Serenade of Peaceful Joy Episode 45 Recap
> Serenade of Peaceful Joy Recap
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
- 61
- 62
- 63
- 64
- 65
- 66
- 67
- 68
- 69
- 70
Han Qi, after a court discussion, was called by Zhao Zhen for a fishing session. He expressed dissatisfaction over his impending exile from the capital, which Zhao Zhen allowed him to voice. Han Qi defended Su Zimei and others, admitting that their fundraising through "Di Bao" was a poor practice, but criticized the ministers who maliciously accused them of treason and implicated Fan Zhongyan. He blamed these ministers for their ulterior motives and Zhao Zhen for his perceived inaction.
Zhao Zhen explained that treason carried severe consequences (involving nine generations) and that he, unable to alter the inherent "proud and arrogant" nature of these "gentlemen" or suppress the "petty people" of the world, was forced to act in this manner to stabilize the court. Han Qi understood Zhao Zhen's reasoning and prepared for his departure to Yangzhou, with Zhao Zhen requesting him to send daily memorials. Meanwhile, Zhang Maoze located Bi Tao at Fanlou.
He coerced her into revealing the truth about Yao Yao's death, threatening to hand her over to Yang Huaimin if she refused, but promising to intercede if her story had mitigating circumstances. Terrified, Bi Tao confessed that Yao Yao had suffered an asthma attack and died after using a sweat towel to wipe her face or mouth. Bi Tao had taken the towel from a cabinet in Lan Tiao's room, where they were hiding, and then fled with it.
Zhang Maoze took the sweat towel to a pharmacy, where it was confirmed to have been soaked in pollen, specifically paper mulberry pollen, which would cause physical discomfort and was dangerously unsuitable for personal use. He also verified with a clothing store that scenting clothes with pollen in such a manner was highly unusual and unnecessary, implying malicious intent. Following her promotion to Sishi, Lan Tiao showed no arrogance towards Zhang Bihan.
Instead, she brought medicine to Zhang Bihan at Xiangluan Pavilion, acting grateful and loyal. Zhang Bihan questioned if Lan Tiao aspired to become an imperial concubine, to which Lan Tiao humbly replied that Zhao Zhen only held Zhang Bihan in his heart, making her own ambitions futile. Satisfied, Zhang Bihan allowed Lan Tiao to serve her dinner every evening. However, Zhang Bihan's health remained poor, and she found Zhao Zhen's medicated meals unappetizing, worrying about her lack of improvement.
Jia Jiaoxi (also referred to as Jia Yulan), Zhang Bihan's confidante, repeatedly reminded her of the precarious situation, noting that Zhao Zhen had no biological sons, his adopted son Zong Shi was key, and Lan Tiao had failed to conceive despite serving Zhao Zhen. Jia Jiaoxi feared Zhang Bihan would lack support after Zhao Zhen's death, but Zhang Bihan dismissed these concerns, stating her life would be meaningless without him.
In the 7th year of Qingli, Zhao Zhen's adopted son Zong Shi married Cao Danshu's adopted daughter Gao Taotao, who had been childhood sweethearts. This imperial marriage was widely celebrated across the capital, with bustling streets. Yet, Zhang Maoze, observing the festivities from Fanlou, remained somber and silent, even when Liang Yuansheng served him and inquired about Bi Tao's situation.
Zhao Zhen and Miao Xinhe discussed the joyous marriage of Zong Shi and Gao Taotao, with Miao Xinhe expressing envy for their happiness. Zhao Zhen, in turn, promised to choose a suitable husband for their daughter, Zhao Huirou, as he already had a specific candidate in mind and discussed arranging a meeting. Zhao Huirou, however, showed no desire for marriage, often seeking Cao Danshu's company whenever Zhao Zhen visited Yifeng Pavilion.
On the day Zong Shi and Gao Taotao returned to the palace, Miao Xinhe arranged for Dong Qiuhe to style Zhao Huirou's hair. After jokingly discussing marriage with Dong Qiuhe and Miao Xinhe, Zhao Huirou realized that this was the day she was meant to meet Zhao Zhen's chosen suitor. At a palace banquet (or a family gathering where Cao Danshu received the newlyweds and her relatives), Cao Danshu's nephews, Cao Ping and Cao You, were present.
Zhao Huirou immediately recognized Cao Ping as the "Hou Yi" (archer/hero) she had previously encountered. She then excitedly went to find Liang Huaiji at Yifeng Pavilion and asked him to join her in the rear garden for the banquet, secretly requesting him to help her observe the potential suitors. In Chongzheng Hall, Zhao Zhen discussed state affairs with Sima Guang, with Liang Huaiji serving nearby.
Zhao Zhen praised Liang Huaiji's intelligence and extensive literary knowledge, asking him to thank Sima Guang for past events. Sima Guang, however, disagreed, stating that eunuchs' primary duty was to serve the emperor, and excessive reading could lead them to discuss court affairs, thereby interfering with imperial judgment.
Understanding Sima Guang's disapproval of Liang Huaiji's presence, Zhao Zhen dispatched Liang Huaiji to Yifeng Pavilion, once to deliver items and another time specifically to deliver a painting to Zhao Huirou, thus sparing him further criticism. After Liang Huaiji's departure, Sima Guang offered a plethora of advice, including suggesting Zhao Zhen adopt a son from the imperial clan. Zhao Zhen grew increasingly impatient with Sima Guang's numerous criticisms and tried to dismiss him. However, Sima Guang then declared he had critical matters concerning Cao Danshu to report, or directly proceeded to impeach her.
