Kagesai no Yume - Shadow Dreams Saiunkoku Monogatari Episode 4

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Saiunkoku Monogatari Episode 4
Edited by: Heather

Narrative:	They say that there's nothing to be gained by being short-tempered. Kou Shuurei was angry this morning. She'd entered the Imperial Residence as a tutor to an Emperor who had no interest in government.
Sa:	Laughing at a memory Shou?
Shou:	No, I was just thinking that my plan has worked very well indeed. His Majesty has started taking an active interest in learning to govern and even going so far as to create a crisis for Shuurei-dono.
Sou:	That the Kou family's daughter would be able to do this much.
Sa:	But to think that you'd anticipated his disinterest and seeming stupidity.
Shou:	You can't underestimate His Majesty.
Servant:	You mustn't Kou-kihi-sama.
Shou:	My, Shuurei-dono.
Sou:	What's wrong?
Shuurei:	I, as of this moment henceforth, shall take my leave of the Imperial Residence!
Shou:	And what is the meaning of this?
Shuurei:	That person isn't a stupid lord. He was just acting like a stupid lord.
Shou:	And?
Shuurei:	I will be returning to my home!
Shou:	Thanks to you, his Majesty has changed lately - that's the general consensus at court. But if you were to abandon his Majesty now, he might well revert to his old ways. There's another thing everyone's been talking about - that his Majesty and you have finally started spending your nights together.
Shuurei:	Th-that's...!!
Shou:	It's for five hundred gold pieces you know. We must have you take care of what was asked of you through to the very end you know. Heh.
Shuurei:	I was blinded by the five hundred gold pieces. I hate being poor!
Title:	A treasure is not in possession but in use
Ryuuki:	I didn't think she'd get as angry as that. Not to mention that she's my wife in name only... Such a shock!
Shuuei:	Why did you pretend to be a fool all this time?
Ryuuki:	I figured Shuurei would pay more attention to me that way.
Shuuei:	I beg your pardon Your Majesty, but you've slept with women before haven't you. And quite a number at that.
Ryuuki:	How did you know!?
Shuuei:	You can tell from the way you approach Shuurei-dono. Why did you stay silent?
Ryuuki:	I figured if I were to have children, things could become complicated.
Shuuei:	You mean civil war?
Ryuuki:	I thought that someone else would take the throne soon.
Shuuei:	So in order to avoid the danger of having children, you made everyone think that you liked men instead. Certainly, until Shuurei-dono was sent here, regardless of how great the ally, no one had been able to send any of their blood daughters to the Imperial Residence. In that case Your Majesty, what about falling in love?
Ryuuki:	Eh?
Shuuei:	I'll give you credit for having good taste in women. Now then, having thoroughly angered Shuurei-dono, you'll have to do your best and win back her good opinion. Without fail, we'll determine the route for the poison. I won't let you down. Afterall, I accepted your purple iris.
Ryuuki:	I'm counting on you.
Sou:	It's a relief that His Majesty has become much more kingly.
Shou:	It's too early to be relieved. We've got to hurry and find out who's been trying to poison Shuurei-dono.
Sa:	In order to avoid this being leaked to the outside, has Shuurei-dono been told not to speak about it? If it gets out the court will become uneasy...
Shou:	Even without doing so, no doubt no one will say anything. Afterall, it'll only end up worrying Shouka-dono.
Sou:	Just who...
Shou:	But if Prince Seien were here, His Majesty wouldn't have pretended to be a foolish Emperor.
Sou:	Prince Seien
Sa:	Among the princes he was the most distinguished. If he'd been here, the fight for the throne might never have occurred.
Shou:	His whereabouts are unknown since he was exiled. No. We don't even know if he's alive or not.
Shuurei:	sighs That's the sort of thing they mean by crafty.
Shouka:	For all that I work in the palace I have no connection with politics. And there are no relatives to take advantage of your rank as consort in political affairs.
Shuurei:	You knew everything, didn't you father.
Shouka:	I first met Ryuuki-sama some time after I started working in the archives. A young boy came to the archives covered with injuries. I was surprised and treated his injuries. He was a silent and expressionless boy. And it was some time before I learned who he was. After a long time, he finally started to talk a little. About his mother, the elder princes, and about the second prince - the only one in the palace to ever love him. Whenever he came to the archives, he was always covered with injuries. Even after his mother passed away, the elder princes continued beating him. The only thing I could do for him was to listen to him talk. Shuurei. He has the social rank of someone from the Shi family and a huge palace - things that anyone would be envious of. But, a mother's love, kind words, or a hand to pat his head - such absolutely essential things - he was unable to grasp even one of those in his hands. But, now you're here. Much closer than I ever was. Take good care of the Emperor - Ryuuki-sama, Shuurei.
Kouyuu:	It seems Shuurei-dono has caught on as well.
Shuuei:	Ah, you mean about that stupid lord act.
Kouyuu:	But it seems that Shuurei-dono won't be leaving.
Shuuei:	That's Seiran. Come to think of it, I wonder if he received a flower too.
Kouyuu:	Who knows.
Shuuei:	Hey Seiran.
Seiran:	!
Shuuei:	Have you heard the rumour spreading among the ladies-in-waiting?
Seiran:	You mean about Her Lady and His Majesty?
Shuuei:	That's right. What do you think?
Seiran:	You ask that, but I expect that nothing happened.
Shuuei:	Such certainty. Not being able to tease you is no fun at all. Hm? Hahah. You must have some grounds for having that much confidence. Come to think of it, it's a really nice situation that you live together with Shouka-sama and Shuurei-dono. If Shouka-sama's the guard of the treasure, then no doubt there were lots of opportunities. And you're quite the man and over twenty. Now confess.
Seiran:	There's nothing.
Shuuei:	Sou Taifu.
Sou:	The young fella from the Ran family and you're... Just as well, spar with me.
Seiran:	? Me?
Sou:	That's right.
Shuuei:	Sou Taifu was once a military officer and distinguished himself in battle as a seasoned and valiant commander.
Sou:	Good block.
Seiran:	Shogun Sou.
Sou:	You said your name was Seiran did you not?
Seiran:	Yes.
Sou:	How old are you?
Seiran:	I'm now 21.
Sou:	Really? It seems you were taken in by Shouka-sama thirteen years ago. What did you do before that?
Seiran:	That's...
Sou:	You're not bad. At a glance, it seems like your own fighting style, but the styles you learn when you're young aren't so easy to get rid of. Your style is very like one I know well. No doubt the young fellow over there has realised it as well. Afterall, he's gained the rank of Shogun. I thought I'd never see it again. Since I taught Ryuuki off and on, he doesn't know that style. That prince called me Shogun Sou, just like you just did.
Shuurei:	Seiran! Good timing. I just made some vegetable buns. That soft outside combined with the crisp daikon radish inside is so wonderful, isn't it.
Seiran:	Yeah.
Shuurei:	I was thinking about giving them to His Majesty to eat. I got really angry with him earlier. I wonder if things'll be okay.
Seiran:	It'll be fine.
Shuurei:	There's probably a good reason behind his pretending to be a stupid lord. I can sort of understand that being the Emperor isn't easy.
Seiran:	True.
Shuurei:	Hey Seiran.
Seiran:	Yes?
Shuurei:	You aren't perhaps getting picked on by the rest of the Uringun are you?
Seiran:	Huh?
Shuurei:	You're good with the sword and good looking. Come to think of it, there's no way someone wouldn't try picking a fight.
Seiran:	My lady. There's been nothing like that.
Shuurei:	Then what? What else are you worrying about?
Seiran:	I can't win against you can I?
Shuurei:	If something has happened, tell me. Just as I always go on and on complaining and vent my feelings, I want you to... But it's probably no use. You've never done that sort of thing, not even once. Sheesh, how am I supposed to pay back my mounting debts.
Seiran:	You've repayed it long ago.
Shuurei:	Eh?
Seiran:	Seeing you be yourself always makes me happy.
Shuurei:	Really?
Seiran:	Really.
Shuurei:	But Seiran, you always seem to be getting the raw end of the deal.
Seiran:	Raw end of the deal?
Shuurei:	You always put yourself last.
Seiran:	It's not like that at all. The Master and you are very important to me, so I want to put you first.
Shuurei:	You're predisposed to getting the raw end of the deal! Looking at you, reminds me of that saying of treasures being, not in possession, but in their use. Could it be that you're not aware of how wonderful you are? I'm really happy that you're always there but, I often think you're wasted on us. That and I feel like one day, you'll end up going far away...
Seiran:	I'll always be by your side.
Kouyuu:	Sheesh! What's with this fighting tournament all of a sudden?
Shuuei:	Eat or speak; how about doing just one of them at a time?
Kouyuu:	Just what is Sou Taifu thinking?
Shuuei:	And you're going to preside over this tournament then?
Kouyuu:	You'll be taking part in it too.
Shuuei:	What?!
Kouyuu:	Aa!
Shuuei:	What is it?
Kouyuu:	That's it. Could it be that it's a way to smoke out the Black Wolf?
Shuuei:	The Black Wolf. The man who's said to head the Wolves of the Wind, the assassination group that was the hidden sword in the former Emperor's breast pocket. He's now considered legend and is supposed to be without match as an assassin.
Kouyuu:	Rumour has it he's still alive. Moreover, that he's supposed to be within the palace! Could it be that Sou Taifu's trying to discover who it is by holding this fighting tournament?
Shuuei:	The Black Wolf - he's not the type to let his identity be discovered so easily is he?
Kouyuu:	That's true. Probably the last person you'd suspect would be the Black Wolf.
Sou:	You'll be entering the tournament day after tomorrow.
Seiran:	I-
Sou:	And no holding back.
Shouka:	achoo! The nose is so itchy in spring.
Kouyuu:	Shouka-sama.
Shouka:	Oh, Kouyuu-dono. Did you want something?
Kouyuu:	I'm supposed to preside over the fighting tournament on the day after tomorrow.
Shouka:	My.
Kouyuu:	So... I was hoping you could help me with the speech!
Shouka:	That's something you should think about... I'm hoping to serve tea...
Shuurei:	Wow... ?! Kouyuu-sama.
Kouyuu:	Is something wrong?
Shuurei:	That there, is a bit bad.
Shouka:	Here you go.
Kouyuu:	That's true. Having Shouka-sama serve tea...
Shuurei:	Not that! Father's tea is terrible!
Sa:	Gyaaa!
Shuurei:	Here you go.
Kouyuu:	Umm... It gives me great pleasure to bring to you today, with such fair skies and on such a wonderful spring day, such a joyous event.
Ryuuki:	What, is this a wedding ceremony?
Shuurei:	He'd written a proper speech but it seems like he's so nervous that he can't read the words.
Sou:	Li Kouyuu! Enough already. Begin!
Kouyuu:	Yes! In that case, let the great ninetieth martial tournament begin!
Sou:	Today, we want you to compete by your skills regardless of whether you are high or low in rank. To the victor, we will present one hundred gold pieces.
Shuurei:	O-one hundred gold pieces. sighs I want to compete too.
Ryuuki:	Understood. I'll also compete and present you with the prize money.
Shuurei:	Really!?
Ryuuki:	In truth, I'd give you however much money you might want but you wouldn't accept it, would you. Will you forgive me for having tricked you with this?
Shuurei:	I've forgiven you a long time ago already. But, do your best to earn the prize, okay?
Ryuuki:	Yeah
Shou:	To think that His Majesty would take part...
Sa:	Not to mention making it to the semi-finals.
Sou:	I taught him all the elements. He won't lose that easily.
Kouyuu:	We'll now begin the semi-finals! Ran Shuuei vs Son Bunshin! Begin!
Kouyuu:	Ah, gaah! Ra-Ran Shuuei!
Shuurei:	Shogun Ran's very popular isn't he?
Ryuuki:	The real Ran Shuuei, yes.
Kouyuu:	The next match is Shi Ryuuki vs Shi Seiran!
Shuurei:	While the characters are different, Ryuuki's and Seiran's family names are both Shi. Which one should I cheer for... Ah, but whichever wins, it's 100 gold pieces for our home...
Kouyuu:	Begin!
Ryuuki:	This style.
Shuurei:	What's got Ryuuki so distracted...
Ryuuki:	This style... Could it be... No, that's not possible. Seiran! You...
Kouyuu:	Shi Ryuuki!
Shuurei:	Congratulations. ? What's wrong?
Ryuuki:	Nothing.
Shuuei:	Ahahahaha.
Shuurei:	In the end, Shogun Ran won.
Ryuuki:	Sorry.
Shuurei:	Never mind that, more importantly, what happened Ryuuki? You had no spirit in the final round. Ryuuki?
Ryuuki:	I'm sorry.
Shuurei:	I wonder what that was about.
Ryuuki:	Seiran! I had an elder brother that I loved very much. Even though I was always alone, he would always play with me. Seien-aniue was the only one who was always kind to me. I loved him more than anyone else. He would always protect me behind his broad back. When my mother and other brothers died, I didn't cry. But, when Seien-aniue was gone, I cried. The reason I didn't govern is because I'd been waiting for some to say: Bring Prince Seien back. And yet, this close...
Seiran:	I'm not your elder brother.
Ryuuki:	?
Seiran:	But if I were, I'd probably tell you to hurry up and get rid of that stupid idea. The Imperial Court has started to function with you at the centre. There's no longer any need for Prince Seien.
Ryuuki:	Wrong!
Seiran:	I think your brother is very happy seeing you as you become more like a true ruler day by day. And if it were possible to serve you in secret... While I think it's difficult to be unable to name himself, but still, you realised. He's more than happy with that.
Ryuuki:	Aniue!! No! I... I don't want it to be just me alone!
Seiran:	Is it all right saying that sort of thing? It'll cause problems again. And even nearby Prince Seien might end up escaping.
Ryuuki:	Escaping?
Seiran:	It means that he'll end up going away. Is that still okay?
Ryuuki:	No!
Seiran:	Then, you'll have to live with him being around somewhere.
Ryuuki:	You're also very good at lying.
Shuurei:	? What're you doing? Did you have a fight? It's too bad neither of you could win, but I'll give up on the prize money. ?? What is it?
Seiran:	Nothing.
Ryuuki:	It's nothing. Just seeing you makes things that much more fun.
Shuurei:	You say the same sorts of things as Seiran does. Could it be... Maybe the two of them... are seeing each other??
Ryuuki:	What's wrong?
Shuurei:	Eh? N-nothing.
Seiran:	My Lady, if you're worrying about something...
Shuurei:	I'll be going back to my room now.
Ryuuki:	Oy! Shuurei!
Seiran:	My Lady!
Shuurei:	I'm sorry. I was intruding wasn't I?! Please, please...
Seiran:	Please wait a moment, My Lady.
Ryuuki:	Shuurei!
Seiran:	My Lady's being strange.
Trailer:	I wonder what exactly is this... original flute sound. Unpleasant and bizarre... not to mention it makes you want to plug your ears. Just who are you? Eh? Shogun Ran's younger brother?!