The Sword and The Brocade Episode 11 Recap
> The Sword and The Brocade Recap
Great Madam informed Shiyi of the temporary move to Xishan Villa. Shiyi readily agreed, diplomatically stating that with Princess Danyang’s impending delivery, it was a joyful time for the family, and she would consider the several months’ stay a peaceful retreat. Great Madam was pleased by Shiyi’s understanding. Mrs. Liu, the caretaker of Xishan Villa, arrived to escort Shiyi. As Shiyi departed, Nanny Tao rushed out, distressed that Shiyi had so easily agreed.
Nanny Tao worried that Shiyi was already struggling to maintain her standing and feared that after several months away, she would lose her place entirely. Unconcerned with her position, Shiyi simply reassured Nanny Tao and entrusted Zhun’s care to her. Upon arriving at Xishan Villa, Shiyi was attended by Mrs. Liu, who hinted at a desire for a tip. However, Amber revealed they had no money, explaining that Shiyi’s meager monthly allowance was almost gone.
Shiyi, not dwelling on finances, used the pretense of making a screen for Xu Lingyi to gain access to the storage room for fabric, bringing Dongqing and Amber with her. Though Dongqing was hesitant to trust Amber, Shiyi confided in Amber, revealing her true purpose and asking for her help, emphasizing that their actions must remain a secret among the three of them.
Meanwhile, a servant at the Xu mansion gossiped to Qiao Lianfang that Shiyi was rummaging through old fabrics, ridiculing her for trying to please Xu Lingyi with such outdated items. Qiao Lianfang, though feigning amusement, expressed her frustration at being overshadowed by Shiyi. Unbeknownst to Nanny Tao, Qiao Lianfang had been letting Zhun play with puppies, which caused him to develop a skin rash.
Great Madam, seeing Zhun’s condition, reprimanded Nanny Tao for her perceived oversight due to her age and instructed her to assist Qiao Lianfang, who would take over Zhun’s care. Qiao Lianfang then assumed full responsibility, dismissively telling Nanny Tao she was no longer needed. When Zhun refused his bitter medicine, Qiao Lianfang had her maid hold him down and forcibly administered it.
Heartbroken to see Zhun suffer and unable to care for him, Nanny Tao blamed Shiyi, believing that if Shiyi hadn't moved to the villa, Zhun would not be in such distress. In the villa’s storage room, Shiyi discovered a piece of fabric that closely resembled the evidence from her mother's case.
She took it to Master Jian at the Xianling Pavilion, who confirmed the material was the same type, giving Shiyi hope that she could trace the killer by investigating who had used it. Shiyi confided in her master that life in the Xu family, despite its superficial grandeur, was built on endless compromises and infighting—a life she did not want. Her only remaining concern was Zhun.
Master Jian reminded Shiyi of her responsibilities as the marquis's wife and urged her not to neglect her own life in pursuit of the truth, as it was not what her mother would have wanted. Leaving Xianling Pavilion, Shiyi noticed her guards and carriage were gone. She sent Amber to find them while she and Dongqing waited. An old woman then feigned a sprained ankle nearby.
As Shiyi and Dongqing helped her, the woman used a drug to render them unconscious, and they were taken away. When Amber returned to find them missing, she rushed back to Master Jian. Suspecting a trap, Master Jian instructed Amber to lie when the guards returned. Amber told them Shiyi had already left for the Luo Residence on urgent business, temporarily keeping the disappearance a secret from the Xu family.
Shiyi's kidnapping was orchestrated by Qiao Lianfang, who intended to ruin Shiyi’s reputation by ensuring she spent a night away from home. Amber reported the situation to Madam Luo. While lamenting Shiyi's predicament, Madam Luo agreed that finding her was the priority. The Luo family searched fruitlessly. Shiyi’s brother, Zhenxing, insisted that his sister's safety was paramount and was ready to report the matter to the authorities, vowing to support her even if Xu Lingyi divorced her.
Madam Luo, however, opposed this, fearing the irreversible damage to Shiyi's reputation. Master Jian intervened, suggesting they search for one more night before involving the authorities to protect her name. The next day, Xu Lingyi returned home and was angered to learn Shiyi had been moved to Xishan Villa over a superstition. After rebuking Lingkuan and Danyang, he resolved to bring Shiyi back.
Qiao Lianfang interjected, lying that Shiyi had found the villa uncomfortable and had gone to the Luo Residence. She offered to accompany Xu Lingyi to retrieve Shiyi, and he agreed. Qiao Lianfang then secretly instructed her maid to tell Mrs. Liu at the villa to have a report filed with the authorities about a kidnapping, a move designed to publicly tarnish Shiyi’s name. At the Luo Residence, Xu Lingyi and Qiao Lianfang requested to see Shiyi.
The Luos tried to stall, vaguely claiming Shiyi had gone out to buy fabric. Unfazed, Xu Lingyi declared he would wait. Growing impatient, he dispatched his deputy, Lin Bo, to search the local shops. Meanwhile, as a result of Qiao Lianfang’s scheme, officials arrived at the Luo Residence to investigate a reported kidnapping of two women in a nearby alley. Madam Luo adamantly denied anyone was missing.
Qiao Lianfang then revealed to Xu Lingyi that the villa guards, posted near the Luo Residence, had not seen Shiyi leave that morning. This directly contradicted Madam Luo’s story, exposing the lie and forcing the Luos to face the reality of Shiyi’s disappearance. Meanwhile, Shiyi and Dongqing awoke, bound by ropes, in a woodshed. Shiyi deduced they had been deliberately trapped. She reassured a frightened Dongqing that their captors likely meant no physical harm, or they would have acted already. However, Shiyi realized their predicament was part of a larger, more serious scheme, believing they had fallen into a trap the moment their guards disappeared.
