| Narrative: |
Just around the time when Shouka's younger brother, Kou Kurou, was visiting, Shuurei came to be in a rather dangerous situation. |
| Shuurei: |
Kochou-neesan. |
| Kochou: |
Shuurei-chan. I'm sorry, but I want you to stay here for a while. Because there's someone who wishes it. There's no way you can't refuse. He's not someone that the two of you, having neither rank nor position, can defy. Not to mention you probably don't want anything bad to happen to your dear Father now, do you? |
| Shuurei: |
Fine. |
| Seiran: |
My Lady! |
| Eigetsu: |
Seiran-san. His Majesty entrusted me with this. Please use it. |
| Kochou: |
Go on! Hurry up and leave.
How scary. But you can't do anything. Although things might have been different if you were an officer with authority like Ran-sama. It's too bad. As things are right now, you can't protect that which is important to you.
|
| Title: |
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie*
* literally poking bushes draws out snakes
|
| Man: |
*laughs* I see. So everything went according to plan then. With this, I'll be able to kick that little girl out of Court. |
| Thug: |
What would you like done with the kid. |
| Man: |
That brat thinks I was being subservient towards him and made a fool of me. I'll see to it that his career as an official becomes closed soon enough. In the meantime, you people can have some fun with him. |
| Thug: |
Okay. |
| Man: |
But to think that person would volunteer to be that little girl's sponsor, Kou Reishin's a surprisingly foolish man. I can use this opportunity to oust him at once.
|
| Kurou: |
It appears that you were expecting that I would come. |
| Shouka: |
Yeah. Because Eigetsu-kun told me. After all, you gave him food and a place to stay for a night after he'd ended up sending all his money home, didn't you? It seems you asked Eigetsu-kun about Shuurei...
...in exchange for the debt of a meal and night's stay. |
| Kurou: |
Honestly! Blathering like that. |
| Shouka: |
And you didn't just investigate about Shuurei. It seems you've been seeing to a number of things as well. |
| Kurou: |
Are you truly aware of the current situation your daughter is in at the moment? If I hadn't done anything, the harassment she would have faced...
I hate you. I don't feel the slightest regret having had you thrown out of that home. |
| Shouka: |
*sighs* I feel so, too. |
| Kurou: |
But even so, you are our elder brother, and the eldest child of the Kou clan. And that girl, this country's first female official, is a lady of the Kou house. |
| Shouka: |
Hm? |
| Kurou: |
I'll have Shuurei become Li Kouyuu's wife. |
| Shouka: |
*sighs* |
| Kurou: |
For the sake of the next generation of the Kou clan. |
| Kage: |
Kurou-sama. |
| Kurou: |
What's happened? |
| Kage: |
It appears that Reishin-sama has been confined at the Imperial Palace. |
| Kurou: |
For what reason? |
| Kage: |
Because of suspicions of impropriety regarding Shuurei-hime passing the National Exams. |
| Kurou: |
How foolish. But it seems Rei-aniue allowed himself to be taken, did he? |
| Kage: |
Also, about Shuurei-hime. |
| Shouka: |
Hm? |
| Kurou: |
What is it? |
| Kage: |
It appears that she, along with To Eigetsu, are being held at Kogarou. Also, it's likely there will be an inquiry about her, tomorrow at the Imperial Palace. |
| Kurou: |
I see. So she's being held to prevent her from being able to attend.
Fine.
We'll show what it means to make an enemy of the Kou clan.
|
| Shuuei: |
Your Majesty, a letter bearing a purple seal has arrived from Seiran. |
| Ryuuki: |
A purple seal? But I gave that to Eigetsu...
Hm...
?! |
| Shuuei: |
Did something happen? |
| Ryuuki: |
Shuurei's being held prisoner. |
| Shuuei: |
My. So Shuurei-dono is, too. |
| Ryuuki: |
"Too"? |
| Shuuei: |
Kou Reishin-dono has also been arrested. |
| Ryuuki: |
How did that happen?! |
| Shuuei: |
Because that rumour seems to have spread a great deal. |
| Ryuuki: |
You mean that one about Shuurei passing through underhanded means? |
| Shuuei: |
It seems the Department of Protocol, which is responsible for overseeing the National Exams is the source of the rumour, so it probably seemed strangely credible.
No doubt that fool thought now was his chance. And so foolishly, against Reishin-dono... |
| Ryuuki: |
Of all things, to do something against Reishin... |
| Shuuei: |
By the way, there's one other thing that the Ran family's caught wind of. |
| Ryuuki: |
What is it? |
| Shuuei: |
That Kou Kurou-dono, the proxy Kou clan head, is currently in the capital. |
| Ryuuki: |
Augh! |
| Shuuei: |
It appears that he's currently paying a visit to Shouka's residence. |
| Ryuuki: |
Talk about bad luck. |
| Shuuei: |
Certainly you'll have to act to keep damages to a minimum. |
| Ryuuki: |
If he'd get a little more carried away with things, there are ways to deal with him but... |
| Kouyuu: |
Don't worry. I got him to take things further still. |
| Ryuuki: |
What is that? |
| Kouyuu: |
It's a petition seeking Kou Shuurei to give up the rank of "shinshi". His name's clearly written on it. It wants an inquiry opened immediately. |
| Ryuuki: |
You did it, Kouyuu!
Fine! We'll hold that inquiry tomorrow at noon!
But before that... I am going to where Shuurei is.
|
| Kouyuu: |
Things are going to get busy tonight. Come back soon. |
| Ryuuki: |
I-I-I got it. |
| Raien: |
Oh, so you've finally come! That's a good look on your face. So, you've made your decision. |
| Seiran: |
Daishogun Haku. I have a favour to ask. |
| Raien: |
Sure. I'll listen to that favour. What do you want? |
| Seiran: |
A sword.
The position, rank and authority to wear a sword to protect what is important to me!
|
| Shuurei: |
Kochou-neechan hates me now, too... along with all the townsfolk. |
| Eigetsu: |
Everyone's just been taken off-guard is all. |
| Shuurei: |
Hey. Why did you want to become an official, Eigetsu-kun? |
| Eigetsu: |
Because I'd get lots of money. |
| Shuurei: |
Eh?! |
| Eigetsu: |
Actually, I wanted to become a doctor... and to help the sick. But doctors are poor, aren't they? |
| Shuurei: |
I see. |
| Eigetsu: |
The monk who raised me was that way. Rather than be paid money, he preferred being paid with materials for medicines. He took almost no money yet took care of the sick all along. It didn't really matter that we didn't have anything to eat. But because we didn't have money, there were times when he couldn't help those seeking help. At times like that, he'd get a very hurt look on his face. While money isn't everything, you can do much more if you have it. I don't want to see that look on Doushuu-sama's face. |
| Shuurei: |
Thank you, Eigetsu-kun. |
| Eigetsu: |
Huh? |
| Shuurei: |
I remember... why I wanted to become an official and what I wanted to do when I became one. Whatever the townsfolk may think, I'll do my best and work for everyone's sake. |
| Thug: |
So this is the brat that cause such embarassment for the Master? |
| Eigetsu: |
Wh-what is it? |
| Thug: |
We were ordered to play with you a bit. |
| Thug: |
I heard that you can't drink alcohol. |
| Thug: |
Huh, that sounds interesting. Let's see what happens when he drinks alcohol then. |
| Eigetsu: |
Sake's no good! |
| Thug: |
You're coming with us all ready! |
| Shuurei: |
Eigetsu-kun! |
| Thug: |
But you really were a fool. You should've quietly agreed to become the Master's daughter's husband. Now then, we'll teach you well how alcohol tastes very thoroughly. |
| Shuurei: |
Eigetsu-kun! |
| Thug: |
You're to stay here quietly, young lady. |
| Shuurei: |
Let go of me! |
| Thug: |
If being alone is boring, I'll keep you company. After all, this is that sort of place. |
| Thug: |
Oy, come on! |
| Eigetsu: |
Shuurei-san! Shuurei-san!!
|
| Ensei: |
It seems we're likely to arrive much sooner than planned. You really hung in there, Kourin-jouchan. |
| Kourin: |
We need to hurry forward, even if it's only a little. And also see Shuurei-sama... |
| Ensei: |
Aren't you afraid... of seeing the person you tried to kill? |
| Kourin: |
I am afraid. But I won't run anymore. I promised Oo-okusama that I would stop closing my eyes to what I'd done. I, above all... about Shuurei-sama... |
| Ensei: |
You liked Hime-san, didn't you? |
| Kourin: |
There's no way I can say that, the way I am right now. I intend to spend the rest of my life trying to make up for what I've done. |
| Ensei: |
Well, yeah. Even if Hime-san forgives you, you should do so. It doesn't matter if the other person forgives or doesn't forgive you. The crime you've committed will stay with you forever. |
| Kourin: |
You're quite merciless, aren't you? But that feels better, right now. |
| Ensei: |
Now, we're going to push on a little more. |
| Kourin: |
Yes.
|
| Shuurei: |
Stop it! |
| Thug: |
Give it up, all ready! |
| Shuurei: |
No! |
| Thug: |
Hmph. Talk about causing a lot of trouble. |
| Yougetsu: |
So it's you again. You really are a dimwitted girl.
?
Your luck ran out when you made me drink sake. |
| Thug: |
Why you...! |
| Thug: |
Dammit! |
| Yougetsu: |
Girl! I'm not like that soft-hearted Eigetsu. Don't think that I'll always come to your rescue. But today's special. Afterall, Eigetsu seemed angry too. |
| Thug: |
Dammit! |
| Kochou: |
What's with all the commotion?
|
| Shuurei: |
Kochou-neesan... |
| Thug: |
Just in time, Kochou. Bring the guards from this place! |
| Kochou: |
Don't say such a foolish thing. |
| Thug: |
What? |
| Kochou: |
Just who do you think I am? |
| Thug: |
Why you...! |
| Shuurei: |
Eigetsu-kun. |
| Yougetsu: |
I'm Yougetsu. |
| Shuurei: |
Thank you, Yougetsu-kun. |
| Yougetsu: |
If it's thanks, you can pay me back with your body... |
| Shuurei: |
Eh? Huh?! Wait... |
| Yougetsu: |
Damn. Out of time... |
| Thug: |
Why you, Kochou! You betrayed us, didn't you? After the Master showed so much affection for you! |
| Kochou: |
I've always been on this side. Not to mention showing affection to me? He's a hundred years too early for that!
How you've underestimated Kougarou's Kochou! And to make matters worse, doing as you have to my precious Shuurei-chan... |
| Shuurei: |
My precious...? |
| Kochou: |
Get him. |
| Kochou: |
You really hung in there. |
| Shuurei: |
Kochou-neesan. You're back to your usual Kochou-neesan!! |
| Kochou: |
Silly. As if I'd throw out the girl I've been taking care of for almost ten years. |
| Shuurei: |
But... but... I didn't know what to do if I ended up being hated by you too! |
| Kochou: |
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I couldn't have you being seen coming here and ended up telling you not to come...
Please, don't cry. |
| Shuurei: |
It's not that. It's just that, I feel so relieved that suddenly... even though I'd come all this way without crying...
|
| Kochou: |
Yeah. You were wonderful. You probably thought that, since you were fighting against men, you wouldn't cry to any man. Not even if it were Seiran. I'm proud of you. My cute girl. But dry your tears now. There's still many things left to be done. |
| Shuurei: |
Things to be done? |
| Kochou: |
I accepted Ran-sama's request because he said it was for your sake. |
| Shuurei: |
"Ran-sama"? You mean Shogun Ran's also involved? Just what's going on...? |
| Kochou: |
It seems the two who are going to explain that have arrived. |
| Ryuuki: |
Shuurei! |
| Seiran: |
My Lady! |
| Shuurei: |
Ryuuki. Seiran.
|
| Kurou: |
Deliver that letter to every member of the Kou clan living in the capital. |
| Kage: |
Understood! |
| Shouka: |
Are you really going to do that? |
| Kurou: |
Yes. I'm angry. |
| Shouka: |
This is truly an instance where one should have let sleeping dogs lie.
|
| Shuurei: |
The ring of the head of the Sa clan? |
| Ryuuki: |
That's right. There's a man trying to take advantage of that ring which has been missing since the death of Sa Taiho, in order to fulfill his own greed. But that's not all. Using his position, he's been engaging in a number of illegal activities in order to line his own pockets. However, regardless of against whom, it wouldn't do to arrest someone without evidence. |
| Shuurei: |
So you used me to find that evidence. |
| Ryuuki: |
I'm sorry. Putting you through that. |
| Shuurei: |
It's all right. But what's that person intending by keeping me here? |
| Ryuuki: |
There's to be an inquiry about you tomorrow at noon. |
| Shuurei: |
What was that?! |
| Ryuuki: |
He doesn't care for having women become officials. And so, claiming that you'd passed the National Exams by improper means, he's demanded an inquiry be opened regarding you. Then by holding you here, he intends to claim that your failing to appear is evidence that you were afraid of having the truth revealed, and had fled. |
| Shuurei: |
How cowardly! I see. So I have to appear before that inquiry and show what I'm capable of. I'll do it. |
| Ryuuki: |
For now, you should stay here tonight with Seiran and Eigetsu.
Your protection is complete, isn't it, Kochou? |
| Kochou: |
Yes. Leave it to us. |
| Ryuuki: |
Undoubtedly, there will be resistance to your coming to the palace, but in order to gather evidence, I won't assign any major guard. I want you to come by your own strength. |
| Shuurei: |
Physically, I'm really weak. |
| Ryuuki: |
That's why Seiran will be with you. It doesn't matter who it's against, in his current position, Seiran doesn't have to hold back against anyone now. |
| Shuurei: |
What do you mean? |
| Ryuuki: |
You'll understand soon enough. |
| Shuurei: |
I understand. By the way, there's something that I've realised... |
| Ryuuki: |
You mean this, right? |
| Shuurei: |
Why...?! |
| Ryuuki: |
It's well written. If you complete it, it will be a compelling piece of evidence of that corruption.
|
| Shuurei: |
Ryuuki |
| Ryuuki: |
Seiran has one of the royal family's seals. Send it using that. Any letters sent stamped with that seal is called a purple letter and is given top priority and delivered directly to me.
What's the matter? |
| Shuurei: |
Nothing.
I understand. By tomorrow noon, right? |
| Seiran: |
My Lady. Would it be all right for me to return to the residence for a moment? I'm worried about the Master. |
| Shuurei: |
You're right. Please do. |
| Kochou: |
In that case, I'll go see this boy to bed. |
| Seiran: |
Likewise, I'll be off. |
| Shuurei: |
Hey. |
| Ryuuki: |
Hm? |
| Shuurei: |
Thank you. |
| Ryuuki: |
Eh? |
| Shuurei: |
Since I came to the palace, you, Kouyuu-sama and Shogun Ran weren't soft on me about anything. You told me frankly that someone may be after me and about your using me... unlike one year ago.
One year ago, no one told me anything. I was being protected, wasn't I? Like a sheltered princess. |
| Ryuuki: |
Shuurei... |
| Shuurei: |
But things are different now. I'm really happy about that. Thank you for treating me as an official with whom matters can be discussed as an equal. That and I'm really happy you came here to help me.
Tell me one thing. I'll never ask again, so don't lie. Can I proudly become an official? Is there really nothing underhanded involved? |
| Ryuuki: |
There's nothing. |
| Shuurei: |
In that case, there's nothing else for me to be afraid of. |
| Ryuuki: |
I'd be really happy, if you'd do something for me. |
| Shuurei: |
What is it? |
| Ryuuki: |
It can wait until after your assignment's been decided. I'd like you to leave some time open for me.
Shuurei? |
| Shuurei: |
If I have time to spare. |
| Kochou: |
A moment, Shujou-san |
| Ryuuki: |
What is it? |
| Kochou: |
We've received a message.
"'As of fifteen minutes ago, half of all work outside the castle walls has come to a halt. If you don't come back immediately, I'll kill you.' --Li Kouyuu" |
| Ryuuki: |
*moans*
I don't want to go back tonight.
|
| Ryuuki: |
Are these all petitions? |
| Kouyuu: |
That's right. |
| Ryuuki: |
I didn't think he'd go this far. |
| Kouyuu: |
The Kou clan has abandoned all their work outside the castle walls. As a result, the capital is in a state of major confusion. Petitions have been coming in constantly! |
| Ryuuki: |
This is all Kurou's doing, is it? |
| Kouyuu: |
And even so, he's taking it easy. |
| Shuuei: |
Afterall, if he were to act seriously, this country would collapse. |
| Ryuuki: |
So this is the power of the Kou clan...
How is Senior Secretary Kou at the moment? |
| Kouyuu: |
He's occupying one of the distant residences all by himself, and has put himself under self-imposed house-arrest. |
| Ryuuki: |
Self-imposed?! |
| Kouyuu: |
He's being troublesome. |
| Ryuuki: |
Talk abou being a bother...! |
| Shuuei: |
But even so, having been put under such major, almost absurd, amounts of pressure, it's strange. It no longer feels like pressure. |
| Ryuuki: |
Shuuei, given the current circumstances, how long will things hold? |
| Shuuei: |
If you said to maintain things, then with the Ran clan's power, we could keep things going indefinitely. But I think, before we do anything, things will be resolved within one day. On the contrary, Kurou-dono's telling you to resolve matters in one day. |
| Ryuuki: |
I see. Let's get this over with. But just what was that one thinking by acting against Reishin. |
| Shuuei: |
Could it be... that he doesn't know that Reishin-dono's the head of the Kou clan? |
| Ryuuki: |
What? |
| Kouyuu: |
Certainly, he's never publicly revealed that he's the head of the Kou clan. |
| Ryuuki: |
That was a definite oversight!
|
| Shuuei: |
That's right, we've received word from Ensei. He's likely to arrive tomorrow evening. |
| Ryuuki: |
Order him to arrive by tomorrow noon. |
| Shuuei: |
I'm afraid... |
| Ryuuki: |
Hm? |
| Shuuei: |
...I've already done so.
|
| Man: |
You have no sake to sell?! |
| Man: |
You're a wine merchant, so what's the meaning of this?! |
| Man: |
How should I know? All distribution of alcohol in the capital has come to a halt. |
| Man: |
Just what is going on here all ready? |
| Kochou: |
Oh dear, we won't be able to open shop today.
The entire city is in a state of confusion. |
| Eigetsu: |
I'm sorry! I slept quite some time...
|
| Shuurei: |
Eigetsu-kun, you're back to your usual self. |
| Eigetsu: |
Yes. Um... was I able to be of much help? |
| Shuurei: |
...Perfectly! |
| Eigetsu: |
That strange pause worries me. |
| Shuurei: |
Never mind that...
...we have to finish this by tomorrow noon, now. |
| Eigetsu: |
Eh?! Uaaa, that's cutting it very close, isn't it? Let's get started right away. |
| Shuurei: |
Hey, Eigetsu-kun. |
| Eigetsu: |
Yes? |
| Shuurei: |
When did you realise things? |
| Eigetsu: |
When I was polishing shoes, I heard a number of strange rumours, so...
That and this...
I checked with those who passed in the top ranks and received their stipends but... |
| Shuurei: |
Good job, Eigetsu-kun.
Now, let's do this. |
| Eigetsu: |
Yes.
|
| Lord: |
This is impossible! Why does Reishin have this much power?! No. Disaster hasn't come down on me yet. I'll leave Shi Province in order to "recover my health". Otherwise, as long as I have this ring, everything will be that little girl's fault. I won't let her show up for noon tomorrow!
|
| Yuuri: |
Houju! Here! Shuu-kun and Eigetsu's project has arrived. To think that they picked up on those papers you'd slipped in a little at a time into their work so thoroughly... |
| Kijin: |
Now, get ready. There'll going to be a battle today!
|
| Ryuuki: |
Shuuei. Kouyuu. Let's go. |
| S & K: |
Yes!
|
| Trailer: |
Kochou-neesan was on my side after all. I'm sorry I doubted you for an instant. Now Seiran, we're going to hurry to the palace. This isn't going to end with us always being beaten. |
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