Legal advice (9EM, expecting)

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

The early morning saw Yasuki Ryoichi promptly arrive at Phoenix House, wearing his best navy blue kimono, with embroidered carp dancing along the hem.

"Excuse me," the slim Crab said to the door guard. "I am called Yasuki Ryoichi, here to consult with the Phoenix Champion on a matter of law. I believe she is expecting me?" He presented the letter he had received from Shiba Higashime.

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EDIT: Changed it to be day 9 (the current day) - had mistakenly written day 6.

[Shiba Higashime]

The early morning saw Yasuki Ryoichi promptly arrive at Phoenix House, wearing his best navy blue kimono, with embroidered carp dancing along the hem.

"Excuse me," the slim Crab said to the door guard. "I am called Yasuki Ryoichi, here to consult with the Phoenix Champion on a matter of law. I believe she is expecting me?" He presented the letter he had received from Shiba Higashime.

Ryoichi is conducted to Shiba Higashime's receiving room, which looks as though it was taken from Shiro Shiba and reconstructed here. Even the plants are from the northern coasts. She herself is seated on her dais, looking fairly stern.

"Yasuki-san. Good morning. Have you had rice?"

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

The Yasuki bowed low. "Yes, Lady Shiba. I am well," Ryoichi said. "I am honored and grateful that you have agreed to meet with me."

"As I mentioned in my letter, I have been wrestling with a difficult question involving law and propriety," he continued. "It concerns the status of the Empress's relative, the man called Tatsuya. It's well known that the Phoenix Champion is one of the most knowledgeable - perhaps the most knowledgeable - persons in matters of the law. I was hoping that you might be willing to assist with this."

He bowed again.

[Shiba Higashime]

"I would be pleased to assist Yasuki-san in this matter," Higashime replies. "What is it about Tatsuya's status that is in doubt?"

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"Well, as you know, the Empress proclaimed in formal court that Tatsuya was the son of Hantei Muhaki," the Yasuki began. "And although Tatsuya was raised as a ronin, he was never 'made ronin' in the customary ways: disgrace, the extinction of his house, and so on."

"As the acknowledged son of a Hantei, it seems to me that it would not be correct to consider Tatsuya to be a man without a family. In fact, it seems to me that he ought to be considered a member of the Imperial families," Ryoichi suggested delicately. "But it is an unusual situation, and my knowledge of the law is not as keen as that of the Phoenix Champion. Could you advise me what the law dictates for this case, Shiba-sama?"

[Shiba Higashime]

Higashime nodded once. "I understand your reasoning, and certainly his strong connection to the Hantei should be a factor in his favor, but acknowledgment and legitimization are different things. The facts are that Tatsuya was conceived and delivered out of wedlock, and that Hantei Muhaki never declared him to be eligible for the succession. Nor, for that matter, did the Empress. She called him here to evaluate him. These things are not the same. It is possible that she intended to do so, and for that reason and the reason of his blood I have not petitioned to have him removed from court, but I am afraid that the law holds him apart from his relations on his father's side."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"I see," Ryoichi said, absorbing this information. "I was under the impression that the Empress had proclaimed that Tatsuya was a candidate for succession. But if Shiba-sama understands otherwise, I must be mistaken."

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9EM Can't Lie, Willpower TN20 | 3k3 ⇒ 37 (TN: 20) succeeds, resist correcting a false statement

From Day 4 Court thread:

"It has been brought to my attention that there is another candidate for the Imperial Succession. My uncle, Hantei Muhaki, had a son by Sadahako the Fortune. This son was hidden from the Empire and has lived his life as a ronin. The reasons why are mine to know and way beyond any of you. I've sent out a team of delegates to retrieve this potential heir and bring him here."

[Shiba Higashime]

"Hm. Yasuki-san makes an argument, but there is ambiguity in the statement. There often is. I believe that Yasuki-san is free to make that argument. Some may find it persuasive. I do not."


Potential is doing a lot of heavy lifting, there. To you, that puts him on equal footing with the other heirs. To anyone uncomfortable with a ronin being in this position, it might mean "he has potential, but I have to check him out." It is in the eye of the beholder.

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

Ryoichi nodded. "Setting aside the succession, which is a greater matter than I ask about here," he said. "It's a matter of record that the Empress stated that Tatsuya is the son of a Hantei. Would the law support the idea that such a man should be considered a member of the Imperial Families?"

[Shiba Higashime]

"Perhaps. A case could certainly be made for it. It will be more disruptive, I think, than you are hoping. It is unfortunate that Hantei Muhaki arose from the Otomo and was a Regent, rather than a full Emperor. So much more would be resolved more quickly, I think, had he been a Seppun or a Miya. But I think you will encounter some resistance from the Otomo Family. Perhaps they have made enough enemies that they will be overriden."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

“I see,” Ryoichi said thoughtfully. “Yes, certainly there would be political resistance to naming Tatsuya an Imperial. But as persons interested in justice - is it correct to do so?”

“I know everyone sees a ronin as having no place at Court, but he is of Hantei blood, and the Empress ordered him brought here. And if Muhaki’s son deserves Imperial status, it seems proper to set things right.”

“What do you think, Shiba-sama?”

[Shiba Higashime]

"What do I think?" She frowned. "I think his father was a Regent, and that therefore the succession should ignore him, but I am willing to consider otherwise. That is why I have called together a symposium on this question with the Emerald Champion. We believe that people should be permitted to put forward these arguments in a safe setting, using a hypothetical so as not to inadvertently speak treason or heresy. I hope that you will find it a place that you can articulate your reasons for Tatsuya to be supported. I think that that is the only way to have a reasoned discussion."

She looks aside. "As for the succession itself, I remain undecided. No, not entirely. I have made one decision, but it is not to do with Tatsuya."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

The Yasuki nodded. "Thank you for your insights, Shiba-sama," he said bowing politely. "You have given clarity to the legal principles on which I was confused. Is there any way I can repay this favor?"