Serenade of Peaceful Joy Episode 26 Recap
> Serenade of Peaceful Joy Recap
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The birth of a prince, Zui Xinglai, to Miao Xinhe brought great joy to the palace, with the Hanlin Academy busily arranging a name. This new addition, along with Yuan Hao's agreement to a peace treaty through a princess marriage, alleviated many of Emperor Zhao Zhen's concerns. However, this joy was shadowed by tragedy, as Zhang Bihan's daughter, Zhao Chuyue, sadly passed away in her youth.
Zhao Zhen's health was improving, and Empress Cao Danshu devotedly cared for him, washing his hands and making soup, fostering a sense of a common couple between them. During this time, Zhao Zhen considered promoting Miao Xinhe, who had already borne him a daughter and now a prince, acknowledging her great contributions. He felt that such a promotion to consort was well-deserved but hesitated, fearing the impact on Cao Danshu.
Cao Danshu, understanding his thoughts, relayed Miao Xinhe's message: Miao Xinhe herself did not wish for an immediate promotion. Being a mother, Miao Xinhe deeply empathized with Zhang Bihan's recent loss and current pregnancy and did not want to cause her further distress. Cao Danshu further advised Zhao Zhen to wait until Zhang Bihan had given birth, then promote both children simultaneously. Zhao Zhen found this reasoning sound and ceased to insist on the immediate promotion.
He expressed his gratitude for having such wise women as Cao Danshu and Miao Xinhe, believing his children were fortunate to have Cao Danshu as a mother. He even requested Cao Danshu to help nurture Zhang Bihan's future son, should she bear one. Cao Danshu, self-conscious about her embroidery skills, admitted that Miao Xinhe had assisted her with the base work. Earlier, Zhao Zhen had received Sima Guang, the new lecturer of the Imperial College, in Enying Pavilion.
Zhao Zhen was pleased with Sima Guang's lecture and bestowed upon him a glazed lamp. A eunuch, claiming a sudden stomachache, asked the passing Liang Huaiji to deliver the imperial gift, fearing delay might anger Zhao Zhen. Liang Huaiji, out of kindness, agreed to help. However, upon delivery, Sima Guang found the glazed lamp shattered. Liang Huaiji was shocked, insisting he had held the brocade box steadily without dropping it, realizing he had been framed.
Ren Shouzhong, learning of the incident, angrily ordered Liang Huaiji's arrest and informed Sima Guang that, by old custom, ministers could punish eunuchs who damaged imperial gifts. He offered Sima Guang the discretion to punish Liang Huaiji as he saw fit. Sima Guang, however, interceded, asking Ren Shouzhong to release Liang Huaiji and to relay two specific messages to Zhao Zhen.
Zhao Zhen, upon hearing that Liang Huaiji had supposedly broken the lamp, found it strange, knowing Liang Huaiji's meticulous character. The swiftness with which Ren Shouzhong received the news after Liang Huaiji's delivery made both Zhao Zhen and Sima Guang realize that Liang Huaiji had been deliberately framed. That evening, Zhao Zhen went to Xiangluan Pavilion to comfort Zhang Bihan, urging her not to direct her grief over Zhao Chuyue's death towards others.
He gathered Zhang Bihan's servants, subtly warning them not to speak improperly in front of her, threatening an investigation by the Imperial City Department if trouble arose. Zhao Zhen also informed Zhang Bihan about Liang Huaiji's framing, stating that he had transferred Liang Huaiji to Funing Hall, making him his personal attendant, and sternly warned her not to instigate further incidents against Liang Huaiji.
While speaking, Zhao Zhen's gaze lingered on Jia Yulan (also referred to as Jia Jiaoxi), initially suspecting her as the mastermind. However, it was Zhang Bihan who, out of resentment towards Liang Huaiji, had orchestrated the framing through others without Jia Yulan's knowledge. Jia Yulan later advised Zhang Bihan against such overt acts of revenge, urging her to focus on her health and safely giving birth to a healthy prince, and also counseling her regarding her feelings for Xia Song.
The next morning, Zhao Zhen brought Liang Huaiji to the palace school, asking the imperial princes and princesses to analyze the framing incident. Zong Shi, eager to impress Zhao Zhen, spoke first, arguing that Liang Huaiji was disrespectful for not inspecting the imperial gift and should be severely punished. However, Zhao Huirou defended Liang Huaiji, believing he was merely acting out of kindness to help the other eunuch and bore no fault, expressing sympathy for him.
Zhao Zhen then recounted Sima Guang's words, teaching the students not to lose their benevolence by being overly rigid in adherence to rites and respect. He then pronounced Liang Huaiji's punishment: a three-month salary deduction and demotion to junior eunuch, but he was to remain in Funing Hall as Zhao Zhen's personal attendant.
Following this, Zong Shi became anxious, feeling his efforts to perform well in the palace school were misunderstood by Zhao Zhen, especially in light of the prince's birth. He feigned illness and hid in his room. Cao Danshu, aware of Zong Shi's sensitive nature, sent Gao Taotao, who was close to him, to offer comfort.
Cao Danshu worried that Zhao Zhen might follow ancestral rules and send Zong Shi out of the palace, and considered requesting this herself, as the prince born to Miao Xinhe posed a threat to the earnest and honest Zong Shi's peace of mind in the palace.
Gao Taotao confided in Zong Shi that she did not wish for him to inherit the throne, stating she lacked Cao Danshu's magnanimity and Miao Xinhe's tolerance, and would be unable to stay by his side if he became emperor. In other matters, Fan Zhongyan left Tingzhou after entrusting Zhang Zai with a copy of "Zhongyong," hoping he would become a scholar of classics.
Furthermore, Fu Bi discussed the Khitan's demand for Zhao Huirou to marry the Khitan Liang King with Zhao Zhen. Fu Bi initially refused, citing Zhao Huirou's young age, but the Khitan envoys countered that their prince was also under ten, making them a suitable match.
