Sangonomiya Kokomi originally thought there would be some kind of token inside.
In the end, there was only a single sentence.
The meaning was very easy to understand.
No matter what Sangonomiya Kokomi thought, Su Han's bloodline would absolutely not be left outside.
The attitude was incredibly domineering, as if they did not take her seriously at all.
Sangonomiya Kokomi was so angry that she laughed. She stood up and asked Canghe:
"Is that person still outside?"
"Yes."
"How many people came?"
"Replying to my lady, only two. And judging from their appearance, they both seem to be people from Inazuma..."
Canghe thought for a moment before adding another sentence.
"People from Inazuma?"
"Yes."
This was truly strange.
Sangonomiya Kokomi had originally thought the visitors would be from Liyue.
A few people appearing from there would not be surprising.
But Inazuma, she truly could not figure out the identity of the visitors.
Although the signature claimed to be Kitsune Saiguu, everyone knew that lady had died long ago.
After thinking it over repeatedly.
Sangonomiya Kokomi decided to meet them first.
She wanted to see exactly who dared to impersonate that immortal fox lady.
"Canghe, bring them in."
"Yes."
A few minutes later.
Canghe returned with the two guests.
One of them looked youthful and appeared to be a shrine maiden attendant.
As for the other.
She was likely the main person.
She wore a classic shrine maiden outfit. Her pace was neither hurried nor slow, and along the way she even took the time to observe the architecture of Sangonomiya.
A faint smile rested upon her beautiful face.
The elegance and nobility naturally radiating from her presence were even stronger than that of Yae Fox.
This woman was not simple.
After Kitsune Saiguu entered the room, her gaze naturally fell upon Sangonomiya Kokomi's lower abdomen. Looking at the raised curve, she could not help but smile.
"You must be little sister Sangonomiya Kokomi, correct?"
"Heh, I wouldn't dare claim such familiarity. Are you from the Grand Narukami Shrine?"
Sangonomiya Kokomi had no interest in getting close to her. She only wanted to understand the other party's identity and purpose.
The shrine maiden accompanying Kitsune Saiguu immediately looked displeased.
Country people truly were country people.
Their lady possessed such a noble identity, yet after traveling so far, they did not even offer her a cup of tea.
How rude.
However, since her lady had not spoken.
She also did not dare to open her mouth.
Kitsune Saiguu did not expect the other party's attitude to be this hostile. She immediately shook her head and sighed.
"Little sister's attitude seems rather unwelcoming toward me."
"Whatever. This immortal fox did not come here for idle conversation anyway."
"As for my identity, just as stated in the letter, this immortal fox is the former Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine, Kitsune Saiguu."
The room instantly fell silent.
Canghe spoke up in place of her master.
"Impossible. That lady died five hundred years ago. How could you possibly be her..."
"You ill-mannered little girl. When I am speaking with little sister Kokomi, since when was it your turn to interrupt?"
Kitsune Saiguu lightly glanced at her.
An endless pressure descended upon the shrine maiden.
It was merely a single look, yet Canghe coughed up blood and instantly collapsed onto the ground.
"Y-you... what did you do?"
Seeing Canghe knocked unconscious, Sangonomiya Kokomi was both shocked and furious.
She had not expected the other party to choose to attack here.
This was simply not taking her seriously at all.
Kitsune Saiguu withdrew her gaze and calmly looked at the furious Divine Priestess.
"I merely taught an ignorant little girl a lesson."
"I advise you not to get angry. If you disturb the fetus, this immortal fox would feel guilty."
"Oh, look at my memory, I nearly forgot."
"I prepared quite a few gifts during this visit as well."
The young shrine maiden accompanying Kitsune Saiguu quickly took out the prepared items from a spatial bag after hearing her master's words.
All kinds of supplements for pregnant women.
All kinds of baby toys and clothes.
The gifts alone piled up into a small mountain.
Sangonomiya Kokomi completely ignored the gifts and instead turned around to check Canghe's injuries. Only after discovering that she had merely fainted did she finally let out a sigh of relief.
Turning back toward the pile of gifts on the floor, Sangonomiya Kokomi frowned.
"What exactly are you here for?"
"Isn't the answer obvious?"
Kitsune Saiguu smiled lightly and replied:
"Watatsumi Island has always been poor in materials and lacking in resources. Those ignorant commoners may suffer, but as the woman carrying the Su family bloodline, you cannot suffer."
"So, you came to take the child?"
Sangonomiya Kokomi's expression turned unfriendly.
If that was truly the case, then even if she had to risk her life, she would never yield.
Looking at the nervous beauty before her, Kitsune Saiguu shook her head and sighed.
"I'm not that bored. I simply do not wish to see the child suffer. And let me tell you something, Su Han does not know about this matter. I am one of only two people who know."
"Then who was the first person to know?"
"The current Dendro Archon, Buer!"
Another god's name had appeared.
Sangonomiya Kokomi froze for a moment before frowning.
"How would she know?"
Kitsune Saiguu sat down in a chair and casually poured herself a cup of tea. After drinking it in one gulp, she smiled and said:
"Very simple. She can use divine power to hear all sounds near the Den Den Mushi."
"Otherwise, I would not have known about this matter either."
"And let me tell you one more thing. Whether you believe it or not, this immortal fox is indeed the one from five hundred years ago, and I have no need to prove anything to you!"
"I can tolerate the fact that you drugged and seduced Su Han."
"But his bloodline absolutely cannot be left outside."
"This is my bottom line, and also the bottom line of our Su family!"
"If you wish to resist, then feel free to try."
By the end.
Kitsune Saiguu's expression had become extremely serious.
Sangonomiya Kokomi understood that the other party was not joking.
The Raiden Shogun had sealed off Inazuma for three years, yet recently lifted the restrictions.
If she guessed correctly, the woman before her had likely contributed greatly to that matter.
"So, what do you intend to do?"
When she said those words.
Sangonomiya Kokomi had already completely slumped over the table.
This represented her giving up resistance.
In truth, even if she resisted, what could she do?
Rumor said the Raiden Shogun valued her friends immensely. If her own affairs implicated all of Watatsumi Island.
Then she would become a sinner for all eternity.
Looking at the young girl whose eyes had completely lost their light, Kitsune Saiguu suddenly laughed.
"Alright now, I already said I am not a villain. Punishing that little brat earlier was only because she lacked manners too much..."
"As for these things, keep them properly. Eat well, drink well."
"If you lack anything, contact me through the Den Den Mushi."
"Remember to take good care of your body."
After speaking, the immortal fox lady stood up and prepared to leave.
Sangonomiya Kokomi could not figure out what the other party truly wanted, so she quickly stood up and asked:
"Y-you... what exactly did you come here for?"
First came threats.
Then came gifts.
It was completely impossible to understand.
If she truly came to take custody of the child, there was no reason to leave like this.
Kitsune Saiguu stopped walking and said without turning her head:
"This is his first child. Although that night was a mistake, the child is innocent, and Su Han is innocent as well."
"Do you understand now?"
The other party quickly disappeared from Sangonomiya Kokomi's sight.
The room became incomparably quiet.
Only after a long time did Sangonomiya Kokomi finally recover her senses.
"So... she came to persuade me to properly nurture the pregnancy?"
She gently stroked her stomach, her gaze filled with tenderness.
Half an hour later.
The unconscious Canghe finally woke up. Sitting upright, she shouted:
"Where's my lady? Where's my lady..."
Only after her gaze landed upon Sangonomiya Kokomi's back did the shrine maiden finally calm down.
She hurriedly got out of bed and ran to her side.
After seeing that Sangonomiya Kokomi was safe and unharmed, she finally sighed in relief.
"My lady, where did that person go?"
"She already left."
"Who exactly was she..."
Faced with Canghe's question.
Sangonomiya Kokomi put down her brush and looked up at her with a serious expression.
"We will not discuss that matter for now. Today, you should not have been so rude. Regardless of her identity, her strength alone was enough to crush me."
"You interrupted so recklessly. Consider this a lesson."
When important people were speaking.
How could it be a servant's place to interrupt?
Even though Canghe was as close to her as a sister.
Her behavior had still been far too rude.
Canghe pursed her lips and said aggrievedly:
"But I just thought..."
"No 'you thought'! These are the rules. Have I treated all of you too leniently, to the point that you have forgotten the existence of rules? Starting today, including you, all shrine maidens will study proper etiquette."
"Otherwise, once the island truly opens up."
"Who knows how much trouble you will cause for me."
Today had been a lesson.
Sangonomiya Kokomi deeply understood that if Canghe did not correct herself, she would definitely suffer greatly in the future.
Besides, Kitsune Saiguu was a familiar of the Raiden Shogun.
For someone of her status to personally visit was an enormous honor.
Although she had come because of Su Han.
Her status was still there. Having absolutely no manners, it would be stranger if the other party had not gotten angry.
Looking at the unusually stern Lady Sangonomiya Kokomi, Canghe no longer dared to argue stubbornly and immediately knelt down to beg for forgiveness.
"My lady, I was wrong. I won't dare do it again next time..."
"Leave. Come back after you properly learn etiquette. I am tired today."
Sangonomiya Kokomi waved her hand, no longer wishing to continue the conversation.
Seeing this, Canghe bowed and withdrew.
The room once again returned to silence.
Looking at the large amount of supplies behind the folding screen, Sangonomiya Kokomi gave a bitter smile.
"I truly don't know whether this is a blessing or a disaster. Sigh... regardless, I cannot let the baby in my stomach suffer."
Although she still did not understand Kitsune Saiguu's intentions.
There was one thing Sangonomiya Kokomi was certain of.
The other party did not seem to care whether she joined Su Han's family.
It seemed she had been overly sensitive after all.
"Hah... it's already noon?"
Su Han yawned and finally climbed out of bed.
The midday sunlight was incredibly bright.
This sleep had truly been comfortable.
He stretched lazily, got up, washed himself briefly, and only after stepping outside did he realize Yae Miko had already entered work mode.
Hearing Su Han's footsteps.
Yae Miko raised her head, smiled slightly, and teased:
"Oh? The great master has finally awakened? Want to come join the battle..."
"Forget it, forget it. I still have other things to do today..."
Helping yesterday had been purely accidental.
Today, he still had important matters to handle.
Yae Miko was not angry at all. She merely lowered her head and continued working while replying:
"Then I won't see you out!"
"Mhm, keep busy."
Su Han walked out of Tenshukaku.
The soldiers outside immediately knelt upon seeing him appear.
"We greet Lord Kanrei."
"Lord Kanrei? What does that mean?"
Su Han raised an eyebrow.
He had only slept for one night, and Ei had already granted him an official position?
And what exactly did this Kanrei mean?
"My lord, you still don't know? An hour ago, the Shogun personally appointed you as Inazuma's 'Lord Kanrei.' This position ranks second only to the Shogun herself, serving as the office that assists the Shogun..."
After listening for a while, Su Han roughly understood.
Simply put, he was the chief steward assisting the Shogun.
But the authority of the position was even more exalted than that.
For example, Su Han could now not only command soldiers in battle, but also deploy them for external military campaigns.
Without needing the Shogun's approval, he could command the entirety of Inazuma.
Since the birth of Inazuma.
Su Han was the first person ever to receive this position.
(TL/N: 管領 or Kanrei, basically means Shogun's Deputy.)
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