Serenade of Peaceful Joy Episode 17 Recap
> Serenade of Peaceful Joy Recap
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Accompanying Emperor Zhao Zhen, Zhang Maoze listened as Zhao Zhen pondered whether Lu Yijian or Fan Zhongyan would be a better minister. When asked, Zhang Maoze cautiously avoided commenting on court affairs, which Zhao Zhen found uninteresting. As Zhao Zhen prepared to rest, Zhang Maoze was about to leave, but Zhao Zhen called him back to reminisce about old times until he fell asleep. Zhang Maoze then quietly departed.
Zhao Zhen often reflected that while he once longed for power to escape the Empress Dowager's scrutiny, now, as emperor, he felt no freer, burdened by countless people and matters to guard against. Despite many advocating for Lu Yijian or Fan Zhongyan as chancellors, Zhao Zhen surprised everyone by appointing Zhang Shixun and Zhang Dexiang to the positions. Zhao Zhen immediately summoned them to discuss the situation with the Western borders.
Zhang Shixun proposed using etiquette and civilizing methods to deal with Zhao Yuanhao. However, Han Qi vehemently disagreed, arguing that Zhao Yuanhao was overtly ambitious and rebellious against the Song Dynasty, making such methods futile for handling border affairs. After the discussions, Han Qi returned to his study, where Su Zimei eagerly inquired about the proceedings, curious about Zhao Zhen's and the chancellors' stances.
Han Qi reluctantly relayed Zhang Shixun's civilizing proposal, which Su Zimei then strongly debated, advocating for war against Western Xia, convinced of Zhao Yuanhao's rebellious intent. Su Zimei also complained about his current assignment: instead of fighting on the battlefield, he was tasked with writing the imperial decree for Princess Zhao Huirou's title as Imperial Elder Princess Fukang, a document Zhao Zhen personally reviewed and revised twice.
Su Zimei lamented that Zhao Huirou, though esteemed, was merely a princess unable to inherit the throne and would change her surname upon marriage. Han Qi cut him short, urging caution with his words, but Su Zimei persisted, noting Zhao Zhen's general excellence was often undermined by his excessive soft-heartedness and misplaced focus on a princess. Meanwhile, in Di Qing's camp in Tingzhou, he discovered his soldiers had been trading mountain goods with the Tanguts (Western Xia people).
Di Qing immediately ordered a halt to all trading from the next day, threatening severe punishment. Among the traders, Liang Yuansheng mentioned he had overheard Tangut discussions, learning that Zhao Yuanhao had proclaimed himself emperor, rejected the Zhao surname bestowed by the Song, and held a heaven-worshipping ceremony, adopting the name "Wuzu" as a clear sign of his imperial ambitions. Recognizing Liang Yuansheng's understanding of the Tangut language and script, Di Qing immediately called him in for a private discussion.
In the palace, Jia Yulan was distraught by the prospect of war with Zhao Yuanhao, fearing for her accumulated valuables. Xia Song comforted her, assuring her that even if an invasion occurred, only silk would be taken, and their livelihood wouldn't be jeopardized. He reminded her that Zhang Bihan remained a valuable asset and a reliable support, a "cash cow" that Jia Yulan should cling to, whether Zhang Bihan married Zhao Zhen as a concubine or Xia Song's grandnephew.
Jia Yulan felt some relief but worried about Zhang Bihan's willful nature. Zhang Bihan was on a hunger strike, refusing an arranged marriage proposed by Jia Yulan. Consequently, Lan Tiao was scheduled to perform a dance at the palace banquet in her stead. Yang Huaimin, checking the teaching workshop, criticized Jia Yulan's favoritism, suggesting Lan Tiao might be more appealing to Zhao Zhen. Yang Huaimin intended to inform Zhao Zhen about Zhang Bihan's protest before the banquet.
Zhang Bihan, upon learning of her replacement, despairingly prayed to heaven, offering half her lifespan, that Zhao Zhen would not even glance at Lan Tiao. However, as Jia Yulan was preparing the dancers, an urgent memorial arrived from the Western border, reporting the Western Xia rebellion and Zhao Yuanhao's self-proclamation as emperor. This news immediately prompted Zhao Zhen to summon his ministers, causing the palace banquet and performance to be delayed. Yang Huaimin, therefore, couldn't see Zhao Zhen.
Cao Danshu was troubled by the situation, as the banquet couldn't be simply canceled, but Zhao Zhen also couldn't refuse to see his ministers due to the banquet. Zhao Zhen made a brief appearance, sharing drinks with his relatives, before excusing himself to meet with the ministers.
Zhang Bihan, hearing that Lan Tiao's dance was canceled due to rain or the delay, gleefully mocked her, boasting that Zhao Zhen would surely wait for her to dance instead, dashing Lan Tiao's hopes of catching the eye of a royal relative. When Zhang Bihan returned to her room, Jia Yulan gently but firmly advised her: despite Jia Yulan's previous efforts to help Zhang Bihan marry Zhao Zhen, it was no longer her destiny.
With war impending, Zhao Zhen would absolutely not take a dancer as a concubine. Jia Yulan urged Zhang Bihan to accept her arranged marriage to Xia Song's grandnephew, pack her belongings, and secure a life free from worries about food and clothing. Zhang Bihan was resentful and helpless, unable to accept not marrying Zhao Zhen, and danced alone in her room in deep frustration.
Upon receiving the military report detailing Zhao Yuanhao's rebellion against the Song, his self-proclamation as emperor, his insulting national letter, and blatant provocation, Zhao Zhen was absolutely furious. He threw a tantrum in Funing Hall, then dismissed everyone, retreating to reflect alone. In Kunning Hall, Empress Cao Danshu pondered Zhao Yuanhao's actions. She recalled the ancestral teaching of the Cao family: "As long as one Cao descendant remains, not an inch of Song territory shall be lost."
Moved by this, she opened the battle armor her uncle (or grandfather) had left for her, resolving to prepare for national defense. She went to the garden and practiced her sword. Zhang Maoze suddenly appeared and sparred with her, disarming her. He immediately knelt to apologize, but Cao Danshu, filled with despair, declared that he had no fault, for she no longer wished to be empress.
