• Source: Serenade of Peaceful Joy

Serenade of Peaceful Joy (simplified Chinese: 清平乐; traditional Chinese: 清平樂; pinyin: Qīngpíng Yuè), or previously known as Held in the Lonely Castle, is a 2020 Chinese period drama series loosely based on Milan Lady's novel of the same name. It is directed by Zhang Kaizhou, and stars Wang Kai as Emperor Renzong of Song and Jiang Shuying as Empress Cao. The series aired on Hunan TV starting April 7, 2020.




Synopsis


When Zhao Zhen discovers his biological mother is not the Empress Dowager Liu, but her maid Li Lanhui, he arranges a marriage between his beloved daughter Princess Fukang and the Li family's son Li Wei as compensation for his lack of filial piety. In the political arena, Zhao Zhen strives to maintain a balance of power between the conservative and progressive factions after the Qingli reforms experiences a significant backlash from the former.
Inside the palace, Emperor Renzong faces the dutiful Empress Cao, the troublesome Zhang Bihan, and the gentle Lady Miao. As time passed, none of his sons survived past childhood, leaving him without a male heir.
Outside the palace, Princess Fukang's (maiden name Huirou) married life with Li Wei is far from pleasant – displeased with her foolish and boring husband, and annoyed by her prying in-laws, Huirou develops an even closer relationship with her eunuch servant Liang Huaiji. After a serious breakout with her husband's family, Huirou knowingly breaks the law by charging back to the palace the same night with the help of Huaiji.
The next day, conservative official Sima Guang presents a scathing memorial to Zhao Zhen, heavily criticizing Huirou for her selfishness and violation of imperial etiquette. Zhao Zhen had always encouraged freedom of speech and supported a supervisory system that would maintain disciplinary surveillance over bureaucrats and royalty, and must ultimately choose between his daughter's happiness and the stability of government.




Cast






= Main

=
Wang Kai as Emperor Renzong
Personal name Zhao Zhen. A benevolent and merciful emperor who would bring about one of the most economically and culturally prosperous eras of the Song dynasty. However, he encounters much backlash from conservative officials while trying to implement the progressive Qingli Reforms.
Jiang Shuying as Empress Cao
Personal name Cao Dansu. An empress who abides by her duties but is distrusted by the Emperor due to the power her relatives wield in court and because she reminds him of the Empress Dowager.




= Supporting

=



Imperial Family

Ren Min as Princess Fukang
Personal name Zhao Huirou. Zhao Zhen's beloved daughter. She is unable to deal with the suffocating atmosphere in the Princess' Mansion, where her husband resides as well, and develops romantic affection towards her eunuch Liang Huaiji. Refusing to swallow the insults from her in-laws, she charges back to the imperial palace one night with Liang Huaiji's help, and her rebellious actions lead to an uproar in court.
Wu Yue as Empress Dowager Liu
Personal name Liu E. The regent of the empire for twelve years and the Emperor's adoptive mother. She sincerely loves him but is aware that their relationship is cold and cordial.
Wang Churan as Noble Consort Zhang
Personal name Zhang Bihan. One of the best dancers in the palace. She met Zhao Zhen as a child and fell in love with him ever since — even though the Emperor has forgotten. She can't adjust to life in the inner palace and grows paranoid, convinced that everyone is against her. All of her daughters pass away at a young age, and her mental health is affected greatly.
Xu Lingyue as Noble Consort Miao
Personal name Miao Xinhe, nickname Wo'er. The mother of Zhao Huirou and Zhao Zuigxinglai, and Zhao Zhen's childhood sweetheart. She only cares about her children's well-being while also developing a rivalry with Zhang Bihan. She's a close friend of the Empress.
Xu Xiao Han as Lady Xu
Personal name Xu Lantiao. Originally a maid, she's responsible for indirectly causing the death of Zhang Bihan's eldest daughter. She holds a grudge against Nanny Gu because of her favoritism towards Zhang Bihan. However, she ends up reconciling with Nanny Gu who later kill her while pregnant with the Emperor's child.
Liu Zihe as Lady Yu
Miao Xinhe's friend who despises Zhang Bihan.
Wang Yuchao as Emperor Yingzong
Personal name Zhao Zongshi. Adopted son of the Empress and a member of the imperial clan. He was Zhao Huirou's childhood companion and friend.
Yang Yue as Empress Guo
An outspoken and fierce woman, she was chosen by the Empress Dowager to become the empress. She sincerely loves the Emperor but her hot-headed personality leads to her deposition. She mysteriously dies shortly after returning to the Emperor's good grace.
Xiao Yifen as Ninth Princess
Qian Jin as Tenth Princess
Zhao Da as Prince of Zhou
Lu Xing as Li Wei
Princess Fukang's husband.



Imperial Court

Yang Le as Han Qi
Chancellor of the empire for a decade and one of the officials responsible for the Qingli Reforms.
Yu Entai as Yan Shu
Renowned poet and calligrapher.
Liu Jun as Fan Zhongyan
An official who advocated for sweeping reforms to the court and political system, and proposed the changes that kickstarted the Qingli Reforms along with Han Qi and Fu Bi.
Li Yanan as Fu Bi
Close colleague of Fan Zhongyan and Han Qi.
Zhang Benyu as Ouyang Xiu
Feng Hui as Xia Song
Tan Xihe as Lu Yijian
Chen Weidong as Wen Yanbo
Chu Junchen as Sima Guang
Ji Chen as Di Qing
Ding Jiawen as Cao Ping
He Jianze as Bao Zheng
Yang Shuo as Shi Jie
He Minghan as Wang Gongchen
Zhao Haoyuan as Su Shunqi
Yu Peishan as Cao Yi



Servants

Bian Cheng as Liang Huaiji
An eunuch who has served Princess Fukang since a young age, and develops romantic affection for the Princess.
Ye Zuxin as Zhang Maoze
Head eunuch. The Emperor and Empress' close aide. He has an unrequited love for the Empress, but is willing to bury his feelings and simply be a confidante.
Cao Xiwen as Nanny Gu
Zhang Bihan's mother figure who helps her to get out of trouble. Due to her influence on her, she also contributes to Zhang Bihan's paranoia that sets her against the Empress and Miao Xinhe, as she is convinced that they are responsible for the death of Zhang Bihan's daughter. She later murders Dong Lantiao after realizing that Zhang Bihan had discovered the truth and kills herself to save her.
Chu Feng as Ren Shouzhong
Hu Shuangquan as Liang Quanyi
Liu Xizi as Zhang Chengzhao
Zhang Xiaoyue as Xiu Niang
Wang Xiao as Gu Sanxi



Others

Zhang Tian'ai as Chen Xichun
The Emperor's first love, who was sent away due to being unfit to be empress.
Guo Hong as Lady Yang
Li Jiaxin as Fu Ruolan
Fu Bi's daughter.
Wu Xiaoyu as Xue Yuhu
Jin Yiying as Jia Qingzi
Tian Luhan as Huan'er
Bu Yaping as Cao Ping's wife
He Yuxiao as Prince of Yan's grandson
Feng Youran as Bitao
Ma Yixun as Yan Jidao
Hu Haobo as Liang Yuansheng
Li Peize as Man Jidao
Hou Mingyao as Xia He




Production


Principal photography commenced on 5 January 2019 at Hengdian World Studios.




= Casting

=
On 8 November 2018, Wang Kai was announced as the male lead, and the director confirmed that the focus of the drama would be on the emperor's reign, while still keeping the original romance between Princess Huirou and Liang Huaiji intact. On 7 December 2018, the rest of the cast was announced. In May 2019, the drama wrapped up filming and announced guest appearances by several actors.




Original soundtrack


The Original Soundtrack album (清平乐 电视剧原声带) was released on April 30, 2020, and was produced by Meng Ke and Lu Liang. The compilation album of the drama ending themes (清平乐 电视剧片尾曲合辑) was released on May 1, 2020, and was produced by Dong Yingda.




Ratings


Highest ratings are marked in red, lowest ratings are marked in blue




References






External links


Held in the Lonely Castle on Weibo (in Chinese)

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Ren Min
• Wang Churan
• Zheng Yunlong
• Serenade of Peaceful Joy
• Ren Min
• Wang Churan
• Ding Yuxi
• Princess Fukang
• Empress Cao (Song dynasty)
• Noble Consort Zhang (Renzong)
• Wang Kai (actor)
• International Drama Festival in Tokyo
• Zhang Maoze