Serenade of Peaceful Joy Episode 40 Recap
> Serenade of Peaceful Joy Recap
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The imperial court was fraught with political tensions. Fan Zhongyan took half a day off to see Fu Bi off from the capital, taking the opportunity to discuss matters concerning the Hebei disaster victims. Ouyang Xiu and Han Qi, holding important positions in the capital, found it inconvenient to bid farewell to Fu Bi themselves to avoid suspicion.
Ouyang Xiu, however, failed to grasp the gravity of the situation, believing that even if they formed a "faction", it would be a "gentlemen's faction." Han Qi cautioned Ouyang Xiu to be prudent, as the term "faction" itself, regardless of whether it was composed of gentlemen or villains, was a major taboo.
Nevertheless, Ouyang Xiu, angered by the accusations against Fu Bi and the obstacles to cutting down redundant officials, penned an essay on "gentlemen having factions" and a poem expressing his displeasure. Simultaneously, Su Zimei, in the official gazette, harshly criticized Wang Gongchen for seeking fame and depicted him in an undignified posture on the ground, also publishing an article about Wang Gongchen's threats to Zhao Zhen regarding the further demotion of Teng Zongliang and Zhao Zhen's criticism of Wang Gongchen.
Ouyang Xiu found the gazette very satisfying. These writings circulated widely in tabloids, infuriating Wang Gongchen, who vented his fury at home. Xia Song, however, reveled in seeing those who styled themselves as gentlemen denouncing each other, recognizing that it would deepen their internal conflicts and intensify Zhao Zhen's suspicions about Ouyang Xiu and his associates forming a faction.
Xia Song also celebrated his success in suppressing Shi Jie and Fu Bi, while Shi Jie, falsely accused of rebellion and under constant official surveillance, faced a difficult and embarrassing situation. Meanwhile, an epidemic struck the palace. The Head of the Imperial Hospital and other medical officials confirmed to Zhao Zhen that Zui Xinglai was indeed infected with the epidemic. The imperial physician also informed Zhao Zhen of Cao Danshu's plan to eradicate pests and insects within the palace.
Zhao Zhen, unable to enter Yifeng Pavilion, gave Cao Danshu full authority to manage the palace epidemic, instructing the Imperial Hospital to follow her arrangements for Zui Xinglai's treatment, ensuring sufficient manpower and resources. He then summoned his ministers to Chongzheng Hall to discuss the wider implications of the epidemic, especially as the number of infected disaster victims in Hebei was increasing.
The ministers, unaware of the palace epidemic, initially assumed Zhao Zhen was only concerned about outbreaks in disaster-stricken areas. Han Qi reported on the severe situation in Hebei. Zhao Zhen, looking grim, assigned Yan Shu and Jia Changchao to manage aid and prevention for the disaster zones. Jia Changchao attempted to flatter Zhao Zhen, but Zhao Zhen was not in the mood to listen.
The ministers urged Zhao Zhen to take care of his health, to which Zhao Zhen deeply sighed before leaving Chongzheng Hall, burdened by worry that his ancestors might blame his reign for the plague. He also knew that less than 50% of those infected fully recovered, especially children, leading him to fear for his own children, Zui Xinglai and Zhao Huirou.
News of Zui Xinglai's condition terrified Zhao Huirou, who was so distressed that she wished to fall ill in his stead. Liang Huaiji, heartbroken by her vulnerability, could only offer comfort as she wept in his arms, and quietly soothed her. Amidst these events, Jia Yulan sought out Xia Song, inquiring about an escaped palace maid who had yet to be found. She also congratulated him on his success against Shi Jie and Fu Bi.
During their conversation, Jia Yulan became suspicious of Yang Huaimin's abnormal behavior, who had missed their scheduled meeting outside the palace. Coupled with Zhao Zhen's recent strange demeanor, she suspected a major incident within the palace. These suspicions were confirmed when Zhang Chengzhao, who shared a room with Liang Huaiji and was an agent of Xia Song, relayed the news of the palace epidemic to Xia Song via Xu Lantiao.
Yang Huaimin, meanwhile, was diligently working within the palace on pest and insect eradication. Zhang Maoze reported to Zhao Zhen in Funing Palace that a palace-wide investigation, initiated by Zhao Zhen, had uncovered several elderly palace staff who had died earlier from what was mistakenly believed to be heatstroke, but were actually victims of the epidemic. He further revealed that several female officials and young eunuchs were now showing the same symptoms as Zui Xinglai.
Zhang Maoze praised Zhao Zhen's compassionate and benevolent actions for ordering the immediate palace-wide check after the epidemic was discovered. However, Zhao Zhen, despite the praise, remained deeply distressed. He chose to believe that Zui Xinglai's illness was a divine test, intended to prepare him to become a benevolent ruler chosen by heaven for the Song dynasty. Convinced of this, Zhao Zhen hastily decided to issue an edict to name Zui Xinglai as Crown Prince.
Zhang Maoze comforted Zhao Zhen, assuring him that heaven would surely protect Zui Xinglai. Later, an imperial physician informed Cao Danshu that Zui Xinglai's fever had subsided, but his pulse did not indicate a full recovery. Adding to the concern, Zhao Huirou had also developed a fever. Miao Xinhe, upon hearing of the decision to name Zui Xinglai Crown Prince, was not pleased; instead, she angrily drove away the messenger, refusing to accept the edict.
She only wanted Zui Xinglai to recover, not to bear such heavy responsibilities at such a young age, nor to become another Zhao Zhen whose life was not his own. Miao Xinhe chased away all maids and eunuchs, personally tending to Zui Xinglai. Cao Danshu visited Miao Xinhe, who was weeping while holding Zui Xinglai. Cao Danshu tried to explain Zhao Zhen's hopes for Zui Xinglai's recovery, but Miao Xinhe was unresponsive.
Cao Danshu then informed her that Zhao Huirou had also developed a fever, though she believed it was not the epidemic since it appeared days later, hoping to ease Miao Xinhe's fears and encourage her to also care for Zhao Huirou.
Cao Danshu offered to help care for Zhao Huirou and explain Miao Xinhe's current predicament to her, but stressed that even with her closeness to Zhao Huirou, she could not replace Miao Xinhe in Zhao Huirou's heart, just as Miao Xinhe, Zui Xinglai, and Zhao Huirou were irreplaceable in Zhao Zhen's heart. Meanwhile, Zhang Chengzhao tried to approach Jia Yulan at Xiangluan Pavilion but was unable to enter.
He was intercepted by Xu Lantiao, who, aware of his purpose, gained his trust and asked him to relay his message and perform a small favor. Xu Lantiao then gave Zhang Chengzhao a palace prescription to take to Xia Song. Upon receiving the prescription, Xia Song quickly confirmed that a major incident had occurred in the palace.
