Shu-ou Ranshou (酒王 濫觴), reign 380 years
Shu-ou was the empress of Hou (芳) after the lawless reign of Shi-ou (施王) and the harsh reign of Retsu-ou (洌王).
The posthumous title of Shu (酒), meaning liquor, was chosen for Ranshou's love of this intoxicating beverage, a passion that overflowed into Hou's culture and economy, turning this kingdom into the finest brewer of wines and spirits among the twelve kingdoms. The winters may be bitter and unforgiving, but under Shu-ou's prosperous reign, the people's stomachs and hearts are always warmed by a large vat of rice wine, passed around from family to strangers to enemies alike.
Amidst the conflicting portrayals and scandalous rumours surrounding this eccentric and cunning empress, poems, paintings and other art forms have all paid their tribute to Shu-ou and here I am, giving you mine. However, unlike my predecessors, I choose to speak aloud of what has only been gossiped in secret or euphemistically expressed in poems and plays.
Derived from official records, personal interviews and my own deductions, here I write that Ranshou and her Taiho (台補) were lovers, truly two halves of one. I do not comprehend the hesitation in naming this fact. Perhaps some fear to attach such human emotions to the sacred beast kirin (麒麟). Others vehemently protest in the name of Hou's dignity and our late empress's reputation. But I ask you all: What is shameful of a love that played such a pivotal role in giving us the Hou we know of today? It is a truth that Ranshou herself never intended to hide by bestowing the name Rei (儷), meaning "companion", upon her Taiho (台補).
--Mei Tsuishi (鳴 立紫), courtesy name Risaku (俐朔)
Third Year Student of Hoso (蒲蘇) University
Gyokuzui (玉髓) year 426