The Tale Continues (Saiunkoku Monogatari Fanfiction: Ryuuki x Shuurei lemon)

Chapter 28: Hot Spring

Kouyuu hadn't been able to see Ryuuki for the whole week. Although he had been attending the court sessions with Ryuuki and Shuuei, he always leaves right after the session was adjourned. That was because he had been busy touring Sera in Kiyou. If Shuurei had not been given work right after she got back to Kiyou, she would have accompanied Kouyuu in touring Sera.

Sera is the daughter of Kurou and she came to Kiyou with Reishin and Yuri who came to visit Shouka and personally discuss some matters about the Kou Clan. Shuurei had met Sera when she went to the Kou province and they get along well.

Reishin and Yuri also brought along with them their daughter who is now four years old. She was just a baby when Shuurei went to the Kou province to investigate how things had gone after the locust plague and the throne conflict. Kouyuu had been delighted to see his younger sister but when Shuurei came to visit, she looked like she is more delighted than Kouyuu is. She lavished the girl and told her stories. Yuri and Kouyuu had smiled at each other when they saw how happy Reishin is that Shuurei and his young daughter gets along well.

Sera on the other hand did not just tour around Kiyou. She is keenly observing what development happened in Kiyou ever since her last visit and noted it all. She did not just tag along, she was given a job to accomplish. Despite pledging loyalty to the emperor, the Kou clan are still taking precautions. They watch every step that the king makes. After finishing one of her tasks, she decided to relax since she had been walking around with Kouyuu for days. She asked Shuurei to come with her to a hot spring in Kiyou.

''Uh, sure but when would that be?'' Shuurei asked. She would have to asked permission from her boss if it wouldn't be a Sunday.

''Hmm. Let's see, what about four days from now?'' Sera suggested. ''I would have finished all preparations by then. Would that be okay for you Shuurei-chan?''

Shuurei counted. ''Sure, I don't have to work on Sunday,'' she replied. But still she had to check what her next assignment is. Honestly, being an inspector knows no day off. She had to work whenever she got a lead of what she is investigating.

''Wha-what?'' Shuurei exclaimed after reading a letter from Riku Seiga which is now the Chief/Director of the Censorate. She is to investigate why Sera came to Kiyou along with Reishin and Yuri. She is the only one who can come so close to Sera since they are cousins. That's why she was given that task. Seeing Sera walking around Kiyou made her suspicious that the Censorate had to investigate her. The daughter of Kurou would not just suddenly go to Kiyou and tour around. Something must be going on. They knew that Sera would be guarded by the Kou clan so they cannot just send someone to tail her. Shuurei was the best choice.

Shuurei sighed in exasperation. Now she gets to spend more time with Sera but she is secretly to investigate her own family member and friend.

Shuurei then helped Sera-hime in preparing for the hot spring visit. For four days, she followed Sera wherever she goes but found no clue at all of what her purpose is for coming to Kiyou.

''Shuurei-chan, let's go!'' an excited Jyuusan beamed. Shuurei had introduced her to Sera since her cousin said it would be livelier if there are more people with them.

''Is Shusui already here?'' Shuurei asked. Even Shusui got involved since Jyuusan mentioned her. Shusui was about to return to the Hyou Clan after personally reporting to the emperor. She is now the High Priestess and the Head of the Hyou clan so she is kind of busy. But when asked by Shuurei and Jyuusan, she cannot say no.

''Yes, she is with Sera-chan in the carriage.''

''What about Kouyuu-sama?'' Shuurei recalled that he is going with them.