In Saiunkoku Monogatari, Shuurei Kou is the clever daughter of a noble yet impoverished family who dreams of becoming a government official and contributing to her country. That ambition seems impossible, as women are forbidden from holding such a position. While her father works at the palace as a low-paid archivist, Shuurei juggles odd jobs to make ends meet. Her life changes when she is summoned to the imperial court for an unusual assignment.
Shuurei is asked to assist Ryuuki Shi, the new emperor, whose reputation for slacking on his duties and preferring the company of men has become a concern at court. Drawn by the generous compensation, she accepts the chance to become the young emperor's consort for six months. She does not enter the palace alone: Seiran Shi, her trusted friend, joins her as Ryuuki's bodyguard. Tasked with helping transform the new emperor into a responsible ruler, Shuurei soon finds court life and politics as troublesome as they are important.
Set in a fictional country, the story centers on meaningful leadership, the adversities that surround it, and the rewards that can come with a prospering nation.
