As early as when Tianzhangyuan threatened to teach him archery in person, Qingdeng felt very strange.
Logically speaking, for a big shot like Tianzhangyuan to find an archery teacher who has excellent personal strength and is willing to teach Qingdeng carefully, it is just a matter of moving his fingers and opening his mouth.
The main job of the Odaisho is to assist the shogun in managing Ooku, the harem of the shogun.
Although this job is not so busy that I have to take care of everything every day, it is not so free that I can spend a lot of time having fun and engaging in various side jobs.
All in all, this question has puzzled Qingdeng for a long time.
Qingdeng has always wanted to find an opportunity to ask Tianzhangyuan, but the right time to ask has never come - until this moment.
At the moment, I was drinking tea and chatting with Tianzhangyuan. Tianzhangyuan seemed to have quite a lot of time at the moment. There was no better opportunity to ask questions than now.
Regarding Tianzhangyuan's answer, Qingdeng thought of many answers - but he never expected that the facts he heard would be so explosive, so unexpected, so... distraught. .
"ah……"
Qingdeng couldn't help but let out a low exclamation.
My head was in a state of confusion.
Unable... or dare not understand the words I just heard.
Qingdeng blinked, but no matter how he blinked, Tianzhangyuan was still in front of him, looking at him with a smile, unchanged.
What on earth did I hear - Qingden couldn't help but ask himself.
To Qingden, who was obviously shaken to the point of showing such an expression, Tianzhangyuan smiled brightly and said with a tone that sounded more like curiosity and ridicule:
"What's wrong? Didn't you hear what I just said? Then I'll say it again."
Tianzhangyuan stretched out his upper body in the direction of Qingdeng, and his big round peach moved away from his legs that were knelt together.
Two white elbows rested on the low table between her and Qingdeng, and her palms on the left and right supported her soft, firm-lined but surprisingly voluptuous face.
The cheeks are so soft that they are reminiscent of marshmallows, and the cheeks are very cute.
"Tachibana-kun, I like you. I want to be alone with you as much as possible."
The moist peach blossoms in Tianzhangyuan are rippling, soft and soft.
This pretty widow already has a "naturally charming" face.
To give a vivid metaphor...Tianzhangin's facial features match very well with words such as "dance hall", "super short hot pants", "big waves", and "low-necked vest".
The look in her eyes made her face even more charming. Just looking at her made me feel my body softening immediately.
Tenshoin Atsuhime, the current Grand Odaisho of the Edo Shogunate, whose figure and appearance are not inferior to those of Sanako, said she likes me...
Qingdeng felt as if there was a "buzzing" sound in the depths of his mind, and his heart was filled with lies that could not be calmed down.
At this time, Qingdeng suddenly realized that this moment seemed to be the first time since his time travel that he had been confessed to by a woman in person.
Before this, even Mai Kinoshita, who had the best relationship and their current relationship was very ambiguous, had never heard her say "like" from her own mouth - but this was natural.
….
As for Mai Kinoshita's shy and introverted temperament, she was shy for a long time even if she was called Aoto by the general name Aotobu. It took her a long time to finally get used to this name. She has the ability to say "I like you" to Aotobu face to face. Courage is the only thing that matters.
"Uh...Your Excellency Tianzhangyuan...I..."
Qingden felt that his voice sounded like someone else was speaking.
He himself didn't know what to say at the moment. He only opened his mouth subconsciously, instinctively trying to say something to relieve the confusion and confusion in his heart at the moment.
Just as Qingdeng was hemming and hawing, repeating meaningless words like a goldfish that kept spitting bubbles——
"……puff."
Qingden suddenly heard a chuckle coming from the other side.
.
Qingden looked up.
On the other side of the low table, Tian Zhangyuan was still holding his face in his hands in that cute gesture - but compared to just now, Tian Zhangyuan had a happy smile on his cheeks.
This happy color spread and expanded rapidly, and finally covered the entire area from the tip of the nose to the base of the ears.
"Ha-hahahaha!"
Eventually, this happy smile turned into laughter that seemed to be unbearable anymore.
"Tachibana-kun, your expression is so interesting!"
Tianzhangyuan, who was laughing so happily that he was a little tired, slowly stopped laughing, and then looked at Qingdeng happily. A mischievous smile appeared on his face, as if the prank had succeeded.
Qingden, no matter how stupid he is, knows what is happening.
"His Royal Highness Tenzhoin...it's not good to play with other people's feelings..."
Qingdeng said "Oh" helplessly.
"Sorry sorry."
Tianzhangyuan put his hands together and looked apologetic.
"Because I suddenly wanted to see what kind of expression you would show after hearing me say that I like you, so I accidentally couldn't hold it back..."
——What the hell is it that I can’t hold back...
Qingdeng couldn't help but curse.
As early as when he first started interacting with Tianzhangyuan, Qingdeng discovered that beneath Tianzhangyuan's dignified and solemn appearance, there was a lively and active heart that loved adventure and novelty.
This is consistent with the folk rumors Qingdeng has heard.
According to various gossips circulating in the city, before Tenshouin married into the Tokugawa family and was just the little princess of the Satsuma Shimazu Imaizumi family, she was a girl who jumped up and down every day, spending all her time with the mountains and rivers. A wild girl whose friends are trees.
It makes sense that Tianzhangyuan, who grew up in such an environment, developed a "little devil" temperament.
——Turns out you were just joking with me...
Qingden breathed a sigh of relief silently. The big stone hanging in my heart suddenly fell to the ground.
To be honest, Tianzhangyuan's "confession" just came too suddenly and without any foreshadowing. Apart from this, Qingdeng does not have any special feelings for Tianzhangyuan, and has always regarded Tianzhangyuan as his female boss - nothing more.
Therefore, Qingnobo was basically frightened just now, and he did not feel happy or complacent about being confessed by "the most beautiful widow in Edo" who had fascinated countless Edo men.
At this moment, Qingdeng suddenly felt Tianzhangyuan's smiling gaze.
"But...my words are not all lies."
….
Tianzhangyuan's words made Qingdeng's newly relaxed cheek lines immediately tighten slightly.
"It's true that I don't have any romantic feelings for you... It should be said that as a monk of the Edo Shogunate Grand Office, it would be too unreasonable for me to say that I like you."
A self-deprecating smile appeared on Tianzhangyuan's lips.
This strange look disappeared in an instant. After only one breath, it was well hidden by Tianzhangyuan.
"But it's the real truth that I want to be alone with you."
"In the beginning, the reason why I personally taught you the art of archery was really simple. I was just bored for a while. In addition, I admired you very much, and I wanted to hide from you, so I wanted to train you myself."
"But slowly, my mind...the reason why I still insist on being your archery teacher until now has gradually changed slightly."
"Since you asked the question, I will take this opportunity to tell you frankly - I taught you archery in person because I wanted to be alone with you and because I felt inexplicably relaxed when I was by your side."
Having said this, Tianzhangyuan paused, as if thinking about his words.
After a while, she removed her arms from the low table, retracted her upper body that was leaning out towards Qingdeng, and her plump peach sat back on her legs together, looking at the snow-capped mountains in the distance in front of her.
"Tachibana-kun, you are incredible. When facing me and Iemo, you don't have any stage fright."
"Hit me
After marrying into the Tokugawa family, outsiders treated me with nothing more than three attitudes. "
"First of all, you are so respectful to me that you don't even dare to say a word loudly."
"Secondly, he is intimidated by me. When he gets along with me, he is careful in all his words and deeds, for fear of making me unhappy in the slightest."
"Third, you flatter me and try every possible way to please me, gain my favor, and get benefits from me."
A slight smile appeared on Tianzhangyuan's cheeks again as the corners of his mouth slightly extended.
"I have seen these three types of people a lot, but your type is extremely rare."
Tianzhangyuan turned his head and looked into Qingdeng's eyes.
It was different from the joking demeanor he showed when he was joking with Qingden just now. The smile that appears on Tianzhangyuan's pretty face at this moment is so pure and sincere.
"When you get along with me, no matter your manners or behavior, you are quite natural and generous."
"There is no special treatment for me just because I am the Grand Odaisho of the Edo Shogunate."
"It's like interacting with a normal good friend."
"Not only me, but also Iemo."
"You faced the current general of the Edo shogunate, and you never showed any fear or flattery towards Iemo."
"I like your attitude towards me very much."
The smile on Tianzhangyuan's face became brighter and brighter. She was probably recalling the past. Her eyes seemed to be looking at a distant world, and there was an emotion called nostalgia hidden in her eyes.
"This reminds me of the time when I was not the Grand Odaisho of the Shogunate, nor the princess of the Satsuma Shimazu clan, but the ordinary daughter of the Satsuma Shimazu Kon and Izumi clan."
….
"So when I stay with you, I always feel very relaxed."
"Now, this archery range where I meet you regularly has become a refuge for me to temporarily free myself from all kinds of worries and from the shackles of the Grand Odaisho."
Qingden raised his eyebrows and laughed dumbly.
——After all, my soul comes from the 21st century, and I have never been influenced by the feudal ethics of "the king, the king, the minister, the father, the son, the son."
Qingdeng, who has lived in the civilized 21st century since childhood, has never been interested in the etiquette and order of the feudal era, and at the same time he lacks awe for it. In addition, it is due to Qingdeng's personal character. Therefore, he was naturally able to behave gracefully and unpretentiously in front of Tenshoin and Tokugawa Iemo.
Qingdeng was embarrassed by Tianzhangyuan's sincere words.
He racked his brain, thinking about how to answer the call.
Say "You're welcome"? Something doesn't seem right.
Say "this is what I should do"? It doesn’t seem right either. In fact, Qingdeng did not take the initiative to do anything worth mentioning to Tianzhangyuan. It's just that he stays with Tianzhangyuan and obediently attends Tianzhangyuan's archery classes.
"Ah! That's right! Taking advantage of this rare opportunity where both you and I are free to sit down and chat: Tachibana-kun, let's discuss changing your title!"
At this time, Tianzhangyuan spoke again, attracting Qingdeng's attention and interrupting Qingdeng's thinking.
"What do you call me?"
"I've always called you 'Tachibana-kun,' right?"
"This title is a bit too long. It has five syllables. You are now my new Imperial Banshi's Banshi and my direct subordinate. The interactions between you and me will become more and more frequent in the future."
"If you keep using such a troublesome title, it will inevitably cause some inconvenience."
Qingdeng heard this and nodded...I see, let's change the name...
"That being the case, Your Highness Tianzhangyuan, you can just call me 'Qingdeng' from now on."
""Qingden"..."
Tianzhangyuan tilted his head, as if he was thinking and confused.
"This title has indeed become much shorter, but I think it's a bit difficult to pronounce... Oh! That's right!"
Tianzhangyuan seemed to have come up with some brilliant idea, high-fiving his hands with joy on his face.
"I'll call you by your real name: 'Sheng Qing'" Okay! Although this title is only one syllable shorter than 'Tangerine Lord', it is catchy, easy to pronounce and listen to, and it also has a peaceful legacy. I like your real name very much! "
Qingdeng was stunned.
""Sheng Qing"? "
Aoden's full name is "Minamoto Tachibana Aoden Moriharu".
Genji's surname is Tachibana, commonly known as Qingdeng, but also known as Shengqing.
"General name" is similar to the "zi" in ancient China, which is specially chosen for outsiders to call.
As for "taboo", it is the same as "name" in ancient China. It is a person's true real name.
However, ancient Japanese taboos are a little bit special.
According to the etiquette and rules of ancient Japan, a person's real name can only be called by his or her master and the person with whom he has a very close relationship, so close that he can wear the same pair of pants.
Such harsh conditions mean that everyone often has no one around them who can call them by their real name.
Take Qingdeng himself as an example. Among Qingdeng's many friends, none of them call Qingdeng "Shengqing."
….
And Aoto himself rarely calls others by their real names. Aoto is so familiar with Kondo Isamu and Hijikata Toshizo, and he never calls these two brothers by their real names: Masaki and Yoshitoyo.
Back then, Kinoshita Mai called out the common name of Qingnobo in front of everyone, which caused a small commotion. Almost everyone believed that there must be some ulterior secret happening between Qingnobo and Kinoshita Mai.
Even calling him a common name can cause such a violent reaction from others. If Kinoshita Mai had called Qingnobo by his real name instead of Qingnobo's nickname...then many people would definitely suspect that Qingnobo and Kinoshita Mai secretly got married. I even have one or two children.
If you want to call someone by their real name, there are so many rules and so many troubles - but these rules and troubles are nothing to Tianzhangyuan.
Can your real name only be called by your master and people who are close to you? What a coincidence, Tianzhangyuan happens to be Qingdeng's master!
Aoshinobu's current class status is that of a Hatamoto samurai, a direct subordinate of the shogun. His official position is that of captain of the Huofu Thief Kai division, while secretly his official position is that of a banshi of the Shinba division.
In terms of class status and official title, Qing Deng is undoubtedly the direct subordinate of Tianzhang Yuan's mother.
Tianzhangyuan called Qingdeng "Shengqing", which was both in line with the rules and reasonable.
Qingdeng has never paid much attention to what others call him. Since Tianzhangyuan thinks his real name sounds nice and wants to address him by his real name, then let her do as she wishes.
Then, Qingden nodded:
"But it's up to Your Highness to decide."
"Then it's decided!"
Tianzhangyuan's smile was so bright and beautiful.
"Then... I'll ask for your advice from now on, Sheng Qing~~"
——Why do you say it like a newlywed wife who just married me...
Qingdeng hesitated again and again, but finally decided to swallow the complaints that had flowed to his lips.
"Please give me your advice, Your Highness."
Qingdeng responded without hesitation.
Suddenly, a hint of wind that reminded people of top-grade silk passed by the ears of Qingdeng and Tianzhang.
The wind is not cold at all, carrying a faint fragrance.
Tian Zhangyuan gently closed her eyes, raised her chin slightly, and took deep breaths with a strong and long rhythm - she was enjoying the caress and taste of the wind.
"What a comfortable wind..."
Tianzhangyuan raised her hands above her head, groaned, stretched greatly, and then leaned back, lying on the couch behind her - the pavilion she and Qingdeng were in now had extremely rich features. "infrastructure".
There are not only cushions, low tables, elbowrests, but also couches for people to lie down on.
"Ju...ah, no, Sheng Qing, I can always relax unconsciously when I stay with you...I've been really busy these days..."
Tianzhangyuan's tone contained deep weariness.
"Are the Hitotsubashi people still clinging to you?"
Qingden couldn't help but ask.
"They are just helping mad dogs..."
Tianzhangyuan smiled bitterly.
"I don't know if Elder Jing Yin suppressed them too hard before, which made their hearts a little twisted. After Elder Jing Yin passed away, they were like rabid dogs out of the cage, biting whoever they caught. "
….
The "Elder Jing Yin" mentioned by Tianzhangyuan naturally refers to Jing Yin Zhibi, who once had a relationship with Qingdeng and was kind to Qingdeng.
[In view of the general environment,
"The people of the Hitotsubashi faction are really annoying. They accuse me in every possible way."
"I feel that even if I step out first, they will find at least one reason to impeach me."
"There have been several times when I wanted to directly order the executioners of the Yamada Asaemon family to be summoned into Edo Castle to execute these annoying flies sent by Hitotsubashi on the spot."
As Tian Zhangyuan spoke, he raised his hand and made a wiping motion on his thin neck.
Although she used a joking tone, there was a hint of seriousness in her eyebrows.
"Heh...but, if you compare yourself with others, I can understand the hostility towards me from the Hitotsubashi Party."
"Even though it has been two years since Iemoge succeeded to the position of shogun, the Hitotsubashi faction still yearns for the throne of the Shogun."
"I still want to help Ichibashi Yoshiki...this nerd who has lost his mind in reading."
"In the eyes of the Hitotsubashi faction, someone like me who is determined to stay with Iemo through thick and thin is a completely unpleasant thorn in their side and a thorn in their flesh."
"not to mention……"
Tianzhangyuan's voice paused and his eyes flickered.
After a moment, a self-deprecating smile gradually filled her cheeks and eyes.
"In the eyes of the Hitotsubashi faction, I am a traitor with an unforgivable crime... No matter how cruel the methods used to treat traitors, it is never an exaggeration."
After saying that, Tianzhangyuan fell silent and stopped talking.
"..."
Qingdeng also fell silent - such a topic was beyond the scope of "ordinary small talk", and he didn't know how to answer the conversation.
The traitor of the Hitotsubashi faction... A simple statement, but there are heavy facts behind it.
Tenshouin's father... to be precise, his adoptive father: Shimazu Saibin, the 11th generation lord of the Satsuma Domain, was a die-hard member of the Hitotsubashi faction.
In order to expand Satsuma Domain's influence in the Hitotsubashi faction, enhance the Hitotsubashi faction's chances of winning, and ensure that Hitotsubashi Keiki can successfully inherit the position of shogun, he sent Tenshou, who was from a branch of the Shimazu clan, of the right age and unmarried. In order to become his adopted daughter, Insho planned to let Tenshouin marry into Edo as the princess of the Satsuma domain and marry the previous generation of shoguns: the Tokugawa clan.
Shimazu Saibin, an old yin, doesn't even pretend. In March of the sixth year of Kayei (1853), a ceremony was held to establish the father-daughter relationship with Tenshouin. In August of the same year, Tenshoin was sent to Edo in a hurry, like chasing a duck to a shelf.
From then until now, Tianzhangyuan has never returned to his hometown, nor has he seen his relatives and friends in his hometown again.
Shimazu Qibin's behavior of hurriedly sending Tenshouin off to get married was like writing directly on his forehead: I just treat Tenshouin as a useful tool, what's it like?
It is reported that the task assigned by Shimazu Saibin to Tenshouin was to give Tokugawa Iesada some confidence and persuade Tokugawa Iesada and his biological mother, Honjuin, to let them establish a bridge to celebrate as the shogun heir.
What happened next is known to everyone on the street - after Tenshoin married into the shogunate, he did not act in accordance with Shimazu Saibin's orders, and she obeyed. On the surface, he was submissive to Shimazu Saibin, but in reality he sided with the hostile camp: the Nanki faction, and advocated the establishment of Tokugawa Iemo, who was still called Tokugawa Keifuku at that time, as the next shogun.
….
After Shimazu Saibin died of illness and the Nanki sect won, Tenshouin didn't even bother to do the sloppy work anymore and had a clear-cut stand.
He supported Tokugawa Iemo wholeheartedly and assisted Tokugawa Iemo wholeheartedly.
There have always been different opinions as to why Tianzhangyuan wanted to defect to the Nanji Sect.
The most mainstream view is that Tenshouin deliberately wanted to take revenge on Shimazu Nobita, who forced her to leave her hometown and marry a useless person, thus ruining her life.
All in all, regardless of what Tenshouin's motives were, in the eyes of the Hitotsubashi faction, Tenshouin's behavior of "turning sides on the battlefield" was an unforgivable betrayal.
If you want to understand the stakes, it is not difficult to figure out why after Jing Yin Naobi was assassinated and the Hitotsubashi faction regained power, why they disliked Tenjoyin so much and why they opposed Tenzhoyin so frequently.
The silent atmosphere in which neither of them spoke lasted for about two minutes.
Two minutes later, Tianzhangyuan let out a sigh of relief, and then restarted Zhu Chun:
"Sometimes I can't help but think: It would be great if Elder Jing Yin was still here."
"If Elder Jingyin is still here, these stinky things from the Hitotsubashi sect can't keep their tail between their legs and behave like normal people. How can they dare to be so arrogant in front of me?"
"But...looking back and thinking about it carefully, even if Elder Jing Yin comes to life again, my life may not be better than now.
Qingdeng handed over the counter question at the right time:
"Why?"
"Why else?"
Tianzhangyuan smiled bitterly and shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't agree with his ideas."
"Elder Jingyin just wants to restore the glory of the shogunate."
"He only has eyes for the shogunate."
"As long as the shogunate can become strong again, he doesn't care about anything else...the life and death of other vassal states."
"but me……"
Tianzhangyuan bit his red lips lightly, seeming to be hesitating whether to continue.
After a moment, she gave her answer:
"Forget it, let's stop this topic for now. No matter how much I blame myself, it's useless. Anyway, I've long been used to this kind of life of being made things difficult and ridiculed by, so I just let the stinkers from the Hitotsubashi faction do what they want. Bark."
"Well... speaking of being made things difficult and ridiculed... Sheng Qing, I suddenly remembered that I haven't thanked you yet."
Qingdeng was stunned for a moment, then turned his gaze back to the distant sky and towards Tianzhang Courtyard.
"Thank you? Thank you for what...um...!"
The remaining words of Qingdeng were stuck in his throat - the scene in front of him was so fragrant that his mind and consciousness were swallowed up in an instant.
Tenshouin was seen lying on her side on the couch, facing Qingteng, and her miko uniform became a little messy due to her careless and unruly movements.
The sleeves of the top and the two pants legs of the purple hakama were rolled up greatly, revealing the dazzlingly white forearms and calves.
Her beautiful eyes were half-closed, with a faint and tender smile on her cheeks.
A strand of black hair from the temples hangs down and sticks to the corner of the lips.
The black hair, fair face, and rosy lips together form a magnificent picture that makes people's eyes freeze.
"When I first met you...that is, when Iemo and I disguised ourselves as members of the Third Division to compete with you, I said a lot of bad things about Tenjoin...you stopped me in time. .Do you still remember this?"
….
Qingdeng thought for a while and quickly remembered: This kind of thing did indeed happen.
At this time, Tianzhangyuan, who was disguised as a member of the third team, said a lot of things about himself.
Qingdeng, who didn't know at the time that the person in front of him was Tianzhangyuan himself, felt that what this person said seemed to go too far, so he stopped him with words.
Qingdeng didn't like this kind of bad-mouthing behavior behind someone's back.
In Qingdeng's eyes, it is a very stupid move to casually discuss the rights and wrongs of a person without even seeing him or getting along with that person in person.
"Being ridiculed and ridiculed by others - I have experienced this situation many times. But it is indeed rare for someone to come forward to defend me... I won't treat you well.
Saying thank you is too much to say. "
"Sheng Qing, thank you."
Qingdeng raised his hand and scratched his hair, and smiled awkwardly:
"You're welcome. It's just a trivial matter. There is no need to thank me specifically. You made it so grand, but it made me feel at a loss."
"That won't work."
A carp in Tianzhangyuan stood up from the couch.
"You speak up for me and defend me in person. I have to show something. At the very least, I have to give you a thank you gift. Hmm... what should I give you..."
Tianzhangyuan raised his chin, looked at the sky, stretched out his right index finger, and supported his right cheek.
"Ah, right!"
Tianzhangyuan put down the green-white jade finger that supported his head and met Qingdeng's eyes with a smile. The pair of beauties smiled at themselves so much that they narrowed into thin threads.
"If I kiss you, consider it as a thank you gift from me!"
"……ha?"
Qingden reacted slowly, turning his shock and disbelief into his voice.
He temporarily confirmed with Tianzhangyuan in front of him with his eyes and expression: I must have heard correctly, right? Did you just say something very explosive in a nonchalant tone?
After just one breath, Qingdeng's question received a definite answer.
"I feel a little shy, so I would like to ask you to close your eyes for a while when you come down."
Tianzhangyuan stretched out his right hand and covered Qingdeng's eyes.
Her palm was neither big nor small, just enough to cover Qingdeng's eyes, not even a ray of light could penetrate.
The next moment his vision was "robbed", Qingdeng felt a sweet smell, slowly approaching him.
Even if Qingdeng closed his eyes, he could still feel the shadow of Tianzhangyuan covering his body.
At this moment, Qingdeng fell into unprecedented tension and panic, and the muscles in his body were as stiff as if they were petrified.
What does this woman want to do? Was she really going to kiss me? Where are you going to kiss me? I just did such a small thing, as for thanking me so grandly?
Before he could think about it or react, Qingdeng felt his cheeks itching - this was Tianzhangyuan's moist breath hitting his face.
In addition, Qingdeng's skin also began to sense the warm body temperature of Tianzhangyuan.
Tianzhangyuan's pretty face was very close to his - half a second after Qingdeng's brain confirmed this fact, his lips were enveloped by a soft touch.
Qingdeng's eyes, which were covered by Tianzhangyuan's slap, suddenly opened wide. His eyes were filled with disbelief.
….
He couldn't believe that Tianzhangyuan turned out to be such a passionate and unrestrained woman.
He couldn't believe that his first kiss was so confusing...
However, in just a few blinks, Qingdeng gradually realized something was wrong.
The feeling coming from my lips was ice-cold, with a powdery substance like flour. It tasted sweet, the same as the mochi I ate just now... No! Isn't this mochi? !
At this time, Tianzhangyuan released the palm that blocked Qingdeng's eyes.
Qingteng Singqing looked forward and found that Tianzhangyuan was holding the mochi he had just taken out from nowhere when he called Qingteng to come to the pavilion to rest in his left hand, and pressed the mochi hard against Qingteng's lips.
The red lips were pursed tightly, trying hard not to laugh.
After Qingdeng looked towards her, she seemed to finally be unable to bear it any longer and burst into laughter, showing a malicious smile.
"Let me guess, did you really think I was going to kiss you just now?"
"Your Highness...you sometimes have a really bad personality."
After saying this, Qingden seemed to express his protest and said "Ah woo" as he ate the mochi that was close to his lips.
This was the second time today that he was teased by this pretty widow.
Although he said that, in fact, Qingdeng's heart was not because he was being raped by Tianzhangyuan one after another.
Playing pranks, and feeling angry or annoyed.
"Sorry sorry."
Tianzhangyuan clasped his hands together, bowed his head to Qingdeng and apologized with a smile.
"Why is that? As soon as I see you, I can't help but want to play a prank on you."
As soon as he finished speaking, Tianzhangyuan took a deep breath with a refreshed expression, then jumped off his legs, jumped off the bed, and stood up.
"Okay, it's almost time. I should go to Edo Castle. Shengqing, I'm going to take a step first. Sae, Yae and Amakura are all at Tsukinomiya Shrine today. If you want to practice Unryu for a while before going home, You can go find them now."
Qingdeng nodded and asked half-jokingly:
"Do you need me to give you a ride?"
"no thanks."
Tianzhangyuan smiled.
"It's broad daylight, and the road from Tsukinomiya Shrine back to Edo Castle is very safe, so no one needs to be escorted."
"Take care, I'll take the first step."
After leaving these words, Tianzhangyuan folded the catkins in front of him and walked calmly towards the path leaving the archery field.
However, after taking only two steps, she suddenly stopped as if recalling something important.
"Oh, I was so happy chatting with you that I almost forgot to talk to you about business."
Tianzhangyuan only raised his upper body and faced Qingdeng again.
"Sheng Qing, 6 days from now...that is, the first day of the New Year, do you have time?"
"The first day of the new year?"
Qingden thought for a moment.
"I don't have any plans for that day."
"Well!"
Tianzhangyuan nodded gently with a satisfied look on his face.
"Then - at nine o'clock on the first day of the new year (2 o'clock in the afternoon), we will gather at Tsukinomiya Shrine. I have an important task to give you - in the name of the new commander of the Imperial Palace."
"This is the first mission you have received since joining the New Royal Court, so be sure not to be late.
….
Mission... After Qingden heard this, his eyes narrowed.
A mission that could be related to a secret mobile unit like the New Imperial Guards... Qingto naturally thought of words such as "assassination" and "intelligence spying".
Are you going to assassinate someone?
Or who should we collect information on?
Thinking of this, Qingdeng's eyes and expression gradually became solemn.
Tianzhangyuan noticed Qingdeng's solemn expression.
"Keke, don't be so nervous."
Tianzhangyuan raised his hand to cover his smiling mouth.
"It's not a difficult or painful mission. From a certain perspective, this mission is quite pleasant and relaxing."
Tian Zhangyuan lowered his eyelids slightly, and his meaningful eyes flickered out from under his eyelashes that were as long as velvet.
--joy? easy?
The confused Qingdeng was about to ask further questions about the specific details of this mysterious mission, but Tianzhangyuan beat him to it and said:
"Anyway - don't be late in 6 days. At nine o'clock in 6 days, I will be waiting for you at Tsukinomiya Shrine on time."
After finishing speaking, Tianzhangyuan has nothing else to add or forget to say.
Qingdeng was not given any chance to speak.
He withdrew his eyes from Qingdeng and stepped forward again with his feet wearing purple clogs.
After a while, only Tianzhangyuan's body fragrance remained by Qingdeng's side.
…
…
5 days later——
The first year of Wanyan (1860), December 30 (New Year’s Eve)——
Edo, Koishikawa Kohinagayanagi Town, dojo——
Snapped! Snapped! Snapped! Bang bang!
The air waves of the bamboo swords clashing shook the air in the dojo.
Two figures with almost the same body shape passed each other at a dizzying speed.
When the two of them got together, the bamboo swords in the palms of both sides appeared.
In this lightning-fast moment, four confrontations unfolded.
Four clear sounds of bamboo swords striking each other sounded almost at the same time, lingering in the ears of Souji and his team who were watching the battle at the dojo.
The soles of my feet slid and the ground creaked.
The two people who were fighting on the field crossed each other and ran nearly seven steps in the opposite direction. Then, as if they had prepared their moves in advance, they turned around with swords in hand and faced each other from a distance.
Neither of them moved rashly.
Both people were sizing and observing each other.
I saw this pair of swordsmen confronting each other. One of them was a tall young man under 20 years old - it was Qingden.
On the other side of the fight with Qingdeng was a handsome man with fair skin, handsome appearance and dignified appearance.
This handsome man is tall and well-proportioned, almost as tall as Qingden.
Tsukiyo's hair, which was not shaved, was dark and thick.
He looks a little older than Qingdeng, but not much older, around 25 or 6 years old.
If you look at his face, this person does not have the demeanor of a warrior at all.
A fair face, soft and clear facial lines...
Compared to a warrior who wields swords and guns, this handsome man is more like a scholar who talks about romance with his sleeves.
However... Anyone who has seen this handsome man's fighting prowess will never dare to look down upon him in the slightest! I definitely don’t dare to criticize his “scholarly face” in any disdainful way!
Soon enough, after a brief silence, the battle started again!
….
Squeak——The handsome man spread his feet violently, and the soles of his feet scraped against the ground, making a harsh "squeak" sound.
The next moment, he lowered his waist and rushed in front of Qingdeng as if sliding on the ground.
The speed of movement and the precise distance control made Nagakura Shinpachi and others who were watching the battle not far away couldn't help but secretly gasp in surprise.
The bamboo sword held in front of the body with its midsection raised and slashed - the move seemed simple and unpretentious, but in fact, the sword contained a ferocious momentum that even Qingden could not ignore!
The speed of the sword is as fast as thunder, and the power of the sword is like the weight of Mount Tai - it is the move of Shinto Muken-ryu!
To defeat the opponent with overwhelming momentum and power - this is the characteristic of Shinto Muken-ryu.
Qingdeng didn't dare to raise his hand, lowered the lower part of the bamboo sword in his hand, and dodged to avoid it.
Qingdeng's dodge contained preparations for counterattack.
The moment he dodged, Qingden's slender body leaned forward like it was falling, pressing against the handsome man.
call! call!
The bamboo sword flashed two dark yellow afterimages in the air.
Qingdeng first struck at the lower level, lifted up the bamboo sword that was hanging on his right side, and slashed all the way from the lower right to the upper left.
Immediately afterwards, with the help of gravity, he slashed the bamboo sword in mid-air above the upper left side back to his right side along the original path, and the tip of the sword almost touched the ground.
Because the bamboo sword does not distinguish between the blade and the back, when the bamboo sword is "turned back", there is no need to turn the sword body to turn the blade that was originally facing upwards to the ground.
The power is impeccable, and the timing of the attack is perfect - but what's the point of these elements if you don't hit your opponent?
Only a loud crash was heard, echoing over the empty dojo. The sound lingered for a long time.
Because things happened so fast, people with insufficient eyesight or insufficient martial arts training may not have seen clearly what happened just now - at the critical moment when Qingdeng's bamboo sword was about to hit the handsome man's body, the handsome man He swung his sword twice with ease and blocked Qingdeng's two consecutive slashes. Then he jumped back and jumped three steps away, widening the distance between him and Qingdeng.
Qingdeng frowned slightly as he looked at the handsome man whose defense was impregnable.
He did not pursue the handsome man, but planted his feet firmly on the spot, lowered his waist, raised the tip of his sword, and took the Kasumi stance, with the sword tip pointing straight at the handsome man's chest.
[In view of the general environment,
Anyone with clear eyes can clearly see that all the muscles in Qingdeng’s body are tightly stretched, and his whole body looks like
The bullet, which was pressed to death and ready to go, concealed an astonishing explosive power.
"oh?"
The handsome man slightly raised his eyebrows and raised his lips in a subtle arc.
"I have heard that King Ren will be good at stabbing skills. I am fortunate to meet each other today, it is really happy!"
While the beautiful man said, he raised the bamboo sword -the sword tip twitched gently.
It is the classic posture of Beichen's sword,
"King King! Despite shots! Don't be merciful! My Yin Dongda Tibet is going to return today!"
*******
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[Sheng Qing] The method of thinking is Riharu (Morihalu), which is a very safe era style. The author spent a lot of effort, and it turned out a lot of information before setting the name (Leopard. Jpg)
The author's perfect performance, the successful leopard is 11,000 (Leopard Xiao .jpg)
Seek some monthly tickets, right?
Asking for a monthly ticket! Please vote for recommendation! (Crying headache.jpg)
Soo Meng Shi
