I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"From today onwards, I don't want to touch a broom or a kitchen knife again."

After venting her frustrations, she seemed to remember something and quietly added:

"However... I really like this sense of peace of relying on each other and spending the rest of my life together."

Qingdeng nodded slightly.

"Yeah, I feel the same way."

He said he would hug the other person even tighter.

"Yu Yi, is this really okay?"

"what do you mean?"

"Is it really a good idea to hold such a quiet wedding?"

Holding a wedding at a shrine—a very typical "shrine-style wedding."

Because of its large scale, numerous steps, and high cost, only wealthy and powerful families can afford to hold a "divine-style wedding."

Every "divine-style wedding" is accompanied by a great deal of fanfare and a throng of guests.

Such a simple and desolate "divine wedding"... Qing Deng didn't know if anyone else had ever seen it, but he certainly hadn't.

"It's alright."

Tenshōin gently shook his head.

"Whether the wedding is grand or not is just a facade."

"My wedding with Tokugawa Iesada was grand enough, wasn't it? But I don't miss that wedding at all."

"The wedding itself is irrelevant."

"Anyway, I'm already satisfied."

After saying that, she deliberately pursed her lips, and a smile that was half shy and half teasing bloomed on her cheeks.

Then, she took the initiative to cup Qingdeng's cheeks and looked up to meet his gaze—

Amidst her soft moans, one could faintly hear her whisper:

"Sheng Qing...please be my other half..."

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Chapter 1001 Tianzhangyuan and Qingdeng's [Wedding Night]! [4300]

They embraced each other tightly, completely forgetting about time.

Neither of them had a specific recollection of how much time had passed.

They only slowly released each other when their lips were numb and almost lost all feeling—but Qingdeng's hands were still wrapped around her waist.

Tenshōin was breathing heavily.

Even without embracing each other, he could clearly feel the other person's heartbeat.

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump... powerfully conveying her current feelings.

Tenshōin looked at him with great joy, appearing very happy.

Shaoqing, she seemed to snap out of her reverie and straightened her posture, creating a serious atmosphere.

"Sheng Qing, wait for me a moment."

As she spoke, she gently swayed her body like a water snake.

Qingdeng understood and released his hands.

After regaining her "freedom," she went straight to a spot not far away—where there was a lacquer box.

"Since it's a wedding, we can't do without '339 degrees' (a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony)."

As she spoke, she cheerfully hugged the lacquer box and returned to Qingdeng's side.

San-San-Kyu—an important ceremony in traditional Japanese weddings. It can be understood as a "Japanese-style toasting ceremony."

The bride and groom each held a wine glass and drank it down in three sips.

Since Tianzhangyuan mentioned "three three nine degrees", Qingdeng guessed what was inside the lacquer box.

As expected, when Tenshōin opened the lacquer box, he found a pot of sake and two sake cups inside.

Since this was a wedding for just the two of them, Qing Deng and Tian Zhang Yuan had to fill their own cups with wine.

Take the first two sips gently, and then drink the last sip straight down.

"Cough...cough cough...cough...!"

Tenshōin was not used to drinking alcohol.

Even this low-alcohol sake made her face turn red and tears well up in her eyes.

However, even so, she forced herself to drink it all in one gulp.

The "339" ceremony has ended... Qing Deng belatedly realized that his wedding with Tian Zhangyuan also seemed to have come to an end.

Without a master of ceremonies or any clergy, no wedding ceremony could be held.

Therefore, all they can do right now is drink the nuptial wine.

Qingdeng put down his empty cup and gazed thoughtfully at the empty shrine in front of him.

Soon, a complex and indescribable emotion crept onto his cheeks.

This is his wedding with Tenshōin... but it's so quiet and desolate.

Not only were there no guests, but even relatives from both sides were absent.

It's so deserted... to put it bluntly, it's almost pitiful.

To be honest, this made Qingdeng feel very uncomfortable...

He naturally hoped that his wife could have a wonderful day, receiving blessings from everyone in a lively and festive atmosphere.

However, upon closer reflection, even if I wanted to invite guests to the banquet, it would be... no, it would definitely be very difficult!

After all, this was a wedding that was destined to attract countless insults.

The reason for this lies in the identity of Tenshōin.

She was not only the chief shogun of the shogunate, but also a nun.

After the shogun's death, the shogun's wives and concubines, headed by the Odai-sho, were all required to become nuns—this was a custom of the shogunate.

Her specially cut short hair is proof that she is a nun.

The union between Tianzhangyuan and him violated both ethical norms and Buddhist precepts...

If the outside world were to learn that "Ōmikado has been remarried," it would inevitably invite terrible criticism.

Qing Deng couldn't even imagine how harsh and vicious the people of the world... especially the officials of the shogunate and those pedantic Confucian scholars who had their minds filled with Neo-Confucianism, would use to curse the "disloyal and impure" Tenshōin.

At this moment, Tenshōin seemed to see through Aoto's thoughts and smiled slightly:

"Sheng Qing, there's no need to make that face."

"As I just said, the wedding itself is irrelevant."

"Since I dared to take this step, I was naturally determined and fully prepared."

"I am not afraid of the criticism of the world or the ridicule of future generations—as long as you are with me."

After saying that, she extended her right hand and gently grasped Qingdeng's left hand.

Qingdeng gripped the handle tightly in return.

"...Actually, we can wait until later and hold a wedding ceremony."

"When I become stronger, strong enough to ignore all obstacles, I can marry you openly and honestly."

With a forceful tone and a firm resolve in her voice, Tenshōin blinked her beautiful eyes, a hint of surprise flashing across them.

Soon, that surprise was replaced by a smile.

With that smile on her face, she gently shook her head:

"To marry me openly and honestly... that's no easy task."

"Putting everything else aside, I can't wait."

"Women age very quickly, you know."

Even the most naturally beautiful women cannot withstand the ravages of time.

"Maybe in another two years, I'll have those pesky wrinkles on my face, and my skin won't be as radiant as it is now."

"I want to wear this white kimono while I'm still as beautiful as a flower."

"It would be such a pity if I couldn't wear this precious dress at the best age of my life."

"but--"

Suddenly, his tone changed.

She turned her face and gave Qingdeng a long, gentle look in her eyes.

"I'm so glad you're willing to go to this lengths for me."

"Okay, it's settled then."

"When you become powerful enough to ignore all obstacles in the world, then hold a wedding for me."

As soon as she finished speaking, Qingdeng nodded without hesitation:

"Yes, I promise you, I will do everything in my power to give you a wonderful wedding before you grow old and lose your beauty!"

"The phrase 'old and faded' is superfluous! Don't mention those annoying words in front of me!"

She clearly didn't want to talk about this somewhat heavy topic anymore.