Serenade of Peaceful Joy Episode 7 Recap
> Serenade of Peaceful Joy Recap
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While touring the palace and discussing the empress selection with Han Qi, Zhao Zhen notices Chen Xichun testing a south-pointing chariot and is drawn to her. He later sees her among playing palace maids. He immediately investigates her, finds out she is a talented foster daughter of a grand consort, and invites her to dine. During their meal and chat, he learns she was sent to the palace to be a foster daughter and intended bride for him.
Chen Xichun, whose father is a merchant, is very chatty and tells him stories about new things seen while traveling and about modifying various vehicles. Zhao Zhen is very interested and likes her greatly, enjoying her stories. Zhao Zhen wants Chen Xichun to be empress. Because of this intention, he does not want her to serve him yet, sending her back to the grand consort via Zhang Maoze, which puzzles the grand consort.
However, ministers object to Chen Xichun as empress, deeming her birth ignoble, her family too keen on exploiting her for power, and her virtue insufficient for the role. Zhao Zhen cannot refute their arguments. Unable to overcome the ministerial objections, Zhao Zhen is forced to temporarily distance himself from Chen Xichun. That night, he dines with Miao Xinhe instead of Chen Xichun, and subsequently has Miao Xinhe constantly by his side.
Zhang Maoze informs Chen Xichun that Zhao Zhen will have Miao Xinhe and an empress by his side, causing Chen Xichun deep sadness and a feeling of being unloved and disappointed. While Miao Xinhe accompanies Zhao Zhen in the study, assisting him with state affairs and doing needlework, he asks if she is bored. She replies that she is not bored by his company.
Zhao Zhen is surprised that she now addresses him as "official" instead of "Sixth Brother", her former private address. Miao Xinhe explains that as his "lady," it would be improper if other consorts discovered her private address for him, a reasoning Zhao Zhen comprehends. After long discussions, ministers unanimously recommend Cao Danshu as the empress candidate, listing her advantages.
Zhao Zhen finds this annoying and, surprised by the unanimous agreement, permits the recommendation, sending it to the Secretariat for further discussion and to check for other candidates. He has no desire to argue further, seeing it as a formality, and accepts the choice, with his marriage to Cao Danshu scheduled in a few days if no objections arise. Zhao Zhen asks Han Qi about the ministers' unanimous decision.
Han Qi reveals that Cao Danshu was previously married due to a grandfather's engagement to Li Zhi, who was focused on cultivating immortality and resisted marriage. Cao Danshu, despite her family wanting to break the engagement, insisted on honoring the promise and marrying into the Li family. On her wedding night, Li Zhi fled out a window upon seeing her. This led to a public perception that she was extremely ugly, scaring her husband away.
However, Han Qi explains that after Li Zhi fled, Cao Danshu did not quarrel or complain to her in-laws; instead, she signed a divorce paper, performed a grand farewell ceremony to her in-laws, and respectfully left the Li family. This, combined with her perceived "ugliness so as not to mislead the emperor," impressed the ministers with her integrity and composure, leading to their unanimous recommendation.
Zhao Zhen understands the ministers' reasoning but doesn't want to pursue it, viewing it merely as a formality and not desiring a "story" with this empress. Zhao Zhen compromises with the ministers and decides to send Chen Xichun out of the palace. He visits her while she is feeding birds and informs her that the empress has been decided and he will soon be married.
He is still concerned for her welfare, hoping she will have a good future outside the palace. He promotes her father and bestows awards upon Chen Xichun's parents to prevent her from suffering any grievances. Zhao Zhen asks Han Qi to befriend Chen Xichun's father and monitor her marriage, finding her a good husband. Han Qi agrees. Zhao Zhen personally bids farewell to Chen Xichun as she leaves the palace.
When she inquires about the chosen empress, he vaguely describes her as a woman suitable for the deep palace. Watching Han Qi depart, Zhao Zhen sighs, reflecting that his lifelong experiences might not compare to even a tenth of Chen Xichun's. Unaware of the developments, Cao Danshu, having signed her divorce paper and being free from marital ties, spends her days happily with her sisters in her garden, enjoying flowers, tea, and needlework.
One day, she playfully teases Du Youheng by claiming she has been recommended as empress, causing Du Youheng to react with worry and anger. Cao Danshu then laughs, revealing it was a trick, and they playfully scuffle. Immediately after, a servant arrives with the news that she must enter the palace, as she has been chosen as empress. Cao Danshu is astonished, questioning why she, a previously married woman, is eligible for the empress role.
She disbelieves it, initially guessing she's merely a "foil," but secretly she is overjoyed, confirming with her parents that she is indeed chosen, because Zhao Zhen is the man she admires. That night, she lies sleepless, talking to a portrait she carved, hoping Zhao Zhen truly wishes to marry her. Cao's mother escorts her into the palace.
However, contrary to Cao Danshu's initial hope of seeing Zhao Zhen often, and causing her mother some concern, she has not seen Zhao Zhen for over ten days since entering the palace, a situation shared by other noblewomen who entered at the same time.
