I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Legend has it that Nishino's family rank will be increased to 1,000 koku, and his family will be promoted to the rank of hatamoto.

As for Qingdeng...

Qingdeng's achievements are truly immense!

It was so great that it was unimaginable what glory he would face afterward!

Some say that Aoto's stipend will increase by at least 3000 koku; others say that Aoto will be promoted several ranks in a row, rising from a mere military officer to a high-ranking retainer of the shogunate with gold and purple robes... There are all sorts of opinions.

Recently, in crowded, down-to-earth areas such as teahouses, izakayas, and bathhouses, one can often hear people enthusiastically discussing how the shogunate will bestow rewards upon Seito.

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng curled the corners of his mouth and smiled without saying a word.

Hijikata Toshizo intentionally walked at the very back of the crowd.

Just as he was about to brush past Qingdeng, he suddenly leaned down, his lips close to Qingdeng's ear, and whispered:

"Tachibana, it's your freedom to marry as many women as you want, and I don't want to interfere in your love life. But please, don't hurt Souji... or my adopted sister."

The moment the words left his mouth, Qingdeng felt a sharp gaze piercing his body.

Before he could respond, Hijikata Toshizo had already turned and left.

"I would never let her suffer..." he murmured softly.

The once noisy and chaotic ward is now empty except for Aoto... and Souji.

Since Qing Deng was hospitalized, the staff of Shieikan have been taking turns to take care of him.

Today's "on-duty personnel" is none other than the General Manager.

"Hey, do you want some oranges?"

Souji pushed a basket of tangerines to his lap—one of the gifts that Kondo and the others had brought when they came to visit Aoto today.

"No, I'm not hungry yet."

"Then I'll leave this basket of oranges here for now. If you want some, just let me know and I'll peel them for you."

"Um... Ms. Okita..."

"Ok?"

The chilling smile that Souji had just given Aoto flashed through his mind.

"Did my affair with Ms. Sanako... upset you?"

"...No, that's not it."

The chief pouts her lips, looking like she's throwing a tantrum.

"After all, I've known about your feelings for Ms. Sanako and Ms. Kinoshita for a long time. I just... feel a little unwilling."

"Not reconciled?"

“When you need someone’s company the most, the person who’s there for you isn’t me…that makes me feel a little resentful.”

At this point, Souji bit his lower lip, seemingly lost in thought.

"However, to say that I didn't feel uncomfortable at all after hearing about what happened between you and Ms. Sanako... that's not entirely true."

In the blink of an eye, she suddenly braced herself on the tatami mat with both hands, leaned over, and straddled Aoto's lap—

Qingdeng felt a soft touch on his lips.

"Okay... I feel a little better now."

Souji got off Aoto and sat back down. A charming blush immediately spread across her beautiful cheeks, her eyes rippled with emotion, and the corners of her alluring lips subtly turned up.

“...You can 'balance' it a bit more, I'm fine.”

Qing Deng said solemnly and seriously.

"You're still recovering from your injury, so you need to control your desires in that area."

The commander gave Qing Deng a disgruntled look.

As she said this, she seemed to recall some embarrassing scene, and instinctively reached her hands back to cover her buttocks.

At that moment, the sound of calm footsteps approaching from the direction of the corridor came from.

With a whoosh, the door was pushed open.

"Tachibana-kun, Tsukasa, it's been a long time."

"Miss Hikari?!" "Sister?!"

Aoto and Souji exclaimed in unison.

The visitor was none other than Souji's eldest sister: Okita Hikaru.

"Sister, what brings you here?"

With steady and graceful steps, Okita Hikaru walked quickly to Aoto's bedside and sat down with his knees bent.

"I came to visit Tachibana-kun. I heard that Tachibana-kun was seriously injured during a mission, so I rushed over immediately."

"Ah, Miss Hikari, you're really making me feel bad..."

Hikaru Okita did not live in Edo; she and her husband settled in Hino-juku, Koshu Kaido.

According to a woman's pace... it would take at least two days to walk from Hino-juku to Edo.

In an era when transportation was underdeveloped, Okita Hikaru traveled for two days to visit him... This made Aoto feel guilty.

"It's alright, it's alright."

Hikaru Okita gently shook his head.

"Compared to confirming your safety with my own eyes, everything else is insignificant."

As she spoke, she gave a friendly smile.

It has to be said, the Okita sisters really do look alike.

Similar appearances, similar beautiful smiles.

Looking at Okita Hikaru's bright smile, Aoto felt as if he were bathed in a spring breeze.

"Tachibana-kun, how is your recovery going? Are you alright?"

"I'm perfectly fine, there's nothing seriously wrong! The doctor just said I can go home in a few days."

"...If that's the case, then I'm relieved."

Suddenly, Okita Hikaru's beautiful smile vanished.

She placed her hands on her legs and looked down at Qingdeng, who was lying on the bed, expressionless.

"Tachibana-kun, I'll get straight to the point. Tell me, what's going on between you and that Chiba Sanako?"

Qing Deng froze.

The chief's delicate body also stiffened.

"I had barely arrived in Edo when I heard people saying, 'Tachibana Aoto and Chiba Sanako are a match made in heaven,' and so on... What's going on? Can you give me an explanation? I always thought you liked Tsukasa... and I always thought you and Tsukasa would definitely become a loving couple..."

Although Okita Hikaru's tone was calm, his words carried a sharp, slashing edge.

"...Miss Hikari, this is a long story..."

To cover up his confused expression, Qingdeng brought the teacup beside his pillow to his lips.

Just as he was racking his brains to come up with the right words—

Snap, snap, snap, snap...

Footsteps sounded again outside the room, approaching from afar.

Whoosh—as the door opened, a pair of glasses and a lovely, bright red figure came into view of Qing Deng and the others.

"Ama? Mr. Kiryu?"

Qingdeng gasped.

Looking at the "enlarged version of Okita Souji" kneeling beside Aoto's bed, Boss Kiryu was taken aback at first, then immediately put on a smile that was both polite and distant:

“I remember you are Okita-kun’s older sister, right? We met once at Kondo-kun’s wedding. I am the owner of Senjiya, Kiryu Kazuma.”

"I am Mai Kinoshita, the hand of the Senjiya."

Kinoshita Mai bowed and introduced herself.

"Ah, it's Mr. Kiryu and Ms. Kinoshita! I remember you both! Greetings, it's been a long time!"

Hikaru Okita is indeed a mature woman who has shouldered the responsibility of supporting her family since childhood and has been navigating the complexities of society for many years.

In the blink of an eye, her facial expression switched from a "cold and indifferent look" to a "business-like smile".

After a few pleasantries between the two elders, Kiryu glanced sideways and cast a meaningful look at Aoto.

Qingdeng subconsciously looked away, gazing at the empty void...

Kinoshita Mai and Kiryu Boss are among the people closest to Aoto.

Therefore, the two of them naturally came to visit Qingdeng frequently.

Every time Kiryu arrives, the atmosphere between him and Aoto becomes exceptionally strange.

The reason for this was because he and Sanako were seen passionately kissing in the street...

Just as Hikaru Okita always thought that Aoto would end up with Souji, Kiryu also always thought that Aoto would eventually become a couple with Mai Kinoshita.

The kiss between Aoto and Sanako caused the usually composed and mature Kiryu to display an unusually strange expression, gazing into the distance and remaining silent for a long time...

Strangely, he did not question Qingdeng about the matter.

Qing Deng has yet to find a suitable opportunity to explain.

At this moment, Kinoshita Mai, who seemed not to understand the atmosphere, hopped and skipped to Qing Deng's bedside, her pretty face close to Qing Deng's nose.

"Qingdeng, how are you feeling? Is your health any better?"

"Qingdeng...?"

Hikaru Okita softly repeated the way Mai Kinoshita addressed Aoto, his gaze sharpening and his lips pressed tightly together.

A dry throat, numb skin... Qingdeng felt a wave of dizziness.