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The Story of Saiunkoku #7
บุปผาคู่บัลลังก์ เล่ม 7
ชูเรสอบผ่านเข้ารับราชการเป็นขุนนางหญิง (ฝึกหัด) คนแรกของประเทศไซอุนได้สำเร็จ แต่ถูกพวกชาวบ้านและโคโจทำตัวห่างเหิน และยังถูกขุนนางรุ่นพี่และขุนนางพี่เลี้ยงกลั่นแกล้งอีกด้วย ชูเรต้องอดทนกลั้นน้ำตา... ทว่าความคิดหัวโบราณที่ว่า “การเมืองไม่ใช่เรื่องของผู้หญิง!” ก็ยังไม่หมดไป จนในที่สุดเรื่องก็ลุกลามกลายเป็น “ความวุ่นวายครั้งใหญ่” ที่แม้แต่เรชิน ผู้อุปถัมภ์ของชูเร ก็ต้องเข้ามาพัวพันด้วย...!?
159 pages, Paperback
First published March 26, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 5, 2012
The story is set in the country of Saiunkoku with the majority of the story taking place within the various ministries, at least so far. I first encountered this story as an anime. I didn't finish watching all the episodes, but Viz started releasing the manga here in the US and the anime has been released here as well.
Saiunkoku is ruled by an emperor with the different ministries running specific aspects of the government. The country is ruled by a fool of a young man named Ryuki Shi who doesn't take his position seriously, can't be bothered doing his job or learn his duties or be bothered with the governance of the country. In order to try to reign him in, Shurei Hong, daughter of one of the 7 noble clans, but destitute, is brought in as his consort to teach him how to govern.
Shurei's lifelong ambition is to become a civil servant and work at court. Unfortunately, women are not allowed to take the civil servants exam or work for the government. Her father is the Imperial Archivist and has taught her about government, so she understands what is at stake. Ryuki just seems like an idiot, but she has a job to do and she tries to get him to understand the importance of his position and his responsibility to the people of the country. With her guidance, he begins to take an interest in the running of the government.
The title of consort was only to be temporary until Ryuki started to become the emperor he should be. He has fallen in love with Shurei, but knows he cannot keep her by his side. He wants to earn her love and respect and ordering her to stay would do the opposite, so he begins to cultivate a plan. A plan that will perhaps give Shurei what she has always desired most in the world, but may also lead the two of them back together eventually. Ryuki has decreed that women should be allowed to sit the civil servants exam and hold public office.
In Vol 7, Shurei has passed her exam and she had the third highest score of all entrants. There are many men who resent that, especially considering the first ranked seat was won by a 13 year old boy. The job placements will be announced soon, but in the interim, all the inductees are working for the various ministries to learn as much as they can before they are assigned a post. Shurei and the first seat, Eigetsu, are targeted, bullied, given extra work and crap details. Far more than anyone else has to do and they don't complain about it.
There is a conspiracy with the two of them at the center. In an effort to get rid of the two upstarts, a mystery civil servant has orchestrated a situation that may get them removed from their positions before they are ever assigned a post, but not if Ryuki has anything to say about it.
I absolutely love this story. Ryuki is so eager and sincere and he truly cares about Shurei and what she desires. While he has his head's more in the clouds, Shurei has the ability to ground him. They balance each other out. The story itself has everything, romance, adventure, espionage, intrigue, murder, corruption, a little something for everyone.
Volume 8 is due out October 2.
Saiunkoku is ruled by an emperor with the different ministries running specific aspects of the government. The country is ruled by a fool of a young man named Ryuki Shi who doesn't take his position seriously, can't be bothered doing his job or learn his duties or be bothered with the governance of the country. In order to try to reign him in, Shurei Hong, daughter of one of the 7 noble clans, but destitute, is brought in as his consort to teach him how to govern.
Shurei's lifelong ambition is to become a civil servant and work at court. Unfortunately, women are not allowed to take the civil servants exam or work for the government. Her father is the Imperial Archivist and has taught her about government, so she understands what is at stake. Ryuki just seems like an idiot, but she has a job to do and she tries to get him to understand the importance of his position and his responsibility to the people of the country. With her guidance, he begins to take an interest in the running of the government.
The title of consort was only to be temporary until Ryuki started to become the emperor he should be. He has fallen in love with Shurei, but knows he cannot keep her by his side. He wants to earn her love and respect and ordering her to stay would do the opposite, so he begins to cultivate a plan. A plan that will perhaps give Shurei what she has always desired most in the world, but may also lead the two of them back together eventually. Ryuki has decreed that women should be allowed to sit the civil servants exam and hold public office.
In Vol 7, Shurei has passed her exam and she had the third highest score of all entrants. There are many men who resent that, especially considering the first ranked seat was won by a 13 year old boy. The job placements will be announced soon, but in the interim, all the inductees are working for the various ministries to learn as much as they can before they are assigned a post. Shurei and the first seat, Eigetsu, are targeted, bullied, given extra work and crap details. Far more than anyone else has to do and they don't complain about it.
There is a conspiracy with the two of them at the center. In an effort to get rid of the two upstarts, a mystery civil servant has orchestrated a situation that may get them removed from their positions before they are ever assigned a post, but not if Ryuki has anything to say about it.
I absolutely love this story. Ryuki is so eager and sincere and he truly cares about Shurei and what she desires. While he has his head's more in the clouds, Shurei has the ability to ground him. They balance each other out. The story itself has everything, romance, adventure, espionage, intrigue, murder, corruption, a little something for everyone.
Volume 8 is due out October 2.
June 9, 2020
Ahhhhhh I love this series so much!!
• This has a alot of political intrigue involved and mysteries as well.. I'm wondering though how this manga series is going to end though because it's at the point of halfway through the anime.
• I love the singular character perspectives and the prequel story that were presented in this volume but I think I wish it wasnt word for word the anime.
Overall, i love this series if you're looking for a feminist political intrigue story this is for you 4 out of 5 stars
• This has a alot of political intrigue involved and mysteries as well.. I'm wondering though how this manga series is going to end though because it's at the point of halfway through the anime.
• I love the singular character perspectives and the prequel story that were presented in this volume but I think I wish it wasnt word for word the anime.
Overall, i love this series if you're looking for a feminist political intrigue story this is for you 4 out of 5 stars
November 21, 2018
A chapter of cute backstory (and it's a side story no less), but that's pretty much the only relevant content and that was rather annoying.
December 26, 2018
There's a lot going on in this one, but nothing is happening.
January 19, 2021
2.5 stars.
January 17, 2022
話分からないね。
貴族の大事な指輪がなくして偽の指輪を作る人はしゅうれいのことが嫌い。その偽の指輪をどうやって使うの？
わけわからん。
貴族の大事な指輪がなくして偽の指輪を作る人はしゅうれいのことが嫌い。その偽の指輪をどうやって使うの？
わけわからん。
June 26, 2022
I... I believe I like the second lead best 🤣
September 26, 2023
2.5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2012
I think there's an interesting juxtaposition in this volume between Shurei and her net of support and her uncle Reishin's protégé and adopted son Koyu Ri (who was never offered the Hong family name), the vice minister who is one of the most trusted civil servants of emperor Ryuki.
He compares the way that Reishin has been treating him and that Shurei has been treated by her father, Reishin's older brother Shoka - and only a talk with Shoka makes it clear to him what Reishin actually means with the way he treats him. In a nice twist this talk directly leads into the youngest brother Kuro Hong, current head of the family, showing up and showing an interest in Koyu and Shurei's future ^^.
The intrigues at court develop so far that Reishin is taken prisoner by the guards. At the same time it seems as if Shurei is taken prisoner by the underground head and brothel keeper lady she used to work for part-time for years - probably the only regular female influence she had after her mother died. Seiran realises more and more that the position he currently holds will not make it possible for him to protect Shurei from her current enemies...
Lots of decisions for the future in this one.
He compares the way that Reishin has been treating him and that Shurei has been treated by her father, Reishin's older brother Shoka - and only a talk with Shoka makes it clear to him what Reishin actually means with the way he treats him. In a nice twist this talk directly leads into the youngest brother Kuro Hong, current head of the family, showing up and showing an interest in Koyu and Shurei's future ^^.
The intrigues at court develop so far that Reishin is taken prisoner by the guards. At the same time it seems as if Shurei is taken prisoner by the underground head and brothel keeper lady she used to work for part-time for years - probably the only regular female influence she had after her mother died. Seiran realises more and more that the position he currently holds will not make it possible for him to protect Shurei from her current enemies...
Lots of decisions for the future in this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2011
Shurei gets cooler and cooler. XD Also loved all the Koyu bits in this part, especially his chat with Shoka. It was nice to see some development on Seiran's part too--he's usually so externally viewed in this manga (I guess cuz we're usually either in Shurei's or Ryuki's heads). And the power of the Hong Brothers... lol, I oddly find Kuro very cool. And Eigetsu... XD He just gets cuter and cuter. Hakumei too--wish he had more screen time! Here's hoping he'll eventually rise up the ranks to become Koyu's assistant or something~ ^^
June 17, 2012
Shurei Hong is one of my favorite female protagonists, if not THE favorite. She is a strong young woman who knows what she wants and takes much abuse in order to succeed. I love this series. I'm not sure if I like the emperor or Seiran more though.
July 2, 2012
Yay Kocho! \o/ I love this woman, she will end you if you challenge her. What an excellent mom to Shurei. This manga is chock full of amazing parental figures, it's no wonder the main cast are all so excellent. 4 stars
May 11, 2012
This story rocks. Girl power for the win.
October 29, 2014
Go Shurei and Eigetsu! Beat all your foes!
October 31, 2015
Good volume. Story is getting interesting.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews