The Sword and The Brocade Episode 16 Recap
> The Sword and The Brocade Recap
A riot erupted at the soup kitchen, with agitated refugees demanding supplies. As the chaos escalated, Xu Lingyi arrived on horseback. He quickly took charge, declaring that providing relief was an imperial order and that attacking the soup kitchen was akin to rebellion. While he offered forgiveness for their current plight, he warned that any further offenses would be dealt with severely.
He ordered his subordinate, Linbo, to arrest the ringleaders and send them to the Shuntian Prefecture Office for investigation. After the situation was brought under control, Xu Lingyi addressed the crowd, acknowledging the immense losses caused by the flood but reminding them that dignity must not be lost. He vowed that as long as the Xu family existed, the disaster relief and its provisions would never cease. The grateful refugees expressed their relief and thanked him.
Observing Shiyi's leg, Dongqing noted its severe injury and ongoing bleeding, despite Shiyi's attempts to downplay it. Without a word, Xu Lingyi carried Shiyi back to the mansion. Shortly after, Amber arrived at the soup kitchen with fresh rice, ensuring the continuation of the relief efforts. Meanwhile, a subordinate reported to Ou Lixing that their mission had failed and their men were apprehended by the Shuntian Prefecture Office, but assured him that the captured individuals would not betray them.
Upon their return to the mansion, Shiyi, still in Xu Lingyi's arms, expressed concern that their intimate display might provoke gossip among the servants and damage his reputation. Xu Lingyi, however, dismissed her worries, asserting that as a married couple, there was nothing to fear. Meanwhile, Qiao Lianfang, observing the scene, fumed with jealousy, complaining to her maid Xiuyuan that Xu Lingyi didn't even speak to her. She refused to greet Shiyi, despite the household rules.
A physician soon arrived to examine Shiyi's leg, assuring Xu Lingyi that it was merely an external injury and would heal within half a month with the prescribed medicine. Xu Lingyi then prepared to apply the medicine himself. Although Shiyi initially tried to have Dongqing handle it, feeling shy under his gaze, he insisted, prompting Dongqing to later tease her about her uncharacteristic bashfulness.
Dongqing remarked that while Xu Lingyi appeared cold, he was remarkably considerate towards Shiyi, expressing her joy that someone in the Xu family was finally treating her mistress kindly. After leaving Shiyi, Xu Lingyi instructed a subordinate to arrange for rice to be exchanged for the farmlands in Shiyi's dowry, ensuring she would not have to deplete her own resources. Just then, the sound of opera revealed that Xu Lingkuan was still indulging in his pastime.
Annoyed, Xu Lingyi confronted his brother. Xu Lingkuan, visibly afraid, admitted his mistakes. Danyang, unaware of the gravity of the situation, defended her husband, criticizing Xu Lingyi for his constant sarcasm. Fearing further confrontation, Xu Lingkuan urged Danyang to return to her room. Xu Lingyi then sternly revealed the truth: the Ou family had secretly used moldy rice to incite the refugees, and the Xu family had nearly committed the crime of deceiving the Emperor.
He chastised Xu Lingkuan for his ignorance while Shiyi was injured dealing with the fallout. At that moment, Great Madam and Second Madam returned and were shocked to learn of the incident and the danger the family had faced. Qiao Lianfang knelt before Great Madam, pleading her innocence and claiming she was unaware of her nanny Mrs. Zhang's actions. Great Madam reminded Lianfang that her poor judgment in selecting staff had almost brought disaster upon the family.
Xu Lingyi declared that Mrs. Zhang should be flogged twenty times and banished, and all related servants sold off. Lianfang interceded, but Xu Lingyi retorted that a servant's mistake could have led to the entire family being wiped out, concluding that Lianfang's repeated misuse of staff rendered her unfit to manage household affairs. Great Madam, weary of the situation, exempted Mrs. Zhang from the flogging due to her age but insisted she be removed from the family.
She then ordered Lianfang to reflect in her room, relieving her of all household management duties. After Lianfang's departure, Xu Lingyi praised Shiyi's composure and wisdom, asserting her suitability to take over. Great Madam sought Second Madam Yizhen's opinion, who concurred, emphasizing that Shiyi had a broad perspective and that household management was rightfully the legal wife's responsibility. Following the discussion, Great Madam transferred the management of household affairs to Shiyi.
Before the handover, Lianfang had an emotional farewell with Mrs. Zhang, who warned her to be wary of the Luo family's illegitimate daughter, Shiyi, should she gain power, hinting at a past secret. Lianfang then presented Shiyi with twelve accounting books and twenty keys. Shiyi's maid openly expressed her satisfaction that everyone was now "back in their proper places," intentionally ensuring Lianfang overheard.
Mrs. Du arrived to reinforce Great Madam's instructions for Shiyi to prioritize the Xu family and adhere to house rules. Soon after, Shiyi prepared high-quality wound medicine and visited Concubine Qin, who had been injured while shielding her. Concubine Qin expressed gratitude and congratulated Shiyi. Their conversation was interrupted by Xu Lingyi's arrival.
He insisted Shiyi stay for dinner, which proved awkward, as Shiyi found the food too spicy with Sichuan pepper, a staple from Xu Lingyi's time in the cold Miaojiang region. Feigning a headache, Shiyi excused herself, and Xu Lingyi, concerned for her still-healing leg, insisted on escorting her back. On their way to the Western Courtyard, Shiyi inquired about the animosity between the Xu and Ou families.
Xu Lingyi revealed the Ou family's treachery: how Marquis Jingyuan framed his father and brother for their efforts to lift the sea ban, leading to their deaths and the imprisonment of the entire Xu family. Only his grandfather's plea to the Emperor had saved them, allowing Xu Lingyi to redeem their name on the battlefield. He stressed that as long as corrupt officials like the Ou family remained, his father and brother could not rest in peace.
Upon arriving at the Western Courtyard, Xu Lingyi indicated his intention to stay the night. Flustered, Shiyi tried to get him to leave, claiming he needed to greet Great Madam and that she had to review the accounting books. Xu Lingyi, however, settled in to drink tea. Observing from outside, Shiyi’s maids, Dongqing and Amber, were elated and resolved to ensure he remained. While there, Xu Lingyi noticed a minor hand injury Shiyi sustained from embroidering. Shiyi explained her passion for it, viewing it as a path to self-reliance after having experienced life without support.
