Chapter 576: Grandfather's Wish!

Uesugi Muneyuki's audience with the Imperial Family was actually quite pleasant; first, the Director of the Imperial Household Agency, Maeda, was both a fellow Peerage member and someone Uesugi had looked after during the previous Imperial Palace incident, so naturally he would not make things difficult for him during the audience, and Uesugi himself did not regard the Imperial Family as deities the way ordinary people do; when the Imperial Family showed interest in his experiences, he even spoke a few sentences about his case-solving experiences and history, drawing gasps of amazement from the entire Imperial Family.

Uesugi's own character design was originally excellent, plus he was extremely confident and renowned; standing where light and shadow intersected, his figure was tall and straight, wearing a soft white shirt with sleeves casually rolled to his elbows, revealing smoothly lined forearms; a pair of rimless glasses rested on his nose bridge, the eyes behind the lenses gentle and wise, a faint, barely-there smile on his lips, his whole person exuding a refined, scholarly aura like warm jade, causing the Imperial Princesses behind the Imperial Family to gaze at him with brilliant eyes; however, he was already engaged, and there were many rumors about him regarding men and women, otherwise the Imperial Family might have had other ideas.

However, just as a good woman would not marry into the Imperial Family, a good man would not think of marrying a princess.

Moreover, an Imperial princess's dowry is very small; the Five-Star MacArthur stipulated that the dowry must not exceed twice the annual Imperial property revenue, which by current calculation means no more than 150 million yen.

150 million yen is a huge sum for ordinary people, but from the perspective of the powerful and noble, it is ridiculously little.

And the pressure and restrictions one must endure by marrying a princess are far beyond what this 150 million yen can compensate for; any slight behavior not meeting everyone's expectations would be placed under the spotlight for public viewing and criticism.

"Uesugi-kun, do you like tennis?" Sure enough, the other party took the initiative to ask: "If you don't mind, we can find a suitable afternoon and have a relaxed friendly match with your fiancée Miwa-chan on the tennis court at the villa?"

This invitation was completely outside the plan, filled with the Imperial Family's rare affability and warmth.

The Imperial Household Agency officials at the side nodded slightly, indicating everything was under control.

Uesugi Muneyuki suppressed the surprise in his heart, maintaining calm and gratitude, and replied solemnly: "This is a supreme honor, Your Majesty. We would be delighted."

After the event ended, the Director of the Imperial Household Agency, Maeda Toshisuke, specially came out to meet Uesugi Muneyuki; Maeda Toshisuke said meaningfully and with a touch of playfulness: "This way, you don't have to worry about trouble from the Foreign Minister's side, Sōsetsu-kun — may I call you that? You can rest easy on leave; any trouble that might involve you, the Imperial Household Agency will block for you. After all, His Majesty invited you to play tennis."

"Gratitude beyond words!" Uesugi Muneyuki immediately bowed his head to express thanks.

Although his background was deep, facing an existence at the level of the Foreign Minister, even Watanabe Eiji was merely a high-ranking "bureaucrat"; the truly decisive force that could protect him was the Imperial Family and the Imperial Household Agency.

The Imperial Family does not interfere in politics, but precisely because of this, no political force dares to drag the struggle onto the Imperial Family.

That is courting death, an extremely dangerous and rule-ignorant crazy act.

At this moment, Uesugi Muneyuki is a hero in the hearts of the people; once the news of the Imperial Family's invitation is made public, Uesugi Muneyuki's prestige in high society will reach its peak; at this time, if Minister Akimoto retaliates in any form, even just secretly making trouble, once leaked, it would be interpreted by media and the public as "the powerful provoking a hero and the Imperial Family," and the resulting tsunami of public opinion would instantly swallow him.

He not only cannot retaliate, but must instead pray that Uesugi Muneyuki remains safe and sound; otherwise any "accident" would be pinned on him first.

He even has to publicly thank Uesugi Muneyuki for catching the murderer who plotted to kill his son, to appear "righteous and magnanimous."

He has to thank us too!

"It's nothing, you are the pride of our Kasumigaseki; not to mention anything else, just for your surname and your achievements these years, and your key role for this old man and His Majesty's family last time, we will definitely protect you this time." Maeda Toshisuke shook his head and smiled: "Solving cases is a job that offends people, but it doesn't matter; you just go ahead and investigate boldly. His Majesty and the Retired Emperor both greatly appreciate your case-solving ability; the future is yours."

"Gratitude beyond words." Uesugi Muneyuki ate a reassurance pill; although Japan's Imperial Family has been stripped of all actual power, 98% of property and real estate, as the symbol of the nation they still possess enormous influence.

After thinking for a bit, Uesugi Muneyuki decided he still needed to ask the Imperial Household Agency for a favor: "Regarding that matter from the last Imperial Palace case, Director Maeda, I have a request I must ask you to help with."

"What request? Can't you ask the Metropolitan Police Department to handle it?" Maeda Toshisuke heard that Uesugi Muneyuki actually had something to ask him and the Imperial Household Agency for help? The Imperial Household Agency isn't some powerful department; they actually just have high status but not much real authority.

"Such and such, this and that —" Uesugi Muneyuki told this Imperial Household Agency Director his request.

"Why do you need so much high power? But if it's just this matter, it's indeed easy to handle; after this Imperial Palace case, the Imperial Household Agency was already planning to strengthen security and replace those old instruments; alright, this old man agrees." Maeda Toshisuke listened to Uesugi Muneyuki's request, nodded, counting it as agreed.

"Then, this kid here thanks Director Maeda; in the future if there's any place I can be of use, please just say the word, Director." Uesugi Muneyuki said, full of gratitude.

"Heh, if you put it that way, there really might be a place where Sōsetsu-kun you could be useful." Maeda Toshisuke suddenly said meaningfully: "My grandson Maeda Toshihide graduates from Kanazawa University this year; I heard the Special Mission Unit is currently short-staffed —"

"6

"

Maeda Toshihide?

Uesugi Muneyuki thought, luckily it's not Tuki Rion; he thought for a bit, didn't agree directly: "I need to go back and discuss with Minami, and Director, your grandson also needs to pass the civil service exam first; lastly, I'll say the ugly words upfront: once he enters the Special Mission Unit, he's my person, I don't care what identity he has, he must obey orders; Director Maeda, I heard this person's reputation isn't too good — can you tell me the truth, how did he get into Kanazawa University?"

"The Honke donated a building to Kanazawa University, and the School Board finally let Toshihide in." Maeda Toshisuke spoke of this matter with a weathered air, then he took out a baseball bat nearly one meter long, the words "Guts Injection" written on the shaft, and handed it to Uesugi Muneyuki very kindly: "You are his only teacher; your word is absolute; just treat him as your junior, no, treat him as a stubborn disciple who needs strict discipline! Hit when you should hit, scold when you should scold; if he dares utter half a word of complaint, I won't be the first to agree! If you beat him to death, it's on me!"

"Scold him if he deserves it; if he dares utter a single word of complaint, I'll be the first to object! If he's beaten to death, it's on me!"

"

'

Returning to the holiday villa, Uesugi Muneyuki heard a burst of cheerful laughter.

"Wow, so big! So many!" Asuka exclaimed in surprise as she toured the villa, the girl's mouth wide open.

The Imperial Household Agency's villa was not decorated luxuriously, but possessed a unique classical charm; every corner had been delicately polished; for Asuka, who came from Hokkaido and had suffered much, this was nothing less than Little Bird entering the Grand View Garden!

"Aiyo, exhausted me!" Ishihara Mikoto, on the other hand, leaned elegantly on the recliner, flipping through a few magazines just bought from a roadside convenience store, a pair of crystal-clear, dainty bare feet stepping inside slippers.

"This year's Nobel Prize in Physics topic is 'Science and Technology Pulse Law' and 'Force Work All-In Theory'."

"This year's Nobel Prize in Physics topics are the 'Engineering Pulse Law' and the 'Labor Theory of Poker'."

"This year's Nobel Prize in Economics is awarded to Dr. Wein-Morning-Hooshod's 'Android Apple Dichotomy'."

"

【43】 "This year's Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to Freud-Feng Ge; his 'Sexual Repression Theory' has made enormous contributions to world peace."

Mikoto looked at the magazine and complained: "Haven't looked at the Nobel Prizes in many years; the themes seem to have become strange now."

"Normal, humanity is currently in a scientific bottleneck period." Uesugi Muneyuki smiled.

"Eh, Uesugi, you're back?" Minami was whispering something with Eirina; Eirina's face was completely red but she kept nodding firmly, full of fighting spirit; but when she heard Uesugi Muneyuki had returned, she let out a soft cry.

She turned to run but was grabbed by Minami, so ashamed she lowered her head and buried it in the magnificent dimensions, looking extremely cute.

"Mm, had an audience with His Majesty's family; His Majesty also invited us to play tennis together at a suitable time; Minami, you have to go with me then." Uesugi Muneyuki smiled and nodded.

"Eh??? Play tennis with His Majesty's family?" Minami made a bitter face the moment she heard sports were involved; a young lady who sits in an office is really not good at sports: "Okay, let's not talk about this first; Sōsetsu, let's play a game?"

"Nodding Agreement, I had an audience with the Emperor and his family, and the Emperor even invited us to play tennis together at a suitable time; Minami, you'll have to go with me then." Uesugi Muneyuki Nodded With Smile.

"Mm! A game, but not you participating; we play, you be the referee!" Minami Ojou-sama said wickedly in a low voice: "You'll definitely like it!"

————

"What game?" Uesugi Muneyuki became interested.

What does she mean, I'll definitely like it?

"What Game?" Uesugi Sōsetsu Became Interested.

What do you call it? I definitely like it?

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