Serenade of Peaceful Joy Episode 44 Recap
> Serenade of Peaceful Joy Recap
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During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Zhao Zhen, accompanied by Miao Xinhe, takes Zhao Huirou out to watch the celebrations. Zhao Zhen discusses Zhao Huirou's marriage with Miao Xinhe, expressing his wish to find a husband who would cherish her as much as they do. Zhao Huirou is captivated by Cao Ping, Cao Danshu's nephew, who is portraying Hou Yi in a street performance, calling him a "true immortal brother."
Later, palace maids echo the sentiment, suggesting only a man like Hou Yi would be worthy of her, but Zhao Huirou dismisses them, asking them to pray for family safety instead. Cao Danshu, upon learning of her nephew's public display, promptly sends word to her family to curb his flamboyance. Meanwhile, Zhang Bihan's daughter, You Wu, falls critically ill, unable to consume water or medicine.
This grave illness casts a pall over the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, causing Zhao Zhen and Cao Danshu to lose their festive mood, leaving other concubines to carry on the evening banquet. Zhao Zhen visits You Wu at Xiangluan Pavilion, where a distressed Zhang Bihan cries to him, expressing a wish to suffer in her daughter's place, deeply affecting Zhao Zhen.
Miao Xinhe, having experienced the sorrow of losing her own son, Zui Xinglai, now sympathizes with Zhang Bihan's pain from losing two daughters. However, Yu Jieyu cautions Miao Xinhe against pitying Zhang Bihan, revealing that Zhang Bihan's health prevents her from serving Zhao Zhen, and that Zhang Bihan has already secured her future by using Xu Lan Rao to maintain Zhao Zhen's favor.
Yu Jieyu suggests Miao Xinhe should instead focus on bearing another imperial son while she is still young. Zhang Maoze and his subordinate, Lao Zi, discuss Xu Lan Rao's growing influence. Lao Zi worries about Xu Lan Rao's ambition, while Zhang Maoze views Zhang Bihan as foolish for believing she can control Xu Lan Rao, perceiving it as akin to raising a tiger.
Despite Xu Lan Rao's cautious attempts to curry favor with Zhao Zhen, he maintains a proper distance, instructing her to remain by Zhang Bihan's side. Separately, Su Zimei, Wang Yirou, and other scholars from the Hanlin Academy gather at Fanlou for a moon-viewing dinner, using funds from selling official newspapers.
During their discussions, Su Zimei criticizes court affairs and laments the transfers of Fan Zhongyan and Fu Bi, while Wang Yirou expresses dissatisfaction through poetry, leading to some complaints about the current authorities. Li Ding, a Secretary of the Grand Secretariat, overhears their "wild words" and promptly reports to Xia Song, exaggerating their comments as potential rebellion. Xia Song instructs Li Ding to report to the Imperial City Department, then dispatches Yang Huaimin to surround Fanlou and arrest the scholars.
Zhang Maoze is troubled by the arrests, suspecting they are a ploy to suppress officials supporting reform. Unable to disturb Zhao Zhen, who is preoccupied with You Wu's critical illness, and unwilling to involve Cao Danshu, Zhang Maoze decides to investigate other matters during Yang Huaimin's absence. He goes to the Imperial City Department to look into the "Yao Yao murder case" and search for the escaped palace maid, Bi Tao.
Zhang Maoze discovers that Yang Huaimin has been negligent in searching for Bi Tao, solidifying Zhang Maoze's suspicion that Yang Huaimin and Xu Lan Rao are not truly loyal to Zhang Bihan. Lao Zi is instructed to pay more attention to Zhang Chengzhao. In Kuning Palace, Cao Danshu discusses her nephew Cao Ping with Dong Qiuhe. When Dong Qiuhe praises Cao Ping's talent and looks, Cao Danshu becomes annoyed.
She describes Cao Ping as pampered, unstudious, and frivolous, warning Dong Qiuhe about his tendency to attract many infatuated girls. Playfully, she threatens to arrange Dong Qiuhe's marriage to Cao Ping, startling her. After Dong Qiuhe apologizes, Cao Danshu reaffirms her commitment to facilitate Dong Qiuhe's marriage to Cui Bai, promising her early departure from the palace. However, she notes that Zhao Zhen's current poor mood makes it inappropriate to raise the matter now.
Dong Qiuhe expresses her willingness to wait, wishing to stay longer and accompany Cao Danshu, even if it means delaying her departure for two years, a sentiment that moves Cao Danshu. After leaving Xiangluan Pavilion in a somber mood, Zhao Zhen seeks out Liang Huaiji.
He takes Liang Huaiji for a walk, initially asking him to join in catching "golden bell insects" (crickets) in the garden, only to be reminded that it is autumn and too late for them, though Liang Huaiji assures him they will return next year. Zhao Zhen reminisces about his deceased children—Zui Xinglai, Yue Er, and Yao Yao—and questions Liang Huaiji about his own childhood, specifically if he ever caught crickets with his father.
Liang Huaiji reveals his father died at his birth, leaving him with no memories or opportunities for childhood play. This reflection causes Zhao Zhen to realize his own children, despite their losses, have lived in luxury and are far more fortunate than common citizens' children. Calmed by this realization, Zhao Zhen decides to transfer Liang Huaiji back to Fuming Hall to serve him.
The following day in Chongzheng Hall, Li Ding formally accuses Su Zimei and his group of speaking "wild words" at Fanlou, publicly discussing court affairs, and boldly calling Zhao Zhen "incompetent." Han Qi immediately challenges Li Ding, questioning if he personally heard the word "incompetent" from Su Zimei's mouth, implying it's a false accusation. Yang Huaimin confirms that while Su Zimei discussed court affairs and expressed dissatisfaction, he did not use the word "incompetent."
Jia Xiang attempts to support Li Ding, dismissing Han Qi's defense as semantic quibbling, but Zhao Zhen decides not to pursue the matter of "transgression," leaving Jia Xiang speechless. Li Ding then presents new evidence, citing the poetry written by Su Zimei and others, and accusing them of using public funds for drinking and patronizing courtesans. Jia Xiang concurs, suggesting their patronage of courtesans implies treasonous intent.
Before Han Qi can further defend them, Wang Gongchen steps forward with a memorial, presenting additional evidence of their illegal activities from the previous night. Wang Gongchen's evidence confirms their use of public funds for drinking and patronizing courtesans. Officials supporting Su Zimei argue these "public funds" were proceeds from selling official newspapers, a customary practice. Wang Gongchen counters that corruption, too, can be a custom.
As the debate over their guilt continues, Xia Song intervenes, pointing out that Wang Yirou was a protégé of Fan Zhongyan, implying that Fan Zhongyan was using the "new policies" to promote his own faction, which also involved Ouyang Xiu. Subsequently, Zhao Zhen demotes Han Qi and sends him out of the capital. The day before Han Qi's departure, Zhao Zhen privately summons him for a fishing session, asking if he harbors resentment. Han Qi, however, expresses a feeling of neglecting his duty. Zhao Zhen assures him that despite not achieving great deeds, he remained diligent and was not derelict in his duties.
