Serenade of Peaceful Joy Episode 12 Recap
> Serenade of Peaceful Joy Recap
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A new group of young eunuchs arrived in the palace, and the eunuch officer Liang Quan yi invited Zhang Maoze to instruct them on palace rules. During the lesson, Ren Shouzhong arrived for inspection. He singled out a eunuch named Zheng Ye to repeat Zhang Maoze's teachings, but Zheng Ye stammered incoherently and was interrupted, reprimanded, and denied food by Ren Shouzhong. Ren Shouzhong then called upon another eunuch, Liang Yuanheng, who proved highly intelligent, reciting Zhang Maoze's words verbatim.
Although initially pleased, Ren Shouzhong became furious, slapped Liang Yuanheng, and declared that Liang Yuanheng had committed a taboo by not changing his name. Zhang Maoze, feeling sympathy for Liang Yuanheng, interceded, reminding Ren Shouzhong that Miao Xinhe's delivery was imminent, making it unsuitable for harsh punishment.
Ren Shouzhong then ordered Liang Yuanheng to be locked up, stating that he would research palace rules and report to Cao Danshu before deciding on his punishment, and adding that he temporarily didn't want to punish the somewhat clever Liang Yuanheng, especially since Miao Xinhe's impending childbirth required more palace staff, and the new recruits were generally unsuitable.
Meanwhile, Liang Yuanheng's brother, Liang Yuansheng, returned to the capital, bringing wine recipes and goods to his foster mother Zhang Lihua, who happily granted him two days of leave. However, upon receiving a two-month-old letter from Liang Yuanheng, Liang Yuansheng learned that a plague had swept through their uncle's family.
Unaware that both his mother and uncle had passed away, and that Liang Yuanheng had entered the palace, Liang Yuansheng, consumed by worry, immediately sought to leave the capital to investigate. Liang Yuanheng, who entered the palace as a eunuch because his uncle's family had died and he had no other relatives, felt lonely and betrayed by his aunt, who had tricked him into this difficult palace service.
Zhao Zhen's wet nurse, Xu Shi, moved into the palace to accompany Miao Xinhe during her pregnancy, as arranged by Cao Danshu. Seizing the opportunity, Xu Shi presented Zhao Zhen with a gift list detailing bribes received by Miao Xinhe's family from ministers. Xu Shi also candidly expressed her and Miao Xinhe's anxieties to Zhao Zhen, explaining Cao Danshu's thoughtful arrangements for Miao Xinhe.
Zhao Zhen then realized Cao Danshu had meticulously planned to prevent Miao Xinhe from being perceived as arrogant due to her pregnancy and upcoming child. He felt deep remorse for his previous misunderstanding and blame towards Cao Danshu. Seeking to mend fences, Zhao Zhen visited Cao Danshu, apologized for his past anger and departure, and engaged her in a heartfelt conversation over wine.
Zhao Zhen recounted his painful story about his birth mother, Li Lanfei, expressing profound regret for never calling her "mother" and failing to see her last moments. He recalled Yan Shu stopping him from rushing into the imperial mausoleum in the Tiansheng fifth year, believing it was a face-saving gesture from Yan Shu to spare him lifelong sorrow.
Cao Danshu comforted Zhao Zhen, asserting that if he had burst in and called Li Lanfei "mother," he would have undermined all her sacrifices. Zhao Zhen found solace in her words. Zhao Zhen then brought up Miao Xinhe, reiterating his desire to promote her to consort before the child's birth. He believed Miao Xinhe would not become arrogant from favor, trusting both him and Cao Danshu.
Zhao Zhen further argued that he was no longer the emperor of Tiansheng fifth year, and Cao Danshu was no longer an empress of less than half a year; if such a promotion couldn't be achieved, neither could larger reforms. Cao Danshu, feeling she had overthought the matter, conceded and pledged her lifelong support to assist Zhao Zhen. Changing the subject, Zhao Zhen asked Cao Danshu how she felt upon learning she was to become empress.
Cao Danshu truthfully confessed it was the happiest day of her life up to that point, at eighteen or nineteen years old. Zhao Zhen admired her understanding of how to be a good empress and praised her as the most suitable empress candidate.
As he prepared to leave, Zhao Zhen confided his private reason for Miao Xinhe's promotion: he wanted his child to feel their father's love and not resent him for seemingly not caring for Miao Xinhe, leaving Cao Danshu speechless. Acting on Zhao Zhen's orders, Zhang Maoze delivered the gift list from Xu Shi to Wang Zeng, who was responsible for evaluating officials, to be used as a reference for their performance assessments.
Upon returning to the palace, Zhang Maoze sought out Cao Danshu to plead for Liang Yuanheng. Cao Danshu listened to the full account and, while acknowledging that Ren Shouzhong's actions were not entirely wrong and Zhang Maoze's concern for Miao Xinhe's delivery was valid, decided not to intervene immediately. She promised to carefully consider Liang Yuanheng's case during the general palace amnesty that would follow Miao Xinhe's childbirth.
Zhao Zhen, having conceived a name particularly fitting for a princess, "Huirou," invited Yan Shu to the palace to review its suitability. Soon after, Miao Xinhe went into labor, which was difficult and lasted two days. Zhao Zhen and Cao Danshu waited anxiously, with Zhao Zhen growing increasingly worried. Cao Danshu comforted him, reminding him that slow first births were common.
At that moment, the cry of an infant was heard, announcing the birth of Zhao Zhen's first daughter, Zhao Huirou. Following the general palace amnesty granted upon Zhao Huirou's birth, Zhang Maoze went to Liang Yuanheng, helped him clean up, and brought him to Cao Danshu. Liang Yuanheng confessed his mistake regarding his name violating a taboo.
Cao Danshu, observing his genuine repentance and considering the joyous occasion of the princess's birth, decided to pardon him, requiring only a change of name. She personally renamed him Liang Huaiji, instructing him to remember his gratitude to the princess and serve diligently in the palace. Zhao Zhen was overjoyed to have a princess, comforting Miao Xinhe and resolving to make Zhao Huirou the happiest girl in Great Song.
He ordered rewards for all officials, following the precedent for the birth of an imperial firstborn, though a courtier soon spoke out, criticizing Zhao Zhen's extravagance and demanding he retract the order.
