The Fake Legend of Princess Mei Mei - Episode 4.7

Keigetsu watched as Enshou approached, unable to hide their surprise. Enshou met their gaze with a gentle smile, but as he looked at the rising smoke from the funeral pyre, his expression turned solemn.

“I told you never to come here again.”

The villagers gathered around, their eyes filled with curiosity as Shugetsu spoke in a restrained, harsh voice.

“I believe I told you that I could not make such a promise.”

Enshou responded calmly, meeting Shugetsu’s glare. Then, he bowed his head slightly.

“My condolences. I would like to speak after the monk has finished the prayers.”

With that, he stepped back, moving to the rear of the gathered villagers.

The villagers whispered among themselves, sneaking glances at Enshou and his entourage. In a small, isolated village like this, unfamiliar visitors were always met with curiosity and suspicion.

Keigetsu felt uneasy but turned back toward the monk, focusing on the sutra being chanted for their mother. This was an important moment to say farewell—getting distracted by other matters felt disrespectful to their late mother.

After some time, the prayers ended. The monk offered a brief sermon to Keigetsu and their grieving family before leaving. Now, all that remained was to keep watch over the fire until it burned out, collect the ashes, and lay them to rest.

Most of the villagers returned home at this point. After expressing gratitude to those who attended, Keigetsu turned to face Enshou and his group once more.

Enshou, judging that it was now appropriate, stepped forward to join Keigetsu and Shugetsu. He offered polite nods to the remaining villagers as he passed by.

“It has been a while, Keigetsu-dono.”

“Yes… um…”
Keigetsu nodded and glanced at the men standing behind Enshou. They all bowed politely upon making eye contact, so Keigetsu returned the gesture.

“Ah, they are here for protection. We were attacked recently, so I was assigned guards. I apologize if it seems excessive.”

“No, not at all…”

Shaking their head, Keigetsu looked up at Enshou. His injuries seemed fully healed, and he now stood with perfect posture.

“Why are you here?”

Shugetsu, who had been watching silently, spoke again in a low, menacing tone. “Father,” Keigetsu chided, but Enshou raised a hand to stop them.

“First, allow me to express my deepest condolences. I sincerely grieve for your loss.”

“Who told you?”

Shugetsu narrowed his eyes at Enshou’s deeply bowed head.

“The village children mentioned it earlier.”

Since he did not know where the family lived, he had asked the children playing nearby.

They had informed him about the funeral and even led him to the outskirts of the village where the ceremony was taking place. That was how he learned that it was Keigetsu’s mother who had passed away.

“I see…”

Keigetsu nodded, feeling another wave of grief welling up. Even after a night had passed, even after the cremation had begun, they still could not fully accept their mother’s death. It still felt unreal.

Shugetsu glanced at his daughter’s sorrowful face but kept his attention on Enshou.

There was no deceit in his expression—his condolences seemed genuine. That was something Shugetsu could appreciate.

However, his unannounced visit was another matter entirely.

Shugetsu had clearly told him never to return, yet he had come anyway. What was his true intention?

Shugetsu glared and repeated his question. “Why are you here?”

Enshou slowly raised his head and met Shugetsu’s gaze directly.

“I understand that today is not the best timing…”

He hesitated for a moment, exhaled deeply, and then spoke clearly.

“I have come to ask for Keigetsu-dono’s hand in marriage.”

Keigetsu gasped in shock, while Shugetsu grabbed Enshou by the collar with his bandaged hand at the same time.

“Stand down!”

Immediately, the guards drew their swords, aiming at Shugetsu’s throat. But Enshou’s sharp command stopped them. They hesitated, arguing, “But—!” yet he ordered them again, and they reluctantly sheathed their weapons.

Keigetsu almost collapsed in distress at the sudden tension, but Shugetsu remained unfazed. Instead, he tightened his grip on Enshou’s collar.

“Have you lost your mind?”

“No,” Enshou answered firmly, shaking his head.

“I am drawn to Keigetsu-dono. I wish to have her as my wife.”

As he spoke, he grabbed Shugetsu’s wrist—not to pull away, but to meet his gaze directly, unwavering.

“I want to be with her as husband and wife.”

Shugetsu glared at the hand gripping his wrist, then abruptly released Enshou. He turned to Keigetsu, who stood frozen in shock, staring at Enshou in disbelief.

“Keigetsu.”

Hearing her name, she finally snapped out of her daze and returned his gaze awkwardly.

“What do you want to do?”

“Huh…?”

“It is your decision. You are the one who would be marrying him.”

Enshou tilted his head slightly. He had expected outright rejection from Shugetsu—perhaps even a few punches. Instead, Shugetsu had placed the decision entirely in Keigetsu’s hands.

Perplexed, Enshou glanced at Junkei, one of his guards. Junkei seemed equally uncertain about Shugetsu’s intentions and shook his head slightly.

Meanwhile, Keigetsu was still overwhelmed. Their eyes darted around anxiously, and their expression was one of complete confusion.

“Keigetsu.”

Hearing her father’s voice again, Keigetsu answered in a trembling tone.

“I… I don’t know.”

“This is so sudden… I don’t know what to do, Father…”

Her voice wavered with confusion and fear as she clung to Shugetsu’s arm. Her fingers were ice-cold.

Shugetsu quietly placed his hand over hers, warming them.

“How do you feel about this man?”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you like him?”

At those words, Keigetsu felt her cheeks grow warm.

“I… I don’t know.”

Her hesitant response made Enshou visibly disappointed.

“I don’t really understand love. But… I think he is a good person.”

She had never experienced romantic feelings before. While she had admired Seishin, the village chief’s son, along with other girls, she had never truly considered marrying him.

Compared to Seishin…

“When I’m with Enshou, I feel happy. If that means I like him… then maybe I do.”

Her cheeks turned pink as she admitted this. Shugetsu sighed, while Enshou’s expression softened.

“If you enjoy my company, that is enough for now.”

Enshou took Keigetsu’s hand and placed a jade ring in her palm.

“It is customary for a man to offer a gift when proposing. Please accept this.”

Keigetsu stared at the ring, hesitant.

“But…”

“You do not have to decide now. Take your time to get to know me. Then, make your choice.”

Keigetsu looked up at her father for guidance. “The decision is yours,” he said simply.

As Keigetsu blushed, preparing to respond, a voice interrupted from among the lingering villagers.

“What is this nonsense?”