How did I, an Onmyoji, become the Lord of Yokai?

Well, the Little Mermaid is completely unaware of betrothal in the human world.

Although explaining marriage would be complicated, Shimizu Asahi decided to give Reiko a thorough explanation in order to make her understand the importance of marriage.

He thought for a moment and organized a series of very important cause-and-effect relationships in his mind, and then said, "Lingzi, the so-called engagement is actually a kind of ceremony... well, or a contract. The contract must be signed by a man and a woman, and once the contract is signed, it means that the other person is the one you will spend your life with."

"This is a very sacred and important ceremony. For many people, it is a once-in-a-lifetime contract. Therefore, every couple will think carefully before signing this contract."

Although engagement ceremonies are not impossible to cancel, they are mostly canceled by ministers and nobles. After all, marriage is just a way for them to make their families stronger. So, what happened to them can't be considered a real engagement. If we're talking about real engagements, we can only see ordinary people.

The common people of this era were mostly kind-hearted, so once two families were engaged, there was basically no question of canceling the engagement.

The phrase "clear water and rising sun" is used to describe something that happens only once in a lifetime, and it's not entirely wrong.

Moreover, if you think about it carefully, describing the engagement in this way will surely make Reiko understand its importance and give it serious consideration.

As Shimizu Asahi had predicted, the phrase "once in a lifetime" made Reiko pause for a moment. However, after pausing, Reiko asked him a question that left him speechless.

"I roughly understand what you mean. In short, this is the ritual before a human couple gets married, right?"

"But does getting engaged automatically mean they've become true family?"

"this......"

Qingshui Chaoyang was speechless for a moment. Since you understand the meaning of marriage, why ask such a question? Is being family more important than marriage?

He felt that if he said that they could become family if they got married, Lingzi might actually agree to marry him.

Thinking of the consequences, he dared not answer her directly. So, after some thought, he replied seriously, "Lingzi, even if we don't get married, we can still be family. We don't necessarily have to have that kind of relationship."

"But family members connected by this kind of bond are closer than those without blood ties, right?"

Hearing this, Shimizu Asahi's face became somewhat flustered, but the girl didn't care about his fluster. Having said this much, she had a pretty good understanding of how much marriage was involved in the word 'family', so she looked at Tamura Samurai.

“If that’s the case, I’m fine, Father.”

"Hehe, okay."

Tamura Shigehiro smiled at his daughter's decisive answer. He nodded and said, "Since Reiko has agreed, then I will take care of this for you!"

After saying this, the middle-aged man, who had completely immersed himself in the role of Reiko's father, looked at Shimizu Asahi.

"Sir, Reiko has already said so, what is your decision?"

"this......"

Under the gaze of the three, Shimizu Asahi looked embarrassed.

Although Reiko had no concept of human marriage, since a girl had put it this way, if he refused, it would inevitably make her feel a little sad. So, he could only smile wryly and then nod gently.

"Well, since the General and Reiko have both said so, what else can I say?"

"However, General, as you know, Lingzi isn't quite clear about her feelings right now, and we're still in the getting-to-know-each-other stage. Therefore, if any conflicts or disagreements arise later, I think we can..."

Although he didn't finish his sentence, Tamura Shi understood what he meant, so he chuckled and said, "I understand. If it comes to that, I will respect your choice."

"Although I feel that day will never come."

"..." The boy scratched his head helplessly.

Indeed, despite his words, he felt it was unlikely that they would have a conflict and part ways. After all, he was still going to help Lingzi build the Sea Kingdom; if they had a conflict, how could the Sea Kingdom be established?

Moreover, as a yokai, Reiko possesses a directness that most humans lack. Right is right, and wrong is wrong. She will admit her mistakes and earnestly learn human knowledge. With such a personality, it is impossible for her to have a conflict with him.

Of course, the main premise is that he has a gentle personality and can tolerate the temperament of monsters.

Beside her, Reiko looked at the expression on the boy's face, and for some reason, a faint joy rose in her heart. It wasn't because of the engagement, nor was it about becoming real family with him; it was simply because seeing his somewhat... cute... well, his somewhat cute expression made her feel an inexplicable fondness for him.

However, she didn't say anything; she just watched quietly from the side.

"Alright, now that this matter has been decided, let's get started."

Glancing at his daughter and Shimizu Asahi, Tamura Shigehiro couldn't help but laugh, then continued, "Sir, I'll leave the engagement arrangements to you. I'll have the servants take care of everything as soon as possible, including the house decorations. Oh, and I'll also prepare your house. Once the engagement is over, you can move in directly." (Chapter 287, Section 284: Shimizu Mio: Has My House Been Stolen Again?)

"Okay, I understand..."

Qingshui Chaoyang nodded in response.

"I'll make the arrangements now. You can discuss the date."

After leaving those words, Tamura Shiki smiled and left the room.

Today is truly a wonderful day. Not only has my daughter received the title of Imperial Concubine, but she has also found a young man she can entrust her life to... Although they don't have any romantic feelings for each other right now, as Reiko continues to interact with Shimizu Asahi, one day she will understand what love is.

When that day comes, I believe Shimizu Asahi will also fall in love with her.

In this way, everything will seem natural and fall into place.

However, after leaving the room, Tamura suddenly remembered something very important.

"Oh right, how could I forget to remind the gentleman to be sure to call his sister over?"

He also told Tamura and the others about Shimizu Asahi's background, so Tamura also learned that Shimizu Asahi had an older sister.

Although he said she was in a very far place, Shimizu Mio was none other than Shimizu Asahi's only relative, so how could Shimizu Asahi not invite her to his engagement?

This matter concerns two families.

"A family is only truly happy when they're together."

Imagining the scene of the two families gathering together and laughing, Tamura Shige showed a satisfied and warm smile.

He decided to ask Shimizu Asahi's sister again tomorrow where she was, and then send someone to fetch her as fast as possible.

In the other room, after Tamura left, Shimizu Asahi breathed a sigh of relief. However, the thought of being engaged to the future ruler of the Sea Kingdom made him feel somewhat unreal.

Although his goal was to form contracts with various demons, those contracts were supposed to be based on equal exchange. This new contract, however, is going too far...

Of course, this wasn't the main reason he felt it was unreal. The main reason he felt it was unreal was that he was actually getting engaged!

As a teenager, Shimizu Asahi still longs for a sweet romance. After all, who wouldn't want a good-looking and obedient lover?

Originally, he quite liked Qingnvfang and even wondered if he should take the initiative to break the current master-soul relationship with her. However, he didn't expect that Lingzi would suddenly appear out of nowhere.

They had known each other for less than three days, and their feelings for each other were simply, "This is a nice person." Yet, by some twist of fate, they had ended up in this situation.

It has to be said, this is truly a coincidence, an unbelievable coincidence.

However unreal it may seem, Lingzi is now his fiancée in name only, so after a slight pause, he said, "Um, Lingzi, when do you think would be a good time to choose an auspicious date?"

“I don’t know anything about these things, and Father has entrusted this matter to you. You can make the decision.”

Reiko gently shook her head, not participating in the day selection process.

On the one hand, she had no opinion on when to get engaged, and on the other hand, she didn't understand these things, so rather than getting involved recklessly, she preferred to stay out of trouble.

"I see..."

The boy rubbed his head. "Then I'll choose a few days and then discuss with you and the general which one is better."

"Ah."

Reiko nodded and hummed in agreement, but after that, she didn't say anything more. She just kept staring at Shimizu Asahi, who was being stared at like that, and Shimizu Asahi felt a little nervous.

He could sense that the atmosphere had become slightly awkward because they were all silent. Although Reiko couldn't feel it, Shimizu Asahi could clearly sense it.

As the man, he should have taken the initiative to start a conversation to make the atmosphere more harmonious. Unfortunately, he didn't know how to chat with girls.

At home, he was always the passive one. Whether it was his sister or Ibuki, they were always the ones who took the initiative. He just had to go along with their rhythm. Now, suddenly he has become the one who takes the initiative, and he doesn't know what to do for a while.

Fortunately, the room wasn't just for the two of them. Miss Ye, who was watching from the side, blinked and then spoke softly...

In fact, from the moment Tamura Samurai, Shimizu Asahi, and Tamura Reiko started talking about the engagement, Miss Yoko had not said a word. She quietly watched the three of them, and even though she had the opportunity to speak, she chose to remain silent.

Her sworn sister was getting engaged, and to the man who had risked his life to save her. She should be happy for her, but for some reason, upon hearing the word "engagement," a dull and unhappy feeling welled up inside her.

It's as if something precious about you has been stolen.

I'm unhappy. I was the one who met him first, and I was the one who was first moved by him, so why did it end up like this...?

Feeling sullen, Ye Zi just watched the three of them.

In fact, she was somewhat aware of her own emotions; she held a faint fondness for Qingshui Chaoyang.

Perhaps it was the gentleness he showed when she was defeated by him, or perhaps it was the determination he showed when she was saved by him; in any case, Ye Zi developed a slight liking for Shimizu Asahi.

Because of the characteristics of this era, even if girls have someone they like, they won't take the initiative to express it. They will use various hints in their daily interactions to let the boys understand their feelings. If the boy also likes the girl, they are very likely to succeed. If the boy doesn't like her, he will express his dislike in the same way.

In short, relationships between men and women in this era are too roundabout. In addition, Ye Zi was unsure about the feelings that had arisen in her. She didn't know if it was just gratitude or true love. So, even though Shimizu Asahi had been back for two days and had seen her several times, she didn't give any hints.

It was precisely because of her hesitation that she was outmaneuvered by her sworn sister.

The engagement is already set, and even if she understands her own feelings now, she can't bring herself to say anything... She simply can't bring herself to have her younger sister compete with her older sister for the engagement.

Moreover, because she was an only child, she was raised from a young age to be the heir of the Tamura family. Therefore, although she was the younger sister in terms of physical age, she had the demeanor of the eldest daughter in terms of mental age and knew how to be courteous.

Even if she was feeling very unhappy inside, she couldn't show it, and she couldn't let anyone notice.

And so, she has endured it until now.

Originally, she intended to continue enduring the situation until Shimizu Asahi and Reiko noticed it was her room and said goodbye, thus better concealing her inner emotions. However, seeing this awkward scene, she couldn't help but speak up. (Chapter 288: These days, even gods have to wear many hats)

Seeing Shimizu Asahi trying to make the atmosphere better but not quite knowing how, and thus just awkwardly watching from the sidelines, Yoko didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

This usually clever and quick-witted boy becomes dull-witted in this situation. With his slow reaction time, even without Sister Lingzi intercepting him, he probably wouldn't understand his own countless hints.

With a sigh tinged with helplessness, Ye Zi said softly, "Alright, sir, don't say so much. Let's take my sister out to play first. She's been in Shancheng Kingdom for two days now, but she hasn't gone anywhere except home and the palace. This isn't good for her learning about humans."

"Moreover, it's easier to develop feelings when two people go out alone together."

Yoko's sudden words caught the attention of Shimizu Asahi and Reiko. They turned their gaze to the girl in the bed, and then, as if suddenly realizing something, the boy said, "Yeah, how come I didn't think of that..."

"Lingzi, let's go out and have a look around. It's been a long time since I've been to Yamashiro Country."

“The human world… I’m also somewhat interested. Let’s go take a look,” Reiko said, nodding after a moment’s thought.

"Let's go now..." Upon hearing this, the boy immediately smiled happily and prepared to take Lingzi to see the streets.

However, before setting off, he looked at Ye Zi and said thank you, "Thank you for reminding me, Ye Zi."

"I'm just offering a suggestion, don't be shy. And, sir, please treat my sister well. I can tell that she treats you differently from others."

"Different? Is she? I think she treats you differently."

"That's because you're too slow, sir... By the way, sir, if you have the chance, you can go to the Inari Shrine to pray to Inari Okami. She will bless you and your sister."