I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"No one would have imagined that Atsuhime Tenshōin, who had already 'died of illness,' would actually live in seclusion in Ōtsu."

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng couldn't help but show a reproachful expression.

"Your Highness, let's set aside the feasibility of your plan for now."

"To let Prince Tenshōin live out the rest of his life in anonymity... isn't that a bit too pitiful?"

Tokugawa Iemochi gave a wry smile.

“I know, so this is just my final solution.”

"Although it may sound like I'm boasting, I can assure you that if you are willing to get together, I will do my utmost to strive for a happy and fulfilling ending."

"I am the Shogun of the Edo Shogunate."

"As long as I'm willing, I can still come up with many ways to help you achieve your goals; it will just take a little more effort."

Perhaps he was tired of talking, Tokugawa Iemochi picked up the teacup beside his knee and took a big gulp.

When he put down his teacup, his gaze, hot enough to burn a hole in a person, once again pierced Qingdeng.

"Alright, now that we've talked so much, it's time to get back to the original question—Ju-kun, are you willing to marry Yu-yi?"

"..."

Qingdeng remained silent.

He subconsciously lowered his gaze, staring intently at the tatami mat in front of him, a mixture of emotions surfacing and mingling on his face.

As if he had been prepared, Tokugawa Iemochi immediately changed to a meaningful tone after seeing that Aoto remained silent for a long time:

"Ju-kun, you seem hesitant. Let me ask you another question: Ju-kun, do you like Yu Yi?"

"..."

Qingdeng opened his lips, as if preparing to say something.

But as he was about to speak, all those words got stuck in his throat.

In that instant, a flood of memories came to mind.

The day I first met Tenshōin...

The day she taught him archery, step by step...

The way she smiled...

She grinned mischievously at him...

And...the occasional look of loneliness that flashed across her face...

These scenes flashed rapidly before his eyes.

After reading these memories, he couldn't bring himself to say the words that were already on the tip of his tongue.

From the moment he arrived, Tokugawa Iemochi had been staring intently at Aoto’s face, carefully observing the changes in his expression.

Suddenly, he burst into laughter:

"Thank you for your answer, Tachibana-kun."

"I haven't said anything yet."

"No, you already said it, and I heard it clearly. You answered very well; that's exactly the answer I wanted to hear."

After saying this, Tokugawa Iemochi let out a long breath, looking as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

Then, he tilted his head back, facing the ceiling, as if reminiscing.

“I am the posthumous son of Tokugawa Nariaki, the 11th lord of the Kishu Domain.”

"When I was one year old, I was adopted by my uncle Tokugawa Nariaki and became his adopted son."

“But just over two years later, my adoptive father passed away, and I inherited his domain and became the 13th lord of the Kishu Domain at the age of only 4.”

"I can say that I have never experienced what fatherly love is from childhood to adulthood."

"If I could have another young father who is close to my age and reliable... that would be nice."

Towards the end, Tokugawa Iemochi's tone revealed a strong sense of mockery, making it unclear whether he was telling the truth or joking.

Tokugawa Iemochi's words undoubtedly exacerbated the confusion in Aoto's mind.

He was already speechless, and now he was even more at a loss for words.

"Don't worry, Tachibana-kun."

Tokugawa Iemochi spoke again.

"I have no intention of forcing you to give me a definite answer today."

"These things can't be rushed."

"Besides, I haven't mentioned this to my mother yet."

"Tell me your answer in person once you've truly made up your mind—I'll be waiting with bated breath!"

That's all the 'important things' I wanted to say.

"You can go back now."

Aoto stood up blankly—because of his chaotic thoughts and extremely complicated feelings, he now wished he could leave this place immediately and get away from Tokugawa Iemochi, not wanting to stay for even a second longer.

However, just as he was about to push open the door and leave, he suddenly remembered something, sighed softly, and turned his head to say:

"Your Highness, it's all your fault for your amazing idea that I almost forgot... Your Highness, the Prince asked me to pass on a message to you."

*******

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Chapter 884 Jia Mao: "Being a son like me has really been tough!" [5000]

Tokugawa Iemochi paused for a moment:

"Did the princess send you a message? What did she say?"

Qingdeng said slowly:

"His Highness asked me to tell you: You must eat well and rest well, and do not ruin your health by being busy with official duties."

With the help of his photographic memory, Qing Deng relayed He Gong's original words without any fabrication.

There are no complicated words, only the most sincere and simple feelings.

Tokugawa Iemochi probably didn't expect that Kazuya would say these things to him.

He was taken aback for a moment, then the corners of his lips unconsciously curved upwards.

At this moment, Qing Deng added with a smile:

"Your Highness, you have a good wife."

Qing Deng's previous impression of He Gong was that she was a spoiled, extremely superior, and extremely prejudiced against people from Kanto, like a porcelain doll.

From that day forward, and after hearing firsthand the concern that Princess Kazumi had for Tokugawa Iemochi, his impression of this frail young girl changed drastically.

“Your Highness, although I have no intention of interfering in your family affairs, I would still like to remind you: do not let official business interfere with your family matters.”

No matter how tired you are, don't let the person waiting for you at home be treated coldly.

"It would be best if you went to see the Prince of He's Palace tonight."

Tokugawa Iemochi listened attentively with a serious expression, and after a moment of thought, nodded solemnly.

"Well, I see."

As soon as he finished speaking, he chuckled a few times, as if he had thought of something amusing.

"The way you're sincerely admonishing me is just like a father."

Boom!

Qingdeng dared not linger any longer, and slammed the door shut as he left.

……

……

Qingdeng's footsteps gradually faded into the distance.

After the sound of their footsteps faded away, Tokugawa Iemochi slowly stood up, turned around, and walked towards the next room.

Whoosh— He had just yanked open the door when he ran right into Tianzhangyuan's fierce gaze.

"Jia Mao, you really dare to say that! You actually called me a 'lovestruck young girl'...!"

Tokugawa Iemochi shrugged and chuckled dryly.

“Mother, I was just telling the truth.”

Upon hearing this, Tenshōin seemed to catch her breath, her full chest heaving violently.

It took her quite a while to finally calm herself down.

"...Jiamo, what exactly is your intention?"

His gaze, which seemed both furious and embarrassed, was fixed on Tokugawa Iemochi.

Now that things had come to this point, she understood why Tokugawa Iemochi had made her stay in this room.

Let her eavesdrop through the door, then propose marriage to her directly in front of Qingdeng—killing two birds with one stone…what a clever scheme!

Tokugawa Iemochi was completely unfazed by Tenshōin's sharp gaze.

He tilted his head, his tone calm:

"My intention... I made it very clear when I was talking to Tachibana just now."

"I hope you can leave Edo Castle, stop being the Grand Chamberlain, and live out the rest of your life happily with Tachibana-kun—that's my intention."

"To be honest, at first, I only intended to remain an observer and had no intention of getting involved in your relationship with Mr. Tachibana."