Saiunkoku is a world of eight provinces or houses, each named after a different colour. The new Emperor, Shi Ryuuki, has gained for a reputation for being uninterested in courtly matters and for flaunting his love for men. Shuurei, although born of the important Kou family, has difficulty making ends meet. She easily accepts an invitation to be the Emperor's concubine in order to turn him into a good ruler. The mysterious Seiran, a young man who was adopted by her father, goes with her as Ryuuki's bodyguard. Entering the imperial palace revives Shuurei's dream of being a court official, and, together with the many companions she meets along the way, continues moving bravely forward while trying to fend off the Emperor's advances.

Alternative title:

• ColourCloud Palace
• Saiunkoku Monogatari

Saiunkoku Monogatari:

• 1. There's A Different Side To Every Good Story
• 2. The Frog In The Well Knows Not The Great Ocean
• 3. The Hawk With Talent Hides Its Talons
• 4. Casting Pearls Before A Swine
• 5. A Genius Can't Be A Genius Without Effort
• 6. Lacking The Finishing Touch
• 7. Those That Swim Well Drown
• 8. Wanting To Borrow A Cat's Paws
• 9. A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Starts With A Single Step
• 10. Fine Weather Comes To Those Who Wait
• 11. There Is No Cure For Lovesickness
• 12. Discretion Is The Better Part of Valour
• 13. From A Gourd Comes A Horse
• 14. On A Rock For Three Years
• 15. Children Know Not Their Parents' Hearts
• 16. There Are No Demons In This World
• 17. Poking A Bush Draws Out A Snake
• 18. Don't Cover Your Head And Leave Your Bottom Exposed
• 19. If You Love Your Child, Let Them Go On A Journey
• 20. Flowers Blooming From Dead Wood
• 21. Kunshi ayauki ni chikayorazu
• 22. Inochi atte no monodane
• 23. It's the Company that Makes Travel Unpleasant
• 24. Water on a Sleeping Ear
• 25. An Accidental Resemblance
• 26. The Raven of Darkness
• 27. The Prettier The Flower, The Higher The Branch
• 28. Anzuru yori umu ga yasushi
• 29. Many Years' Worth of Thoughts in a Single Day
• 30. Women Are Brave
• 31. A Diamond In The Rough
• 32. A Woman's Word Is Her Bond
• 33. Water Can't Be Returned to the Basin
• 34. Poison Gets the Better of Poison
• 35. Meeting Is the Beginning of Parting
• 36. All is Right in the World
• 37. Tears Fall Like Rain From Heaven
• 38. There Is No Today After Today
• 39. Fate Is An Inscrutable And Interesting Thing