ColourCloud Palace (The Story of Saiunkoku)

Shūrei Hong lives in Saiunkoku's Imperial City, Kiyo. A stunning young lady from the honorable Hong Clan, she makes a living by teaching children and struggles to make ends meet. One day, a high official from the Imperial court, Advisor Sho, arrives with a once-in-a-lifetime offer.

Shūrei enters the Royal Harem as the consort and person in charge of educating the new Emperor, Ryūki. As she spends the days with him, she has the inkling of an idea that he isn't the fool everyone makes him out to be.

One month has passed since Shurei became a royal consort. Ryaki kept his promise to Shurei and gradually started to get involved with political affairs. One evening, out of the blue, Ryuki pays a visit to the Royal Harem carrying roses in his hand.

After participating in a sword fighting tournament, Ryūki discovers his exiled brother Seien is closer at hand than he previously believed.

Shūrei meets Ryūren Ran, the eccentric brother of the General of the Shaorin Army.

Shūrei is kidnapped by forces who may or may not be working against the Emperor's interests.

The plot against Ryūki and Shūrei comes to a head as the conspirators are defeated. Ryūki realizes that the story is more profound than he at first realized and that those he deems most trustworthy may not care about the same people he does.

Shūrei returns to her work at the temple school. Ryūki begins writing a proposal that would allow women to take the official examinations. Ensei Rō, one of Seiran's friends, arrives from Sa Province and becomes a friend of Shūrei.

Shūrei disguises herself as a boy to assist the Imperial bureaucracy during a heat wave. She is assigned to the eccentric Minister of Taxation, who wears a mask at all times. The mystery around Ensei Rō deepens.

The reason bandits have been attacking Ensei Rō is revealed; while acting as temporary governor of Sa province, Ensei angered the local nobility by rejecting corruption and bribes.

Seiran and the rest of the household watch over Shōrei after she catches a bad cold while chasing a troublesome student. Reishin Hong continues to conceal from Shōrei that he is her uncle. Reishin fears that if Shōrei knew his identity, she would hate him as the man who took her father's place as head of the Hong Clan.

Shūrei comes to the aid of thirteen-year-old Eigetsu, who is attacked by bandits while visiting the imperial city to take the official exam. A local gang challenges the city's crimelords and Kochō, the madam of a brothel and Shūrei's longtime employer. It is revealed that Eigetsu turns into Yōgetsu when he drinks alcohol.

Ryōki earns the fealty of the local crimelords by resolving trouble with a gang that had been harassing examinees. Shōrei takes the imperial examination and passes with the third highest score.

After making a bad first impression Shōrei and Eigetsu are ordered to spend their first two months as imperial officials cleaning the lavatory and shining shoes.

Kōyū Ri ponders his course in life and his relationship with his foster father Reishin Hong, who took him in on an apparent whim.

A rumor spreads that Reishin Hong manipulated the imperial examination to allow Shōrei to pass. As Reishin is imprisoned, Shōrei, Seiran, and Eigetsu face betrayal by a friend helping the conspiracy.

In retaliation for the arrest of Shōrei and Reishin, the Hong Clan goes on strike, causing half of the imperial government to shut down. Shōrei and Eigetsu rush to finish their report before the official inquiry begins at noon.

The plot against Shōrei is defeated after she passes a verbal examination before the Emperor and assembled officials with flying colors. Shōrei and Eigetsu's report furnishes evidence against the corrupt Sa Clan official who plotted against them.

Ryōki appoints Shōrei and Eigetsu as co-governors of Sa Province. He is torn over his decision and confesses to Shōrei that he loves her and will wait for her to return his feelings.

Seiran recalls the events that led to his exile 13 years ago and the family that took him in.

As Shōrei prepares to leave for Sa Province, she, Eigetsu, and Ryōren Ran hear rumors of a ghost inhabiting the imperial palace.

Shūrei, Eigetsu, Kōrin, Ensei, and Seiran leave for their journey to Sa Province, all the while assassins are following them, hired by the Sa Clan. Eigetsu, Kōrin, Ensei, and Seiran are caught during their stay in a hotel, while Shūrei is safely hidden.

While the rest are caught by the border guard in Sairi, Shōrei has to make her way on her own to Kinka. She seeks help from the Merchants Guild, becoming a servant to a man whom she met on the streets: Senya Rin.

Ensei and Seiran were set free from their prison thanks to Kokujun, as Shōrei and Senya were finally departing after days of waiting, on Shōrei's part. Eigetsu and Kōrin were also freed by Kokujun, who volunteered to bring them to Kinka.

Shūrei muses over the new information she learned from Senya that the Hong Princess is to marry the second son of the Sa Clan. She also sees a strange resemblance between Senya and Ryūki. Ensei and Seiran follow Shūrei's trail of Kanrō Cha, and Eigetsu and Kōrin are en route to Kinka.