Serenade of Peaceful Joy Episode 35 Recap
> Serenade of Peaceful Joy Recap
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Feeling upset, Zhao Huirou asks Zhao Zhen how he manages his anger when criticized by officials. Zhao Zhen explains his method: he takes a deep breath, suppresses any angry words, and then silently curses and laughs at the officials based on their individual personalities. Zhao Huirou's mood improves significantly upon hearing this.
She decides to adopt a similar strategy: if Zhang Bihan upsets her again, she will mentally call Zhang Bihan a "fatherless, uneducated lunatic" to vent her frustration, promising Zhao Zhen that she will only do so internally and never vocalize it. Seeing Zhao Huirou's improved mood and adaptability, Zhao Zhen, though somewhat helpless, agrees and returns a pearl to her.
Zhao Huirou promises to cherish Zhao Zhen's gifts, re-string the pearl, and reminds him to insist she keep any future gifts he brings to appease her. She then assures him she will always be well-behaved. Zhao Zhen stays in Zhao Huirou's room until evening. As he leaves, Miao Xinhe offers him a cup of tea, explaining that the child Zui Xinglai is still suffering from a cough and some asthma.
Therefore, she does not invite Zhao Zhen to stay the night, making Zhao Zhen feel like she is issuing an "eviction notice" much like Cao Danshu. Meanwhile, Zhang Bihan, displeased upon learning Zhao Zhen went to appease Zhao Huirou, waits for him all night in Xiangluan Pavilion. She hopes he would come to accompany her, fulfilling his previous promise to visit her daily.
Despite Jia Jiaoxi's attempts to persuade her to understand Zhao Zhen and her guess that he might not come, Zhang Bihan persists, waiting until late into the night without returning to her room, but Zhao Zhen does not arrive. During a morning court session, the issue of dismissing redundant officials sparks widespread discussion among ministers.
Zhang Dexiang reports to Zhao Zhen that many laid-off officials are complaining and suggests a slower implementation of the reforms to avoid ruining their careers and depriving their families of support. However, Ouyang Xiu refutes this, arguing that these officials lost their prospects due to laziness and indifference to national affairs, and therefore the reform of officialdom must be swift and decisive to eradicate such dilatory and sluggish practices from the court.
Fan Zhongyan supports this, presenting a list and stating that his detailed investigation revealed these laid-off officials had done no actual work for the populace during their tenure, accumulated considerable wealth from their salaries, and none would face destitution due to losing their positions. He asserts that he feels no guilt in their dismissal, proving that his actions were well-founded.
Following the court meeting, Zhao Zhen summons Sima Guang, who has returned from mourning, to inquire about his views on the dismissal of redundant officials. Sima Guang affirms that dismissing redundant officials is necessary, but he advises understanding their thoughts, feelings, and grievances, given their large numbers and connections with other courtiers. He cautions against the risk of these dismissed officials deliberately inciting public resentment and emphasizes the need for extensive investigation into public sentiment and specific circumstances.
Later, during lunch, Zhao Zhen, who had arranged for a simple meal of steamed buns, is visited by Fu Bi. Fu Bi reports significant progress in the peace negotiations: Pang Ji and Yuanhao have reached a settlement, with Yuanhao agreeing to relinquish his imperial title and submit to the Great Song. Zhao Zhen, hearing that the peace talks are resolved, no longer dwells on other negotiation details.
Although he recognizes that waiting another year or two could further destabilize the Xia territory and potentially lead to regime change, he prioritizes the people's well-being over further warfare, expressing his hope that the people of the Western border can live in peace and contentment from then on, and agreeing to sign the treaty with Yuanhao. Following the successful peace negotiations and the end of the Song-Xia conflict, Di Qing and Liang Yuansheng celebrate with drinks.
To Di Qing's surprise, Liang Yuansheng, who had been stationed at the border, announces his decision to leave Tingzhou and return to the capital to run a small shop, no longer seeking to achieve military merit. Di Qing, who believes Liang Yuansheng's contribution was paramount to the peace talks' success and had not yet submitted a petition for his commendation, is reluctant to see him go, but Liang Yuansheng's resolve is firm, and Di Qing ultimately agrees to his departure.
Upon his return to the capital, Liang Yuansheng goes to Qingfeng Tower, where its proprietress, Zhang Lihua, is overjoyed to see him. With the Song-Xia war concluded and border markets opened for trade, the capital celebrates the cessation of hostilities with grand lantern festivals, sparking discussions among palace residents. Zhao Huirou, hearing palace women talk about the spectacular lantern festival and women's sumo wrestling outside, expresses envy and curiosity.
To satisfy her, Zhao Zhen happily decides to take her out of the palace to see the lantern festival and sumo wrestling, promising to allow her onto the "fan platform." Cao Danshu, dressed in commoner clothes, also accompanies them. Zhao Zhen brings Cao Danshu to listen to the people's discussions and Zhao Huirou to show her the capital's prosperity and indulge her playful spirit. At the market, they find seats to watch a sumo wrestling match.
Zhao Zhen joyfully explains the match to Zhao Huirou, even encouraging her to bet on the competing wrestlers to add to the excitement. After the match, Zhao Huirou, feeling sympathetic for the unrewarded loser while the winner received money, gives the loser some money. Following the sumo, Zhao Zhen and his companions proceed to watch acrobatics, where a discussion about marrying aunts makes Wang Gongchen noticeably uncomfortable.
During a discussion with Zhao Zhen and other officials like Han Qi and Fan Zhongyan, Han Qi reports that the former owner of Fanlou, the most renowned restaurant in the capital, has passed away. The deceased owner's son, due to poor management, plans to sell Fanlou and its land assets to repay debts. Given Fanlou's prominent status in the capital, Han Qi presents this as a matter of state for Zhao Zhen's decision.
After Zhao Zhen attends to this, Jia Changchao submits a memorial reporting the findings of Supervising Censor Liang Jian's investigation into Teng Zongliang's suspected embezzlement of official funds. The report indicates that Teng Zongliang indeed misappropriated public money. However, Fan Zhongyan interjects, expressing his confidence in Teng Zongliang's integrity and suggesting that the matter is either a deliberate defamation or that the truth has not yet been fully uncovered. Jia Changchao then sarcastically remarks on Fan Zhongyan's premature judgment without full knowledge of the details.
