Saiunkoku Monogatari II Episode 8 – 人事を尽くして天命を待つ (Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity)

Before finally embarking for Sa Province and treat the patients in Koringun, Shuurei has to get past the last hurdle for this mission – convincing the elder statesmen and the emperor himself to agree to their plans. Things are not easy as it seems, considering how close-minded the officials are, and couldn’t understand the reason why Shuurei and Yuushun acted out without consulting them – as though disregarding their value, and the value of the Imperial Court itself. Furtheremore, the rumors from the Jasenkyou about blaming Shuurei for the disease in Koringun puts even more pressure on her.

Shuurei has done her best to reach this far and achieve what she has achieved, especially for the sake of treating the patients in Koringun, and she certainly won’t stop until she has been able to overcome this hurdle of convincing the officials. Just as the title states, “Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity”, or rather “Use the means and God will give the blessing”. What ‘means’ Shuurei uses to get past this ‘extremity’, and how ‘God’s blessings’ are bestowed to her, is what we’re going to witness in this episode.

(Sorry for the delay in this one… and well, it seems to be lengthier than my previous ’summaries’ / ‘narrative’ x_X)

Summary

After convincing the All-Merchant’s Alliance, the last thing Shuurei has to do is to convince the elder statesmen and allow them to leave for Sa Province. The meeting has already started, and Yuushun gets criticized by high-ranking officials because of the hasty decision they made without even consulting them first, telling him that Emperor Senou will certainly get mad at his actions. Just then, Shuurei arrives, thanking Ryuuki for his help and informs him that the All-Merchant’s Alliance has agreed to help them out and the doctors will be able to depart within three days time, and asks Ryuuki to allow them to go.

The officials couldn’t accept that Shuurei and Yuushun will expect them to openly receive their decision within a day, considering that they’ve already made their move before seeking their ‘approval’ (“retrospective approval”) and just went in to the room and told them everything’s already done. Shuurei answers back by saying that there’s nothing wrong with what they did since they simply want to save the lives of people, and it’s for this very reason that they can’t afford to find time to consult with them regarding this matter. The officials could still not accept this, seeing how they made this rash decision. Shuurei knows well that their decision is indeed rash (or that their plan is somewhat a mess), but she lets them face the fact that if they first ask for their permission before acting out, who knows how long it’ll take them before they can reach Sa Province and treat the patients. Perhaps it’ll take ten days, or even a month, and most likely, there will no longer be any patients by the time they get there. Shuurei poses a question for them to further reflect on the gravity of this matter, asking what they would expect her to say in front of the graves of these people whom they weren’t able to save because of these ‘bureaucratic procedures’ they need to go through before acting out.

One of the officials retorts that they don’t need her justification, and that this has nothing to do with matters of life and death because such matters all comes down to ‘fate’. Shuurei couldn’t believe how they would say such a thing, seeing how unconcerned they are regarding the people of Sa Province who are now in the brink of death. She puts the official in the shoes of a parent whose child in Koringun is about to die, asking him if he won’t feel any regrets if the doctor who’s supposed to treat his child arrives late because of the permissions and other procedures that had to be undertaken before the doctor could be sent out (just like what they’re asking of her now). “Will you simply be contented with the reason that your child died because of ‘fate’? Won’t you regret and think that if only the doctor was able to arrive earlier, then this tragedy wouldn’t have happened?”, Shuurei asks them.

The official answers that of he certainly won’t have any regrets, then Ryuuki asks him if this will also be the case if his child is the one at stake. The official replies that it’s going to be a different story if it involves the emperor’s child, since he’ll certainly do whatever means to help out his child. Shuurei frowns at this discrepancy and wonders why this action would prove to be justifiable if it involves the ‘emperor’s child’, yet it can’t be so when it involves the ordinary citizens.

Shuurei asks them if they only see these people as mere tax-payers, and if they think these people will be able to live again after dying. Shuurei says that it isn’t so, because each and every one of these citizens is irreplaceable. She tells them not to forget that there will certainly be people grieving over their death, and as government officials, it’s their duty to protect these people.

Shuurei adds that there are certain things that people can’t do no matter how hard they try (like she was before), but now she was able to have “power” as she has assumed the role as a governor, and tells them of what she has accomplished with this ‘power’ given her – she was able to persuade the All-Merchant’s Alliance, gather great doctors and medicines, and in half-a-month’s time they’ll be able to arrive in Koringun and start treating the patients there – and all these wouldn’t have been possible for the ‘Kou Shuurei’ she was a year ago. Knowing that she has this power to save the lives of many people, Shuurei certainly can’t afford to let this go to waste. Kouyuu, Shuuei, and Ryuuki remembers these very words of Shuurei before, contemplating over the lack of power she had to change anything while the emperor who has this ‘power’ isn’t doing his utmost to help uplift the lives of people.

As Ryuuki reflects on this, he can’t help but think “not doing something one is capable of doing, is considered a crime”. Shuurei adds that despite the fact this decision is ‘rash’, it’s actually an efficient way to handle this problem knowing the great number of lives that will be saved instead. “I won’t simply stand and do nothing and leave everything to fate, and I will certainly not say in front of the graves of people ‘tough luck for you’. Despite how reckless this decision might be, I’ll certainly do everything in my power to help out these people” declares Shuurei, who expresses her joy of becoming a governor, as well as her wanting to become a governor who can take pride in having been able to save the lives of many. This is the answer Shuurei found to the question, “For what reason does the government official exist?”, which she’s been asking herself over and over again – that the government official exists for the sake of protecting the lives of many, and with this, she’s going to head to Sa Province no matter what.

Just then, another official remembers the rumors the Jasenkyou is spreading about Shuurei being the cause of the disease in Koringun. The other officials also speaks out their remarks with regards to this, ridiculing Shuurei for proudly standing up against them when there’s no one else to blame for the disease but her, and says that this simply shows that women are indeed not rightful to be involved in this ‘sacred’ role of governing. To silence this commotion and bring them in order, Ryuuki lets out a huge thud by striking the floor with his sword, and this gesture and the serious expression he showed made the people in the room see Emperor Senou in him, possessing the same spirit and austerity he had.

Ryuuki affirms that there have been indeed reports regarding this issue, and asks Shuurei if she’s still willing to go despite all this. Shuurei of course doesn’t intend to back down from her decision, and says that if she is indeed the one to blame for the disease, then it’ll be all the more reason that she should go there, for her to confront the perpetrator of these rumors. Shuurei believes that the best way to cure the people infected with the disease is to find the best treatment possible for them, and then find a way deal with the Jasenkyou. Shuurei adds that both she and Eigetsu form this entity of being a governor, and so she has to go to Sa Province and work together with him. She bows down before Ryuuki, pleading him to allow her to go, pledging as an appointed official as well as by the flower given her by the emperor, that she’ll do everything to resolve this matter.

Ryuuki affirms what she means by her gesture, that she’s willing to bear the consequences if ever she’s found out to be the cause of this disease. Shuurei agrees, and says that they have to head to where the Jasenkyou, but Kouyuu refuses to allow her to do this, knowing how dangerous this situation is. Ryuuki asks her what she’s going to do with her obligation as a governor, and Shuurei tells him not to worry about this since she’s going to finish all her responsibilities. Ryuuki decides that he can’t let pass what the Jasenkyou has done to throw the people of Sa Province in confusion, and decrees that the Imperial Army be dispatched for this mission to deal with the Jasenkyou. All the officials were surprised by Ryuuki’s decision, considering that this is the first major move he has done ever since he ascended to the throne (or that it’s only this time that this decree of dispatching the Imperial Army has once again been ordered ever since the time of Emperor Senou, as they literally said it).

Shuurei vehemently refuses to accept this decision, and explains that the reason why Ensei and Eigetsu didn’t ask for such help in the first place is because of the great number of people who would be involved in this (the people who became Jasenkyou’s followers), especially with this kind of method which obviously shows what they are intending to do with the Jasenkyou (and will further stir-up the problem). Shuurei says that the problem might be resolved with this kind of ‘brute force’, but nevertheless many people will die as an outcome of this ‘resolution’, and as a governor, she certainly won’t allow this to happen.

The very reason why Shuurei is insisting on going there to face the Jasenkyou all by herself is to avoid stirring up this cult, even if she has to become a ‘sacrifice’ in behalf of this, knowing that the reason why the Jasenkyou is spreading these rumors is most likely because they want to meet her face to face. Shuurei says that they first have to resolve the problem regarding the disease, then carefully decide on how to handle the Jasenkyou. Shuurei regards the lives of the people are utmost priority, and declares that she’ll certainly find a means to resolve this matter by staying true to this.

Shuurei doesn’t deny the fact they’ll be needing help from the military (to avoid being captured), but the help that Shuurei wants is one that would limit the number of casualties as much as possible, which is not in the form of the dispatch of the Imperial Army but something else. In order for Yuushun to support the government of Sa Province, he will be heading to Korenjou, and so she asks Ryuuki to have Seiran protect him on his way there. Protecting Yuushun will be the first priority, and Shuurei will be parting ways with him when she heads to Koringun together with the doctors. Shuurei tells Ryuuki not to worry about her since Ensei will be by her side to protect her, and asks him to trust her. Ryuuki knows well that Ensei is capable of this, but nevertheless finds it hard to have Shuurei leave knowing how she is putting herself as a ‘sacrifice’ for this mission. Despite his hesitations, Ryuuki tells himself that he’s the emperor of Saiunkoku, and for this, he casts aside personal matters and gains the courage to accept what Shuurei asked of him.

Three days after, the preparations have finally been completed and Shuurei arrives in the archives where her father is, totally exhausted. Shuurei will be departing for Sa Province the next day, and she can’t help but cry as she thinks of the possibility that she’s indeed the one to blame for all that has happened in Sa Province, but Shouka assures her that she certainly have nothing to do with it. She apologizes to her father for once again leaving him all alone and for making him worry all the time, to which Shouka replies that this is why she should come back home safe, to rid him of these worries. Shouka also tells her that there are many other people who are concerned about her, and it’s all the more reason why she should come back.

Despite Shouka telling her about being able to stop her from going there, Shuurei says that she has to go, because there are people waiting for her – Ensei and Eigetsu who are now working hard for the sake of Sa Province. Shouka says that it’s alright for her to say “I don’t want to go” at a time like this, and Shuurei says that she certainly won’t say that. Shouka makes her promise him that she won’t do everything on her own, and that she should rely on people when she’s faced with problems, and express her anger or sadness to them. Shouka knows that Ensei will certainly be there to help her out, and can always smile no matter what happens. Shouka once again assures Shuurei that it’s not her fault, and Shuurei apologizes to Shouka and Seiran, then cries to sleep. Seiran approaches them, and Shouka tells him that not being chosen to be the one to protect Shuurei must be painful for him. Seiran doesn’t really feel that way, since he knows he can count on Ensei (but he does feel somewhat mortified).

Shouka mentions that Shuurei relied on Ensei this time, but the one who’s supported him and Shuurei all this time is no one else but Seiran. Shouka assures him that both he and Shuurei loves him, and that he’s an irreplaceable member of their family. Shouka realizes that there’s no one else Seiran can entrust Shuurei to but Ensei, which makes him relieved. Seiran assures him that there’s nothing to worry about this since he’s never met anyone else who’s stronger than Ensei but their master. Shouka turns to Seiran and asks if he’s indeed alright with the way things are, and Seiran says he is, because it’s not like he’s [completely] leaving Shuurei to Ensei (it just so happens that there are other things he has to do as a military officer, and that he has to keep his head up for Shuuurei, according to what Seiran said in the novel). Shouka tells Seiran that Shuurei is certainly doing her best by herself, but she can’t live by herself, and the same goes for Seiran. Shouka says that even if he’s not by Shuurei’s side, he can certainly do other things in her behalf, and entrusts Shuurei to him.

Daybreak comes and Reishin is intently watching over Shuurei, caressing her hair in her sleep. Kouyuu tells Reishin it’s time for them to go back, and that he can just send mandarin oranges to Shuurei again, which will make her very happy. Reishin criticizes his idea, saying that there’s no ‘creativity’ in doing the same thing again, considering that he’s competing with Kurou who’s full of surprises, and Kouyuu replies that he’ll carefully think about another idea. Kouyuu then talks about the marriage proposal from Kurou, telling Reishin that he’s happy with the way things are now, and that both he and Shuurei are also busy with their work at hand. Kouyuu says that being able to eat oranges together is enough for him, to which Reishin makes him do as he pleases. Looking at Shuurei, Reishin remarks how Shuurei has grown to like ‘bothersome things’ like governing the country, despite the fact he can certainly give her anything she wants (anything except this ‘thing’ she’s wishing for).

Kouyuu cheers up Reishin, saying that Shuurei looks really happy when she eats oranges. Reishin doesn’t find this surprising, considering that he pioneered the research for improving the techniques of growing oranges for Shuurei’s sake. He remembers the time he fed Shuurei these oranges (the same way Kurou did), and Shuurei returned this favor with a sweet smile, making him ‘glow’ in happiness. Reishin turned at Kouyuu and frowns as he complains how Kouyuu was already grown up when he picked him up, and so he wasn’t cute anymore. Koyuu couldn’t believe how Reishin would say this, since it was Reishin’s decision to pick him up in the first place. Kouyuu raised his voice in response to what Reishin said, and disturbs Shuurei in her sleep. Reishin immediately heads off through the window with amazing speed, leaving Kouyuu who hides near the bookshelves and pretend to sleep. Shuurei wakes up, surprised to see that she fell asleep and comments on feeling relieved after she cried away her tears. Shuurei was surprised to see Houju, Kei jirou, Sai Rin, Yuushun, Chamberlain Ro, Shuuei, Kouyuu, Doctor Tou, Hakumei, Sakujun, and Kouyuu (pretending to sleep) who fell asleep in the archives as well, delighted that these many people were concerned about her, then heads to the garden where she first met Ryuuki.

Shuurei touches the tree which symbolizes many things for her. Just then, Ryuuki utters, “I’m angry”, surprising Shuurei who thought that no one was around. Ryuuki says that there’s nothing wrong with him being there, because it’s his palace after all, then pouts that he’s been eating nothing else but meat for the past three days, to which she explains that it’s because pigs and cows are being used by the doctors for studying surgery, but thinks that he must have been served with fishes as well. Ryuuki however was already tired of eating all those meat, and longed to eat a vegetable dish instead. Ryuuki blurts out that he hates Shuurei (because she never thought about his health, knowing that he ate nothing but meat, according to the novel), complaining how Shuurei doesn’t understand the agonizing heart of a man (or rather understands him), and because of this, there’s no one else who’ll want to have Shuurei as his bride but him.

Shuurei apologizes for that (in a somewhat sarcastic tone), and assures Ryuuki that she’ll cook a vegetable dish for him once she comes back, surprising Ryuuki (in delight). Ryuuki also asks her to play the erhu for him, to take a walk in the garden with him, as well as to marry him, and Shuurei agrees to all of this except the last request, making Ryuuki click his tongue in disappointment. All the while, Ryuuki had his back on Shuurei, and so she tells him it’s time for him to face her. Ryuuki doesn’t want to do this, thinking that he might ‘push her down’ (or jump down on her), but then changes his wording and tells Shuurei that what he meant was ‘he might not be able to let go of her’, and Shuurei tells him it’s already too late for him to act cool (since his ‘cover’ was already blown).

Shuurei tells Ryuuki that it’s the first time he heard her say that he hates her, and Shuurei says that it’s not like she’s going to die, since she’ll certainly find a way to get back safely. Ryuuki turns to face her, warning her that if she doesn’t come back, he’ll become a ‘yamori’ (a gecko), which he explains to be ‘staying a bachelor’ all his life. Shuurei thinks that perhaps what he intended to say was ‘yamome’ (widow) instead, and wonders that what would happen if it turns into a ‘gecko’. Ryuuki realizes that he’s been fooled by Shou Taishi again, into thinking that ‘yamori’ is ‘bachelor’ when it should be ‘yamome’ instead (nevertheless, ‘yamome’ doesn’t really express what Ryuuki was referring to as a ‘bachelor’, since it means ‘widow’ instead - although, there’s also some truth in saying ‘widow’, considering that Shuurei was once the Emperor’s Consort ^^).

Ryuuki confirms what Shuurei said about making him a vegetable dish, and requests that she make him a scrumptious vegetable dish of the Sa Province. Shuurei holds his hand, and tells him she agrees to his request. Ryuuki then kisses Shuurei’s hand, confessing that what he said about hating her was just a lie, and tells her that he’ll be waiting for her. The time comes for Shuurei and the others to depart, and Kokujun kneels before Ryuuki, thanking him for allowing Shuurei and the other to embark for Sa Province, and pledges his loyalty (and the Sa Clan’s loyalty as well) to him. Ryuuki then tells Kokujun to do his best and show Sa Enjun what he’s capable of, knowing that he’s certainly keeping watch over him, and Kokujun swears that he’ll do what he can to live up to this. Later that day, Kouyuu approaches Ryuuki, thinking about Shuurei’s decision to decline his offer to dispatch the Imperial Army, and says that Ryuuki must already know beforehand that Shuurei would react to it this way. Ryuuki confides that Shuurei’s decision to decline really troubled him, but then knows that Shuurei has her own way of dealing with things. Kouyuu knows that Ryuuki is hoping for the success of her plans and to come back safely, and Ryuuki believes that she will certainly come back. Kouyuu agrees, then gives him oranges – a gift he gave knowing how much Ryuuki has endured for this.

Thoughts

Shuurei totally blew the officials with the sound arguments she presented, and that just serves them right. Talk about how politics is realistically depicted in this show, where most of these elder statesmen and officials didn’t care about anything else other than the position they hold, without much regard for the citizens who they’re supposed to be helping out in the first place. The officials certainly are stubborn, full of pride, and lack sense of judgment, that despite the fact that Shuurei already put them in the shoes of the people who are suffering, they can just ignore this (as though they didn’t think about it thoroughly), and blindly say “yes” to the questions Shuurei posed.

Ryuuki somewhat interceded in Shuurei’s argument with the official who told her that matters of life and death all comes down to ‘fate’, and despite the fact that Shuurei will be able to convince this official to see how his argument is the one at fault, she will certainly have a hard time doing so if Ryuuki didn’t do that interceding, seeing as the official is really close-minded to what they think is ‘right’ (hence their ‘crooked’ way of thinking).The officials will certainly think about anything to make it seem that Shuurei is the one at fault in what she did, despite the fact that it’s the right thing to do. They still uttered their complaints as though they’re all righteous, despite the fact that they won’t be doing anything else anymore but agree, since Shuurei already did what’s necessary for the setting their plan into action. They even brought out the rumors the Jasenkyou is spreading, regarding it as though it’s the ‘truth’, and Ryuuki had to intercede with all this commotion they’re making. Ryuuki’s gesture of striking the floor with his sword certainly put the officials in their place, and made them see how Ryuuki is becoming a great emperor, just like his father Senou.

It wasn’t clearly depicted in the anime, but in the novel, Governor Kai’s thoughts about how he’s seen hope for Saiunkoku with a person like Shuurei in the government is clearly shown. In the anime, we’re simply shown the faces of the prominent officials and the gleam in their face, and the audience have to be ‘mind readers’ to know this implication. This is only one among many reasons as to why it’d be great to read the actual novels itself, it adds more ‘impact’ and overall ‘dramatic feel’ to the events.

Another thing I’d have to admire Shuurei for in this episode is the strong resolve she had when she came to the meeting. She was readily prepared to face the emperor, to face the ridicule from the officials, and most of all, she gained the courage to even become a ‘sacrifice’ just for the sake of the people she wants to protect. Despite the fear that she had of being the cause of the mishaps in Sa Province, she overcame that fear and stood up for what she believes in. She held back her tears all throughout the preparations for this mission, and only cried after everything was done…

As Shuurei mentioned in this episode, she is different from the ‘Kou Shuurei’ from before, who was but powerless to change the state of her nation because of being a woman. She has gone through so much throughout her life, and it’s through these hardships that her eyes were awakened to the plight of the people in their land. And now that she’s had this opportunity and ‘power’, she certainly is using this ‘power’ to fulfill that dream of uplifting the lives of people, knowing how Shuurei doesn’t want to witness the same experience they had before when all the people around them are dying one by one.

Shuurei and Eigetsu are similar in this regard, where both of them have bear witness to people dying and their powerlessness to prevent this from happening. This is exactly what drove them to aspire for power - to uplift the lives of their citizens, and it’s all the more reason why we see both of them fit for the title of being ‘governor’, who both possess the same zeal to pursue the same noble goals they have.

Equally (or even more) admirable was Ryuuki, who showed just how much he endured with this encounter with Shuurei, knowing that he has to cast aside his personal feelings and make decisions as the ‘emperor’ and not as the Ryuuki who loves Shuurei. In my opinion, Ryuuki had to endure much much more then Shuurei in this encounter, considering that Ryuuki harbors strong feelings of love for Shuurei (and the loneliness he felt all the time he hadn’t been able to spend even a little time with her), and is torn in between this love and his role as the emperor. The anime depicted Ryuuki’s reluctance to agree to what Shuurei wants (knowing how painful it is to let her leave, and see the woman he loves be put into danger), but the novel all the more shows how much courage it took for Ryuuki to allow Shuurei to do as she wants.

It’s stated that what Ryuuki really feared is the possibility that the ‘people’ whom Shuurei is trying to protect with all her might, could also be the very people who’ll become her ‘enemies’. And Despite the fact that Shuurei gained the resolve to make her a ‘sacrifice’ despite this possibility, the fact that this mission is extremely dangerous for Shuurei who’s probably being targeted by those people. Ryuuki would never want Shuurei to become a ‘sacrifice’, and he knows that Seiran wouldn’t want this too. But nevertheless, he has to make the decision as the emperor of Saiunkoku, which is nothing else but to allow Shuurei to go.

Seiran is somewhat disappointed that he wasn’t the one chosen to protect Shuurei, and we’ve seen how honest he was to Shouka when he actually mentioned “…Ensei can be trusted, although I feel a little mortified” He can’t lie to anyone except Shouka, as mentioned in the novel.

Reishin never fails to provide entertainment for this show, considering how serious of an episode this turned out to be (well not really ‘serious’ in the truest sense of the word, but still… serious). He certainly loves Shuurei, and will do everything in his power for her (obsessed as this might seem to be). To think that he was actually the one who pioneered the research on the orange production… he certainly hates losing to Kurou :p I can’t help but be amused with the remark he gave to Kouyuu, about not being cute anymore when he picked him up… Now, what if Kouyuu was still but a cute little child like Shuurei when Reishin picked him up… perhaps he’ll be much obsessed about Kouyuu as he is about Shuurei…? ^^;;;;;

The brief garden scene near the end of the episode made this Ryuuki x Shuurei fangirl in me really happy… especially with the lack of Ryuuki x Shuurei in the past and coming episodes >< It just makes me sad that there's not much progress in terms of the romantic developments in this pairing, and I can't help but wonder when that will happen (in the far far future) =__= It seems that the only place in the palace where they can talk to each other as 'Shuurei' and 'Ryuuki' (and not as a 'governor' and 'emperor') is no other than in the garden, a place which means a LOT to both of them. Regarding this garden scene, if you'll notice, even after Ryuuki faced Shuurei, he still restrained and kept himself from touching Shuurei. Shuurei must be aware of this, and went to touch his hands which are freezing cold (this was once again just implied in the anime, but clearly stated in the novel).

Now that I think about it, it seemed as if this episode was like, a ‘walk in the past’ (or ‘blast from the past’) of some sort, considering how Shuurei looked back to the way she was before, and the changes that happened to both her life and Ryuuki’s with their encounter in that garden. This garden symbolizes many things for Shuurei, it marked the beginning of the fulfillment of her dreams, which she thought was impossible for her to reach. Shuurei of course is certainly thankful for having met Ryuuki, who made her dream become a reality, but nevertheless she still hasn’t opened up her heart to the possibility of thinking of him romantically yet (despite all my hopes for Shuurei to end up with him). It just pains me to see that Shuurei didn’t even blush when Ryuuki kissed her hand in this episode… and also the fact that Shuurei will once again be away from Ryuuki in the next episodes…

Looks like there’s going to be quite some trouble up ahead as they enter Koringun… and we’re going to be introduced to a new character (a young girl, who’ll grow to be really close to Shuurei, from what I’ve seen in the novel). And I’m quite intrigued by the preview shown with Yougetsu and Eigetsu’s body or soul being split into two (?), and that little Yougetsu… o_O (I think I’ll go spoil myself, and read the novel before the episode airs XD)

P.S. Whew… Took me quite some time to post this, considering that I did something else during the weekend where I have the most free time, and the fact that I read the novel covered by this episode to clear things up (especially with the Chinese subs which I can’t seem to trust any more… I found other errors again today, and despite the fact that they’re not plot-critical, still they are ERRORS T__T )

/me hands the Chinese translator the novel to read and verify the translation (I’m sure the Chinese translator will certainly be able to read and understand this in a matter of hours, or minutes, unlike me who takes days to fully understand it) >.>

Oh, and decided to plug this announcement… I just found out that a new group by the name of FLC (Four Leaf Clover) is subbing season 2! yay! (Saiunkoku fans, rejoice!) ^^ They already have some progress in subbing the episode, as can be seen in their site. They’re still in need of some people to help them out and make their release faster, so just go and inform them if you’d like to lend them a hand (I can’t become a translator for this, due to time constraints… but I am willing to help as a translation-checker, if ever… :3)