Volume 1/The Flower Whistle

***The Flower Whistle*** is the second chapter of Volume 1 of the *Koukyuu no Karasu* series.

## Synopsis

The Duck Consort Kajou, the most powerful consort in the inner palace, visits Jusetsu. She asks Jusetsu the reason for Koushun's visits to Yamei Palace, but Jusetsu doesn't reveal it. Kajou mentions that there are rumors that Koushun visited the Raven Consort to ask for a deadly curse to kill the Empress Dowager. She also mentions that there are people who are jealous of Jusetsu because she was the first consort Koushun has frequently visited in the inner palace. Before leaving, Kajou mouths to Jusetsu that she will visit her again tomorrow. Jiujiu tells Jusetsu that Kajou is called "Hua Niangniang" not just because of her name, but also because of the flower flute she always wears at her waist. A flower flute is an instrument that is said to make sounds when the souls of the dead return on the wind, however no one knows why Kajou is always wearing one. She also tells Jusetsu that Kajou and Koushun are actually close childhood friends since she is the granddaughter of Un Eitoku, which is why Kajou is so unbothered by the fact that Koushun visits Jusetsu frequently, as she understands him well.

The next day, Koushun visits Jusetsu. He knows that Kajou has visited her yesterday and asks if Jusetsu knows what her request is. Jusetsu admits that she might have an idea. Just then, Kajou arrives. She requests Jusetsu to help sound her flower flute, which she made for her deceased lover Ou Genyuu. Though Ou Genyuu died three years ago and the flower flute was made in the spring of that year, the flute has never once sounded, meaning his soul hasn't returned to her yet. Jusetsu attempts to summon his soul from paradise but finds that she couldn't, meaning that he is either still alive or there is some kind of reason she couldn't summon his soul. Kajou states that she has seen his body, so Jusetsu concludes that there is something keeping her from summoning the soul. Kajou says that Ou Genyuu died in Reki Province after getting involved in a violent insurrection. Koushun further explains that Ou Genyuu was a bureaucrat sent to Reki Province to investigate the Gesshin Sect, which was rumored to be colluding with government officials. The insurrection was caused by the disciples, and in the end it was suppressed and the sect died out. The Gesshin Sect worshipped a self-proclaimed living god named Gekkaou, who was a sorcerer. After the insurrection, Gekkaou was arrested, caned a hundred times for tempting people, and exiled. Jusetsu agrees to take on Kajou's request. After Kajou leaves, Jusetsu asks Koushun why she is in the inner palace, since she is clearly still in love with her deceased lover. Koushun explains that Kajou is the granddaughter of his closest advisor and tutor, so this was the best way to strengthen their bond. In addition, after the death of Ou Genyuu, Kajou had nowhere else to go, so he offered let her live in the inner palace. Koushun reveals that he was the one who made the flower flute for Kajou, and that he was taught to make things by someone in his past. He offers to make something for Jusetsu as well, but she turns him down promptly and tells him to never visit her again, as the Raven Consort and the emperor are in conflict with each other. Before Koushun can ask what she means, Jusetsu forces him to leave.

The next morning, Jusetsu decides to visit Kajou to ask more about Genyuu. Jusetsu promises her that she will send Genyuu's soul to paradise, even though she was told by Reijou to never be too empathetic with the people who request favors from the Raven Consort. Kajou mentions that Koushun has become more expressive ever since he became involved with Jusetsu, though Jusetsu thinks he is as expressionless in front of her as in front of everyone else. Kajou explains that Koushun used to be a lively child, but ever since his eunuch, Tei Ran, died. Jusetsu realizes that Tei Ran was Koushun's friend who was killed by the Empress Dowager. Jusetsu leaves Enou Palace, but momentarily senses the presence of a ghost from a neighboring building. She ignores it as ghosts are common in the inner palace.

Koushun later visits Jusetsu to tell her that Gekkaou did die from the caning, and that there are rumors that he was a member of the previous imperial family. Gekkaou's powers were similar to those of a sorcerer, and it was said that there were times when he seemed like a completely different person. Jusetsu tells him that Kajou thinks he has changed recently and has become more expressive, which Koushun thinks is a misunderstanding on her part.

After his visit to Jusetsu, Koushun goes to see Kajou. Kajou cautions him not to visit Jusetsu so frequently since it creates rumors. She tells him not to take advantage of her kindness since she is not the type ignore those in need. Koushun can't help but go and visit Jusetsu because he has taken an interest in what she says and what kinds of faces she would make. After Koushun leaves Enou Palace, he wonders about the Raven Consort's need for solitude.

The next day, an attendant from Enou Palace asks Jusetsu to find a missing item, which was a gift from Koushun to Kajou. A palace lady has also vanished, and it is suspected that she has stolen it and ran away. According to the attendant, the palace lady would act like a completely different person at times, reminding Jusetsu of Gekkaou.

At Enou Palace, Jusetsu learns that the missing item is a pot with a paper seal. Jusetsu is led to the bedroom of the palace lady, whose name is You Senjou, and senses the faint presence of a ghost. Jusetsu uses her magic to track down You Senjou in the woods on the western side of the inner palace. She finds You Senjou with the pot, possessed by a ghost. Jusetsu correctly guesses that the ghost is the sorcerer who once possessed Gekkaou. The ghost introduces himself as Ran Hyougetsu, one of the members of the Ran clan who was executed by the Flame Emperor. He knows that Jusetsu is also a Ran, which is why he summoned here to talk to her. He explains that despite being part of the imperial family, he was also a sorcerer, and in the previous dynasty, there were many sorcerers in the palace, and they were even allowed to enter and exit the inner palace freely. But the current dynasty hates them and driven them out of the capital, though there are still many in the rural regions. Gekkaou was also one of them, and he used Hyougetsu's power to wring money from the rich to the poor.

Hyougetsu tells Jusetsu that the pot actually contains the souls of those who died in the Reki Province, including Ou Genyuu. Hyougetsu had originally gathered them in the pot to use them as servants, but he makes an offer to Jusetsu. He will give her Ou Genyuu's soul if she takes on his request, or else he will kill You Senjou and run away with Ou Genyuu's soul. Jusetsu agrees to listen, but before Hyougetsu can say his request, a rock knocks the knife out of Hyougetsu's hand. Jusetsu takes the opportunity to break the pot and release the souls. She finds Ou Genyuu's soul and turned it into a comb to put in her hair.

Onkei appears and reveals that he was the one who threw the rock. You Senjou is now unconscious with Hyougetsu's soul having left her body. Hyougetsu tells Jusetsu that he will visit her again. Before leaving, he asks why she accepts being enclosed within the inner palace, even though she can obtain anything if she just wished for it. Jusetsu asks Onkei if he heard what Hyougetsu said, but he claims not to.

Jusetsu and Onkei bring You Senjou back to Enou Palace. She shows Kajou the comb and has it regain its form as Ou Genyuu's soul. Kajou and Ou Genyuu have a tearful reunion before Ou Genyuu returns to paradise. The flower flute finally sounds. Jusetsu assures Kajou that Ou Genyuu will return to her again.

The next day, Kajou gifts Jusetsu with clothes as thanks for what she did for her. She tells her that the dress was sewn by the palace lady she saved, You Senjou. Jusetsu hesitated over accepting it before eventually giving in. Kajou tells Jusetsu to visit Enou Palace to have tea and chat, though Jusetsu is hung up on the fact that the Raven Consort is someone who is supposed to live alone in the night.

At night, Koushun visits Jusetsu and tells her what little he knows about Hyougetsu. Hyougetsu was the grandson of the emperor and had an extraordinary talent as a sorcerer. Jusetsu guesses that he came to the inner palace by possessing a merchant and having him bring the pot here, and then possessing You Senjou. Having heard from Kajou about her gift, Koushun gives Jusetsu a comb shaped like a nightingale or raven to match it. Jusetsu tries to refuse it, but Koushun tells her that she can just throw it away if she doesn't want it and leaves. Looking at her gifts, Jusetsu wonders how she can go back to being alone. Meanwhile, Koushun tells Ei Sei to summon the Winter Minister, Setsu Gyoei, to Koutou Academy tomorrow, as he wants to ask him questions about the Raven Consort.

## Characters

* Ryuu Jusetsu
* Wulian Niangniang (mentioned)
* Kajou
* Empress Dowager (mentioned)
* Jiujiu
* Un Eitoku (mentioned)
* Keishi
* So Kougyou
* Reijou (mentioned)
* Ka Koushun
* Ei Sei
* Gekkaou (mentioned)
* Tei Ran (mentioned)
* You Senjou
* Ran Hyougetsu
* Ou Genyuu
* Onkei
* Setsu Gyoei (mentioned)