Onmyoji, a nobleman in Heian-kyo

Page 1022

"Alright, it's almost time to set sail. I'll send a letter soon, just wait to receive it."

Kyosuke Kousaka released Senhime's fishtail and took the initiative to say goodbye to her.

Senhime quickly regained her composure and her emotions were clearly suppressed: "Alright, then have a safe trip, Mr. Kyosuke."

"Just call me Kyosuke, and stop using honorifics."

"Ah."

Senhime smiled gently once again.

With her cool and aloof demeanor melted away, her smile became even more beautiful.

Kyosuke Kosaka believes it's hard to forget.

This journey to the Sea of ​​Immortality was a great success!

Half an hour later.

Kyosuke Kousaka and his group had already left the Sea of ​​Immortality.

This time, there was one more person accompanying them—Yaobikuni.

She didn't travel with Suzuka Gozen again; she had come to hitch a ride on Kousaka Kyosuke's ship. Suzuka Gozen, on the other hand, sailed away alone in her ghost ship, quickly returning to her original residence.

In contrast, Kyosuke Kousaka, Kagura, and Princess Kingyo plan to return to Kyoto at a slower pace.

It's a rare opportunity to go out to sea, and the resurrection of the Lord of Arakawa won't happen overnight, so let's take it slow.

That's why Yaobikuni chose to go along after hearing about the situation.

"Mr. Kyosuke, you seem quite relaxed."

"To steal half a day of leisure from a busy life is the best time of the year."

"What do you think of this magnanimous attitude, Kagura and Princess Goldfish?"

“He’s been like this ever since I’ve known Kyosuke, and I like that about him.”

"The war has only just ended, it wouldn't hurt to take a break..."

"I'm glad you understand me like that."

Kyosuke Kousaka was in high spirits.

While leaving Kyoto and arriving at the Sea of ​​Immortality is certainly filled with various trivial matters, going to a new place can still make one feel much more relaxed.

We can't stay in Kyoto all the time.

Speaking of which, he felt even more sorry for some of his companions in the palace who didn't like to go out.

Given the many troubles Kyoto had encountered over the past year, Kyosuke Kosaka understood why his partners were reluctant to go out.

To be honest, no normal person would want to go to a place where it's uncertain whether danger might occur.

Without realizing it, Kyosuke Kosaka thought of the news he had seen in his childhood, the constant news of unrest, gunfights, and even wars, which made him feel so fortunate to live in a corner of the world.

If we look closely, aren't these the kinds of thoughts that the nobles in Kyoto all had?

Okay, let's not think about this anymore.

"Come on, Yaobikuni, why don't you fish for something too?"

"Then I won't be polite."

Yaobikuni smiled and accepted the fishing rod handed to her by Kousaka Kyosuke.

And so, the group continued their previous actions.

The perspective shifts to Kyoto.

Suburbs——

Qing Ji, who came from the underworld, is here to visit her very good friend, Hoshino Ai, in the mortal realm.

Qingji, who had little to talk about with the spider lily, had a lot to say when she was with Hoshino Ai!

You can clearly feel that every word Ai Hoshino said was true; she was indeed speaking the truth.

From beginning to end, all I was thinking about was how to experience the taste of love.

Qingji said she really liked that!

How can the world exist without love?

"This is the Sea of ​​Immortality, it's so beautiful!"

Qingji shared photos related to the letter.

Hoshino Ai was genuinely surprised to see the photo appear in this ancient setting, but she was more interested in the beautiful content of the photo.

In the photo, the sea and sky merge into one, and everywhere you look is a clear blue. The sunlight refracts into a rainbow in this overlapping azure, which is very beautiful and dreamlike.

"...It feels like a place where dreams and reality intertwine."

"Yes, Kyosuke put a lot of effort into filming it. I'd like to see it too, but it's okay, there will always be another chance~"

"The ocean must be very dangerous, be careful."

"Yes, I will. By the way, I made Rumi's clothes here~"

"Thank you."

Hoshino Ai accepted it with a smile, without any hesitation.

She unconsciously looked at her daughter sleeping peacefully in the cradle, and her smile became even brighter.

Even though she can't understand what "love" is right now, perhaps she will gradually come to know?

In particular, I was able to learn a lot about love from Qingji.

"Hmm... I also want to have a child with Kyosuke. A couple can only be complete with a child."

"What do you mean..."

"Sigh~ In short, I had my children a little late."

Qingji rarely sighed.

She had mentioned the issue of having children before, but Kyosuke Kosaka said it would be a while later.

Then there's no way.

Ultimately, having children is a matter for the couple.

"Fortunately, Rumi is here too~" Aohime smiled as she looked at Hoshino Ai's daughter.

"Rumie is just an ordinary child."

"Nothing's wrong, as long as we're safe and sound. Don't worry, it's very safe here."

"Yes, it's truly a pristine place."

"Ai Hoshino sighed."

Having fled here, she discovered that this place was indeed blessed by the gods and protected by a powerful Onmyoji who was an official in the capital, making it very safe.

Its advantages are almost countless.

The downside is that she rarely has contact with men.

At first, Hoshino Ai thought there was some kind of conspiracy, but she learned from Aohime that it was all about tax evasion.

Because the imperial court did not levy taxes on women, children, and the elderly, villages inhabited by women and children were exempt from taxation by officials.

If one day a man enters the village...

Therefore, taxes that put immense pressure on people can be enough to make them feel suffocated.

"When Rumi grows up, we should still find her a father who cares about her, okay?"

Qingji advised.

Hoshino Ai shook her head: "No, what man in the world would truly care for children who are not his own?"

"It depends on one's magnanimity. Nobles often adopt sons, although this is to ensure that their descendants can inherit the privilege of a higher rank... Well, thinking about it this way, it seems that it really does have to be a boy."

The more they talked, the more they realized that Hoshino Ai's idea was correct, and Aohime showed a puzzled expression.

She's not stupid.

He was well aware of the issues concerning adopted sons and daughters, and placed even greater emphasis on their interests.

If Rumi were a man, Aohime believed there wouldn't be many problems.

Ultimately, the resources on the land of each ruling state are limited, and many elderly people are willing to adopt capable men as their godsons to help maintain these limited resources.

And to consider a woman as an adopted daughter?

There needs to be at least some degree of relationship in terms of status and position.

"Then you're destined to be alone? No, I'll stay with you~"

"Thank you, Miss Qingji."

Hoshino Ai felt a surge of gratitude.