I'm having fun in Tokyo

Looking at the big fox's smile, he really couldn't figure out what she was up to.

Was she going to announce to the various families of Kyoto at the banquet that the shrine had officially returned to the center of power in both the secular and clandestine worlds? Or did she want to reveal her relationship with him?

Or perhaps her yandere nature has resurfaced, and she wants to leave him in Kyoto, declaring him her possession?

It's a bit worrying.

I should have agreed to let Feiyue come over earlier.

"Morikawa, don't worry, I won't do anything that you won't like, nor will I make you unhappy."

Mizuko frowned slightly, took his hand, intertwined her fingers with his, and stared intently at him with worried eyes, as if he would soon abandon her after his heartless rejection.

"Or do you not want to be the host of this banquet, Morikawa?"

Not far from the two, Kaoru Kashima's eyes widened, but she quickly suppressed her surprise.

She had never seen the lord of the gods speak to someone like this before. Even the previous Inari lord always maintained a high and mighty demeanor. How could he possibly show such an attitude to a human?

Morikawa Yuya subconsciously shook his head.

He would certainly like to be the host of the banquet.

And that expression is just too unfair; it's impossible to refuse.

When Mitsuko saw that he had agreed, she finally smiled.

Actually, she was imitating the old Tamamo.

In my memory, Tamamo often used this expression to get me to agree to her requests, which is a small, sweet memory of the two of us.

But Tamamo has left him, and only Morikawa is by his side.

She sighed inwardly, but maintained her smile.

Senkawa Yuya sensed the change in Mitsuko's emotions and tightened his grip on her hand.

Kaoru Kashima and the two shrine maidens exchanged a glance, turned and left the living room. Not long after, they returned carrying a leather suitcase.

"Mr. Morikawa, please allow us to help you change your clothes."

Morikawa Yu nodded, watching the two shrine maidens open the leather suitcase.

When he heard Kaoru Kashima talk about "changing clothes" and such, he always had the feeling that she was going to give him a belt and armor, and make him transform into Kamen Rider to fight.

But what she meant by "changing clothes" was actually just changing his clothes, replacing his everyday trench coat with a more formal gown.

Soon, with the help of the two priestesses, she was dressed in her finest clothes.

Mitsuko looked at him and smiled.

His magnificent attire was a matching set with her furisode; whenever the two stood together, their shared characteristics and complementary styles became apparent.

Morikawa Yu also noticed this.

Before he could speak, Mitsuko took his hand and smiled slightly: "Let's go, Morikawa."

Kaoru Kashima immediately turned around and followed behind the two.

The two priestesses pushed open the living room door, turned and bowed, and Morikawa Yu was pulled along by them as they walked out...

......

A dozen minutes later, Morikawa Yu and Mitsuko, accompanied by Kashima Kaoru, arrived at Nijo Castle by car.

Nijo Castle, also known as Nijo Palace, was once the residence of the Shogun and a symbol of power for the Edo Shogunate. It contains major buildings such as the Honmaru Palace and the Ninomaru.

The Ninomaru is divided into several compartments, the largest of which is called the "Omoteshi-no-ma" (遠侍間), which is further divided into the Ichi-no-ma (一間), Ni-no-ma (二間), San-no-ma (三間), Wakamatsu-no-ma (驸松間), and Teishi-no-ma (遠使間).

Before the "Return of Imperial Rule to the Emperor," daimyo and imperial envoys from various regions would wait here for an audience with the shogun.

Although the Imperial Court was nominally superior to the Shogun, it had no real power to intervene in politics. When the Shogun received imperial envoys, the formalities between ruler and subject were merely nominal; in reality, the Shogun was the one in control.

Honmaru Palace was a five-story castle tower. It was destroyed by fire during a thunderstorm in history, rebuilt, and then dismantled as a symbol of the shogun's power during the "Restoration of Imperial Rule".

However, Morikawa Yu remembered that the Honmaru Palace still existed in this life, and Nijo Castle was not exhibited as a tourist attraction, but was closed and under martial law, and seemed to still be privately owned.

He didn't know the reason before, but now that he has come into contact with the hidden upper-class families and met people from the Tokugawa family, he understands the reason.

The Tokugawa family was, after all, one of the three great families. Even if they relinquished power, their foundation remained, and preserving their palaces was not difficult.

He and Mitsuko entered the outer city together.

The banquet was held within Nijo Castle, with banquets in both the Ninomaru and Honmaru Palaces, but it seemed that only members of the Fujiwara and Tokugawa families were allowed to enter the Honmaru Palaces.

More families, as well as those from Osaka and other places, can only have their banquets at Ninomaru.

There were already quite a few people in the outer city, and some of them looked like servants to greet them. Several young girls seemed to have been waiting for him and Mitsuko, and they immediately came forward to greet them when they arrived.

"Hey there, Mr. Morikawa!"

Morikawa Yu glanced at them and realized that the two girls were Tokugawa Maka and Fujiwara Shino. Tokugawa Maka greeted him happily.

Shino, not keeping up with her movements, asked Morikawa Yu curiously, "Mr. Morikawa, is Princess Mitsuko still at the shrine's residence?"

He paused for a moment, then subconsciously looked at Mitsuko, only to find her raising her index finger to his lips, shaking her head with a smile, and mouthing, "Don't tell anyone I'm here."

Morikawa Yu then realized that Mitsuko seemed to have used her demonic power to hide her form.

Her fox ears and nine tails are so obvious that it wouldn't be good to expose them to others.

But why hide your identity once you're inside Nijo Castle?

Several girls saw him turn his head and followed his gaze to the side. At this moment, Kaoru Kashima stepped forward and stood right behind Mitsuko.

In the eyes of the girls, it became that he was looking at Kashima Kaoru.

The momentary look of confusion in his eyes seemed to transform into him asking Kaoru Kashima where Mitsuko was.

Kaoru Kashima looked at Yu Morikawa, then nodded to the girls: "Her Highness the Goddess is still at the Imperial Palace. She will come here after the banquet begins."

"Before that, I will host the banquet, and Mr. Morikawa will receive the household gods and representatives of each family."

Upon hearing this, the girls exchanged glances and then looked at Morikawa Yu, but the meaning in their eyes was completely different.

Morikawa Yu was a little confused, then looked at Mitsuko.

Kaoru Kashima took two steps forward and gestured for him to proceed.

She was still standing beside Mitsuko, in a very clever position, making it seem as if Morikawa Yu was looking at her as if he was looking at Mitsuko.

"Mr. Morikawa, please allow me to show you the way."

Suppressing his doubts, Morikawa Yu nodded to Kashima Kaoru and followed her toward the gate leading to the inner castle and the Ninomaru.

Sinon and Mako followed behind, and the girls whispered among themselves: "Lord Mikamiko is hosting the banquet, and Mr. Morikawa is receiving the household gods of each family. Is His Highness going to give the position of head priest to Mr. Morikawa?"

"No way, why do I feel like this is a public announcement of her relationship with Mr. Morikawa?"

"Don't make wild guesses!" Sinon couldn't help but interrupt.

Chapter 300: Engagement Banquet?

Jasmine also sided with her friend, her face serious: "Keep quiet, Lady Mikami and Mr. Morikawa are still here."

The girls kept their voices down, but Morikawa Yu heard them all and couldn't help but look at Mitsuko. However, because she was hiding her figure, he was seen looking at Kashima Kaoru.

Mitsuko gave him a very cute girlish "V" sign and hugged his right arm.

He raised an eyebrow, wanting to ask her what she was up to, but she was still hiding herself, and the other officers, including Moka, were following behind him and Kaoru Kashima.

If he speaks directly, it will reveal that she has already arrived.

He resisted the urge to speak.

However, the words of the female staff members next to Jasmine just now reminded him.

The big fox deliberately didn't show herself, letting Kashima Kaoru host the banquet later so she could meet the family gods and representatives of various families. One possibility was that she wanted to hand over the position and power of the head god.

After all, receiving household gods and family representatives is a power reserved for the host of the banquet, the head priest of Kyoto.

However, Morikawa Yu felt that this was unlikely.

Ryoko is also attending this banquet, and he is Ryoko's chosen successor. There's no way the big fox would do such a thing in front of Ryoko.

Another possibility is that the big fox wants to publicly reveal his relationship with her in front of everyone.

That possibility is not small.

In the past two weeks, although I have appeared with her many times, many people still doubt that my relationship with her is that close, and think that I am just someone who came with Ryoko to help her, and that I am her suitor.

Moreover, the person who said these things believed that he had not succeeded Ryoko as the head priest and was not worthy to be with the Great Fox.

Although he felt these people were just being envious and couldn't be bothered to pay attention to their comments, the big fox was very dissatisfied and even made Kashima Kaoru deal with the people who spread these comments and punish them.

So it's entirely possible that she intends to use this banquet to announce her relationship with Feiyue. The reason she doesn't want Feiyue to come is probably because she's afraid Feiyue will undermine her on the spot.

But if that's really the case, there's no need to hide it from me, right?

It's just announcing the relationship...

Morikawa Yu frowned, then glanced at Mitsuko and noticed that she had a smile on her face, seemingly in a good mood.

He followed Mitsuko's gaze and saw that further away was the castle tower of the Honmaru Palace. On the highest fifth-floor observation deck stood a beautiful figure in a purple hunting robe, none other than Yoshiko.

Ryoko was accompanied by Meikaku and Shinkaku.

She looked in his direction and nodded. Xinjue waved vigorously, and only lowered her hand and quieted down when he smiled back.

Ryoko seems to be here too... This banquet is being hosted by Kashima Kaoru again, and he's here to receive the ancestral spirits of various families...

Could this be an engagement party?

The engagement party between myself, the head priest of Tokyo, and her, the head priest of Kansai?

Morikawa Yu suddenly realized this possibility, then shook her head.

It's not that bad. Even if it's an engagement party, they wouldn't hide it from me and not let Feiyue come. After all, I've already registered my marriage with Feiyue, so Feiyue wouldn't be jealous over this.

So what exactly does the big fox want to do?

Morikawa Yu looked at Mitsuko beside her. Kashima Kaoru stood perfectly beside Mitsuko, covering for her and pretending that Morikawa Yu was looking at her.

"Mr. Morikawa, this is the Ninomaru. I need to inform the guests of the arrangements on behalf of Lady Tsuko and check the seating arrangements between the attendants. Please follow Mako and the others to the Honmaru Palace."

Kaoru Kashima leaned slightly toward Yu Morikawa: "Please rest assured, I will be right there to preside over the banquet at the Honmaru Palace."

She is the shrine's priestess, possessing divine power bestowed upon her by Mitsuko. As Mitsuko's power is restored, she becomes a strong person on par with Asaka and the others.

The family representatives who were not qualified to have a banquet at the Honmaru Palace were all powerful yokai, not high-ranking figures like Asaka and the others. Therefore, she was chosen to receive and inform them of the arrangements on behalf of Mitsuko.

Morikawa Yu nodded.

Jasmine and Shino exchanged a glance, and in the end, Jasmine stepped forward first, raising her hand: "Lord Kaoru, then we'll take Mr. Morikawa to the Honmaru Palace first!"

These administrative officers were quite familiar with Kaoru Kashima, and sometimes they would even go on missions together, so they weren't as reserved.

Shino retorted, "It's still early. We should take Mr. Morikawa to tour the Ninomaru Garden first, so he can relax."

It's only around four or five in the afternoon, there's still plenty of time before the banquet.

“Then I should lead the way. Nijo Castle is my home. I used to play here every day when I was a kid. I know it very well. I can lead the way!” Mo Xiang’s face was full of a smug smile.

She is the eldest daughter of the Tokugawa family. Nijo Castle is the private property of the Tokugawa family. It was only used as the venue for a banquet at the shrine today because the shrine needed it. In a sense, this is indeed her family's property.

Kaoru Kashima ignored them and looked at Yu Morikawa instead: "Mr. Morikawa, would you like to take a walk in the Ninomaru Garden first? I will come out soon and take you to the Honmaru Palace."

Morikawa Yu hesitated for a moment, then looked at Mitsuko, who was pretending to be invisible and not offering any opinions, and nodded.

In his previous life, he had heard of the Tokugawa Shogunate and Nijo Castle, but he had never been there. Now that he had Mo Xiang, the eldest daughter of the Tokugawa family, personally accompanying him, it would be good for him to take a look around.

"Then I'll leave it to you, Mako and Shino. Risa, you two come with me to Ninomaru Palace to check the chambers of the eunuchs and prevent any problems from arising."

Kaoru Kashima addressed Maka Tokugawa and the female administrative staff, but before she had fully turned around, she suddenly turned back to look at Maka and Shino: "You...be serious."

She wanted to hint to Moka that Mitsuko was here.

But Mitsuko shook her head and waved her hand, telling her not to meddle.

She sighed and had no choice but to lead the other officials to the nearby Ninomaru Palace, thinking that she should quickly report Mitsuko's arrangements, check the room of the attendants, and return as soon as possible.

Seeing her walk away, Moka and Shino seemed much more relaxed.

Sinon was somewhat puzzled as to why Kaoru Kashima was making them so serious.

Jasmine relaxed completely and leaned closer to Morikawa Yu: "Mr. Morikawa, it's been a long time. I haven't seen you leave the shrine much lately. Are you checking to make sure there's anything we missed after you finished investigating the remnants of the Qingluo gang?"