I do totally feel, even if I don’t strictly fangirl and squee over Ryuuki, that kicking him IS indeed like kicking a puppy. Despite his harsh past, Ryuuki is an extremely kind, considerate, and generous person, who tries to understand others, even if he doesn’t always succeed. I guess if I compare Reishin to Ryuuki, Ryuuki then starts to look really shiny…

No, the story doesn’t say that he had any daughters.

Probably Kan Hishou, current Secretary of Public Works. He doesn’t show up in the anime. I think he first appears in novel seven or so? He likes to drink a lot. There’s also a member of the same exam group who shows up in volume twelve. (see that summary)

Hmm… I thought uh… given that Yuri said she didn’t want to know, that his ideas were more direct. >_> He did say he didn’t want to have separate residences.

I’m not sure. Probably? Neither of them have really shown up. What we mostly see is the bodyguard army, whose duty it is to guard the king and capital.

I believe that Reishin in addition to be obnoxious and arrogant really does not know how to interact with people. Thus someone would really have to know him intimately in order to read between his lines! Thus, Yuri-hime realises that she has become dear to him, unlike poor Kouyuu who cannot read this aspect of Reishin because as close as he s to him it is the relationship of Guardian and ward rather than friends.

I realise that Houju really could not have married Yuri and keep her safe from intrigue and assassins so its a good thing she ended up with Reishin. (I actually think they make a good couple)

The friendship between Reishin, Houju and Yuushun seems to be a strong one which had been forged during their time at the exams and I think Houju is smart enough to realise that Reishin wrote that letter but he has forgiven him for telling a ‘lie’ which made it easier for him to go on with his life.

I especially like that Yuushun seems to be like a big brother to Reishin, helping him to act appropriately and consider others’ feelings. (he got him to cosider appologising to Yuri)

I am sad to hear of the fall out from Kouyuu’s meeting Reishin and Yuri’s role in making him totally direction-challenged! Poor poor Kouyuu! (about the name thing. Its almost like he did not exist before Reishin took him in)

I like the evidence that Reishin does like Kouyuu by naming him after the plum tree which he associates with the two people he care for other than Shuurei and Shouka. Kouyuu had a slightly sad childhood but it is good that he had Yuri-hime when he was growing up. Maybe we will get another gaidan which reveals what happened to make Kouyuu hate women.

I guess Reishin does not like Ryuuki because he saw Yuri kiss him! He seems like the type of person to get jealous of a child’s affection!
Unfortunately this story also emphasises again how pathetic Ryuuki’s life was (he did not know his father) but I am glad that Yuri-hime told him he would meet Seien again…gosh someone should have cut this kid a little slack! I guess this makes Reishin a bit of a monster for ill-treating Ryuuki after meeting him (kinda like kicking a puppy)
I am glad to see evidence that Senka had some concern for his sixth son!! Did they say that he had daughters who were sent to the Hyou?

QUESTION:

So thanks again for the indepth summary, this story featured my fave characters and I have a question. In one of the magazines there is a picture with Reishin, Houju, Yuushuna nd a strange bearded man. It is called the fearsome foursome. Any idea who the fourth guy is?

So how does one make children without making children? Is Reishin suggesting that they have affairs with lovers of their own sex? This would indeed guarantee no babies. I doubt it means that Reishin does not like the idea of having sex at all so it has to be as I said. He did suggest he was agreeable to Yuri having a yuri relationship (there I said it!! ^__________^)