Serenade of Peaceful Joy Episode 20 Recap, Plot

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> Serenade of Peaceful Joy Recap

Zhang Bihan, serving Zhao Zhen in Funing Palace, angered him with an extravagant dish, specifically a soup made from the loin of a five-day-old lamb, which displeased Zhao Zhen, who already had no appetite. Zhao Zhen ordered the dish removed and told Zhang Bihan to leave, but she felt wronged, claiming her sole devotion was to him, not the common people.

After her persistent arguments and tears, Zhao Zhen, exasperated, relented and instructed her to symbolically cook noodles as a punishment. Pleased that Zhao Zhen was no longer angry, Zhang Bihan enthusiastically headed to the kitchen. On her way, she met Zhang Maoze, to whom she gave a cold look, rolling her eyes at his implicit advice. She initially hesitated, expecting Zhang Maoze to bow to her, but realizing her lower status as a maid, she bowed to him.

Zhang Maoze accepted her bow calmly and then left. Zhang Bihan then questioned Zhang Maoze, asking if he believed she would remain a maid her entire life. Zhang Maoze stated he neither guessed nor held interest in her future status, explaining he always acted according to established protocol, even for Zhao Zhen, only changing his respectful gestures when Zhao Zhen's status changed.

Zhao Zhen then discussed court matters with Zhang Maoze, asking whether Lu Yijian, having returned to the imperial court, would be disciplined or become more arrogant, believing the court couldn't function without him. Zhang Maoze responded that during Lu Yijian's absence, many ministerial positions had shifted, and with censors like Su Zimei and Fu Bi present, Lu Yijian's dominant influence was gone, so a monopoly of power was unlikely. Zhao Zhen also brought up Zhao Yuanhao's peace proposal.

Acknowledging that Zhao Yuanhao personally led his troops and could adapt to battlefield conditions, while Zhao Zhen was confined to the palace, making judgment difficult, he decided to send Zhang Maoze to Dingzhou. There, Zhang Maoze was to find someone to copy the memorial concerning the peace talks for Fan Yong's reference and report back on the local situation.

As Zhang Maoze prepared to leave, Zhao Zhen mused aloud, wondering what Cao Danshu's thoughts were on the peace talks, though it was unclear if he was addressing Zhang Maoze or speaking to himself. Zhang Maoze, understanding proper etiquette, remained silent. After Zhang Maoze departed, Zhao Zhen resolved to go to Kunning Palace. Zhang Maoze proceeded to the Hanlin Academy, where he enlisted Liang Huaiji to help transcribe the memorial.

Zhang Maoze mentioned that he would surely see Liang Yuansheng in Dingzhou, causing Liang Huaiji to appear conflicted. After a long pause, Liang Huaiji stated he did not know Liang Yuansheng. Zhang Maoze praised Liang Huaiji's completed transcription, encouraging him to work hard to achieve both power and wealth, adding a wish that Liang Huaiji would not encounter "that person who makes one unwilling."

Meanwhile, in Kunning Palace, Cao Danshu was instructing Zong Shi on the complexities of the word "情" (emotion). She found it difficult to explain, so she took him to observe the sun, demonstrating how it appears differently at various times and places, just as "情" has different interpretations in different contexts. She taught Zong Shi that if one does not control their emotions, they can lead to wrongdoing, but when managed, emotions can better oneself.

Miao Xinhe, Zhao Huirou, and Gao Taotao arrived with kites they had made, on which they had written words from Ying'er. Cao Danshu then took them to fly the kites in front of Funing Palace. On his way to Kunning Palace, intending to use checking Zong Shi's homework as an excuse to see Cao Danshu, Zhao Zhen encountered Zhao Huirou and the others flying kites. His mood immediately brightened upon seeing Zhao Huirou, whom he happily embraced.

Cao Danshu came forward to greet him, and Zhao Zhen invited her to share a drink. As they drank, Zhao Zhen and Cao Danshu made a pact: when news of the next great victory arrived, Cao Danshu would perform a sword dance for him. Zhao Zhen confided his reluctance for peace talks, expressing his desire to pursue victory, unleash the Song army's ferocity, project the Song Dynasty's national prestige, and personally recover the Hexi region.

However, Cao Danshu expressed urgency, warning Zhao Zhen not to fall for Zhao Yuanhao's deceptive "strategy of making the enemy arrogant." She explained that an aggressive offensive would inevitably lead to isolated forces and insufficient provisions, illustrating her point by drawing a simplified battle map on a scroll with her brow pencil to analyze the enemy and friendly forces.

Zhao Zhen misunderstood Cao Danshu's concern, perceiving it as her doubting his ability to conquer Zhao Yuanhao and recover Hexi, believing she lacked faith in his capabilities and judgment. He criticized her for discussing military affairs with a "woman's perspective," deeming it inappropriate, and ceased their discussion.

Yan Shu and other officials also discussed the western frontier, with Yan Shu believing Yuanhao's peace offer was a trick and fearing Zhao Zhen would fall for it, as well as the soldiers defending Dingzhou. He suggested sending a letter to Dingzhou forbidding trade with the Tanguts, predicting that a few winters of hardship would force the Tangut tribe to submit. Zhao Zhen returned to Funing Palace feeling depressed and angry.

Zhang Bihan, having prepared many bowls of hot noodles to ensure he had warm food upon his return, awaited him. Zhao Zhen was touched by her gesture and impulsively kissed her. After Zhang Bihan rested, Zhao Zhen summoned Ren Shouchong and Yang Huaimin. He decreed Zhang Bihan a "Qinghe Junjun" and ordered her move to Xiangluan Pavilion.

He also issued an edict to dismiss a group of palace maids and eunuchs, restrict new palace maids for two years, and approve existing maids' requests to leave the palace. Additionally, he commanded that unused gold items from his palace be exchanged for money to subsidize the families of soldiers guarding the borders. After Zhao Zhen's angry departure, Cao Danshu pondered for a long time in her chambers, eventually pouring her heartfelt emotions into calligraphy.

Zhao Zhen, finding Zhang Bihan's obedience, willful charm, and gentleness pleasing, a stark contrast to Cao Danshu's "arrogance and shrewdness" which he disliked, preferred Zhang Bihan's "little woman" nature, and took her back to his chambers for the night. Meanwhile, Fan Yong fell for Zhao Yuanhao's trap, resulting in the fall of Jinming Fort and the annihilation of the Song army.

Upon hearing this devastating news, Liang Huaiji was overcome with grief, fearing that his brother, Liang Yuansheng, had also perished in battle. In the imperial court, Chen Zhizhong reported to Zhao Zhen that Huang Dehe had accused Liu Ping of surrendering to Yuanhao and betraying the court, citing a household servant of Liu Ping as a witness.

However, Fu Bi voiced his doubts, explaining that Jinming Fort fell due to the errors of Fan Yong and Li Shibin, and that Yan Prefecture's defenses were weak. He argued that if Liu Ping had not ridden through the night with inferior forces to hold off Zhao Yuanhao's main army for several days until reinforcements arrived, Yan Prefecture would surely have fallen. Zhao Zhen found merit in Fu Bi's argument and decided to investigate the case thoroughly.

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