Why is Shuurei so cute when she is young? No wonder Reishin is blushing like he did when Teh Yuushun, Kou Kijin and him were spying on Shuurei.

She is way too cute for a child. 世间本无事 is the title of this episode as it means that the world is peaceful once again, like the start of any era. Just to warn you, an amazing plot resolution is in hand for this episode. I am wowed simply by the excellence of this series.

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Episode summary

As Eigetsu rushed to the area, Sakujun was no longer there but the hairpin was still with blood on the floor. Eigetsu said that Shuurei was not wrong to be concerned but it was more important for them to do the work as governors of Sa province. They then rushed over to rescue Teh Yuushun, and the prison was set with fire. Guards of the fallen Sa clan were there as Eigetsu and Shuurei wanted to rush in, only to find out that the official with Kourin (the friend of Ensei) was in fact Teh Yuushun. On the other hand, Eiki was talking to Shou who was in his old form. He then changed it to his young form, saying that it would be easier for Eiki to slap him but she screamed at him that she rather hurt him in his old form and slapped him a few times.

Eiki continued that she knew perfectly well that Enjun would die by Shou’s hand and she was angry that she was never a true part and Shou was the third party every single time since Enjun was always concerned of Shou’s affairs. Enjun only bothered about her issues sometimes but she was happy with that small amount of love. She continued to say that Enjun once said that he already knew how he would die and told her not to cry when it happened. Shou replied that Enjun loved her the most and she said Shou was speaking rubbish. He was asking for trouble when he ended saying to buy some anti-wrinkle cream when he went back to the palace.

Back with the group, the rest were annoyed that Ensei tricked them about Teh. Eigtesu asked how he escaped but it seemed that Ensei’s master, Ro Shisou had knocked out Teh in the cell, dragged him all the way until he woke up grouchily in the streets of Jinka. It clearly showed that Ensei’s teacher was a very violent and quick-action person, as the sun rose up for a new era. As they met up with Kokujun and Shunki, Kokujun asked what the punishment of him being the Sa leader was, and he was expecting to be beheaded. Shuurei instead said the sensible thing that killing him would be useless and now it would be important for him and Shunki to reform Sa clan and stop its rot.

One day, Eiki called Shuurei, Eigetsu, Shunki, Kokujun and the others over to talk about some issues. She explained that it was not Kokujun who had killed them. Sakujun had intended with an incense that caused them to be in a hallucinatory state. As both Kokujun’s father and Kokujun had sniffed it, they were at first about to kill each other but it was in fact his father that had stabbed Chuushou and protected Kokujun to the very end. Eiki said that even though Kokujun did not kill anyone, he was ready to bear the burden of the whole clan which was very similar to Enjun.

Eiki then explained that the rumors that Enjun had killed every male in the Sa clan were in fact untrue. In fact, it was one of the many men that had killed everyone but Enjun did not blame him but instead quietly suffered all the blame of the Sa clan. Eigetsu then asked why Enjun took all the blame himself when it was not his fault, while Shuurei replied that she could understand why Enjun actually started a revolt. With Enjun’s character, Shuurei proposed that he did it not to wrestle over power or usurp Ryuuki’s place as emperor, but in fact was intending to uphold the Sa clan and fix its rot.

When a clan leader became the conspirator of an usurped, it gave the king the exact chance to check the true deeds of Sa clan, hence allowing the Sa clan to survive after help was sent. Shuurei said that Enjun must have thought about this for a very long time before setting the decision in order for the long term effects and sacrificing himself for the clan. It seemed clear now that his effort were not in vain as Shunki was impressed while Kourin apologized for misunderstanding Enjun. Kokujun said he was so far from Enjun but he would try to be like him for his entire life as the clan leader. Eiki then asked about the wedding plans, leaving the two blushing badly as everyone laughed.

The next day, Shuurei woke up to see the er hu that Sakujun played. She started to cry as it was clear that something had hurt her badly in her heart. Seiran came over to tell her that the ceremony was about to start, with her voice slightly strained as Seiran seemingly could sense it a little. Teh Yuushun came over to put make up on Shuurei, while Kourin was doing it with Eigetsu, complaining incessantly as she did it. Yuushun had in fact met Shuurei when she was small when Reishin sneaked out with him and Kijin to see her. As the rest were done, we see Kourin complaining how useless Eigetsu was when he could not even tie his belt while complimenting Shuurei. Before they went to the ceremony,

Eigetsu and Shuurei solemnly asked for Ensei and Teh’s help, saying that they were inexperienced and need their guidance. Ensei and Yuushun were embarrassed and told them that they could keep the formalities for the ceremony. As they reached the place, every official in the room looked extremely serious and hostile, but Yuushun assured them that they were delighted that they came since they had two cute governors compared to two boring ones previously. As they declared their governor post, everyone cheered loudly. Back in the palace, Shou talked to Sou Taifu, with Sou saying that he was going to leave the world and said that Shou could join him when he was tired of living. Ryuuki also wondered who Sa province would send when they had their celebration. Shuurei, on the other hand, was thinking of Sakujun while they worked on their paperwork, clearly disturbed by the sudden death of Sakujun.

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Thoughts

I really thought that this episode will be a major step down in terms of plot interest compared to the climax where Sakujun eventually died. How wrong I was. The story of Enjun, one that has happened 30 over episodes ago, is returned back to the forefront, giving me a shock how detailed the plot is. The event in which Enjun tried to revolt made us think about Enjun as a power hungry person, only to finally be redeemed in Episode 36.

I bet no one expected then that Enjun is anything but someone who is an invisible plot mover for so long. It is really a very good script to think so far ahead of time and I am truly amazed how this is resolved because Enjun’s absolute belief in what he does for the clan is something that everyone will respect. He is definitely an amazing person and Kokujun really has some big boots to fill up here. Yet, I believe genuinely that Kokujun with the same kindness and absolute strength in Shunki will help Sa clan get out of its corrupted state.

That is perhaps the charm of Saiunkoku Monogatari. The resolution of issues and plots might be standard, but it is the complexity and detail that they go into that makes this show extremely good to view.

Teh Yuushun’s appearance as the official is hardly shocking, even though there are several attempts in the previous few episodes to throw you off. The manner in which he is dumped into Jinka is fricking hilarious. I really cannot imagine how Ensei’s teacher actually did it, considering that the cell is completely locked and the only way in was through that small little window.

I highly doubt that Ensei’s teacher has a small arm, which means he somehow can get through the bars and shove Yuushun out or something? I am lost on that fact because it is abstract. I doubt it is at all important but hilarious and mind-puzzling to wonder how his teacher can do it. The greatest part of the whole issue is that he is dumped right at the streets of Jinka. I do wonder how much Ensei suffered under his tutoring.

I left the best for last. What do we make out of Shuurei’s remembrance of Sakujun? There is no dispute that the short time that Shuurei has spent with Sakujun, he has left a very deep impact in her mind. The manner in which he died and the gamble he had with Shuurei that eventually results in his death makes it totally impossible for Shuurei to forget him. Unlike Ryuuki who is simply saying how he loves her (yet not really aggressive per se), Sakujun uses everything mercilessly in his repertoire to physically, emotionally and mentally win over Shuurei.

At the few scenes where Shuurei looks in shock, it seems clear that she might fall in love if given more time. Very importantly too is the fact that we do not really see the body of Sakujun when they returned. That makes no sense when he clearly collapsed and “died” along the tree. He is also physically numbed by the poison, which means that he should be dead, yet my suspicions keep telling me to think more along the fine line. Am I being paranoid whether he really died?

So, what is the situation of Shuurei? Do you think that she is starting to have feelings and form the ability to love others in the romantic manner? I feel that she does simply because of the following reasons.

1. The lingering look to keep Sakujun alive not only because he’s going to die but in fact there is this slight longing to know him more in her eyes and communication.

2. The very fact that she is reminded of Sakujun if he has not left a strong impact in her heart and she actually wept when she realizes that he is no longer around. Shuurei doesn’t cry that much in most situations, which makes it even more telling that she is in fact starting to experience new feelings.

3. The last kiss in Episode 35. There is little resistance and she simply looks at him in a daze instead of rejecting him. That said, I wish I live in that period so I can kiss hot babes like that.

Ok, kidding about the last part. The next week seems to be about the work that Shuurei is carrying out as the new governor and I cannot wait to see the response of Seiran and Shuurei. I really wonder for quite a few times….Is Shuurei finally falling into the very trap that Seiran has been fighting so hard to defend her from?

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