About this season
Saiunkoku is a world of eight provinces or houses, each named after a different colour. The new Emperor, Shi Ryuuki, has gained for a reputation for being uninterested in courtly matters and for flaunting his love for men. Shuurei, although born of the important Kou family, has difficulty making ends meet. She easily accepts an invitation to be the Emperor's concubine in order to turn him into a good ruler. The mysterious Seiran, a young man who was adopted by her father, goes with her as Ryuuki's bodyguard. Entering the imperial palace revives Shuurei's dream of being a court official, and, together with the many companions she meets along the way, continues moving bravely forward while trying to fend off the Emperor's advances.
Episodes (39)
1. Every Good Story Has a Hidden Side
Aired 8 April 2006 • 25 min
After being bribed by a high authority from the palace, Shuurei enters the Imperial Palace as the Emperor's consort and unofficial tutor, in keeping her promise to encourage the prince to rise to the responsiblities of the Emperor and to begin taking interest in the country and the throne.
2. A Frog in a Well Does Not Know the Great Ocean
Aired 15 April 2006 • 25 min
Shuurei teaches Ryuuki about daily life by taking him on an excursion through the Imperial City.
3. The Talented Hawk Hides its Talons
Aired 22 April 2006 • 25 min
Ryuuki averts an attempt to assassinate Shuurei by drinking the poison intended for her.
4. Casting Pearls Before Swine
Aired 29 April 2006 • 25 min
After participating in a swordfighting tournament, Ryuuki discovers his exiled brother Seien is closer at hand than he previously believed.
5. There is no Genius Without Hard Work
Aired 6 May 2006 • 25 min
Shuurei meets Ryuuren Ran, the eccentric brother of the General of the Shaorin Army.
6. Lacking the Finishing Touch
Aired 13 May 2006 • 25 min
Shuurei is kidnapped by forces who may or may not be working against the Emperor's interests.
7. Even the Strongest Swimmer May Drown
Aired 20 May 2006 • 25 min
The plot against Ryuuki and Shuurei comes to a head as the conspirators are defeated. With her task complete, Shuurei leaves the palace.
8. Wanting to Borrow a Cat's Paws
Aired 27 May 2006 • 25 min
Shuurei returns to her work at the temple school. Ryuuki begins writing a proposal that would allow women to take the official examinations. Ensei Rou, one of Seiran's friends, arrives from Brown Province.
9. The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step
Aired 3 June 2006 • 25 min
Shuurei disguises herself as a boy to assist the Imperial bureaucracy during a heat wave.
10. Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
Aired 10 June 2006 • 25 min
The reason bandits have been attacking Ensei Rou is revealed; while acting as temporary governor of Brown province, Ensei angered the local nobility by rejecting corruption and bribes. As he has not passed the official examination required to be a high official, Ensei returns his seal of governorship to Ryuuki. Ryuuki passes a law allowing women to take the official examinations.
11. There is no Cure for Lovesickness
Aired 17 June 2006 • 25 min
Seiran and the rest of the household watch over Shuurei after she catches a bad cold while chasing a troublesome student. Reishin Kou continues to conceal from Shuurei that he is her uncle. Reishin fears that if Shuurei knew his identity, she would hate him as the man who took her father's place as head of the Kou clan.
12. Discretion is the Better Part of Valour
Aired 24 June 2006 • 25 min
Shuurei comes to the aid of thirteen-year-old Eigetsu, who is attacked by bandits while visiting the imperial city to take the official examination. A local gang challenges the city's crimelords and Kochou, the madam of a brothel and Shuurei's longtime employer.
13. From a Gourd Comes a Horse
Aired 1 July 2006 • 25 min
Ryuuki earns the fealty of the local crimelords by resolving trouble with a gang who had been harassing examinees. Shuurei takes the imperial examination and passes with the third highest score.
14. On a Rock for Three Years
Aired 8 July 2006 • 25 min
After making a bad first impression Shuurei and Eigetsu are ordered to spend their first two months as imperial officials cleaning the lavatory and shining shoes.
15. Children Do Not Know Their Parents' Hearts
Aired 15 July 2006 • 25 min
Kouyuu Ri ponders his course in life and his relationship with his foster father Reishin Kou, who took him in on an apparent whim.
16. There are no Devils in the World
Aired 22 July 2006 • 25 min
A rumor spreads that Reishin Kou manipulated the imperial examination to allow Shuurei to pass. As Reishin is imprisoned, Shuurei, Seiran and Eigetsu face betrayal by a friend helping the conspiracy.
17. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie or Poking a Bush Draws Out Snakes
Aired 26 August 2006 • 25 min
In retaliation for the arrest of Shuurei and Reishin, the Kou clan goes on strike, causing half of the imperial government to shut down. Shuurei and Eigetsu rush to finish their report before the official inquiry begins at noon.
18. You Can't Hide by Burying Your Head in the Sand
Aired 2 September 2006 • 25 min
The plot against Shuurei is defeated after she passes a verbal examination before the Emperor and assembled officials with flying colours. Shuurei and Eigetsu's report furnishes evidence against the corrupt Sa clan official who plotted against them.
19. If You Love Your Child, Send Her on a Journey
Aired 9 September 2006 • 25 min
Ryuuki appoints Shuurei and Eigetsu as co-governors of Sa Province.
20. Flowers Blooming from Dead Wood
Aired 16 September 2006 • 25 min
Seiran recalls the events that led to his exile 13 years ago and the family that took him in.
21. The Wise Know When to Approach Danger
Aired 23 September 2006 • 25 min
As Shuurei prepares to leave for Sa province, she, Eigetsu and Ryuuren Ran hear rumours of a ghost inhabiting the imperial palace.
22. Where There is Life, There is Hope
Aired 30 September 2006 • 25 min
Shuurei, Eigetsu, Kourin, Ensei and Seiran leave for their journey to Sa Province, all the while assassins are following them, hired by the Sa Clan. Eigetsu, Kourin, Ensei and Seiran are caught during their stay in a hotel, while Shuurei is safely hidden.
23. It's the Company that Makes Travel Unpleasant
Aired 7 October 2006 • 25 min
While the rest are caught at the borderguard in Sairi, Shuurei has to make her way on her own to Kinka. She seeks help from the Merchants Guild, becoming a servant to a man whom she met on the streets: Lin Senya.
24. Water on a Sleeping Ear
Aired 14 October 2006 • 25 min
Ensei and Seiran were set free from their prison thanks to Kokujun, as Shuurei and Senya were finally departing after days of waiting, on Shuurei's part. Eigetsu and Kourin were also freed by Kokujun, who volunteered to bring them to Kinka.
25. An Accidental Resemblance
Aired 21 October 2006 • 25 min
Shuurei muses over the new information she learned from Senya that the Kou princess is to marry the second son of the Sa Clan. She also sees a strange resemblance between Senya and Ryuuki. Ensei and Seiran follows Shuurei's trail of Kanrou Cha, and Eigetsu and Kourin are en route to Kinka.
26. Ravens in the Moonless Night
Aired 28 October 2006 • 25 min
The real identity of Lin Senya is revealed, and Shuurei is caught in his clutches in Chrysanthemum Castle. Seiran and Ensei heads over there to rescue Shuurei and to catch Sakujun. He escapes with Shuurei's flowerbud hairpin, telling her to go to Koren.
27. The Prettier the Flower, the Higher the Branch
Aired 18 November 2006 • 25 min
After recooperating from her fatigue Shuurei struggles to discern her emotions. As a result she finds herself upsetting Seiran.
28. Worry Gives Small Things Large Shadows
Aired 25 November 2006 • 25 min
Shuurei and Eigetsu finally begin to learn that their positions will not come easy. Shuurei allows time for Seiran in order to make up for her recent shortcomings under the guidance of Ensei. Kokujun asks to protect Shunki before he sets off for Koren to confront his brother.
29. Many Years' Worth of Thoughts in a Single Day
Aired 9 December 2006 • 25 min
Shuurei, Eigetsu, Seiran, Ensei, and Shou Sai head for Koren after hearing of the blockade occurring in Koren. Shortly after their departure the Emperor, Shuuei, and Kouyuu make it near Kinka. Emperor Ryuuki and his comrades come to the assistance of Seiran and Ensei in order for them to pass the blockade in Koren. Shuurei prepares herself for Sakujun's confrontation.
30. Women are Brave
Aired 16 December 2006 • 25 min
Shuurei, Eigetsu, Seiran, Ensei, and Shou Sai break into Koren and head to Shou Sai's sister's home. They find two letters waiting for them there. Meanwhile, Kokujun confronts his grandfather Chuushou, while Shunki begins to make her way to Koren.
31. A Diamond in the Rough
Aired 23 December 2006 • 25 min
Shuurei leaves the group's hideout to meet with Sakujun, becoming a guest at the Sa manor. Shourin brings Shunki to Koren and meets up with Eigetsu, Seiran, Ensei, and Shou.
32. A Woman's Word is Her Bond
Aired 6 January 2007 • 25 min
Shuurei searches the Sa stronghold for Kokujun and Eiki with some help from Shourin while Sakujun continues to be his creepy self around Shuurei. Shuurei meets with Chuushou and staunchly declares her unwillingness to cooperate with the Sa clan.
33. No Use Crying Over Spilt Milk
Aired 13 January 2007 • 25 min
It's the night of the selection ceremony for the new head of the Sa clan. Ensei, Eigetsu, Seiran, and Shunki sneak into the Sa stronghold and split up to help quell Chuushou's plans. Shunki reveals her secret.
34. Poison Gets the Better of Poison
Aired 20 January 2007 • 25 min
Shuurei and Shunki descend underground to find Kokujun, who claims the title as the next head of the Sa clan. He arrives as the appointment ceremony to claim his new place. Eigetsu and Ensei complete their plans and apprehend all of the top officials in the Sa clan. Meanwhile, Seiran confronts Sakujun, where they play a game of chance with their lives on the line.
35. Meeting is the Beginning of Parting
Aired 27 January 2007 • 25 min
Seiran's game of death with Sakujun doesn't go as planned, but there are other poisons at work. Shuurei goes to meet Sakujun one last time to retrieve her hairpin.
36. All is Right in the World
Aired 3 February 2007 • 25 min
Shuurei and Eigetsu finally meet the other assistant governor, Tei Yuushun. The recent drama begins to wrap up and settle to a conclusion; Sa Enjun's noble goals also come to the surface. Shuurei and Eigetsu finally make it to the appointment ceremony as Sa Province's new co-governors.
37. Tears Fall Like Rain From Heaven
Aired 10 February 2007 • 25 min
Shuurei has been working over time with no rest in order to keep her mind off the death of Sakujun. Though she tries to hide the pain of the death of someone she loved, no one seems to be able to comfort her, until an old bosom friend comes along.
38. There is no Today After Today
Aired 17 February 2007 • 25 min
Shuurei and Seiran return to Kou province for the palace celebration, and they are accompanied by their new supporters, Yuushun Tei, In Sai, and the new head of the Sa clan, Kokujun. All the government officials stand in the Imperial Palace as they wait for Shuurei's and Yuushun's grand entrance. Shuurei is acknowledged as the governor of Brown Province who saved it from collapse. She sees Ryuuki once again and presents her proposal for the future of Brown Province. She asks Ryuuki to go over her proposal on making Brown Province a center of academic research, and this will benefit Brown Province 100 years later. Everyone is amazed at Shuurei's proposal and supports it. She receives everyone's applause.
39. Fate is an Inscrutable and Interesting Thing
Aired 24 February 2007 • 25 min
Shuurei and her company in the capital celebrate, but while this is going on Ryuuki and Shuurei must deal with the many emotions coming from the reuniting and plausible separation again.