Kou Reishin and Li Kouyuu

Reishin is eccentric, dramatic, and incredibly intelligent. He enjoys playing the fool to mask his true thoughts, often confusing and frustrating those around him with his unpredictable behavior. However, beneath this whimsical façade lies a highly analytical mind, capable of outmaneuvering even the most cunning political opponents.

He is deeply devoted to his family and those he cares about, but he rarely expresses his affections directly, instead opting for indirect gestures and subtle manipulations to ensure their safety and success. His love for his adoptive son, Li Kouyuu, and his younger brother, Kou Shouka, is immense, though he often hides it behind an exasperating exterior.

Despite his theatrics, Reishin is a deeply responsible and highly competent leader, having guided the Ministry of Civil Administration with efficiency and foresight. His ability to balance his duties while protecting his loved ones from political dangers demonstrates his true strength and wisdom.

Reishin is tall, refined, and strikingly handsome, with long dark hair and sharp violet eyes, a characteristic feature of the Kou family bloodline. His graceful posture and elegant clothing reflect his noble status, while his expressive facial expressions and dramatic gestures often leave those around him bewildered.

Despite his often theatrical mannerisms, Reishin exudes an undeniable presence, capable of commanding a room with his mere gaze and carefully chosen words.

Kou Reishin finished second in the Imperial Exams, earning the prestigious title of Bougen. He is a close friend of Ko Kijin, a fellow official known for his enigmatic masks, and Tei Yuushun, who secured the top position in the exams. Despite Kijin describing him as crafty and coldhearted, Reishin often appears cheerful, easy-going, and even childishly mischievous. His friendship with Kijin extends to the point where he is one of the few people who can endure seeing Kijin’s bare face, and he even crafts some of Kijin’s strange masks.

One of Reishin’s most well-guarded secrets is his knowledge that Kou Shouka, his older brother, is the legendary assassin known as The Black Wolf. After Shouka left the Kou estate nearly fifteen years ago, Reishin took on the role of Head of the Kou Clan, though the public mistakenly believes their youngest brother, Kou Kurou, to be the leader.

Throughout his political career, Reishin maintained a delicate balance between his obligations to the government and his personal pursuits, particularly in relation to his adoptive son, Li Kouyuu. However, his secret familial connections eventually caught up with him. In the 13th novel, Reishin is exposed as Shuurei’s uncle following her investigations on Kouyuu’s behalf. As a result, he is stripped of his position as the Minister of Civil Administration and is forced to return to Kou Province.

Biwa Proficiency
Kou Reishin is skilled in playing the biwa, a traditional stringed instrument of the Kou Clan. The novels mention that all brothers of the Kou Clan are proficient in the biwa, and Reishin is no exception. His mastery of the instrument reflects his noble upbringing and cultural refinement, reinforcing his status as a distinguished member of one of Saiunkoku’s most influential families.

Kou Shouka
Despite Kou Shouka’s public estrangement from the Kou Clan, Reishin deeply respects his older brother and continues to protect him in secret. His protective nature intensifies when he discovers Seiran’s true identity as the exiled Prince Seien. Aware of the dangers surrounding Shouka and Seiran, Reishin works behind the scenes to shield them while maintaining the facade of detachment from his brother’s affairs.

Kou Shuurei
Reishin is excessively overprotective of his niece, Kou Shuurei, though he goes to great lengths to hide their relationship. He fears that Shuurei might resent him for his role in replacing Shouka as the Head of the Kou Clan. His affection for her is borderline obsessive, to the point where he has stated that he wished he could marry her himself, until Shouka reminded him that he is already married.

Reishin secretly sponsors Shuurei to take the Official Exams, ensuring that she can pursue her dreams despite societal restrictions. However, rumors arise that he manipulated the results, leading to his temporary house arrest. This triggers an uproar within the Kou Clan, resulting in a mass work stoppage that paralyzes half of Saiunkoku. The real culprit, responsible for spreading false accusations and engaging in illegal activities, is eventually apprehended, clearing Reishin’s name.

In the manga, Reishin’s past is revealed, emphasizing that his world revolves around only three people: himself, Shouka, and Shuurei. His obsession with Shuurei becomes a common source of teasing from others, especially from Ko Kijin and You Shuu, who deliberately express interest in marrying Shuurei just to provoke him.

Kou Yuri
Reishin’s wife is Princess Yuri, the half-sister of the former Emperor Senka and the daughter of his great-aunt. She does not appear in the story until the 13th novel, but her connection to Reishin dates back to childhood.

As a child, Reishin fell in love with Yuri, though he expressed his feelings through rudeness. Yuri disguised herself as a servant boy named “Yuzuriha”, a charade Reishin adamantly refused to acknowledge. Initially, Yuri was meant to marry Shouka, but Shouka broke off the engagement, believing that she deserved to be with someone who would truly make her happy. Ultimately, Reishin and Yuri married, solidifying their bond through years of unspoken affection and understanding.