Serenade of Peaceful Joy Episode 55 Recap
> Serenade of Peaceful Joy Recap
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Ouyang Xiu welcomed Yelü Hongji to the capital on behalf of Zhao Zhen, inviting him to Zhao's garden to stroll and compose poetry with talented individuals like Han Qi and Fu Bi. Yelü Hongji happily accepted. Zhao Zhen, accompanied by Cao Danshu and Zhao Huirou, also went to meet the Khitan prince. Meanwhile, Zhang Bihan, seeking Zhao Zhen at Funing Palace, found him absent, having left with Cao Danshu and Zhao Huirou.
Disappointed, she returned to Ninghua Palace, but soon after, she brought people and gifts back to Funing Palace, determined to wait for Zhao Zhen to celebrate his birthday. During the gathering in Zhao's garden, Zhao Zhen initially concealed his identity, treating Yelü Hongji and others as equals while observing the intelligent, elegant, and thoughtful prince.
They engaged in drinking games, and when Ouyang Xiu and Cui Bai attempted to discreetly help Zhao Zhen, Yelü Hongji saw through their actions, leading to Zhao Zhen having to drink as a penalty. Yelü Hongji then requested Ouyang Xiu and Cui Bai to perform their skills. Cui Bai sang a song expressing his love and regret for not having married Dong Qiuhe.
Zhao Zhen understood the sentiment, advised Cui Bai to be courageous in his pursuit, and promised to arrange the marriage. Ouyang Xiu, sensing Zhao Zhen's willingness to help, also offered to mediate. Encouraged, Cui Bai bravely asked Zhao Zhen for permission to marry Dong Qiuhe as his main wife. Zhao Zhen then asked Cui Bai to consult Cao Danshu and Zhao Huirou.
Zhao Huirou agreed to help intercede with Cao Danshu on the condition that Cui Bai give her the puppet he used in his performance. Cui Bai readily agreed and promised to make her more puppets in the future, thus securing Zhao Huirou's assistance. Zhao Huirou was happy to help facilitate the marriage, though she still felt some sadness and confusion, wondering why Zhao Zhen could fulfill Cui Bai's wish but insisted on her marriage to Li Wei.
Nevertheless, she consoled herself, understanding that Zhao Zhen's arrangements for her must also stem from his own considerations and no longer resented him. As the evening progressed, Yelü Hongji, having listened to Ouyang Xiu's poem celebrating Zhao Zhen's birthday, likely deduced Zhao Zhen's true identity, expressing awe at the prosperity of the Song dynasty and admiration for the talents of Ouyang Xiu and his companions.
Once Yelü Hongji implicitly acknowledged his understanding, Zhao Zhen also revealed he knew Yelü Hongji's identity. Yelü Hongji then apologized for having arrived in the capital without his parents' permission but thanked Zhao Zhen for his warm hospitality despite knowing his secret. Zhao Zhen subsequently took Yelü Hongji to a high building or city wall, showcasing the bustling streets and prosperous scenery of the capital.
Zhao Zhen expressed his hope that Yelü Hongji, upon becoming the future ruler of the Khitan, would foster good relations with the Song, ensuring lasting peace and the well-being of the people. Later, Zhao Zhen returned to the palace, where Zhang Bihan was waiting in Funing Palace with gifts brought by Zhang Yaozuo and others to celebrate his birthday.
Zhao Zhen stated he had never favored luxurious items and would be happier with a bowl of lamb noodle soup made by Zhang Bihan. Zhang Bihan misinterpreted this, accusing Zhao Zhen of using things he didn't value to appease her. Zhao Zhen, angered, explained that he gave her gifts out of a desire to make her happy and became furious at her baseless accusations, almost falling ill from the emotional distress.
Zhang Bihan, however, persisted, demanding something Zhao Zhen truly cherished. Enraged, Zhao Zhen conceded to her demand, appointing Zhang Yaozuo as Xuanhuishi, Jingling Palace Envoy, and Huaikang Jiedushi. However, he immediately issued an imperial edict that from then on, no family member of a consort should hold positions in the "two fu" (the two highest government departments), implicitly warning Zhang Bihan against excessive demands.
The following morning, during the court session, Censorate officials, including Bao Zheng and Wang Juzheng, refused to leave after the early assembly. They fiercely debated the recent Xiuzhou earthquake, asserting it was Heaven's displeasure over Zhang Yaozuo's new high-ranking appointments. They rallied other officials to demand Zhao Zhen rescind the order. Despite Zhao Zhen's explanation that Zhang Yaozuo would be externalized and thus unable to interfere with court or harem affairs, the officials remained unconvinced and insisted on impeaching him.
Simultaneously, Tang Jie and other officials pursued Wen Yanbo and other Censorate officials, accusing them of slandering and even taking bribes from Zhang Bihan for their silence. Zhao Zhen was furious at Tang Jie's words and attempted to intervene, but Bao Zheng held onto his robes, pressing his demands and blaming the Xiuzhou earthquake and other natural disasters in the northwest on Zhao Zhen's excessive favoritism towards Zhang Yaozuo.
Zhang Bihan, having received news, arrived early at the Chonggong Hall to greet Zhao Zhen after court, only to overhear the officials' insults, which deeply displeased her. Zhao Huirou, aware of Zhao Zhen's difficulties, also arrived to help defuse the situation. She encountered Zhang Bihan and reprimanded her for pushing Zhao Zhen into such a predicament, but in turn, was scolded by Zhang Bihan.
Meanwhile, in Beizhou, Zhang Maoze, accompanied by Bitou, established a free academy for the common people, attracting many children, including some girls disguised as boys. Fan Zhongyan, who traveled a great distance to visit Zhang Maoze's philanthropic school, was surprised and deeply moved. He recalled that twenty years prior, Cao Danshu had also studied in Yingtianfu disguised as a man. Zhang Maoze then revealed that Zhao Zhen had praised Fan Zhongyan for his excellent teaching of Cao Danshu and encouraged the students at the academy to study Fan Zhongyan's essays.
