The Sword and The Brocade Episode 19 Recap
> The Sword and The Brocade Recap
The next morning, Shiyi opened her eyes to find Xu Lingyi close by. She gently pushed him away, which woke him. Seeing he had no intention of getting up, she quietly tried to leave the bed, but Xu Lingyi playfully teased her and asked her to help him dress. Shiyi then inquired about who would raise Fengqing. Xu Lingyi dismissed Concubine Qiao as too self-absorbed to care for a child.
As for Concubine Qin, while she genuinely cared for Fengqing, she was a former maid who lacked the education to teach him properly. Shiyi suggested Yizhen, the Second Mistress, noting her genuine fondness for Fengqing and her solitary life. Xu Lingyi explained that when his son Yu was born, Yizhen had just lost her own son, Qian. She refused to adopt Yu because she blamed herself for Qian's death. Later, Xu Lingyi's brother, Xu Lingkuan, was in trouble.
His father-in-law, Marquis Dingnan, had learned that Fengqing was Xu Lingkuan's son. Xu Lingyi, suspecting the Ou family had exposed the secret, ordered Xu Lingkuan to go to the Marquis's mansion to apologize and repent. Terrified of his father-in-law's temper, Xu Lingkuan refused. Angered by his cowardice, Xu Lingyi accused him of being unfit for the Xu family and ordered Zhaoying to confine him until he came to his senses.
Shiyi brought freshly brewed plum wine to Xu Lingyi and inquired about the conflict. After Xu Lingyi explained the situation and his disappointment in his brother's weakness, Shiyi defended Xu Lingkuan. She highlighted his kindness and filial piety, reminding Xu Lingyi of their close childhood bond. Xu Lingyi confessed their growing estrangement, admitting he no longer understood his brother. Shiyi suggested that Xu Lingyi's serious demeanor might intimidate Xu Lingkuan and advised him to try talking with his brother calmly.
Unaware of the truth, a worried Danyang brought Xu Lingkuan his favorite dishes. Later, Xu Lingkuan was summoned to meet his brother at Banyuepan. There, Xu Lingyi toasted him and reminisced about a childhood incident where Xu Lingkuan injured himself trying to catch a nightingale for him. He apologized for his harshness, admitting Shiyi had made him realize he had been too strict.
Since their father and elder brothers passed away, he had been under immense pressure to protect the family and had unfairly imposed his high standards on Xu Lingkuan. Moved, Xu Lingkuan accepted full responsibility for his actions and promised Xu Lingyi he would personally go to Marquis Dingnan to atone for his mistakes. At Xianling Pavilion, Shiyi was teaching embroidery when Lin Shixian arrived. He discreetly asked Amber about Shiyi's well-being before giving her a bottle of hand cream.
He then gave creams to all the embroidery girls but presented a special bottle to Shiyi, insisting she use it daily. Shiyi simply regarded him as a kind acquaintance she was indebted to for his past help. Meanwhile, Qiao Lianfang enacted a cruel plan. Approaching Danyang in the garden, she maliciously revealed that Fengqing was rumored to be Xu Lingkuan's illegitimate son, pointing out their striking resemblance.
Qiao knew that the steps in the Western Lateral Court had just been hastily repaired on Shiyi's orders and the mortar was not yet dry. She hoped the shock would cause the pregnant Danyang to rush there, fall on the unstable steps, and miscarry, which would place the blame on Shiyi. The plot nearly worked. A distraught Danyang ran to the court, and upon seeing Fengqing, chased after him and stumbled on the loose steps.
Shiyi, arriving just in time, saved Danyang by pulling Fengqing away, but fell and injured herself in the process. Xu Lingkuan went to Marquis Dingnan's Mansion, waiting in the rain to apologize. He confessed that he had lost touch with Fengqing's mother before his marriage to Danyang and had been unaware of the child's existence.
He explained he had feared telling the pregnant Danyang the truth, and that he and Xu Lingyi had planned to reveal everything after she had safely given birth. Seeing Xu Lingkuan's remorse and considering Danyang's pregnancy, the Marquis gave him another chance, warning him to never hurt his daughter. Danyang thanked Shiyi for saving her but was still troubled by the rumors. Shiyi clarified that since Xu Lingyi had publicly acknowledged Fengqing, that was the only truth that mattered.
She advised the pregnant Danyang to ignore gossip and focus on her husband and child. Shiyi then subtly hinted at the scheme by mentioning that the hurried repair of the steps was known only to herself, Xu Lingyi, and the concubines. Realizing Qiao Lianfang's treachery, Danyang confronted her, slapped her, and furiously warned her to stop her dirty tricks. Reflecting on the incident, Danyang recognized Shiyi's kindness and decided to foster a closer relationship with her.
When Xu Lingkuan returned, Danyang told him to thank Shiyi properly. She then brought up Fengqing, encouraging Xu Lingkuan to visit the boy as his uncle, showing she had forgiven him. Touched by her understanding, Xu Lingkuan assured her that she and their child were the most important people in his life. Later, Shiyi proposed to Yizhen that she raise Fengqing. Yizhen admitted her fondness for the boy but hesitated, still haunted by guilt over her son's death.
Shiyi gently explained that neither Concubine Qiao nor Concubine Qin were suitable guardians and that only Yizhen could provide Fengqing the stable, loving childhood he needed. Yizhen, moved, promised to consider it. When Yizhen remained undecided, Shiyi offered to raise Fengqing herself. Xu Lingyi agreed but stipulated that Fengqing could not be registered under Shiyi's name. Instead, he would be officially listed as the son of the late Concubine Tong, Yuanniang's former dowry maid.
The maid had seduced a drunk Xu Lingyi years ago and, despite being elevated to a concubine, was never favored and eventually died of depression. Shiyi and Xu Lingyi agreed to this arrangement.
