The Emperor’s Caretaker Manga Volume 4 Deals With Relationships

The Emperor’s Caretaker manga is a shojo piece building up to a romance between Liu Linhua, a caretaker for the child emperor Zhiyou, and the prince regent Souren, his brother currently ruling until he comes of age at 10. However, it’s been more gradual about that, also focusing on Linhua’s role in her family and society, what it is like for Zhiyou, and the obligations Linhua, Souren, Zhiyou, and other members of court all must fulfill. So even though the fourth volume is starting to get into what it means for Linhua and Souren to be engaged, it also handles the political elements and appropriate behaviors for the two as we see the potential development of other new relationships. 

Editor’s Note: There will be some spoilers for volume 4 of The Emperor’s Caretaker manga below. 

As a quick catch up, volume 4 of The Emperor’s Caretaker manga begins with Linhua and Souren engaged. She’s pleased with it. He’s pleased with it. However, because of the nature of the community, they can’t discuss it or let anyone know it happened. There are people in the court and country who support Souren over Zhiyou, and Zhiyou won’t be considered old enough to rule for five more years due to the Imperial Age of Maturity being 10. Linhua also promised to stay with him as one of his caretakers, and if she did get married she’d possibly need to quit. So people who do need to know, like her family, are aware. Others aren’t.

Which is the crux of the whole volume. It’s dealing with that knowledge, while also helping Zhiyou with his affairs and training him. Early on, we see both Souren and Linhua’s sides of this situation. After the events with the previous Chancellor of the Left, his son Lee Songhua is being sworn in as the new one as this book begins. Linhua needed to help Zhiyou with the ceremonial outfit and memorizing the massive texts and formalities needed for the appointment because, even though Souren handles many things, the actual emperor needs to be in charge of these affairs. Meanwhile, Souren is handling things until his brother’s parts and engage in peaceful interactions with this rival.

Because that’s what we’re seeing here: a new rival. Songhua seems to be a better person than his father. There are no manipulations in his first meetings, and he agreed that his father’s behaviors were unacceptable. He heeds Zhiyou and seems to want what is best for the young emperor too. But his personality is completely at odds with Souren’s, and he also proposed to her immediately after meeting her. There are hints that he’s wise though, which could prove an issue, but he’s also provided helpful information to protect staff around Zhiyou and Linhua. Basically, he’s a wrench in the gears and a mystery, but one that won’t hopefully hurt his highness. 

What I also love is that this new development doesn’t shift the focus in The Emperor’s Caretaker away from court life, as the manga still prioritizes showing what Linhua’s role involves. Aside from preparing Zhiyou for that Chancellor of the Left ceremony, we also see her working to assist with finding him attendants. That means aiding him in making friends and handling that meeting. It’s as insightful as ever. 

The Emperor’s Caretaker remains one of those manga series that perfectly balances what goes into raising an emperor, managing court life, and love, especially with so many kinds of relationships here. The fourth volume gives us windows into so many examples. There’s the newly engaged couple, Linhua and Souren. There’s the new Chancellor of the Left Lee Songhua and his dealings with the two of them and young Emperor Zhiyou. Then there’s Zhiyou and the other children who will potentially become his friends and attendants. It covers so many different facets.

Volume 4 of The Emperor’s Caretaker manga is available now, and Square Enix will release volume 5 on November 4, 2025. 

The post The Emperor’s Caretaker Manga Volume 4 Deals With Relationships appeared first on Siliconera.