I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Upon seeing this, Qing Deng couldn't help but chuckle—he now understood why the other party had dismissed everyone else beforehand.

It is common knowledge that Tokugawa Iemochi and Prince Kazu had a very harmonious relationship.

They have never had a quarrel since they got married.

Interestingly, Kazumiya, who had always been crying and grieving over her "sacrifice," suddenly became much quieter and stopped making a fuss after marrying into Edo.

Qingdeng had heard... but it was really just hearsay! When Kazumiya first met Tokugawa Iemochi, his handsome face and polite demeanor made the girl's eyes sparkle, instantly changing her prejudice that "the Shogun is a beastman".

Aoto rarely interfered in Tokugawa Iemochi's family affairs.

It now seems that the young couple's relationship is even more loving than he had imagined.

"Your Highness, the General is in excellent health, with a radiant complexion and a strong sense of vitality."

"I see...that's good."

Because his face was covered by his sleeve, Qing Deng couldn't see the changes in Kazumiya's expression, but he vaguely heard the other person let out a long sigh.

"General Tachibana, as far as I know, you will be leading an army of 200,000 to launch a large-scale attack on the Choshu Domain."

"I am ignorant of military strategy and cannot offer you any assistance. I can only wish you a resounding victory and great success in your military endeavors."

"Please be sure to punish the disloyal subjects and restore peace to the world."

"That way, the old tree... he won't have to work so hard anymore, and he can see me more often..."

As Kazumi continued speaking, his voice grew softer and softer.

By the end, his voice was barely audible, almost like a mosquito's buzz.

The parts of her body not covered by her sleeves—her forehead and the tips of her ears—were all tinged with a striking blush.

Qing Deng's lips twitched slightly, his expression becoming quite complicated—he'd been eating dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection) ever since...

He's usually the one feeding other people's dog food, but today he got to be fed his fill.

Kazuhime's voice continued:

"Oh, and also, please remind the old tree master afterwards to eat well and sleep well."

Upon hearing this, Qingdeng couldn't help but ask in return:

"Your Highness, shouldn't you be the one saying these words to the General?"

Upon hearing this, He Gong immediately panicked and was at a loss for what to do.

"But...but I can't even see his face..."

Qingdeng smiled helplessly:

"Your Highness, please rest assured, I will lend you a hand!"

……

……

Edo Castle, during a break, upper section—

The mother and son chatted enthusiastically, completely unaware that time was flying by.

Suddenly, a servant's voice came from outside the door—

"My lord! General Tachibana requests an audience!"

Suddenly, Tokugawa Iemochi's eyes lit up, and he murmured:

"They've finally arrived..."

Tianzhangyuan, who had no idea that Qingdeng had come, was slightly taken aback.

"Huh? Sheng Qing is here?"

"Mother, I have a request, please grant it."

Tokugawa Iemochi looked solemnly at Tenshōin and spoke slowly and deliberately.

Before the other party could respond, he continued speaking on his own:

"Next, no matter what happens or what you hear, please stay here and do not leave or make any noise."

"Huh? Why?"

As she spoke, she subconsciously turned her eyes to look outside the room—Qingdeng's footsteps were coming from that direction.

"Mother, I'll explain later. Anyway, please help me!"

After saying this with utmost solemnity, Tokugawa Iemochi got up and left the room to welcome Aoto, leaving Tenshōin sitting there dumbfounded.

……

……

After bidding farewell to the palace, Aoto, following Tokugawa Iemochi's instructions, went straight to the resting room without stopping.

The rest area is divided into an upper section (where the general sleeps) and a lower section (where the general works), and the two rooms are adjacent to each other.

No sooner had Tokugawa Iemochi left the upper section than he received Aoto in the lower section.

At this moment, Qing Deng sat directly in front of Tokugawa Iemochi, the two facing each other—completely unaware that Tenshōin was right next door in the upper section.

"Tachibana-kun, you've worked hard. Kazumi must have asked you a lot of questions, right? Did she feel any more cheerful after talking to you?"

Qingdeng smiled:

"I have done my best to recreate Kyoto with my words. As for whether you had a good time with Her Highness... perhaps Your Highness should ask her directly?"

Upon hearing this, Tokugawa Iemochi shook his head with a wry smile.

"I do intend to, but I'm simply too busy lately..."

Qing Deng returned the look with a half-smile.

He then changed his tune, saying:

"Your Highness, to be honest, I've been talking all day. First, I told you about the specific battle plan for the 'Choshu Campaign,' and then I told His Highness about the current situation in Kyoto. My tongue is getting tired, so I won't beat around the bush—what exactly is the 'important matter' you mentioned earlier?"

Upon hearing this, Tokugawa Iemochi immediately perked up, a slight smile playing on his lips:

"Alright, then I'll get straight to the point!"

He paused, and after a brief moment of gathering his strength—

"Tachibana-kun, would you like to be my father?"

*******

*******

It's almost the end of the month again! Readers with monthly passes, please vote for this book! (Crying leopard head.jpg) Requesting monthly passes! Requesting recommendation votes! (Leopard head crying.jpg)

P.S.: The father is helping his daughter-in-law get together, and the son is trying to bring his father and mother together—what a chaotic family! (Leopard.jpg)

Chapter 883 If you do not abandon me, I am willing to become your godfather! [5100]

Qingdeng: "..."

Tensho-in: "..."

Qingdeng and Tenshōin, who was eavesdropping in the next room, both fell silent.

After hearing Qing Deng's voice coming from the next room, Tenshōin became even more confused.

She really couldn't understand what Tokugawa Iemochi was up to.

So she decided to play along, obediently staying where she was and listening carefully to the sounds from next door to see what kind of tricks they were up to.

Doors made of paper and wood offer virtually no sound insulation.

Therefore, as long as she stays in this room (upper section), she can hear all the sounds from the next room (lower section).

He hadn't listened, but upon hearing it, his eyes widened like cowbells.

Thankfully, she reacted quickly enough to raise her hands and cover her mouth, otherwise she would have definitely screamed.

In that instant, she felt as if a cannonball had exploded in her mind, first causing a violent tremor, then leaving her completely blank.

"Tachibana-kun, will you be my father?"—These words kept echoing in her ears.

At this moment, not only Tenshōin was in a state of shock, but Aoto's facial expression was also dominated by intense astonishment.

Qing Deng stared blankly at Tokugawa Iemochi across from him, his eyes glazed over, completely dumbfounded.

Seeing this, Tokugawa Iemochi smiled helplessly:

"Oh dear, did I put it too tactfully?"

"Let me put it another way: Tachibana-kun, are you willing to marry Tenshōin Atsuhime... no, are you willing to marry Ichiro?"

Yu Yi – the original name of Tianzhangyuan.

At this point, Qingdeng finally recovered.

"...'To be your father'...Your Highness, what does that mean?"

Tokugawa Iemochi smiled and tilted his head.

"Hmm? This shouldn't be too hard to understand, right?"

"Yu Yi is my adoptive mother."

“If you marry Yu Yi, then you will naturally be my godfather.”

At this point, Tokugawa Iemochi paused, then adopted a strange expression with complex emotions.

"Asking me to call you 'Father'...it's really hard to say for a moment..."

"No, no, no, that's not what I was asking you about...!"

As Qingdeng spoke, he touched his forehead and vigorously rubbed his temples, trying to calm himself down.

Even when facing formidable enemies like Rakshasa and Keji, he felt a panic that threw him into disarray.

Marrying Tenshōin... becoming Tokugawa Iemochi's father... these two thoughts, like a demonic chant, occupied every corner of his mind, preventing him from regaining normal thinking.

If it weren't for the pounding of his heart and the dizziness deep in his head, he would have truly thought he was dreaming.