Chapter 49 Summary

The emperor calls for Kaoru to come to the palace and Kaoru arrives as requested. When he sits down with the emperor, the emperor pulls up a Go board and makes a vague hint of a wager. The emperor secretly wants Kaoru to take the Second Princess as a wife, but is not willing to say it to Kaoru directly. When the emperor loses the game, he hints at what he wants for Kaoru. Understanding the emperor's intentions, Kaoru accepts the cautiously implied offer of the hand of the Second Princess.

Meanwhile, a marriage is arranged between Niou and Rokunokimi, the sixth daughter of Yugiri. Nakanokimi is disappointed when she hears this, as she will now have to share her husband with another woman but she accepts it.

When Kaoru hears of the impending marriage between Niou and Rokunokimi, he immediately comes to...