"There was nothing else to discuss. She was a daughter of the Fujiwara family. Even if I didn't put her in the family register, she was still one of us. We'd raised her for so many years—it was time for her to repay the family a little."
Fujiwara no Fuhito had never thought much of his daughter, Fujiwara no Mei Hong. His other three daughters were all crucial to his rise, but... Fujiwara no Mei Hong's existence was simply superfluous. The sight of her irritated him.
Fujiwara no Mei Hong's birth had been an accident. If not for the fact that she carried his blood, he would have thrown her away long ago.
His eldest daughter, Fujiwara no Miyako, was the Emperor's consort and had already borne him a child. That son had been named Crown Prince, the heir to the next Emperor.
Fujiwara no Fuhito... was the Emperor's grandfather.
His second daughter, Fujiwara no Chōga, had also become Prince Nagaya's consort. His third daughter, Fujiwara Kōmyōshi, was betrothed to his grandson, the Crown Prince.
His fourth daughter, Fujiwara no Tabino, had not yet been betrothed, but barring any surprises... she would likely marry into the imperial family as well.
As for Fujiwara no Mei Hong... that illegitimate daughter who had appeared by accident had no right to marry into the great noble houses, much less the imperial family. At most, her purpose was to win over those provincial nobles who had attached themselves to her.
Though the returns would not be particularly great, something was better than nothing.
"Besides, marrying that provincial noble would not be mistreating her. At the very least, she would never have to worry about food or clothing for the rest of her life. As for you... you'll be leaving for Heian-kyō to take up