The Sword and The Brocade Episode 12 Recap
> The Sword and The Brocade Recap
As Xu Lingyi and Qiao Lianfang waited at the Luo Residence, Qiao Lianfang created tension by claiming her maids heard Shiyi had not left the residence that day. Just then, Shiyi returned, much to the relief of her mother, Madam Luo. In private, Shiyi revealed to her mother that she and her maid, Dongqing, had been kidnapped. Her brother, Zhenxing, and Master Jian had fortunately tracked them down using the distinct scent of rose perfume Shiyi wore.
Learning that Xu Lingyi's man, Lin Bo, was also searching for her, Shiyi strategically allowed him to find her on the street to make her return appear natural. Madam Luo advised Shiyi to keep the abduction secret to protect her reputation. She voiced strong suspicions that Qiao Lianfang was behind it, noting that government officials had arrived to report a kidnapping shortly after Xu Lingyi, solidifying her belief in Qiao Lianfang's scheme.
While traveling back to the Xu mansion with Xu Lingyi, Shiyi questioned if her return would cause trouble with Danyang due to their supposed zodiac conflict. Xu Lingyi dismissed the notion as groundless superstition, firmly stating that as his wife, Shiyi would not be subjected to unfair treatment and that he had come to retrieve her against Great Madam's wishes.
Seizing the opportunity, Shiyi subtly mentioned the suspicious disappearance of the guards at Xishan Villa, who claimed a flimsy excuse for their absence. The perceptive Xu Lingyi assured her he would investigate the guards thoroughly. To resolve the household tension, Xu Lingyi proposed that Danyang and the Fifth Master move to the quieter He'nan Court within the estate gardens, a solution Danyang accepted.
Later, Great Madam spoke with Shiyi, acknowledging that sending her to the villa was not entirely fair but was done for the sake of Danyang's pregnancy. She was pleased by Shiyi's grace and lack of complaint upon returning. Xu Lingyi later visited Qiao Lianfang, instructing her to send valuable blood nest and ginseng to Danyang in Shiyi's name to foster goodwill.
He then pressed her about the lax security at Xishan Villa, holding her accountable for placing the unreliable Mrs. Liu in charge and demanding the woman be severely punished for her dereliction of duty. Alone, Qiao Lianfang realized her plan had backfired, costing her an ally in Mrs. Liu and earning her a reprimand. She concluded that she had severely underestimated Shiyi.
News of Xu Lingyi’s decisive action reached Shiyi, who told her maids she had already hinted her suspicions to him and was awaiting the outcome. Her maids, impressed by his fair handling of the matter, began to see him in a new, more positive light. Qiao Lianfang then visited Shiyi to deliver the monthly allowance of twenty taels.
She subtly mocked Shiyi for not managing household affairs, but Shiyi calmly retorted that both Xu Lingyi and Great Madam were discerning individuals who could judge performance, implying Qiao Lianfang should focus on her own duties. After she left, Concubine Wen arrived and overheard Shiyi's maids rejoicing over the twenty taels, leading her to privately disdain Shiyi's "poor" background. Zhun's skin condition worsened, and he fell into a feverish coma.
Qiao Lianfang offered to take over his care, but when Zhun began crying from severe itching, Shiyi recalled an effective anti-itch ointment from her hometown. Qiao Lianfang and Great Madam objected, calling it an unknown "rural medicine." However, Xu Lingyi trusted Shiyi and helped her apply the ointment. It worked instantly, and Zhun fell asleep peacefully. Impressed, Xu Lingyi immediately put Shiyi in charge of Zhun's care. Under Shiyi's care, Zhun's health improved, though he remained withdrawn from his father.
When Concubine Wen's son, Yu, came to visit, his mother quickly pulled him away. Shiyi's maid, Amber, explained that due to the strict distinction between legitimate and illegitimate sons, Great Madam discouraged them from being close, especially with Zhun being ill. Later, Shiyi took Zhun to see Great Madam, but he began crying for a sugar rice cake. Shiyi refused, citing his weak digestion.
Seeing Great Madam and Xu Lingyi approach, Qiao Lianfang opportunistically gave Zhun the cake to undermine Shiyi. Great Madam chided Shiyi for being too strict, but Shiyi calmly explained that the heavy cake could upset Zhun's stomach. She then cleverly prompted Zhun to choose between eating the cake and playing outside without a stomachache. Zhun put the cake down and, at Shiyi's urging, offered it to his father, also thanking him for a favorite toy.
The interaction touched Xu Lingyi and mended the rift between them. While Great Madam still favored Qiao Lianfang, she privately acknowledged to Xu Lingyi that Shiyi was a kind and dutiful main wife. However, Zhun's condition inexplicably relapsed. An Imperial Physician confirmed he had been reinfected by an external pathogen. Soon after, Madam Luo arrived at the Xu mansion. Distraught, she confronted Shiyi, furiously accusing her of neglecting Zhun and breaking the promise she had made to her deceased sister. When Nanny Tao tried to defend Shiyi by blaming Qiao Lianfang, an enraged Madam Luo silenced her, deeming the interruption disrespectful, and ordered her to be punished on the spot.
