with the full moon approaching. The huge conspiracy behind Jyuusan Hime is confusing almost everyone, and Shuurei is starting to wonder who is behind this. Even though the declaration seems to be the assassination of Jyuusan Hime, the assailants are also targeting Shuurei. The evidence can be seen from the poisoning of the water. Ryuuki is also waiting for the chance to at least see Shuurei ever since she moved back into the palace.

After a lapse of a week, Saiunkoku Monogatari returns with the plot thickening and the day of the moon approaching. Who is implicated in this maze of conspiracies?

Screenshots for Episode 31 - Click here

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Episode summary

Ryuuki asked if Shuurei is jealous when Jyuusan Hime arrived. She said she is, but she will be jealous if Seiran ever has a wife too. That left Ryuuki somewhat sad. About Kouyuu, Ryuuki complained that Kouyuu would scold him if he disturbs.. Shuurei told him to visit Kouyuu and apologize if Ryuuki is disturbing him. Ryuuki also felt that the residence seemed to have very poor defense, which aroused Shuurei’s suspicion. When Ryuuki went to visit Kouyuu, Kouyuu initially looked annoyed but eventually made some time for a drink.

The next day, Suou Shin came to visit, and talked about Seiga. He said that Seiga is probably busy with other civil work, and it sparks Shuurei’s inspiration. Seiga’s orders are possibly something different, as Anjun said “yes” from nowhere. When Anjun entered the room, he is surprised why there was a whole peach and a piece, and Shuurei explained that Kouki said it is unlucky to receive a peach from Anjun and decided to return everything. Anjun knew Shuurei wanted information and asked her about the price she is willing to pay. She said she will dress up as a soldier, but Anjun told her that she can chat with him before he finished the peach.

Shuurei thought about Seiga, and how he used Shuurei as a lure earlier on. Seiga is probably trying to get information about the assailant. Compared to Jyuusan-hime, something else is more important. Shuurei asked about the amount of high-ranked officials who died recently, and Anjun said 5. Shuurei realized that everyone in the residence is a lure to get someone out from the dark as she ran to get her normal clothing. We also see Seiga stating that all the plans are set up for the new moon, and the culprit has revealed his position. Shuurei, after checking the 5 people, realized something and ran to the prison only to find Ensei. Ensei is sent to the prison after saving Jyuusan Hime and a whole load of events but his talk is cut short by Shuurei. He is let out and they have a tender moment as Shuurei asked Ensei for help.

Shuurei also went over to Seiran, before she meets Jyuusan Hime for a long talk. Jyuusan said Shuurei probably wanted to talk about Shun, and she says that the plan of the triplets in the Ran clan is to test the capabilities of Ryuuki as an emperor by sending Jyuusan Hime. They only allowed a way out for this event coming in the new moon and it is up to Ryuuki himself to find it. Jyuusan Hime added that she is chosen due to Shun and his relationship with Shuuei. Jyuusan Hime also asked for more time to resolve it. Shuurei also asks whether Jyuusan Hime captured any assailants and whether they have any mark on their forehead. Jyuusan Hime said she found many to have them, those with the mark of a death row prisoner.

The new moon came as Jyuusan Hime fought off some assailants as she mouthed out that she is surprised that the “person” is the one who is controlling this attack. Yuushun is also attacked but Seiran under the instructions of Ryuuki and Shuurei is repelled. Yuushun said that even Seiran who cares only about Shuurei finally grows up. Yuushun said that it is probably a test by Seiga to see Shuurei’s intellectual ability by leaving Yuushun unguarded. Seiran talked about Seiga’s arrogance, but Yuushun said that Seiga have exceptional ability and told Seiran that Ensei is here.

Shun finally appeared in front of Mou’s residence to kill him as Seiga stationed a lot of soldiers. Another masked woman also appeared as she proved to be extremely skillful as scores of soldiers fell almost immediately to her sword strokes. Just when Shun and the woman assassin are about to attack, Seiga said he cannot allow Mou to be killed yet. The female assassin is about to strike Seiga when an arrow deflected her blow. A dart is shot onto Mou’s neck. Shuurei asked if Seiga is not killed yet (with Seiga sarcastically saying that Shuurei spoke her mind), and Ensei moved forward to face off with Shun. Ensei can tell that Shun is very powerful, but Shun said that he still have to go somewhere else as Shun took the female assassin and ran off.

Seiga asked why Shuurei knows about the operation, and it is due to the poor security to lure the thief. However, the security is managed by Mou’s military division, and it is meant to allow the assassination to take place easily. Mou tried to resist that accusation, but Shuurei said Mou wanted his own daughter to be the concubine of the king. Plans are set to kill Jyuusan Hime before she enters the palace, and it must be done before that as any killings in the palace will be allocated to the nobles who are unhappy with the marriage. Then, the investigative department will be employed, and it will be dangerous.

Hence, it is logical to send assassins to attack himself, so that he can have the excuse that he is attacked by others who knows that he is in charge of protecting Jyuusan Hime. Shuurei said that all the recent deaths are officers in Mou’s military division and it is probably ordered by Mou. Shuurei explained that Seiga came to capture Mou, and Shuurei felt something wrong about her analysis. The “fake” attack seems way too real with the amount of casualties. Mou confessed that “someone” said that killing Shuurei and Jyuusan Hime is all right and Mou’s crimes of killing his officials will not be revealed. However, Mou died after that as Ensei noticed a dart stuck at his neck.

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Thoughts

This is perhaps one of the hardest episodes to review in the whole of Saiunkoku Monogatari Season II because many of the statements spoken by the characters just don’t make any sense to me. I have to rewatch the episode 3 times before finally getting the context of the conversation. First of all, the plot is carried out by Mou, who wanted Shuurei and Jyuusan Hime to be dead as part of the deal with “someone” in order to hide his own crimes of killing his own officials. Whoever that someone is, I have no clue, but he is perhaps the mastermind behind this assassination.

What is further confusing is the role that the triplets in the Ran clan have. They seem to know about this, and is looking at Ryuuki to provide the only way out to test his mantle as an emperor. I really cannot see how Ryuuki can be inserted in this formula, and I am completely lost about the relationship between Shun and Shuuei. Jyuusan Hime seems to also know about the conspiracy. That makes it extremely complicated because it seems that most of the people in the Ran clan knows what is going on, and is allowing it to happen.

Shun, from his last statement before he left the room, clearly do not work for Mou but for someone else. He said that he wished to fight with Ensei, but his mission here is done and that he has to rush over to another place. He is also glad that 1/2 of his mission is done. That means that there is something else required to be done. The female assassin is also very suspicious and Saiunkoku Monogatari does not usually throw any random character who is so strong to repel scores of men.

Hence, that only leaves one woman who is given some screen time in this arc: Shusui. I dare proclaim that Shusui is definitely the female assassin under the orders of the “kaa-san” from Hyou clan to aid Shun. Still, I do not have a reason or the link behind why Shusui is ordered to attack but even the hair color is the same. She is also from the “Black Wolf clan”, a group of assassins headed by Shouka in the previous era. Hence, it is rather apparent she is the masked assassin but why? Any answers from my commentators?

There is little humor in this episode but the start is great because we get invited to some Ryuuki disappointment that Shuurei did not show any romantic feelings toward Ryuuki again. I think Ryuuki should really be a horse now since horses really get more love than him. I also like Seiran’s amusing reaction when he realizes that the freeloader (aka Ensei) has arrived to the capital. Man, I really wonder why Seiran really hate Ensei so much when Ensei always tries to protect him. I guess the past still haunts Seiran.

So, any one has any concrete speculations on how the plot will move on further? I am completely lost and needs some guidance without evil spoilers. Heh!

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