My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 50: Chapter 35: Tenshōin Atsu, the Chaste Widow (Part 2)

The one who swung the gavel on the ”One Bridge vs. Nanki dispute” was none other than the man currently seated as Tairō—Ii Naosuke.

Two years ago in 1858, Ii Naosuke, a staunch supporter of the ”Nanki Faction,” successfully maneuvered through a series of political acts to assume the Tairō position, wielding power over the entire nation.

Upon taking office as Tairō, he forcefully pushed Tokugawa Keifuku into succession, establishing him as the heir to General Tokugawa Iedzumi, and brutally suppressed the ”Hitotsubashi Faction.”

The ”One Bridge vs. Nanki dispute” concluded with a complete victory for the ”Nanki Faction.”

Coincidentally, shortly after Tokugawa Keifuku, with Ii Naosuke’s support, became the Shogunate’s successor, the always frail Tokugawa Iedzumi finally succumbed to illness and died.

Tokugawa Keifuku was appointed the 14th Shogunate General in 1858 and changed his name to Tokugawa Iemochi.

The General was young, only 14 this year, and incapable of managing affairs independently.

Moreover, due to the special relationship of ”Ii Naosuke being the greatest contributor to the Nanki faction’s victory,” for the past two years since Tokugawa Iemochi became General, power has essentially been in Ii Naosuke’s hands, with important decisions made by him, rendering Tokugawa Iemochi a mere puppet.

Ii Naosuke’s authoritative ways and his violent suppression of the ”Hitotsubashi Faction” greatly dissatisfied the shogunate’s Empress Dowager Tenshōin.

Empress Dowager Tenshōin—this is the posthumous title for the lawful wife of the late General Tokugawa Iedzumi.

According to Edo Era rules, after a General’s death, his wives had to shave their heads and become nuns, adopting a posthumous name.

Empress Dowager Tenshōin’s true name was Atsu, also known as Atsu, who, after the passing of the late General Tokugawa Iedzumi, took the name: ”Empress Dowager Tenshōin Jōsanmi Keijun Seijō Tai Sister,” commonly referred to as ”Empress Dowager Tenshōin.”

In terms of status, Empress Dowager Tenshōin, as the lawful wife of the late General Tokugawa Iedzumi, held a position similar to the ”Empress Dowager.”

Empress Dowager Tenshōin was very young, being born in 1836, making her only 24 this year.

Although Iemochi had no blood relation with her, as the ”Empress Dowager,” she wholeheartedly assisted her nominal son, who was only 10 years younger than her.

Ii Naosuke’s actions increasingly dissatisfied this young ”Empress Dowager” with the authority he wielded—this was hardly a secret anymore.

In the streets of Edo, the ”increasing tension between Ii Dairou and Her Highness Tenshōin” became one of the major topics of gossip over meals.

”Sigh... I still hope that Ii Dairou and Her Highness Tenshōin can reconcile soon...” Hosoi sighed deeply, ”Now the world is already in turmoil, and if the shogunate can’t cooperate internally, it’s really too shabby.”

Hosoi grabbed the tea next to him and drank it all in one go.

”Tojo, do you know what the most ridiculous discussion I’ve heard recently among the common folk about Ii Dairou and Her Highness Tenshōin is?”

”What?” Tojo stuffed another piece of Nagasaki Cake into his mouth.

Hosoi snorted: ”Some people, whose brains are questionable, spread rumors: Her Highness Tenshōin and Ii Dairou actually have an illicit affair, as Her Highness Tenshōin has never tasted a man’s pleasure, so...”

”Nonsense.” Tojo rolled his eyes before Hosoi could finish, ”How old is Ii Dairou? He’s 45 now. Even if Her Highness Tenshōin wanted a man, she wouldn’t seek Ii Dairou.”

”Exactly.” Hosoi pursed his lips, ”The people making up such nonsense, really, what are they thinking...”

Hosoi picked up a piece of Nagasaki Cake and shoved it into his mouth.

”But... Her Highness Tenshōin has indeed had a very turbulent life...” Hosoi sighed, ”Though I’ve never had the fortune to meet Her Highness Tenshōin in person, I’ve heard she’s a beauty with skin like snow, a truly stunning presence.”

As he spoke, Hosoi’s face showed a slight lecherous grin.

”So young, never having experienced the pleasure of intimacy, to live a life of celibacy as a virgin believer forever.”

Tojo’s face also showed a lecherous grin: ”Hosoi, you also think Her Highness Tenshōin is a virgin?”

”Isn’t that obvious?” Hosoi shrugged, ”With Duke Iesada’s nature, let alone consummating a marriage with Her Highness Tenshōin, it’s questionable whether he ever touched her at all.”

When Tenshōin married Tokugawa Iedzumi, his health and mental state were already terribly declined.

He already hated seeing people and could only communicate normally with his Wet Nurse, and by the time Tenshōin married him, his physical and mental state had worsened to where he shut himself in and refused to see anyone.

And his crippled physical condition made it hard to believe he had the ability for consummation.

Thus, it was widely said that until Duke Iesada’s death, Tenshōin remained a perfect woman.

Tenshōin was widowed at the mere age of 23 as a virgin—what an intriguing topic!

Especially as Tenshōin was a famously beautiful woman, both inside and out, which further fueled imaginations.

Though Tokugawa Iedzumi’s death, turning Tenshōin into a widow, happened two years ago, discussions related to Tenshōin’s virginity remained fervent.

Many men in Edo fantasized about heroically entering Tenshōin’s chamber alone, comforting her lonely body and soul!

Everyone knew—someone of Tenshōin’s stature, if she were to fancy a man, wouldn’t care for an ordinary Joe; it would have to be a man of kingly caliber to win Tenshōin’s favor, yet this didn’t stop Edo’s men from dreaming.

Tenshōin’s virgin status—this happened to be Hosoi and Tojo’s favorite topic.

Upon mentioning this mutually enjoyable topic, both middle-aged men, Hosoi and Tojo, were filled with enthusiasm, their eyes gleaming as they began to chat animatedly.

As the two were engrossed in their conversation—

”Lord Governor! Lord Governor!”

A loud shout outside was tinged with excitement and amazement.

Hosoi recognized the shouter—it was a certain Dōshin responsible for helping him with paperwork.

”What’s the matter?” Hosoi shouted back.

”The murder case in Mukiura Town has been solved! The murder case in Mukiura Town has been solved! The perpetrator has been apprehended and brought back!”

”Solved?!” Hosoi’s eyes bulged in surprise; then with a look of elation, he stood up, clapping his hands in laughter, ”Mr. Nishino is truly impressive! It’s been less than an hour since he was assigned to manage this case, and he managed to solve it so quickly and brought the perpetrators in!”

”Remarkable! Remarkable indeed!”

”No, that’s not it!” The Dōshin outside stuttered slightly, ”The case solver was not Mr. Nishino!”

”Hmm?” Hosoi’s expression froze, ”Not Mr. Nishino? Then who solved the case?”

”It was Tachibana Aoto of the ’Arima Group’!”

...

”Hmm? Lord Governor?” The Dōshin outside questioned in confusion upon receiving no response from the room.

Not receiving a response was entirely natural.

Because inside the office, both Hosoi and Tojo... seemed physically frozen.

Tojo’s reaction was relatively calm, with only slightly narrowed eyes and a look of astonishment.

But Hosoi’s reaction was much more pronounced, his eyes wide open, mouth forming an ”O” shape, and a face full of disbelief.

*******

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A new book sets sail!

Asking for monthly tickets! Asking for recommendations! Asking for collections! QAQ

In the Edo Era, after the death of a General, his wives and concubines had to shave their heads and become nuns, though it didn’t mean completely shaving off the hair; generally, it was just trimmed a bit for formality.

Regarding Empress Dowager Tenshōin’s hairstyle, see the image on the right, which is from the Taiga drama ”Atsu,” featuring Miyazaki Aoi as Empress Dowager Tenshōin after shaving her head to become a nun →→