So the misunderstanding about why Ryuuki was at the brothel is cleared up. However, Shuuei states that Eigetsu is quite different from the guy he met yesterday. In fact, eigetsu was easily fighting off the gang of blue ribbon. When shuuei found him collapsed later, he mentioned the brothel’s name, thus Shuuei brought him there.

 Santa arrives looking for shuurei, to warn about the blue ribbon gang. He tries to explain that he joined the gang only to impress the girl he likes. But shuurei, totally not comprehending who that girl is, states that even if he was to become the gang boss, she is sure the girl wouldn’t give a hoot. Time for serious matters though. Kouchou and Shuuei debate about who is to settle the matter of the blue ribbon gang, before kouchou reluctantly agrees to let Eigetsu get back his pass before she gets rid of them. Only then does Shuurei realise that she’s actually one of the leaders of the big gangs.

Thus the blue ribbon gang attacks, only to be met by a snowball thrown by Kouchou. Except that it’s a gigantic snowball. Soon the blue ribbon gang is quickly routed as expected though, leaving the leader. Meanwhile, eigetsu, shuurei, santa and kouyuu are left to stay back and search for the passes. They end up meeting the leader, who holds shuurei hostage. Problem is, he has the misfortune of knocking Eigetsu into a vat of wine…

 

This wakes up his other half, yougetsu, who totally defeats the boss in one quick move. He also saves Shuurei from a sneak attack as well. Just because eigetsu asked.

Thus begins the fight for eigetsu to join their gangs by all the gang leaders. Even ryuuki voices out, except nobody believes he has the same name as the emperor. UNtil a very senior leader steps forward to ask for apologies for not controlling the blue ribbon gang, upon which everybody kneels to ryuuki.

But eigetsu’s pass is still missing, and eigetsu wanted to dunk himself into wine again, since Yougetsu hinted that he knew where it was. However, shuurei stops him. It was then, Santa’s father arrives delivering  eigetsu’s pass, as well as a vat of top knotch expensive wine. Seems that the story goes that Yougetsu had gave him the pass for safe keeping, order expensive wine, and told him to deliver everything to the brothel. Thus explains why Eigetsu was missing large amount of money.

 

Thus it’s time for the present Kouchou promised earlier. It’s actually a makeup kit + a lesson on make up. She reveals that her father and seiran had long ago came to her, asking her to take care of Shuurei, since her mom had passed away and that there were things that only a female could teach her. As final words, she passes some sagely advice about being a woman to Shuurei, and tells her to hold her own ground when she becomes an official.

 As a closing, the imperial exams take place. Eigetsu takes the top place, the youngest to do so. Shuuei’s brother takes 2nd place, ever the odditity. Shuurei takes 3rd place, becoming the first woman official. Ryuuki complains that Shuurei now seems further than ever, but Shuuei tells him that the things he need to do to win Shuurei’s heart has not a changed a single bit.

Thoughts

Ryuuki seems to be gaining more authority, and yet seems still so silly at times.  It’ll be interesting to see what encounters this 3 weird ppl go through, having become officials.

Shuurei: You must have snucked off to the brothel together with General Ran and Master Kouyuu to have some fun right??
Ryuuki: You misunderstand Shuurei… I can do these kind of things back at the palace without coming here!
Shuurei: =_=”

It’s humour like this that makes the series so enjoyable.

So i was wrong the last episodes. Imperial exams arn’t over yet. Just the qualifying round. But Shuurei qualifies! A new boy makes an entrance as well, obviously arriving in town to take the final imperial exam too. Ryuuki too mentions about how many people are arriving, and is depending on Shuuei and Kouyuu.

We see Shuurei working in a brothel as an accountant. (surprise! after 12 episodes than they tell us this) Her childhood friend is there as well, trying to drop hints about marrying him, except that Shuurei rejects him utterly. Shuurei is further saved from harassment when Kouchou the prettiest lady arrives and scares the boy away. Kouchou recounts how Shuurei first came to ask for work in a brothel, yet asked to be let home early to prepare dinner. Kouchou insists that Shuurei come look for Kouchou on her last day of work.

The boy from the start makes his appearance, surprised to find himself waking up at the brothel. Seems like some guy found him bashed up and deposited him at the brothel. He wants to return the money that the guy paid, but finds that he has been robbed too! Except he can’t remember a thing! Unwilling to stay further and spend all the money, but with no money to go anywhere, he accepts Shuurei’s offer to stay at her house. Well, he seems very good with maths, just seems a little absent minded.

Midway, they meet Seiran, who brings them to a restaurant for a celebration of Shuurei passing the qualifiers. There, they meet a bunch of guys who were criticising the idea of a women taking the imperial exams. They are quickly pwned by Shouka’s assassin skills. Suddenly, the boy Eigetsu realises that his imperial exam pass is missing, and panics and runs out wanting to get it back.

Outside, Eigetsu runs into the bunch of gang of blue ribbon, who apparently are trying to take over the city, and had apparently robbed him of his pass. Shuurei intercepts and drags Eigetsu to run away. Shuurei deals a groin blow to one of their pursuers, before meeting Seiran, who decides that the brothel would be the best place to go.

Elsewhere, the gang leader reveals his plan of blackmailing all the people they stole the imperial exam passes from.Of course they are going to go after Eigetsu at the brothel, who somehow apparently stole money from them. Except Eigetsu doesn’t remember a thing.

At the brothel, Shuurei and gang meets up with Shuuei and gang, who were there to visit Eigetsu. And there.. ryuuki discovers that there are things he shouldn’t quite say.

Thoughts

the level of humour was lovely.

This episode introduces the happenings in the city outside the imperial palace, and also brings out a lot of information. (like Shuurei working at the brothel) I can’t wait to find out exactly what happened to Eigetsu. There’s obviously something deep about Eigetsu

Shuurei has taken the imperial exams, but the results are not out yet, thus its a long anxious wait. Shuurei is getting more excitable too, and after chasing one of her wayward students, she falls into an ice-cold river, falling down with a cold. Of course, Seiran is the one to take care of her.

 Shuurei falling sick brings back memories of shuurei’s mom to both Seiran and Shouka. Of course, Shouka is all panicky, and basically trashes the kitchen trying to prepare ginger tea for Shuurei. Kouyuu and Shuuei arrive just in time to help prepare dinner,with Shouka chased away from the kitchen.

 

 Next is the arrival of Kijin, and Reishin. Reishin basically continues to act all sneaky, peeping in from the winder, until Shouka catches them. Shouka reprimands Reishin for trying to enter through the window, just as Kijin jumps through the window in one fine leap.

 Just then, the father of the student mentioned at the start, arrives searching for the son. Seems that he has gone missing up in the mountains. Kouyuu, Shuuei and Seiran quickly organizes to start a search. Reishin says something sarcastic to Kouyuu, and is reprimanded by Shouka. But everyone is surprised when Reishin seems pretty happy about it.

We then get a story of how Reishin is still afraid of approaching Seiran.  Because he chased Shouka away from the house last time, and fears he will be hated. It is revealed that all this while, he has been trying in his own ways to take care of Shouka too, though not quite succeeding. Reishin recounts a time when he met Shuurei’s mom, and he has always been practicing how to smile, hoping that Shuurei will smile back at him.

Last to arrive is the emperor, who takes good care of Shuurei. Except that to feed medicine to Shuurei, he does it mouth-to-mouth. Except that he fed her Shouka’s gingerless ginger tea, which ain’t quite edible.

Anyway, the boy’s finally found as well…

Final scene of Shuurei contemplating her relationship with the emperor, and deciding that it’s impossible for the two of them. We also see Shouka reflecting, and we find out that Shouka had met his wife on a job to assassinate her.  He ends up saying that love sickness is a disease that cannot be cured.

Thoughts

Very strong character development. At the same time, very good comedy involving a bunch of silly guys. Guys trying to act like Macho guys, putting up a facade, yet feeling a different way. tsk tsk.

One wonders why Shuurei feels that way towards  Ryuuki. If you link it to Shouka’s tale, is it a matter of a difference in class? or is there no link at all. Intriguing background stories to every character though, we shall see how things develop.

Ryukki has finally finished his draft proposal! But more importantly, he gets to go “night crawling”! (I’m not so sure I used the correct term) Basically, he is busy in the day, and can only spare time to visit shuurei at night. But I’m sure he used a phrased all wrong.

Jumping to the next day, Shuurei is visiting her mom’s grave with ensei. Ensei reveals that his own family were all killed when young. Shuurei too starts to recollate about her mom. Her mom was someone with much energy, and was good at plucking fruits. She also took care of Shuurei who was very sickly. Yet on one thunderstorm night, she passed away suddenly, and at the same time, shuurei suddenly recovered. Ensei consoles saying that it must be her mom’s divine blessings. Yet Shuurei believes that it was her fault that sap away her mom’s life. In fact, she hates summer and thunderstorms because of that.

Ensei asks her to remember about the good memories of summer, and that shuurei will soon like summer too. As well as to quickly grow up! Shuurei assures him that she’ll be okay by the next day.

In the palace, ryukki seems exceptionally cheerful. In fact, he informs Shuuhei and Kouyuu that he’s going “night crawling”, stunning the two of them. But upon clarification, and finding out the contents of a letter that ryukki wrote to Shouka, they realise that he’s just talking about a normal home visit.

Meanwhile Kijin is asking his vice-chamberlaine whether he has felt anything suspicious about Shuurei, which he hasn’t. Suddenly, voices of intruders are heard, and two jump through the window. At this time, shuurei and ensei both returned from a task. Seeing Ensei’s cross scar, they quickly attack Ensei. Ensei quickly defeats one of them with a chair, causing the second to run away.

Kijin tells Ensei that it seems that his enemies have found him, and tells him that Ensei can make use of Kijin’s manor. Especially if he does not want to burden the house he is staying in. Ensei agrees, and invites Shuurei along.

But when Ryukki arrives and Shouka’s house, shuurei isn’t there. Both Shuukey and Kouyuu have come along, knowing things should be interesting. Reading a note that Ensei left behind, Seiran says that he’ll pop by Kijin’s manor, but all who wants to go too, should bring their swords along, as bandits seem to be pursuing Ensei.

It is a strange atmosphere in Kijin’s manor. Midway, Ensei excuses himself to take a walk in the garden leaving shuurei and kijin, with Kijin drinking tea through his mask again . Kijin mentions that shuurei’s one month is almost up, and that it’s quite unfortunate. But shuurei does not manage to catch the last part.

Meanwhile, Seiran & friends have arrived at the manor. Ryukki immediately starts scolding ensei. Kouyuu falls over the wall, and Ensei asks if he could go into the manor and explain the whole situation. Ryukki wants to go see shuurei, but is reminded by Serian of their purpose at the manor. Soon enough, the bandits arrive, and are easily defeated.

However, Ensei is missing, but he reappears soon enough. But Clean shaven and totally handsome.

He explains who he is. He’s actually the governor of the Brown province. In fact, he’s the only governor who has not taken the imperial exams before. Previously in the Brown province, the Sa Clan have tried to gain power, with many officials either bribed or killed. As such, nobody dared to be the governor. However, Grand advisor Sa offered the governor post to anybody who could subdue all the assasins, which Ensei did. In fact, Ensei ended up being a very good governor.

However, with Grand Advisor Sa gone, and his backer gone, Ensei is having problems with the Sa clan again. In fact, he is here to ask the emperor to choose another Governor. If the emperor chooses someone who has sat for the imperial examinations, the Sa clan wouldn’t be able to complain so easily. Ensei himself will go back and sit for the basic exams, and support the new governor. The bandits have chased him down as there seems to be a bounty on his head.

Later, Kouyuu tells shuurei that they are going to allow girls to take the imperial exams. However, females will probably still be ostracised, and have little say in court. Would she still be willing to take the imperial exam? But of course!

Thoughts

A little rushed. Some stuff still not answered. Like what kind of relationship seiran and ensei had. I hope it’s not the last we see of ensei though. It’d be such a pity, having built him up so much as a character.

I still have a tough time figuring out Ryukki. A brilliant emperor… yet such a fool at simple things.

So shuurei starts work in Department of treasury. Kiijin gives her an insane number of task to do at one go, yet somehow she manages to catch the whole long list of instructions. Meanwhile, Shuuhei and Kouyuu discuss about Shuurei being in the palace. Meanwhile, Ensei tries to convince shuurei that she won’t be discovered as a female, but accidentally mentions about her lack of a figure.

During dinner time, Shuurei claims that she’s very happy at her job, and asks Kouyuu to continue to tutor her.

The next day, Kiijin tests shuurei on what she’ll do with a budget surplus, and she comes up with a very knowledgable and sophisticated answer. Later while delivering some papers, she discuss about Kiijin’s masks with Ensei. The rumours goes that he is wearing a mask after being rejected by a woman for his appearances.

Later, Shuurei runs into Ryuuki, but manages to duck out of sight just in time. (which confirms the fact that ryuuki does not know she’s there.) After that, a new guy (Reishiin) appears, who offers to help Shuurei carry her books. Before parting, he introduces himself by asking Shuurei to call him “Uncle”, and when she hears him call him that, he’s very happy about it.

Shuurei is scared of thunder, and when a thunderstorm happens later, she jumps onto a sleeping Kiijin. This turns into a hilarious sight when Ensei returns to catch them in a “compromising position”.

That evening at dinner, Shuurei is feeling down, as she recounts about how her job is only for one month. Basically, she has a dream of becoming an official, yet that’s impossible, as she’s a girl. Ensei is sent to her room by Seiran and her father later that night, to cheer her up. Though Ensei does not reveal that, Shuurei is perceptive enough to know, but thanks him anyway.

Ryukki is still hard at work trying to let women take the imperial exam, but obviously for his own selfish reasons.

Kijin and Reishin are talking to one another, and Reishin is introduced as the mask maker for Kijin. Reishin talks about how getting Shuurei to work for him, will be the fastest way of letting him see how a woman can work. Reishin guarantees that shuurei would be in the upper percentile if she takes the exam. Kijin acknowledges that, especially since Kouyuu, Reishin’s adopted son is such a genius, Shuurei must be intelligent too. Heck, Kijin might even want to take her as his wife. Reishin of course is utterly upset about that statement, and throws Kijin a new, but ugly masks.

Next day, Kijin is wearing the new mask, and shuurei offers him tea. Surprisingly, he accepts. But he shows off some mechanism where only 1/2 the mask opens, allowing him to drink without taking off the mask. Also, as two more assistants have collapsed from the heat, he appoints ensei to help out officially too. But he obviously knows ensei from previously.

That night, Seiran catches ensei sneaking out to fight bandits again.

While i found the episode so-so, it did offer up some interesting plot developments. Firstly, the introduction of Reishin and Kijin. Shuurei will probably get to take the imperial exams in the end. But i’m curious as to what might develop between the 3 of them

In addition, what exactly is Ensei doing with the bandits. I got a little confused at that part. It’ll be nice to know more. Especially to know more about this history.

It’s a month later. Summer time, and the scorching sun is making people collapse. In the imperial court, Ryukki is trying to get female candidates admitted for the imperial exams.

Back at shuurei’s house, she recieves many gifts from a “mr anonymous.” There’s ice (i think), a big pile of equinox flowers (usually used to put on graves), a big pile of boiled eggs, a straw man. (huh??)

Ryukki dreams of shuurei marrying seiran instead. When he shares his dream with shuuhei and kouyuu, he invokes much laughter from shuuhei instead. We learn that Ryukki has been sending gifts to Shuurei just like Shuuhei advised, but has been sending the wrong gifts after misunderstanding advice from different people like Shou.

So far he hasn’t gotten a single reply from shuurei, and Ryukki thinks that the problems lies with the fact that he has been signing off as “anonymous”

Back at shuurei’s house, she meets a vagrant at the door of her house. When Seiran returns home, he realises that the guy is Ensei, and drags him to a corner to question him. For some reason, Seiran wants to kick him out immediately. But in front of shuurei, Ensei claims to be seiran’s friend, and shuurei lets him stay. There was something he needed to do in Kiyou.

Shusui comes to meet shouka, bringing manjuu buns. Shouka compliments the tasty manjuu buns. Shusui also says tea is delicious, even though it’s obviously horrible.

sou meets with shuuhei regarding sending the plume army to catch thieves in violet province. There’s a lack of manpower, but sou seems very enthusiastic to go out to fight. But he brings up the topic of bringing seiran back into the army, instead of working at the rice granary.

Shuuhei and kouyuu are going to attend a festival at shuurei’s house. Somehow they meet while going in opposite directions though. (obviously kouyuu’s lost again). Shuurei’s house is run down as usual, with all 500 ryou of gold spent already. But the money was used to maintain the temple school as well as donated to the town’s doctor.

Ensei is at the dinner as well, where everybody calls the empereror an airhead. Coming from brown province, Shuuhei discusses the situation of the bandits with ensei, as well as bringing up the topic of seiran helping out. Shuurei however has her objections.

Taking the opportunity, seiran suggests that ensei be employed instead. However the invitation still stands, and seriran takes up the job, while asking ensei to take over his own responsibilities. Kouyuu then invites shuurei to work in the imperial council for a mth.

It’s a job as a misc assistant to the chamberlain of treasury. But shuurei is hesistant. But ensei persuades her to take up the job. After seiran and her dad speaks up as well, she agrees. However, she’ll have to dress up as a man, since women are not allowed. Kyoyuu makes the mistake of saying that with her figure, there’s no way shuurei will be found out.

(of course, as usual, kouyuu gets desperately lost bringing them to the department of treasury)

I can’t wait to find out who ensei is, and what kind of person the chamberlaine is.

At the end of the day, everything was just a scheme by Grand Preceptor Shou, to basically make Ryuuki a better emperor. Everything including instigating Grand Preceptor Sa to do all that plotting that he did.

In a way, it’s quite impossibe for anybody to have planned everything, but I guess that just simply shows how good Shou is. He basically got Sa to come up with a plot, in order to surpass Shou. At the same time, he gave Shuurei poison that only he himself had the antidote to. Doing all this, he got Ryuuki to promise to be a good emperor, in exchange for the antidote.

Was kinda surprised that shouka was part of the wolves (the good guys!). I kept guessing that she was the part of the plot to posion shuurei, cause she was always in a perfect position to do so. On hindsight, she was in the perfect position to protect shuurei too.

The relationship between the three Precepetors seems pretty complex, but Sa pretty much died (from his injuries I think).

Shuurei makes the decision to go back home, together with Seiran. Surprisingly, Ryukki allows this to happen. And so, ends this story arc.