The Story of Saiunkoku
Synopsis
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.
Season 1 Episodes
EP 1
After being bribed by a high authority from the palace, Shuurei enters the Imperial Palace as the Emperor's consort and unofficial tutor, i…
EP 2
Shuurei teaches Ryuuki about daily life by taking him on an excursion through the Imperial City.
EP 3
Ryuuki averts an attempt to assassinate Shuurei by drinking the poison intended for her.
EP 4
After participating in a swordfighting tournament, Ryuuki discovers his exiled brother Seien is closer at hand than he previously believed.
EP 5
Shuurei meets Ryuuren Ran, the eccentric brother of the General of the Shaorin Army.
EP 6
Shuurei is kidnapped by forces who may or may not be working against the Emperor's interests.
EP 7
The plot against Ryuuki and Shuurei comes to a head as the conspirators are defeated. With her task complete, Shuurei leaves the palace.
EP 8
Shuurei returns to her work at the temple school. Ryuuki begins writing a proposal that would allow women to take the official examinations…
EP 9
Shuurei disguises herself as a boy to assist the Imperial bureaucracy during a heat wave.
EP 10
The reason bandits have been attacking Ensei Rou is revealed; while acting as temporary governor of Brown province, Ensei angered the local…
EP 11
Seiran and the rest of the household watch over Shuurei after she catches a bad cold while chasing a troublesome student. Reishin Kou conti…
EP 12
Shuurei comes to the aid of thirteen-year-old Eigetsu, who is attacked by bandits while visiting the imperial city to take the official exa…
EP 13
Ryuuki earns the fealty of the local crimelords by resolving trouble with a gang who had been harassing examinees. Shuurei takes the imperi…
EP 14
After making a bad first impression Shuurei and Eigetsu are ordered to spend their first two months as imperial officials cleaning the lava…
EP 15
Kouyuu Ri ponders his course in life and his relationship with his foster father Reishin Kou, who took him in on an apparent whim.
EP 16
A rumor spreads that Reishin Kou manipulated the imperial examination to allow Shuurei to pass. As Reishin is imprisoned, Shuurei, Seiran a…
EP 17
In retaliation for the arrest of Shuurei and Reishin, the Kou clan goes on strike, causing half of the imperial government to shut down. Sh…
EP 18
The plot against Shuurei is defeated after she passes a verbal examination before the Emperor and assembled officials with flying colours. …
EP 19
Ryuuki appoints Shuurei and Eigetsu as co-governors of Sa Province.
EP 20
Seiran recalls the events that led to his exile 13 years ago and the family that took him in.
EP 21
As Shuurei prepares to leave for Sa province, she, Eigetsu and Ryuuren Ran hear rumours of a ghost inhabiting the imperial palace.
EP 22
Shuurei, Eigetsu, Kourin, Ensei and Seiran leave for their journey to Sa Province, all the while assassins are following them, hired by the…
EP 23
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 G…
EP 24
Ensei and Seiran were set free from their prison thanks to Kokujun, as Shuurei and Senya were finally departing after days of waiting, on S…
EP 25
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 see…
EP 26
The real identity of Lin Senya is revealed, and Shuurei is caught in his clutches in Chrysanthemum Castle. Seiran and Ensei heads over ther…
EP 27
After recooperating from her fatigue Shuurei struggles to discern her emotions. As a result she finds herself upsetting Seiran.
EP 28
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 …
EP 29
Shuurei, Eigetsu, Seiran, Ensei, and Shou Sai head for Koren after hearing of the blockade occurring in Koren. Shortly after their departur…
EP 30
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…
EP 31
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…
EP 32
Shuurei searches the Sa stronghold for Kokujun and Eiki with some help from Shourin while Sakujun continues to be his creepy self around Sh…
EP 33
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 a…
EP 34
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…
EP 35
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 …
EP 36
Shuurei and Eigetsu finally meet the other assistant governor, Tei Yuushun. The recent drama begins to wrap up and settle to a conclusion; …
EP 37
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 th…
EP 38
Shuurei and Seiran return to Kou province for the palace celebration, and they are accompanied by their new supporters, Yuushun Tei, In Sai…
EP 39
Shuurei and her company in the capital celebrate, but while this is going on Ryuuki and Shuurei must deal with the many emotions coming fro…
