I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

The inner perimeter of Edo Castle, designed in the shape of the Chinese character "の", is mainly composed of the Honmaru, Ninomaru, Sannomaru, Nishinomaru, Fukiage-no-Niwa, and Momijiyama. Based on the vortex-style design, the layout is cleverly arranged in a right-handed vortex.

Red Leaf Mountain—as its name suggests, is a beautiful place where the mountain is covered in red leaves every autumn. Its function was somewhat similar to that of an "Imperial Garden" for generals and their families to visit and relax.

The Toshogu Shrine, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Shogunate, was built on Mount Momiji. Its purpose was to allow Tokugawa Ieyasu to quietly watch over the entire Edo Shogunate and the whole of Edo from the towering Mount Momiji.

Fukiage-go-niwa – covering an area of ​​130,000 tsubo (429000 square meters), was originally the upper roof property of the three domains of Owari, Kii and Mito, which were collectively known as the "Gosanke" and had the closest relationship with the Edo Shogunate.

However, after the Great Fire of Meireki (1657), which reduced two-thirds of Edo to ashes two hundred years earlier, Fukiage-gotei was reorganized into a fire-extinguishing station. A teahouse, flowerbeds, a riding arena, and a gun arena were also set up as gardens. The shogun would conduct government affairs or watch sumo wrestling matches here.

Nishinomaru – the residence of the Ōgosho (former Shogun or father of the Shogun) and the Shogun's sons.

The third tier has no particularly special function; its main purpose is to protect the second tier and the main tier.

Ninomaru – the residence of the former shogun's principal wife, concubines, and birth mother.

The term "X-no-maru" is a specific architectural term used in ancient Japan.

Ancient Japanese castles were generally composed of multiple layers, with each layer called a "X-maru" from the outermost layer inwards, and the "honmaru" being the innermost main castle.

Castle towers, used for observing enemy movements and commanding troops, and also as symbols of supreme power, were mostly built in the main keep.

The Honmaru, the inner perimeter of Edo Castle, consists of two parts: the "Tenshukaku" (castle tower) and the "Honmaru Palace".

From the outside, Edo Castle's keep had five stories, or six if the basement level is included. Unfortunately, this magnificent keep was destroyed in the Great Fire of Meireki.

Honmaru Palace is the very heart of Edo Castle… no, it is the very heart of the entire Edo Shogunate! It is both the political center of the Edo Shogunate and the residence and office of the current Shogun.

The Honmaru Palace is divided into 3 areas.

The first area, "Ōoku," is located north of the Honmaru Palace and is the shogun's harem. It is where the shogun's principal wife, concubines, and children reside.

Of course, the general's birth mother and adoptive mother were also entitled to live in the inner palace.

For example, the famous Tenshōin Temple is located in the Ooku.

No males other than the Shogun are allowed to enter the inner palace. If one wishes to keep pets such as cats or dogs within the inner palace, only females are permitted.

In ancient Japan, there were no eunuchs, so all those responsible for serving the shogun's family within the inner palace (Ōoku) were women.

The second area is the "Central Inner Palace," which was the shogun's residence and official residence, where he could conveniently conduct government affairs. It is located between the "Omote" and the "Ōoku."

Finally, there is the "omo" (front hall), located on the south side of the Honmaru Palace, which is where the shogun met with his ministers and held various ceremonies.

Given the importance of the "table," it is naturally divided into different areas to clarify its functions.

The east side houses the rooms of the main bureaucrats of the shogunate, headed by the senior councilors, while the west side contains the main hall, white study, and black study used for major events.

The New Year's worship ceremony for the Shogun, the Shogun's announcement of government decrees, the promulgation of laws governing the samurai class, and other official events of the Shogunate were all held in the Ōhiro-maru (Great Hall).

The Ōhiro-ma (Great Hall) has an area of ​​500 tatami mats (1155 square meters) and is divided into upper, middle, lower sections, second, third, and fourth sections. When the shogun announces his decrees, a performance is held on the Noh stage on the south side of the Ōhiro-ma.

The White Academy is mainly used for holding ceremonies. The biggest difference between it and the Black Academy is that the latter is often used for daily activities, while the White Academy and the Great Hall are usually used for formal ceremonies.

Baishuyuan is divided into the upper section, lower section, between Dijian and Liange, and other areas. The total area is 150 ping (495 square meters).

The New Year's audience with the Shogun; the reception of imperial envoys and officials from the Imperial Court; the Shogun's announcement of orders; the audience of daimyo from the three major domains, the Aizu Domain, the Hikone Domain, and other superior domains; and the Shogun's enjoyment of martial arts performances all took place in this room.

As for the Black Academy, it was a place often used for more ordinary daily activities. The monthly imperial ceremonies, the succession to the daimyo title, the investiture of the daimyo, and the audiences with officials were all held here.

Aoto, who was not a daimyo of a domain but just an ordinary official, was waiting for Tokugawa Iemochi to arrive at the Kuroshoin.

From the moment he settled down in the Black Academy until now... Qing Deng has been waiting here for almost half an hour.

I was stood up for no reason... and no one came to explain the reason to Qingdeng.

In such a solemn setting, Qingdeng would naturally not be allowed to move around, nor would anyone come to chat with him.

Therefore, Qingdeng could only remain in a kneeling position, enduring the agonizing wait.

Just as Qingdeng was getting so bored that he was about to count how many times the cicadas had chirped outside the window, the sound of footsteps on the wooden corridor finally came from outside the room.

Upon hearing this, Qingdeng perked up and immediately straightened his back and sat up straight.

Kara -

The paper sliding door on the left in front was slowly pushed open.

A young man dressed in a humble manner slowly walked into the Black Academy through the pushed-open paper sliding door.

Having learned the entire etiquette for meeting the general thoroughly through recent studies, Qingdeng immediately bowed and stepped forward to pay his respects.

Passa... Passa... Passa... Passa...

Because of his lowered head, Qing Deng couldn't see the scenery in front of him, but could only hear the sound of people's feet stepping on the soft tatami mats.

A moment later, Qingdeng heard the light sound of someone sitting down.

Immediately afterwards, a gentle young male voice rang out:

“Lift your head up.”

Following the etiquette guidelines, Qingdeng loudly proclaimed "Yes," and then slowly raised his head and back.

As his gaze climbed higher and higher... two young figures, a man and a woman, came into Qing Deng's view one after the other.

A boy who appeared to be around 14 years old was kneeling upright on the main seat in front of Qing Deng.

The black hair that wasn't shaved into a shaved head gave Qing Deng a sense of familiarity.

Her facial features could be described as delicate and pretty.

Between his well-defined brows, there was a touch of boyish innocence unique to a young man.

Despite the sweltering heat, they were still dressed in formal attire, complete with hakama, socks, and a haori.

The left and right lapels of the haori are embroidered with a symmetrical Tokugawa family crest: the three-leaf hollyhock.

After giving the boy a cursory glance, Qing Deng raised his eyes and looked over the boy's shoulder, beginning to examine a young woman in a blue robe who was sitting to the right and behind the boy.

This woman's black hair had been deliberately cut short.

Her glossy hair was tied into a small ponytail at the back of her head, the ends of which only reached the nape of her neck.

Even without anyone explaining to Qingdeng, he could tell who the man and woman were from their seats and clothing.

—Are these two the current Shogun of the Edo Shogunate, Tokugawa Iemochi, and Ōmikado Tenshōin?

Qing Deng blinked a few times in astonishment—he was surprised by two things.

The first thing: He actually managed to meet Tenshōin.

Although Aoto had heard that Tenshōin often accompanied Tokugawa Iemochi to various public occasions.

Therefore, it is not particularly unusual to encounter Tenshōin in a setting where Tokugawa Iemochi is present.

However, when Qingdeng finally met the widow he had long admired, he couldn't help but be surprised.

The second thing: Tenshōin's appearance... is quite different from what Seidō had imagined...

Tokugawa Iemochi's appearance basically matched the image that Aoto had heard before - he was very young, had a delicate face, and his hair was not shaved into a chonmage.

But Tianzhang Academy...

—This…is that the famous Prince Tenshōin, who is said to be comparable to Miss Sanako in beauty?

—This is a complete scam! With that appearance, how could she possibly be a match for Miss Sanako?

Just a few days ago, Arima told Aoto with great certainty: "I've heard that Prince Tenshōin is incredibly handsome. It's said that in all of Edo, the only one who can rival Prince Tenshōin in beauty is Chiba Sanako of the Chiba Sword Hall."

And then...?

At this moment, what Qingdeng saw in Tianzhangyuan was just an ordinary-looking young woman.

Her features could only be described as delicate, far from being considered a "beauty," let alone comparable to a stunning beauty like Sanako.

The only thing I can call an advantage is my fair and tender skin.

At this point, Qingdeng couldn't help but think to himself:

—It seems that the so-called "Prince Tenshoin is a great beauty" is nothing more than a rumor fabricated by bored people who have unrealistic fantasies about this young widow... And with the spread of misinformation, it has become a widely accepted truth...

Thinking of this, Qingdeng sighed softly to himself—for some reason, he felt inexplicably down...

This detailed account of Aoto's inner thoughts makes it seem as if he has been observing Tokugawa Iemochi and Tenshōin for a long time. In reality, everything happened in the blink of an eye.

"Tachibana-kun!"

As Qing Dengfang raised his head, he heard Tokugawa Iemochi lean forward slightly and excitedly proclaim:

"I've wanted to meet you for so long! Haha, now my wish has finally come true!"

As soon as Tokugawa Iemochi spoke, Aoto couldn't help but raise his eyebrows slightly in surprise.

He had assumed that someone of Tokugawa Iemochi's stature would speak in a very literary and refined manner.

Unexpectedly... this young man's speaking style is quite approachable.

It did not use any obscure grammar, nor did it use any profound vocabulary.

Even an illiterate person who cannot read a single word can easily understand what Tokugawa Iemochi is saying.

"I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting for so long. Something urgent came up that needed to be dealt with immediately, which caused the delay. Please forgive me."

Not only was his speaking style very approachable, but his personality was also very approachable... At that moment, Tokugawa Iemochi was bowing his head in apology to Aoto for being late earlier.

Tokugawa Iemochi was surprisingly talkative.

After a brief greeting and hello to Qingdeng, he gradually opened up and started talking.

She recounted how she first heard the name "Ju Qingdeng" and how she remembered Qingdeng's name.

Compared to Tokugawa Iemochi's enthusiasm, Tenshōin was rather indifferent—she stared straight ahead at the empty space the entire time.

She didn't even glance at Qingdeng, let alone join the conversation.

Due to Tokugawa Iemochi's rapid-fire speech and the limitations of his status, Qing Deng could only manage to reply once for every ten sentences the latter spoke.

But it must be said that Tokugawa Iemochi's kind and warm attitude was like a gentle breeze.

Qing Dengna's body and mind, which were slightly tense due to being in an unfamiliar place and meeting unfamiliar people for the first time, gradually relaxed unconsciously.

But at that moment, Tokugawa Iemochi suddenly changed the subject—

"King Tachibana, I have long heard that you possess extremely high swordsmanship skills."

"Two months ago, when you rushed to the aid of the Westerners' settlement, which was under attack by the Expeditionary Force, you charged through the enemy ranks like Zhao Zilong of Changshan, as if entering an empty land! You were invincible wherever you went!"

"To be honest, after first hearing about your great achievements in 'fighting the barbarians alone,' I was filled with admiration!"