Onmyoji, a nobleman in Heian-kyo

Page 170

The town is the smallest unit that makes up Heian-kyo (Kyoto).

It also serves as a benchmark for the construction of palaces and residences.

Heian-kyo was primarily designed around a north-south main street.

Then, the left and right sides are divided into a neat grid pattern by crisscrossing streets.

The grid-like small squares are called "fang".

The “fang” is further divided into sixteen equally sized areas by crisscrossing paths.

These sixteen areas are called "towns".

The residences of nobles and courtiers in Kyoto were measured in units of 1 cho (a unit of area), which was considered exceptionally prestigious.

Even more prestigious figures, such as the Regent, the Minister of the Interior, and the Ministers of the Left and Right, are ranked 2 chō or higher.

But these are all extremely rare.

In general.

The "Shinden-zukuri" houses in 1-cho are quite luxurious buildings.

When Wan Sui first heard that Kousaka Kyosuke was building a new house, she thought it was a more luxurious ordinary aristocratic mansion.

Little did I know it would be this kind.

Her husband was also very surprised when he found out recently.

It can only be blamed on their lack of information.

"Ma'am, please."

A young and beautiful maidservant quickly brought over a tall, rectangular, flat wooden board.

Wan Sui stepped off the bus and onto the wooden plank.

The maid, who was already prepared, promptly helped lift the hem of the dress...

And so, Wan Sui stepped into the outer corridor in an orderly manner.

Then, following the directions of the mansion's maids, they proceeded.

Observe your surroundings as you walk.

Wansui felt increasingly heavy.

On the way, she discovered a very serious problem.

That is, there were almost no men after entering the mansion.

Most of them were middle-aged or elderly female servants.

However, there are also many young girls who are just as young as her daughter and are quite beautiful.

There were quite a few of these girls; I counted at least twenty along the way.

"No wonder Lord Kyosuke found an excuse to come back..."

Wan Suiming understood, and a sense of unexpected surprise welled up in her heart.

Perhaps Kyosuke Kousaka is indeed a good person and doesn't like to force people.

But being proud by nature, he has no need to accommodate anyone.

He probably thought his daughter, Chika, didn't like him, so he just put her aside.

With so many women around, why pursue just one?

This idea is indeed logical.

Logically speaking, this should be considered a very lenient act.

But the problems are also significant.

Because there was no actual connection, Kousaka Kyosuke was particularly fond of his wife's family, the Hata clan.

Judging from the current trend...

The next step will likely be to gradually place the sons and daughters of the wife's family into the Bureau of Investigation and Punishment, as well as the previously abandoned and re-established Water Department.

In this situation, the husband's brothers, cousins, and other relatives would certainly be uneasy.

In fact, people live in great harmony in the modern world.

Having suddenly come together in this world, they can be said to be exceptionally united.

As a result, the husband, who was of a higher generation, ended up in an awkward position because of the in-law relationship.

Wan Sui felt she should bear a great deal of responsibility.

If you were to give your daughter a more serious and formal warning beforehand, you could do so in a more earnest manner.

Perhaps things wouldn't have gotten so out of hand.

Soon, Wan Sui finally arrived at the east room of the mansion.

The East House is a detached building.

Its size and structure are basically the same as the sleeping quarters, but simpler.

Normally, the children and family members live in houses facing each other on the east and west sides.

The main wife lived in the house opposite to the north, and the main wife was also called "the north side".

"So, Xiangzi isn't living in the north wing yet?"

As Wan Sui stepped into the east room, a thought finally flashed through her mind.

“Mother.” A soft, charming voice rang out.

Coming to her senses, Wan Sui smiled and stepped forward.

Fujiwara Kaori, putting on a convincing performance, smiled and waved for the other maids to leave, then greeted Manho.

The two held hands, a scene of maternal love and filial piety.

Fujiwara Kaori only let go of his hand when she felt no one was around.

Mother?

This one is not.

"Aunt, please don't come to see me in this heavy rain."

"As you probably guessed, I've come here to discuss something important with you."

"If it's about Chika, then I'm powerless to help. I can't just do things like Kyosuke-sama, can I?"

From the very beginning, Fujiwara Kaori had this in mind.

What good things could possibly come from Aunt Wan Sui's visit?

He probably came to ask for help because he felt his daughter was not favored.

Fujiwara Kaori truly believes she is not Chika's mother!

I'm not very familiar with my uncle and aunt from afar here either!

To be honest, Fujiwara Kaori felt like she had been tricked.

I really hope that Kyosuke Kousaka and Chika will get along well in the future.

What status can I still have?

Furthermore, Kyosuke Kosaka will probably bring Chika over then, which wouldn't be good for her.

And there's Fujishikibu, the famous Japanese female writer whom he cares about most.

What if Chika comes along and one day, out of curiosity, leads Fujishikibu astray?

"A marriage would be fine, Aunt and Uncle, don't be too greedy."

Once she calmed down, Fujiwara Kaori's mind was quick, and she immediately added another sentence.

She considers her current situation to be quite good.

The two families have entered into a marriage, which can be considered an alliance.

The uncle likes his daughter, so let the magnanimous man, Kousaka Kyosuke, ignore it.

Isn't this perfect?

"Xiangzi, some of your uncles and aunts have also come, quite a few of them."

Wan Sui sighed and said softly.

Fujiwara Kaori, who was becoming increasingly indignant as she spoke, was stunned.

For a moment, any words of complaint or accusation that I wanted to utter were choked back!

The agitated anger dissipated at an astonishing speed, and then cooled down.

In just a few seconds.

The word "absurd" was all that was in Fujiwara Kaori's mind.