I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Although he was happy working at the Shieikan and the Kondo family took good care of him, he still wanted to serve the Tachibana family.

“Young Master, you and the late Master both treated me with great kindness! To repay your kindness, I made up my mind a long time ago to work for the Ju family for the rest of my life!”

Seeing that the other party had already gone this far, Qingdeng could only nod in agreement.

So he took over Kyubei and made him continue to serve as a loyal servant of the Tachibana family, specifically responsible for cleaning Aoto's room and washing Aoto's personal clothes—such a private task could only be entrusted to the absolutely trustworthy Kyubei so that Aoto could feel at ease.

The maid I just met told Qingdeng: Awu's leg is cramping again.

Upon learning of this, Qingdeng paused for a moment, then smiled wryly and asked where Awu was. He then changed direction and strode off to find her.

A moment later, he heard a familiar groan.

"Ugh...! Ugh...! Ugh...! Ugh...!"

"You're such a pain... Your legs cramp every other day. How are you feeling now?"

"Ugh...! A little lower... Yes, right there... Push harder... Ugh...! It hurts...!"

"Ugh, you're such a hassle. You want me to massage you, and then you complain that I'm too rough. Honestly... How about now? Is this pressure okay?"

"Hmm...just right..."

Qingdeng followed the sound and came to a spacious, quiet, and unique courtyard.

On the veranda, two beautiful figures came into Qingdeng's view.

A-Mai lay flat on the veranda, her bare legs draped over Sanako's knees.

While looking helpless, Sanako kept massaging Mai's legs with her hands.

Compared to two years ago, the two women's appearances have changed significantly.

It's not that their faces have changed; they are still so young and stunningly beautiful.

Their figures have changed—their once flat and firm bellies now have noticeable bulges.

*******

*******

The last chapter took a lot of effort, with a lot of content deleted, but it finally passed the review... I'm so unhappy! (Leopard explodes.jpg) But, it's too late to complain now...

Speaking of which, it's been a long time since I promoted this book's reader group! Readers who want to join can go to the comments section on the Qidian mobile app! The group number is there! (LeopardHi.jpg)

Please, for the sake of Leopard's generosity, be sure to vote for this book with your monthly ticket! (Leopard crying.jpg)

Chapter 799 Sanako and Mai are pregnant! [6100]

"Huh? Qingdeng, you're back?"

Sanako was the first to discover Aoto.

Qingdeng nodded slightly, a smile on his face:

"Yes, I'm back."

During the Edo period, there were two main types of terms wives used to address their husbands.

The first is "Danna" and the second is "Master".

The former is the most common, used by everyone from commoners to noble families to call their husbands "Danna".

In comparison, the latter is much more formal.

Generally speaking, only daughters of well-bred families with strict upbringing and refined manners would use this title—and Sanako happens to be such a daughter.

Therefore, the day after the wedding, Sanako changed her way of addressing Aoto, no longer calling him "Tachibana-kun" but instead respectfully calling him "Master".

Both A-Mai and Souji were clueless and didn't understand these terms of address and etiquette.

Seeing that Sanako called Aoto "master", they followed suit and also began to call Aoto "master".

And so, the three women addressed each other as "Master"—

Zuo: "Master, please let me help you change your clothes."

Mai: "M-Master...I've changed into this short yukata as you instructed..."

Tsukasa: "Master! Would you like some konpeito?"

To be honest, whenever he heard the three women call him "master," Qing Deng would involuntarily shudder, and an indescribable emotion would rise in his heart—he felt that some strange attribute was about to awaken!

Although this is a very ordinary and proper interaction between husband and wife, Qing Deng still felt that such a form of address was really too strange, as if they were playing some kind of weird game...

Therefore, at Qingdeng's insistence, the three women changed their way of addressing him to "Qingdeng," a respectful yet affectionate term.

Sanako's "You're back?" made Mai, who was lying flat on the ground, notice Aoto.

Seeing Qingdeng walking towards them, Awu instinctively braced herself with her hands on the ground, pretending to get up.

Seeing this, Qingdeng quickly waved his hand and said:

"Your legs are cramping, so don't push yourself. Just lie down and rest."

As he spoke, he quickened his pace, sat down next to Sanako, and then placed Ama's feet on his lap.

"How are you feeling? Are you feeling any better?"

He skillfully massaged A-Wu's two jade-like calves.

Ah Wu let out a comfortable laugh.

"Mmm...that feels much better...Qingdeng, your technique is definitely the best...you didn't leave red marks on my legs...Ugh...a little harder on this spot...~~"

As soon as she finished speaking, Sanako glared at her fiercely.

"It sounds like you're indirectly complaining that my technique isn't good?"

"I... I didn't say that..."

Ah Wu silently turned her head away, pouting her red lips as if she were whistling, feigning ignorance as if she hadn't said anything and didn't know anything.

All three women were principal wives, and there was no distinction between wives and concubines, so there was no clear hierarchy among them.

Everyone is equal... That being said, it is common knowledge that absolute fairness does not exist in this world.

As the old saying goes, "Wherever there are people, there is a world of its own."

As time went by, a subtle hierarchy eventually emerged among the three women.

The gentle and averse to conflict-making Souji would never compete for the title of "official wife," so she was out of the running from the very beginning.

So in the end, the only ones who would compete for the position of "official wife" are Sanako and Mai.

The noble fox and the short-legged cat... what was the outcome? Need I say more?

Even a fool could guess how this contest between the two would end.

And so, Sanako became the de facto "official wife" of the Tachibana family.

Of course, Sanako never acted arrogantly or domineeringly because she was the "official wife".

She didn't enjoy any benefits, but she consciously took on more responsibilities.

Sanako truly embodies the essence of the term "Yamato Nadeshiko" (ideal Japanese woman).

Virtues such as modesty, thoughtfulness, and humility are deeply ingrained in his character.

Ever since marrying into the Ju family, she has always presented herself as the "perfect wife".

She methodically directed the servants and guards within the mansion, maintaining the daily operations of the Orange Mansion.

If these servants made any mistakes, such as accidentally breaking a plate or gossiping, she would deal with them fairly, justly, and humanely.

If her two sisters, Mai and Souji, encounter any trouble, she will always be there to help them immediately.

For example, just now—A-Wu's legs cramped up again. Although she complained, she still massaged them for her without hesitation.

In this way, she wholeheartedly supported Qingdeng from the rear, ensuring that Qingdeng would never have to worry about family matters.

Over time, the servants and guards of the Orange Mansion came to respect her greatly.

As for the two women... needless to say, the Chief doesn't care who becomes the "official wife".

Omai, who has always been at odds with Sanako, realized after witnessing Sanako's hard work that she could not do better than her, so she had to acknowledge that Sanako was the only choice for "official wife" and accept her position.

Faced with the dashing and valiant Sanako, the timid Mai is always in a position of being "suppressed".

However, she was not entirely defenseless.

Whenever she wanted to tease Sanako, she would unleash her tried-and-true trick: "Sanako, Tang Gui..."

The term "Tang cabinet" seems to possess some kind of magic.

As soon as A-Mai utters this word, Sanako freezes as if struck by lightning, her entire body stiffening instantly. It's as if all the blood in her body rushes to her head, her face turns bright pink, and even her earlobes are tinged with pink, making her almost the perfect embodiment of the phrase "vibrant and radiant."

Then, she would pounce on Ah Wu like a hungry tiger! She would cover Ah Wu's mouth tightly, her expression shy and her eyes glaring fiercely at her, not letting her utter a single word.

To this day, Aoto still doesn't know the story of Sanako and Tang Gui...

One day, unable to contain his curiosity, he secretly went to find Mai behind Sanako's back and asked her what the "story of the Tang cabinet" was all about.

It's a pity... It seems that Mai only wanted to use this secret to tease Sanako, and did not intend to actually use it to hurt Sanako.

Even if Qing Deng asked in person, it wouldn't make a difference.

She gave a strange, meaningful smile, shook her head, and said no.

Of course, we cannot rule out the possibility that she simply wants to monopolize it.

It must be said that humans are truly a very complex species.

Before getting married, Qingdeng thought he knew Awu very well.

But after they became husband and wife and lived under the same roof, he was able to get to know the three women more deeply, and only then did he belatedly realize that Ah Wu actually had a rather cunning side...

Whenever A-Mai pretends to tell the "story of the Tang cabinet", Sanako becomes extremely nervous, forgetting all about maintaining her gentle and refined image as a Yamato Nadeshiko.

Judging from her appearance... Sanako is really afraid that Mai will spread this secret.

If A-Mai keeps bringing up the "Tang Gui story" and repeatedly provokes Sanako... Qing Deng suspects that the latter might take extreme measures to make A-Mai "shut up" completely...

However, Ah Wu's brilliance lies in her ability to handle this secret with great finesse!

She only uses this "secret weapon" very occasionally—for example, when she suddenly wants to see Sanako get angry.