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.[2] The series aired on Hunan TV starting April 7, 2020.[3]

Serenade of Peaceful Joy
Also known asHeld in the Lonely Castle
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese清平樂
Simplified Chinese清平乐
GenreHistorical period drama
Based on孤城闭 Gucheng Bi
by Milan Lady
Written byZhu Zhu
Directed by
  • Zhang Kaizhou
Starring
Ending theme"Searching Light" (寻光) by Zheng Yunlong[1]
Country of originChina
Original languageChinese
No. of episodes69
Production
Executive producerHou Hongliang
Production locationsHengdian World Studios, Dongyang
Camera setupMultiple-camera setup
Running time40-45 minutes
Production companies
  • Daylight Entertainment (Dongyang) Television Ltd
  • China Wit Media Co. Ltd
Release
Original networkHunan TV
Original releaseApril 7, 2020 (2020-04-07)

Synopsis

When Zhao Zhen discovers his biological mother is not the Empress Dowager Liu E, 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 Mihan, and the gentle Lady Miao. As time passes, all of his sons don't survive past childhood and he is left without a male heir.

Outside the palace, Huirou's 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 Liang Huaiji. After a serious dispute 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 criticising 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.[4]

Cast

Main
  • Wang Kai[2] as 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[5] Empress Cao
    • Her real name is 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 remains him of the dowager empress.

Royal family
  • Ren Min as Zhao Huirou
    • Zhao Zhen's beloved daughter Princess Fukang. She is unable to deal with the suffocating atmosphere in the Princess manor, where Li resides as well, and develops romantic affection towards her eunuch Huaiji. Refusing to swallow the insults from her in-laws, she charges back to the palace one night with the help of Huaiji, and her rebellious actions lead to an uproar in the government.
  • Wu Yue as Liu E
    • The dowager Empress and regent of the empire for twelve years. She's the emperor adopted mother. She sincerely loves him but knows their relationship remains cold and cordial.
  • Wang Churan as Noble Consort Zhang
    • Her real name is Zhang Bihan. She is one of the best dancers in the palace and met Zhao Zhen as a child and fell in love with him ever since - even though the emperor had forgotten. She isn't adjusted to the life of the harem and grows paranoid, convinced that everyone is against her. All of her daughters passed away at a young age, and her mental health is affected greatly.
  • Xu Lingyue as Lady Miao, Noble Consort Miao
    • Birth name: Miao Xin He. The mother of Zhao Huirou and Zhao Zuigxinglai, and the childhood lover of Zhao Zhen. 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.
  • Lu Yanqi as Lady Dong
    • at first a maid named Lantiao. She's responsible for indirectly causing the death of Bihan eldest daughter. She holds a grudge against Nanny Gu and is jealous of her favouritism over Bihan rather than her. However, she ends up reconciling with Nanny Gu who later kill her while pregnant of the emperor child.
  • Liu Zihe as Lady Yu
    • Lady Miao's friend, she despises Zhang Bihan.
  • Wang Yuchao as Emperor Yingzong of Song
  • Yang Yue as Empress Gao
    • an outspoken and fierce woman, she was chosen by the dowager empress to become the empress. She sincerely loves the emperor but her hot-headed temperament leads her to palace tricks and to her deposal. 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 Zhao Yuanyan
    • The adopted son of the Empress, a member of the imperial clan. He was Huirou's childhood companion and friend.
  • Kang Qunzhi as Princess of Wei
  • Lu Xing as Li Wei
    • Princess Fukang's husband.

Production

Principal photography commenced on 5 January 2019 at Hengdian World Studios.[6]

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.[7] On 7 December 2018, the rest of the cast was announced.[5] In May 2019, the drama wrapped up filming and announced guest appearances by several actors.[8]

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.[9] 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.[10]

No.TitleLyricsMusicSingerLength
1."Wish Song《愿歌行》" (Opening theme)Zhang Jingyi, Zhu ZhuLiu XuandouHu Xia3:44
2."Seeking Light《寻光》" (Ending theme)Dong Yingda, Zhu ZhuDong YingdaZheng Yunlong4:07
3."Two Flying Birds《双飞燕》" (Ending theme)Zhu Zhu, Dong YingdaDong YingdaCui Zige3:48
4."Tender Peach《桃夭》"Zhang JingyiLiu XuandouShuang Sheng4:21
5."Wind of the Horse《以风为马》"Zhang JingyiLiu XuandouYe Xuanqing4:51

Ratings
  • Highest ratings are marked in red, lowest ratings are marked in blue
Hunan Satellite TV CSM59 City ratings[11]
Air date Ratings (%) Audience share (%) Timeslot Rank
2020.4.7 2.294 7.91 2
2020.4.8 2.216 7.57 3
2020.4.9 2.365 8.01 3
2020.4.10 2.562 8.15 1
2020.4.11 2.45 7.74 1
2020.4.12 2.751 9.31 1
2020.4.13 2.562 8.77 1
2020.4.14 2.699 9.27 1
2020.4.15 2.798 9.62 1
2020.4.16 2.69 9.23 1
2020.4.17 2.292 7.46 2
2020.4.18 2.123 6.71 3
2020.4.19 2.684 9.04 1
2020.4.20 3.068 10.53 1
2020.4.21 2.742 9.6 1
2020.4.22 2.793 9.66 1
2020.4.23 2.935 10.55 1
2020.4.25 1.926 6.43 2
2020.4.26 2.874 10.31 1
2020.4.27 2.428 8.78 1
2020.4.28 2.397 8.68 1
2020.4.29 2.316 8.49 2
2020.4.30 2.615 9.54 1
2020.5.1 2.407 8.80 1
2020.5.2 1.834 6.78 2
2020.5.4 2.592 9.37 1
2020.5.5 2.552 9.23 1
2020.5.6 2.458 9.08 1
2020.5.7 2.26 8.31 1
2020.5.8 2.741 9.55 1
2020.5.9 1.521 5.53 3
2020.5.10 1.573 5.87 3
2020.5.11 2.032 7.54 2
2020.5.12 2.184 8.27 1
2020.5.13 1.938 7.15 2
2020.5.14 2.147 7.92 1
2020.5.15 1.806 6.38 3
2020.5.16 1.890 6.91 2
2020.5.17 2.198 8.08 2
2020.5.18 2.563 9.79 1

References
  1. "《清平乐》片尾曲《寻光》MV首曝光 郑云龙倾情献唱". Netease (in Chinese). April 3, 2020.
  2. 正午阳光新剧《孤城闭》官宣男主 王凯出演宋仁宗. Sina (in Chinese). November 9, 2018.
  3. "王凯《清平乐》终于定档4月6日，播前改剧名减集数". Beijing News (in Chinese). April 2, 2020.
  4. 《孤城闭》电视剧拍摄制作备案公示表. Sarft (in Chinese). November 9, 2018.
  5. 《孤城闭》公布主演阵容，江疏影饰演曹皇后. Sina (in Chinese). December 7, 2018.
  6. "《孤城闭》王凯再演古装大剧受关注--人民网娱乐频道--人民网". ent.people.com.cn. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  7. 《孤城闭》公布男主角,王凯挑战宋仁宗. Sohu (in Chinese). November 8, 2018.
  8. 《孤城闭》历时4月将杀青 吴樾张天爱加盟演配角. Sina (in Chinese). May 24, 2019.
  9. "清平乐 电视剧原声带 - QQ音乐-千万正版音乐海量无损曲库新歌热歌天天畅听的高品质音乐平台！". y.qq.com. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  10. "清平乐 电视剧片尾曲合辑 - QQ音乐-千万正版音乐海量无损曲库新歌热歌天天畅听的高品质音乐平台！". y.qq.com. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  11. "电视剧收视率排行榜 | 收视率排行" (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2020-06-07.
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