Serenade of Peaceful Joy Episode 58 Recap
> Serenade of Peaceful Joy Recap
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Miao Xinhe informs Cao Danshu about the relationship between Zhao Huirou and Cao Ping. Learning that Zhao Zhen has ordered the Imperial City Guard to monitor the Cao family, Cao Danshu understands Zhao Zhen's suspicions: he has no biological son, only adopted Zong Shi, who married Cao Danshu's adopted daughter, and now her nephew Cao Ping is courting Zhao Huirou. Meanwhile, Ouyang Xiu, having been recalled to the capital by decree, reports to Zhao Zhen about public criticism.
He warns that people are accusing Zhao Zhen of using ancestor worship as a pretext to honor his deceased concubine, Zhang Bihan. Although angry, Zhao Zhen accepts Ouyang Xiu's counsel, recognizing the importance of being a good example to the people. To demonstrate that his actions are not for Zhang Bihan, he decides that during the ancestor worship ten days later, he will pass by Wen Cheng Temple, dedicated to Zhang Bihan, without entering.
Zhao Zhen confines Zhao Huirou to Yifeng Pavilion. Worried about Cao Ping's fate, Zhao Huirou is visited by Cao Danshu, who was urged by Miao Xinhe to intercede. Cao Danshu encourages Zhao Huirou to eat, warning that if Zhao Huirou were to suffer, Zhao Zhen would blame Cao Ping even more. Zhao Huirou complies but immediately begs Cao Danshu to plead for Cao Ping.
Cao Danshu promises to speak with Zhao Zhen but cautions Zhao Huirou not to stress the emperor further, as he is already unwell. Ren Shouchong brings Zhao Zhen Cao Yi's memorial of self-impeachment regarding Cao Ping's actions, but Zhao Zhen ignores it and instructs Ren Shouchong to continue monitoring the Cao family. Later, when Cao Danshu brings Zhao Zhen porridge, he refuses her advice and expresses his anger and sorrow.
He complains about ministers urging him to establish an heir, attributing natural disasters and his childlessness to the lack of a crown prince, and questioning his own actions. Cao Danshu kneels, assuring him he is paramount to her, more important than the state or any heir. However, Zhao Zhen dismisses her words, stating that if he dies, Zong Shi, his only heir and Cao Danshu's adopted son, would ascend, making Cao Danshu empress dowager.
With her nephew, Cao Ping, having stolen Zhao Huirou's heart, Zhao Zhen feels everyone is scheming against him. Hurt, Cao Danshu loudly denies any such intentions from the Cao family, proclaiming that Zhao Zhen can distrust her and her family, but not his own daughter, Zhao Huirou. Calmed, Zhao Zhen visits Zhao Huirou in Yifeng Pavilion, intending to persuade her to abandon her feelings for Cao Ping.
Zhao Huirou, however, immediately and firmly tells him she refuses to marry Li Wei. Zhao Zhen urges her to eat first, then praises Li Wei as a good, scholarly man who could love her for life. Zhao Huirou retorts, asking if Li Wei is as smart and learned as Cao Danshu or as gentle and humble as Miao Xinhe.
She questions why Zhao Zhen could desire Zhang Bihan, who loved him purely and selflessly without concern for fame, status, or even life, while she cannot love Cao Ping. Angered, Zhao Zhen states that Cao Ping cannot treat Zhao Huirou with such devotion, and thus he will not allow them to be together. To make Zhao Huirou give up, Zhao Zhen promises to give Cao Ping an opportunity to prove his worth regarding Zhao Huirou and their future.
Three days later, Zhao Zhen summons Cao Ping and directly asks if he wants to marry Zhao Huirou. Terrified, Cao Ping immediately begs for mercy, repeatedly saying he is unworthy and dares not harbor improper thoughts about Zhao Huirou. He promises to leave the capital at once and never again influence Zhao Huirou, pleading with Zhao Zhen not to implicate the Cao family or Cao Danshu.
Overhearing their conversation from a side chamber, Zhao Huirou's heart turns to ash, understanding that Zhao Zhen's power has revealed Cao Ping's unworthiness and fear of imperial authority. Full of resentment, Zhao Huirou tells Zhao Zhen that although she lost, he has not won, and warns that if he harms Cao Ping, she will harm herself, leaving him without his only daughter.
Zhao Huirou's words fill Zhao Zhen with anger and distress, causing him to fall gravely ill and collapse onto his bed. Despite his critical condition, he remains worried about Zhao Huirou, instructing Miao Xinhe not to reveal his illness to her and ensuring Liang Huaiji stays by Zhao Huirou's side. After dismissing Miao Xinhe (who had come to apologize) and showing hostility towards Cao Danshu, Zhao Zhen orders Ren Shouchong to call Zhang Maoze back to the palace.
The next morning, Liang Huaiji brings snacks to Zhao Huirou but finds her room empty. He searches frantically and discovers her atop a rockery, emotionally agitated and threatening to jump. Liang Huaiji quickly climbs up and pulls her to safety. Zhao Huirou, initially distraught, calms upon seeing him and shares her unhappiness. Back in her palace, she furiously smashes everything she can find. As Liang Huaiji cleans up the debris, Zhao Huirou runs out again.
Fearing she might attempt suicide, Liang Huaiji follows closely. Zhao Huirou, believing him to be Zhao Zhen's spy, defiantly declares that even if she dies, Zhao Zhen would not blame him, but only hate Cao Ping more. Liang Huaiji reassures her, stating that he worries for her because she is the most unique and beloved woman in his heart, and merely being her shadow brings him the greatest joy.
His words bring Zhao Huirou solace, and she soon forgets her sorrow over Cao Ping, abandoning her suicidal thoughts in his company. Zhao Zhen collapses from a sudden, severe illness during a formal court session. Ren Shouchong briefly revives him by pressing an acupoint, but Zhao Zhen's condition remains critical, and he faints again after the session. Zhang Maoze, having returned to the palace, is greatly distressed by Zhao Zhen's collapse.
Ren Shouchong instructs Zhang Maoze to inform the prime ministers, including Han Qi, to consult on how to manage the waiting Khitan envoys, as this is an urgent matter. Imperial physicians report to Cao Danshu that Zhao Zhen's condition necessitates dangerous acupuncture to the brain, but no one dares to perform the procedure due to the extreme risk. Cao Danshu, angered by their hesitation, scolds them and demands that they select the most skilled imperial physician to perform the acupuncture on Zhao Zhen immediately.
