One month has passed since Shurei entered the imperial palace.
In accordance with his promise to her, Ryuki has attended the court sessions every morning without fail.
And in the afternoons, he's made a routine of attending everyone of Koyu's lessons, together with Shurei.
Well then, I think we've done enough for today.
Right.
Thank you very much for teaching us.
So, tell me what issues were discussing in this morning's court session?
Today we may need to discuss the general lack of tax revenue.
The lack of tax revenue?
It's only been eight years since the chaos during the struggle for the throne.
The country is not fully stabilized yet, so we can't expect to collect much tax.
On the other hand, without enough money, we cannot run the country.
A suggestion was put forward to slightly increase taxes!
But You can't do that!
How can you burden the people of this country even further?!
Instead of that, you should be thinking about how to make the people wealthy.
If you do that, then even if the tax rate remains unchanged, your tax revenue will still increase.
That's very true. If the state of the economy improves, the tax revenue improves too.
It's really quite impressive to have the foresight to plan ahead for ten or twenty years in the future.
It would be great if you could take the National Exams someday, Shurei.
Yes, it would be.

A Capable Hawk Hides Its Talons

Brother. Why?
Don't go, brother!
Oh, it's you Seiran.
Please, forgive my intrusion,
You seemed distressed by a nightmare, Your Majesty, so I entered without permission.
I see.
Ah... You reached out in your sleep, so I instinctively...!
How would you like to sleep with me tonight, Seiran?
Uh...I mean everybody has a different taste, and so...
I was just joking.
What's wrong?
You're...a fine man, perhaps a little too fine.
It's just, well, I can't help but feel that Shurei relies more on you than she does on me.
Of course, you have been living with her for a very long time, so I can understand it.
But as Shurei's husband, I must admit, it sometimes upsets me a little.
All right,
I've made a decision, starting right now, I will bridge the gap between my wife and I.
You won't need to stand guard tonight.
Your Majesty, please wait a moment!
You'll catch a cold dressed like that.
The nights are still chilly. Won't you wear something warmer?
I like Shurei very much, but I like you too, Seiran.
Shisui, what was that you just said?
You and the king always seem to get along so well, Consort Hong.
So why is it that you continue to sleep separately at night?
Everyone finds it a little strange.
Well, perhaps, but that...!
Consort Hong, are you all right? Did you hurt yourself?
I'll get the medicine box right away.
I don't know what the confusion is about, the king prefers men.
Wouldn't it be completely natural for him not to come to my room?
Oh, my lady, is that what you really believe?
Think about it.
Whenever Seiran and I are together, the king is always staring at Seiran.
That means he must have feelings for Seiran.
I think you've been oblivious ma'am, right?
Yes. There, it’s all taken care of.
Thank you, Korin.
It's obvious that the king cherishes you very much, Consort Hong.
I'm sure he really wishes to take his time and nurture the love between you.
But still, we hope to see a royal heir before too long.
Don't worry, we're already planning all the necessary preparations for when the time comes.
Preparations?! Preparations for what?!
I do appreciate your thoughtfulness.
But you know, this kind of thing...
Well, you have to let nature take its course.
So that's how it is then?
Oh, my, how beautiful. Consort Hong, you really are good at everything.
Do you really think so?
I'm only good at needlework, because I've had to repair old clothes day after day.
Of course I'd be good at it.
I'm afraid that my needlework is quite terrible.
Then if that's the case, would you like me to teach you?
Oh, Consort Hong, will you really?!
Oh? What's this? Is there someone who you'd like to give your needlework to?
That person who always sends you letters, you want to give it to him right?
Yes, I do.
He must be someone very important to you. I'm a little envious of that.
But you shouldn’t be, Consort Hong.
You still have the king as your important person.
Well, I guess so...
Shusui, why don't you join us for needlework lessons?
I'm afraid I'm not too fond of needlework.
So even you have something you're not so good at.
I was adopted, in a sense...but when I was a child, so I've learned the manners and etiquette of a lady, but I'm afraid this sort of thing...!
I see. But even so, if he brought you to work in the Royal Residence, he must've thought very highly of you.
Yes.
He is a very important person, at least to me he is.
So who is this person?
Come along child, it's getting late.
You can learn how to embroider tomorrow.
For now, we should excuse ourselves.
Yes. Well then I wish you good night and pleasant dreams.
Thank you. Good night to you too.
I'll be taking my leave as well. Please have a good night, My Lady.
I will. Thank you for all your hard work.
Consort Hong, this is serious!
Korin, where are your manners?!
The king is coming, he's on his way here!
What?! The king, here?!
What are you doing here so late at night?
I'm here to bridge the gap.
Those flowers!
Are they supposed to be for me?
What! Don't tell me you picked them with your bare hands!
They are all scratched!
And on top of that, they're freezing cold.
That's probably because you've been wandering around with next to nothing on.
Hurry up and come inside.
Those are pink roses...!
Oh, Seiran picked those for me earlier this afternoon.
Seiran.
Here, let me see your hands.
Oh, right.
Goodness. It must be very painful!
Didn't it hurt to pick roses with your bare hands?
Not really.
These hands...
They're all calloused and thick skinned.
Tell me, do you practice swordsmanship, Your Majesty?
It's part of my royal training, so I learned a little.
Oh, I see, it's just that they look like Seiran's.
Shurei. What is it?
From now on, call me by my really name!
I just want you to call me by my name!
What's this all of a sudden?
I'm the only person you don't call by name.
It's not fair!
It's not an issue of being fair or not!
Ryuki. Like that?
Right, I understand.
But I’ll only use it when we're alone, okay?
Sorry!
Why is it, that roses have thorns?
Well, it’s because the Rose Princess fell in love with a human man, of course.
What do you mean by that?
Oh, don't you know it? It's an old fairytale.
I don't know it. No one's ever told me those kinds of stories before.
Once upon a time, there was a very beautiful princess called the Rose Princess.
She had the amazing power to heal all injuries and cure any illnesses.
So many people asked for her hand in marriage.
You're so hopeless.
Now then, where should I sleep?
This guy only likes men in that kind of way, so it’s not like he's gonna try anything weird with me, at least I think.
But, still, just in case.
Good night.
Consort Hong, Good morn...
I'm terribly sorry!
Your Majesty!
Please wake up! Let go of me please!
I told you, call me by my really name.
No way! Wake up! Wake up right now!
I said wake up!!

The Story of Saiunkoku

I heard the king and Consort Hong finally shared the same bed!
Oh, really?
Yes, apparently one of the maids saw it with her own eyes!
Well then, if that's the case...!
It's time for celebration!
So, have you heard, Koyu? All those rumors about the king and Shurei?
I'm not interested.
What's wrong? You're certainly in a bad mood.
You knew, didn't you? You knew from the very beginning, that the king was only pretending to be stupid!
Why didn't you say anything?
You didn't need me to tell you, you still noticed it.
Well, yeah. It would be impossible to learn as much as he has in such short time.
There is no way anyone can just take one month to grasp what I've spent years studying!
They say "A capable falcon hides its talons, "don't they?
Still, no matter how talented a person is, if he doesn't use those talents, he's no different from a useless fool.
As king, he must do his best to fulfill his responsibilities.
But if he makes no attempt to do that, he's still the same spoiled, stupid king as always.
If you're telling me all of this then I assume you think there's still hope for the king to shape up.
I suppose there is.
Ever since Shurei came to the palace as consort, things have become a little bit more interesting.
Maybe, but if she finds out that the king is only pretending to be stupid, how do you think she's likely to react to his little deception.
I imagine she'll be incredibly angry.
Serves him right.
Give me a break.
What are you doing waltz in here again so casually?
I came to hear the rest of yesterday's Rose Princess story!
And I suppose you're planning to sleep here again?
All right, all right.
I guess I'm just going to have to accept it.
We can't erase a rumor that's already spread.
One night or two isn't going to make a difference at this point.
Where did you get those from?
Oh, father gave them to me.
He said that his younger brother sent them to him.
They're made of pure silver.
Beautiful, aren't they?
What's the matter?
It's nothing.
Oh, that's right!
This is for you.
For me?! why, Thank you!
Did you make this yourself, Shurei?
Well, it's not as if that pattern appeared on its own, so yes.
You know what, this is the first time I've ever been given anything like this.
I don't do embroidery very often, so be sure to treasure that, ok?
Not even for Seiran?
Doesn't he have something like this?
I guess not. I've mended his clothes before, but I’ve never done any embroidery for him.
I see.
Oh? So last night Shurei gave you a gift that she made by herself?
Yes.
She certainly is quite talented with her hands, isn't she?
If you don't mind some advise, might I suggest that you give her a gift in return, Your Majesty?
That would certainly make Shurei very happy.
Women love gifts.
A gift for Shurei?
At any rate, the king certainly looks more like the ruler of a country now, doesn't he?
Marriage does change a man.
He's also started actively participating in court discussions of late.
This is really all thanks to Consort Hong's good influence.
Look, he retains a dignified presence, even before the provincial governors.
Your Majesty.
Allow me to pour some wine for you.
Now some wine for Consort Hong as well.
Thank you.
This one's empty already.
You there, bring some more wine over here!
Yes, right away, My Lord.
There you are, please enjoy.
Oh, yes, of course. Thank you very much, My Lord.
Your Majesty!
Consort Hong doesn't drink very much.
So instead, please allow me to drink this on her behalf.
Oh, how impressive!
I'm awestruck.
Honestly, what's wrong with you?
Did that little bit of wine really get you this drunk?
Yeah, that's probably what it is.
I'm taking you to my room, it's closer.
Your Majesty.
Seiran?
You've been, been poisoned!
Poisoned? Then the wine you drank...!
That's right. You were the one it was intended for.
If you knew it was poisoned, then why did you drink it?!
You should've just thrown all of that wine away!
Rejecting any wine poured by others at a banquet is considered an incredibly rude gesture.
If the king or the consort had done such a thing, it would have given rise to unnecessary speculation and rumor.
But even so... Wait a moment.
I'll go get the doctor!
Don't! Getting him involved will only make matters worse.
But you...!
I'm all right. The poison wasn't strong.
I doubt it was intended to kill you.
Anyway, I should be fine after a good night's sleep.
Seiran, you may leave for the evening.
Yes.
What about me?
Please stay here with me.
I hate the darkness.
Being alone in the darkness.
I hate it.
Why is that?
Long ago, I was often locked away in the dark.
By whom?
By my mother and brothers.
But why?
Because I was an unwanted child.
The time of my birth was inauspicious apparently
I was the youngest of six brothers, so my father's love for me had faded in comparison.
My mother was always angry with me
All I remember is the fear I felt, when I was locked in that storeroom for days on end.
My brothers didn't treat me well either.
I was the youngest, so I was often overlooked, if I was lucky, I was kicked and beaten, the perfect object to vent their frustration on it.
How could they?
But even with all that, I was fine as long as my big brother Seien was there for me.
Your big brother Seien?
Yes, he was my second eldest brother.
He taught me everything he could, from literacy to math.
When my other brothers beat me, he was the one who treated my wounds.
But wasn't your second eldest brother?
Yes, he was. When I was six years old, he was exiled from the palace.
I couldn't stop crying.
Luckly It was around that time that I met Shoka.
My father?
When I went to the archives,
I was no longer alone.
But even so,
I still hate the night.
Being alone in the dark makes me remember things that I would rather forget.
It brings back all those terrible memories. I don't want to be alone with them.
Shurei, would you play the erhu for me?
Your erhu’s music sounds like something divine.
It's so gentle, and warming my heart.
Ryuki! How are you feeling?!
Don't worry, I'm fine now.
Thank goodness.
What's this in my hair?
Actually I had originally planned to give it to you yesterday.
What..but..this is...!
One of these would fetch enough money to build two or three warehouses!
Oh, really?
Honestly...Well anyway, thank you very much.
Does it suit me?
You look beautiful.
Wh-What are you saying?
So, from now on, is it all right if I sometimes come to listen to you play the erhu?
You can't sleep alone, can you?
Well, I suppose it can't be helped.
Lord Koyu Ri, Lord Shuei Ran.
The king has sent me to offer his greetings and give these to you both.
You mean the king is offering us these two flowers?
Yes.
Well, well. This really is something.
I never expected it to come to this.
But I don't think you usually use fresh flowers?
They’re so common and vague.
Indeed, I said the same thing to the king, My Lord,
But he said it was urgent and beat me to pick them myself and deliver them to you right away.
So he says it's urgent? I see.
In that case, I'll make my decision now.
How about you? What are you going to decide?
Please report to the king that we've both accepted the flowers he offered.
Yes, My Lord.
Honestly, I didn't expect you to accept the offer so willingly.
To accept a flower from the king is to vow absolute loyalty to him and his rule.
So it goes.
But I wasn't expecting him to give us both irises, so I figured, why not?
Ah, yes, The iris. It carries a certain meaning, it says "I put my faith in you" Right?
Plus they are purple, the color of the royal family.
It's very clever of him to use a flower that conveys a double meaning, don't you think?
Yeah.
Wait a minute! Now that I think about it, how could he even know that there was poison in that wine before I went ahead and drank it? Is it possible?
Could it be, this guy has exceptional observation skills? No, it's more than that.
During Lord Koyu's lessons he isn’t fazed by anything not even the hardest questions, and during court sessions he always seems to raise insightful opinions when he speaks
It's so obvious, why didn't I notice it earlier?
Ryuki isn’t a stupid king.
He's just pretending to be one.
But why?
Hey! That's it! It's because he finds it amusing to watch me try so hard!
Wake up, Ryuki!
What are you doing?!
I'm doing this!

Next Episode

That damn, That damn Ryuki!
He's been deceiving me all this time!
I’m gonna return home right now.
What’s that? Don't I still want the five hundred gold coins?
Of course I do