Saiunkoku Monogatari (The Story of Saiunkoku / 彩雲国物語 )

The beginning breeze

Delivers this message

"Because I have always believed in you"

The Story of Saiunkoku

The Story of Saiunkoku We are standing in the land we dreamed of back then

The Story of Saiunkoku

We feel weak at the knees a little, gazing over the scenery

But please don't look back

Because you've decided to go forward

I looked up into the sky to see the rainbow with seven colors

Can you see it too?

The beginning breeze

Delivers this message

I will watch over you as you go forth to chase your dreams

The dancing winds in the blazing sun

Fly forth strongly with the wings of freedom

A long, long time ago...

...in an era when demons of the mountain forest ravaged the lands...

...a young man came forth from amidst the endless chaos.

Seeking peace and order for the people...

...he beat back the rampaging demons.

Moved by the man's spirit...

...eight enlightened beings gathered to join him.

Bearing the names of colors...

...they came to be called the Eight Colored Enlightened Ones.

Using their mysterious powers, they helped the young man.

The man's name was Sogen.

With the wisdom of the Eight Enlightened Ones...

...he brought a new dawn to the people.

He was the first ruler of Saiunkoku, the Kingdom of Colored Clouds.

Following the death of Sogen...

...the Eight Colored Enlightened Ones disappeared...

...but it is said that they still live among the people.

So it may be that, even now, they are here living among us.

Shurei Hong So it may be that, even now, they are here living among us.

Shurei Hong

Every Good Deal Has A Catch

Hey, Teacher Shurei.

What is it, Toka?

I heard that the shrine...

...that the Enlightened Ones lived in still stands in the palace. Is that true?

Yes.

It's now called the Ministry of the Enlightened Ones' Cave...

...and still stands in one corner of the palace grounds...

...or so Seiran tells me.

You haven't seen it, Teacher?

I cannot enter the palace.

Because girls can't become government officials.

In that case, I'll become an official and marry you!

That way, I can take you to the castle, right?

But you'd have to study a lot more for that, Ryushin.

You're more suited to becoming a military officer, Ryushin.

Seiran.

Seiran Si

Seiran Si My Lady.

It's almost time.

Yes.

That's right, I have to work again today! Let's go, Seiran!

The daughter of the Hong Clan?

Correct. Her father, Shoka Hong, is in charge of the archives.

The Hong Clan is one of the most distinguished of the top families.

There's no problem with her family lineage, but...!

However, an archivist's salary isn't likely to be much.

Indeed, they're having difficulty making ends meet...

...and his daughter is working several jobs.

And you think this girl will be useful in solving this major problem, Sho?

Indeed.

It's been almost six months since His Majesty ascended to the throne.

I figured things would have turned out better than they have.

At this rate, it's only a matter of time before someone goes after the throne.

That's true.

In any case, leave it to me.

After all, it's commonly said that a man's greatest enemy is his wife.

Restaurant

Seiran!

What is it, Ryushin?

Mr. Shoka's...!

What's with suddenly calling me back home?

Something about an important guest coming to pay a visit.

Well, who?!

I don't know, but Master said to return right away, so...!

That was a pretty good job, too.

But since I only played one tune, they cut back drastically on my pay!

And here I was thinking we'd be able to buy rice this month!

But instead it's barley again! Barley!

That line that runs along barley, the line that distinguishes it from rice.

No doubt it's gonna taunt me this month too, saying "I'm not rice!"

I can't believe it! I can't believe it!

My Lady. Barley doesn't talk.

It'll be fine. I'll take on more side jobs.

I'm sorry, Seiran.

You'd be more than able to support yourself...

...as a respectable imperial officer assigned to the Court.

You don't need to worry about that.

Rather, I'm just happy to be able to pay back the debt I owe.

Debt?

Thirteen years ago, even though you didn't know where I came from...

...you took me into your home.

I decided to pay you back for that debt for the rest of my life.

Seiran.

Why are we paid so little?!

Only our social rank is high.

- I hate being poor! - M-My Lady, people are watching!

I really hate being poor!

The wall's collapsing again. And the roof tiles are broken.

Repairing this ridiculously large mansion takes the most money.

When you repair one part, another part falls apart.

I can't stand it!

I'll take care of repairing the wall.

And I can get some tiles from the castle to replace the broken ones.

It seems like the guest has already arrived.

Oh, no! I have to prepare the tea!

In that case, I'll go inform them that her ladyship has returned.

I guess you at least made the effort to serve tea, right, father?

My Lady, this is serious!

What's the matter, Seiran?

Apparently, the guest is Advisor Sho!

A-Advisor Sho? One of the court's Three Elders?

Why is such an important person here?

He said he'd explain when you came.

Why?! Whatever the case, we must be sure not to show any disrespect.

Ever since I was put in charge of the archives...

...I have been enjoying my work very...!

Lady Shurei has arrived.

Oh, come in.

Please excuse me.

Hello, Shurei. This is Advisor Sho.

So this is Advisor Sho. The leader of the hundred advisors.

In this country, his authority ranks second only to the king's.

Lord Advisor Sho. Please forgive me for keeping you waiting for so long.

Although we have little to offer, please make yourself comfortable.

Please rise, Lady Shurei.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Seiran, would you mind coming over here, as well?

After all, this matter involves both of you.

Ah, but before that...!

Could I ask to have some tea? This water is making me rather chilly.

A bucket?! You mean, he brought water directly from the well?!

Father!

- Why are you so proud of what you did?! - Our well water is quite tasty, isn't it?

I-I'm terribly sorry! I'll prepare some tea for you right away!

So you made this sweet bean bun yourself, Lady Shurei?

Yes.

Shurei's sweet bean buns are quite tasty.

Allow me.

This really is good!

I added ground sesame to the red bean paste, so it's not too sweet.

You won't be able to stop eating them.

This is a wonderful dish.

Mr. Shoka, you're very fortunate to have such a talented daughter.

Yes.

Sir. You wanted to talk to us about something.

Ah, right.

Lady Shurei and Mr. Seiran, there's something I'd like to ask of you.

Should you agree to it...

...as a token of our gratitude, I am prepared to pay you this much.

H-How much exactly are we talking about?

Fifty bronze coins? Five hundred coins?

C-Could this actually be a really sweet deal?

You're not by chance saying f-five silver coins?

Fifty silver coins perhaps?

It's five hundred gold coins!

Five hundred...

...gold coins.

I'll do it! No matter what it involves! You can count on me!

The Story of Saiunkoku

So this is the palace. Incredible.

I wonder how many times larger this place is compared to ours.

And I'm supposed to live in a grand place like this from now on?

What should I do, Seiran?!

It can't be helped, can it?

M-My Lady.

Are you sure about this? We haven't heard yet what it involves.

What are you saying, Seiran?! It's five hundred gold coins!

With that much, we'll be able to eat white rice every day.

We'll repair all the walls and roof tiles, and we'll still have some left over.

In that case.

Mr. Seiran will temporarily join the personal guard troops, the Urin Army...

...and be assigned to the king.

And Lady Shurei.

We would like for you to enter the Imperial household...

...and become the king's consort.

Me? The king's... consort?!

How could I have agreed to such a thing?!

Your response was immediate.