the person
who shows no concern towards the social ranking.
“Get down
from the horse and let our master cross the bridge!” shouted one of the manservants.
“Why should
I? Mind you, I reach the bridge before your master, aren’t I suppose to pass
first?” questioned Yuiko.
“Fools! Don’t you know this is the regent’s family palanquin?
You must give way to our master!!”
“Make me
then!!”
The four
menservants drop their master’s litter run towards Yuiko attempting to pull her
down from her horse. Yuiko knew their intention and immediately outsmart them
by gripping the reins tightly, driving the horse towards their master’s
palanquin, and jump over it swiftly. It is Yuiko’s first attempt to ride
dangerously and yet she succeeded leaving the courtier and his servants
stupefied.
“Kimiharu,
who was that scatterbrain?! This is absolutely intolerable!!” finally the
menservants’ master voice up angrily.
“I’m sorry
master, we do not know him.” Replied Kimiharu.
“Shame of
you! Quick, get me a horse and I’ll chase after him! Have to teach this rowdy
rogue a lesson!!”
“But
master…”
“No but!! Do
it!!”
The servant
Kimiharu went to the neighboring household pay them handsomely in exchange for
their horse.
After
crossing Gojo Bridge, Yuiko reaches Oxen Street, never would she knows that the
master she just provoked is secretly following her at the back.
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