The Sword and The Brocade Episode 29 Recap
> The Sword and The Brocade Recap
Great Madam, lamenting the premature deaths of Xu Lingyi's father and brother, prayed to her ancestors for his safe return, acknowledging the heavy burden he shouldered for the Xu family's prosperity. Soon after, she was informed that clues had been found regarding the assassination attempt on Xu Lingyi. Great Madam summoned Concubines Wen and Qin, demanding to know if they were present during the attack.
When their conflicting stories made it clear they were lying, Great Madam threatened punishment according to family rules. Under duress, Concubine Wen confessed that it was Shiyi who had stabbed Xu Lingyi at Xianling Pavilion. When Shiyi was brought before Great Madam, she admitted her guilt and accepted any punishment, expressing only remorse for failing Xu Lingyi, who had treated her with such deep affection.
Great Madam was furious, questioning why Shiyi had concealed the truth and vowing never to forgive her if anything happened to her son. Just then, a messenger arrived from the disaster-stricken area with devastating news: Xu Lingyi had reportedly died in a fire while saving civilians. Overwhelmed with grief, Great Madam collapsed, and Shiyi wept uncontrollably, unable to accept the report. Xu Lingkuan, suspecting foul play by the Ou family, declared his intention to go to Shandong to investigate.
However, Second Madam and Danyang restrained him, emphasizing that if Xu Lingyi was truly gone, the entire family depended on Xu Lingkuan, and his safety was paramount. When Great Madam regained consciousness, she was heartbroken. Believing Shiyi's actions led directly to her son's death, she equated the act to murdering a commander before battle and demanded Shiyi pay with her life. Second Madam, certain Shiyi would never conspire with an enemy, urged her to flee.
Dongqing then remembered the divorce agreement Xu Lingyi had written before his departure, believing it could save Shiyi. However, Shiyi defiantly ordered Dongqing to burn it, declaring that if Xu Lingyi returned, she would accept any punishment, but if he did not, she would not wish to live alone. Great Madam confronted Shiyi at the Western Lateral Court, intent on carrying out her sentence.
Shiyi acknowledged her guilt but pleaded for more time, stating she would not believe Xu Lingyi was dead until she saw his body. Xu Lingkuan, Second Madam, and others interceded, citing the deep affection between Shiyi and Xu Lingyi and pleading for the sake of young Zhun'ge. Great Madam relented, sparing Shiyi's life for now but sending her to a rural farm to be treated no better than a servant.
Meanwhile, upon hearing of Xu Lingyi's supposed death, Wang Yu, who had only been treating Erniang well out of fear of Xu Lingyi's influence, reverted to his cruel nature. He struck Erniang, causing her severe abdominal pain. A physician diagnosed her with a high-risk pregnancy, and Wang Yu's mother, in a rare display of anger, slapped her son for endangering his own child. At the farm, Shiyi tirelessly embroidered a Bodhisattva portrait to pray for Xu Lingyi's safety.
When she ran out of thread for the hair, she ingeniously used her own hair, a technique she had learned from her master. The cruel chief steward, Wang Jinzhong, followed Great Madam's orders, subjecting Shiyi, Dongqing, and Amber to harsh labor. One night, Shiyi pursued a suspicious figure, only to be pushed into a well by the unseen assailant. Dongqing and Amber arrived just in time to rescue her.
Later, as punishment, the steward ordered them to fill all the water tanks on the farm. The exhausting work was mysteriously completed overnight. While her maids believed immortals had intervened, it was actually Lin Shixian, who, having witnessed Shiyi's suffering, had secretly completed the heavy labor for them. Back at the Xu mansion, Great Madam composed herself and organized the family's affairs, entrusting Second Madam with managing the household.
She summoned Xu Lingkuan, reminding him of his brother's bravery and urging him to shoulder his new responsibilities and uphold the family's honor. Understanding the weight on his shoulders, Xu Lingkuan burned his opera scripts that night, vowing to protect the Xu family with his life. Meanwhile, believing Xu Lingyi was dead, Marquis Jingyuan placed more trust in Ou Lixing and gave him the "wolf tally," a token commanding the Ou family's secret forces.
Ou Lixing assured him that his men had personally identified Xu Lingyi's scorched body. Soon after, Ou Lixing learned that Shiyi had been sent away from the Xu mansion. Convinced the Xu family was punishing her privately for stabbing Xu Lingyi, he grew deeply concerned and dispatched his men to find her and ensure her safety.
