I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Having been in a dimly lit environment for a long time, and with her eyes still not used to the light, Qingdeng subconsciously lowered her eyelids, using her long eyelashes to filter the light.

He turned his head and looked towards the doorway.

Limited by her status as a nun, she had to cut her hair short and tie it behind her head in a short ponytail, wear a white kimono that was so white it was almost reflective, and a spotless purple hakama.

Familiar attire.

A familiar person.

The warm sun shone from behind her, enveloping her entire delicate body in a soft halo of light.

"Your Highness, what brings you here?"

Tenshōin did not immediately answer Seidō's question.

She looked at the neatly arranged bedding, which was clearly untouched, and at Qingdeng, who was sitting cross-legged by the window, dressed in his finest clothes, with a look of surprise on her face.

"Sheng Qing, didn't you sleep all night?"

"Hmm? Oh, I guess so."

Roughly speaking, Qingdeng has not slept for two days and two nights.

This is not because Qingdeng has insomnia.

It's simply that "Divine Brain + 9" is at work.

With the blessing of "Divine Brain +9", even after not touching a pillow for two days and two nights, Qingdeng still felt full of energy and his brain was not tired at all.

"..."

Tenshōin gazed thoughtfully at Seidō's face.

Then, as if she had made up her mind, she took a deep breath and slowly walked towards Qingdeng—

"Sheng Qing...don't be sad..."

As she spoke, Tenshōin bent down and rammed into him with the ball—she opened her arms like a mother bird, embracing Aōdō with a force that was neither too strong nor too weak.

An indescribable sensation flowed continuously into Qingdeng's chest.

*******

*******

No 8000 today... Oh well, I've said this too many times already. I'll just apologize properly (leopard crying.jpg).

I'm extremely sorry! (Leopard head sticking out.jpg)

Oh dear, the author must be cursed. Something always happens every day to prevent me from updating like crazy... (crying.jpg)

Chapter 397 Oh dear! Prince Tenshōin, are you blushing? [5300]

—Did I not sleep all night because I was worried about my father…?

Thinking this, Tenshōin couldn't help but bite his lower lip.

As far as she knew, Qingdeng lost her mother when she was young, and her father had died of illness a year and a half ago.

The father, whom I thought was just an ordinary person, was secretly conducting such a dangerous and extraordinary investigation behind my back and behind the backs of the world... Anyone would be deeply shaken in his shoes.

—After all, Sheng Qing is only 19 years old this year…

Although the young man sitting cross-legged in front of him was hailed as an "unparalleled swordsmanship genius" and "the benevolent king," his brilliance was so dazzling that people often subconsciously overlooked the fact that this extraordinary warrior, who seemed to be a reincarnation of a martial god, was just a young man who was not even 20 years old.

Looking at Qing Deng's profile, which was still untouched by the passage of time... for some reason, Tenshōin felt an indescribable "impulse" welling up inside him.

Before she could even figure out what this "impulse" was, her body, driven by it, had already begun to act on its own—

Slap, slap...

The clean white tabi socks made a soft rustling sound as they rubbed against the tatami mat.

"Sheng Qing...don't be sad..."

"Ok?"

Qingdeng felt the light beside him dim.

"Your Highness?"

He looked up and saw Tianzhangyuan looking down at him with a slight smile.

The next moment, a fragrant breeze wafted towards Qingdeng.

The fragrant breeze comes quickly and goes quickly.

In just a moment, the fragrant breeze transformed into a tangible entity—Tenshōin, who was bending down to embrace Aoto.

"Your Highness?!"

Qing Deng raised his straight gaze, staring in shock at Tian Zhang Yuan, who was so close to him... no, right within eyelashes of him.

His skin felt a soft, hot touch.

His nose caught a pleasant, invigorating scent.

Surrounding him, the gently clasped hands radiated an incredible warmth.

And so, he was frozen by this warmth, his entire upper body melting into Tenshōin's embrace.

“Sheng Qing…”

Tenshōin rested his delicate chin on Aoto's hair whorl, his breath as fragrant as orchids, his gentle voice reaching Aoto's ears.

"How can I bring this up... Although I dare not presume to say that I truly empathize with your current situation, you must pull yourself together and not do things like 'staying up all night' that harm yourself."

After saying that, Tensho-in smiled.

Her smile was so gentle.

An incredibly gentle smile.

A gentle smile, more beautiful than the warm sunlight at the door, lightly enveloped Qing Deng's entire body.

When Qing Deng saw Tenshōin's expression, he instantly understood—this pretty widow must have misunderstood something…

He did indeed stay up all night, but the reason wasn't because he cared about Tachibana Takayuki's past; it was simply because "Divine Brain +9" was at work.

However, Qing Deng could not provide a specific explanation to Tian Zhang Yuan.

—Anyway, let's just muddle through for now...

"Um... Your Highness."

Qingdeng cleared his throat.

"I'm fine, you don't need to worry about my physical and mental state."

"The reason I didn't sleep all night last night is simply because I'm in good health and can go without sleep for a long time."

Throughout his speech, Qing Deng maintained a gentlemanly demeanor of "expressing his feelings but stopping at propriety," refraining from making any advances towards Tian Zhangyuan or taking advantage of the situation.

However... to be honest, Qing Deng really didn't want to be such a gentleman—he desperately wanted to turn around and hug Tian Zhang Yuan tightly!

Because Tenshōin usually wears loose-fitting shrine maiden outfits that don't show off her figure when she's at the Tsukimiya Shrine, Aoto almost forgot that, in terms of sheer hotness, Tenshōin is in no way inferior to Sanako!

The two huge protrusions were pressing lightly on Qingdeng's chest with an undeniable presence.

Which normal man in his early twenties could withstand such stimulation?

In addition to physical provocations, Qing Deng also suffered a great deal of mental provocation.

It sounds strange, but Tenshōin's embrace is so comfortable... It's completely different from the embraces of Souji, Kinoshita Mai, and other women.

Is it because Tenshōin is older than him that he gives off a sense of older sister-like tolerance?

In short, Tenshōin's embrace gave Aōdō a strange sense of security—a security that made him want to fall into a deep sleep in his arms...

However, no matter how much he desired it, "to commit indecent acts against others" was not what Qing Deng wanted.

What attitude and behavior to take towards Qingdeng is a matter for Tenshōin.

As for whether or not to be an impolite and sleazy person, that's Qingdeng's business.

"..."

Tensho-in did not speak immediately.

She lowered her head and stared straight at Qing Deng's face.

Perhaps because she found that Qingdeng's spirits were indeed quite good, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm so glad you're alright..."

After saying that, she slowly released Qingdeng from her arms, then stepped back, stopping five steps away and sitting down with her knees bent.

Although Tenshōin had released Aoto, the pleasant fragrance and indescribable sensation still lingered in Aoto's nostrils and on his skin.

It must be said that Tenshōin's actions just now were really bold, actually taking the initiative to embrace a man of low status.

Qingdeng, who currently holds the title of head of the Senkoku clan, is certainly not of low status, but compared to Tenshōin, he is still far inferior.

The current "Empress Dowager" of the Edo Shogunate + Princess of the Satsuma Domain... Either of these titles alone would be terrifying, let alone the combination of the two.

Throughout Japan, the only women with a higher status than Tenshōin are probably the princesses of the Kyoto Imperial Court.

In this country that places extreme importance on class and social standing, the difference in status between Qingdeng and Tenshōin is like heaven and earth.

For a mere hatamoto to be embracing an Ōmikazuchi... If this were discovered and spread, aside from Aoto's personal safety, the prestige of the Edo Shogunate and Tenshōin would suffer a severe blow.

The mad dogs of the "Hitotsubashi faction" will definitely not let go of this golden opportunity to seriously damage Tenshōin's reputation.

Looking at the calm expression on Tianzhangyuan's face, which showed neither joy nor sorrow, Qingdeng thought to himself: His Highness is probably just acting on a whim.

However, even if it was just a momentary whim, Tenshōin's actions just now still gave Seidō a little fright.

It should be noted that although Tenshōin usually treats Aoto very kindly and often says flirtatious things to him, she has always maintained a good sense of the distance between them.

Aside from practicing archery at the archery range, Tenshōin never had any physical contact with Aōdō.

—Your Highness must have mistakenly thought I was troubled by Tachibana Takayuki's past, and that's why you're trying to comfort me in this way...

The calm demeanor that Tenshōin displayed at this moment was proof of her open and honest heart.

Thinking of this, a faint smile appeared on Qingdeng's cheeks.