I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"However... you care too much about the identity of the 'Great Imperial Palace' and the opinions of the world."

"Even though my heart is filled with deep affection for Tachibana-kun, I deceive myself and am unwilling to honestly face my own heart, which only adds to my depression and troubles."

“If you were left to develop freely, even for ten lifetimes, you would keep your true feelings hidden in your heart and be unwilling to take a firm step forward.”

"In that case, let me help you break through the barrier."

"In this way, no matter what happens in the future, we can at least have a quick and painless end."

"It's much better than the previous 'neither here nor there' situation."

Tenshōin's facial expression changed several times.

Annoyance, shame, confusion... a variety of emotions flickered across her face, making it impossible to guess what she was thinking.

“…Jia Mao, I appreciate your kindness.”

"While I understand your good intentions, you've made a mistake."

"My feelings for Sheng Qing are not what you imagine."

Upon hearing this, Tokugawa Iemochi immediately burst out laughing.

"Mother, isn't it rather pointless to say such things now that things have come to this?"

"Perhaps this is a case of those involved being confused, while bystanders see things clearly."

"You probably don't realize it, but actually, your trusted confidants like Sae and Yae have long seen through your special feelings for Tachibana-kun."

"After all, the change in your appearance after meeting Tachibana-kun was just too obvious."

"Anyone with eyes can see through this."

"It's just that this matter is of great importance, so no one dares to gossip."

Tensho-in's face turned red again.

Perhaps unable to think of a rebuttal, she stammered for a long time without uttering a single word.

Tokugawa Iemochi wouldn't give her enough time to react; he immediately pressed his advantage.

“Mother, whatever decision you make—whether you stay in Edo Castle, run away with Tachibana-kun, or choose something else—I will fully support you.”

Your happiness is my greatest wish.

"You have done enough for the shogunate and for this country. Please... think more about yourself."

Upon hearing this, Tenshōin subconsciously pursed his lips.

After a moment, she raised her gaze and gave Tokugawa Iemochi a deep look, her eyes filled with complex and indescribable emotions.

"..."

In the end, without saying a word, she stood up abruptly, then grabbed the hem of her dress and fled the room with hurried little steps.

Tokugawa Iemochi stood quietly, turning his head to watch her retreating figure.

Once he was alone in the room, he looked up at the sky, let out a long breath, a look of weariness on his face, and muttered to himself:

"Being a son like me has it pretty tough too..."

……

……

Edo Castle, outside the castle gate—

"Moo...? Moo moo moo...?"

Noticing its owner's odd behavior, Radish walked straight ahead while mooing, frequently turning its head to look at Qingdeng on its back with a curious and worried expression.

How he left the rest room, and how he passed through the gates of Edo Castle... this memory seemed to have been severed and extracted, and Aoto couldn't recall it at all.

He now felt light all over, with a sense of ethereal lightness and a feeling that his feet couldn't touch the ground.

At this moment, it was as if a broken tape recorder was installed in his mind, repeatedly replaying the words that Tokugawa Iemochi had just said.

Marrying Tenshōin... Seidō had never imagined such a thing before.

More accurately, it's about deliberately avoiding thinking about such things.

Because he knew it was an impossible dream, he consciously ignored it.

However... thanks to Tokugawa Iemochi, he can no longer "play dumb".

Regardless of the feasibility of marrying Tenshōin.

If he were to actually marry Tenshōin, the resulting chain reaction would surely cause him a great deal of trouble.

Even if he could deceive the world, he couldn't deceive his beautiful wives at home.

"Sanako, Omai, Tsukasa, this is Tenshōin Atsuhime, that's right, she's the Ōmitō of the Shogunate! But that's all in the past. From now on, she's 'Tachibana Keiko,' so you all have to get along well!" — To be honest, Aoto couldn't imagine what the consequences would be after saying such things to Sanako and the others...

Tenshōin has a bunch of names.

Her nickname is "Yu Yi".

After becoming Shimazu Nariakira's adopted daughter, she changed her name to "Shimazu Atsuko" or "Minamoto Atsuko".

The shogun's principal wife was often brought in from the five regent families (Ichijō, Nijō, Kujō, Konoe, and Takatsukasa) or the imperial family, as a tacit agreement of trust between the court and the shogunate. Therefore, after being adopted by Konoe Tadahiro, she changed her name again to "Fujiwara Keiko".

Therefore, if Tenshōin really did become Seito's wife, then her name should be changed to "Tachibana Keiko".

Faced with Tenshōin Atsuhime transformed into "Tachibana Keiko"... Sanako and the others will probably be stuck in a prolonged shutdown.

Admittedly, both Sanako and Mai are young ladies of noble birth.

Compared to the Tianzhang Academy, they were nothing but a drop in the ocean.

Princess of the Satsuma Domain + Grand Chamberlain of the Edo Shogunate... This status is just too prestigious!

Even if you searched all over Japan, you couldn't find a woman with a higher status than Tenshōin.

The arrival of Tenshōin will surely disrupt the "balance of power" at the Tachibana residence.

Furthermore, if he marries Tenshōin, then Tokugawa Iemochi... the current Shogun would truly become his adopted son!

Former friends, now father and son... What a mess!

Just then, a sudden call brought Qingdeng back to his senses.

"Tachibana-kun... Tachibana-kun...! Tachibana-kun!"

Qing Deng was startled and hurriedly looked in the direction of the sound—only to see Mr. Kiryu standing five meters away, looking at him with a suspicious expression.

"Tachibana-kun, what are you thinking about? You seem so lost in thought, and your expression is so strange."

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng subconsciously raised his hand to touch his face.

Because there was no mirror, he had no way of knowing what the expression he had etched looked like.

However, he could roughly tell that his facial features were strangely distorted, appearing neither as a smile nor a cry.

"It's nothing, I'm just... bothered by trivial matters."

He made up a few words to brush it off.

Of course, he couldn't just casually leak such a major secret as "the General of the Expedition wants to be my adopted son."

He rubbed his face vigorously to adjust his mental state while inwardly mocking himself.

Even though it was still far from being a done deal, he started fantasizing about "his new life after marrying Tenshōin"...

It's clear that his mind is in complete turmoil right now.

Kiryu looked Aoto up and down a few times. Although a hint of confusion still lingered on his face, he didn't ask any further questions and instead got down to business:

"Tachibana-kun, I found Shikisaki Sukeyo. Sure enough, he's been hanging out in Yoshiwara lately and hasn't been home for a while."

Upon hearing that it was a serious matter, Qingdeng immediately adopted a serious and earnest expression, casting aside all his strange and unusual thoughts.

Before Kiryu-sensei finished speaking:

"So, are you going to see him tonight?"

Qingdeng smiled and answered without hesitation:

"Of course! I'd love to get everything done in a single day!"

……

……

That night--

Edo, Nippon Tsutsumi, Yoshiwara——

In Qing Deng's memory, the last time he visited Yoshiwara was a long time ago, dating back to the time when he was investigating the Phantom Lake.

Yoshiwara remains the same.

As night falls, peach-colored lanterns are hung along the streets and in front of the various brothels, illuminating the entire city in a warm glow and adding to the enchanting atmosphere.

However, compared to the past, the number of people on Yoshiwara Street has decreased significantly, and there is a desolate feeling in the air.

After the shogunate abolished the "sankin-kotai" (requiring a formal visit to the capital), the resulting chain reaction severely damaged Edo's economy.

Only half of Edo's population was permanent residents; the other half were transient.

Every year, at least half of the daimyo would travel to Edo with dozens or even thousands of attendants.

Their long journey not only brought considerable income to inns, restaurants, izakayas, and post stations along the way, but also injected fresh blood into the Edo economy.

It is no exaggeration to say that if Edo's prosperity were rated out of 10, then 3 or even 4 of those points would be attributed to the "Sankin Kotai" (a system of official ceremonies for the emperor).

Nowadays, with the abolition of the "sankin-kotai" (tribute to the emperor), daimyo no longer bring their retinues to Edo, causing Edo's total population to plummet and consequently hindering its economy.

The activities Yoshiwara engaged in were purely "service industry".

The direct reduction in customers has had a very direct and significant impact on Yoshiwara.

The decline of Yoshiwara can be glimpsed from the enthusiasm of the geisha.

As soon as the master and apprentice stepped through the gates of Yoshiwara, a large number of kenseban (a type of Japanese shaman) swarmed forward, sparing no effort to solicit customers.

[Note: See "Seban": also known as "prostitute," or colloquially "prisoner," who sets up a platform near the main entrance of a brothel to solicit customers.]

"Where would you like to go, gentlemen?"