As the clock continues to move unfavorably, Shuurei only has half a month left to secure her official status. However, she has been kept busy for the past few days trying to help the other reserve officials. It was vintage Shuurei, trying to help everyone but herself as she finally solved one of the issues at hand. However, she does need to find a way for herself. Moreover, the salt issue was perplexing, showing a huge resemblance to the previous forgery case. Who is the mastermind behind this?

The episode seems to be the curtain raiser for the answer…

Screenshots of this episode: Click here

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Episode summary

There was half a month left, with Shuurei completely exhausted. She said sarcastically that someone came to boast and Suou Shin asked about her situation. Shuurei said Suou Shin was going to say she was naive, but Suou Shin added that he admired her resilience despite pushing her own things last. Suou Shin said that she did not give up, and asked her to play the er hu. Shuurei started to play. At the archives, Ryuuki was talking to Riou about his love, and Riou said that it was impossible and told him to give up. Ryuuki said that Riou was mean to stop him before anything was said, and Riou said that he could get that woman to the palace easily.

As the music of the er hu played, Riou realized the person Ryuuki loved was Shuurei and said it was going to be difficult. Ryuuki asked why, but Riou said that a woman’s secret cannot be revealed. Ryuuki mentioned that the “spirit-san” was extremely sharp, and said that there were rumors of a spirit lingering around. As Riou was smart and knowledgeable, having the same name as Riou made it possible that young Riou was the ancestor of the Hyou clan. Riou asked if a live person could eat and drink, and said that he was old Riou’s son. Riou said that his father was 80 years old. Ryuuki was shocked and asked Riou why he came. Riou said Ryuuki would know soon enough.

Suou Shin thanked her for the music, and said there was nothing when Shuurei asked about her strange behavior. As Shuurei thought about her status, she was wondering whether to find an easy path. She said that it was no time to fool around as getting her official status was more important. Kouki said she only knew how to talk, but chose the easy way out. Kouki said that was her low standard and left Shuurei confused while she lied on her bed. The next day, Shuurei was cooking and realized that the salt was of low quality. It seemed that Seiran did not come home since yesterday even though it was a public holiday today.

Shuurei realized that the price of salt was rising, and quality was dropping. However, an apparatus helped to get rid of the coarse texture. It seemed that someone added some other material into the salt, and Shuurei said it was a huge issue as salt was essential for survival. Suou Shin said that the expert (Sai Rin) and the investigative department should know. Shuurei asked if they did not know, but Suou Shin reminded her of finding out how to save herself. Shuurei said she could redeem herself by solving this. Suou Shin did not say anything sarcastic, but said that it’s her choice. He did point out that it was similar to the forgery. At the palace, Youshun said it was definitely done by the same person, and salt was a commodity that could earn a lot. Ryuuki wanted to intervene, but Youshun said that it was not time for him to. Youshun also warned that the salt situation was part of a larger controversy.

At the streets, Shuurei and Suou Shin met up with Seiga, and Shuurei was about to tell Seiga about the investigation. Suou Shin tried to stop her but Seiga said he was free. Seiga said it might be problematic since the addition of materials was probably outside the capital. Seiga was also worried for Shuurei’s attempt to regain her official status. However, Seiga realized it was impossible to stop Shuurei, and said that it was logical to ask Youshun and Sai Rin on this. Seiga offered to travel along to meet Sai Rin, who was also the one who created the salt filtering device. Sai Rin knew Shuurei came about the salt and Shuurei realized Youshun also knew it.

Shuurei asked if she could help at all, and would not ask anything if she was of no help. Shuurei said she would work on something and concentrate on it fully in order to complete it. Sai Rin mentioned that Shuurei has luck, fate and human relations at her side. It was not something everyone could be, and her ability to draw people to help her was a sign of her honesty and just behavior. There were many people who wanted to help her. Suou Shin asked if Shuurei’s help was dispensable not regarding speed, and Sai Rin said that the issue could be solved eventually without Shuurei. However, it was left to Shuurei to see if she wanted to, and obviously she agreed to help.

Shuurei went to meet Shuuei, and asked Shuuei to check on salt as the Ran clan’s main merchandise was salt. Shuurei wanted Shuuei to check whether anyone was given the authority over the dealing of salt, and Shuuei agreed. He also gave some peaches to Shuurei. Shuurei went to the archives and prepared some food for Ryuuki. Riou went to hide to give the two some alone time, but Ryuuki called Riou over. Shuurei was surprised on Riou’s appearance, but Riou said he could not tell her anything now. Ryuuki proudly said he did not know anything. Ryuuki realized that his favorite peaches were brought by Shuuei too as he said Shuuei was extremely gentle. Seiga and Shuurei were investigating on the salt event.

Shuurei apologized on imposing Seiga, and Seiga pointed out that the salt mostly traveled through the Jin area. Hakumei arrived and he was surprised how Seiga was a reserve official as he was from a noble clan. Hakumei was angry that Shuurei was investigating something instead of trying to save her own neck. Hakumei said Shuurei probably found a way to solve her issue, and Shuurei said possibly. Hakumei flared up and eventually told her that she was ranked higher than her and was required to stay as an official. Hakumei added that he knew Shuurei had her own way of working, and left her to her own. Shuurei also realized that Suou Shin’s father died a day before the public holiday as Shuurei realized Suou Shin’s strange behavior.

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Thoughts

Before I go on, I must say that the preview is really the most exciting part of this episode. When Shuurei mouthed out, “Who are you, Seiga”, it makes you start to wonder who this Seiga is. Is he perhaps the spy that is giving all the reports to the investigative department. Saiunkoku Monogatari usually plants a person that is somewhat obvious, yet not devious as spies most of the time, which means that it is very likely that Seiga is a double sided person that works for Shuurei to observe her behavior (enough in order to know that she’s naive in her working style) and reports back to the big boss, Kouki.

One of the most interesting scenes for me in this episode is when Ryuuki really thought that young Riou was a spirit that lingered around the archives. I mean, he is simply sharing his thoughts to a random spirit due to the fact that he cannot tell anyone. I do wonder what Riou’s instructions are as he comes into the palace. It must be for something important, and perhaps a layout for the future arc involving old Riou. However, the thing that old Riou is actually 80 years old just stumbles me. I mean, looking so good (Ryuuki said it too) and being so old bishie is just not fair for the poor people like me! Riou’s comment that old Riou will enjoy a rub on the shoulders is the icing on the cake.

Kouki’s appearance to Shuurei is perplexing and somewhat serene. He just appears to diss Shuurei and then disappeared just as abruptly. I think that he is perhaps not the mastermind behind this at all, but he hates the innocence of Shuurei. That is how I feel because he has this huge disdain in his face that says that he hates Shuurei’s world view of black and white, without a shade of grey. His comment of “so this is your level of standard” seems to be queer though. What is wrong with securing a job that is easy to get?

The thing about Suou Shin’s father dying was not really a surprise considering how his father was visited by “someone”. I think that someone wanted to silence his father from talking too much, and that is perhaps someone sent by the mastermind. I am surprised by Suou Shin’s complete composure at such events though, and he is clearly showing a huge amount of maturity that is somewhat expected from this man. Nevertheless, Shuurei must be shocked that such a thing happened. I wonder what Seiran is doing for the past few days for Suou Shin too. Hmmm.

So, let me pose some questions.

1. What is the purpose of Riou now? (evil novel people need not apply :P)
2. Who do you think is behind this?

Have fun!

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