The Sword and The Brocade Episode 13 Recap
> The Sword and The Brocade Recap
Following Zhun’s relapse, Great Madam Luo arrives at the Xu residence and chastises Dongqing, Shiyi’s maid, for her outspokenness. Reminding her that her behavior is not permissible in the Xu family, she orders her servant, Nanny Tao, to slap Dongqing. Shiyi intervenes, accepting fault for not taking better care of Zhun. She assures her mother that she will now wholeheartedly protect him from any harm. Unimpressed, Great Madam Luo only stresses that the Luo family is Shiyi’s true foundation.
After her mother's departure, Shiyi instructs Amber to investigate Zhun’s living quarters, but no source of illness is found. Amber notes that Zhun was perfectly healthy before his sudden relapse. Soon after, Yu visits to inquire about Zhun, and Shiyi reassures him. That night, Shiyi and Xu Lingyi stay by Zhun’s side as he suffers through a restless night, crying intermittently. Shiyi diligently comforts him, singing a soothing song and remaining at his bedside.
When Xu Lingyi suggests calling for the physician, Shiyi explains that Imperial Physician Liu had already advised that such nighttime symptoms were to be expected. As she continues her tender care, she eventually dozes off from exhaustion. Xu Lingyi, seeing her fatigue, gently lets her rest against him. As morning light streams into the room, he thoughtfully shields her face. When Shiyi awakes, she finds Zhun's condition has unexpectedly worsened, as he is now sweating profusely.
They immediately summon Imperial Physician Liu, who confirms the severity of the situation and begins acupuncture treatment, asking them to wait outside. While waiting, Shiyi shows Xu Lingyi the beautiful calligraphy Zhun has been practicing, suggesting he praise the boy's efforts once he recovers. She acknowledges that Xu Lingyi’s sternness stems from Zhun's status as the first-born legitimate son, but gently reminds him that Zhun is also just a child who has lost his mother.
At that moment, Great Madam Xu arrives. After a brief exchange, she orders Shiyi to be confined to the Western Courtyard until Zhun recovers, and has Mrs. Du take Zhun back to her own Fushou Court. When a bewildered Xu Lingyi demands an explanation, Great Madam Xu reveals she has returned from Ci'an Temple, where a divination stick declared Shiyi a jinx to Zhun, necessitating their separation.
Xu Lingyi dismisses this as superstitious nonsense and protests the injustice of blaming Shiyi. Great Madam Xu retorts that as the family matriarch, Shiyi must make sacrifices for the good of the family, as ensuring the continuation of the family line is paramount. Despite Xu Lingyi’s strong objections, Shiyi agrees to the confinement to de-escalate the conflict. Confined to her courtyard, Shiyi receives a clandestine visit from Yu, who slips past the guards.
He reports the information she had asked him to gather: Zhun often snuck off to a secluded corner of the garden to play with a small dog, which was kept and fed by Xiuyuan, Concubine Qiao’s maid. Realizing the significance of this discovery, Shiyi sends Yu off with pastries after ensuring his discretion. Meanwhile, Wuniang and her husband, Qian Ming, face growing financial hardship. A scholar with no income, Qian Ming has been spending lavishly on entertaining influential friends.
He proposes that instead of just saving money, they should generate income by opening a dried fruit shop, and urges Wuniang to propose a business partnership with Shiyi, leveraging the Xu family's influence. Wuniang agrees, taking some bird’s nest from her dowry as a gift. At the Xu mansion, she is informed by a smug Concubine Qiao that she is now managing the household and that Shiyi is confined and cannot receive visitors.
Indignant, Wuniang challenges this breach of hospitality and demands to see Xu Lingyi, forcing Concubine Qiao to grant her entry. Shiyi is overjoyed to see Wuniang. She explains her suspicions about Zhun's recurring illness and how Yu's discovery of the dog is a crucial lead. Shiyi then asks Wuniang for a favor: to swap clothes so she can sneak out to investigate. Disguised, Shiyi goes to the garden and finds Xiuyuan feeding the dog.
As she questions the maid, Concubine Qiao appears and orders guards to seize Shiyi for violating her confinement. In a desperate move, Shiyi grabs the dog and its cage and flees, running directly into Xu Lingyi. She explains that the dog has tinea, which is the source of Zhun's illness. Dongqing accuses Concubine Qiao of harming Zhun to frame Shiyi.
Feigning innocence, Concubine Qiao tearfully claims she gave Zhun the dog for companionship, unaware it was ill, and that she only chased Shiyi out of fear the dog might bite her. Imperial Physician Liu confirms the dog could be the source but states the origin of the tinea on its fur is untraceable, making it impossible to prove malice. Despite Xu Lingyi’s pointed questions, Concubine Qiao maintains her innocence.
Great Madam Xu staunchly defends her, and Concubine Qiao dramatically offers to take her own life if Zhun doesn't recover. The physician admits that due to the prolonged illness, Zhun's recovery is uncertain. Shiyi sings to Zhun through the night. The boy finally awakens, safe and sound, and affectionately notes that his own mother used to sing him the same song.
As the family celebrates, a servant reports that Concubine Qiao has fainted in the Buddha Hall after days of fasting and praying for Zhun's recovery. Great Madam Xu praises her devotion and urges Xu Lingyi to visit her. Twisting the facts, she claims the physician said the illness was unrelated to Concubine Qiao and entrusts Zhun to Shiyi. Reluctantly, Xu Lingyi visits Concubine Qiao, where he questions the efficacy of prayer over medicine.
Stating that he will not pursue the matter now that Zhun has recovered, he sternly warns her not to disappoint Great Madam Xu’s trust and to conduct herself well. He then asks about the whereabouts of a certain Mrs. Liu. Concubine Qiao claims she dismissed the servant for being disrespectful and sent her back to her hometown in Shandong.
Alone with her maid, Concubine Qiao worries that Xu Lingyi suspects something, but her maid reassures her that Mrs. Liu was paid handsomely and has long since vanished from the capital, leaving no trace.
