The imperial archive, a building that sits in a quiet corner of the Saiunkoku Palace grounds.
It has absolutely no connection to the central government administration and few officials know the job here, since it involves nothing more than taking care of dusty books.
Father.
Oh, Hello, Shurei.
Why don't you join us for tea, father?
This is Mr. Shuei Ran
You know each other, right?
Ah, why of course we do!
Welcome, Your Maj... I mean Shuei.
G-Good day to you too, Shoka.
Now, let us start preparing the tea, Mr. Shuei.
R-Right.
I'll join you as soon as I finish the work I'm doing.

A Frog In the Well Knows Not About the Ocean

Hey, Seiran.
General Ran?
Come here a moment.
Who's this?
I'd like you to meet Koyu Ri. He's with the Department of Civil Affairs, and he's also an old friend of mine.
Who are you calling your old friend?!
And unfortunately, acquaintance is more like it!
Are you the Assistant Secretary of the Department?
the youngest ever to pass the National Examinations at sixteen, and with top marks too?
Way to go, Koyu. Your reputation precedes you.
But don't you usually have official department businesses to do in the mornings?
What are you doing here at the archives?
Actually, we're both here on official duties.
Just like you are, Seiran.
You are? So you mean?
That's right. Like you, Koyu and I have been personally assigned to serve the king.
But I'm afraid that we haven't had much to do this whole month.
You serve as Shurei Hong's family retainer, do you not?
Uh, Yes.
Since neither of us have anything better to do, we thought we'd come and watch consort Hong, and see how your lady deals with the king.
Here you are. Please, enjoy.
It's delicious.
So then this is how it's really supposed to taste.
Oh, no, don't tell me you've been putting up with that awful "daddy tea" all this time.
Daddy tea?
That's my name for the awful bitter tea that my father always makes.
I see, but I rather like Shoka's "daddy tea".
You really is a nice person.
Do you come to the archives often?
Yes.
Even though you're in the military?
So you're serving as the royal Consort?
Oh, you knew about that?
Yes. I found out from Shisui, when I was at the Royal Residence.
Now I see. But why were you near the private imperial courters?
Well, that is to say...I …
Could it be that you had a message from His Majesty?
No...I...that...
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Please! Shoka! Come sit down and have some tea!
Shurei, you're a princess of the Hong Family, aren't you?
Then how did you come to be so skilled at making sweets? Also, there’s your...
My hands?
They're so chapped and rough, not at all like the hands of a princess.
Actually, they've become a lot softer and nicer since I entered the Royal Palace.
My family is very poor. As a result I’ve had to work hard every day.
And that's why my hands aren't as fair or smooth or elegant as the hands of a normal princess.
But you know, I don't mind.
It's all so that the three of us, my father, Seiran and myself, can still live together.
So It's really all right.
Who's Seiran?
You may have met him somewhere. After all, he was assigned to His Majesty and the Left Urin Army.
Look at you, dropping crumbs all over the place.
You're like a child.
I'm not a child! I'm nineteen years old!
Oh? Is that so?
Then you're the same age as the king, right?
Huh? How many of those did you eat?
Five or six, maybe?
Ow!
That's too many!
I'll wrap them up for you, so you can take them with you and have them later.
Shurei really does sound like a nagging mother, doesn't she?
She can.
Father!
Sorry, I'm sorry Shurei.
But it’s really nice, like this.
wait, that's...!
It seems the rumor was true about he preferring men.
My Lady! What are you doing out here so late?
Oh, it's you, Seiran.
You frightened me half to death!
Could it be that you are unhappy that His Majesty doesn't come to spend his nights with you?
What, don't be ridiculous!
I was just...!
Yes, go on?
I was just wondering, maybe that man is really lonely.
That's what I think.
The very first time I met him, I asked what his name was, and Can you guess what he answered me with?
He said it was "Shuei Ran".
Isn’t that interesting.
Honestly, wandering around the palace without a government uniform, wearing loose luxurious clothes, he's practically advertising the fact that he's the king.
My Lady, what are those books?
Oh these books here?
I'm gonna do a little studying.
After all, I came to the palace with the main purpose of being a kind of tutor to the king, that means I need to be prepared.
I thought he would be a stupid and hopeless lord.
But I realized he's not like that at all.
He's kind of childish for his age, but on the other hand, he is not short-tempered or arrogant.
What's more, he listens closely to what I have to say.
If he can listen to what people have to say, Then I think my words can reach him.
He's nowhere near as bad as I imagined.
Actually, If you ask me, I think he could become an excellent king!
Yes, I think he can too.
And that's why I need to study.
Advisor Sho!
Oh, if it isn’t Shurei, greetings!
I have a favor to ask of you, Advisor Sho.
What is it?
Well I wish to do some more study. But simply reading books is not enough.
My hope was that you could introduce me to a teacher.
Oh, I understand you. Please leave it to me.
First, Let's begin with the fundamental structure of the Court.
Now Shurei, I heard that you came to the palace at Advisor Sho's request.
I did.
Then I assume you already have a basic understanding of the government.
Can you name the four ministries and six departments?
The four ministries are the ministries of State Affairs, the Chancellery, the Secretariat and the Enlightened Ones' Cave
The six departments under the Ministry of State Affairs are the departments of Civil Affairs, Finance, Protocol, Military, Justice and Public Works.
Well, you do know quite a lot.
Actually, to tell you the truth, I've always wanted to take the National Exams, so I studied for them under my father's guidance.
But after I learned that women can't take the exams, I decided to pass that dream on to the children and taught at the local temple.
So you were a teacher before you came to the palace?
Yes.
Well then, if that's the case then I imagine there isn't much left for you to learn.
Far from it, in fact quite the opposite
I don't believe there can ever be such a thing as a limit to learning knowledge. Wouldn’t you agree?
By the way, General Ran.
I was wondering you're a military officer, right? So why are you giving me lessons?
Oh, that, that's because...
Ah. He's here at last.
Lord Koyu?
Lost your way again? I was beginning to think that if you didn't show up sooner, I have to step in and take your place as teacher.
Just shut up!
Although you could say this man is a genius in many respects, he has no sense of direction, intends to get lost within thirty steps.
No sense of direction?
Stop blabbing and shut up?!
Your student has been waiting patiently for you.
Thank you for helping me!
So you've been serious when you said you wanted to study for the sake of this country.
Man, if you compare this with that stupid king...!
The stupid king...!
The palace seems large, but in reality it's small.
If it's small, then why do you get lost?
Shut up! What I'm trying to say is that the king still doesn't understand anything yet!
But here is a woman who's keen to learn because she's worried about the country!
Look, Don't get all worked up just because the stupid king doesn't give you any work to do.
Excuse me!
What is it, Shurei?
The stupid king... I shouldn't say that, I mean His Majesty, has he never left the palace grounds?
I'm not certain, but it's highly unlikely.
You, on the other hand, are always slipping out to a certain district in town to have fun with the women there.
Why don't you come with me?
No, thank you!
"A frog in the well knows not about the ocean."
No matter how stupid the king might be, if he sees the world outside, it might arouse his interest in governing.
So, your home is near here Shurei?
Yes, that's right.
Wow, this certainly is a lively area of town, isn't it?
There are all kinds of shops in this district.
Naturally there are food stores, but there are also antiques, furniture, clothing, books... you can find anything here.
Mister, I'll have two please!
Here you go.
Why don't you try one of these?
This is good!
Yes.
This is the first time I've ever eaten while I was walking. That experience is not bad.
Wait guys!
Hello there, Miss Shurei!
Ryushin!
We haven't seen you lately, where have you been?
Well, I've been a bit busy.
Um, Miss Shurei, where's Seiran?
Who's the guy in the fancy dress?
My goodness. He's right!
Fancy dress? You think so?
Guess it doesn't matter if you're not Seiran. let's play together any way!
Hey, wait!
Miss Shurei!
Kinren's in a big trouble!
What?!

The Story of Saiunkoku

A lousy comb like this costs that much?! Don't screw with me, kid!
But...that’s...That piece is made from genuine boxwood... and it's very reasonably priced.
Hum, that's a lie, you’re just saying whatever you like!
You know, a person can say whatever they like.
ha?!
Of course anyone who claims that they can't see the fine craftsmanship in this piece must be blind.
Hey, what was that?!
If you continue on arguing like this, it's only going to reveal just how tasteless you are.
Are you okay with that?
Thank you for saving me, Miss Shurei!
Not at all. It was nothing.
More importantly, how was your mother doing?
Well, she's been sick in bed with a cold since this morning.
So that's why you're taking care of the shop, right?
Wait a second!
I have the perfect idea!
Thank you, Miss Shurei!
No problem, just leave the shop to the two of us and go look after your mother, okay?
Yes, ma'am!
Right! Let's make some money!
Welcome to our store!
How about buying a hairpin?!
Come on!
You have to call out, too!
Me? You mean you're asking me to?
Of course! I don't see anyone else here!
Go on.
Welcome to our store.
Say it louder!
Welcome to our store!
My, what a good-looking man.
Welcome! Take a look!
How about this hairpin for you? Do you like it?
My, that is a very lovely hairpin!
I can give you a special discount on this one.
Perhaps you’d like to try it on and see?
Why don't you go put this in her hair, Shuin.
Like that?
Wow! It's beautiful!
It really suits you very well!
I-I think it suits you too!
Oh, my, does it really?
Yes.
Well, In that case, I'll take one.
Oh, Thank you very much!
This is great, having such a good-looking guy put a pin for me.
Me too! I wanna be next!
Please choose one for me!
Okay, now! No pushing! Please!
No pushing! Everyone wait your turn!
So the king's a shopkeeper, Punishment for using my name, perhaps?
Wait a minute, That's Seiran!
He's a true bodyguard.
He Watches over the king without being too close or too far.
I can't wait for the day you finally meet the king in person.
Me neither! I intend to give him a piece of my mind when I do.
We made quite a lot today, didn't we?
This should take care of the cost of medicine for Kinren's mom for a while. So that's a relief.
Oh, Are you tired?
Not at all, to be honest, I really enjoyed myself today.
I'm so glad to hear that.
I think it's a wonderful thing helping other people.
Helping other people...!
This is my home.
Your family really is very poor.
It's not very nice of you.
I'm sorry.
It's all right.
It is the truth, I guess.
So Shurei. You used to teach those children, right?
Yes, that's right, I did.
You're so energetic.
And you're good at selling things, too.
Are those cherry trees?
Yes, they are. But our cherry trees don't blossom any more.
They haven't for eight years now.
Eight years?
That was when there was the big struggle for the throne.
After the king collapsed, the Court's administration was thrown into disarray by the fighting.
Those of us who lived outside the castle walls were hit badly in the aftermath.
Many aristocrats locked their doors, and the front gates were littered with the bodies of people who starved to death.
Father and Seiran did what they could to help the people get by in those hard times, but in the end there was very little that we could do for them.
Probably, the best help we could provide was our garden, We had many fruit trees and our pond was large, so we were able to share our fruit and fish with the townspeople.
As a result, there isn't a single fish in the pond.
and it'll be years before the trees bear fruit again.
Think about it. Not even the flowers bloom, Because we ate everything.
Many people died right before my eyes.
My dear Shurei, would you please play your erhu for the sake of this child’s sprit?
Please play, so he may rest in peace?
Day after day, I played the erhu more times than I could count.
It was as if we were all living only to die.
Why did we have to live only to experience such hardship?
Father and Seiran got thinner with each passing day.
I was so scared.
Every night, I had nightmare of them dying and leaving me behind, all alone.
Those were truly the most terrible days of all.
I'm sorry, Shurei.
That's the reason I entered the imperial palace.
I've had enough of being unable to do anything but cry over my own helplessness.
That's why, if it happens again and there's anything at all I can do, I want to do it.
What I'm hoping for isn't really that much.
It's not like I have a foolish wish request such as "please build a country where everyone can live in perfect happiness".
Being happy or unhappy is up to the individual.
So the king shouldn't have to take responsibility for that.
A person's life is one's own.
There are many options available so we all should choose our own path...
People choosing their own path...!
But There are still times, when a person isn't able to choose, and doesn't have options.
If it's due to a natural disaster, then you have to deal with it.
But problems caused by man should be preventable, right?
That's why you went to the palace?
You see, there are some things people can do to make life better.
Yet, there are other things you can't do no matter how hard you try.
And that’s what the king's job is, did he care of such matters.
But who will do that, if the king slacks off?
I don't know why he doesn't take care of his governmental duties, but since he's already taken the throne, it can’t really be avoided.
So he'll just have to do his best.
In exchange, I intend to do my best and work together with you.
If you say you've never studied politics, because you were the youngest prince and not the heir, then I'll just study with you.
If you're feeling insecure, I'll stand by your side.
If you want to complain, I'll listen.
And if you wanna cry, then you can just go ahead and cry.
I'm not an official, so there's no need to act brave.
I didn't come here to bear your child or merely to [play spring] and scold you.
The reason I came is to give you my support.
I'm here to stand by your side and support you as you stand up to be king!
Well, that's what I want to say to the king when I meet him.
But I haven't been able to do that yet.
Hey, since you know the king personally, would you mind telling him everything I just said?
And tell him that if he's interested and would like to come, I'll be waiting in the imperial archives tomorrow afternoon.
All right. I'll pass it on.
The tea's... gotten cold, hasn't it?
I'll go and make some more.
My Lady.
Hello, Seiran.
You really gave it your best.
Even though eight years have passed, just remembering those days must still be very painful for you, My Lady.
I'm sorry.
I'll be fine, I'm sure.
Don't worry, I'm certain that the king will come to the archives tomorrow.
We are known as Ryuki Shi.
We received your message from a man who knows us well.
Yes. And, what is your reply?
Let us start governing this country.
Oh, Thank you!
Can I ask you one question?
What's that?
It is true that you prefer relationships with men as opposed to women, right?
Well, I suppose I do.
That's what I thought. Thank Goodness.
Of course, there will be an issue of successors, but we can always worry about that later.
For now, let's study the basics of governmental administration.
First, Let me introduce you to your new teacher!
It's an honor to finally meet you, Your Majesty. My name is Koyu Ri.
Please do your best, Your Majesty.
Shuei Ran.
What are you doing here?
It has always been my duty to guard Your Majesty.
Besides, I heard that someone in the archives has been using my name so I've come to see for myself.
From now on, I'll be giving you intensive lessons. So be prepared.
I-I'm looking forward to it.
So, the king has finally taken an interest in things!
It seems that bringing Shurei and her knowledge of the people into the palace was a wise decision.
Considering it came from you, it was a splendid idea.
You know, you didn't have to add that first bit
Now, the question is whether His Majesty will give Koyu Ri and Shuei Ran the flowers of trust or not.

Next Episode

I'm thinking Ryuki's the type who can do anything he puts his mind to.
I've changed my mind a bit about him.
Don't get ahead of yourself!
I said "a bit".
So what are you doing in my room?
Didn’t I tell you not to get ahead of yourself!