Serenade of Peaceful Joy Episode 11 Recap
> Serenade of Peaceful Joy Recap
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Zhao Zhen engaged Cao Danshu in a discussion about Fan Zhongyan and Lü Yijian. After Cao Danshu offered her assessment, Zhao Zhen shared his own views, stating that while he agreed with much of her evaluation, he believed she underestimated Fan Zhongyan's ability to contend with Lü Yijian. He highlighted that after Fan Zhongyan's demotion, many censors spoke up for him, leading Lü Yijian to demote those censors and issue strict orders against overstepping their duties.
Zhao Zhen emphasized that Fan Zhongyan's integrity and demeanor are widely admired by scholars, surpassing Lü Yijian's, despite Fan Zhongyan's lower rank and seniority. Zhao Zhen expressed that both men possess distinct strengths and are essential to the court. This discussion deepened Zhao Zhen's understanding of Cao Danshu, leading him to inquire about her life before entering the palace, and they had a pleasant conversation.
Following their discussion, Cao Danshu informed Zhao Zhen that Miao Xinhe might be pregnant, although it was not yet confirmed. Overjoyed by the news, Zhao Zhen forgot to hear Cao Danshu finish, immediately ordered a physician to examine Miao Xinhe, and rushed to Yifeng Pavilion to see her. Cao Danshu remained behind, feeling lost. The physician confirmed Miao Xinhe was indeed pregnant, with a four-month-old fetus, and that the child was well.
Zhao Zhen was immensely happy, stating he hadn't felt such joy since Li Lanhui's death six years ago, and was glad to finally have an heir. That night, Miao Xinhe had a disturbing nightmare where ministers demanded she hand over her imperial son for them to assist. She woke up startled, and her maid Lusu attended to her. Miao Xinhe was anxious, fearing the dream's implications and repeatedly shouting in her sleep that she would have a daughter.
Waking from the nightmare, she questioned if her previous wish to bear Zhao Zhen a son was coming true, which made her even more scared, as her greatest desire was to simply accompany Zhao Zhen for life. The next day, Zhao Zhen, unable to contain his joy, informed Yan Shu about Miao Xinhe's pregnancy.
He revealed his desire for a daughter, explaining that while a son would fulfill a public duty to his ancestors (for whom the Bureau of Imperial Genealogy would propose names), he wanted Yan Shu to help him choose a name for a princess.
Zhao Zhen wished to bestow upon his daughter the freedom and joy he never experienced himself, believing a princess wouldn't have to worry about state affairs and could simply enjoy his favor, allowing him to cast aside court worries and playfully enjoy time with her. Yan Shu suggested many names, but Zhao Zhen found them all unsatisfactory, feeling they weren't grand enough for his daughter's status.
While having a meal with Cao Danshu, Miao Xinhe appeared unwell, prompting Cao Danshu to ask her what was wrong. Miao Xinhe shared her recent anxieties, asking if Fan Zhongyan's "treacherous officials" referred to Lü Yijian and Gao Ruona.
She revealed that since her pregnancy was announced, many wives of ministers had sought her out, sending her numerous expensive gifts and inquiring about Zhao Zhen's preferences, a situation that greatly frightened her, as she feared being exploited by Lü Yijian and other such officials.
Cao Danshu, while avoiding direct discussion of court affairs, comforted Miao Xinhe, assuring her that pregnant consorts naturally face more worries and gossip, and advised her that as long as she adhered to court regulations, nothing untoward would happen. During the morning court session, Lü Yijian and other ministers first criticized Miao Xinhe before Lü Yijian provocatively suggested that Miao Xinhe, carrying the Emperor's first imperial child, held too low a rank.
This statement angered Zhao Zhen, touching a raw nerve. Seeing Zhao Zhen's reaction, Lü Yijian quickly backed down and, along with other ministers, proposed promoting Miao Xinhe to Zhaoyi, a suggestion that greatly pleased Zhao Zhen. Wang Zeng, however, criticized Lü Yijian for overstepping his authority by directly managing internal palace affairs. Lü Yijian's actions were understood to be a strategic move to curry favor with the future imperial son, but this move angered Wang Zeng.
Zhao Zhen, pleased with the proposal, prematurely ended the court session to avoid further debate among ministers. After court, Zhao Zhen rushed to Kunning Palace, pleased, to visit Cao Danshu and share his thoughts. Eating a pastry made by Miao Xinhe, he expressed that Miao Xinhe had been in the palace for six years without promotion and he felt she had been wronged.
He told Cao Danshu of his intention to promote Miao Xinhe to Zhaoyi "before" the imperial child's birth. Cao Danshu objected, stating that Miao Xinhe could be promoted according to ancestral rules "after" giving birth, but absolutely not "before" the child's birth to the position of Zhaoyi, which is the head of the nine imperial consorts. Zhao Zhen initially assumed her objection stemmed from jealousy and spoke carelessly, causing Cao Danshu's expression to change.
Feeling awkward, Zhao Zhen explained that this time, Lü Yijian proposed the promotion, so it wouldn't implicate Cao Danshu as a previous incident did, and she shouldn't worry. However, Cao Danshu, now kneeling, seriously opposed the promotion. She reminded Zhao Zhen that shortly after she entered the palace, she suggested promoting three consorts but faced ministerial opposition and was accused of trying to gain influence in the inner palace.
She stated that this previous incident taught her three major mistakes, and she therefore could not support Miao Xinhe's promotion now, explaining that her original reasons for suggesting the promotion of the three consorts were sound. Zhao Zhen, displeased by Cao Danshu's words, said nothing and left with a grim and darkened face.
