I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"On the day I came of age, my biological father, Tadashi Shimazu, asked me this question: 'Yoichi, what kind of man do you hope your future husband will be?'"

"I answered directly: I hope my future husband will be the number one man in Japan."

After listening, Qing Deng nodded slightly:

"Yes, you did mention it to me."

This happened a long time ago.

A year and a half ago, Tokugawa Iemochi traveled to Kyoto specifically to discuss the expulsion of foreigners with the Imperial Court.

When their carriage arrived in Otsu, Qing Deng and Tenshōin had a secret rendezvous in the sedan chair.

Two things happened that day that left a deep impression on Qingdeng.

One of them was that Tenshōin teased him with her two little feet through the sedan curtain in front of Sanako, causing him to make strange noises unintentionally.

If Sanako had lifted the sedan curtain back then and happened to see Tenshōin and her small feet resting on Seito… even today, Seito can’t imagine what the consequences would have been…

Secondly, it was because Tenshōin revealed his past to him.

Her dream of "marrying Japan's number one man"...

Her cold-blooded adoptive father, who sacrificed her happiness for the future of the Satsuma Domain...

Her resentment at marrying a useless man...

Suddenly, Tenshōin posed a new question:

"Sheng Qing, do you still remember the question you asked me back then?"

—What was the question asked of the Tenshō-in at that time?

Qingdeng blinked, trying hard to recall.

Before he could recall what had happened, Tenshōin continued, answering his own question:

"You asked me back then: 'You said you wanted to marry the number one man in Japan, but there are many kinds of number one in this world, such as number one in looks, number one in wealth, number one in status, number one in swordsmanship. No matter how great a person is, it is impossible to win the crown of "number one" in every aspect and every field. So, in your eyes, what kind of man is worthy of your ideal "number one in Japan"?'"

"To my shame, you asked the question very seriously, but I didn't give you a definite answer. I just brushed it off with 'I don't know either.'"

"To be honest, my preferences have never changed."

"Even though a long time has passed, even though I am now a widow nearing thirty and no longer a young girl, my criteria for choosing a partner is still 'number one in Japan'."

"Only the number one man in Japan can catch my eye."

"To this day, my image of 'Japan's number one' has finally been accurately defined."

"Sheng Qing, although it's a bit late, I can tell you for sure now: I like men who are strong and capable of taking on a thousand men single-handedly."

"When I was little, my favorite book was the Records of the Three Kingdoms."

"Every time Zhao Zilong appears, my heart races."

"My favorite part is Zhao Zilong breaking through the enemy lines and slaying generals. Every time I read it, it makes my heart surge with excitement."

"It was probably from that time that a 'Zhao Zilong' took up residence in my heart."

"Therefore, the 'number one man in Japan' in my mind is a man as powerful as Zhao Zilong."

"I was trapped in the midst of a massive army when a hero whose face I couldn't see charged into the fray alone, killing every enemy he encountered and slaying every general he met. Finally, he broke through layers of defenses, pulled me into his arms, and rescued me—I've fantasized about this scene countless times since I was a child."

"Haha, thinking about it carefully, my taste is really quite crude."

"Just like female monkeys, they are willing to follow any male monkey that is strong."

"so what……"

At this moment, Tenshōin, who had been walking forward, suddenly stopped.

"Sheng Qing, crush Changzhou and achieve a complete victory in the 'Changzhou Conquest'!"

The sudden change in tone left Qingdeng frozen in place.

"You are not yet a match for the 'Zhao Zilong' in my heart."

"In other words, you are not strong enough for me to feel that you are 'number one in Japan'."

"However, if you conquer Changzhou, subdue all enemies, and achieve great deeds that will be recorded in history, then I will acknowledge your strength."

"When that time comes... if you're interested, and if you don't mind me, then take me to Otsu!"

The instant he finished speaking, Tensho-in suddenly turned around and faced Aoden directly.

In an instant, a face flushed with embarrassment, barely concealing her shyness, was clearly reflected in Qing Deng's eyes.

"Take me to Otsu"... Although it is a euphemism, how could Qing Deng not understand the meaning behind it?

Before he could even express his shock or surprise, Tenshōin continued:

"I want to marry the number one man in Japan—even though I already like you very much, I will not change my mind."

"This is the only thing I insist on."

"Therefore, Sheng Qing, please defeat Choshu, demonstrate your unparalleled strength, and become the 'Number One in Japan' in my eyes."

"In that case, I can go to Otsu with you willingly."

At this point, Tenshōin seemed to remember something, and his face turned even redder.

"Now that things have come to this, I will tell you all the 'secrets' I have kept hidden for so long."

“When I married into the Tokugawa shogunate, Tokugawa Iesada’s condition was already quite serious.”

"He lay in bed all day long, and even speaking was difficult for him."

“I rarely see him, and he has never even touched me.”

"So...so...even though I am a widow, I am still..."

As Tenshōin continued speaking, his tone grew weaker and weaker.

She couldn't continue speaking at the end, her face flushed red as she ran away, leaving a trail of footprints on the ground.

As her figure disappeared completely into the distance, a faint, embarrassed cry echoed from afar:

"Sheng Qing, I wish you good luck in your martial arts! You must win!"

As soon as she finished speaking, her graceful figure disappeared into the corner of the corridor, vanishing completely from Qing Deng's sight.

Tenshōin was a rare "virgin widow"—Shōdō was not surprised by this.

After all, the rumors had been circulating everywhere for a long time.

Having declared that "I will only go to Otsu with you if we defeat Choshu," and wishing Seito good fortune and victory... Tenshōin's intentions are self-evident.

After a moment of silence, Qingdeng raised his head, looked up at the sky, and let out a long breath—a surge of fighting spirit for the "Changzhou Conquest" ignited in his heart!

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Please vote with monthly tickets! Please vote with recommendation tickets! (Leopard crying.jpg)

PS: This chapter was so difficult to write! Leopard only realized halfway through: Huh? It seems that Qing Deng already knew that Tenshōin's dream lover was the number one man in Japan.

I quickly checked and found that this was indeed the case, so I urgently revised the chapter content... For this reason, this chapter has fewer words (crying leopard head.jpg).

Chapter 891 Sanako and Mai Start Having Babies! [4300]

The day after bidding farewell to Tenshōin and leaving Tsukimiya Shrine, Aoto embarked on his journey back to Ōtsu, watched by Kondo Shusuke and the others.

This time, Aoto's group was much larger—Chiba Sadakichi, Sanako's mother, and Chiba Jutaro were among the newcomers.

With Sanako about to give birth, Chiba Sadakichi and the others had already planned to go to Otsu to take care of her.

Since Qingdeng was going back, they decided to travel together so they could look after each other.

As for the Chiba Sword Hall, it will be temporarily handed over to Chiba Tamon Shiro to manage.

……

……

West of Edo, on the Tokai Road, somewhere—

"Moo~ Moo moo~ Moo~"

The radish swished its tail as it leisurely made its way forward.

Seated atop it, Qing Deng occasionally turned his head to look at Edo Castle, which was receding into the distance.

This trip back to Edo was very fruitful.

The negotiations on the western expedition were successfully concluded.

The recasting of Vairocana is just around the corner.

At the same time... a very important agreement was made with the Tianzhang Academy.

Whenever he recalls the flushed face he saw yesterday, whenever he remembers the words he heard yesterday, Qingdeng can't help but tighten his grip on the reins, his eyes gleaming with high spirits.

To be honest, until yesterday, the "Changzhou Campaign" was just an ordinary battle for Qingdeng.

Compared to previous battles, this one is simply that the enemy is more powerful and larger in scale.

However, since meeting with Tenshō-in yesterday, Seidō's views on the "Chōshū Conquest" have changed.

For him, this battle had a completely new meaning.

It's no exaggeration to say that Qingdeng has never been so full of fighting spirit in the face of this upcoming battle!

Although saying this might sound belligerent, he couldn't wait to start the war immediately and crush Changzhou with overwhelming force! To achieve an undeniable and complete victory!

At that time... he will go to Edo as promised to take Tenshōin to Ōtsu.

Honestly, it's risky.

A subject marrying the Empress Dowager... If this were to spread, who knows what consequences it would have?

However, now that things have come to this, neither he nor Tenshōin intend to back down or run away any further.

Yesterday's bold move by Tenshōin completely shattered the veil between them.

Even now, no matter how hard he tries, Qing Deng can no longer deceive himself and tell himself, "I have no interest in Tenshōin."