The Sword and The Brocade Episode 10 Recap
> The Sword and The Brocade Recap
Observing Shiyi meticulously examining embroidery, Yizhen realized her purpose extended beyond designing fans. Yizhen offered Shiyi new tea and pledged her help, reminding her that as family, she could speak freely. Taking the opportunity, Shiyi inquired about the day of her mother's death at Ci'an Temple, asking if Yizhen, who was also present, had noticed anyone suspicious.
Yizhen replied that she had stayed by Great Madam's side the entire day and saw nothing unusual, advising Shiyi to let go of the past. Shiyi noted internally that Yizhen, the intelligent wife of the second son, Xu Ling'an, seemed to bear no ill will, but with no new clues revealed, she realized she would have to find another way to investigate. Later, Shiyi and Dongqing struggled to pick flowers in the courtyard. Xu Lingyi, passing by, effortlessly helped them.
He then raised the matter of household management, clarifying that Qiao Lianfang was only temporarily in charge due to Shiyi's recent arrival. As the rightful matron, Shiyi was expected to familiarize herself with the duties and assume control. Shiyi was surprised by his fairness, which contrasted with Great Madam's favoritism towards Concubine Qiao. Subsequently, Shiyi went to pay respects to Great Madam.
Having found no leads from the embroidery, she humbly declined to contribute to the fan designs, claiming her skills were inadequate. This retreat emboldened Qiao Lianfang, who confidently recommended a famous embroiderer, a suggestion Great Madam accepted. While Shiyi's maids fumed at Qiao Lianfang's arrogance, Shiyi advised them against engaging in trivial disputes. Meanwhile, Qiao Lianfang’s maid, Mrs. Zhang, urged her mistress to press her advantage, asserting that she should solidify her authority while she held power.
Mrs. Zhou, who managed the storeroom, was swayed by Qiao Lianfang's maid. When the imperial Sichuan brocades were distributed, Mrs. Zhou deliberately gave Shiyi's superior portion to Qiao Lianfang, sending an inferior fabric to Shiyi's court. Upon seeing the poor-quality brocade, Nanny Tao was incensed. Despite Shiyi's pleas to let it go, Nanny Tao insisted Shiyi's status was at stake and marched off to confront Mrs. Zhou. Their argument escalated into a physical fight, attracting Qiao Lianfang.
Wielding her authority, she ordered Nanny Tao to be flogged twenty times. Nanny Tao protested that Qiao Lianfang was enacting a personal vendetta and insulted her, declaring she was inferior to Shiyi and that her authority was temporary. Enraged, Qiao Lianfang ordered ten more lashes. Just then, Shiyi intervened, ordering them to stop. She countered that as the matron, any wrongdoing by Nanny Tao should be reported to her to be handled within the Western Lateral Court.
She pointed out that Qiao Lianfang had neither notified her nor Great Madam before administering punishment, an overstep of authority, especially since Nanny Tao was also Zhun's wet nurse, connecting her to Great Madam's court. Qiao Lianfang was left speechless by Shiyi's logical, rule-based rebuttal. Despite Qiao Lianfang's actions, Great Madam publicly protected her, claiming she had personally allocated the peony-patterned brocade to Qiao Lianfang and regretted the disturbance. She feigned surprise at the usually dutiful Nanny Tao’s behavior.
Shiyi accepted blame for not managing her servant well, and Great Madam declared the matter closed. However, Danyang interjected, sternly rebuking Mrs. Zhou for her disrespect and suggesting she be flogged. Swayed, Great Madam penalized Mrs. Zhou by docking two months' salary. Back in her room, Nanny Tao lamented Great Madam’s blatant favoritism, but Shiyi remained unconcerned. Nanny Tao pressed her, asking what would become of Zhun if Shiyi couldn't even contend with a concubine.
Shiyi calmly reassured her that she had a plan. Later, Qiao Lianfang, wearing a lavish new gown made from the Sichuan brocade, confidently brought nourishing soup to Xu Lingyi. He, however, coldly asked if she knew of the "five poisons"—desire, anger, ignorance, pride, and envy—warning that excessive desire leads to coveting what isn't one's own. He then forbade her from ever wearing the dress again. Humiliated, Qiao Lianfang returned to her room and hysterically cut the gown to shreds.
Mrs. Zhou consoled her, blaming Shiyi for taking her rightful place. Convinced that only becoming the legal wife would earn Xu Lingyi's respect, Qiao Lianfang vowed to achieve that position at any cost. That night, Xu Lingyi came to Shiyi's court, instructing her to display a matron's dignity. He informed her he would be away on a royal hunt and admonished her not to cause more trouble.
When he accused her of ordering her servant to fight, Shiyi demanded to know how he knew. He retorted that her servant's actions were her responsibility. Shiyi corrected him, stating that while the brocade swap was true, the order to fight was false, and criticized him for blaming her without investigation. Calling her sharp-tongued and unreasonable, Xu Lingyi angrily departed. Later, while bringing clothes for Xu Lingyi's trip, Shiyi visited Qiao Lianfang.
She used a metaphor, stating her preference for plum blossoms, which bloom in the cold, over peonies, which are associated with Qiao Lianfang. She noted that since they bloom in different seasons, they need not compete. If Qiao Lianfang cherished her peonies, she should just protect them; if the peony insisted on competing with the plum, it would find itself to be quite fragile. Qiao Lianfang, however, dismissed the warning, remaining focused on her ambition.
At the hunting grounds, Officer Ou provocatively condemned the late Official Hu Jin as a traitor, taunting Xu Lingyi about their past friendship. Duke Wei, Ren Kun, furious at the slander, interjected to defend Hu Jin's achievements. Officer Ou retorted by accusing Ren Kun of questioning the Emperor's decision to execute Hu Jin. Xu Lingyi warned Ren Kun to be cautious, as public criticism of the Emperor could be twisted by villains.
Ren Kun lamented that Hu Jin was foolish to believe one person could change the system. Xu Lingyi disagreed, stating Hu Jin was clear-sighted, and it was this clarity that allowed him to forge a bond of sworn brotherhood with Ren Kun. Xu Lingyi revealed that Hu Jin had confided in him that the sea ban was an outdated policy causing suffering and that only by lifting it could they truly save the people.
Ren Kun agreed but felt helpless, acknowledging that changing an ancestral policy was beyond their power. Meanwhile, Shiyi, having exhausted her investigation of embroidery, decided to look into fabrics. From Nanny Tao, she learned that leftover fabrics from a year ago were stored at the suburban villa. Coincidentally, Danyang returned from Ci'an Temple, where a monk had advised that she clashed with people born in the year of the ox.
Upon hearing this, and learning Shiyi was born in that year, Great Madam ordered all such individuals in the household to move to the suburban villa until Danyang's child was born. Danyang and her husband protested that this was inappropriate, but Great Madam was adamant, declaring that the family's offspring were the top priority and Shiyi's move was merely temporary.
