Well I'm finally here.
One month has passed since Shurei Hong left the Royal Harem.
Since then, Saiunkoku's capital, Kiyo, has been suffering under the scorching sun.
It is now the middle of summer.
This weather is intolerable. it's way too hot.
Hey! Pull yourself together!
One after another, People have collapsed in the excessive heat.
Eventually the imperial court found itself short staffed.

To Borrow a Cat's Paw

Don't overwork yourself in this heat, Seiran.
I'm only a granary guard.
It's not really a job that acquires hard work.
I guess that's true, but still...!
There's no need to worry about me.
I'm sure I'll be fine, I'll be going now.
I know this feeling, it's that time of year again.
As a result of this extreme heat, many people have been incapacitated and this is affecting our daily work.
In the Ministry of Finance, where short staffed to begin with, but now we're in a critical situation.
It is just as you’ve heard.
In light of this crisis, we encourage you to lend your staff to the Ministry of Finance.
Ministry of Finance?
Send our subordinates to work under that weirdo?
What should we do?
- It's an unreasonable request.
If the Ministry of Finance is unable to function, funds cannot be distributed properly.
This affects us all.
This is a request not an order from the king.
But do you not agree that we should help one another in times of crisis?
Yes, of course, Your Majesty.
My sincere gratitude to the court
Senior Secretary Kou is also grateful.
Is he serious?
Well then, moving on to the next issue.
It is been reported that an increasing number of bandits from Sa Province...!
And that concludes today's session.
Actually, there’s one other thing we wish to discuss, concerning the national examinations, we wish to allow women to take part.
We wish for the system to be opened to all women.
Um, so... although I'm very lonely, I'm still sleeping by myself.
From anony... uh...!
It's pronounced "anonymous", silly.
This one says, "I miss Shurei's erhu very much."
And this one says, "I wanna sleep beside you and feel your warmth."
What's that supposed to mean?
Okay, everyone, you don't have to read them!
Turn the sheets over, and use the back to practice your writing!
We have more than enough paper!
Yes, ma'am!
Of all the things that ridiculous man does, some of them can actually be pretty useful.
This is a gift from Anonymous.
-what the
-to combat the heat.
But I can't even know them.
This is a gift from Anonymous.
He said, "I found these unusual flowers in bloom."
The spider lily, it's usually meant for dead people, what, does he think my home is a cemetery.
Another gift from Anonymous.
Why is he sending me boiled eggs?
This is a gift from...!
Honestly, that man is completely and utterly hopeless.
Ryuki?
Shurei, you are here!
I love you.
What are you talking about?
This is the man I'm going to marry.
Very sorry about this, Ryuki.
Brother?
Seiran is so much more mature and reliable.
You'll give us your blessing, won't you?
No, wait...!
Well then, goodbye brother-in-law.
Hope you find happiness, see you later, little brother.
H-Hey, wait a minutes!
Oh, Get out.
I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to laugh, it was just such an amusing dream, I couldn't help myself.
It was a nightmare.
But that dream did have some truth to it, didn't it?
No! I told you it was a nightmare!
Nightmare or not, Shurei is about the right age for marriage.
Whether it's Seiran or not, it would not be unusual for her to receive a marriage proposal from someone.
But I've been sending her letters almost every day, and lots of gifts!
If you don't mind me asking, what was the last gift that you sent to her?
I gave her a voodoo doll.
Why on earth would you do that?
Advisor Sho told me about it, he said the doll is a female’s love charm.
I put my own hair inside and focused on her before sending it, so the heat of my passion will be delivered.
Yes, but you haven't received a single response from her yet, have you?
Maybe I made a mistake by sending them anonymously.
She probably doesn't realize who those gifts were actually from.
That's it! That has to be it!
The road of love is long and difficult, isn't it? Your Majesty.
Yeah, that's why I'm trying to think of other ways to go about it.
So what's your opinion, Koyu?
I think it needs to be rewritten.
A proposal like this will never win senior Secretary Kou's approval as is.
After your major sudden and stupid outburst in the Imperial Court, he got up and left the chamber without saying a word, didn't he?
Maybe I was too impatient, I just...!
It's next to impossible to get a proposal passed once it's been rejected at the first time.
Not to mention this matter is one that needs to be handled with a great deal of caution in the first place.
Very well, I understand, I'll rewrite it.
And...Koyu.
Yes?
This proposal must be passed and passed within the year.
I hope this summer passes by quickly.
I'm back, I just got home.
Welcome back.
Thanks, I guess.
Oh, hello Seiran, welcome home.
Who's this stranger over there?
Him, Well, he's...!
Hey! I know you, aren't you the Little Whirlwind?
What's wrong, Seiran?
Give me a break, don't tell me it's you, Ensei!
Correct! Wow, it really is you, long time no see, you look really good.
What in the world are you doing here?
It's just a coincidence, I assure you.
I have a bit of business to take care of in Kiyo, but I haven't really been eating well lately.
I collapsed outside your door, Princess picked me up and fed me.
Great, now you can just turn around and leave.
What? That's so cold of you to say!
Go collapse in front of someone else's door. Heck, I'll write a letter of introduction for you.
You're so cruel.
Seiran. What's gotten into you all of a sudden?
My Lady, you can't just go around picking up trash like this, even if it was just lying on the ground.
But he said he was on the brink of death from starvation.
Don't worry, he's not gonna die.
I can guarantee it.
Now why don't I take out the trash throw this thing out at the same time.
Don't the two of you know each other?
No we don't.
Yeah, of course we do.
The two of us were just reminiscing about old times, we're good buddies from way back, aren't we?
Uh...Seiran now, right?
So you're an old friend of Seiran's.
Well then, please make yourself at home.
Father should be back soon.
It seems you’ve lucked out, you've been taken in by a really nice family, you actually look happy for what, which is great.
I can't pay for the food, but why don't I share stories of your past as payment instead?
If you so much as breathe a word about my past, I'll cut off that head of yours!
Geeze, I was only kidding.

The Story of Saiunkoku

So, Ensei, is it?
And what is it that brings you here to Kiyo city?
Well, I've come here to see someone.
But it's a little difficult getting to meet with that person, so I imagine I'll be staying for a while.

Ah, Is the person of high rank?
Yes. You could say that.
In that case, maybe you could introduce him to someone within the Imperial Court, father?

I'll only ask for your help if I've run out of all other options.
It's kinda secretive business that brings me here, after all.
You're welcome to stay here until you’ve taken care of things.
But My Lord...!
He is your friend, isn't he, Seiran?
No, not exactly a friend.
He isn't a bad person, is he?
No, no, it's not, but...!
Then there's no problem, is there?
You should really be nicer to your friends.
Well...!
As long as you don't mind the condition of our house.
Hey, I've had my full of sleeping outside, this is more than I could have wished for.

Thinking nothing other, you are welcome here, relax and make yourself at home.
Then I gladly accept your offer.
Seconds, please!
That's enough!
Welcome back.
I'll start getting some tea ready, please have a seat.
I brought some steamed buns that I made, I hope you enjoy them.
You made steamed buns?
Lady Shurei taught me how to make them while she was staying in the Royal Harem.
Oh, well in that case, why don't we have them as a snack to go with our tea?
By the way, thank you so much for going through the trouble of taking Korin back to Sa Province.
Not at all, it was nothing.
The woman who took Korin in, Advisor Sa's wife, is very...ah, how should I put it...an extremely surprising lady.

She's truely an extraordinary person who leaves a lasting impression.
You are right.
As long as she has someone like that to talk to, I'm sure Korin will be able to recover.
Of course, that may just be some wishful thinking on my part.
Don't worry, she will be all right.
Advisor Sa's wife loved him just as much, in fact, She's the one person who loved and was loved by Advisor Sa more than Korin, and more importantly she is a very strong woman.
If Korin stays with her, I'm sure everything will be fine.
Yes.
I hope it won't be long before that girl can smile again.
Allow me to start.
Your steamed buns, of course.
Oh, please do!
Wow, these are delicious!
These are just as good as Shurei's!
Lord Shoka, your tea is...also...very nice.
No, that's not right! This would never get the Finance Minister's approval.
The Urin Army, the guard of the palace is to be sent out to catch bandits?
As you know, Shi's Provincial Army has been so short-handed, they would borrow a cat's paw by now.
I'm afraid we don't really have any extra bodies to spare either.
Don't you worry, I will also lend a hand.
This old man just wants a chance to go wild and fight, doesn't he?
While you're at it, why not use this opportunity to convince that man to return to the Urin Army?
By "that man", I assume you're referring to a certain granary guard.
Generals Koku and Haku have also been quite insistent on asking for him.
So, where are you going, Koyo?
Where else would I be going?
The dinner party is tonight, right? I assume that's why you're carrying...!
Yes, but you see, Shurei's house is actually in that direction.
I like to take the Long route! Anything wrong with that?
Long route.
Welcome. Please come in.
The house and courtyard are the same as before.
I'm afraid that's because all of the money Advisor Sho gave me has already been spent.
All five hundred gold coins?
I heard most of it was used for things like repairing the temple school and donations to the local doctors.
Wow. Working directly under the king at such a young age is amazing.
What kind of person is the current king?
Well, if you ask me, he's a childish, natural airhead of a nineteen year old.
He is a natural airhead, isn't he?
You know him too, Princess?
Ah...Kind of.
But even so, he may surprise us and become someone great.
He certainly has lots of potential at the very least.
Oh?
By the way, Ensei, I hear you're originally from Sa Province.
So, what was your journey here like?
How was my journey, you ask?
Are you referring to the mountain bandits?
Unfortunately, they've been very active.
What are you talking about?
There have been reports of an influx of bandits coming from Sa Province as of late .
And The Urin Army is sending officers to help guard the city and apprehend them.
With the situation as it is, I'd like to ask Seiran to assist us as well.
You're asking Seiran to catch bandits?!But he is only a granary guard, he shouldn't have to hand for [our] loss.
Advisor So and our field marshals are insisting, and they won't take no for an answer.
It seems they've all been extremely impressed with Seiran's skills.
But still...!
It's only a temporary job for the army, so he'll be able to return to his old position in no time at all.
At least, possibly.
General Ran, how about this man here?
He has good skills, limitless energy, and is cheap to employ.
Ah, wait a minute, I have business to attend to.
Well, if Seiran says he's that good, then Ensei's skills must be beyond question.
Absolutely.
Wow, so he really is a trusted and reliable friend.
But even if he does end up helping us, I still won't give up trying to persuade you to join us as well.
Is that so? All right, I understand.
Seiran.
Don't worry, it will be all right.
I'll try my best to make it back home before dinner.
I'll be sure to cut corners wherever I can, and if there's danger, I'll shield myself with other people and run away.
In the mean time, Ensei will take over my place.
Any problem with that, freeloader?
Guess not.
Yeah, you'd better work hard to help Lady Shurei.
If anything happens, I'll cut off your head.
Okay, okay, I get it.
Are you really that worried about Seiran?
No... It's just that it's summer, and...!
Summer?
It's nothing, really.
Lord Koyu, would you like another helping?
Oh, sure, I'd love to have a little more please.
And I also have a favor to ask of you,
What is it, do you want me to catch bandits too?
How would you like to work in the Imperial Court for a month?
You look quite troubled, young man.
Advisor Sho.
So, is this the propose about allowing women to take the National Civil Service Examinations?
I would offer you my praise, if this idea of yours didn't carry such a personal motive.
You old bastard.
You seem to havebeen working very hard, Your Majesty.
You're not rushing to complete the proposal just to try and have it passed in time for the next exam sitting?
It's for Shurei.
While she was here, Shurei worked hard for my sake, now it is only fair that I take my turn and work hard for hers.
By the way, what's that?
Y-You mean this pot here?
It's..It's a delicacy from an island in the far east. Dried pickled plums.
Dried pickled plums?
Even if you want them I won't give them to you. They're very hard to get, after all.
The senior secretary's personal assistant?!
Even if they're short staffed, they won't allow me an important job like that...!
You'll only be running errands.
It's not really an important job.
So you're not interested?
You don't wanna go back to the Court where that stupid king is, huh?
It's not like that.
I actually quite enjoyed my stay there.
And just as General Ran was saying, that man has the potential to become someone truly great.
But, if I go back there, it’ll rekindle that dream of mine that can never come true.
What a great opportunity.
It's pretty rare to get a chance to work in the Imperial Court.
Frankly, I have no idea why you're hesitating, Princess.
In life, it's better to regret something you did than regret something you didn't do, don't you agree?
You think so, Ensei?
Although I hate to admit it, this guy does have a good point, Lady Shurei.
If you want to do it, I don't have a problem with it.
Seiran.
Father.
Thank you, I gratefully accept your offer.
All right! By the way women aren't permitted to work in the Outer Court so yo’ll have to wear men's attire.
W-Won’t I be discovered?!
There's no need to worry.
I mean with that figure of yours, there's no way anyone will ever notice you're a woman.
The senior secretary is bound to notice that Shurei is a girl, isn't he?
Yeah, you might just be right.
But still, I have confidence in her.
That king is making a future to look forward to, right? my old friend.
-It, uh, really suits you.
- I agree, no one'll ever realize you're really a girl.
You make a very convincing boy.
I don't know that' a compliment or not.
Right, I'll be going then.
Have a great day!
Hey!
- You're going to go with her.
Me too?
Of course, stay close to Lady Shurei's side, and if anything happens...
Let me guess, you'll cut off this head of mine, all right? I get it, I get it!
Hey, wait up, wait for me, Princess!
I never thought I would come here again.
What's the senior secretary like, by the way?
He's very capable, and he's touted to be the next prime minister, but he's also strange and mysterious.
He's a member of the Kou Family, his name is Kijin Kou.
I hope you don't mean "Kijin" as in the word meaning "weirdo", do you?
That's right. However,
I understand his original real name is different.
Since people were always calling him a weirdo, he decided he may as well make that his name.
So even in the Court, there are interesting characters like that.
Speaking of which, Secretary Ri, you said we'd be at the Department of Finance within thirty minutes, but it's been almost two hours, aren't we there yet?
When did the Ministry of Finance move?
So we're lost.
Pardon me, My Lord, Shu Hong and Ensei Ro have arrived.
May I present the Senior Secretary Kijin Kou.
This guy is definitely ...a weirdo.

Next Episode
I've come to the palace again and met a strange person.
Well I suppose I’ve met quite a few strange people.
but this is the first time I've ever met a man wearing a mask like that.
Kijin Kou. A very mysterious man.