Chapter 301: Chapter 125: Tenshōin: "I Want to Marry Japan’s Number One Man!

"Boosting everyone’s morale, is it..." Tenshōin pondered for a moment and then nodded, "Well... special times call for special measures. We do indeed need some role models to thoroughly inspire our officials right now."

Seeing Tenshōin support his approach, a faint hint of joy appeared between Tokugawa Iemochi’s brows.

"In less than three months, he’s already achieved two great merits... Tachibana Aoto’s achievements at this moment stand out among his peers," Tokugawa Iemochi remarked with a face full of emotion as he slowly rolled up the scroll in his hand. "Let’s just hope that Tachibana Aoto does not become complacent and stagnant due to receiving such generous rewards."

Stand out among his peers— upon hearing this phrase, Tenshōin’s brow twitched ever so slightly.

Perhaps she was moved by this familiar phrase... A long-locked piece of memory in Tenshōin’s mind, covered by thick dust, was suddenly blown away at this moment.

The piece of memory that had its old dust blown away quickly condensed into a vivid picture, flashing rapidly before Tenshōin’s eyes—

...

...

"Yuichi, why are you still not asleep?"

"Father... I can’t sleep."

"Oh, are you too nervous? Well, tomorrow is your coming-of-age ceremony, it’s normal to feel both anticipation and anxiety."

"No, Father, I am not nervous about tomorrow’s ceremony... I am worried..."

"Worried? Yuichi, what are you worried about?"

"Once the coming-of-age ceremony is over, I will officially become a grown woman ready for marriage... What kind of man will my future husband be? Just thinking about it keeps me awake at night."

"Ho ho... I never expected our typically tomboyish Yuichi to have such a girlish moment, hahaha!"

"Father, stop laughing! I wanted to confide in you, that’s why I’m telling you this! If you keep laughing, I will never confide in you again from now on!"

"Alright, alright, I won’t laugh, I won’t laugh. Worried about what kind of man you will marry... So, Yuichi, what kind of man do you hope your future husband will be?"

"Hmm... I hope my future husband is the number one man in Japan!"

"Japan’s number one?"

"Yes! Whether peers or elders, Japan’s number one man whom no one can compare to!"

"The number one in Japan... haha, Yuichi, you have quite the ambition, finding such a man might be a challenge."

...

"What did you say?! Say that again!"

"The, the Daimyo wishes to adopt, adopt Miss Yuichi and then send her to Edo to become the Shogunate’s new Shogun’s Principal Consort..."

"The Shogunate’s new Shogun’s Principal Consort...? You want Yuichi to marry that Tokugawa Iedzumi?! No! I absolutely will not allow it! I won’t let Yuichi marry that mentally unstable fool! What is the Daimyo thinking? Does he want to sacrifice my daughter’s happiness for the Vassal State’s benefit?!"

"B-but... the Daimyo has already given the order..."

"I don’t care what order Shimazu Hisamitsu gave! No matter what, using my daughter as a pawn is unacceptable! Prepare the sedan! I will go to the Fiefdom Mansion right now to confront Shimazu Hisamitsu! Why are you standing there?! Prepare the sedan! Prepare the sedan!"

...

...

"... Sir... Mother, what’s wrong with you?"

"Hmm?" Tenshōin, brought back to the present by Tokugawa Iemochi’s call, blinked a few times vigorously and looked up at Tokugawa Iemochi, who was looking at her with a concerned expression.

"Mother, what’s wrong with you?" Tokugawa Iemochi frowned, "You seemed to be absent-minded just now? Are you too tired?"

"Ah, I’m fine." Tenshōin smiled gently, "I was just... recalling some old memories."

"Old memories? Mother, what kind of memories? Can you share them with your child?"

"... Just some insignificant past events."

Tenshōin still smiled gently.

But the smile on her lips was tinged with a hint of bitterness at this moment...

...

...

At this moment—

In the outskirts of Edo—

A shadow darted out from a spot untouched by the moonlight.

He looked around, confirming there were no outsiders nearby, then turned and gestured to the dark shadow he had just emerged from.

"Mr. Kamino, it’s safe outside, you can come out now."

As soon as he finished speaking, the shadows began to "wriggle"— the expressionless Shinno slowly stepped out from within the shadows.

Following Shinno out from the shadow were the One-armed Warrior and other loyal followers of Shinno.

Just then, a thin veil of clouds covered the crescent moon, making the light quite dim.

But even in such dim light, the One-armed Warrior and others could clearly see that Shinno’s complexion was terrifyingly ashen... as if it could drip blue water at any moment.

Knowing that Shinno’s mood was extremely bad right now, everyone wisely kept their mouths shut tight, with not a single person daring to utter a word.

Shinno’s mood right now... it’s not just bad.

It’s extremely bad!

Just thinking back on everything that had happened earlier this evening, Shinno felt frustrated as if a large stone were lodged in his chest.

Tonight was supposed to be a rather perfect evening.

The Celestial Loyalty Faction is a newly risen organization that, like their Anti-foreigner Group, advocates for "radical expulsion of foreigners."

Their Anti-foreigner Group and this Celestial Loyalty Faction have had some interactions, and though their relations couldn’t be described as particularly close, there was no hostility, with both parties minding their own business.

But the recent nefarious actions of the Celestial Loyalty Faction had infuriated Shinno.

This group had the audacity to undermine him! Using money and beauty, they poached several talented individuals from under Shinno’s command!