Serenade of Peaceful Joy Episode 60 Recap
> Serenade of Peaceful Joy Recap
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Zhao Zhen did not answer Zhang Maoze, instead turning to speak with Cao Danshu, saying that Zongshi and Gao Taotao should bring Zhao Zhongzhen into the palace more often to keep Cao Danshu company. After finishing his meal, Zhao Zhen still went to Chuigong Hall to meet with his ministers. Wen Yanbo reported to Zhao Zhen about Di Qing.
A few days prior, Di Qing had entered Xiangguo Temple to avoid floodwaters, which caused dissatisfaction among the ministers, who impeached Di Qing. Wen Yanbo said he had visited Di Qing, and Di Qing's condition had relapsed. Zhao Zhen then demoted Di Qing, and transferred Han Qi back to the capital to join the Privy Council, to oversee the organization of historical records and documents.
After dealing with this matter, Zhao Zhen was about to leave, but Sima Guang suddenly stepped forward, saying he had an urgent matter to tell Zhao Zhen in person. Zhao Zhen knew that Sima Guang was going to talk about establishing an heir apparent, so he asked Sima Guang if he was worried that there would be no one to inherit the imperial legacy after his death.
The ministers were greatly alarmed, and all knelt down, not daring to speak further. But in fact, Zhao Zhen also knew in his heart that what Sima Guang said was fair and reasonable. After returning to the palace, he instructed Cao Danshu that if anything unexpected happened to him, he would pass the throne to Zongshi. Inside Kunning Palace, Xiuniang brought a letter from Dong Qiuhe to Cao Danshu.
Cao Danshu looked at Dong Qiuhe's letter, happy for the happy life Dong Qiuhe now had. But Xiuniang worried that there were fewer and fewer people around Cao Danshu she could talk to. However, Cao Danshu said that there were also fewer and fewer people around Zhao Zhen. She and Funing Hall faced each other from afar, watching over each other, which counted as growing old together.
Zhao Zhen admired Ouyang Xiu's talent and his practical essays, so he promoted Ouyang Xiu to Zhi Gongju, to preside over the imperial examinations, hoping to change the literary style of the imperial students. In the second year of Jiayou, Su Shi and Su Zhe, two brothers, went to the Guozijian to take the imperial examinations. This time, the examinations adopted the method of anonymous grading and transcribing essays.
Ouyang Xiu read Su Shi's essay and praised it highly, wanting to select it as first place. But Mei Yaochen felt that the style of this essay was very similar to that of Ouyang Xiu's student, Zeng Gong. Fan Zhen also worried that they would reject all essays in the Taixue style this time. If Zeng Gong really came in first, it would inevitably lead to suspicions of Ouyang Xiu forming factions for personal gain.
Mei Yaochen persuaded Ouyang Xiu, saying that no matter who the author of this essay was, he would not be overlooked in the future. Whether it was first place this time was not important, but if they were truly labeled as a faction, not only would Ouyang Xiu and his associates be in trouble, but the talented scholars they selected would also be implicated.
Although Ouyang Xiu felt it was a pity, he could only follow the advice of the two. Zhao Zhen was overjoyed after reading Su Shi's essay. He came to Kunning Palace in high spirits to share it with Cao Danshu. Zhao Zhen was happy to acquire such a talent, and also to leave talents for his descendants. As soon as these words were out, the atmosphere between the two became somewhat awkward. Zhao Zhen then changed the subject.
He said that he had arranged for Deng Baoji to escort Zhao Huirou to Jinming Pond to see flowers, and also asked Zhao Huirou to pick two of the most beautiful flowers to return and pin on Miao Xinhe and Cao Danshu. As soon as the Ministry of Rites' examination results were posted, the failed candidates looked at the list and found that it was full of unknowns. Even Liu Ji, who was previously quite talented, failed.
Everyone suspected Ouyang Xiu was using his position as examiner to suppress dissent, and they were furious. A large group of people blocked Ouyang Xiu on the street as he was leaving court, questioning him. They even brought up the affair between Ouyang Xiu and his niece from years past to mock him. Su Shi and Su Zhe passed by and spoke up for Ouyang Xiu, refuting the crowd until they had nothing to say.
Unable to argue, Liu Ji and others slandered Su Shi and Ouyang Xiu, claiming they were old acquaintances, or else Su Shi was trying to curry favor with Ouyang Xiu. Zhang Maoze reported the situation of the failed candidates causing trouble in the street to Zhao Zhen and Cao Danshu. Zhao Zhen worried that the matter would escalate and that the candidates would be arrested by officials, so he sent Zhang Maoze to check the street.
When Zhang Maoze arrived with his men, the two sides were almost about to start fighting. Zhang Maoze quickly led his men to stop them. During the chaos, an official's horse hit and killed a dog on the road. Ouyang Xiu used this incident as a topic, asking everyone to summarize it in one sentence. He said that if anyone could summarize it more concisely than him, he would resign from his official post the next day.
Liu Ji and others, deeply influenced by the Taixue literary style, used obscure and recondite words, far from Ouyang Xiu's smooth and concise style. Seeing that Liu Ji and others had nothing to say, Ouyang Xiu took the opportunity to teach everyone how to write essays. After Liu Ji and others left, Ouyang Xiu thanked Su Shi and Su Zhe for their defense. Ouyang Xiu greatly admired Su Shi's talent.
Zhao Zhen decided to grandly hold the enfeoffment ceremony for Zhao Huirou. However, Zhao Huirou could not be happy. She knew that after the enfeoffment ceremony, she would marry into the Li family. The only thing that comforted her was that Zhao Zhen had already decided to let Liang Huaiji take a position in the princess's mansion.
This way, Liang Huaiji would be able to stay by her side, accompany her in playing the flute and konghou, accompany her in reading and writing, and even arrange delicious food for her.
