I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Right now, I'm having tea and chatting with Tenshōin side by side. Tenshōin seems to have plenty of time right now, and there's no better opportunity to ask questions than this.

Qing Deng had considered many possible answers to Tenshōin's reply—but he never expected that the truth he heard would be so explosive, so unexpected, so...exciting.

"what……"

Qing Deng couldn't help but let out a low gasp.

My mind was in complete chaos.

Unable to... or rather, dared not to understand what I had just heard.

Qingdeng blinked, but no matter how many times he blinked, Tianzhangyuan was still in front of him, smiling at him, unchanged.

"What exactly did I hear?" Qing Deng couldn't help but ask himself.

Seeing Qing Deng's visibly shaken expression, Tenshōin smiled and said in a tone that sounded more like curiosity and teasing:

"What's wrong? Didn't you hear what I just said? I'll say it again."

Tenshōin leaned his upper body toward Aoto, his round, large breasts separating from his legs, which were pressed together while kneeling.

Two white elbows rested on the low table sandwiched between her and Qingdeng, her palms supporting her firm yet surprisingly fleshy, soft face.

Her soft, marshmallow-like cheeks were piled high, making her incredibly cute.

"Tachibana-kun, I like you. I want to spend as much time alone with you as possible."

The peach blossoms in Tianzhangyuan Garden rippled softly, glistening with moisture.

This pretty widow was born with a face that exuded natural charm.

To give a vivid analogy... Tenshōin's facial features are very well-matched with words like "dance hall," "super short hot pants," "big waves," and "low-cut vest."

The look she gave him amplified the allure on her face. Just one glance at her was enough to make one's body go weak.

The current Ōmikaze of the Edo Shogunate, Atsuhime Tenshōin, whose figure and looks are in no way inferior to Sanako's, says she likes me...

Qingdeng felt a buzzing sound deep within his mind, and his heart was filled with an unquenchable turmoil of lies.

At this moment, Qing Deng suddenly realized that this seemed to be the first time since he had transmigrated that a woman had confessed her love to him face to face.

Before this, even with Kinoshita Mai, who was her closest friend and whose relationship with her was already quite ambiguous, she had never heard Kinoshita Mai say "I like you" to her own lips—but that was only natural.

Given Kinoshita Mai's shy and introverted nature—she would be embarrassed for a long time and take quite a while to finally get used to being called Aoto by that common name—it would be a miracle if she had the courage to tell Aoto to his face, "I like you."

"Uh... Your Excellency Tianzhang... I..."

Qingdeng felt that his voice sounded like someone else was speaking.

He himself didn't know what to say at that moment. He just subconsciously opened his mouth and instinctively tried to say something to relieve the confusion and helplessness in his heart.

Just as Qingdeng was stammering, like a goldfish constantly blowing bubbles, repeatedly uttering meaningless words—

"……puff."

Qingdeng suddenly heard a chuckle coming from the other side.

Qingdeng looked up.

On the other side of the low table, Tenshōin was still in that adorable pose, cupping his face in his hands—only now, a happy smile graced his cheeks.

This joyful expression spread rapidly, expanding until it covered the entire area from the tip of the nose to the base of the ear.

"Ha, ha ha ha ha!"

Finally, that cheerful smile turned into a burst of laughter that seemed impossible to contain.

"Tachibana-kun, your expression is so funny!"

Having laughed heartily until he was a little tired, Tenshōin slowly stopped laughing, then chuckled and looked at Aōdō with a mischievous grin on his face, as if he had successfully pulled off a prank.

Even if Qingdeng was slow-witted, he would know what was going on.

"Your Highness, it's not good to toy with other people's feelings..."

Qingdeng sighed helplessly.

"Sorry sorry."

Tenshōin clasped his hands together, looking apologetic.

"Because I suddenly wanted to see what kind of expression you would have when you suddenly heard me say I like you, I couldn't help but..."

—What the heck is "couldn't resist"...?

Qingdeng couldn't help but mutter to himself.

Even when he first started associating with Tenshōin, Seidō discovered that beneath Tenshōin's dignified and reserved exterior lay a lively, adventurous, and curious heart.

This coincides with the folk tales that Qingdeng had heard.

According to various rumors circulating in the city, before Tenshōin married into the Tokugawa family and was still the little princess of the Satsuma-Shimazu-Izumi family, she was a wild girl who ran around outside every day and befriended the mountains and trees.

Growing up in such an environment, it's quite reasonable that Tenshōin developed a "little devil" personality.

—So you were just joking with me...

Qingdeng silently breathed a sigh of relief. The huge weight that had been hanging over his heart finally lifted.

To be honest, Tenshōin's "confession" came too suddenly and without any build-up. Apart from that, Aoto had no special feelings for Tenshōin and had always regarded her only as his female superior—nothing more.

Therefore, Qing Deng was basically only frightened and did not feel happy or proud of being confessed to by the "most beautiful widow in Edo" who made countless Edo men dream of her.

Just then, Qingdeng suddenly felt the smiling gaze of Tianzhangyuan.

"However... I'm not entirely lying."

Tenshōin's words immediately made Aoden's relaxed facial features tighten slightly again.

“I truly do not harbor romantic feelings for you… In fact, as the Edo Shogunate's Ōmitō-no-sho, who has already become a monk, it would be utterly absurd for me to claim ‘liking’ you.”

A self-deprecating smile appeared on Tenshōin's lips.

This strange look vanished in an instant. It was perfectly concealed by Tenshōin a mere moment later.

"But it is absolutely true that I want to be alone with you."

"Initially, the reason I personally taught you archery was quite simple. I was just extremely bored and, in addition, I admired you and felt sorry for you, so I wanted to train you myself."

"But slowly, my thoughts... the reason why I still insist on personally being your archery teacher has gradually undergone a subtle change."

"Since you've asked, I'll take this opportunity to be frank with you—I personally taught you archery because I wanted to be alone with you, and because being around you makes me feel inexplicably relaxed."

At this point, Tenshōin paused, as if considering his words.

A moment later, she removed her arms from the low table, withdrew her upper body from Xiang Qingdeng, and sat back down on her legs, gazing at the distant snow-capped mountains.

"Tachibana-kun, you're quite an incredible person. You're not intimidated at all when facing me or Kamo."

"Ever since I married into the Tokugawa family, outsiders have treated me in only three ways."

"Firstly, they treated me with utmost respect, not daring to even raise their voices."

"Secondly, they are afraid of me. When they are with me, they are careful in all their words and actions, for fear of displeasing me in the slightest."

"Thirdly, they flattered me, trying every means to please me, to gain my favor, and to get benefits from me."

A faint smile returned to Tenshōin's face as the corners of his mouth extended slightly.

“I’ve seen many of these three types of people, but your type is exceptionally rare.”

Tenshoin turned his head and looked into Aoto's eyes.

Unlike the playful expression she had shown when joking with Qingdeng, the smile on Tianzhangyuan's pretty face now was so pure and sincere.

"When you are with me, your demeanor, manners, and speech are all quite natural and poised."

“I was not treated specially in any way because I was the head of the Edo Shogunate.”

"It's like interacting with a regular good friend."

“Not only me, but Jia Mao is the same.”

“Even when you faced the current Shogun of the Edo Shogunate, you never showed the slightest fear or obsequiousness towards Iemochi.”

"I really like the way you treat me."

Tenshōin's smile grew brighter and brighter. Perhaps she was recalling the past; her eyes, which seemed to gaze at a distant world, held a hidden emotion called nostalgia.

"This reminds me of the time when I was not yet the Ōmitsu of the Shogunate, not yet a princess of the Satsuma Shimazu main family, but an ordinary daughter of the Satsuma Shimazu Ima Izumi clan."

"So being with you often makes me feel very relaxed."

"Now, this archery range where we meet regularly has become my refuge from all my troubles and from the shackles of the Imperial Palace."

Qing Deng raised an eyebrow and chuckled to himself.

—After all, my soul comes from the 21st century and has never been influenced by the feudal ethics of “ruler-subject, father-son”.

Having grown up in the civilized 21st century, Aoto has never been fond of the feudal etiquette and order, nor does he possess any reverence for it. This is also due to Aoto's personality. Therefore, it is natural that he can behave with grace and without affectation in front of Tenshōin and Tokugawa Iemochi.

Tianzhangyuan's sincere words made Qingdeng feel embarrassed.

He racked his brains, trying to figure out how to respond.

Saying "You're too kind" seems a bit inappropriate.

Saying "It's what I should do" doesn't quite seem right. In fact, Qing Deng didn't do anything noteworthy for Tenshōin on his own initiative. He simply stayed by Tenshōin's side and obediently attended Tenshōin's archery lessons.

"Ah! Right! Since we both have this rare opportunity to sit down and chat: Tachibana-kun, let's discuss changing how we address you!"

At this moment, Tenshōin spoke again, attracting Aoto's attention and interrupting his thoughts.

"How should I address you?"

"I've always called you 'Orange-kun'."

"That title is a bit too long, it has a full five syllables. You are now a member of my new Imperial Guard, and you are my direct subordinate. Our interactions will become more and more frequent in the future."

“If we continue to use such a cumbersome terminology, it will inevitably cause some inconvenience.”

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng nodded... "I see, so you're changing how you address me..."

"In that case, Your Highness Tenshōin, you may call me 'Seidō' from now on."

"Qingdeng..."

Tenshōin tilted his head, looking thoughtful and puzzled.