The Sword and The Brocade Episode 1 Recap
> The Sword and The Brocade Recap
In the midst of a pouring rain, the Residence of Luo echoed with cries as Concubine Lv knelt, pleading with Madam Luo to forgive her daughter, Shiyi. Concubine Lv insisted that Shiyi had not intentionally broken the hairpin of Yuanniang, the legitimate first daughter. Shiyi, known for her stubbornness, endured a harsh flogging without yielding. Madam Luo, unmoved, maintained that the distinction between the legitimate and concubine-born children was an unbreakable rule.
As a result, Shiyi and Concubine Lv were sent to live in a separate estate in Yu Hang. Three years passed. Shiyi had grown into a graceful young woman, excelling in embroidery. However, a sudden summons from Madam Luo forced the mother and daughter to return to the capital. Meanwhile, in a bustling street, Marquis Yongping, Xu Lingyi, a decorated general, stood in an inn, observing the scene below.
He was preoccupied with the pursuit of fugitives from a pirate clan. He had instructed his aide, Lin Bo, to capture the fugitives, Jiang Huai and Liu Yong. Lin Bo was lying in wait at the same inn where Shiyi and Concubine Lv had stopped to rest. Shiyi, with her quick wit, noticed Jiang Huai's suspicious behavior. However, Jiang Huai recognized Lin Bo as a government officer and took Shiyi hostage to escape.
As Xu Lingyi arrived with his soldiers, Shiyi's desperate struggle provided Xu Lingyi with an opportunity. With a precise shot, he wounded Jiang Huai, causing him to fall into the river below. In the ensuing chaos, Shiyi also fell. Xu Lingyi immediately jumped into the water to rescue her but was injured by the struggling Jiang Huai. Fortunately, Lin Shixian, who was boating nearby, extended a helping hand and assisted in their rescue.
Upon waking, Shiyi was met by her anxious maid, Dongqing, and Concubine Lv. Shiyi assured them she was fine. Misunderstanding that Lin Shixian had been her sole rescuer, she went to thank him. Lin Shixian, a gentle man dressed in white, modestly clarified that another person had actually saved her, and he had merely assisted. Shiyi thanked him nonetheless, and they parted ways.
Before returning to the Luo Residence, Shiyi stopped at Xianling Pavilion to visit her embroidery teacher, Master Jian. Knowing Shiyi was of marriageable age, Master Jian speculated that Madam Luo was arranging her marriage. Aware of Madam Luo's ulterior motives and the challenges awaiting her, Shiyi asked Master Jian to help sell her embroidery pieces to alleviate their financial difficulties. After three years away, Shiyi returned to the Luo Residence.
Madam Luo assigned Amber, one of her capable maids, to serve Shiyi. Lord Luo returned shortly after, expressing his delight at seeing Shiyi and Concubine Lv, but Madam Luo's subtle warning prompted him to suppress his joy. In her new, exquisitely furnished room, Shiyi's brow furrowed, confirming her suspicion that their return was not a simple matter. Lady Erniang and Lady Wuniang visited Shiyi's room. Lady Wuniang, straightforward and kind-hearted, treated Shiyi like a sister.
Lady Erniang, however, was arrogant and looked down upon Shiyi. After they left, Shiyi felt increasingly uneasy. Though Lady Erniang had never been fond of her, she had never been so openly disdainful. Shiyi resolved to use the next day's morning greetings to Madam Luo as an opportunity to uncover the truth. The next morning, the three young ladies paid their respects to Madam Luo, who asked them to pick a hairpin for her.
Lady Erniang attempted to take the lead, but Shiyi subtly outmaneuvered her, selecting a velvet peony hairpin that perfectly complemented Madam Luo's hairstyle and pleased her immensely. Madam Luo then announced that the three of them would accompany her to the Xu Family's spring banquet. After leaving, Lady Erniang mockingly hinted that Madam Luo had recalled Shiyi to arrange marriages for them both.
By skillfully provoking Lady Erniang, Shiyi deduced that the Xu Family banquet was a crucial event in these marriage arrangements. Meanwhile, Xu Lingyi returned to the capital after successfully quelling the bandits and was commended with the title of Imperial Tutor of the Second Standard Rank. In a council meeting, he argued that the root cause of the pirate problem was the sea ban, a view opposed by a displeased Marquis Jingyuan. After the meeting, Xu Lingyi returned home.
He was first greeted by his mother, who expressed immense relief at his safe return, and his brother, Lingkuan, who playfully chided him for reporting to the palace before coming home. Learning that his wife Yuanniang's illness had worsened, he rushed to her room. There, Concubine Wen and Concubine Qin came to pay their respects.
A clear contrast was visible between Concubine Wen's outgoing son, Xu Siyu, and Yuanniang's own son, Zhun, who was shy and reluctant to approach his father. In front of his ailing wife and the concubines, Xu Lingyi revealed that he had declined an additional noble title offered by the Emperor.
