Serenade of Peaceful Joy Episode 16 Recap
> Serenade of Peaceful Joy Recap
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Zhao Zhen's attendant, Liang Huaiji, presents Cao Danshu's calligraphy to Zhao Zhen, mentioning she is writing diligently despite suffering from a cold because Zhao Zhen likes her "fei bai" style. Zhao Zhen goes to Kunning Palace to visit Cao Danshu and asks if she is hiding her illness from him. He jokes that she will be punished with a drinking session when she recovers.
During their conversation, Zhao Zhen uses a story to indirectly address the distance between them, seeking Cao Danshu's opinion. Before he can finish, servants arrive with their meal, and he notices Huan'er's absence. He inquires about Huan'er, wondering if she has offended Cao Danshu. Cao Danshu vaguely states she had Huan'er copying etiquette books so she doesn't disgrace Kunning Palace when she marries.
Zhao Zhen advocates for Huan'er, as she has followed Cao Danshu since her days in the Cao family, suggesting a special bond, but Cao Danshu disagrees and treats her as any other palace maid. Zhao Zhen then dismisses the servants so he can speak frankly with Cao Danshu. He expresses feeling tense and constrained in Kunning Palace, fearing he might inadvertently trigger a formal reprimand like those Fan Zhongyan would give.
Cao Danshu apologizes, but this makes Zhao Zhen more uncomfortable. Zhao Zhen explains that he merely desires to indulge his personal feelings and ensure that his close attendants remain by Cao Danshu's side and that he would arrange suitable matches for them, but Cao Danshu doesn't appreciate it. He declares that Kunning Palace is governed solely by her wishes and he will no longer interfere.
Cao Danshu feels hurt, yet unsure how to improve their relationship, and tries to divert the subject by asking Zhao Zhen to continue his unfinished story. Yang Huaimin arranges a marriage for Zhang Bihan with a wealthy salt merchant from the capital, which Jia Jiaoxi informs her about. Zhang Bihan vehemently rejects this, determined to marry Zhao Zhen and willing to remain in the palace forever if necessary.
She believes someone is sabotaging her chances, and falsely accuses Xu Lanqiao of stealing her dance to perform it at the palace banquet and trying to remove her to get her out of the palace. Xu Lanqiao feels wrongly accused and complains to Jia Jiaoxi, who finds Zhang Bihan's troublemaking behavior overwhelming and reinforces the idea of marrying her off. Zhang Bihan begs Jia Jiaoxi to help her marry Zhao Zhen.
Jia Jiaoxi points out that even if she marries Zhao Zhen, she won't be in charge and that Zhao Zhen might not even like her, as he stopped summoning her after Cao Danshu's arrival. Cao Danshu insists on sending Huan'er out of the palace, planning a good marriage for her. Huan'er pleads to stay, wishing to remain by Cao Danshu's side and be with the person she loves.
Cao Danshu views this as temporary infatuation and wants her to experience the world and meet other men. After Zhao Zhen leaves, Huan'er attempts to persuade Cao Danshu to let her stay. Cao Danshu finds a letter in Huan'er's room and burns it in front of her, revealing her knowledge of Huan'er's secret love for Liang Huaiji.
Huan'er admits her genuine affection for Liang Huaiji and begs to stay with him, leading Cao Danshu to reaffirm her decision to send Huan'er away. Zhang Maoze learns of this situation and reprimands Liang Huaiji, urging him to end the affair and prevent Huan'er from being ruined. He advises him to restrain his emotions to prevent Huan'er from leaving the palace with a sullied reputation. Liang Huaiji is distraught at the prospect of Huan'er leaving.
Zhang Maoze fears that Liang Huaiji's distress will affect Zhao Zhen, so he tells Liang Huaiji to feign illness and takes his place serving at the imperial court. Zhao Zhen misses Zhang Maoze's company and discusses Cao Danshu's calligraphy and their relationship with him, feeling that Cao Danshu is both intimate and intimidating, resembling Empress Liu E.
Zhang Maoze suggests that Cao Danshu is not as forceful as Liu E and considers Zhao Zhen's preferences, truly caring for him, unlike the petty jealousies of other concubines. He believes that when Cao Danshu presents moral arguments, she is simply expressing her grievances. Hearing Zhang Maoze's analysis lightens Zhao Zhen's mood, and he then turns to discussing official matters from memorials, like Lu Yijian's recommendation of Fan Zhongyan to handle matters concerning Western Xia.
Meanwhile, Xia Song tells Jia Jiaoxi that he fears Western Xia might rebel and start a war, leading Jia Jiaoxi to worry about saving money for difficult times. Xia Song laughs, saying that even if Western Xia acts up, it will only be for money and won't affect their lives.
Jia Jiaoxi, unable to persuade Zhang Bihan to accept the arranged marriage, consults with Xia Song about postponing the matter, but Xia Song insists it cannot wait because Yuan Hao might soon wage war against the Song Dynasty.
