Quick Summary • Best Moment • Setup • Delivery • Other Posts
Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 10 – Quick Summary
In Raven of the Inner Palace episode 10, “The Masked Man,” the Emperor brought a cloth mask to the attention of Shouxue Liu, the Raven consort. Apparently, anyone who looked through it would see a ghostly figure. And if someone else played a lute at the same time, that figure would advance in a menacing way. Who was the figure? Why was his soul trapped in the mask? And what is Xiao Yue, a.k.a. the Owl, up to?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 10
She was very matter-of-fact about it. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Zuoqiu Yao had just finished playing the ultra-rare five stringed lute. That lute was actually a “national treasure” that had been in the imperial warehouses for years. While he played, Zuoqiu Yao had endured the fear from the ghost of Qifu Schicui reaching out to him from the cloth mask. Only his complete confidence in the Raven consort allowed him to hold his place.
Touching the lute calmed the ghost, who then seemed to inhabit the lute. Scooping up both the lute and the cloth mask, Shouxue made for the door.
She paused, looked back at the Emperor, and said (18:29), “Gaojun. I’m going to burn this.”
This being a national treasure.
Wow, she’s brazen! He raised his hand as if to protest, but then he just dropped it. Seems the guy can’t deny her anything!
Favorite Moment from Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 10
The Raven consort has not learned to accept praise gracefully. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Setup: The Melancholy of the Raven Consort
After she lit the “national treasure” lute on fire, the Raven consort watched it burn. Her face didn’t look triumphant; instead, it looked tired and grieved. When she announced that the soul of Qifu Schicui had crossed the sea, Zuoqiu Yao, the man who had been jealous of Qifu Schicui’s skill, broke down into tears.
She has a lot on her mind. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
She only stared at the glowing embers that rose to the sky,
The Emperor and his entourage escorted Shouxue back to her palace. Maybe he sensed something was bothering her, but whatever the reason, Gaojun tried to praise how well she always seemed to handle ghosts.
“The only thing I can do is save ghosts,” she said, looking at him sadly (19:09). Turning her gaze to the ground, she added, “Sometimes I can’t even do that. Still, I want to release them.”
Delivery: The Emperor’s Silver Tongue
Now, I’ve made no secret of how much I dislike royalty of any kind. Chinese Emperors, Japanese Emperors, English Kings, American Oligarchs – I hold them all in disdain because of what they represent. But I have to admit that hiding among that group are some decent folk. I think that Gaojun is one of them.
The limited scope of her actions seems to weigh on her. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Without missing a beat, he said that it really seemed like she was getting better at expressing her feelings. She looked partly embarrassed, partly outraged, and partly pleased. But then he added what I thought was his most astute and his most kind observation so far (19:26): “Sometimes in saving ghosts, the living are saved in turn. You’re probably helping people far more than you realize.”
I think she really needed to hear that. I think he knew that, too. He seemed genuinely concerned about her, and I think he’s a good influence on her. Just as much as she’s a good influence on him, too.
Now, if the Owl and that goddess would just leave the two of them alone, maybe they could help themselves and their country, too!
What did you think of the ghost in this episode? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to share in the comments!
Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 10: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: Kokyu no Karasu | Raven of the Inner Palace – Episode 10 discussion
- J Reacts: Spirit of the Mask | Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 10 Reaction (後宮の烏) (TouTube)
- Lost in Anime: Patron Pick Fall 2022: Koukyuu no Karasu – 10
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 1: The Jade Earring, Part 1
- Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 2: The Jade Earring, Part 2
- Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 3: The Whistle
- Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 4: The Skylark Princess
- Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 5: Confidant
- Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 6: The Summer King and the Winter King
- Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 7: Glass Prayer
- Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 8: Blue Swallow
- Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 9: Water’s Voice
- Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 10: The Masked Man
- Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 11: Groundwork
- Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 12: Siblings
- Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 13: Xiangfu Incense
I would have thought the presence of the Owl, which alarmed her at the end of the previous episode, would have been more at the forefront of things in this episode. I did fully expect that the poor girl who came to fetch him was a dead girl walking, which should get things moving now that she’s been discovered practically at the Raven’s doorstep.
All through the episode, I kept wondering what Owl was up to.
I wonder if we’ll find out in the next episode? Or will they keep building the tension?
I think my favorite part was when the Raven Consort just scoops up the lute and declares she’s burning it like it’s no big deal! Everyone else is stunned and thinking, “Our national treasure!”. And the Raven Consort is only thinking, “Time to get to work sending this ghost to heaven!”. I always enjoy watching pragmatic characters.
Pragmatic is cool!
I chose that as my favorite quote, but it could just as easily have been my favorite moment. She was so nonchalant about it!
One thing I love about this show is how they handle human frailty. People make mistakes. People are less then perfect. Sometimes downright despicable. But they can be redeemed. Like Zuoqiu Yao who had done something really cruel but now regretted it.
It reminds me a little of Jobless Reincarnation in that respect. Both present humans as humans. It gives the show a very well-grounded feel.