Serenade of Peaceful Joy Episode 54 Recap, Plot

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Zhao Zhen confronts Zhang Bihan at Ninghua Hall, where she haughtily greets him while eating. He questions why she isn't served, and she replies that only Jia Yulan (also referred to as Jia Jiaoxi) used to accompany her, implying she needs no one else, which angers Zhao Zhen. He states that Jia Yulan's crime could warrant punishment for her entire clan, but Zhang Bihan counters that Jia Yulan is an orphan.

Zhao Zhen then questions her defiance in displaying luxurious red porcelain, which he had expressly forbidden as a tribute, especially after her promotion to Noble Consort and her acceptance of such gifts from ministers. Zhang Bihan insists it's permissible, citing Zhao Zhen's promise that she could have anything as long as she didn't harm others or provoke Empress Cao Danshu. She asks if Zhao Zhen is reneging and suggests he give the porcelain away, further fueling his anger.

Zhao Zhen clarifies that his promise was to help her obtain things, not to allow her to receive gifts directly from external officials, and he expects her to be sensible. Zhang Bihan, ungrateful, demands a thorough investigation into Jia Yulan's death and severe punishment for Zhang Maoze and his "master."

Enraged, Zhao Zhen declares that he himself is Zhang Maoze's master, smashes the red porcelain, and issues a death threat to any Ninghua Hall servant who dares to incite Zhang Bihan to accept gifts from external officials. Immediately after Zhao Zhen leaves Ninghua Hall, Empress Cao Danshu criticizes Princess Zhao Huirou for not valuing Zhao Zhen's affection and embarrassing him in front of the concubines.

Zhao Huirou, feeling wronged, argues that Zhang Bihan, not she, caused Zhao Zhen's embarrassment, and that it was Zhao Zhen's own indulgence of the arrogant Zhang Bihan that led to such actions. Zhao Huirou expresses her discontent, questioning if palace rules are biased and stating that she respected Cao Danshu's character and conduct as a role model, but could not understand why Cao Danshu would appease and promote Zhang Bihan.

Miao Xinhe scolds Zhao Huirou, ordering her to reflect in her room. Cao Danshu, however, is not angry and observes that Zhao Huirou has grown up. She explains that she promoted Zhang Bihan to make Zhao Zhen happier and less troubled, and her love for Zhao Zhen led to her repeated tolerance of Zhang Bihan. Zhao Huirou, being strong-willed, states that she cannot understand or tolerate such a love or be such a woman, and unhappily returns to her room.

Cao Danshu then muses that Zhao Zhen was right not to allow Zhao Huirou to marry Cao Ping, as Cao Ping is a philanderer, and Zhao Huirou would surely not tolerate such a match. Zhao Zhen then proceeds to Kunning Palace, where he finds Cao Danshu embroidering. He watches her before joking with her.

Cao Danshu knows he is there regarding Zhao Huirou, but she first asks Zhao Zhen to advise Zhang Bihan to properly control Li Popo and the Ninghua Hall stewards. Zhao Zhen expresses guilt, feeling he owes Cao Danshu too much due to Zhang Bihan's willfulness and the troubles she causes. He explains that he cannot bring himself to punish Zhang Bihan severely because he always remembers her praying for their daughters and the pain she endured bearing his three daughters.

Cao Danshu understands Zhao Zhen's dilemma and genuinely wanted to promote Zhang Bihan. Zhao Zhen then changes the subject, asking Cao Danshu to tell him about her past. Cao Danshu recounts being cherished by her family and her insistence on marrying an unworldly fiancé devoted to cultivating immortality, eventually moving on to her marriage into the palace as Empress. She becomes reluctant to dwell on the grievances of her time as Empress.

Zhao Zhen feels profound guilt and sympathy, realizing that when he was forced to marry her as Empress, he only felt his own wrong, never considering Cao Danshu's greater suffering and how diligently she performed her duties despite her grievances. As he speaks, his chest pain recurs. Cao Danshu tries to call a doctor, but Zhao Zhen stops her, saying he has his medicine and doesn't want to alarm anyone.

Later, official He Tan impeaches Zhang Yaozuo, Zhang Bihan's uncle, who holds the high position of San Si Shi, just one step away from the Two Ministries. He Tan points out that officials would strongly oppose Zhang Yaozuo entering the Two Ministries, putting Zhao Zhen in a difficult position between court and palace.

He Tan also advises Zhao Zhen to dismiss Zhang Yaozuo due to his incompetence, suggesting that Zhao Zhen's favor for Zhang Bihan should manifest as wealth for Zhang Yaozuo, not real power, similar to how he treated Li Yonghe. Following a discussion, Zhao Zhen instructs Liang Huaiji to select two fine celadon vases, one for Zhao Huirou and one for Zhang Bihan. Meanwhile, Zhang Yaozuo's wife visits Zhang Bihan in the palace.

She claims Zhang Yaozuo independently earned his Jinshi degree and didn't benefit from Zhang Bihan's status. She warns that officials are trying to impeach Zhang Yaozuo and asks Zhang Bihan to intercede with Zhao Zhen on his behalf. Zhang Bihan, having accepted Wang Gongchen's advice that Zhang Yaozuo's San Si Shi position is unhelpful to her, is uninterested in helping and drives her aunt away, viewing her as an enemy.

Zhang Bihan then instructs Li Popo to investigate if the celadon vase from Zhao Zhen was exclusive to her or if others also received one. Upon learning that Zhao Zhen also sent a celadon vase to Zhao Huirou, Zhang Bihan is greatly displeased, unwilling to let anyone in the central palace be more favored than her. She learns that the Xuanhui Shi manages inner palace affairs and decides to secure this position for Zhang Yaozuo to expand her own influence.

Zhang Bihan then has Li Popo prepare pastries and goes to find Zhao Zhen to plead her case. She finds Zhao Zhen in a discussion. Although she doesn't loudly demand entry, she subtly makes her presence known, implying to the ministers that they should conclude their meeting. Zhang Bihan offers the pastries and carefully probes Zhao Zhen's stance on their earlier conflict regarding the red porcelain.

Seeing that he remains firm, she forces herself to suppress her unhappiness, apologizes, and asks for his forgiveness, pretending to have had a change of heart. Zhao Zhen, unaware of her true intentions, is soft-hearted and forgives her, keeping her overnight. Zhang Bihan seizes this opportunity to repeatedly request that her uncle, Zhang Yaozuo, be appointed Xuanhui Shi. Zhao Zhen immediately understands her ulterior motive and is displeased, attempting to find an excuse to leave.

However, Zhang Bihan's incessant pleading makes him unable to be harsh, and he reluctantly agrees to her demand. Separately, Zhao Huirou learns of Khitan leader Yelü Hongji's arrival in the capital and curiously asks Zhao Zhen if Khitan people understand poetry. Zhao Zhen replies that Yelü Hongji's poetry might even surpass Zhao Huirou's, which surprises her. She worries about "losing" to the Khitan, but Zhao Zhen finds her concern amusing, stating that they are not competing with the Khitan.

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