As the campaign to get the approval and recognition by the various secretary of the states starts to intensify, more romantic speculations grow, with yet another suitor for Shuurei in the mix. Who is this new suitor? The white bishie that has appeared in the OP seems to know Shuurei as well and he makes a brief appearance. Who is he? Speculations and thoughts are all flying everywhere later in this little (if long means little) entry.
“哭也好笑也好都是人生” is the Chinese translation for the title, and it means that no matter whether you cry or laugh, it’s still the flavor of life. It is probably to symbolize the friendship of Eigetsu and his benefactor, as well as the general pursue of goals in the Sa province. The process, as they all say, is often the most important thing.
Episode summary
Shuurei, Shouka and Seiran had a brief respite before the work to garner support for the Sa plan continued. Eigetsu was also busy in Sa province from day to night, as a flashback of a sickly man and a young Eigetsu was shown with the man asking him to keep smiling. Eigetsu had dozed off in his work as he was woken up by Kourin, and Kourin asked him to take a rest. However, Eigetsu said that he was refreshed, with both their hands touching and blushing. Ensei cut out the embarrassing moment by appearing, and he also suggested that Eigetsu got to rest a bit. Eigetsu was stubborn though and insisted he could do it.
Ensei said that Eigetsu appeared to be the youngest in the family but in reality, he was the oldest. Eigetsu said he was initally the youngest but became the only son. During the period of the messy ascension, his family was poor, starving and his father resorted to killing Eigetsu in an attempt to maintain the survival of his family and other brothers. However, a benefactor, a certain head of a Taoist temple, came to save him away. Doushu was a very kind man, and he enjoyed two things in life, humans and the will to live. He always looked cheerful, as he told Eigetsu then that he was happy when he saw people being happy as well.
Even when people tricked him and ransacked his expensive medicine, he took it kindly and said that if his medicine would help someone, it would be wonderful. Eigetsu said that it was the Doushu that brought him up to the man he was, and was the man that taught him the true meaning of “love”. With that tale, Eigetsu told them that it was time to start work again. Ensei said he ought to rest, and then asked why Eigetsu forsake his role as a doctor. Eigetsu said that he did not forsake it, but he could save more lives and make life better as an officer. Ensei said once the bill had been passed, it would be great. Shuurei also was successful in getting the approval of the secretary of labor, as well as war.
She did wonder if it was too easy. At the library, Shouka and Ryuuki were there, and Ryuuki said that he did nothing at all to help Shuurei, and he actually did not want to help Shuurei because it meant that she would return to Sa province earlier. Youshun was persuading Kou Kijin to approve of the Sa plan, as he was the treasurer. He said that he could not approve of such a plan that required so much resources, with no possible earnings and also added that the merchant guild might not fully accept it. However, Sai Rin said that as merchants which is the same as officials, they looked far in the future and the plan might indeed reap benefits and become a gold mine. Kijin said that it might be possible and placed his trust.
Kouyuu was as usual lost in the palace, as he met Kurou. Kurou asked Kouyuu whether he had made a decision about Shuurei and told him that he should think quickly. Kuruo told Kouyuu that the marriage was beneficial as Kouyuu would be able to use the power of the Kou clan, bringing Shuurei the momentum for success while keeping Shuurei in the Kou family still. Kurou added that Kouyuu would be a good stepping stone for Shuurei to progress in the route of an official and believed that their romance would work somehow.
Kurou said he knew of Kouyuu’s hatred of women and said that the marriage would be convenient and make Shuurei from zero to a powerful force. Kurou told Kouyuu that there were also others who would be looking to marry Shuurei, including Ryuuren, whose Ran clan was keen on it. Kouyuu started to go into his own world, as he wondered how he could handle Shuurei and Seiran. Kouyuu found that if he was to marry Shuurei, Reishin would be his uncle, Shouka would be his father in law and it would be very complicated. He also realized that he would need a lot of determination to go against the strong protection of Shuurei by Seiran, and he was reminded of Ryuuki. Shuurei passed by and looked at Kouyuu who was in his own world, and eventually woke him up from his senses.
Shuurei realized Kouyuu was first blushing, then smiling, and wondered if Kouyuu was having a fever. Shuurei was trying to get the approval of the head of the Civil/Public Administration Department (Reishin) and was declined access. However, Kouyuu was in his own world thinking that he was going to marry Shuurei as Shuurei looked on with concern. He then snapped out of it and crashed his head on the pillar, as Shuurei said that she would get the physician as Kouyuu was really sick. Kouyuu eventually rushed off, saying that he would get the signature for Shuurei, as Shuurei found the serious Kouyuu really weird.
During dinner, Shuurei was discussing about the plan of Sa province, as she said that she had all the approvals from the head of departments and secretaries. She was only left with Koshou province’s governor’s approval, who was actually rushing to the capital to meet up with Shuurei. It seemed that the physician that took care of Eigetsu had met him earlier and asked him to pass the medical books to Shuurei as there was no time left. The Doushu said that he was glad that Eigetsu was not alone anymore with Shuurei in support. The Doushu was then lying on a tree as he was breathing his last, saying that he had finally fulfilled his promise. Eigetsu could feel the star of his benefactor going down, as he started to break down and cry, with Kourin looking in the distance. Eigetsu spoke to ask the physician to take care, and the last shot was of the white bishie who mouthed out “Kou Shuurei, I cannot wait to see you.”
Thoughts
I personally like this episode a lot because we finally have some background knowledge about Eigetsu. I had been complaining previously (I cannot remember when) that we really know very little of Eigetsu, his background, as well as his past since it’s literally overshadowed by the events and arcs. It was an opportune time for the backdrop of Eigetsu and I must say that the Doushu in the temple is really a suitable caretaker of Eigetsu and you can feel his motto of smiling at all times running with Eigetsu.
To be honest, I have never seen Eigetsu in any form of despair and it is apparent that the Doushu has done his job very well. I also found Eigetsu’s sad story of nearly being killed by his parents as a form of survival to be a sign of strength shown by Eigetsu to live his life so strongly with the mantra of never giving up. I have new found respect for Eigetsu and I give the show two thumbs up for covering the past of a main character that is often given little character development.
The next big thing must be the marriage of Kouyuu and Shuurei. I found Kouyuu’s reaction toward the totally unknowing Shuurei to be totally hilarious and I will want to find someone out there that does not think that Kouyuu’s blushing and really embarrassing behavior is not funny. I found myself laughing when he goes into his own world and tries to cover it with elaborate actions.
He is definitely not the best liar around and I do wonder how long he can cover his mouth before Shuurei realizes about this marriage. The part about Ryuuren being interested in a marriage made me laugh so hard because such a wanderlust person would never settle, much less be even caught to do it.
On the more serious note about the marriage, this continues on the argument of whether Shuurei will really marry Kouyuu. Kurou’s points of arguments are definitely attractive, particularly the one that she is allowed free reign and power to move up the official status ladder. I believe that with the compelling advantages and the very fact that no one will force Shuurei in the marriage, she will make a purely official political marriage, remain in the house of Kou and advance her goals. Kurou is definitely calculating and cold (using wifey’s words) but he also seeks to further Shuurei’s means, even though his main purpose is to further his means in the Kou Clan.
All this sounds good and jazzy, but there is one problem. When a woman is married, she has no power to divorce the male or marry another man (no, there’s no reverse harem) if we are following a rather strict adherence of oriental women in the olden times. That means that if Shuurei does agree with the marriage of the Kou clan, there will be instant problems for the other romantic interests in this series.
The blossoming relationship between Ryuuki and Shuurei will never come true in the form of an official marriage, for the biggest shift if it follows traditional oriental values. That will not sound at all good for the fans, and that is perhaps the ominous feeling of the OP felt by wifey. Who knows though. Saiunkoku Monogatari has a nick of shocking you when you least expected.
The white bishie appears again and hmm, I must say that the speculation that he is the immortal of Sakujun’s spirit feels so strong. The coy feeling, the red rose that symbolizes lust and love, and that wicked smile all feels to me like a Sakujun in action. I do not know why I feel that way but I cannot think of anyone that has that feeling. So, he’s either someone new or Sakujun. My money’s on Sakujun. After further details given by the official site, he is Hyou Riou, Head of the Hyou clan, which has magical powers. On a random part, the “The least use for such a beautiful face” said by Sai Rin on Kijin just rocks big time. Kijin, as usual, being in his rather monotonous nonchalant voice is simply too good in his normal manner.
I do have a few more thoughts but the next episode seems to be Ryuuren coming. Is it the gathering of Shuurei’s harem in action?
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37 Comments
How depressing if Shuurei does not end up with Ryuuki. =( Its like the moral of the story becomes, “When true love is too much of a hassle, go for the political marriage.”
Dear god, Shuurei’s harem is HUGE O__o There’s like, 6 suitors already and they want to introduce ANOTHER one?? THis better benefit the story… Well, knowing Saiunkoku, it will =/
Impz, did you see the preview for next week, where Ryuuren was holding a white turnip with holes drilled on the length, just like a flute (and flanked by a lot of ornamental turnips)? I think that was the most hilarious part of the entire episode. Even funnier than Kouyuu, which is not an easy thing.
I still don’t quite get Kurou’s reasoning. If marriage to the head of the Kou family will further Shuurei’s position, wouldn’t marriage with the emperor further her position even more? And in the end, marriage will restrict Shuurei’s freedom to do official things, and I don’t see how other officials will take her more seriously after the marriage.
The white bishie is transparent. Is he like, a ghost? Maybe that will go with the Sakujun theory, although at the moment, I’m still leaning towards him being someone new.
I think the rose will play a significance in the series. The white haired bishie holds a rose, the midpoint pre-commercial break animation sounds roses and rose petals drifting, and the OP has a lot of roses appearing. Either Bara-hime is more than a story, or roses will play a big plot role soon.
I do have a question. The part where Eigetsu’s foster father (the Doushu) keeps saying “Eigetsu doesn’t have much time left”, was that a translation error, my interpretation error, or does it mean something ominous? Is Eigetsu fatally sick or something, that he doesn’t have much time left? I keep going “huh?” at that part.
Ah, I’m the first ^^. Haven’t watched the ep yet but based on your summary I think I’ve guessed somewhat right on the part of Kurou’s calculation and Kouyuu’s reaction about marriage with Shuurei. He might fall in love with her in the future as he grows more conscious towards her. But even with all the benefits Kurou has pointed out if they’re actually married, I still don’t think that Shuurei would be appealed to the idea. She has no interest in power in the first place nor she wants to use marriage as a ladder to higher status. And she still has the heart of a young girl, I say ^^.
The white bishie is from the Hyou Clan? Isn’t that the Clan Enjun’s wife Eiki belongs to ? And Shunki also has the blood of the Hyou clan, that’s why both she and Eiki are able to use some kind of magic … I guess ?
@Briar – I think the reason Kurou wants to keep Shuurei in the Kou clan through marriage is to comply with Reishin’s desires. Kurou thinks very highly of his older brother, who is also the head of his clan, and Reishin does not want to let go of Shuurei – if she married a man of another clan, she would have to move, like Eiki did, into that clan’s lands and protection. By securing marriage with Kouyuu, Reishin’s desire to keep Shuurei in the Kou clan is sated and Kurou’s desire to maintain his clan’s strength into the future also benefits.
If Shuurei married Ryuuki, the Kou clan and Shuurei would lose some power. The Kou clan would a strong and talented heir to the Shi clan, and Kouyuu’s claim to head the clan would be diminished. As Queen, Shuurei would probably have to remain in the palaces and would likely be unable to participate in the official system of government. Although her influence as Queen could be strong, she would lose the ability to act on her own, because her power would be through her position rather than her work and efforts.
If the anime follows the novel closely we’ll get boat load of background info on Eigetsu ^^;
One book of the novel focused almost entirely on him and his past*_*;
The white hair bishie is Hyou Riou the head of the Hyou clan (same clan Shuurei mother and Eiki-sama descended from)
ah i cant wait for the next ep i watched the raws though i understand nothing. but it seemed to be a good ep
Ah, I’m not the first to comment
. In any case, I still don’t think Shuurei will ever comply to such marriage. No matter how calculated Kurou is, the one who makes the decision is Shuurei. If it’s going to be really complicated, I think she might end up choosing no one 
. If choosing Ryuuki would mean her cannot go down the road of an official and marrying Kouyuu equals to betraying her heart, she’d rather end up alone. At least, if I were in her shoes, I would do that.
For all who are wondering why I didn’t comment, I got severely pissed at the downtime that the blog is having recently due to server problems. I finally calmed down after a while but I will be quite annoyed for now, so I apologize ;_;
@likeanorange: Hah, I don’t think that it should be so. It will be really sad if it’s the moral of the story. I believe in fairy tales sometimes (even though I am such a realist), and I think it will be one.
@CherylHew: hah! she is definitely collecting a huge harem and what is the best thing about this collection? She is clueless for most of the suitors on her way. She is so dense in such things that it’s disturbing. Man, she is too slow sometimes, that poor Ryuuki’s overt actions are always missed. I mean, that guy’s a romantic and Shuurei is just…arghhh!!!
@Briar: Oh, I didn’t notice it. Hopeless did answer the question effectively, which means I can be lazy and not, hahah. He seems to be from the same clan from Shuurei’s mother, the Hyou clan, who has mysterious powers. That will somehow relate to the Bara-hime story, i think. I wonder what this guy will do when he meets Shuurei, hmmm…
Will Shuurei have special mysterious powers, since the blood of the Hyou clan runs in her?
I am also wondering what that means too, but the books seem somewhat critical and I do wonder what it means by it. I personally am lost with the translation, which is why I avoided mentioning about it.
@Fuuka: I don’t know, I think that Kouyuu does not look like the person who will fall in love with Shuurei, Eiki or whichever girl. He’s too flustered with gals to do anything seriously. It feels more like being uncomfortalbe with love, rather than really blushing because he is in love with Shuurei.
Shunki has the blood of the Hyou clan???? Someone confirm the detail on it?
@Hopeless: Excellent explaination on it and I defer to yours as a logical means by Kurou.
@Lady Kou: Arrr, I just got your message and thanks for the confirmation of the Eiki’s clan issue.
@Raincloud: Hmm, hah! I hope that the summary will help you have some inkling of what’s going on. That’s the purpose of the detailed summary ^+^
People don’t have to like it, but, yes, it would make sense and practical for Shuurei to marry Kouyu. It’s likely she woudn’t though, since the series has been pushing for Ryuuki/Shuurei since time immemorial; I would prefer though if the series would steer clear from too much idealism.
Pairings aside, I’m much more interested in seeing Shuurei’s developments as a government official and as a person, through hardships and realizations. Hopefully the author would give more depth to her character; adding a bit more flaws to her would be helpful.
Thanks, Hopeless, for answering my question.
Now I understand why Kurou wanted this marriage to go through. But what does his reasoning for Shuurei actually having advantages if she marry Kouyuu means? Wouldn’t she just be as restricted to wife-dom (of that era) to Kouyuu? Could she truly move around freely after marriage? Will people take her seriously after marriage? Or will they see the head of the Kou clan’s wife instead of Shuurei the official?
I just don’t see Shuurei marrying Kouyuu. For practical reasons, OR for emotional ones.
@ Impz: “Will Shuurei have special mysterious powers, since the blood of the Hyou clan runs in her?”
Shuurei has Hyou blood??? I must have missed that…
As for Shunki, she is related to Eiki who is Hyou, so therefore she has to have Hyou blood, right?
i still want shuurei to be with seiran, he’s great and he deserves it!!
@Kos-jin: If you ask me, It’s highly likely that there is little idealism in the romantic part of it. They did it well with the ending of the first season, and i personally do not expect that much of a change unless they suddenly decided that Shuurei needs romance. Doesn’t seem like the time at least.
@Briar: yes, Eiki also has Hyou blood, just like Shunki, using that assumption. I can be very wrong though, but the spell/ability she has can be a Hyou ability.
@Ymseiran: hahaha, i am sure my wifey will agree with you full heartedly for this one
i feel bad for ryuuki.. he’s a hopeless romantic.. stupid shuurei! maybe ryuuki should just find another girl to marry.. waaahh.. i’ll be really sad if shuurei don’t end up with ryuuki.. he’s the hottest of them all..
If Shuurei’s mother descended from the Hyou clan, the story of bara-hime might actually be her life story(special powers within the Hyou clan and all).. As it is, there’s too many similarities already in it for it to be coincidental.. Wouldn’t Shuurei also have some sort of special power since she has the Hyou clan blood? Just look at Shunki and Hyou Eiki.
@ll13: I don’t think that I will feel sorry for him. He has followed his path in the way he wants it, and hence will fix on that path until he dies. He’s perhaps one of the most loyal people around left in the universe, and to ask him to find another girl to marry will belittle his status in Saiunkoku Monogatari.
@Miyuki-aya: I have somehow said it before in one of my entries in the first season that the story parallels her mother’s story of sorts and it’s probably some sort of a prophesy only that the Bara-hime in the opening has red hair and her mother has black hair.
I do wonder about why Shuurei does not have any power compared to Shunki, who is also the descendant of Eiki. I totally do not get it, but maybe her denseness is part of her ability? Just joking
how come the third son and the cousin can get married as both shared the same surname and cousin and also how come that eccentric guy must put on his mask lol…
maybe the white ghost dude is the man who encased the bara-hime in the tower/cage? And IF shurrei’s mom is the bara-hime, then maybe he wants to see shurrei??
Or maybe that’s her uncle on the mom’s side and he also has a niece complex like Reishin…
hehe i might be going overboard..
@Bigheaddog: To answer your question, cousin marriage in Chinese tradition (ancient tradition anyway) is not forbidden since it’s considered to be honorable to marry within the family. Of course, brother and sister will be merely incest but cousins are generally encouraged of sorts.
Kou Kijin has to put on his mask because he looks way too beautiful and will kill all with his appearance if he doesn’t wear them. I mean, even his to-be wife left him because he is too beautiful and could not feel like a woman around him.
@Sharpie: Hmmm, I think he’s not a ghost but a real person, considering the information that he’s the head of the Hyou clan. I do think it might be possible, your first speculation. I cannot wait to see if it does work, because it can come true.
Reishin type? ermm no. just no, one Reishin is enough, hehe
another thing is that how come that 2 old men can happy happy turn to younger versions while that bigger size old men of the 3 cant? i really hope that in season 2 kou kijin can turn off his mask lol…
@Bigheaddog: He will never show his mask because it will defeat the mysterious purpose of it. You know, beauty in anime can never be represented properly and we already have quite a few good looking bishies in Ryuuki and Seiran.
The 2 old men, I believe shou taishi and sa Enjun have turned into the “spiritual version” of how they are, and since Shou taishi is one of the immortals, he can transcend form. That’s why, I presume.
lol…shall wait and see abt the man behind the face…sort of like kakashi in naruto lol…
hi there. may i know where can i watch Saiunkoku Monogatari II Episode 2 ???????
“i still want shuurei to be with seiran, he’s great and he deserves it!!” I second that wholeheartedly!!!
Well, sorry for my bad english but I’m french. But why bara-hime is superimposing to Shurei in the OP?
Are they same ?
Maybe, it’s her power? To become an other person?
Except her mother, where is the link between bara-hime and Shuurei?
Why this is so importante?
ushio…hmmm je ne sais pas (no idea hehe)… Maybe those that have read the novels know already, but I’m not sure I want that spoiler yet ^^’
@sandy: I apologize, but we do not entertain where we get the shows from. Please refer to the “about the team” and email us for such queries.
@marsbatty: Hahahaha, I think there will be tons that will third, fourth and fifth it if they will
@Ushio: I think that it’s merely the story of how the mysterious life of her mother, and the tale of Bara-hime is so intrinsic together as a continuous story, and the very fact that there are somewhat similarities in the life of Shuurei makes it a good literal and parallel comparison …
Impz says: “To answer your question, cousin marriage in Chinese tradition (ancient tradition anyway) is not forbidden since it’s considered to be honorable to marry within the family. Of course, brother and sister will be merely incest but cousins are generally encouraged of sorts.”
To add to Impz’s answer, in Chinese culture there are actually quite a few restriction between cousin marriage. For example, cousins who are related on the father side (their fathers are brothers) are not allowed to marry. And then there’re other differences between cousins, for example when their mothers are related (the mothers are sisters) is different from when the father is related to the mother of the other cousin (when the one father is related to the other person’s mother). It highly complex, and I can say that I’m not all that sure of the difference, yet. Suffice to say that different types of cousin has different types of acceptance / marriage rules. I don’t know anything about the Japanese culture on this, though.
However, there is another added layer to this, because Kouyuu is not related by blood to Shuurei or the Kou clan. Which is why, I suppose, their union is possible. In certain types of Chinese culture, people of the same surname cannot marry either, regardless of whether they can trace their family lineage to each other or not. But that’s only for certain parts of China, in different eras.
But whatever. I still don’t see Kouyuu marrying Shuurei. If nothing else, I doubt he’s the type of person who will snatch up someone whom he knows very well his friend (and emperor) is in love with.
I don’t think Shuurei’s harem is THAT big. Ever watched Fushigi Yuugi? Even the gay man fell for the lead character! Now, THAT’S a harem.
Personally, I think Shuurei’s too strong to take the “easy way out” and agree to a loveless marriage simply to raise herself politically. I mean, if that’s what she wanted, she’d just marry Ryuuki and be Empress!
I just hope they don’t pull the old trick where a main character marries someone who then conveniently dies (usually right before the end) so that the hero and heroine can live happily ever after.
What was the story of Bara-Hime again? I’ve totally forgotten it!
“The white hair bishie is Hyou Riou the head of the Hyou clan (same clan Shuurei mother and Eiki-sama descended from)” – Oh really i didnt know! That explains a lot! I never knew she was from Hyou clan cause in the end credits she is named as Kou Shukun (hopefully im not wrong) – which is related to roses when translated. That means she might actually have given her life for her daughter, cant wait to see if Shuurei gets a power or not (now its turning into magical girl anime haha). I mean if Shunki has powers, even tho she is only the grand-daughter of someone of Hyou clan than a daughter (Shuurie) ought to have something for show. But then Shunki had her grand-ma do “show her the ropes” while Shuurei didnt. -Maybe her power is the ability to get a bunch of bishies to fall in love with her…lol
“I have somehow said it before in one of my entries in the first season that the story parallels her mother’s story of sorts and it’s probably some sort of a prophesy only that the Bara-hime in the opening has red hair and her mother has black hair.” I did think about this as well. could it be that the brown hair was just a “illustration” for Bara-hime, just to keep her under wraps for a bit, just a little mystery so that the clever fans wont go around saying tooo much…hehe
“Kou Kijin has to put on his mask … I mean, even his to-be wife left him because he is too beautiful and could not feel like a woman around him.” – WHEN did i miss this????
did that bishie appear in previous episodes?
because i don’t recall anything to be honest. however, i think that guy will also be a love candidate for shuurei like sakujun
but how does he know her?
has they ever met?
i wonder
also, has anybody seen Kou Kijin’s face without his mask?
i wonder how he looks like
p.s. what is the story of bara hime?
@Jenni: The Bara hime story is as such in brief…
Seiran was there as she talked about the story of Bara-hime, a story that her mother used to tell her when she was asleep. It was also the story that she used to tell Ryuuki when she was a consort. Ryuuki also re-accounted the tale in another place on his way to meet Shuurei. Bara-hime was a person with special powers and she was popular. However, there were people who were envious of her, as well as those who wanted to arrange a marriage with her. One of them brought her to an isolated place, bringing her everything she wanted except freedom. One day, she met up with a man that was sent to assassinate her. However, the man fell in love with her, as he brought her to a fugitive life.
Even though she lost her special powers, the man continued to love her. She then had a beautiful daughter that was sickly. She knew she could sacrifice her life for a wish as Bara-hime then changed back to a flower in order to create a miracle, as the thorns surrounding her symbolized her attempt to protect the person she loved dearly. Ryuuki then said he could not forsake everything for his Bara-hime (Shuurei) due to his commitments as a ruler, but still loved her a lot. Shuurei, on the other hand, said she was not powerful like Bara-hime, only for Seiran to say that he would not let anyone take her away.
It’s taken in Episode 29 of season 1 of my blog.
far out! where do u download saiunkoku monogatari season 2 with english subtitles?
The current fansub group,We-Suck dropped the project.They only release one episode.Currently,there are no groups which will sub this.That means you are left stranded with RAW version.Not sure about KissSub,they haven’t even finish half of season 1 while Shadow Dreams made the same decision as We-suck.But life is not all that bad,we still have Impz to provide us the summary which is very helpful
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Kurou is a practical man, but kind one. He is honestly fond of his niece and nephew, demonstrate by his unwavering support of Shuurei during her exams and telling Kouyuu flat out not give his children honorifics as he is as much a son of the Kou clan as they are.
Having Kouyuu marry Shuurei gives Kouyuu the clan seat by right of marriage and gives Shuurei the full force of her clan behind her without hobbling her mobility as an offical. Tradition be damm, the Kou family will back up Shuurei. And the Kou clan gains more presitage and a capable leader.
I don’t think Kurou knows that Ryuuki loves Shuurei, but outside of a love match, a political marriage would work well between Kouyuu and Shuurei.