Serenade of Peaceful Joy Episode 23 Recap, Plot

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Zhang Maoze, under the guise of discussing printing matters with Han Qi and asking Liang Huaiji to transcribe testimonies, secretly informed Liang Huaiji that Liang Yuansheng was safe. Liang Yuansheng, not a soldier in the San-Chuan-Kou battle, had survived and become an important witness, though he was currently under close surveillance and could not appear publicly. Zhang Maoze assured Liang Huaiji that he would do his utmost to protect Liang Yuansheng.

Shortly after, Yang Huaimin arrived at the Hanlin Academy, intending to take Liang Huaiji with him as per an imperial decree. Zhang Maoze, understanding Yang Huaimin's purpose, intervened by asking Liang Huaiji to copy another important testimony. He sent Yang Huaimin away to wait, then privately advised Liang Huaiji that Zhao Zhen, impressed by his gentle nature, intended for him to serve Zhang Bihan. Zhang Maoze urged Liang Huaiji to carefully consider this new assignment.

Yang Huaimin subsequently brought Liang Huaiji to Zhao Zhen, also presenting a new pearl peony phoenix crown that Zhao Zhen had ordered selected for Zhang Bihan while fetching Suzhou embroidery. Zhang Bihan was delighted by the new crown. However, Liang Huaiji opined that Zhang Bihan's original crown was already fine and the new pearl crown was too large and unsuitable for her.

Despite Zhang Bihan's displeasure and continued liking for the crown, Zhao Zhen, wishing to humor her, allowed her to try it on. While Zhang Bihan was changing, Zhao Zhen kindly inquired about Liang Huaiji's recent readings and asked if he would prefer to be transferred from the Hanlin Academy. Liang Huaiji expressed his preference for his current work, valuing the learning opportunities there.

Zhao Zhen respected his decision and, once alone with Yang Huaimin, chastised him for selecting a crown that was above Zhang Bihan's current status and rank. Zhao Zhen fined Yang Huaimin three months' salary and ordered the steward or person responsible for selecting the crown to be permanently expelled from the palace. Unaware of the reprimand, Zhang Bihan emerged happily wearing her new crown.

Zhao Zhen then attempted to persuade Zhang Bihan to accept two trustworthy matrons from Princess Wei's Mansion, previously known to her and chosen by Cao Danshu, hoping to deter Zhang Bihan from seeking to bring Instructor Jia Yulan back to the palace. However, Zhang Bihan refused, insisting on Instructor Jia Yulan's return. Zhao Zhen had no choice but to compromise and agree.

Meanwhile, Zongshi, disliking lively family banquets and unsure how to interact with his imperial uncles, agreed to attend an evening gathering with Gao Taotao because she enjoyed such events and was his sole companion. Gao Taotao, overjoyed by Zongshi's protectiveness, kissed him directly. Young Zhao Huirou witnessed this, and, ignorant of romantic matters, questioned their actions.

Gao Taotao asked Zhao Huirou to keep it secret, explaining that the kiss was a gesture of thanks between family members, as Zongshi had helped her greatly with her lessons. Separately, Cao Danshu and Princess Wei finished their lake tour and came ashore, arriving at the Rear Garden, where Zhao Zhen and Zhang Bihan also appeared. Cao Danshu's friends, Du Youheng and Yan Qingsu, observed Zhang Bihan's arrogant demeanor.

They overheard people discussing Zhang Bihan, noting that her clothes and jewelry were improper, and she had brazenly accepted a greeting from an old princely consort. Du Youheng expressed concern about the implications if Zhang Bihan were to bear a prince who was then raised by her. Later, Zhao Huirou, craving snacks prepared for guests, enlisted the help of a young master, Li Wei. The two children hid and secretly ate the treats.

Li Wei, not recognizing Zhao Huirou and thinking she was a pretty little palace maid, helped her retrieve snacks from a high shelf. Li Wei's mother, Madam Yang, soon discovered them and began scolding Li Wei for stealing. Zhao Huirou intervened, revealing her identity as a princess and clarifying that Li Wei was merely helping her get snacks.

As Madam Yang and Li Wei reacted with surprise and Madam Yang grew eager to curry favor, Zhao Zhen arrived and picked up Zhao Huirou. Li Wei, who had never met Zhao Zhen, stared dumbfounded. Li Wei was the nephew of Li Lanhui, and seeing him made Zhao Zhen think of his own mother. After the palace banquet, Madam Yang and Li Wei paid their respects to Zhao Zhen and Cao Danshu.

Zhao Zhen introduced Li Wei to Zhao Huirou, explaining that Li Wei was an even closer relative than Zongshi. Zhao Huirou, not fully grasping Zhao Zhen's meaning but finding Li Wei kind, remembered Gao Taotao's words and kissed Li Wei on the forehead, declaring it a "thank you" among family members, which greatly pleased Madam Yang. Concurrently, Liang Yuansheng and Liu Yisun deliberately discussed the San-Chuan-Kou battle at Qingfeng Tower to lure out their enemies.

While walking on a mountain road after leaving the inn, they were ambushed by assassins sent by Huang Dehe and nearly lost their lives. Fortunately, Fu Bi and his troops arrived in time, having been signaled by Liang Yuansheng, ambushing the assassins and capturing them alive. Fu Bi reported Huang Dehe's assassination attempt on Liu Yisun to Zhao Zhen in court, requesting Huang Dehe's immediate decapitation.

However, Zhao Zhen deemed decapitation too lenient for Huang Dehe's crimes and the half-year investigation into the Liu Ping case, which had now yielded conclusive evidence. Zhao Zhen personally sentenced Huang Dehe to be cut in half at the waist, with his body publicly displayed on Yan-zhou city wall. Zhao Zhen warned his officials that Huang Dehe's ability to manipulate the truth stemmed from a pervasive network of officials.

Fu Bi reported that high-ranking court officials like Cheng Lin and Lü Yijian had also benefited from this corruption, prompting Lü Yijian to immediately plead guilty. Zhao Zhen expressed his disappointment to the ashamed officials, declaring a thorough investigation of all officials involved in the Liu Ping case and demanding they exhibit impartiality, loyalty, capability, and incorruptibility.

This extensive purge of the court sparked public discussion, but not in the way Zhao Zhen had hoped; the common people failed to understand his earnest efforts, instead spreading false rumors. What truly alarmed Zhao Zhen was the realization that these lowly clerks and petty officials, once forming the lifeline of Kaifeng Prefecture's civil administration, represented a vast, unseen network across the eighteen prefectures that controlled the very fate of the Song Dynasty.

Zhao Zhen, wanting to gauge public sentiment and see if they understood his rigorous punishment, visited a tavern when Feng Shiyuan, an accomplice of Huang Dehe, was being paraded through the market. He was disheartened to find that his intentions were not appreciated. Yan Shu reassured him that public discussion was temporary, and Feng Shiyuan would soon no longer be the focus.

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