Serenade of Peaceful Joy Episode 43 Recap
> Serenade of Peaceful Joy Recap
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Ouyang Xiu faces a burgeoning scandal, accused by a woman named Zhang of an immoral relationship with his niece. Ouyang Xiu vehemently denies this, asserting he treated his niece as his own daughter, but Zhang presents compelling evidence. This accusation fuels heated arguments between Ouyang Xiu's supporters, including Cai Xiang and Sun Fu, and his detractors, led by Jia Changchao and Xia Song. Emperor Zhao Zhen delegates the investigation to local officials.
Cai Xiang and Sun Fu, after unsuccessfully arguing with Xia Song's faction, plead with Yan Shu to intervene on Ouyang Xiu's behalf. Yan Shu, however, chooses an impartial path. After more than ten days, the case remains unresolved due to a lack of definitive evidence to convict Ouyang Xiu or his niece. To restore peace in the court, Yan Shu proposes to Zhao Zhen that Ouyang Xiu be transferred out of the capital for duty.
Zhao Zhen reminds Yan Shu that the death of the Eighth Prince, Zhao Yuanyan, will soon be publicly announced, and Zhao Yuanyan's dying memorial contains harsh criticisms of Yan Shu, labeling him cunning. Yan Shu remains calm, offering no defense for himself or Ouyang Xiu, and steadfastly insists on Ouyang Xiu's transfer. Believing Yan Shu is betraying Ouyang Xiu and flattering Zhao Zhen, Cai Xiang and Sun Fu submit impeachment petitions against Yan Shu.
After numerous such petitions, Zhao Zhen summons Yan Shu to hear his perspective. Yan Shu, still serene, admits he is not a straightforward person and offers no defense for himself. Zhao Zhen, despite understanding Yan Shu's well-intentioned, careful approach, is compelled by the widespread impeachment to reluctantly send Yan Shu out of the capital. Yan Shu calmly accepts this decision.
Before his departure, Zhao Zhen also informs Yan Shu of the recent death of his son, Zui Xinglai, which Yan Shu acknowledges with a solemn bow. After Yan Shu's exile, Xia Song's faction publicly feigns sympathy for Yan Shu while subtly criticizing Cai Xiang and others, suggesting their impeachment was baseless and resorted to using a decade-old inscription due to lack of current fault.
Han Qi sees Yan Shu off, expressing sorrow and confusion over Yan Shu's relocation of his entire family to Yingzhou. Han Qi laments the impeachment by Cai Xiang and Sun Fu and worries about the imperial court, now bereft of trusted officials like Yan Shu and Fan Zhongyan, leaving Zhao Zhen surrounded by treacherous figures like Xia Song.
Yan Shu, however, is philosophical, assuring Han Qi not to worry and stating he will not return to the capital, leaving with a sense of quiet reluctance for Zhao Zhen. Meanwhile, in court, Fu Bi's new disaster relief measures come under fire from Jia Changchao and Xia Song, who accuse him of laziness and even using relief efforts to harbor bandits. Han Qi steps up to defend Fu Bi.
Zhao Zhen, visibly in low spirits, declares he will await detailed reports from local officials before concluding on Fu Bi's methods. After the ministers conclude their debate, Zhao Zhen makes a somber announcement: Zui Xinglai has passed away. The ministers are stunned, with Jia Changchao being the first to react by immediately expressing concern about the imperial succession.
Recognizing the emperor's profound grief, Han Qi sagely suggests that all ministers submit a joint petition regarding the succession, to avoid any single minister incurring Zhao Zhen's resentment by individually pressing such a sensitive issue. Zhao Zhen then announces an early adjournment, stating he needs to discuss Zui Xinglai's funeral arrangements with Empress Cao Danshu. In the imperial palace, Zhao Zhen, still deeply grieving Zui Xinglai, shares meals with Miao Xinhe and their daughter, Zhao Huirou, at Yifeng Pavilion.
He promises to visit them frequently, regretting his past neglect of them and Zui Xinglai, and vows not to waste any more time with his daughter and her mother. The mention of Zui Xinglai by Zhao Huirou briefly casts a somber shadow over their meal, reflecting Zhao Zhen's lingering pain.
Empress Cao Danshu, though not fully recovered from her own illness, prioritizes the well-being of the other imperial concubines, specifically inquiring about Concubine Feng Niangzi's pregnancy and the health of the Eighth Princess. Cao Danshu is deeply worried about court and palace affairs, aiming to alleviate Zhao Zhen's burdens. She understands Zhao Zhen's profound sorrow over losing multiple children, particularly Zui Xinglai, whose death he must keep secret from the wider court.
She foresees that ministers, prioritizing imperial succession, will disregard Zhao Zhen's grief and immediately petition for the adoption of a clan member once the news is made public. Dong Qiuhe, observing Cao Danshu's selflessness, laments Zhao Zhen's frequent misunderstanding of his Empress, wishing he knew that Cao Danshu's dedication to the state and her duties stems from her deep love and concern for him. Later, Feng Niangzi gives birth to a daughter.
She is initially disheartened, fearing Zhao Zhen's disappointment given his desire for a male heir and the ongoing criticism about his lack of progeny. Cao Danshu, however, reassures Feng Niangzi, emphasizing that Zhao Zhen cherishes his own child. She explains that Zhao Zhen has bestowed upon Feng Niangzi and their new daughter gifts equivalent to those Zui Xinglai received at birth, precisely to ensure they are not mistreated, thereby assuaging Feng Niangzi's anxieties and affirming the emperor's affection.
Meanwhile, Zhang Maoze, while on official business and collecting refreshments at Fann Building, unexpectedly encounters Bitao, a woman who had witnessed Yao Yao's death years ago and subsequently fled the palace. Bitao, now pretending to be mute and working at the Fann Building, is visibly startled and drops a tray upon seeing Zhang Maoze. Liang Yuansheng quickly interjects, explaining that Bitao is a mute whom he picked up, and that she is shy around strangers.
Zhang Maoze, not immediately recognizing Bitao as the person Zhang Bihan has been searching for—the one who saw Yao Yao fall ill in the small palace—becomes suspicious but only asks basic questions about when Liang Yuansheng met her, choosing not to press the matter further at that moment.
