Serenade of Peaceful Joy Episode 21 Recap
> Serenade of Peaceful Joy Recap
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Zhao Zhen decided that Wen Yanbo would preside over Liu Ping's case, specifically instructing that Liu Ping's family must not be tortured before the truth was clear, but should be lawfully detained and treated well. After addressing the Liu Ping case, Zhao Zhen announced to his officials that he held himself responsible for the Song army's defeat, attributing it to his own underestimation.
He declared he would fast on a vegetarian diet from that day forward as a penance and to pray for the fallen soldiers. Following the court session, Yang Huaimin urgently arrived to deliver good news to Zhao Zhen: imperial physicians had confirmed Zhang Bihan was pregnant. Separately, Jia Yulan, taking advantage of changes in her duties, frequently left the palace to purchase daily necessities, fearing that a war would impact her livelihood in her later years.
Meanwhile, while Zong Shi was studying in Kuning Palace, Ren Shouzhong sought an audience with Cao Danshu. Cao Danshu dismissed Zong Shi. Ren Shouzhong reported that Zhang Bihan had experienced sudden abdominal pain. He had summoned an imperial physician, but Zhang Bihan became furious, demanding to see Zhao Zhen. Despite Ren Shouzhong explaining that Zhao Zhen was meeting with court officials in Chongzheng Hall, Zhang Bihan refused to listen, accusing Ren Shouzhong of deliberately neglecting her.
Unable to persuade her, Ren Shouzhong had four eunuchs guard Zhang Bihan and came to Cao Danshu for a decision. Cao Danshu, after inquiring about the physician's diagnosis, decided to visit Zhang Bihan. She instructed Ren Shouzhong to arrange for a eunuch to wait outside Chongzheng Hall to find an opportunity to inform Zhao Zhen of Zhang Bihan's condition. At this time, Zhao Zhen was engaged in discussions on state affairs with Han Qi.
Xia Song and Yan Shu had both recommended Han Qi for the post of Deputy Commissioner of Military Affairs, deeming him the most suitable candidate. Han Qi, however, recommended Fan Zhongyan to Zhao Zhen, hoping Fan Zhongyan could serve alongside him in that role. Zhao Zhen revealed he had already made other arrangements for Fan Zhongyan, causing Han Qi some shame, though Zhao Zhen dismissed it.
Zhao Zhen decided to send both Han Qi and Fan Zhongyan to Shaanxi and planned to host a farewell banquet for them, recognizing the harsh conditions of Shaanxi. Cao Danshu went to see Zhang Bihan, asking why she refused to take the fetal stabilizing medicine prescribed by Physician Wang. Zhang Bihan, trusting no one but Zhao Zhen, refused to take any medicine unless Zhao Zhen himself instructed her to.
Cao Danshu did not force her, instead advising her to rest peacefully. Zhang Bihan, agitated and convinced someone was trying to harm her, was highly stressed and fixated on seeing Zhao Zhen. Concerned for the safety of the royal fetus, Cao Danshu instructed Ren Shouzhong to prepare a carriage and soft couch to escort Zhang Bihan to Funing Palace to await Zhao Zhen.
She also publicly ordered all eunuch officials in front of Zhang Bihan to find Zhao Zhen and urge his swift return, planning to interrupt his discussions. Separately, at the docks, Liang Yuansheng, who had narrowly escaped death, disembarked with Liu Yisun, Liu Ping's son, who was disguised. Liu Yisun, sharp-eyed, spotted members of the Huang family, realizing Huang Dehe intended to silence him.
Liang Yuansheng decided to create a diversion to attract their attention, allowing Liu Yisun to escape amidst the chaos. Liang Yuansheng aimed to find Han Qi to clarify how Huang Dehe had falsely accused Liu Ping of treason. Meanwhile, Fu Bi and Yan Shu were also investigating Liu Ping's case, learning from two wounded soldiers that Huang Dehe's false accusation was a cover for his own desertion from battle.
Zhang Bihan waited in Funing Palace until sunset, but Zhao Zhen did not return, causing her to become agitated again and argue with Cao Danshu. Cao Danshu told Zhang Bihan that among the many imperial concubines, seeing Zhao Zhen every three to five days was an exception, demonstrating his deep affection for her. Zhang Bihan, however, was unappreciative, stating she saw no need to compare herself to others.
She claimed that most of the dozen or so concubines of higher rank were taken by Zhao Zhen according to protocol, not out of his personal desire, and that she was the only exception, thus she wanted to see him daily. Zhang Bihan expressed dissatisfaction, feeling that after being enfeoffed as a Jun Jun, she saw Zhao Zhen less than when she was a maid. She believed her enfeoffment was Cao Danshu's scheme to separate her from Zhao Zhen.
Cao Danshu, discerning the implication in Zhang Bihan's words, did not mind Zhang Bihan's disbelief in her, but found her words unpleasant. Nevertheless, as Empress, she calmly persuaded Zhang Bihan not to cause trouble for Zhao Zhen, who was occupied with state affairs. Zhang Bihan impulsively attempted to rush out to find Zhao Zhen, but Cao Danshu managed to calm her. At this very moment, Zhao Zhen was strolling through the streets with Fan Zhongyan and Han Qi.
Zhang Maoze drove their carriage. Fan Zhongyan, having been away from the capital for three years, expressed astonishment at the city's bustling prosperity and changes. They conversed, tasted the local cuisine, and talked about state affairs. Fan Zhongyan also heard street vendors selling books that praised his forthrightness while criticizing Zhao Zhen's supposed incompetence and Lu Yijian for dismissing him.
Zhao Zhen, far from being offended, found the printing of the books to be excellent and inquired about the printer, hoping to recruit them for palace use. After receiving their assurance to steadfastly guard the western border, Zhao Zhen bid farewell to Fan Zhongyan and Han Qi as the city gates were about to close, then returned to the palace.
Upon his return, Zhao Zhen, who had initially thought of taking a walk with Zhang Maoze in the palace, was immediately informed by Ren Shouzhong that Zhang Bihan had been causing a commotion in Funing Palace for a long time, and Cao Danshu had also been waiting there for quite some time. Zhao Zhen rushed to Funing Palace. As Zhao Zhen entered, Zhang Bihan immediately rushed to embrace him, weeping with emotion.
Cao Danshu, who had intended to explain the situation, found herself with no opportunity to speak amidst Zhang Bihan's emotional display of affection and Zhao Zhen's intimate care for her. Suppressing her heartache, Cao Danshu silently left Funing Palace, resolving to seek audience and plead guilty the next day. Back in her palace, Cao Danshu reflected on Zhang Bihan's words, her eyes welling up with tears.
