Finally, it is the time that we finally get some new material. Even though I do not have the chance to watch it just yet, it is the perfect time to do a preview of this episode. It seems that the current arc will be about Shuurei as she returns to the capital after punished by Ryuuki for her attempts to liberate Sa province from the cult.
How will she adapt to the life that she used to live just one year ago? With Shuurei’s resilience all exhibited, we know that she can definitely survive anything that comes her way. However, what has the golden raccoon statue got to do with Shuurei at all? I am feeling much better too after a lot of rest and fluids (I listened to my stupid girlfriend who blasphemed against me in my own blog).
Episode summary
Seiran handed a letter to Ryuuki that wrote “when the Sakura petals bloom” (symbolizing Shuurei’s promise). Shuurei was having thoughts of her official punishment, but was energized to do work before her role was removed. Youshun was officially crowned the chief secretary of state/prime minister, but Youshun gave ten clauses (read thoughts) for Ryuuki to agree before he would assume the post. Kijin and Reishin whispered among themselves, saying that Youshun did not need to shelter Ryuuki so much by burdening himself to protect Ryuuki with the clauses. It was also clear that Youshun was finally the one to support Ryuuki, and Ryuuki agreed to the clauses.
Kochou just woke up, and an old man who was supposed to sell a painting returned with a scroll. He did sell it, but he bought another painting that was nameless. Shuurei was working when Shouka passed Shuurei a letter from Kochou, who told Shuurei that there was someone that wanted to meet her. In the palace, Sai Rin reported on the coins and a painting, with Ryuuki asking her to stifle any information on them. Sai Rin was asked to leave, as Youshun said that a bust of Ryuuki was required since he ascended to the throne four years ago. It was reported that a genius of the Heki clan was in the capital, and he was considered to be a talent that was born every thousand years. They then came to a realization, and Ryuuki suddenly said it was a good idea for a sculpture to be done of him.
Kouyuu said that he knew someone from the Heki clan, but Hakumei said he could not say anything as there was a history of the Heki clan being abused, killed and tortured in order to extract their talents. Hence, Hakumei would not tell anything about the genius, and Kouyuu respected his decision. Heki was also surprised when informed that Heki was around. In a throne meeting, Ryuuki concluded the session but an old man, Wuwu said that he still had to discuss on the marriage issue. Ryuuki escaped, before rushing up to pick up Youshun when questioned about the clauses.
Oiki, one of the nobles, was annoyed at the clauses attacking corruption and those of noble status. He talked about how such people were pushed to the edge by the previous emperor, and Ryuuki were showing such signs as well. He also added how the seven families received so much benefits, and was annoyed that Ryuuki only concentrated on women in exams, and the Sa province. Using Youshun as a shield was not a way to pacify them, and he rejected Shou Taishi’s notion that they had more power than commoners. They were officials and required some power, and he was not happy as he stormed out.
A father was talking to a son about marriage to Shuurei to up their status, and he rejected it saying that it was like getting possessed by some vile ghost. His father wanted to get cash from someone, and he was “selling his son” by marriage, and also bought some paintings to refine his taste. As the young man went out, he bought a golden raccoon from a mysterious peddler. Santa also came to talk to Shuurei about marriage, but was unable to say it as he was too shy. He talked about checking a painting with Kochou and he tried to change the topic to marriage. Shuurei was way too dense with his hints about turning eighteen. Eventually, they went over to Kochou without talking about it.
Shuurei told Santa about the cherry blossom tree that was planted. As they walked out, the son came over to pass the gifts to Shuurei for marriage, and left Shuurei confused when he left stoic. Wuwu was trying to find Ryuuki too, but Youshun hid him well. Ryuuki said he was not avoiding marriage, but Youshun realized that he had someone he loved. Ryuuki said that it was getting harder for him, but Youshun said he would do something to help Ryuuki with his love. Youshun added that his life turned much harder with his injured leg, but he understood how Ryuuki felt about not being able to let go of something that he should have.
Youshun said that it was perhaps someone very important to Ryuuki and he would do anything to help him because Ryuuki is the emperor. As they walked past the bridge, the water was released, and the son was swept away when he was sitting down strangely below the bridge. Shuuei, Seiran, Ryuuki and Kouyuu went out to find this genius in the Heki clan, and was on their way to Kochou. Shuurei and Santa reached Kochou, as Kochou realized that the painting Santa brought was a fake despite being done exquisitely . As the paintings were not in the black market, the only conclusion was that the mastermind was a noble, and received a lot of money. It was then interrupted by a very loud woman, who came in to hug Shuurei happily.
Thoughts
The ten clauses noted by Youshun was one of the most magnificent scenes for the second season in my opinion. Youshun, considered to be well respected among all officials for his ability, simply put himself in the chopping block for the emperor that he did not validate until lately. That is the strongest conviction for an official for the emperor, and he has stomped on all the possible corruption and unrest felt toward the noble section of the capital. Nobles have been hugely dissatisfied with the many things that has been done to prevent them from abusing power, and I am sure that the proliferation of those fake pictures have something to do with them.
I mean, with the clear anger of Oiki over the decision of Ryuuki and the appointment of Youshun as the prime minister, it is clear that all is not good with the camp of the nobles. They are definitely not happy how the seven color families of Saiunkoku are given almost absolute preference compared to them, and I can somewhat see their point. Nevertheless, for the preference, the seven color families have way too much talent sprouting through their ranks, and it is also fair that they are given treatment that befits their contribution to the country.
I am also somewhat wondering how this genius of Heki looks like. It seems rather apparent that the person who gave the son a golden raccoon is perhaps that sculptor who travels extensively. It is strange how we have no clue who this son is, and I got a feeling that his father might be one of the pawns in the noble’s quest to raise some issues and trouble. The part that is lost to me is the discussion between Youshun, Shuuei, Kouyuu and Ryuuki about the talent of Heki. They gave him a special name and considered his location to be extremely important, so secretive that even Sai Rin has to leave. Why? I did not get the idea from this episode sadly. Hakumei also seemed surprised that the talent of Heki came to the capital. I guess he is another odd ball just like Ryuuren.
For those who are in love with a Shuurei x Ryuuki moment, this episode helps in some indirect ways to show that Shuurei has started to dissolve the distance between the two of them. The hint of the Sakura blossoms on the tree planted is a very strong hint of the feelings that Shuurei have toward Ryuuki. Another positive sign is the acceptance of Youshun to help him grant his wish to make the person Ryuuki loved (Shuurei) his empress. I have a feeling nevertheless that Youshun would be shocked silly when he found out who exactly Ryuuki loved since this Ryuuki x Shuurei pairing is well guarded.
I mean, how many people truly know about Ryuuki’s intentions. I cannot think of more people other than Shouka and Reishin (they know everything), his close aides such as Shuuei and Kouyuu, as well as Seiran who understands Ryuuki the most. Youshun, with his intelligence, will soon find out about this, and I cannot wait to see his response to Ryuuki’s target. I also wonder who the blond woman is, who came in hugging Shuurei with her huge bosom (ha ha!). That is definitely a sight to see.
So, this episode gives us way more questions than answers, but that is to be expected for a new arc. The next episode seems to be about the son who was swept away by the storming water, and his continued approach for a marriage with Shuurei. We also see Shuuei, Ryuuki, Kouyuu and Seiran locked inside some kind of cupboard. It seems to be another fun episode for sure!
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25 Comments
Hmm, could the woman hugging Shuurei maybe be Santa’s mother or the mother of the other suitor?
Since both were attempting to propose marriage to Shuurei and maybe this woman being the mother of one of them, thinks they have already done so?
Ahh and if you got better then it was good you listened to wifey ne?
Squee, I really hope Shuurei is warming up to Ryuuki and that things are looking up in regards to getting them together.
I also hope the crap with Geneon gets worked out over here. I already got volume one from the first season and would really like to buy the other 8 discs. But apparently things aren’t looking so good for the company.
I would hope if they did go under, that somebody else would pick up Sainukoku Monogatari, considering it was popular enough to get another season in Japan. That alone gives me some hope. In that case it would probably still get released although it would probably be pretty delayed, but I could live with that as long as I knew it would still be coming.
Otherwise, I think I would just have to be really, really upset.
Wow… Thanks Impz for the episode summary. his new arc brings more characters to the story, making it more interesting and diverting. Although there are more questions arising, I like the fact that this arc is going to take place in the Capital. That way we can see more of the familiar faces how their personalities develop. Shuurei’s love affairs seem to get more complicated with the arrival of this new characters, but as a Ryuuki x Shuurei fan I will get a chance to see how their love grows and how they will balance their actions between their duties and their emotions. This arc seems to be filled with a very exciting storyline, I am looking forward to it.
Thanks Impz again!!!
Er, having read summaries of the novels I already know the true identity of Heki Yuukoku, but I’ll leave it a secret for you. ^_^
I also really like the clauses scene, partly cause I’m a Yuushun fan, but I unfortunately didn’t understand it. My Japanese is pretty good, but Yuushun’s list of clauses went completely over my head (my technical/political vocabulary is almost nil). Just what WERE his 10 clauses?
As you said, am for once very looking forward to the reactions and how it will come about regarding the Shuurei x Ryuuki coupling. Am so glad though to see Shuurei finally easing up to the idea of falling in love, after all she did seem a bit too into the whole climbing up the ladder.
Thanks for the summary. I read it as I watched the ep.
ps. I never realised that those guys didn’t wear anything under their robes. ^^
I thought they had on pants or something.
Pantsu nai!
Sorry I couldn’t resist ^-^
I just wanted to say thanks Impz for your summaries. Since I don’t have an in depth knowledge of Japanese I have to rely on your summaries for SMII. I really enjoy the anime and glad to see you do too. But I sure do get a kick at how your rip some of the other ones a new hole. I really wish this season had a better fan-sub than Sweet Secret. Four Leaf Clover was way better being on top of the subbing. The season has really gotten very interesting. I’m enjoying them! Keep it up.
Work has been a total pain, people! I feel so sorry for not replying fast enough, but I guess you all can tolerate my slowness, and continue to comment k ?
@D.J: I finally gave myself some time off after working for the whole day. Well, the idiot is always complaining so much about me being sick, me ignoring her and all that (lalalala~ runs away from wifey). That said, I think that she is getting warmed up to Ryuuki, but with her thick mind in terms of romance, nothing will really progress until Ryuuki does something really outward. However, considering how outward Ryuuki is with his advances with Shuurei, it seems problematic.
About the releases, I have no clue what is actually going to happen with Geneon, particularly with bad losses and a merger as well (right?). Let’s see how it goes.
@Hola: Yep, for one, the poor suffering Ryuuki fans will really get more time to see him at the very least. I am quite sure that with things happening in the capital, there is definitely some moments of Ryuuki x Shuurei when they finally meet in a non-serious context. It seems strange enough that there are always people loving our dear Shuurei, but that is how it is with women of a high governmental and noble status. Heh heh.
The arc seems to be somewhat soft, but there are also underlying factors that seems much darker. the new arc might be interesting to note.
@L-chan: Spoiler-chan! Just teasing but I generally try to stay clear of novels because knowing me, I might just read the whole thing, spend a hell lot of time to read it and have almost no time whatsoever for my work.
I don’t have a death wish as yet. I am currently trying to summarize the ten clauses. They might not be as accurate as the translators, but let me try it. The ten clauses seem to be
1. The way of governance must be benevloent and just
2. There must not be any rash decision to use military action
3. Abusing the noble status is not a valid reason for giving officialdom and power.
4. There is no allowance for adding official positions that are not stated in the law.
5. People who use the name of the emperor to abuse their power must be punished more severely.
6. Corruption and Bribery must be clamped down in a more efficent fashion.
7. The emperor is not allowed to use national funds to build excessive temples and palaces.
8. Faithful and noble servants of the kingdom must be rewarded.
9. ? (this is the only one I didn’t get, I think spreading of lies must be clamped down?)
10. If the emperor was married, the family of the empress cannot abuse their power.
@Blueseeker: Well, that is part of Shuurei’s charm. For most women in that era, they are more used to be the housekeepers, but she breaks that tradition by striving forward in a job that is solely for men. Things often have to be sacrificed for such a noble job, so it’s logical for her to lack love.
Her fear of love has been documented many times, so I would not start anymore.
@Bootoye: EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY DO NOT WEAR ANYTHING UNDER THEIR ROBES o_o… *goes back to check the series*…omg…omg…
@Hanako: I am very sure that there will be a lot of fansubs waiting to do this wonderful series. I am very glad that you enjoy the summary, and hopefully it can give you a gist of what is happening in the episode. Of course, I will definitely hope that you can also discuss some of the themes discussed ya! Hope to see you around, and always glad to see a comment
pantsu nai?! O_o;
Where in the hell did that show up?
Ha robes thats wierd but they should be layered right or then it would have been cold for Ryuuki to go out at night in the snow with Shuurie….Yea Shuurie is starting to ease up to the idea of falling closer to Ryuuki but I just dont want her to get hurt if a prettier girl gets in the way. Plus that lady that hugged her at the end seems to be either a friend from her mom, a relative, or the mother of the suitor! I think that Shuurie dosen’t marry anyone in the novel but if she dosent in this series then the whole thing is bogus becuase as soon as the series begins you grow high expectations for Shuurie and Ryuuki! But thanx for your summaries!!!! ^^
thanks for the summary Impz. New people, new clan, new trouble!! New bishounens? (gaspuh!!!)
Oh well, i guess that is the saiunkoku trademark.
I dunno. I suppose it’s because i can’t watch it that i feel as though it’s not as action packed as the other episodes. But i guess they’re in the emrbyonic stage again and on their way towards a peak with this new arc.
Anyway, I wish everyone well and hope to see you next time.
@L-chan: I don’t know…and i don’t want to know.
@Clari: Hmmm, I think that Ryuuki is not really too interested in beauty. I mean, Shuurei is not really the hotest girl around. Its apparent that Ryuuki looks into the inside rather than outward appearance. I wonder too who that lady is but it seems that most people think that it is probably the mother of the suitor.
That sounds logical, but I do wonder how they will have any relation with Kochou. I think that she is likely to not marry to anyone too though, but if it is so, that is sad. A romance series without love for the main character? Meh!
@Uruz8: New bishies ~_~ I guess so. I am still itching to see more of Riou and the likes since they are bloody evil and there are so many things to talk about them. However, i am sure that the future arc will return to them once they have the shift.
HAHAHA, how come you are not able to watch it, uruz 8 ? T_T
They’re actually showing season 1 in animax now… or so i heard.
I only got a copy of the latest episode now. And i can’t understand what they’re saying either way. (i just laugh out loud when i recognize every 1 out of 50 words or something) I must say, i think i have a undiagnosed case of Atention Deficit Disorder and it’s getting worse. I only depend on your summaries to keep me updated Impz. hahaha. not even the anime can make me stick around and listen patiently!(am i immune to bishounens now? hmmm) hahahaha.
Oh yeah. Now that you mention it. i want to see more action too. (action only comes with wicked people in the Saiunkoku world, it seems)
Hiii I was really wondering why did Shuurei get stripped of her post? Like I read that it was because she helped to break away the cult’s power over Sa province, isn’t that a good thing?
@Uruz 8: Yep, I am actually following that since i subscribe to cable TV. Heh heh. They call it Cloudcolor palace or something. Needless to say, I laughed. Ehhh, your actions just sound like my girlfriend who watched Saiunkoku Monogatari 19 while we are talking on skype. Every second Seiran appears on the scene, a “censored” moment happens when the fangirl in her appears.
As much as I want to tell everyone how badly she fangirls, she will literally snap off something important of me if I ever dare to say anything. Hence, I can’t. Thirteensugars is an evil dangerous gf!!!!
Action? I do not think that there is little action in this arc, if you ask me. You might be a tad disappointed. X_X wah, and you are immune to bishies? Scary.
@Peggy: No problem. Let’s see if I can explain this. There are a few issues that led to the decision. In the first place, there was considerable resistance in the palace over the appointment of a female official, much less one that had the great appointment of being a co-governor of a state. Considering that the palace appointments are dominated by men (Shuurei is the only female), they felt that Shuurei’s appointment is, and still is a mistake.
Secondly, she carried out actions to engage this cult without consulting normal protocol. You can say that it is required to be done as time is of the essence. However, as a traditional country in governance, her approach was seen to be reckless, and might cause others to think that she had no respect for protocol.
thirdly, she abandoned her post and did not see her post as an important appointment. She freely gave away her rank to secure the lives of others, but people in the palace are not that forgiving to those who see it lightly. In conclusion, what she did was right, but people just hate her for what she is.
whose that short old man???? SO cute hahahhaa
@Iloveyuki: He is supposedly the official that deals with the marriage of the emperor. Poor him with the short legs and all. I wonder whether he will ever catch Ryuuki ^^
what I want to know is near the end when Shuuei was standing looking into the water, what was the stern-like look Seiran gave Shuuei about? Shuuei looked uncomfortable, i didn’t quite understand what Shuuei’s self dialogue was saying…
what I want to know is near the end when Shuuei was standing looking into the water, what was the stern-like look Seiran gave Shuuei about? Shuuei looked uncomfortable, i didn’t quite understand what Shuuei’s self dialogue was saying…
yay for the fact they are back in Saiunkoku where Shuurei and Ryuuki have the possibility of developing their relationship (fingers crossed)
@Ling: Me neither sadly. I was actually discussing with Thirteensugars about this, and I was quite lost. However, it seems that Shuuei was being rather over critical of his own ability, and the stare is something that is lost to me. Is there some form of animosity from Seiran and Shuuei that I do not know. X_X I wonder.
thanks impz, just hope the stupid nobles don’t try to stir such major trouble!! anD YAY for RYUUKI AND SHUUREI
Awesome summary.
I am just wondering what Reishin and HouJu actually saying when Yushun mentioned the 10 clause to Ryuki.
Good question about Yuushun not knowing who Ryuuki loved. Didn’t think of that until you mentioned it…
thanx heaps Impz..
the 10 clauses were very serious and well thought out.. sasuga Yuushun..
really wanted to see some development between Shuurei n Ryuuki but things are going slow as usual though hope to see more in future..
poor Ryuuki, getting more n more rivals now.. lol
Wuwu seems such a cute character despite his age.. lol hope to see more of “Wuwu n Ryuuki’s hide n seek” special in future episodes..
Wow~ thank you sooo much for the summary! Its wayyy better then the site I was rading a tiny summary of Saiunkoku Monogatari 2. It was more opinions then an actually summary. xP Ohh though what exactly does the Sakura tree symbolize? I know it involves Shuurei’s and Ryuuki’s but in what way? O_O.