Serenade of Peaceful Joy Episode 15 Recap
> Serenade of Peaceful Joy Recap
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Zhao Zhen observed Empress Cao Danshu efficiently and methodically managing palace affairs, an image that reminded him of Liu E, who similarly handled various matters calmly after his father's passing when he was young, guiding him and arranging for ministers to follow the late emperor's will for his ascension. Shortly after, Minister Chen Yaozuo reported that the epicenter of a recent earthquake was likely in Jingdong West Road.
Zhao Zhen instructed him to carefully inspect river dikes and other structures for any subtle damage, expressing concern that continuous heavy rains following the earthquake would further exacerbate the people's hardships. Empress Cao Danshu's proper and orderly arrangement of palace inspections after the earthquake greatly impressed Zhao Zhen. As Zhao Zhen anticipated, disasters frequently occurred after the earthquake. While Han Qi and Fu Bi were discussing state affairs, Liang Huaiji arrived to deliver memorials approved by Zhao Zhen.
Han Qi, recognizing the young boy as Liang Yuansheng's brother when he announced his name, asked him to stay and help copy the necessary memorials, intending to keep him for similar copying work in the study. Zhao Zhen summoned Yan Shu, hoping to consult him on important state matters as they had in the past, wanting him to speak freely.
However, Yan Shu stated that he was now increasingly cautious in his words and actions, due to his profound respect for Zhao Zhen, who had matured into a wise ruler with his own well-formed ideas on many state affairs. Zhao Zhen understood Yan Shu's sentiment and proceeded to discuss official business. He sought Yan Shu's opinion regarding Zhao Yuanhao, ruler of the state of Xia.
Zhao Zhen revealed that Zhao Yuanhao's paternal cousin, Zhao Shanyu, had defected to the Song's Baoan Army, claiming Zhao Yuanhao intended to rebel. However, the Baoan Army forcibly repatriated Zhao Shanyu, who was then ambushed and killed en route. Zhao Zhen expressed his anger that this urgent military report had been delayed for so long before reaching him.
Yan Shu directly confirmed that Zhao Yuanhao intended to launch an uprising against Song in the near future and advised Zhao Zhen to strengthen border defenses promptly. Zhao Zhen found himself in a difficult position, as Chen Yaozuo and Wang Sui offered no effective solutions for the ongoing earthquake aftermath and the impending threat from Xia.
Fan Zhongyan, though incorruptible, lacked the talent for a prime ministerial role, while two capable chancellors, Wang Zeng and Lü Yijian, had already been demoted from the capital. Yan Shu advised Zhao Zhen that court ministers each possessed strengths and weaknesses, and he should utilize them according to the situation, leveraging their strengths while mitigating their shortcomings.
Han Qi and others discussed the severity of the disasters for a long time, agreeing that with frequent natural calamities and looming foreign threats, only Yan Shu possessed the ability to fill the "two prefectures" position and stabilize the Great Song's current predicament. Yan Shu was also Zhao Zhen's preferred candidate, but the timing was not yet right.
Han Qi, however, argued that while Yan Shu was suitable, Lü Yijian had served as chancellor for a long time and was more appropriate to continue in the "two prefectures" role. Although others opposed Han Qi's view, he contended that their earlier efforts to impeach Lü Yijian stemmed from fear of him monopolizing power and surpassing the emperor.
However, Zhao Zhen's swift imperial decree to dismiss Lü Yijian proved that he had not achieved power greater than the emperor, and therefore did not pose a crisis to the court, making him still capable of serving in the "two prefectures" position. Instructor Jia had a secret affair with Minister Xia Song. During one of their clandestine meetings, Instructor Jia expressed concern about Zhang Bihan, fearing she might be unruly and cause trouble.
Instructor Jia believed that Empress Cao Danshu was not as weak as she appeared to be, but rather a formidable character. She described Zhang Bihan as carefree, solely devoted to Zhao Zhen, but lacking any strategic planning. Xia Song, however, found this natural, stating that in terms of intelligence, only the late Empress Dowager Liu E could compare with Cao Danshu. Instructor Jia worried that Zhang Bihan had lost hope.
Xia Song reassured her, saying that love between a couple was the one thing least determined by intelligence, and no one could truly know Zhao Zhen's heart. He also reminded Instructor Jia that if she needed assistance, she could seek help from Yang Huaimin. As Instructor Jia departed, she sang a beautiful song written by Xia Song.
Han Qi and others overheard this song at a wine house, praising the melody and indirectly discussing the lecherous Xia Song, which added a touch of amusement and conversation to their gathering. Zhao Zhen also summoned Han Qi to discuss his ambition to develop the Great Song's commerce. Zhao Zhen agreed with Han Qi's vision but cautioned him against arrogance and impetuosity, urging him to patiently await the opportune time and circumstances to promote new policies.
Han Qi later submitted a memorial impeaching four chancellors. Though he anticipated demotion himself, to his surprise, all four impeached chancellors were dismissed. Zhao Zhen, desiring to preserve the dignity of these four elder statesmen, canceled the morning court debate regarding their dismissal. Empress Cao Danshu fell ill with a cold due to tirelessly managing palace affairs after the earthquake and subsequent rains. Her maid, Huan'er, expressed concern and complained that Zhao Zhen had not come to visit Cao Danshu.
Cao Danshu clarified that her work was simply her duty in managing the palace, and Zhao Zhen had far more responsibilities than she did. She forbade Huan'er from complaining about this matter. Huan'er then shared what she had heard from other palace staff: that Zhao Zhen had been diligently busy reviewing memorials during this period and had not summoned any other consorts for bed, nor had he summoned Zhang Bihan again.
Realizing that Huan'er had intentionally inquired about Zhao Zhen's activities, Cao Danshu scolded her. After the reprimand, Cao Danshu instructed Huan'er to address her as the Empress of Song, like everyone else, and ordered her to reflect in Kunning Palace for several days, without leaving, and to copy "Nü Lunyu" (Analects for Women) daily to learn etiquette.
