Saiunkoku Monogatari II Episode 28 – “桃栗三年柿八年”

As we end with the conclusion of Shuurei’s time in the reserved official role, a new arc is on the way. Shuurei finally accepted a job role at the investigative department under Kouki. It is clear that her time there will be one of a growing up period, considering that her “nemesis” Seiga and the uncompromising Kouki will toughen her up. The news on the Ran clan’s 13th princess as the concubine of Ryuuki is also a huge event, as everyone starts to talk about a conspiracy to assassinate the Ran’s clan princess before she can assume her marriage to Ryuuki.

This episode starts off exciting, and I am sure many will be curious about the 13th princess!

Screenshots for Episode 28: Click here

Episode summary

A lady with the bracers of the Ran clan rode her horse in a forest. She was waylaid by bandits. Ensei then appeared to save the girl (a bit shocked that she resembled Shuurei). The lady thanked him and rode away to leave Ensei to fend for himself. At the Kou residence, Shouka and Seiran were looking at Shuurei venting her anger of Seiga on the dough. Seiran asked if it was wise to leave her alone as she might go crazy with the way she’s “attacking” the food but Shouka said she simply needed to vent some anger and was impressed by the “influence of Seiga”. If she was not angry, it meant that she had conceded defeat. Eventually, Shuurei calmed down and smiled.

An officer named Mou informed Kouki about various plans by assassin guilds to assassinate the princess from Ran clan. He wished to get Kouki’s help to prevent this. Shuuei was thinking about his past at the Ran clan, with a girl and his three elder brothers. He seemed to look wistful over the memory, and walked out to see Shusui making a dance symbolizing unrequited love. Shusui realized someone was looking at her dance as she threw the fan, only to realize it was Shuuei. Shuuei’s tears were falling uncontrollably as sad memories were triggered. Shusui then noticed that his sleeve was cut.

In Shusui’s room, Shuuei started to mumble that he did everything to love “her”. However, when he saw how she was happy with his three brothers, he felt bitter inside. Shusui said he was brought up in a very happy environment and Shuuei took happiness for granted. Shusui added it was better for a loved one to be happy rather than sad. She would gratefully accept this, even though Shuuei disagreed. That was why he escaped from the Ran clan, and she said it was up to each person to decide. After Shuuei left, Shusui was struggling to suicide as she kept hearing a sound in her mind. Ryuuki’s voice outside the room stopped her from doing so, but the shock for Shusui appeared when she saw Young Riou beside Ryuuki.

An amber blue shone from Riou’s eyes, as Shusui’s fears continued to grow as she felt that she was being swallowed from within. At the investigative department, Shuurei prepared lunch as Suou Shin looked over the food. Shuurei told him that lunch was still far. Seiga took a bite. He said that it was done while thinking of him as it was clear that there was a spy looking at her every movement. Seiga told Shuurei that Kouki wanted to meet them, and encouraged her to investigate on him too if she wanted. Suou Shin said the quarrel between the sexes was extremely scary. In spite, Shuurei called for an early lunch.

As they ate, Anchou came over and said that it was the only place to spend some alone time with a female in the palace. Shuurei said Suou Shin was here and Anchou said Suou Shin was the only blemish. Shuurei asked about Seiga, and Anchou said Seiga was the illegitimate child of Kouki. Shuurei was shocked before Anchou said it was a joke as he reminded her that he often lies. Shuurei kept asking about Seiga, and Anchou was sad that he was neglected. Shuurei said Anchou was very popular, and Anchou was interested to know. Shuurei asked for an exchange of information as Anchou agreed. Shuurei asked if the people supporting Ryuuki was increasing or decreasing, and Anchou said decreasing because Kouyuu and Shuuei were distant, and it was rumored that Youshun’s appointment caused the drift.

Anchou asked about his popularity, and she said he was the only client that Kochou could not get any information on. Anchou remembered about meeting the young Shuurei. As he left, Anchou suddenly said that she had to be stronger to protect the king. As Shuurei and Seiga met Kouki in his office, he warned them to run away from Anchou and do not accept anything he gave. Shuurei said she ate the peach he fed her, and Kouki told Shuurei to ignore his warnings. Seiga questioned why he was not given the sole responsibility for the mission. Kouki explained as he gave instructions to Shuurei to masquerade as the Ran 13th princess, and if must be, die for her. As Shuurei exited the room, she wondered what Ryuuki would think about her being a substitute.

Kouyuu wondered about the giving of the 13th princess as a concubine, and he could not get away with the amount of work. It was clear that the Kou (Reishin) and Ran (the three brothers) clan were trying to keep Kouyuu and Shuuei away from the emperor. At the archives, Ryuuki found Riou for advice. Ryuuki asked what would happen if he rejected the marriage offer, and Riou said that it would cause huge disputes among the officials for brushing aside a proposal from a major noble clan. Ryuuki wanted to keep a monogamy. Riou said he did not understand about love, and said that Shuurei would do anything for him. Even if everyone forsake him, she would still be by his side to fight for him. Ryuuki should be happy about this.Riou warned him that being too dependent on Shuurei would cause even a strong willed girl like Shuurei to crumble.

As Riou stepped out, Youshun warned him that he was way too harsh even if it was the truth. Riou warned him that there would be death if Youshun acted so slow. Youshun said people had to die, and it was only when. That comment left Riou surprised. Shuurei and Suou Shin were traveling on a horse carriage as there was a thief. Shuurei stepped down to stop him, only for the 13th princess to knock the thief out. The 13th princess rummaged through the thief’s belongings to find some cash as Shuurei approached her. The 13th princess realized that it was Shuurei, and she tried to explain to Shuurei that she was not rummaging to steal the thief’s coins.

As the 13th princess tried to run with the cash, Shuurei held onto the pouch. Shuuei was not wearing the flower with the sword as he stepped out, only to meet Seiran. Seiran warned him to either leave or protect the king, instead of this haphazard behavior in which he would not protect the emperor if Ryuuki was in trouble. Seiran knew Ryuuki told Shuuei could choose Ran, but warned Shuuei that he was not as naive as Ryuuki. Seiran told him to leave completely back to the Ran clan, and leave his flower behind. A voice spoke out telling Seiran not to bully his brother. The 13th princess finally arrived to the palace.

Thoughts

We finally have some interesting conversation between Shusui and Shuuei, even though it is more of a serious talk rather than something amusing or flirting. Nevertheless, the flashback really fleshed out the character of Shuuei, as I start to wonder who the female blond is. Maybe I am slow or something, but there has been absolutely no mention of this woman in any of the previous episodes. Nevertheless, it is clear that it is perhaps the anger that he is not able to do anything to have his love requited. However, it feels somewhat naive, silly and ridiculous to escape if it is for that reason.

For a very smart person, Shuuei is definitely not acting very smart right now. I do hope that the truth is somewhat distorted from what he says, because I am very disappointed if it is because of love that he leaves the family. He should have a bit more maturity than that, and face up to the truth. There’s always other flowers in the garden other than the one you really want. Nevertheless, it is good that this opportunity arises so that we can see a different side of Shusui.

It’s a huge wonder why Shusui is hearing voices and sounds. In the anime itself, she seems to be hearing the sound of a bell, and I did not explain it elaborately in the summary. However, she is on the verge of killing herself by disemboweling her stomach using the scissors. If it is not for Ryuuki’s call for her outside her room, Shusui would have been dead. It is also clear that it is not the first time that she is trying to kill herself. What is this voice that continues to haunt her? It must clearly point to the Hyou clan, as she completely freaked out when she saw Riou.

I also like how Seiran challenged Shuuei in his indecisive behavior. It is very true that he is binded by the Ran clan in order to prevent Shuuei from helping Ryuuki. Nevertheless, the very fact that he is being haphazard is doing nothing good, as it is clear that Kouyuu is stopped by Reishin by the mere volume of work Kouyuu is bestowed. This clearly does not bode well for Ryuuki as he becomes more isolated from his aides. I wonder if Youshun’s words that he might be killed if he deliberates too long is a foreboding to come. I hope not.

Lastly, I do not want to go on a few paragraphs about the 13th princess. Let me just say this: she rocks and I already love her.

The end. Tell me your thoughts if you watched it, or you simply want to throw evil novel spoilers here (Ya, i cannot resist to make a dig sometimes, forgive this evil Impz).