The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1, Episode 4: Casting Pearls Before Swine

1

Every Good Story Has a Hidden Side

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.

25 min

2

A Frog in a Well Does Not Know the Great Ocean

Shuurei teaches Ryuuki about daily life by taking him on an excursion through the Imperial City.

25 min

3

The Talented Hawk Hides its Talons

Ryuuki averts an attempt to assassinate Shuurei by drinking the poison intended for her.

25 min

4

Casting Pearls Before Swine

After participating in a swordfighting tournament, Ryuuki discovers his exiled brother Seien is closer at hand than he previously believed.

25 min

5

There is no Genius Without Hard Work

Shuurei meets Ryuuren Ran, the eccentric brother of the General of the Shaorin Army.

25 min

6

Lacking the Finishing Touch

Shuurei is kidnapped by forces who may or may not be working against the Emperor's interests.

25 min

7

Even the Strongest Swimmer May Drown

The plot against Ryuuki and Shuurei comes to a head as the conspirators are defeated. With her task complete, Shuurei leaves the palace.

25 min

8

Wanting to Borrow a Cat's Paws

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.

25 min

9

The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step

Shuurei disguises herself as a boy to assist the Imperial bureaucracy during a heat wave.

25 min

10

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

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.

25 min

11

There is no Cure for Lovesickness

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.

25 min

12

Discretion is the Better Part of Valour

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.

25 min

13

From a Gourd Comes a Horse

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.

25 min

14

On a Rock for Three Years

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.

25 min

15

Children Do Not Know Their Parents' Hearts

Kouyuu Ri ponders his course in life and his relationship with his foster father Reishin Kou, who took him in on an apparent whim.

25 min

16

There are no Devils in the World

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.

25 min

17

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie or Poking a Bush Draws Out Snakes

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.

25 min

18

You Can't Hide by Burying Your Head in the Sand

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.

25 min

19

If You Love Your Child, Send Her on a Journey

Ryuuki appoints Shuurei and Eigetsu as co-governors of Sa Province.

25 min

20

Flowers Blooming from Dead Wood

Seiran recalls the events that led to his exile 13 years ago and the family that took him in.

25 min

21

The Wise Know When to Approach Danger

As Shuurei prepares to leave for Sa province, she, Eigetsu and Ryuuren Ran hear rumours of a ghost inhabiting the imperial palace.

25 min

22

Where There is Life, There is Hope

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.

25 min

23

It's the Company that Makes Travel Unpleasant

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.

25 min

24

Water on a Sleeping Ear

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 min

25

An Accidental Resemblance

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.

25 min

26

Ravens in the Moonless Night

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.

25 min

27

The Prettier the Flower, the Higher the Branch

After recooperating from her fatigue Shuurei struggles to discern her emotions. As a result she finds herself upsetting Seiran.

25 min

28

Worry Gives Small Things Large Shadows

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.

25 min

29

Many Years' Worth of Thoughts in a Single Day

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.

25 min

30

Women are Brave

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.

25 min

31

A Diamond in the Rough

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.

25 min

32

A Woman's Word is Her Bond

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.

25 min

33

No Use Crying Over Spilt Milk

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.

25 min

34

Poison Gets the Better of Poison

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.

25 min

35

Meeting is the Beginning of Parting

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.

25 min

36

All is Right in the World

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.

25 min

37

Tears Fall Like Rain From Heaven

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.

25 min

38

There is no Today After Today

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.

25 min

39

Fate is an Inscrutable and Interesting Thing

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.

25 min