"But this is the first time I've seen a guy like you who threatens to marry three wives."

"I even doubt that you knew my criteria for selecting a son-in-law in advance, so you deliberately made such remarks..."

After saying that, as if to adjust her emotions, she rubbed her temples and let out a long breath.

"Last night, Ah Wu and I talked all night long."

"I watched her grow up, so I know very well: this child is not an eloquent person."

"But when she talks about you, her eyes light up and she talks eloquently, as if she has endless things to say."

"Although I feel mixed emotions, I have to admit: Ah Wu's feelings for you are sincere."

"Thanks to you, this child has undergone many positive changes."

"For that, I want to thank you."

As she spoke, she bent down and saluted Qingdeng.

"Ju Qingden, thank you for taking care of A Wu."

Seeing this, Qingdeng bowed back without thinking:

"Ms. Kinoshita, you are speaking harshly."

When Kinoshita Lin straightened up again, she showed a solemn and extremely serious expression:

"I already understand Ah Wu's feelings for you."

"Now... I want to know your feelings for Ah Wu."

"Ju Qingden, what do you think of Ah Wu?"

Although Qingdeng was startled by the sudden rhetorical question, he quickly adjusted himself.

He was silent, thinking.

Kinoshita Lin didn't rush her, she just waited quietly.

About 3 minutes later, Qingdeng slowly spoke:

"...To be honest, it was Ah Wu's beauty that attracted me at the beginning."

"Her pretty face, fair skin, and her light and agile demeanor all attracted me deeply."

"In short - it was Ah Wu's unparalleled elegance that made me want to get in touch with her deeply."

"Gradually, as time goes by, I don't know when it started. Whenever Ah Wu is with me, I feel very relaxed."

"In addition, there will be a feeling of... being redeemed."

Kinoshita Rin frowned slightly and repeated word by word the set of words Aomori just said:

"'Redemption'?"

Qingdeng smiled and nodded:

"I am not only the majestic 'Nioh', but also the invincible 'General of the Shinsengumi', the 'Lord of the Qinjin Clan' who holds a vast fiefdom, and the 'Pillar of the Country' who holds the sea and the sky, and kills people like crazy.

'People Kill Qingdeng'."

"The higher my status is and the more status I have, the more things I have to consider every day, the troubles I have to face every day, and the expectations I have to bear every day."

"To this day, I am no longer me."

"'Benevolent King', 'The Pillar of the Country', 'Renzai Qingden'...these names have become separated from me and become prominent symbols."

"In the eyes of the shogunate, I am the 'pillar of the country'. They hope that I can continue my efforts to support the government in times of crisis, realize the revival of the shogunate, and preserve their wealth."

"In the eyes of the Shinsengumi soldiers, I am the 'General of the Shinsengumi.' They hope that I can be invincible and lead them to glorious victories one after another, so that they can be full of martial arts."

"In the eyes of Dajin people, I am the 'Lord of Qinjin Domain'. They hope that I will be a wise king who works hard to govern and let them live a good life with plenty of food and clothing."

"In the eyes of those who hate me, I am 'a man who kills Qingden'. They are both afraid of me and hate me. They wish I would die quickly, preferably in a miserable way."

"In the eyes of my admirers, I am a 'benevolent king'. They hope that I will always be an upright and awe-inspiring hero so that they can fulfill their 'heroic dream'."

"Different people, different groups, are looking at different 'identities' in me."

"In order to meet their expectations and to disappoint the haters, I have to brace myself and tighten my nerves at all times - this does not depend on my will."

"I can't escape... Now that I'm in such a high position, how can I be allowed to act willfully?"

"Whether I am reluctant or bite the bullet, I can only keep fighting and keep winning."

"I have already realized...it is definitely not an ordinary hardship to shoulder such a heavy burden on my own."

"I'm used to 'undefeated' battles."

"However, as time goes by, the glory of being 'invincible' gradually accumulates into the weight of being 'undefeated'."

"I don't mean to be depressing, but there are times when... I feel really out of breath."

"but--"

His conversation suddenly changed.

"Only when I'm by Ah Wu's side, only when I hug Ah Wu tightly, I can briefly transform back into 'Ju Qingden'."

"Because I know very well - in Ah Wu's eyes, I am just 'Ju Qingden'."

"By the way, I also have the same feelings for Sanako and Koji."

"Only they can help me get rid of the shackles of 'the benevolent king', 'the governor of Gyeonggi Province', 'the lord of the Qinjin vassal', and the 'pillar of the country', and turn me back into the 'Ju Qingden' who likes to joke and is occasionally a little unruly"

."

"This is my feeling for Ah Wu."

"A Wu, Sanako, Xiao Si - they are all my salvation."

"As long as they are by my side, I will always be an 'undefeated warrior'!"

Qingdeng finished speaking.

He will pour out the feelings and truths that he has buried deep in his heart and would never let outsiders know at ordinary times.

"..."

Kinoshita Rin did not react immediately.

Neither moved nor spoke - of course, this was only temporary.

"……I see."

She raised her head, faced the ceiling, closed her eyes - "Hu" - breathed out a long breath.

Then, she lowered her head and waved to Qingden.

"Boy, come here, come closer."

Qingdeng stretched out his upper body without thinking.

The next moment, Kinoshita Lin slowly stretched out her right hand and touched Qingteng's forehead.

"My granddaughter... I leave it to you."

She stared into Qingdeng's eyes, smiling half lonely and half pleased.

"Don't let her be wronged. Let her live a happy life. Otherwise, you will have to bear the consequences."

"The wedding will be held on New Year's Eve this year."

"I already read it for you last night. It's a good time to get married on New Year's Eve!"

*******

*******
Chapter completed!