Didn't you go to Teyvat to earn money to support me?

Moreover, the Kamisato family is the family that manages Inazuma rituals, religious ceremonies, repairs, diplomacy, etiquette, and documents. Their public image is always that of elegance, refinement, and composure.

Ayaka Kamisato, being a woman, is in Inatsume's heart a lofty, unattainable beauty known as the "White Heron Princess." One could even say that Ayaka Kamisato herself is Inatsume's template for the definition of a "lady of high birth."

And yet, Ayaka Kamisato, despite her talent, participated in this utterly unrefined martial arts tournament.

This will inevitably be ridiculed by the families of major civil officials.

"Why do you do this?" Kazuyo Kamisato asked coldly.

“In order to reach the ears of the gods,” said Ayaka Kamisato. “Ayaka needs to take down the Jade Dragon Banner and entrust the people’s wish to lift the isolation order to the gods. The magistrate of the shrine is of low status and does not even have the right to see the Grand Master. And the Grand Master lives a secluded life in the castle tower… Perhaps she does not know the consequences of her policies.”

“What if you know, but what if you don’t know?”

"The Grand Lady loves her people like her own children. If she knew the suffering of the people under the isolation edict, she... would certainly not be able to bear it."

"A girl, a... frail woman who has only learned a little bit of her family's sword skills. Hmm... she has no destiny to save the country and its people, but she has the heart to do so."

“Mother, as the acting magistrate of the company, everything we eat, wear, live in, and do is paid for with the hard-earned money of the people,” Ayaka Kamisato said softly. “Speaking out for the people is the sacred duty of a magistrate.”

Kazuyo Kamisato looked at her. "So Ayato condoned your reckless behavior?"

“There’s not enough food, Mother,” Ayaka Kamisato said softly. “Since the end of the war, we have been providing relief to families who have lost their able-bodied men for a whole year. The income from the company’s revenue has been used to cover the deficit in relief food, and my brother has run out of ideas, but there is still not enough food.”

"Hey, can you say that to me?" Xiaogong frowned from the side. "I'm just an ordinary person."

“But Miss Yoomiya and I share the same goal. We are both fighting to eliminate war, so it’s not a problem for me to tell you these things.” Ayaka Kamisato continued, “Mother, since half a year ago, we have reduced the eligibility for relief food distribution to families without labor capacity. This has caused considerable dissatisfaction among many families, and the public opinion campaign against the company’s policies has begun. Countless people are questioning whether this will discourage the soldiers.”

"Public opinion?" Kamisato Hanayo asked.

“After we began screening recipients for our relief food distribution, countless people angrily denounced the society for starting something but not finishing it and for disregarding human life.”

Kayo Kamisato looked at her daughter. "Aren't you angry?"

“They deserve to be criticized, and the company's current policy ambassadors also deserve to be criticized,” Ayaka Kamisato said calmly.

"The Kamisato family has now emptied their coffers. If this continues, they may even be reduced to selling their property and houses to subsidize relief grain. We love the people like our own children and have made great sacrifices. Now, we are grateful for a little kindness but resentful for a lot of mistreatment. Is this what we deserve?" The silver-haired Mrs. Kamisato laughed.

"Because this is nothing but a false sense of self-satisfaction. Even if we sell the ancestral home in Kamisato, what difference will it make?" Kamisato Ayaka said, emphasizing each word. "Does that make you a saint? Does that mean you can be without regret for the country and the people? Mother, you are still alive, you can still drink tea and chat with me, but some of them have starved to death. Do you expect those who starved to death to praise us for doing our best?"

Ayaka Kamisato's tone remained calm and composed, but her firm and clear gaze surprised Hanayo Kamisato.

She had always thought her daughter was weak, but now her daughter even had a somewhat imposing presence.

"Mother, nearly 30% of our food comes from Liyue, and the losses from closing the country off have been immeasurable. Furthermore, due to the defeat in the war at Haiqi Island, we have lost a year's worth of food resources that we have nowhere to make up for."

"With no imports from outside and a failed civil war, most of the people are starving. Inazuma City is home to the wealthiest segment of Inazuma's population, making it the richest place in the entire city. But at night, homeless people with nowhere to hide sleep in every corner, and the Heavenly Ruler cleans up the streets every morning of the poor who have frozen to death. If this is the case in Inazuma City, how many more people across the entire territory are suffering from hunger and cold?"

"The isolationist policy severely restricted the import and export of goods, causing grain prices to soar to nearly 10,000 Mora per kilogram. The Imperial Envoy has been profiting immensely from the national crisis, becoming extremely wealthy. However, money is useless now, as we live in an era where even with money, there is no food. Therefore, we must open trade ports and immediately import rice from Liyue and Haiqi Island, even if it means incurring losses for the Shogunate."

"Trade falls under the jurisdiction of the Kanjō Envoy, but diplomacy falls under the jurisdiction of the Sha Envoy. Currently, the Kanjō Envoy is unwilling to allow foreign rice to flood the domestic market, believing that in order to purchase grain, they will inevitably print money in large quantities, which will devalue the Mora they have stockpiled. The Tenryō Envoy only executes the orders of the Shogun and has no value for cooperation. The people's only way to survive is through us. Only by promoting diplomacy and lifting the isolation order can we ensure food stability."

"Perhaps Mother thinks it is naive to speak up for the people, but if the society does not speak up for the people, then no one will speak up for the people."

The mother and daughter continued to gaze at each other.

"Are you done talking?" Kazuyo Kamisato said calmly.

“Therefore, I beg your forgiveness, but I will still do it.” Ayaka Kamisato kowtowed again.

Lady Kamisato glanced at Yoomiya, who was barely daring to breathe, and smiled. "So you dragged the daughter of the Naganohara fireworks shop along? Making her lose face with you?"

"No, Shinri-mama, strictly speaking, it was I who dragged Ayaka into participating. I actually just wanted to get the Jade Dragon Flag, but your daughter thought about it and came up with this plan." Yoomiya quickly explained, "We common people don't care about showing our faces. I've fought with the people of the Heavenly Territory Enforcement more than once, and I've even been detained for a few days."

Chapter 194 The Maid of the Wooden Leak Tea Room

"A white egret princess who follows the social order, a summer festival queen from a fireworks shop, two beautiful seventeen-year-old girls, speaking out for the people, huh." Kazuyo Kamisato finally rubbed her nose wearily.

The two girls waited silently for her to lose her temper.

“It’s one thing for Xiaoxiao Palace, but Ayaka, you…” Kamisato Hanayo closed her eyes, and after a long while, she sighed softly, “Why do you think that Mother would definitely oppose you?”

"Huh?" Ayaka Kamisato looked up in surprise.

In her memory, her mother was always a typical gentle but resolute lady from a noble family. To put it another way, she was the kind of well-bred young lady who only read literary works such as "The Tale of Genji" and "The Pillow Book." Forget about experiencing the common people's lives or having any compassion for the world, she would even be cheated out of selling an egg for a few morras. She was a completely naive young lady.

These young ladies, even when they grow up to be young women and wives, at most only know some social etiquette related to their families and government offices. But Ayaka Kamisato, from a young age, has been managing household affairs with Ayato Kamisato, adept at navigating social situations with aristocratic families, knowing how to behave appropriately in official circles, and presenting herself as a refined lady to the common people.

Despite living a life completely different from her mother's, and being from a prominent family like her mother, she subconsciously believed that her mother could not understand her.

“I really can’t understand why someone would go hungry, and I also can’t understand what it has to do with us if others go hungry.” Kazuyo touched her daughter’s face and smiled slightly. “But I don’t object to what you want to do, and I don’t think you need to apologize.”

"Eh?"

"Don't think of your mother as too conservative. If you like something and you think it's right, then do it." A hint of melancholy appeared on Kagami Kayo's frail but beautiful face. "Mom won't stop you, because Mom once wanted to be like you. Doing what you want to do should be a happy thing, right? Speaking up for the people sounds so cool. If you want to do something cool, then do it."

"Doesn't Mother think I've disgraced the family?"

"Family reputation doesn't matter anymore. Actually, Mom doesn't care about family reputation, just like Mom doesn't care about those people who starved to death like you mentioned... What does our life have to do with other people's? If you give up what you want to do to take care of others, you'll regret it for the rest of your life, right?"

Ayaka Kamisato didn't quite agree with her mother's words, but she nodded nonetheless, "You'll regret it."

“Then go do it.” Kazuyo Kamisato coughed softly, then pulled out a white handkerchief embroidered with a camellia tree and covered her mouth, saying wearily, “Don’t end up like Mom…”

Ayaka Kamisato was speechless.

Unlike her, who was born into the Kamisato family, Kamisato Hanayo was not from a prominent family, but was the daughter of an ordinary noble family. Because of her outstanding beauty, she was given to the Kamisato family by her parents through a matchmaker's arrangement, and she never had any choice.

Ten years ago, due to unforeseen circumstances, the Kamisato family was plunged into turmoil. Her husband died with resentment, and the ignorant Kamisato Kayo had to raise her children alone, eventually falling ill from overwork.

Like countless daughters of noble families, she marries a husband who doesn't completely dislike her, raises two children who aren't unlovable, and lives a life that isn't too bad. Nothing is too bad, but she has no choice, and her life passes by.

Perhaps it was because she had never experienced a free life that Kayo Kamisato said such a thing. After all, the snow bud is already an incapable plant, but the egret can still fly over thousands of mountains.

"It's wonderful that Mother has agreed," said Ayaka Kamisato sincerely. "Then, Mother, Ayaka will go and prepare for the next match."

"Be careful, it's okay for girls to fight a little, but... cough, but you can't get hurt, you still have to get married." Kaori Kanzaki lowered her head and glanced at the handkerchief, her delicate eyebrows furrowing slightly, but she still smiled and said, "It's not that Mom is urging you to get married, it's just that Mom hopes to see you wearing a white kimono while she's still alive... My daughter is Inazuma's 'White Heron Princess,' she will definitely be the most beautiful bride in all of Inazuma."

"Don't say such unlucky things, Miss Tsubaki!" Yoomiya frowned and quickly tried to smooth things over. "Oh no, Kamisato-mama, you'll definitely be able to see Ayaka's wedding with your own eyes, and you'll live to be a hundred! You're still young, Kamisato-mama. Look how much prettier you are than me and Ayaka. You can live at least another eighty years! You have plenty of time, what are you afraid of? Don't be afraid!"

"What a eloquent child." Kazuyo Kamisato chuckled, then coughed twice. "Alright, we've walked too far today. I'll rest in the tea room for a bit and have some tea. You guys go home first."

The two stood up, bowed to her, and prepared to leave. However, just as they stood up, Ayaka Kamisato suddenly noticed a faint red stain on the handkerchief her mother had just put away.

She suddenly realized what was happening! She immediately reached for her handkerchief!

Kayo Kamisato quickly tried to stop her, but her frail body was no match for her daughter's strength, who had practiced swordsmanship for many years. Seeing her daughter snatch the handkerchief away, she anxiously stood up, "Wait a minute, Aya—"

She stood up too quickly and abruptly, and Kayo Kamisato felt as if she were suffocating and everything went black. Then, she could no longer suppress the metallic taste in her throat, and a mouthful of blood flowed down her chin. She collapsed softly onto the tatami mat.

Ayaka Kamisato was stunned.

--------------

There was a knock on the door.

"Hello, wake-up service in your room." A maid's crisp voice came from outside the door. "Hello sir, you have booked wake-up service in your room. Please get up quickly."

The tea room waitress, nicknamed "Sho," carrying a tray, knocked on the bedroom door with a little force, trying to soften her somewhat indifferent tone with a youthful energy.

Because she wanted to make a good impression on the guests in this room.

Don't get me wrong, the income paid to the employees of the Wooden Leak Tea House is not low. After all, the maids working here are all confidantes of the Kamisato family, and they are not so easily swayed by any rich person staying there.

But this time the guests are different!

Kozue was deeply impressed by this short, adorable boy with long hair tied in a high ponytail. His features were even more exquisite than those of the young lady, Kamisato, with a clean and slender figure, and he deliberately acted like an adult. When Kozue saw this little guest check into the room, her heart melted.

What an adorable little handsome boy!

She bit her lip, suppressing her surging emotions, and continued knocking on the door.

Then the door opened, and the girl froze.

"Thank you for reminding me, I almost overslept." Shen Liang, with her messy hair, casually opened the door and took the maid's tray. In Xiao's eyes, the scene was breathtaking.

The boy wore only a loose bathrobe, the belt just tied, revealing his bare chest. His long hair was completely untied, hanging loosely and messily, which gave him a charmingly unrestrained air. He exuded a pleasant, blush-inducing fragrance, the source of which was unclear, but a strange shyness welled up within him.

Through his back, I could still see the messy bed and clothes scattered on the floor—this kid doesn't seem to sleep well...that makes him even cuter!

However, Shen Liang didn't let her look for too long. He noticed that the pretty maid was blushing and rubbing her hands together with her legs together. He felt a little helpless and coughed lightly. The maid quickly packed up the plates and fled.

Chapter 195 Chiyo really can't eat anymore!

Shen Liang pulled up her collar and went back into the bedroom.

Curled up in her messy bed, Torachiyo chuckled. "I suspect that if you just ask, the kid will get shy and lie down on you willingly."

The slightly strange feeling was not wrong; Shen Liang was not alone in this room, but as a Heroic Spirit, Torachiyo could not be observed by others.

In fact, the long, straight black-haired demon girl was lying on the bed, basking in the afternoon sun. Her beautifully curved back shone white in the sunlight. She lazily propped her chin up, thinking, "After all, I can't take it anymore."

Shen Liang glanced at her sideways, "You should be able to calm down for a few days now."

"Yes~" Torachiyo deliberately dragged out the sound, then grinned, "As expected of the little wolfhound the fox has chosen, hmm~ I'm really worried about your future wife."

"Can we stop talking about dirty jokes?" Shen Liang pulled back the covers, picked up his clothes, and changed. Hu Qiandai, sitting next to him in a relaxed posture, leisurely admired the beautiful young man changing his clothes. He fastened his cufflinks, tied his hair with a hairband in front of the mirror, and then casually picked up an apple from the plate and tossed it to Hu Qiandai.

"I was planning to take a nap, but you've kept me up until now," Shen Liang said irritably. "Are you hungry? Eat something and we'll go."

He pulled open the teleportation light curtain.

"Hey, are you kidding me? It's me whose skirt got torn!" Torachiyo pounded on the edge of the bed in dissatisfaction, then blinked and said pitifully, "I'm sorry, Chiyo really can't eat anymore, my stomach is already full."

"Just restrain yourself!"