Serenade of Peaceful Joy Episode 22 Recap
> Serenade of Peaceful Joy Recap
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Zhao Zhen personally feeds Zhang Bihan medicine, who finally drinks it after putting down her guard. Zhang Bihan, however, still believes someone is trying to harm her and trusts only Zhao Zhen. He tries to comfort her, but Zhang Bihan wants Jia Jiaoxi (Jia Yulan) back in the palace to care for her, feeling that Cao Danshu's punishment of Jia Jiaoxi was unfair, while Xu Lanqiao, who framed her, remains.
Zhao Zhen considers Jia Jiaoxi cunning and greedy, and he intends to have Ren Shouzhong find someone else for Zhang Bihan. Zhang Bihan distrusts Ren Shouzhong and insists on Jia Jiaoxi's return. Zhao Zhen coaxes Zhang Bihan to sleep and then goes to Kun Ning Palace to find Cao Danshu with Zhang Maoze. Cao Danshu is alone and saddened in Kun Ning Palace, Zhang Bihan's words echoing in her mind.
Zongshi, Zhao Zhen's foster son, enters and assures Cao Danshu that he will study and work hard to bring her happiness. Cao Danshu is touched but reminds Zongshi of the importance of principles, not wanting her situation to negatively impact him. She knows Zongshi misses his original home and comforts him, saying that no one can have everything their way, not even Zhao Zhen. Zhao Zhen arrives at Kun Ning Palace to find Cao Danshu lost in thought.
Both appear tired. Zhao Zhen acknowledges the difficulty of the day for Cao Danshu, but explains that Zhang Bihan is emotionally unstable and unwell, making it difficult to fault her for her rudeness. Zhao Zhen assures Cao Danshu that no one but Zhang Bihan questions her virtue. Somewhat comforted, Cao Danshu suggests recalling Jia Jiaoxi to care for Zhang Bihan, despite knowing her insincerity. She believes that if Jia Jiaoxi doesn't return, the day's events will repeat.
Cao Danshu tells Zhao Zhen to handle Zhang Bihan's matters himself, whether it be indulgence or punishment, and that she will no longer interfere unless Zhang Bihan violates the law. After saying this, Cao Danshu asks Zhao Zhen to return to Fu Ning Palace to rest early. Zhao Zhen is frustrated and feels a pain in his chest, collapsing to the ground.
Unwelcome at Kun Ning Palace and unwilling to return to Fu Ning Palace, Zhang Maoze carries Zhao Zhen for a walk to clear his head. Zhao Zhen talks at length and, feeling better, asks Zhang Maoze about the Liu Ping case. Zhang Maoze reports his failure to save the witness and begs for forgiveness. Zhao Zhen is angered, but after calming down, he asks if there are any other witnesses.
Zhang Maoze says he has sent people to continue the investigation. Zhao Zhen has already formed his own judgment on the Liu Ping case, but he wants Huang Dehe to die convinced of his guilt, and for the world to see the truth. Zhao Zhen questions how Huang Dehe, a minor border general, could collude with officials in the capital and be so well-informed about government movements.
Zhang Maoze explains that border generals can smuggle salt and trade women to the border, creating connections with people in the Central Plains. Zhao Zhen orders an increase in manpower to continue the investigation. While Zhao Zhen is enraged about the Liu Ping case, Zhang Bihan tries to barge into Fu Ning Palace. Lianzi says Zhao Zhen is handling state affairs, but Zhang Bihan disbelieves it, claiming she saw Zhang Maoze inside.
Hearing Zhang Bihan's disturbance, Zhao Zhen sighs and dismisses Zhang Maoze. Zhang Bihan, upon seeing Zhao Zhen, becomes paranoid again, saying that Zhang Maoze and Lianzi only listen to Cao Danshu, whom she believes dislikes her. Zhao Zhen comforts Zhang Bihan and mentions the banquet Cao Danshu is preparing for Zhao Huirou's birthday, inviting Zhang Bihan to attend. Fu Bi finds Liang Yuansheng at the pier, who leads him to Liu Yisun.
Liu Yisun recounts how he was ambushed by archers set up by Huang Dehe. Liu Yisun gives Fu Bi the arrows used in the ambush, which Fu Bi takes to Zhao Zhen. These arrows are verified to be Huang Dehe's. Huang Dehe's smuggling of salt and forgery of official documents for selling women are now confirmed with evidence. However, there is still no concrete evidence that Huang Dehe deserted his post and framed Liu Ping.
Fu Bi says he will continue to investigate. Zhao Zhen orders Fu Bi to investigate and punish all involved officials. Before the palace banquet, Zhang Maoze finds the palace maid Yuan Cailing, who is on her way to deliver something to Cao Danshu. Zhang Maoze goes to see Cao Danshu, and after her maid leaves to fetch a shawl, he speaks presumptuously about Zhang Bihan.
He says that while Cao Danshu has a thousand tendernesses and endless helplessness, in front of Zhao Zhen, she only shows the dignity and inviolability of the Empress, causing Zhao Zhen to give his gentleness and affection to Zhang Bihan, who knows how to act spoiled and unreasonable, lacking any royal decorum. Cao Danshu slaps Zhang Maoze, thinking he must be insane. Zhang Maoze continues, saying he understands Cao Danshu well.
Despite her resentment, Cao Danshu is still silently finding palace servants she trusts to take care of Zhang Bihan. Zhang Maoze disregards protocol and urges Cao Danshu to value herself. This palace belongs to Cao Danshu, and the world will only recognize Cao Danshu as the Empress, so sooner or later, Zhao Zhen will only belong to Cao Danshu. Zhang Maoze explains he saw Cao Danshu's sadness the night Zhao Zhen carried Zhang Bihan and felt it in his heart.
He speaks of the sacrifices Cao Danshu has made for the sake of her position as Empress, causing her immense pain. After Fu Bi leaves, Zhao Zhen summons Yang Huaimin, asking him to bring Liang Huaiji, whom he met and liked, from the Imperial Library, forgetting his name but describing his appearance.
Zhao Zhen also instructs Yang Huaimin to deliver tribute from Suzhou to Zhang Bihan and to advise her not to fixate on Jia Jiaoxi, suggesting that she can request any servants she likes from the various royal and princess residences.
