Shorin, the leader of the Bald Eagles of Sa Province, seen to be flying as he made his way to the Sa Clan's main residence, Carrying a message from Ensei Ro to Shurei.
Meanwhile, in accordance with Sakujun's request, Shurei was playing the erhu for him after lunch.
Shurei is here to search for two things.
One is the hairpin decorated with a flower bud, the other is the location where Kokujun Sa and Lady Eiki are being held.

A Woman's Word is Her Bond

Well then, I'm going to take a nap now.
Please be sure to Come here again tonight.
I truly do not get tired of you.
I have to find where Mr. Kokujun and Lady Eiki are right away!
geeze, what's up with this place?
It's like a maze or something.
I wonder which way I should go?
Okay.
Miss Shurei.
You must be Miss Shurei Hong, right?
Who are you?
Your erhu playing earlier was wonderful!
Just like Ensei said, I knew right away it was you.
So this is the first time we meet, Miss Shurei!
but who are you?
Oh, me?
My name is Shorin. I'm the leader of the chivalrous thieves, the famous Bald Eagles of Sa Province.
The Bald Eagles of Sa Province? Never heard of them.
You and I are sort of connected, you see My father received lots of favors from Mister Shoka a long time ago.
From father?
I always hope someday I could repay that kindness.
That’s why I came here to help you, I've brought along a letter for you from Ensei Ro.
It's true. This is definitely Ensei's hand writing.
- We're done with the cleaning.
- It's in your hands now.
- preparing the dinner.
- Wh-What?!
- now that I think of it.
Earlier, I could hear the sound of an erhu from one of the outer buildings.
Was that Master Sakujun playing?
It was so wonderful!
this is...!
Oh? Do you now like me enough to take a nap together with me?
I have a request, I need a housemaid's outfit.
If you wish.
Thank you for this. I'll be borrowing it for a little while.
While I have you here, I'd like you to tie my hair up, my lovely housemaid.
See, why I have to always…
Fine , I'm done.
I truly hope you find what you're looking for.
This is the perfect outfit to gather information about what’s going on in the household.
Besides, I'm used to maid’s work!
I'm definitely going to find those two, I promise.
Lord Chusho is a really scary man, don't you think?
Now that you mention it, have you heard the rumor about Lady Eiki being banished by Lord Chusho?
What really? Well that Figures. No wonder I haven't seen her lately.
So Lady Eiki must be an obstacle that Chusho Sa, in his plans.
At least I'm used to cleaning toilets.
Is it true? Is Master Sojun really dead?
Which means the next in line for clan head, is the prodigal son, Master Sakujun.
At least he's a better choice than that undependable boy Kokujun.
Which reminds me, there are rumors that he's been placed under house arrest.
House arrest?
If that’s the case, then he must be somewhere on the clan premises after all.
A hidden room? He’s not here.
A secret passage?
But this isn't it either.
Just how many of these things are there?
This residence is way too suspicious!
With all its hidden rooms!
And nobody's saying a thing about where I really want to know.
Like where Mr. Kokujun is?
I wonder where you might be, Mr. Kokujun
and everything, bring it all to an end.
Just like Great-Uncle Enjun did. Everything.
It's no use.
What are you doing over there?
Sorry, I just come to collect the garbage.
Excuse me sir!
That was way too close.
So tell me, Have you found what you've been looking for? My lovely housemaid?
How about a break?
Shall we have tea together?
I've got work to do!
Perhaps there might even be a hidden room in a place like this!
- Oh, my, you're working hard, I see!
- oh, thanks, you too!
We’re all working hard, We've been so busy, yet we're totally understaffed as well.
Yeah, I suppose you’re right about that.
I mean, we've got both the selection ceremony for the clan head and a wedding ceremony coming up.
I guess it can't be helped, huh?
But to think after all this time, Master Sakujun is getting married.
They say his new wife is a member of the Hong Clan.
She took the National Exam even though she's a girl.
I'll bet you anything she's got a big frown on her face all the time. Don't you think so?
Yeah, she probably does, a girl taking the exams.
By the way, I wonder if Lady Eiki will be attending the wedding ceremony, what do you think?
L-Lady Eiki? I don’t know.
I would like to meet her and find out what she’s really like.
You're new here, aren't you?
Trust me, You’d be very wise not to talk about Lady Eiki too much.
But Why’s that?
Everyone close to Lady Eiki has been expelled.
In any case, if you attract the attention of Lord Chusho, you're finished!
Rumor has it that both Lady Eiki and master Kokujun are locked up somewhere because they angered him.
If Chusho Sa imprisons anyone who gets in his way...
That would mean, with all these hidden rooms, the most likely place for it would have to be in Chusho's room,
But it’s not gonna be easy to get inside his Chambers.
Yes, it's suspicious.
H-How the heck did you get in here?
Never mind that. I've searched around the grounds quite extensively, but in that room, the sound echoes back to my feet in a really weird way.
Wait, You went in there? When?
A couple of times at night.
The floor has the same kind of hollow sound as when I make a trap hole to catch animals, and I check to make sure it’s already by taping the top with my foot.
So, there's a basement?
Yup, From the way my footsteps echo, I can tell it's deep and spacious, but I also could sense something alive down there.
You’re saying there's a person down there?
I can't say for sure that it’s human.
but there's a good possibility.
A basement underneath a private room.
It would be the perfect place to keep someone locked up.
Shorin, Could you tell Ensei and the others about this?
All right, you got it!
I understand now why Ensei sent him here.
I'll be counting on you, Shorin!
So there's a cellar beneath Chusho's room, huh?
Now, That's not suspicious at all.
then that's likely where Lady Eiki is, right?
No, if anyone's in there, it would be Kokujun.
Old lady Eiki is one tough woman, so she will be all right.
I can't imagine she would allow herself to be locked up in an old man Chusho's room without a damn good fight.
But what about him? Is Mr. Kokujun all right?
If Shorin says that he sensed living presence down there, then he's probably alive.
Besides, now that Sojun's ended up dead, Chusho would have to keep him around as a backup in case something were to happen to that Saku jerk.
He’s a Backup?
Shorin. Go back and Tell Princess we’re certain that Kokujun must be the one imprisoned in the basement.
Got it!

The Story of Saiunkoku

Miss Shurei.
Shorin!
I’ve got a message for you from Ensei.
he figured out that The person trapped in the basement is probably Mr. Kokujun.
I see. But how do I get in there?
There didn’t seem to be any mechanism on the floor.
So the entrance to the basement isn’t in his room. It must be somewhere else in the complex.
It will be the middle of the night soon, I'll go and search this grounds again and see if I can find it.
Thank you, Shorin Be careful not to let them discover you!
Say, isn't this residence just a little too suspicious?
What makes you say that now?
This is not funny.
Why does this house need so many hidden rooms?
It's like some positive shame.
Oh? It sounds like you've been making some progress.
Don't you enjoy the challenge in finding all the hidden rooms?
So you're admitting the shame openly, then?
Like I said, why are you asking now?
but of course there's only one thing that I'm not ashamed about.
Ha, only one thing, How can you say something like that so bluntly?
Wh-What are you doing?!
Between the two of us, There's nothing going on that we should be ashamed of.
Or could it be, you want to change all that?
Enough already!
there should be one thing you don't feel guilty about!
It's such a pity. You keep putting this off.
Oh, yes, by the way, about My grandfather, he says he'll be meeting with you tomorrow.
You mean Chusho Sa? Why does he want to see me?
Well, for one thing, our wedding ceremony will be held very shortly.
What? Our wedding?!
Your wedding dresses are already being prepared, so you’ll have nothing to worry your pretty little head about.
Never mind that, why are you going ahead with this?!
I thought You told me you weren't interested in structure of weddings and marriage all that stuff!
You’re right, I’m not, It's my grandfather who insists on these sorts of things.
If you don't want to go through with this tell him yourself.
Yes, I'll do that. I'll tell him right up front!
I believe in telling someone what they need to be told.
And now’s no exception.
All this yelling is making me thirsty.
Say. I don't suppose you feel like brewing some Gan Lu tea for me today, do you?
No I don't! Today's tea is going to be Silver Needle.
Honestly, you have such expensive tea leaves out, as if there's nothing special about it, it makes me want to go and sell them.
For crying out loud, Everything in this house is so wasteful!
Then Marrying you, might be just the thing.
I'm sure it's something that'll be greatly enjoyable.
Good job on your patrolling. So How are things in the big city?
Nothing out of the ordinary.
Is that right?
Let’s just hope for our sakes, that it isn't the calm before the storm.
Here.
How is it? Is it tasty?
terrible.
You're so mean. I put all my heart into making it.
So you’re saying , it could never compare to the tea that Princess brews for you then.
A grasshopper shouldn't try to be anything other than a grasshopper.
Don't worry about princess, she’s alright.
Once those two are swearing-in as governors, we'll have her make Gan Lu tea for us.
Only for me.
That's not fair!
I-It's you!
And here I thought she was just another newly-hired housemaid.
Grandfather. I’ve brought our guest.
Here you are, Go on in.
this man is Advisor Sa's younger brother, Chusho Sa.
Is it, young lady. As a member of the Hong Clan, that you look down on me?
I admit that among the Seven Colored Clan, your bloodline is second only to the Ran Clan in eminent, does that make you too good to bow to me?
You're mistaken. It’s nothing to do with my Clan.
The reason I refuse to bow before you has to do with your use of the Murderous Blades as your private army.
You allowed them to ravage across Sa Province and used any and all means to attack assigned governors whom you considered a nuisance.
You also show no concern towards the casualties suffered by the citizens.
You've convinced yourself that Sa Province belongs to you and that you're therefore justified in your actions.
Given that, As the king's official, I will not bow to anyone so conceited.
After the selection ceremony for the new head of the Sa Clan, we will wed you and my grandson Sakujun.
You shall remain quiet and wait until then.
My only value to this man is as the daughter of the direct line of the Hong Clan.
He doesn’t see me as a governor or even as a person worthy of discussing issues as an equal.
I decline the engagement between Lord Sakujun Sa and myself.
If you know what's best for you, you'd be wise not to say such foolish things.
My only grandson is to become the next head of the Sa Clan.
That should be worthy enough even for the Hong family.
Your only grandson?
what about Mr. Kokujun?
I don't know such person.
You don't know him?
He’s your grandson and he’s not the only one, you also had a grandson named Sojun, didn’t you?
You say very amusing things.
This man...
He just erased Sojun's existence like it's the natural thing to do.
It’s about my elder brother sojun’s remains, Would it be all right if I could see to his burial all by myself ?
Now I’m positive, Mr. Kokujun’s gotta be locked up beneath us.
this man has no feelings of affection toward his own blood relative, his own grandsons, he’s definitely capable of it.
There is no way that I can be prevailed upon to marry your grandson.
You’ll Leave your post as governor here , and become Sakujun's wife.
You'll find you’ll have a much easier life, surrounded by luxury.
I have absolutely no intention of complying with your request.
Are you saying that you refuse?
Yes, I am.
Even if it means Koren would burn on the day of the governors' swearing-in ceremony?
Or who knows, perhaps violent mobs might start fights in every district in town at the same time, forcing all the mayors and officials to run back to where they came from.
When that happens, what are you going to do?
You’re just a little girl who recently passed the National Exams?
I see you’re incapable of doing anything other than causing destruction.
And yet, you have the power and the resource to protect Sa Province and its people.
You’re pathetic and sickening
You talk big but If you think you've made an ally in the Merchants Guild, you're in for a big surprise.
They're merchants to the very core, so they'll change their loyalties easily.
They'll follow anyone if there's an enough profit in it for them.
Shurei you know that, Didn't Sho Sai tell you?
Unfortunately for you, I've been in communication with Sho Sai since before you came into contact with him.
He's given me all kinds of information.
I’ve also asked him to make a new ring for the head of the Sa Clan.
Although it seems that he's been delayed considerably, due to a resent large increasing work from elsewhere.
You have my solemn word as leader, the Merchants Guild of Kinka will devote eighty percent of its strength to the new governors.
In other words it could very well be that the remaining twenty percent is allocated to helping the Sa Clan.
now you understand.
just keep quiet and wait for the wedding ceremony.
I said I refuse.
In that case, perhaps I should add Yushun Tei's life to the balance?
And what is that supposed to mean?
It would be such a simple thing to burn that tower down.
In his case, there's no need to worry.
The two of us already decided together that we would transfer all authority as governors to you in the best possible state.
So I ask you to put your trust in Yushun.
Okay, Ensei. If I doubt you now, I'll put everything I’ve done to shame.
You've supported Sa Province and its people for ten years.
Who can I trust if I can’t trust you?
I declare my refusal!
What did you say?
I declare my refusal! That’s what I said.
So you don't care if everything goes up in flames because of your selfishness?
Since I do not actually believe everything will be going up in flames, I’ll repeat, I refuse.
Then you shall remain in this residence until the deadline for you to arrive at your assignment has passed.
When that happens, you'll immediately be relieved of your position as governor, and the precious governor's seal that was given to you will lose its validity and power.
That's all right.
You may as well know the truth, Before I came here, I make sure to write an official letter for the other governor, Eigetsu To, it stated that all authority will be transfer to him in case of an emergency.
I've left the governor's seal with him as well.
even if the deadline for arriving at my assignment has passed, nothing will change, other than the fact that there will be one less governor.
What? But Didn't you come here as governor to witness and celebrate the selection of the new head of Sa Clan?!
No. I did not. I came here as a private individual, to search for two things while I’m in your residence .
Rest assured , the governor will attend the ceremony.
Governor To will arrive here on the day of the selection in full formality accompanied by Ensei Ro, the Lieutenant Governor.
You'll pay for mocking me, girl!
When you see every region of Sa Province burn , when you see the flames on the day of the ceremony, you will regret every optional word you’ve said.
They say that a man's word is his bond.
But a woman's word is her bond as well!
That witch.

Next Episode

The long-awaited day of the sa clan’s selection ceremony has finally come.
So why is that man so relaxed?
Ah? You want me to make Gan Lu tea for you?
Well, you do expect much, Have hot water instead!