I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Tokugawa Iemochi and Tenshōin highly praised Nishino's achievements.

Therefore, Nishino also appears in the stories they created—he, like Aoto, secretly accepted this top-secret mission and ultimately sacrificed himself heroically on the eve of dawn.

Not only was Nishino's body given a grand burial, but his family also received the highest possible compensation, a truly honorable honor.

In short, this mother and son successfully fooled the world.

Apart from a very few people like Sanako, Souji, and the Nie sisters who knew the whole truth, most people, including the Shieikan friends, thought that Aoto's "disappearance" during that period was really to carry out a top-secret mission.

The fact that Aoto is able to recuperate peacefully in the clinic today, instead of being imprisoned, and is still widely and fervently worshipped by the people of Edo, is largely thanks to Tokugawa Iemochi and Tenshōin.

The two of them greatly enhanced Qing Deng's personal image.

How could the people not feel great affection for a person who is selfless, dedicated to public service, and willing to sacrifice his life for the people?

Compared to Aoto, Ooka Echizen seems to be nothing special.

It can be said that without the help of this mother and son, the "Nioh craze" that is now sweeping through the streets and alleys of Edo would not be as wild as it is now.

Although this is just personal speculation, Qing Deng believes that his successful "whitewashing" must have involved the secret help of Kiryu's boss and Makimura's old man.

The Gourd House is a mysterious entity that dares to challenge the law and punish the party, with unfathomable depths of its power.

Seito certainly wouldn't believe that there were no officials in the shogunate who were "connected with" or "close to" the Karasaya.

Although Kiryu and his group probably don't have the ability to interfere in national affairs, they should be able to leverage the influence of the Karasuka family to win over some officials and get them to say a few good words for Aoto.

Aoto had privately inquired with Kiryu's boss, hoping to confirm whether this was true.

However, when faced with Aoto's eager question, Kiryu only smiled and remained silent, offering no direct answer.

In just over a month, Qing Deng's identity changed three times: from a prisoner in jail to a wanted criminal with a bounty on his head for allegedly harming innocent people, and then to a hero who was highly respected by the people.

His incredibly tortuous life experience once again profoundly proves what it means to have "fortune come and go".

Incidentally, Qing Deng's sword, Ding Gui Shen, has successfully returned to his hands.

Since the "Akabane massacre", the Tsuteishin has been kept under strict guard in the treasury of the Hokuban-sho (Northern Frontier Office).

Although he now has a better and more powerful new knife, Qingdeng still has a deep affection for this old companion that has been with him for so long.

As he gripped the hilt of the sword that had been used to subdue ghosts and spirits once more, he was overwhelmed with mixed emotions.

At that moment, Kondo seemed to recall something, casting a meaningful glance at Aoto with a cryptic smile on his face.

"Logically speaking, at this time there should be countless matchmakers and matchmakers coming to your door in droves to propose marriage, ready to win over this unmarried golden prince."

As Kondo was speaking, Harada Sanosuke secretly nudged Nagakura Shinpachi beside him with his elbow:

Why did Kondo call Mr. Tachibana a turtle?

Shinpachi Nagakura: "Sanosuke, shut up."

Kondo continued speaking:

"However... thanks to your passionate kiss with her, no family is bothering us with any marriage proposals anymore."

Keisuke Yamanami added, half-jokingly:

"Who would dare to steal a man from the Chiba family's daughter? That would be too humiliating!"

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

The air in the ward instantly became cheerful.

Everyone knew perfectly well who Kondo was referring to as "she".

Immediately, everyone's expressions became amused.

Even the usually aloof Saito Hajime had a faint smile on his face at this moment.

Kondo chuckled to himself as he continued:

"Tachibana-kun, I won't beat around the bush with you. Tell me, when are you and Ms. Chiba Sanako's wedding taking place? Having wedding experience myself, I can help you with the arrangements."

Qing Deng took a deep breath, suppressing his embarrassment, and forced himself to remain calm, casually making up a story:

"Kondo-kun... it's a bit too early to talk about these things now..."

“It’s not too early at all.” Kondo Isami said sternly, “You’re 19, Sanako is 23. Leaving Sanako aside for now, you’re at the perfect age to get married.”

No sooner had Kondo Isami finished speaking than Hijikata Toshizo muttered a disapproving remark:

"You yourself got married at 26, so how come you're now so self-righteous in complaining that others got married late?"

That night, when Sanako threw herself into Aoto's arms, there were still many onlookers on both sides of the street.

In other words, they were passionately kissing in front of everyone...

Such an action, even in the civilized 21st century, would be considered a bold act that would definitely attract attention.

If this is true even in modern society, then it's even more true in the Edo period when social customs were still very conservative.

Even in the Edo period, long-married couples with deep affection might not have been able to bring themselves to do something so bold.

Sanako has always presented herself as aloof and unapproachable.

There were at least eight hundred, if not a thousand, suitors who wanted to marry her.

As for those who like or secretly admire her, they are countless.

However, whether they boldly pursued pleasure or kept their love unspoken, their fates were the same—they were ignored by Sanako.

Even though she is already a 23-year-old "leftover woman," Sanako remains all alone and never gets too close to any man.

Over time, many people came to a consensus: this flower on a high mountain is probably unattainable.

The situation is similar in Qingdeng.

Ever since he first gained fame, matchmakers and go-betweens have been constantly approaching him, wanting to arrange marriages for him, but he has politely declined them all.

As a result... this seemingly invincible couple somehow ended up together without anyone noticing!

But that's not even the most astonishing part.

What's even more shocking is that many people clearly saw that the person who took the initiative to rush into the other's arms and kiss him was not the man, but the woman!

So even the most aloof and unattainable woman has such a proactive side?

This made the public even more excited!

Those who had proposed to Sanako and gone to great lengths to please her were heartbroken upon hearing the news.

Throughout history, the general public has always loved gossip, especially gossip related to love and sex.

In an instant, it was like a bombshell had been dropped, causing a huge uproar throughout the city, with some people rejoicing and others grieving.

Who is the one who is happy... goes without saying.

Chiba Jutaro has been looking radiant and walking with a brisk pace lately. He even greets stray cats passing by on the street with "meow meow meow".

As for those who are worried, there are too many to count.

Those who envy Aoto and those who admire Sanako are as numerous as the sands of the Ganges.

Sanako is widely recognized as the most beautiful woman in Edo! The dream goddess of countless people!

The goddess's heart already belongs to someone else—how can anyone not be jealous? How can anyone not hate her?

As for Aoto, he was very popular among young girls in Edo, and many young women in love regarded him as their ideal husband.

Tall stature, young and promising, a genius of unparalleled talent, and a successful official career... How many people can meet all these conditions?

Moreover, Qing Deng himself is a very handsome man with a decent appearance.

After news of "Aoto and Sanako's ambiguous relationship" spread, the number of people coming to their door to propose marriage plummeted to almost zero.

Just like what Keisuke Yamanami just joked about—competing with Sanako for a man? Who would be so foolish as to do that? Why invite humiliation? Who has the confidence to compete with Sanako and fight her in the ring?

The same applies to Qingdeng's side—competing with "Ren-oh" for a woman? Do you even deserve it? Regardless of whether you have the confidence or the qualifications, let's talk about the most important question first: Do you dare? Your competitor is a ruthless person who has killed countless people and successively wiped out the Toi-gumi and the Shimizu clan.

Sanako is the daughter of the "Number One Martial Arts Family in Japan". Although her family is noble, there are still many people with better backgrounds than her.

However... her distinguished family background was merely one of the least significant advantages of Sanako.

Even setting aside metaphysical things like temperament, knowledge, eloquence, and talent, let's just talk about the most mundane thing: physical appearance—

Those from better families than Sanako did not possess her beauty and figure.

There is no one who is better looking than Sanako.

While Sanako's beauty might not be described as "the most beautiful woman in the world," at least in Edo, no one's looks surpassed hers.

Of all the people Qing Deng had ever met, the only one who could rival Sanako in appearance was Tenshōin.

Kinoshita Mai and Souji are both slightly less attractive than Sanako.

If we were to rank these three women by their looks... it would roughly be Sanako > Kinoshita Mai ≈ Souji.

Of course, although the three women are quite different in appearance, Qingdeng's feelings for them are the same! He would never show favoritism to any of them because of who has a prettier face or who has a bigger bust!

Even the men who hated Aoto the most and the women who were most jealous of Sanako had to admit one fact: Aoto and Sanako were indeed a perfect match, a classic example of "beauty and hero".

They're a perfect couple, who are we monsters to object to?

"...Tachibana-kun, you're really something."

At that moment, a gentle voice reached Qingdeng's ears.

Qing Deng paused for a moment, then turned his head to look—before him stood the Chief's smiling face.

"Even the 'most beautiful woman in Edo' has fallen for you. Your relationship is so intimate that you can be whispering sweet nothings to each other in the street without a care in the world... Oh, I see, I see..."

The commander smiled so gently, his eyes curving into crescent moons.

For some reason, upon seeing Souji's smile, Qing Deng felt no warmth whatsoever; instead, a chill ran down his spine, and the hairs on his body stood on end...

……

……

Kondo and the others stayed in Aoto's hospital room for a good half hour before leaving.

Just as they filed out, preparing to return to the Shieikan, Harada Sanosuke suddenly let out a long sigh and remarked:

"Hey, Mr. Tachibana, I wonder how big a reward you'll get this time?"

The shogunate has not yet announced any rewards for Aoto and Nishino.