Shurei Hong, the first ever female official of Saiunkoku, and Eigetsu To, the youngest ever official of Saiunkoku, have all been assigned to serve as co-governors in the trouble region of Sa Province.
The big pot is on the top shelf.
And The tea leaves are all stored in here.
And I've gone ahead and made a list where you'll find everything.
You'll be all right alone, won't you, Father?
Don't worry, I’m sure I will be fine.
By the way, Um, Father... There's something I’ve been meaning to tell you.
Something I have to say.
Yes, what is it?
- Well it’s just that…!
- My Lady.
Would you mind if I went out for a moment?
Of course, I don't mind. Where are you going?
Pardon me, I'll be right back.
What was that you were saying earlier?
Uh, we can talk about that later.
Ensei Ro and Seiran Si, will both be accompanying Shurei and Eigetsu to Sa Province, Ensei as assistant to the two young governors, and Seiran, to protect them as their military officer.
Summer is approaching quickly.
The time to leave is drawing near.
Sa Province, huh.

Flowers Blooming from Dead Trees

Big brother.
Big brother Seien.
Big brother Seien.
Were the others teasing you again?
They told me I'm an unwanted child.
That it would've been better if I was never born. Even mother said so.
that isn't true at all, Ryuki.
I'm grateful to have you in my life, so you can’t be unwanted right?
You really mean it?
Yes, I really mean it.
Mother, I’ve brought you your medicine.
Please drink it later.
If only you didn't exist, things would’ve been much better.
If only I hadn't given birth to you,
She was always very prone to illness.
Her heart and mind were all so weak.
in high sight she would've been much happier living a peaceful life in a quiet place.
Rather than being a bloom of the royal harem, receiving the affection of the king, and giving birth to me, as the Second Prince.
I had five brothers, all born to different mothers, but the only one who truly loved me like a brother, was the youngest, Ryuki, he looked up to me.
And be honest I also found comfort in being with him.
We were similar children in that nobody found us necessary, or even one of us.
I’m beaten, you win.
You've improved your sword skills, prince seien, I’m impressed.
At this rate, you could very well be champion of the next martial arts tournament.
No, I still have ways to go.
Of course you do. In fact, you still have a long way to go.
The way of the sword is not something you can learn that easily, prince.
Oh, hello, prince Ryuki.
Would you mind if I request a bout with you?
Now Come at me.
If only I had realized then the extent of my cleverness and my foolishness, there might have been a path for me, that was different from the one that I'm on now.
The Winner is, Seien Shi!
Prince Seien is champion.
How wonderful.
I need to talk to you.
What is it, Father.
You have done incredibly well, Seien.
These are the twin swords Kansho and Bakuya, passed down for generations of the Royal Family.
Your excellence in scholarly and military arts makes you most worth to have these.
I humbly and gratefully accept these gifts, Father... no, King Senka.
If only I had realized how foolish I was really being.
What Seien, as king?
Seien is far more skilled and intelligent than any of his brothers.
However, as things are, the throne will pass to the First Prince.
That means You would live the remain of your life as a mere concubine, do you want that?
But Father, you can’t be serious !
should Seien take the throne, many people will support him, it will all work out.
The First Prince will be assassinated, the other Princes will be kicked out of the palace, and King Senka will step down from his position to make room for your son.
You have nothing to worry about.
Leave everything to me. I will help make you mother of the future king.
This is Bakuya, one of the twin swords.
You're giving this to me?
I want you to have it.
You’ve got a lot of potential.
I don't know...!
Just Think of Bakuya as me. That way, you won't be lonely even if you're alone.
I know in my heart It will always protect you.
Thank you, Big brother Seien.
You’re under arrest due to suspicion of rebellious actions against the Court.
Rebellious actions?
Yes. Your mother and grandfather have also been taken into custody regards to this matter.
Please surround quietly and do not resist us.
It was a trap.
Everything had been planned.
It was a scheme laid out by my brothers and the other consorts who were jealous of me, and didn’t approve of my existence.
they fooled My grandfather and tricked him into that conspiracy.
Prince Seien knew nothing about this plot, did he?
It couldn’t be helped.
Only the kindness of King Senka spared him from execution, he’s lucky to be only exiled.
If only you had never existed.
I had no lingering attachment to the palace itself.
I was only worried about Ryuki.
Big brother Seien. Why is it you won’t come see me anymore?
It seems my brothers didn’t feel it was enough to have me exiled.
They sent assassins to kill me, they caught up with us just before we reached the land we were being exiled to.
I wish you had never existed, If only you’d never been born!
No, Mother, no!
If you asked me whether or not I loved her, I'd have to say I don't know.
She was that kind of mother.
But she was still the woman who gave birth to me.
There was no way I could've hated her.
Oh, Mother.
You're taking me awfully lightly.
Just who do you think I am?
I am prince Seien! And my swordsmanship won’t let me fall to the likes of you!
At the age of twelve, I received Kansho and Bakuya from King Senka!
If you intend on taking my life, you must come at me prepared to die for it!
I defeated every last one of the assassins.
But the hell hadn't ended for me just yet.

The Story of Saiunkoku

What has you look so gloomy? It's definitely not like you to look so troubled .
To tell the truth, I’m concerned about Seiran.
Seiran, why’s that?
Have I ever told you?
nine years ago, I was ordered by my brothers to go and find the whereabouts of a certain someone, they wanted me to find seiran, or Prince Seien as he was known at the time
wow, this is the first time I've heard of it.
I'm surprised the Ran Clan would plan something so stupid.
Don't get me wrong, it was never the family’s intend to try and make Prince Seien king and make the already delicate situation worse.
I wonder about that.
My family wanted to find him and place him under protection before people who were planning exactly that, found him.
Better to avoid unnecessary conflict, right?
Besides, he was pretty good with the sword, if you remember correctly.
My elder brothers probably thought given that, Prince Seien would be more than capable of taking on any assassins that were sent after him.
Speaking of assassins. that reminds me of a rumor, I heard a while ago.
According to the rumer, the previous king sent the Black Wolf out to protect Prince Seien from anyone who made an attempt on his life.
Your orders are to Protect prince Seien.
You mustn't let those fools have things that they desire.
Go for it, Black Wolf!
Yes!
The legendary assassin, the Black Wolf.
I guess despite that little conspiracy, the previous king still wanted to keep an eye on the son.
Given his position, he had no choice but to force Seien into exile.
Due to his alleged involvement of the plot of rebellion .
But the king wasn't about to see him get killed over.
Mind you, they are just rumors.
Well, Regardless of whether the Black Wolf was dispatched or not, the fact remains that despite careful searching, I was unable to find prince Seien back then.
Here, let me refresh your memory , don't you remember where he was exiled to?
That's right. Sa Province.
It was fourteen years ago when we lost track of him entirely.
that was not very long after the new year had past.
but I understand it was near the end of that same year that Lord Shoka took Seiran into his home.
That raises the question what he was doing in Sa Province that year?
I've made up my mind, Your name is now going to be Seiran.
Seiran.
I guess you'll be lonely without her.
It's what she wished for and I would never stand in her way.
Besides, in the mean time, the flowers will bloom on the withered trees this summer.
Blossoms that haven’t come out once over the past nine years will return this year.
You said Nine years? Not since the civil war.
Yes.
After the rebellious actions of Second Prince Seien's grandfather fourteen years ago, the country somehow maintained peace and calmness.
At least on the surface, that is.
But Nine years ago, the former king, his majesty Senka Shi was bedridden, due to illness.
It was that, that triggered the civil war.
From now on, I will remain bedridden as if I am ill.
I will not take center stage ever again.
I'm leaving you in charge, Advisor Sho.
Yes.
The country of Saiunkoku has fallen ill.
If this land is to have any chance of surviving in the difficult days ahead, it must be reborn now, no matter what it may cost to do so.
You may count on me, your majesty . I promise I will see to it that your desires are met without fail.
The debate on who would succeed the throne had been going on below the surface after that point, but upon hearing of the king’s illness, it erupted out into the open.
With the exception of Ryuki, The four princes fought aggressively to earn the right to inherit the throne.
The struggle soon developed into a civil war.
The government could no longer operate properly, and the Royal Court became stagnant and corrupt.
The ones hurt the most were the citizens.
If the Royal Court ceases its function, naturally the conditions worsen across the country.
What do you mean you can't pay the money?!
If you can't pay, then we're not interested!
What’s with these prices?!
You're ripping us off!
I can't help if they are high!
The goods aren't coming in!
As if that weren't enough, severe drought affected the capital, followed by flooding, it wasn’t long before disease and famine became rampant.
Thank you very much.
Why will you not take the action, my lord?!
Surely, You have the ability to end the civil war right now!
Advisor Sho!
Unless you do something about it fast, this country and its people...!
If you must know, I'm currently waiting.
Waiting? What was he waiting for?
When I asked that, he replied!
I'm waiting for a king who’s truly worthy of serving this country of ours.
And what do you intend to do if no such person comes forward, my lord?!
Without a truly good king, the land of Saiunkoku would be better off perishing.
This country is finished.
That was what Everyone was thinking, we all lost hope.
Tell me, do you want it too, prince Ryuki?
The throne of course, like your elder brothers do.
There appears to be something more important than that to you.
But at the very end, before all was lost, Advisor Sho found prince Ryuki , the potential to be a true and just king.
Advisor Sho introduced one policy after another, and put them into effect.
He saved the citizens, and devoted his efforts to rebuilding the Royal Court.
The Princes and officials who valued personal power over the well-being of the people were arrested, some of them were exiled while others were executed.
All the remnants of the civil war that hampered the Court were completely cleaned out, as a result of this [perch], the royal court was purified and reborn for a new era.
So Everything went as the former king and Advisor Sho wanted, did they?
That’s how it was, The country recovered quickly.
It was as if things were guided by an invisible force.
It’s beautiful. it has become a country truly worth of prince Ryuki.
And sure enough, two years ago…
Become king this era, Ryuki.
Become king!
Following the coronation ceremony, king Ryuki acted like a fool waiting for the return of Prince Seien.
But meeting with Princess, awakened his inner consciousness as a king and made him live up to his responsibilities .
I have no doubt that King Ryuki will become a great ruler.
And as for this country...!
I have no doubt it’s going to blossom.
the flowers, I’m sure they will bloom everywhere.
Enough to fill this yard.
And Enough to fill this entire country.
Um-hum , And that's how I know that in the end I won’t be lonely.
Father, do you know seiran’s returned yet?
Not yet.
I wonder where he went.
Knowing Seiran, he's probably...!
If you were gonna visit her grave to pay your respect, you should've just told us that was what you were doing.
still, I guess there are times you'd rather be alone.
you sure about this?
Returning to Sa Province, it may prove difficult for you.
The Murderous Blades... No, you probably don't want to be reminded.
I will protect Lady Shurei.
I will go to Sa Province, no matter what might await me there.
I pledge on this sword!
You should've told us you were coming here, seiran.
Ensei said the very same thing.
Pardon me, but There's something I have to say to you, Father.
Well... Um...!
I just wanted to say, Thank you, father!
Thank you for bringing me up properly, for listening to my selfish wishes, and most of all, for letting me chase my dream and go to Sa Province.
Thank you so much.
I can’t take the credit, I haven't done anything.
it was your own strong will that allowed you to grasp your dream, Shurei.
Oh, Father.
now go out there and make a magnificent flower bloom.
right!
And Seiran. Thank you for everything.
I've made up my mind. Your name is now going to be Seiran.
Now and always.
Seiran.
Seiran. I'm very happy to have you by my side. I’m the luckiest girl in the world.
Thank you, My Lady.
If only you hadn't existed, things would've been so much better.
No, you are absolutely wrong about that, I'm very grateful that you gave birth to me, Mother.
I will do everything within my power to protect you, My Lady.
Everything.

Next Episode
That’s strange, What is Lord Koyu looking so serious for?
I sense a weirdo drawing near.
Ryuren is coming!
What? There are ghosts in the Ministry of the Enlightened Ones' Cave?
Is that true, Eigetsu?