My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 672: Chapter 12: Half-Naked Aoto and Innocent Sazanoko [Bonus Update 10K]

”Of course I understand what ’Tachibana Sonoko’ means.”

Chiba Domon Shiro spoke with a hint of irritation.

Even a child knows that a woman takes her husband’s surname after marriage.

”This... you want Mr. Tachibana to marry Sazanoko? Brother Shigetarou, are you kidding me?”

”Look at my expression.”

Chiba Shigetarou lifted his hand, gesturing to his solemn face.

”Does this look like a joking expression to you? I am very serious.”

”Uh...”

As if trying to brush off his confused expression, Chiba Domon Shiro raised his left hand and rubbed the back of his neck forcefully, looking elsewhere.

It’s no wonder Chiba Domon Shiro reacted this way, with such an expression.

The question was simply too sudden... To be suddenly asked about Sazanoko’s marriage, he had no psychological preparation beforehand.

And this kind of question cannot be answered carelessly.

”Brother Shigetarou, why are you asking me this out of nowhere?”

”...Brother Tadomaru, Sazanoko is already 22 this year.”

Chiba Shigetarou sighed deeply.

”Don’t you think, at her age now, Sazanoko’s marital matters can no longer be delayed?”

”...” Chiba Domon Shiro fell silent, and after a moment, he nodded gently, ”...Mm.”

In this Edo Era, where people’s thoughts, technological level, social order, and customs are still fundamentally stuck in the Middle Ages, marriage is undoubtedly the most important event in life; procreation, continuing the family line is something everyone considers right and proper.

In the Edo Era, girls could generally marry at fifteen or sixteen, with the average marriage age hovering around that, and some even married at twelve or thirteen.

Thus, by the standards of the times, a 22-year-old Sazanoko who has yet to marry would already be considered a ”super-aged leftover woman.”

Out of concern for family, four years ago, when Sazanoko just turned eighteen, Chiba Domon Shiro often paid attention to the marriage of this younger cousin who had yet to marry.

Chiba Domon Shiro had repeatedly asked Chiba Dingji and Chiba Shigetarou why Sazanoko hadn’t married yet. Considering Sazanoko’s qualities, it shouldn’t be this way.

And the response he always got from Chiba Dingji and Chiba Shigetarou came with either a helpless smile or a dry laugh, saying, ”Sazanoko hasn’t found someone she fancies yet, which is why she hasn’t married.”

Seeing Chiba Domon Shiro nod, Chiba Shigetarou immediately showed an expression of pleasant surprise.

”Haha, Brother Tadomaru, since even you think Sazanoko’s marriage can’t be delayed any longer, then the next matter is easy to discuss.”

”I don’t need to elaborate, you should know how difficult life can be for a solitary woman without any support.”

”Although Sazanoko is skilled in Glaive Technique and Small Tachi Technique from my Beichen One-Sword Style, and she has considerable proficiency in our family’s Acupuncture Skill, how many places in this world can accommodate a Female Warrior or Female Physician?”

”While my father and I are still here, as long as the Chiba family is still grand and prosperous, we can protect Sazanoko.”

”But when the day comes that both my father and I are gone, when the Chiba family’s glory is no longer as it is now, what will she do?”

Chiba Domon Shiro’s face changed hearing this.

”Brother Shigetarou, don’t speak of such ominous things.”

He was referring, of course, to Chiba Shigetarou’s ”when my father and I are both gone” and ”the Chiba family’s glory no longer exists.”

”Hahaha, what’s there to be ominous about these words?”

Chiba Shigetarou put his hands on his hips and laughed freely.

”Everyone has the unexpected, there’s birth, aging, illness, and death.”

”So do families, no matter how powerful, they all have a day of decline.”

”Moreover... we are currently in the midst of an unprecedented, chaotic era.”

As if infected by his own words, a slight trace of loneliness and helplessness appeared on Chiba Shigetarou’s face.

”The Westerners have knocked on our national doors, the Shogunate is weakening, the Nanki Faction and Hitotsubashi Faction still struggle endlessly, and strong domains in various places are covetous...”

”In such turbulent times, no matter what happens, it’s no surprise.”

”Therefore, I don’t want Sazanoko’s marriage to be delayed any longer either.”

”Even if we’re not talking about the abstract reasons of procreation and continuing the family line, just to let Sazanoko attain happiness, I hope she can marry her ideal partner sooner.”

”Having a talented and reliable husband to rely on can make a difference in this chaotic world.”

”Therefore, Brother Tadomaru, to be honest: I have long been looking for a suitable person to be my brother-in-law.”

”After much selection and scrutiny, I have finally found the most suitable, highest-quality candidate.”

Hearing this, linked with Chiba Shigetarou’s earlier questions such as ”What do you think of the name ’Tachibana Sonoko?’,” even the dimmest person could understand what Chiba Shigetarou meant.

”So...” Chiba Domon Shiro lowered his voice, ”you’ve got your eye on Mr. Tachibana?”

”Brother Tadomaru, don’t you think Mr. Tachibana and Sazanoko are a good match?” Chiba Shigetarou grinned, ”Firstly, their ages are very suitable. Mr. Tachibana is 18 this year, Sazanoko is 22, Sazanoko is only four years older than Mr. Tachibana, and Mr. Tachibana currently has no betrothal and is still single.”

”Furthermore, Mr. Tachibana is very outstanding.”