This episode was much like the transition episode between arc 3 and arc 4. It’s mostly meant to introduce Shuurei’s next task, but also to strengthen the position of women in the imperial court, even if it does mean that Ryuuki had to abuse his powers a bit.
In the first arc, Shuurei was assigned as Ryuuki’s temporary wife, in the second arc, she was studying hard in order to become a government official. In the third arc, she had to prove herself as shinshi, by having to endure a number of challenging trials and in the fourth arc, she gets assigned as the co-governor of the Sa-province. As the ring is still gone, and all of the ones found are fake, the Sa-province is in desperate need of a governor. If, after a year of the previous governor’s death, nobody is found, people can create a new ring. Ryuuki wanted to prevent some random guy to rise as the governor, so he assigned Shuurei and Eigetsu as temporary governors. By giving them flower buds, it means that he has absolute trust in them. This would prevent people from creating a new ring, as that would be going against the emperor himself, which they want to prevent. Still, this does mean that Shuurei is going to have a tough time from now on. Same as Eigetsu. There will probably be a number of people who don’t like her there.
Still no Kourin. I think that she’ll be able to meet Shuurei in the next episode. Interesting note: Shuurei still doesn’t know the things Kourin did to her. Also, there seem to be some serious plans about making Shuurei as Kouyuu’s wife. Signs are pointing more and more to the direction where Shuurei and Ryuuki will never really be together. After all, if Shuurei would marry Ryuuki, she’d be a princess, which is not something she’s aiming for. Another interesting fact is that when Kurou mentioned that when Kouyuu marries Shuurei, he’ll be taking over the Kou clan. But what if Shuurei ends up taking over the Kou clan?
I think I now know what Ten meant by the fact that the next episodes will be focusing a lot on Seiran’s background. After all, his history with Ensei has been rather unexplained. I think that that’ll be a major focus in the next arc.
I’ve just been wondering, if Wontaek’s prediction is right, and the fifth book will end around episode 25, then will there be enough time for all of the ten books to be shown?
It is impossible for all ten books to be shown. We still have gotten to only the beginning of book 4 at episode 21, as episode 20 & 21 was mainly about character backgrounds, and if they keep up their current pace, book 4 will end about episode 25, and in 39 episodes, we will get to book 7. Although I could not get a copy of book 6 or 7, I heard one of them to be the most popular book in the series ( the source of this information isn’t that reliable, though ), thus it is quite likely that book 7 was the destination from the start of the series.
Couple of remarks.
1. >> Ryuuki had to abuse his powers a bit.
He offered the senior officers the same honor if they wanted to take the post of governor of Sa Providence. All the senior officers, who knew about the danger to their life in the providence, either had other important duties assigned to them already, or did not have the guts to gamble on his life for the promotion. Since everyone was given an opportunity, but none was WILLING to take it, this cannot be considered as abuse of power.
2. >> As the ring is still gone, and all of the ones found are fake, the Sa-province is in desperate need of a governor.
The ring is the mark of head of Sa Clan. Sa Clan, with or without the ring, always tried to manipulate the governor of their providence to their advantage. Possession of the ring has nothing to do with the governor; its sole purpose is strengthen one’s power within the Sa family. By the way, we have already seen where the real ring is located.
>>> Ryuuki wanted to prevent some random guy to rise as the governor, so he assigned Shuurei and Eigetsu as temporary governors.
Ensei was the temporary governor. Shuurei and Eigetsu are assigned as official governor. The random guy thing is about the position of head of Sa Clan. Ryuuki does wish Shuurei and Eigetsu to control the events in Sa Providence and he is hoping that someone who eventually becomes the clan head won’t be able to interfere with the duties of the governor.
>>> This would prevent people from creating a new ring, as that would be going against the emperor himself, which they want to prevent.
As I said, the appointment was not about the ring. Shuurei and Eigetsu are young, however, and he did not want any jealous senior government officials to undermine what Shuurei and Eigetsu has to do, thus the flower bud. The bud carried another meaning: Since they are the first officials to be assigned by him, he is letting everyone know that he considers these two as foundations to his new government.
>>> Interesting note: Shuurei still doesn’t know the things Kourin did to her.
Episode 21 explains this.
>>> But what if Shuurei ends up taking over the Kou clan?
Just the Kou clan? 🙂
>>> Signs are pointing more and more to the direction where Shuurei and Ryuuki will never really be together.
According to surveys done on female readers of this series, Seiran was the most popular male, followed by Kouyuu. Which means why should Shuurei choose Ryuuki when she already have Seiran?
>>>Ensei was the temporary governor. Shuurei and Eigetsu are assigned as official governor. The random guy thing is about the position of head of Sa Clan. Ryuuki does wish Shuurei and Eigetsu to control the events in Sa Providence and he is hoping that someone who eventually becomes the clan head won’t be able to interfere with the duties of the governor.
Ah, ok. Seems I misunderstood that part. It seems a lot more logical now. Thanks for explaining.
>>>By the way, we have already seen where the real ring is located.
Do you mean with Sa’s daughter? I could’ve sworn that one was fake as well.
>>>Just the Kou clan? 🙂
This could promise to be very interesting 🙂
SO the manga finishes at vol 10? Where can I get them?
It’s not a manga, it’s a series of novels. No idea how to get it, though. 😉