The Sword and The Brocade Episode 2 Recap
> The Sword and The Brocade Recap
In the Marquis Yongping's residence, Xu Lingyi's wife, Yuanniang, questions him about the imperial rewards from his recent military success. Aside from the title of Tutor to the Crown Prince, Xu Lingyi reveals he declined any further promotions, having traded them for the Emperor's agreement to relax the sea ban, aiming to bring peace to the common people plagued by pirates. Upon hearing this, Concubine Wen and Concubine Qin excuse themselves.
Yuanniang, who had hoped his elevated status would secure their son Zhun's future, is deeply disappointed, lamenting the difficulties she faces. Xu Lingyi, offering no comfort, simply tells her to rest. Gravely ill since a miscarriage a year prior, Yuanniang feels neglected and is determined to secure a stable future for her son before she dies.
She worries because Zhun is frail from a premature birth, while his half-brother Yu, a concubine's son, is intelligent and highly praised, posing a potential threat to Zhun's position as heir. Though the family matriarch, Madam Xu, strictly observes the distinction between children of the legal wife and those of concubines, Yuanniang fears Xu Lingyi does not share this view. Later, Xu Lingyi’s aide discreetly reports that Yuanniang's condition has worsened.
Despite his cold demeanor, Xu Lingyi is visibly concerned and loses his appetite. The Xu family's spring banquet begins. Madam Luo arrives with her daughters, Erniang, Wuniang, and Shiyi, cautioning them to mind their etiquette. Yuanniang gifts each sister a jade pendant. Erniang quickly chooses one for "Joy," and Wuniang picks "Good Fortune," leaving Shiyi with the "Fertility and Luck" pendant.
Afterward, Yuanniang tells Madam Luo that Erniang likely avoided the fertility pendant because she guessed Yuanniang's plan to find a successor who would not threaten Zhun's position with her own sons. Seeing her husband's career stalled, Madam Luo agrees with Yuanniang's urgent plan: one sister must marry Xu Lingyi to maintain the Luo-Xu alliance, while another will marry the notorious Wang Yu to secure an alliance with the powerful Jiang family for Zhun.
They agree that no matter who becomes the new wife, their rival Qiao Lianfang is the primary obstacle. Meanwhile, Xu Lingyi is tracking Liu Yong, an escaped pirate, suspecting he has accomplices in the capital. He plans to follow Liu Yong to expose the entire network. During his patrol, Qiao Lianfang approaches and tries to fall into his arms, but he deftly evades her. Wuniang and Shiyi witness the encounter, which sours Shiyi's impression of the Marquis.
In the main hall, the Luo sisters meet the arrogant Qiao Lianfang. Young Madam Jiang, Wang Yu's sister, also arrives to assess the Luo sisters as potential brides for her brother. With Wuniang already engaged, her interest falls on Erniang and Shiyi, and she particularly praises Shiyi's exceptional embroidery.
During the banquet's entertainment, Xu Lingyi's younger brother, Xu Lingkuan, playfully acts as the master of ceremonies for the opera, earning a light rebuke from his mother, which his wife Danyang lovingly defends. Yuanniang sends a maid to invite the young ladies to fly kites, asking Qiao Lianfang to lead them. Madam Luo tries to keep Erniang with her, but Erniang eagerly follows Qiao Lianfang. Shiyi, understanding her mother's unspoken signal, instead follows a servant to Yuanniang's chambers.
Having distanced herself from the others, Qiao Lianfang wanders alone, hoping for another encounter with Xu Lingyi. A maid then "accidentally" spills water on her and offers to lead her to the inner courtyard to change. Qiao Lianfang agrees, seeing an opportunity. This is all part of Yuanniang's scheme. Hearing the code phrase, "Water has mixed with ink," Yuanniang knows the plan is in motion.
She summons Shiyi and deliberately takes her for a stroll toward Jing'an Pavilion, timing their arrival to coincide with Xu Lingyi's return, intending for him to discover Qiao Lianfang in a compromising situation and ruin her reputation.
