Onmyoji, a nobleman in Heian-kyo

If it's a wine jar, he'll show it to everyone in a grand manner!

Amidst the clinking of glasses and the lively atmosphere, the noise intensified.

About an hour later, the drinking party gradually came to an end.

Kyosuke Kousaka, who was supposed to leave, was stopped by Michitsuna Fujiwara.

The two drank ginger soup in the ferry hall to sober up.

"What's the matter?"

"Master Dao wants to introduce you to a supervisor. I plan to introduce you to him tomorrow."

"The General Supervisor... the General Supervisor of the Central Guard?"

Kousaka Kyosuke looked confused.

Fujiwara no Michitsuna smiled and nodded, inwardly surprised.

He hadn't expected that Kousaka Kyosuke would guess the name of the government office just by hearing the official title.

After all, there are quite a few official positions in the imperial court.

Having the time and energy to remember things at least shows that one is a cautious person.

"I understand, I believe in Master Dao."

Kyosuke Kosaka didn't say much, only expressing his unwavering faith in his superior.

Although it is known that there are four supervisors in the Central Guard Office.

Each of them held the rank of sixth-rank official, belonging to the lower nobility.

Fujiwara Kaori's adoption of that official as her godfather did not elevate her status much.

But Kyosuke Kosaka believed that there was no reason why the Taoist priest wouldn't know.

"This supervisor is actually quite close to the main branch of the family. His maternal clan has some connection with Lord Lunzi, and he also happens to have a daughter of marriageable age."

"..."

Kousaka Kyosuke was stunned.

What is he being regarded as?

A hungry wolf that can't live without desire?

"Not satisfied?"

"No, I'm satisfied with whatever the Daoist Master decides. If he asks, just say I was moved to tears!"

"...Your personality is really unpredictable." Fujiwara Michitsuna said with a complicated expression.

Does he like women? Yes, he does, but he does have ulterior motives.

But this will only make things harder and harder.

Women, regardless of their social status, have a very strong possessive nature.

Jealousy can make them terrible.

Hopefully, this man won't one day collapse because of a woman.

People are so interesting, it would be bad if they died like that.

We've been through thick and thin together, after all.

"To live a better life, some things can be given up, but others cannot."

Kyosuke Kosaka simply explained with a smile.

He probably guessed it.

The Taoist priest noticed his fondness for women and arranged for him to marry someone closely related by blood.

You could call it control, or you could call it trust.

I just don't really want it.

Kyosuke Kosaka didn't bother to think about it too much; he figured he could always find a way when a woman wasn't suitable.

But the chances are probably quite low.

Because Kyosuke Kousaka gradually discovered it.

The noblewomen of this era were indeed beautiful, virtuous, elegant, and skilled in waka poetry.

Almost all of them have been learning how to serve men since they were young!

While it may sound a bit sinister, it is indeed true.

After chatting with Fujiwara no Michitsuna for a while, he said goodbye.

Using magic to dispel the smell of alcohol, Kousaka Kyosuke prepared to head to the location of Ukyo Shijo Avenue.

That is, the settlement of the Qin clan.

Even if we don't get any information, it's never a loss to get some spirit rice seeds.

The four avenues of Ukyo.

As soon as Kousaka Kyosuke entered the area, he was stopped by Su Chang, who seemed to have been waiting for him for a long time.

"Hurry up and go in!"

"...Wasn't it agreed to be at Shen Shi (3-5 PM)?"

"Everyone is already waiting!"

The words were so light and airy that Kyosuke Kousaka could only hear them in his ears.

Su Chang, who was unaware of the traditional notion of men and women not touching each other, pulled people with great force and sincerity.

The kind of grip that can be easily pulled with a small hand.

Although there is no pain, it gives one the feeling that it is difficult to get rid of.

Yes, this person practices martial arts, and has a healthier physique than Chitanda...

Kyosuke Kosaka couldn't help but look at the healthy rabbit that was hopping around in front of Su Chang.

"Sushang!"

"Xiao Chang!"

"The girl in white has arrived!"

Kyosuke Kosaka couldn't help but look up.

A group of middle-aged women with their hair tied up and dressed in simple clothes were curiously looking at him.

Kyosuke Kosaka had a subconscious premonition that something was wrong.

Oh no, have we stumbled into a den of thieves?

night.

The soft evening light shone through the window curtains, falling on the small table and the floor in the room.

Kyosuke Kosaka sat upright at the small table, gazing at the clusters of brightly blooming flowers under the eaves outside the window.

A faint, elegant fragrance wafted into my nose.

Kyosuke Kosaka himself couldn't tell whether the source was indoors or outdoors.

He was in a room at the time.

It is a boudoir.

Turning my head, I saw a brocade couch with curtains and tassels hanging down and gold hooks hanging from it.

A beautiful young woman, dressed in a light red silk dress and adorned with several exquisite ornaments, sat on the brocade couch.

"...I'm sorry, Kyosuke-sama."

The young girl, Su Chang, said dejectedly.

The time for being forced into marriage is drawing ever closer.

Aside from marriage, running away was the only other option.

The problem is that if you really run away, you'll never have any relatives again.

She doesn't want this.

But she doesn't want to just pick any man to marry.

When asked, I hurriedly answered, and this is what happened...

"No, it's alright. In the end, I didn't lose out," Kousaka Kyosuke quickly reassured him.

Upon hearing this, Su Chang's expression softened for a moment, then she suddenly realized something was wrong.

"—That means I'm the one who lost out."

"I feel there's no point in continuing to discuss this kind of issue."