I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

In this chaotic and fleeting world, our time together lasts only a moment.

This melancholic tone, evoked by the scene, perfectly aligns with the Japanese aesthetic of "mono no aware," which is the expression of genuine emotion.

When the human heart comes into contact with the external world, it is moved by the scenery and objects, and the emotions that naturally arise at this time are joy, anger, fear, sadness, lingering and melodious, or longing and yearning—this is called "mono no aware" (the pathos of things).

Although this work has not yet reached the level of being widely praised by the world, it is indeed a masterpiece.

Even the proud and arrogant Kazuya couldn't help but glance at Yoshiki Ichibashi a few times.

Faced with the praise from the crowd, Yoshiki Ichihashi smiled modestly and then silently put away the poem in his hand.

At this moment, those malicious gazes once again fell upon Tianzhangyuan.

Those who love to watch the drama unfold, the "Hitotsubashi faction"... Although they didn't say a word, the glances they cast at Tenshōin revealed their true feelings—gloating, mockery, ridicule, and sarcasm...

Anyone with eyes can see that Yoshinobu Hitotsubashi and Haruaki Matsudaira are clearly putting on a show, and their acting skills are not even that great!

Qingdeng is certain: These two guys definitely conspired beforehand!

One of them went ahead to cause trouble for Tianzhang Academy.

Another attempt to smooth things over, in reality, only made Tenshoin's situation even more awkward.

With Yoshiki Ichitsuki's brilliant work preceding her, it would be even more embarrassing for her to show her blank poem, which would also damage the reputation of the "Nanki School".

If nothing unexpected happens, by tomorrow, the following anecdote will be circulating among the common people of Edo: "Hitotsubashi Yoshiki wrote a masterpiece that has been widely praised at the banquet, while Tenshōin Atsuhime couldn't write a single word."

That's how factional strife works.

They vie for both power and face.

Or rather, in the cruel world of officialdom, power and face are sometimes equated.

Leader Yoshinobu Hitotsubashi made a huge splash... The "Hitotsubashi faction" was overjoyed by this.

The power struggle between the "Nanki faction" and the "Hitotsubashi faction" had long since reached a fever pitch.

The Hitotsubashi faction naturally wouldn't let go of this opportunity to disgust the Nanki faction.

So they all cast mocking glances at their political enemies sitting opposite them.

Faced with the provocation of the "Hitotsubashi faction," the "Nanki faction" was naturally deeply indignant.

"Master Sheng, Master Sheng."

The official sitting to Katsura Rintaro's right—and the one sitting to Katsura Rintaro's left—was gently nudging Katsura Rintaro's side with his elbow while whispering:

"Lord Sheng, can you compose poetry?"

Katsura Rintaro sighed helplessly, his face showing bitterness:

"Lord Uehara, if you ask me to measure the trajectory of cannonballs or calculate the speed of warships, I will have no objection. But if you ask me to compose a poem... please spare me."

In modern terms, Katsu Rintaro is a pure science and engineering type.

He has been studying Dutch studies diligently since he was young.

Let alone composing poetry, he probably hasn't even read the Manyoshu.

At this moment, a certain Nanki faction official—whose name was Makino Masakuni—took a deep breath and revealed a resolute expression as if he were about to go to war.

"Well... I'll make a fool of myself then!"

After saying that, he cleared his throat forcefully:

"Plum blossoms, oh plum blossoms."

"Oh dear, plum blossoms, oh plum blossoms."

"Plum blossoms, oh plum blossoms."

Masakuni Makino had not recited this poem before, but once he did, it immediately caused a burst of laughter from the "Hitotsubashi School".

"Hahaha! Lord Makino, this kind of work can hardly be called a haiku!"

"Lord Makino, are you trying to imitate Taharabo's 'Matsushima'?"

"Lord Makino, haiku must follow the '5-7-5' format!"

……

"Matsushima" is a haiku poem written by the ecstatic singer Taharabo: "Matsushima や, ああ 松岛 や, 松岛 や" (Matsushima, ah, Matsushima, Matsushima)

This work was once mistakenly attributed to Matsuo Bashō, the Japanese master of martial arts, but this is a misattribution.

Speechless after being rebuked, Masakuni scratched his hair and lowered his head, his face flushed with embarrassment.

Masakuni Makino's initial setback emboldened the "Hitotsubashi faction."

The situation was unfolding smoothly according to his own plan, and this excellent turn of events brought a smug smile to Matsudaira Haruaki's lips.

He extended his forked tongue like a venomous snake, licked his lips, and pressed his advantage, saying:

"Your Highness, I am unaware of your work..."

"Spring Mountain!"

Tokugawa Iemochi interrupted Matsudaira Haruaki with a furious expression.

He never expected that a simple banquet game would be used by Yoshinobu Hitotsubashi and Haruaki Matsudaira.

He gritted his teeth, intending to angrily rebuke Matsudaira Haruaki.

However, just as he was about to speak, a slender hand blocked his way.

"Mother...?"

Tokugawa Iemochi stared blankly at Tenshōin, who had stopped him.

Tenshōin smiled slightly and said softly, in a voice only she and Tokugawa Iemochi could hear:

"Jia Mao, please be patient."

Upon hearing Tenshōin's words, Tokugawa Iemochi seemed to realize something and slowly suppressed his anger.

His body, which had been slightly leaning forward due to emotional excitement, gradually returned to a proper sitting posture.

However, although the anger on his face had faded, it was replaced by intense resentment and frustration.

Although everyone present knew that Hitotsubashi Yoshinobu and Matsudaira Haruaki were deliberately picking a fight, at least on the surface, Tokugawa Iemochi did not have sufficient reason to reprimand them.

If Tokugawa Iemochi were to lose his temper in public, it would only play into the other party's hands.

However, even though Myōshōin had already shown a willingness to back down, Matsudaira Shun'gaku remained unyielding.

"General, I only hope that Princess Tenshōin can confidently and generously display her work, and I have no other intentions."

"If His Highness Tenshōin lacks confidence in his own work, or if there is nothing he can do wrong with his writing, then I will naturally not force him to do anything against his will."

This is no longer just subtle sarcasm; it's outright blatant confrontation.

The Hitotsubashi faction became increasingly complacent due to Matsudaira Shungaku's dominance.

The "Southern School" felt deeply indignant, furious, yet helpless.

……

……

Since then, Qing Deng's gaze has never left Tian Zhang Yuan.

At first glance, Tensho-in appeared completely unmoved by this sudden change.

Even when publicly humiliated, she still maintained an impeccable, gentle smile.

But... perhaps because Qingdeng was familiar with the other person, he couldn't find any smile on that pretty face.

He could only see a pair of small, icy hands gripping the smock on her legs with barely perceptible movements.

"...Rintaro."

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

"May I borrow your ink?"

"what?"

Before Katsurin Taro could respond, Aoto snatched his inkstone.

He picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, and his brush moved like dragons and snakes.

Qingdeng wrote something on his poetry paper in one go.

……

……

Tenshōin skillfully lifted his facial muscles.

No matter how much injustice she suffered or how unfair the situation was, she could skillfully and naturally put on an appropriate smile—this was the first skill Tenshōin learned after marrying into the shogunate.

She slowly shifted her gaze.

Her gaze swept across the faces of Hitotsubashi Yoshinobu, the smug Matsudaira Shungaku, the arrogant "Hitotsubashi faction," and the court nobles who stood by and watched...

"It's happening again..."

She murmured, her voice barely audible.

For some reason, the images and words buried deep in her mind flashed before her eyes and echoed in her ears again.

……

(Yoichi, your mission is simple: marry into the shogunate, infiltrate the inner palace, and use every means necessary to promote Hitotsubashi Yoshinobu to the throne.)

……

(The princess is truly pitiful. The lord clearly knew that Tokugawa Iesada was already dying, yet he still forced the princess to marry him... She became a widow at such a young age; it's so pitiful.)

……

(Be wary of Tenshōin; although she repeatedly insists that she has severed all ties with the Satsuma Domain, the possibility that she is a spy for the Satsuma Domain cannot be ruled out.)

……

(Your Highness, please forgive my bluntness, but you are merely a woman; what right do you have to comment on state affairs?)

……