The Story of Saiunkoku · Episode 12: Discretion is the Better Part of Valour
Discretion is the Better Part of Valour
2006-06-2425 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.
1Every Good Deal Has a Catch2006-04-0825 minAfter 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.2A Frog in the Well Knows Not About the Ocean2006-04-1525 minShuurei teaches Ryuuki about daily life by taking him on an excursion through the Imperial City.3The Capable Falcon Hides Its Talons2006-04-2225 minRyuuki averts an attempt to assassinate Shuurei by drinking the poison intended for her.4Treasure Buried is Treasure Wasted2006-04-2925 minAfter participating in a swordfighting tournament, Ryuuki discovers his exiled brother Seien is closer at hand than he previously believed.5A Genius Can’t Better a Hardworking Man2006-05-0625 minShuurei meets Ryuuren Ran, the eccentric brother of the General of the Shaorin Army.6Lacking the Finishing Touch2006-05-1325 minShuurei is kidnapped by forces who may or may not be working against the Emperor's interests.7He Who Swims a Lot Will Drown2006-05-2025 minThe plot against Ryuuki and Shuurei comes to a head as the conspirators are defeated. With her task complete, Shuurei leaves the palace.8To Borrow a Cat’s Paw2006-05-2725 minShuurei 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.9A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step2006-06-0325 minShuurei disguises herself as a boy to assist the Imperial bureaucracy during a heat wave.10Good Things Come to Those Who Wait2006-06-1025 minThe 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.11There’s No Medicine For Lovesickness2006-06-1725 minSeiran 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.12Discretion is the Better Part of Valour2006-06-2425 minShuurei 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.13An Unexpected Surprise2006-07-0125 minRyuuki 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.14Three Years on a Rock2006-07-0825 minAfter 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.15A Child Knows Not of His Parent’s Feelings2006-07-1525 minKouyuu Ri ponders his course in life and his relationship with his foster father Reishin Kou, who took him in on an apparent whim.16There are No Demons in This World2006-07-2225 minA 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.17Poking a Bush Draws Out a Snake2006-08-2625 minIn 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.18Covering Your Head and Leaving Your Bottom Exposed2006-09-0225 minThe 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.19If You Love Your Daughter, Let Her Go On a Journey2006-09-0925 minRyuuki appoints Shuurei and Eigetsu as co-governors of Sa Province.20Flowers Blooming from Dead Wood2006-09-1625 minSeiran recalls the events that led to his exile 13 years ago and the family that took him in.21The Wise Know When to Approach Danger2006-09-2325 minAs Shuurei prepares to leave for Sa province, she, Eigetsu and Ryuuren Ran hear rumours of a ghost inhabiting the imperial palace.22Where There is Life, There is Hope2006-09-3025 minShuurei, 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.23In Travelling, What is Wanted is a Companion2006-10-0725 minWhile 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.24Water Poured on a Sleeping Ear2006-10-1425 minEnsei 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.25An Accidental Resemblance2006-10-2125 minShuurei 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.26The Raven of Darkness2006-10-2825 minThe 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.27The Prettier the Flower, the Higher the Branch2006-11-1825 minAfter recooperating from her fatigue Shuurei struggles to discern her emotions. As a result she finds herself upsetting Seiran.28Fear is Often Worse Than the Danger Itself2006-11-2525 minShuurei 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.29Many Years` Worth of Thoughts in a Single Day2006-12-0925 minShuurei, 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.30A Woman’s Courage2006-12-1625 minShuurei, 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.31A Diamond in the Rough2006-12-2325 minShuurei 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.32A Woman’s Word is Her Bond2007-01-0625 minShuurei 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.33Water Can’t Be Returned to the Basin2007-01-1325 minIt'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.34Poison Gets the Better of Poison2007-01-2025 minShuurei 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.35Meeting is the Beginning of Parting2007-01-2725 minSeiran'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.36All is Right in the World2007-02-0325 minShuurei 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.37Tears Fall Like Rain from Heaven2007-02-1025 minShuurei 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.38There is No Today After Today2007-02-1725 minShuurei 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…39Fate is an Inscrutable and Interesting Thing2007-02-2425 minShuurei 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.
The Story of Saiunkoku★ 74%Synopsis
Saiunkoku is a world of eight provinces or houses, each named after a different colour. The new Emperor, Shi Ryuuki, has gained 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. (Source: Anime News Network)
Characters & Voice Actors
Ryuuki ShiMain
Tomokazu SekiJP
Seiran ShiMain
Hikaru MidorikawaJP
Shuuei RanMain
Toshiyuki MorikawaJP
Shuurei KouMain
Houko KuwashimaJP
Kouyuu LiMain
Nobuyuki HiyamaJP
Reishin KouSupporting
Mitsuaki MadonoJP
Houju KouSupporting
Kazuhiro NakataJP
KochouSupporting
Kaori YamagataJP
Sakujun SaSupporting
Takehito KoyasuJP
Hakumei HekiSupporting
Atsushi KisaichiJP
ShusuiSupporting
Akemi OkamuraJP
Ryuuren RanSupporting
Hidenobu KiuchiJP
Staff
Kairi YuraOriginal Character Design
Sai YukinoOriginal Story
Reiko YoshidaScript (ep 4, 5)
Reiko YoshidaSeries Composition
Sachi TainakaTheme Song Lyrics (ED)
Sachi TainakaTheme Song Composition (ED)
Sachi TainakaTheme Song Performance (ED)
Ayaka HiraharaTheme Song Performance (OP)
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