Onmyoji, a nobleman in Heian-kyo

Page 718

"By the way, there's a secluded little bamboo grove between Shichikakuyama and Arakawa. I often go there to cool off in the summer."

The white wolf then enthusiastically introduced the topic.

Kyosuke Kosaka pondered, "A bamboo grove? A secluded little bamboo grove?"

Words like "light music," "petite," and "young" involuntarily came to mind.

what happened?

People have been getting stranger and stranger these days.

Kousaka Kyosuke instinctively hugged Kagura, trying to calm himself down.

"Hmm?" Kagura tilted her head, curious about what had happened. "Does Kyosuke want to go to the bamboo forest?"

Kousaka Kyosuke pondered, while White Wolf wore an expectant expression.

"Okay, let's go take a look. Although it's already winter, we can still admire the bamboo. If we think it's nice, we can transplant some back."

Evergreen plants are always quite popular.

Bamboo, for example, is a recurring motif in waka and kanpo poetry.

Several stalks were planted in the mansion, both in the courtyard and in some scenic areas.

When snow falls, the evergreen bamboo looks very pleasing.

As he walked along the road, Kyosuke Kousaka weighed Kagura on his back again, feeling her real presence, and nodded to himself.

Kagura was somewhat aroused, suppressing the urge to moan softly, and gently bit her pink lips with her pearly teeth.

"Yes, a little..."

The feeling of pleasure was almost identical to that at night, and Kagura thought this was probably normal.

She was with her husband after all.

As for being frequently hugged by her husband, that's not a big deal.

She was actually quite happy about this, feeling that not growing up had its advantages, as she could be held all the time.

The white wolf next to them didn't notice any of this.

Kyosuke Kousaka always dotes on younger people, not just Kagura, but also Komachi, Megumi, and others.

After seeing it so many times, it doesn't seem surprising anymore.

"Bamboo shoots are also delicious. I eat bamboo shoots when I can't find any other food in winter," White Wolf added.

Kyosuke Kosaka suddenly realized: "Yes, we can dig up some bamboo shoots to eat!"

It's currently winter and spring, so many green vegetables are still relatively scarce and quite expensive.

The palace even specially planted some vegetables on land with concentrated spiritual veins, which was extremely extravagant.

For ordinary people, eating some stored grains is usually enough.

We can eat as many vegetables and wild greens as we want when spring comes and everything comes back to life.

In short, bamboo shoots are a very rare commodity at this time of year.

It's fortunate that it grew up in a remote place.

Otherwise, if each ordinary person used a shovel, the bamboo forest would eventually be completely wiped out.

"What a refreshing scent."

"We're almost there," Kagura said, sniffing the air with her little nose.

Stepping into the bamboo forest, which from a distance resembles a series of undulating green hills, the refreshing scent becomes even stronger.

In this season of howling winds, the biting cold winds ravage countless flowers, grasses, and trees, but the bamboo grows ever greener, appearing resilient and full of vitality.

Kyosuke Kosaka immediately felt much more relaxed.

"I'm coming down, okay?"

"it is good."

Kyosuke Kosaka responded and bent down to put Kagura down from his back.

A pair of high wooden clogs landed steadily on the ground. Kagura had temporarily escaped from Kousaka Kyosuke's embrace, but she was still only a few steps away from him, looking up at the bright greenery all around her.

"So lovely……"

"I sleep here in the summer."

“I’ll try sleeping here too.”

"Lord Kyosuke, your clothes will get dirty," the white wolf reminded him, still speaking excitedly.

Kyosuke Kosaka laughed and said, "No, where is it dirty?"

White Wolf sensed a hidden meaning in those words and was speechless for a moment.

Kyosuke Kosaka wasn't joking.

Before White Wolf transforms into human form, she is a wolf, and Kyosuke Kousaka thinks it wouldn't hurt to learn more about her.

"I'd like to know more about you."

Finally, Kyosuke Kosaka offered an explanation.

The white wolf's expression shifted slightly, and its tail swayed vigorously behind it.

"Kyosuke-sama, then please come with me when you're free in the summer... uh, actually that's not what I meant..."

"Okay, I'll make time to come here with you in the summer."

"Lord Kyosuke..." White Wolf's eyes softened, and he gently pursed his lips.

Kagura tried her best to minimize her presence.

She didn't want to interfere, believing it was a date between Kyosuke Kousaka and Hakuro.

After a while, the group began to admire the bamboo.

After spending some time with Kagura and Hakuro, Kyosuke Kosaka began digging bamboo shoots together.

One person dug up two bamboo shoots that were about the size of a stone scoop and then left.

Once no one was in the bamboo grove, a tiny figure, about the size of a thumb, cautiously peeked out from a hollow section of bamboo, watching the direction the person had left in.

"Lord White Wolf is living a very happy life now... That's good."

I hope they can come again in the summer...

The little boy prayed in his heart, then carefully crawled back into the bamboo.

the other side.

Back at the manor, Kyosuke Kousaka took Sushang to the sea to catch seafood.

Although this girl spent the most time with him, they still had to meet up alone.

"Kyosuke-sama, I've been scolded by my sister again."

On the way to the sea, Su Chang spoke as if she were showing off her achievements.

Is it something to be proud of to be scolded by your older sister?

Kyosuke Kosaka felt that sooner or later Suyi would get angry and pick up a rattan cane to whip Sushang.

Regardless, he still tactfully asked a question.

"What's the matter this time?"

"I teased the clock bird with straw and got scolded."

"Some harbinger birds are unable to lay eggs after being startled, which is probably why you were scolded."

Kousaka Kyosuke thought for a moment and then answered.

People who wear plain clothes generally don't care much about plain skirts, except for some overly informal etiquette, and they are particularly concerned about property.

He probably felt that he had to be serious about managing finances, and therefore was very dissatisfied with his sister's extravagance.

Similarly, wearing plain clothes is also about setting an example.

Su Chang has a rather impulsive personality and is not very good at following rules.

It gives a sense of "one still and one moving".

"Oh, I thought you were just going to scold me, sister." Su Chang immediately understood.

Kousaka Kyosuke wanted to say it was a misunderstanding, but when he recalled Su Yi's somewhat unhappy expression during the two sisters' competition, he immediately couldn't bring himself to say it.

Su Yi is tolerant of everyone, but strict with herself and her younger sister, and she even gets jealous of her sister's misbehavior.

Even though he noticed, Kyosuke Kousaka didn't pay much attention—people who were too perfect made him feel uneasy...

"Don't worry, I will punish Su Yi."

"Punish me instead!"

Su Chang said with great pride.