My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 211: Chapter 103: Aoto Targeted by the General of Expedition [7700]

Shogun’s Principal Consort: A term for the General’s legitimate wife.

The former General’s legitimate wife is referred to as the ”Great Imperial Platform.”

At this moment, the woman sitting upright before Ii Naosuke was indeed titled ”Empress Dowager Tenshōin,” the current Shogun’s Principal Consort of the Edo Shogunate—Empress Dowager Tenshōin.

In the Edo Era, known for its extremely strict hierarchy, the position of the Shogunate’s legitimate wife was naturally not one for an ordinary woman.

Empress Dowager Tenshōin was the adoptive daughter of the former Daimyo of the powerful Satsuma Domain—with a total koku of 770,000 and possessing military strength that could directly threaten the rule of the Edo Shogunate—Shimazu Hisamitsu.

To enhance Satsuma Domain’s influence within the Shogunate, Shimazu Hisamitsu facilitated the marriage between Empress Dowager Tenshōin and the former General, Tokugawa Iedzumi.

The Satsuma Domain was located on Kyushu Island, at the southwestern tip of Japan.

Due to its remote geographical location and the fierce nature of its people, many held the stereotype of Satsuma people as ”barbaric,” considering them a ”rough bunch of mountain holligans.”

However, as the ”Princess of Satsuma,” Empress Dowager Tenshōin was quite unlike these stereotypes of Satsuma people.

Empress Dowager Tenshōin’s wrist seemed to symbolize her entire being.

Soft, frail.

Her wrist appeared so delicate, it seemed as if it would break with the slightest pinch, or vanish at any moment with a mere grasp.

It wasn’t just her wrist; her entire being gave off the same impression.

Ankles, neck, shoulders, the short ponytail down her nape... All her lines were so graceful and delicate, light and slender.

The gentle contours of her body, paired with her moonlit fair complexion and finely sculpted, exquisite features, made her resemble a delicate porcelain doll.

The only blemish was—her cheeks bore a sickly pallor at this moment.

As the Shogun’s Principal Consort who had taken the tonsure following Tokugawa Iedzumi’s death, Empress Dowager Tenshōin naturally could no longer indulge in grand and luxurious attire.

She wore a simple purple overcoat, under which was an elegant light green undergarment... This overly subdued attire unexpectedly added a touch of gracefulness to Empress Dowager Tenshōin.

After Ii Naosuke finished speaking, Empress Dowager Tenshōin slowly blinked and glanced expressionlessly at Ii Naosuke.

Every frown and smile of Empress Dowager Tenshōin mirrored Ii Naosuke’s—carrying the composure of a superior.

”... Lord Tairō.” Empress Dowager Tenshōin’s voice was rather ethereal, akin to her body, evoking imagery of a delicate flower, ”Thank you for making a special effort to visit me.”

Ii Naosuke slightly bowed: ”How could I possibly ignore the Shogun’s Principal Consort catching a cold?”

Earlier, in his own residence, a middle-aged samurai had murmured many words into Ii Naosuke’s ear, but the essence of his speech could be summarized in one sentence—Her Highness Tenshōin was ill.

”Thank you for your concern, Lord Tairō.” Empress Dowager Tenshōin remained expressionless, ”I merely caught a slight cold, nothing serious, no need to worry.”

”Lord Tairō, is it really appropriate for you to waste your precious time visiting me, a widow often made into a joke during idle conversations?”

”Your Highness Tenshōin.” Ii Naosuke’s eyelids slightly drooped, ”Why do you say such things?”

At this moment, Empress Dowager Tenshōin’s expression finally changed for the first time since entering this luxurious room.

She lowered her gaze, her eyebrows slightly knitted.

”Lord Tairō, aren’t you currently preparing to suppress the domestic ’Anti-foreigner Faction’? If so, the matters waiting for your attention should already have piled up like a mountain, shouldn’t they?”

”... Your Highness Tenshōin.” Ii Naosuke suddenly laughed, and he laughed with such force that both his shoulders shook, ”Could it be... you sympathize with those ’Anti-foreigner Faction’ members?”

”Could it be you have also become part of the ’Anti-foreigner Faction’? Do you think we can defeat the ironclad fleet of Western countries with our samurai swords and matchlock guns handed down from the Warring States Era?”

”I am not opposed to your suppression of the ’Anti-foreigner Faction’.” Empress Dowager Tenshōin’s tone suddenly grew more severe, ”I am worried that, under the guise of ’suppressing the Anti-foreigner Faction,’ you will once again suppress all your political adversaries!”

”Oh...” Ii Naosuke slowly stifled his laughter, ”I see.”

”Your Highness Tenshōin, are you worried that I might replicate the harsh suppression of the ’Hitotsubashi Faction’ from years ago?”

”It seems, Your Highness Tenshōin, you still deeply sympathize with the ’Hitotsubashi Faction’ members whom I harshly suppressed back then...”

Empress Dowager Tenshōin did not respond.

But the way she raised her petite chin high already provided Ii Naosuke with a silent, powerful response.

Ii Naosuke let out a few intriguing ”hehe” laughs.

”Your Highness Tenshōin, you should still remember... who were the core members of the ’Hitotsubashi Faction’ back then, right?”

”The Daimyo of Mito Domain, Tokugawa Yoshiaki, the Daimyo of Echizen Fukui Domain, Matsudaira Keisai, the Daimyo of Tosa Domain, Yamana Toyoshige, the Daimyo of Uwajima Domain, Date Nariyoshi, and... your adoptive father: the Daimyo of Satsuma Domain, Shimazu Hisamitsu.”

Ii Naosuke suddenly cast a keen, blade-like gaze at Empress Dowager Tenshōin.

The light in Empress Dowager Tenshōin’s eyes slightly flickered at this moment.

”Your Highness Tenshōin! Look at this list! All of them are Daimyo of Powerful Domains!”

”Their slogans sounded quite noble.”

”In these times of national crisis, a Grand General with extraordinary talent is needed to take charge.”

”Hmph! They talk as if it’s for the Shogunate, for the nation, but in reality, each harbors ulterior motives!”

”The reason they wanted to support Hitotsubashi Yoshinobu’s rise to power was simply to enhance their influence within the Shogunate, and thereby secure maximum benefits for their vassal states and families.”