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Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 3 – Quick Summary
In Raven of the Inner Palace episode 3, “The Whistle,” the Second Consort visited the Raven Consort, Liu Shouxue. Liu had to expend considerable effort to discover what the Second Consort really wanted, which was to discover why the Emperor seemed to visit the Raven Consort so often. Then, later, the Second Consort came back with a request: she wanted Liu to investigate a whistle. Why was this whistle so important? What is it doing, or not doing, to cause concern? And where does the Emperor fit into all of this?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 3
Liu needs to learn to delegate if she wants to keep morale high! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Liu is really growing on me. I like her brusque approach to life, and I like how that approach is undergoing change. Her interactions are beginning to crack her tough outer shell. That said, I hope that future changes don’t alter her confidence and self-reliance. Because I really like both of those traits in her, too!
In this episode, she showed a proud drive to do things for herself. She visited the kitchen just to get herself a glass of water. Jiu-Jiu, who (bless her heart!) is trying her best to be a lady-in-waiting, objected. She said getting a glass of water was her job, and Liu should focus on more important things.
In a peeved voice, Liu said (06:55), “I can get my own water.”
For some individual contributors, it’s hard to act like a boss!
Best in Show Moment for Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 3
Liu seemed almost annoyed at the villain for being so unreasonable. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Setup: Not Knowing Japanese or Chinese is a Handicap
I’m finding it more of a challenge than normal to match character names to descriptions and distinguish between a name and a title. The Reddit thread on this episode (see the link below) talked about this, and it had some interesting details. The bottom line for me is that I’m going to rely more on titles and less on names, especially for the secondary characters. At least, I think that’ll help us stay on the same page. We’ll see!
Apparently, some names are actually titles; some Chinese names receive a Japanese translation. The Reddit thread has details. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
My favorite moment in this episode came towards the end. It shows a moment of Liu’s confidence and resolve. It might also poke fun at the overly anxious villain trope, or maybe it’s just that Luan Binguye is a real jerk.
Or both. Hard for me to say at this point.
Anyway, the Raven Consort had sent her magical raven in search of the woman we would learn had been possessed by Luan Binguye. The trail led into the forest, and Liu followed it alone (as far as she knew – the Emperor’s protection seemed to be nearby). In a clearing, she found the possessed woman.
Delivery: Liu, Calm Under Pressure
Liu maintained her cool. She explained that she knew this person had some serious power, or otherwise, they would not have been able to tame her raven. Impressed, Luan Binguye introduced himself and asserted that he and Liu shared the same lineage.
Luan explained he had been captured and beheaded and that he had a jar full of souls he had hoped to use as servants. Now, he hoped to use them as bargaining chips.
Liu had literally just said she’d listen. Dude sure likes his drama. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
I like Liu’s calm. She simply asked what the request might be. But that didn’t seem to be enough for Luan. He placed a needle at the possessed woman’s throat. He threatened to kill her if Liu didn’t listen to his request.
In an annoyed voice, Liu said (18:01), “No need to threaten me. I will hear you out.”
I got a strong sense she was as exasperated as she was concerned about the souls in peril. But regardless, I liked her calm under pressure, and I liked her self-assurance. I hope she maintains that as she learned to open up to people like Jiu-Jiu.
What did you think of the Second Consort’s visit? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 3: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: Kokyu no Karasu | Raven of the Inner Palace – Episode 3 discussion
- Lost in Anime: Koukyuu no Karasu – 03
- J Reacts: Lost Soul | Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 3 Reaction (後宮の烏) (YouTube)
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’m liking this emperor more and more. His entire approach to the situation with the dowager empress was impressive, and it was good that he did not take joy in her execution, but the kindness he showed his bereft childhood friend speaks to yet another aspect of his decency. And she seems quite at home and effective in the inner palace as well. In her first approach to speak with the mysterious Raven Consort, she not only asked after friend’s attentions, but she observed the girl, her reactions and responses to what could easily have been a sensitive subject. Plenty of other women might have felt threatened, or jealous, or, if they were trying to seduce the emperor for their own ends, smug and superior, but the Raven was courteous, circumspect, and did not add anything to the rumor mill. In an environment like theirs, that speaks volumes. Small wonder she trusted the Raven so quickly. I foresee a lovely friendship between the two, wherein they complement each other strangely well.
I do have to wonder about what that nasty little possessing specter said, about her being able to have everything she desired. But especially why she herself said the emperor and the Raven Consort were like oil and water. He clearly has good taste in women, as he obviously likes her, but what is it about being the Raven that means it cant be requited? Does it have anything to do with the silver bird with a man’s face in the intro? Seriously, there’s something about that creature and how they animate it which makes it feel very dangerous to me.
I instinctively distrust royalty. History gives me clear reasons to do so. But the worst reason of all is that sometimes, we encounter a royal like this emperor. He shows what can happen when a thoughtful, humble man holds the reins of power. It’s awfully tempting, isn’t it?
Like you, I enjoyed how the Second Consort seems completely at home in the power lattice of the inner palace. The scene where the two consorts spoke felt very alive. It was just dialogue, but the scene kept me riveted.
“but what is it about being the Raven that means it cant be requited?”
That’s a good question! I hope the show explores it, because I really want to know!
“Seriously, there’s something about that creature and how they animate it which makes it feel very dangerous to me.”
Serene and dangerous; calm and potentially lethal at the same time. That’s a cool, terrifying combination! I’m curious, too.
Fair to say, about the emperor. Personally, I’m not so much tempted by a humble man holding the reins of power, per se, because 1) being a good man in power is not necessarily the same as being a good ruler, and 2) I know that there is always something that comes after. I’d say having a good man in power is good, but it’s better to have a system where even the powerful are not that powerful. That said, in fairness, if I didn’t know a thing about alternative forms of government, I probably would consider myself blessed to have such a kind, benevolent emperor, and pray that he reign for a looooong time, for fear of whoever would wield power next. It’s easy to see how royals get so full of themselves, being so much like forces of nature which all the peasants must simply endure until they eventually pass.
I haven’t seen this episode yet, but it looks so cool! Wow, first an ear ring and now a whistle, there sure are a bunch of haunted items at the palace! I’m glad to hear that Liu is starting to relax a little, she needs to let her servant serve her too! Lol! Thanks for the post, now I’m very excited to watch this next episode!
I really like Liu — I sympathize with her isolation, and I find myself identifying with her when she says she can get her own water. She’s outside this social system. She’s powerful, yet it’s hard for her to connect, and some of those reasons deal with the dangers of intimacy. The emperor accepted her lineage; others wouldn’t.
You’re right — the palace has a lot of haunted items! I’d love to see them explore why. I think that’d be a lot of fun!