The Sword and The Brocade Episode 21 Recap
> The Sword and The Brocade Recap
Lin Bo reported to Xu Lingyi that he had followed the clues from the rice shop and discovered widespread moldy rice within the military barracks. Although not as severe as the soup kitchen incident, some soldiers were already suffering from diarrhea. Xu Lingyi was enraged, recognizing that the Ou family's greed for minor profits had compromised military provisions, an act he considered a true offense to His Majesty.
Meanwhile, at the Jingyuan Marquis's mansion, Marquis Jingyuan furiously questioned Ou Lixing about the moldy rice. He expressed his anger at having to learn about the compromised military rice from a eunuch and rebuked Ou Lixing for his recklessness. The Marquis explained that to protect Ou Lixing from the Emperor's wrath, he had no choice but to sacrifice Wang Zichuan, an official they had planted in the Ministry of Revenue.
Marquis Jingyuan then instructed Ou Lixing to monitor his estranged half-brother Ou Yanxing's whereabouts, as he was reportedly heading north and expected to return to the capital soon. Dejected, Ou Lixing returned to his room, where his wife, Young Madam Ou, expressed concern. Upon learning that Xu Lingyi and Shiyi were involved in exposing the moldy rice, she resolved to meet the wife of Marquis Yongping.
Young Madam Ou was also frustrated by Marquis Jingyuan’s persistent favoritism towards Ou Yanxing, a mere illegitimate son who seemed indifferent to the family's affairs and engaged in "unpresentable businesses." Ou Lixing complained about being placed in the Ministry of Rites instead of the Ministry of War, a post unfitting for the eldest son of a duke's legal wife.
Young Madam Ou comforted him, suggesting his father might be using Ou Yanxing as a "sharpening stone" to hone Ou Lixing's abilities, and reassured him that the position of heir would not be given to an illegitimate son, as his father would have to consider her own father's standing. Xu Lingyi encountered Shiyi in the courtyard and informed her that the Ou family was behind the moldy rice affair.
He explained that this was not merely a political dispute but a matter of protecting the Xu family and assisting His Majesty in purifying the court, which concerned the entire nation. Given that capital refugees were still unsettled and some might exploit the chaos, Xu Lingyi, aware of Shiyi's frequent outings, suggested she take Wan Daxian, a skilled guard, for her safety. As they spoke, Qiao Lianfang approached, interrupting their conversation.
She reminded Xu Lingyi that it was her birthday and that Great Madam Xu had encouraged her to invite him. Recalling his mother’s advice to treat the women in his inner court kindly, Xu Lingyi reluctantly agreed to visit her room that night. Xu Lingyi's visit to Qiao Lianfang’s room troubled Nanny Tao, who reported to Madam Luo that Shiyi was not favored.
In response, Madam Luo gave Amber a sachet embroidered by Amber's long-lost sister, pressuring her to win Xu Lingyi's favor for the Luo family. When Amber hesitated, reluctant to betray Shiyi, Madam Luo stressed that Amber had no choice if she wished to reunite with her sister, reminding her that she was originally intended for the Marquis.
Torn, Amber later went to Xianling Pavilion, where Master Jian presented her with a pair of embroidered shoes that Shiyi had made for her, explaining that Shiyi often spoke of Amber's coming-of-age and her desire to prepare a dowry. Deeply moved, Amber found herself in tears. Just then, Lin Shixian arrived and, seeing her distress, inquired about her well-being.
Amber confided in him about her sister, who had sold herself into slavery to pay for Amber’s medical treatment, disappearing without a trace. Lin Shixian comforted her, giving her a string of prayer beads from Baiyun Temple, hoping it would bring her good fortune. Amber confessed she would be willing to betray her conscience to see her sister again, but Lin Shixian assured her that she would ultimately stay true to herself.
Driven by desperation, Amber chose to act against her true feelings. She went to Xu Lingyi's study, ostensibly to deliver chicken soup on Shiyi's behalf, but covertly attempting to gain his affection. Xu Lingyi, seeing through her intentions, became furious and ordered Zhaoying to escort Amber out to be dealt with by Shiyi. At that moment, Shiyi arrived and intervened.
She claimed she had asked Amber to deliver the soup as she had spilled some on her clothes, and then dismissed Amber. After clarifying the situation and defending Amber to Xu Lingyi, Shiyi returned to her courtyard. There, Amber confessed everything, revealing she was being threatened by Madam Luo and had intended to provoke Xu Lingyi into expelling her from the mansion. This way, she wouldn't betray Madam Luo's command nor harm Shiyi.
Understanding Amber's predicament, Shiyi allowed her to stay, assuring her that she regarded Amber and Dongqing as her own sisters. She also instructed Dongqing to discreetly inquire about Amber’s sister among the Luo family's old servants. Observing the incident, Dongqing remarked on Xu Lingyi's integrity, and Shiyi mused that if he treated her with sincerity, she would reciprocate with her whole heart. Three days later, the wife of Marquis Zhongshan hosted a banquet for female dignitaries.
Great Madam Xu instructed Shiyi to prepare to attend as the official main wife of the Xu family. Shiyi’s calm and composed reaction to this news greatly impressed Great Madam Xu. On the day of the banquet, Shiyi conducted herself with grace, reassuring her mother-in-law, who went to socialize with old friends after reminding Shiyi to be wary of Young Madam Ou.
Young Madam Ou approached Shiyi, and Erniang, now the wife of Wang Yu, Duke Mao’s heir, joined them, eager to curry favor with Young Madam Ou by discussing flowers. Young Madam Ou feigned ignorance and challenged Shiyi to identify a particular flower. Before Shiyi could answer, Erniang mocked Shiyi's presumed lack of knowledge. With a subtle smile, Shiyi deftly rebuked them, stating that no one is omniscient and knowledge of a flower does not determine one's worth.
When Erniang implied Shiyi's humble origins made her shallow, Shiyi retorted that those who fail to distinguish between family and outsiders are the true disgrace. Young Madam Ou pressed Shiyi to admit her ignorance, but Shiyi instead identified the rare, scarlet flower as a precious cymbidium.
She noted its presence even in merchant families, subtly implying that nobility was not defined by lineage, before asserting that while red cymbidiums are rare, "people with ulterior motives are not," and such noble flowers should not fall into "filthy hands." Great Madam Xu, who had been observing, approached and subtly criticized the Ou family's rudeness. At that moment, Shiyi keenly noticed the distinctive embroidery on Young Madam Ou's dress.
