I formed the strongest swordsman group

In the second year of Wanyan (1861), on January 1st, in the morning——

Edo, Koishikawa Kohinata Yanagi-cho, Shokukan, garden——

The pale yellow sun rises slowly from behind the mountains in the east, and the bright dawn penetrates layers of haze.

The dark sky first turns blue slowly, with a little purple, then gradually changes to gray, then the gray deepens, turning into light red, and then gradually turning into pink with a little gold.

The misty night slowly faded away. The black veil covering the sky was completely lifted.

A new day... the first day of the new year has arrived.

The sun meets the morning dew and mist, and the three mix into a scent that makes people feel refreshed after smelling it.

It is really a good sign to have such good weather on the first day of the new year.

When it was still daylight, Zhou Zhu led Qingdeng and others to line up by the well in the courtyard.

Seeing that the sun was about to rise, Zhou Zhu in formal attire hurriedly fetched a bucket of cold water from the well with his own hands.

This is the custom of the samurai family in the Edo period.

When it is close to dawn on New Year's Day, the head of the family will put on formal clothes, go to the well in person, and fetch water with a new pail. This ceremony is called "Ruoshui".

In addition to using this bucket of water to wash your face and hands, it is also used to make Fukucha, and to cook a traditional dish that Japanese people often eat during the New Year: Zabo, which symbolizes the beginning of the year.

Mixed cooking: A dish in which the main ingredients are mochi, carrots, daikon radishes, green onions and other vegetables in a soup seasoned with miso or miso.

Zadani has a long history, generally dating back to the Heian period (794-1192). Japanese people have believed that mochi is a kind of auspicious food since ancient times, and they are often eaten in celebrations or special days.

The time to fetch wakasui is just at sunrise. The house with a good view will be in the courtyard, and the house with a limited view will be on a nearby high platform. The whole family prays to the sun on New Year's Day for good luck throughout the year.

The testing hall is now considered a big family. The resident population is various and there are dozens of people.

Logically speaking, for a large-scale event like this that "requires the whole family to come out", there should be a large group of talented people standing behind Zhou Zhu.

As a result, behind Zhou Zhu at this moment, it was very deserted.

Only five people, Qingdeng, Saito, Abi, Kubei, and Matsui Tsune, stood respectfully behind him.

The rest of the people, including the chief executive, without exception, all drank unconscious last night, were so hungover that they couldn't get up.

Qing Deng was far from the only one who played too much last night.

Except for the "reliable old man" Saito, who still does not change the principle of "never get drunk" even on this annual carnival, all the young people in the testing hall had drunk a piece last night. Or almost drank a tablet.

Since possessing the god-level talent "Sleeping God", Qingdeng slept for such a long time for the first time.

If it weren't for the extraordinary quality of sleep bestowed by the "God of Sleep", whether Qingdeng could stand still behind Zhou Zhu like this is really unknown.

However, even so, Qingdeng's consciousness was still in a trance, his body was staggering, his footsteps were weak, and he was light-headed.

It was as if a large amount of stagnant water had been stuffed into his head, and when he shook his head, he could vaguely hear the sound of "gudong gudong".

The blood vessels in the temples on both sides kept agitating, sending out a swollen pain constantly.

——The hangover is really uncomfortable... It would be great if there was a talent that strengthens liver function... or directly enhances metabolism and detoxification ability...

Qingdeng yawned vigorously, then lowered his head again, watching his nose, nose, and heart.

Anyone with a discerning eye can see that Qingdeng is completely absent-minded now, as if he has something on his mind.

In fact, Qing Deng did have something on his mind—but it was something full of sweetness.

Qingdeng quietly looked at his left and right sides from the corner of his eyes, and after confirming that Saito and others beside him were not paying attention to him, he secretly rolled his eyes and scanned his surroundings.

No matter which direction he turned his gaze, he couldn't see that petite and lovely figure.

Qingdeng's eyes suddenly showed a touch of regret.

——Miss Okita still hasn't gotten up...

Compared with the sun on New Year's Day, he is looking forward to seeing that bright smiling face that is as bright as the sun on the morning of New Year's Day.

Although a few hours have passed, the scenes that I spent with the chief executive on last night's New Year's Eve... the scene full of peachy flavor, Qing Deng is still in front of my eyes, vividly in my mind.

Last night...or in the early morning of this morning, Qingdeng and the chief executive hugged each other for a long, long time on the veranda of the courtyard of the test guard...

So long that the moon is far from its highest point.

It's been so long that the general manager fell asleep in Qingdeng's arms

Qingdeng was deeply fascinated by the warmth transmitted from the chief executive's tender body.

Therefore, it wasn't until he heard the sound of even and steady breathing floating out of his chest that he belatedly realized that the chief executive had fallen asleep at some point.

She slept so peacefully and soundly, her red lips curled slightly.

She must be having some wonderful dream—Qingdeng has a strong conviction about this.

Afterwards, the person who sent the chief executive back to his room to sleep was naturally Qingdeng.

In order not to wake up the chief executive, Qingdeng gently carried the chief executive back to her bedroom in the posture of a princess hug, as if holding some fragile object.

The process was quite smooth, until Qing Deng stuffed him back into the bed, and the chief executive fell into a deep sleep—so he slept soundly until now.

"Director! Chief! Wake up! Wake up!"

Just now, Ah Bi personally went to wake up the chief executive.

While shouting loudly, it was supplemented by a slap——slapping the chief executive's face like a rubber ball.

The delicate face full of elasticity was crackled.

The chief executive, whose cheeks were a little red from being photographed, let out a "huh", chewing something in his mouth, and muttered slowly in his mouth:

"Hey...why is this gold flat candy so salty..."

Ah Bi gave up on the spot and asked the chief executive to get up and participate in the activity of fetching water and praying to the sun.

Qingdeng felt very sorry about this.

He originally wanted to discuss the relationship between the two of them in depth with the general manager this morning, and how to deal with it and characterize it later.

The Edo period is nothing compared to the 21st century.

Influenced by feudal ethics, the Japanese of this era were very conservative and reserved in their treatment of the relationship between men and women.

Whether it is the samurai class or the civilian class, the most mainstream way of communication between men and women is "the order of the parents, the words of the matchmaker".

Getting married first and then falling in love, and not knowing what your future husband and wife will look like until the wedding scene-this kind of thing was not uncommon in the Edo period.

Natural love between a man and a woman...Although there is, it is very rare.

Single men and women without a marriage contract tell each other their hearts and confess to each other-this is an extremely bold and unrestrained behavior in the values ​​​​of the current era.

However... there is a small problem——Qingdeng and the chief executive are indeed in love with each other, but their relationship has not yet been settled.

To put it in easy-to-understand modern language, the chief executive didn't ask Qingdeng "Would you like to be my boyfriend".

And Qingdeng also forgot to ask the general manager "Would you like to be my girlfriend" because he was too excited and emotional after confessing to the general manager. When he came back to his senses, the chief executive had already fallen asleep and missed the best opportunity to ask questions.

This made Qingdeng a little difficult.

Without a credible letter, he was uncertain about the present and future "distance" between him and the chief executive.

As if nothing happened, continue to be good friends?

Or...is this a couple?

As far as Qingdeng is concerned, he is naturally happy to see the latter.

It's just that... In this way, a new and more serious problem was raised.

Qingdeng's love for the general manager is real, without any false emotion.

If conditions permit, he doesn't even mind marrying the chief executive right now - anyway, he and the chief executive are both adult men and women who have reached the "marriable age".

Qingdeng is single-minded towards the general manager.

But for the other two girls... for Kinoshita Mai and Sanako, he is also wholehearted!

Back then, after confessing his love to Kinoshita Mai and Sanako and threatening to marry them both, Qingdeng was ready to embark on the "Sura Way" full of thorns and never look back.

Qingdeng loves them and doesn't want to be separated from any of them.

Since the era he is currently living in is an era where there is no crime of bigamy, Qing Deng does not want to give up his wish of "being with them forever" until everything is over.

Now, Qingdeng's wish has become a little more grandiose.

The number of girls he wanted to marry changed from two to three.

Marrying two is marrying, and marrying three is also marrying! Qingdeng made up his mind that from now on, he will work hard to "marry Kinoshita Mai, Sanako and the chief executive"!

How should I clarify my "ambition" to the general manager.

How to deepen and maintain the friendship with the chief executive under the premise of "never alienating Kinoshita Mai and Sanako".

These are all great questions and big dilemmas that require great effort to study carefully.

Judging from the general manager's current situation, don't expect her to wake up before noon - from another point of view, this can be regarded as a very good thing.

Thanks to this, Qingdeng has enough time to slowly consider how to solve this series of difficult problems.

——The matter of Miss Okita...let's put it aside for now.

Qing Deng breathed out.

——Now... let's focus on the secret mission this afternoon...!

Since copying to the talent of "photographic memory", Qingdeng has become very difficult to forget things.

Therefore, he naturally remembered the entrustment that Tianzhangyuan solemnly stated a few days ago--to gather at the Moon Palace Shrine at nine o'clock (2 o'clock in the afternoon) on New Year's Day! I have important secret missions for you.

...

...

God for good. The good weather this morning enabled Qingdeng and others to successfully complete the link of fetching water and praying to the sun.

Next, it's time to advance to the next stage of activities——

Qingdeng and his party put on new clothes and gathered in the master's room, which is the bedroom of Zhou Zhu and A Bi.

Sitting in the main seat, Zhou Zhuzhi gave a New Year's speech such as "Happy New Year to everyone", which has almost become a cliché.

Then, Inoue served a lot of Tusu sprinkle and miscellaneous boiled food. After pouring the wine, everyone began to enjoy the delicious wine and food.

By the way, Japanese New Year also has the custom of giving lucky money.

After eating a sumptuous breakfast consisting of miscellaneous boiled rice and Tusu wine, Zhou Zhu and Abi gave all the unmarried single dogs a big red envelope each.

There is not much money in it, only 100 copper coins in total, but the meaning of the New Year's money is originally a good sign.

Zhou Zhu and Ah Bi's sincerity, Qing Deng really received it.

During the New Year in Japan, there is no custom of visiting relatives and friends.

During the New Year festival, most Japanese people spend it lazily.

Or invite three or five friends to go out to play badminton and fly kites; or stay in the warm kotatsu without leaving the door, eating oranges and wasting time idly.

In order not to violate the contract, Qingdeng set off early and arrived at Yuegong Shrine 15 minutes earlier.

As soon as he passed through the torii gate, Qingdeng saw his two lovely seniors.

"Huh? Miss Sazhong, senior."

After Qingdeng said hello to the second sister, he raised his eyebrows.

"Why... are you dressed like this?"

I saw that Sae and Yae were not wearing their daily attire: white and red priestess uniforms, nor a black combat uniform, but rather plain women's kimonos, both in terms of fabric and style.

Not only the clothes, but even the hairstyles have changed.

The hairstyles of the two were all changed to the very popular Shimada bun without any decorations such as buns.

The second daughter is dressed like this... At a cursory glance, those who don't know will probably regard them as the maids of some rich family.

"Later, younger, you are here, you, you, you, you came very, very early, well!"

Qingdeng cast his doubtful eyes on Yae.

Yae's image shown in front of Qingdeng has always been a heroic woman who is not afraid of anything.

But at this time, she had an expression of blatant panic on her face, her tongue was tied up, and she kept stuttering when she spoke.

Senior, what's wrong with you?

Just when Qingdeng wanted to ask this question——

"Mr. Orange, please come with me. Master Yu Du is already waiting for you in the temple."

After all, Shazhong took a deep breath without any trace, as if she was adjusting her emotions.

Although Sazhong concealed it very well, Qingdeng still found an unnatural nervousness between her brows.

Even Sha Zhong, who has always been prudent, had a strange expression on his face...Qingdeng's brows unconsciously frowned.

Qingdeng followed closely behind the second sister, circled around the temple, and finally came to a certain small room.

"Mr. Orange, please come in."

Sha Chong pushed open the paper sliding door for Qing Deng.

Qingdeng stepped over the door frame with one foot—then his expression froze in the next moment.

Directly opposite the door, Tianzhang Yuan, dressed as an ordinary woman, knelt down peacefully.

And beside her, sat a handsome young man with red lips and white teeth.

Qing registered this young man—a kind of memory that will never be forgotten in his life.

It's not because of how shocking this person's appearance is.

It's purely because of this boy's identity...it's easier for people to remember.

"Mr. Orange, long time no see."

Iemo Tokugawa, the 14th general of the Edo Shogunate, smiled and nodded to Qingdeng.

At this time, Tianzhangyuan interjected with a smile:

"Tachibana-kun, I'm going to make a long story short——Iemo wants to visit Edo in his incognito today anyway, so I'll trouble you, Sashige and Yae to be our guards for a day~"

*****

*****

It's the end of the month, and it's hard to ask for a wave of monthly tickets! (Leopard Head Pain.jpg)

Ask for a monthly pass! Ask for a recommendation ticket!

Under the influence of various debuffs such as needing to take care of my mother + poor writing environment + poor sleep quality, it is really not easy to reach the dead line of 4000+ (Leopard headache crying.jpg)