The Sword and The Brocade Episode 32 Recap
> The Sword and The Brocade Recap
Watching as Xu Lingyi and Shiyi departed hand in hand, Ou Yanxing was filled with a sense of bitterness. On the way back to the mansion, Shiyi explained to Xu Lingyi that her encounter with Ou Yanxing was a coincidence and asked him not to misunderstand. When Xu Lingyi inquired about Erniang's earlier request, Shiyi shared that Erniang was convinced Duke Wei had ordered Wang Yu's death and wanted Xu Lingyi to petition the emperor for a thorough investigation.
Shiyi had refused, feeling it improper to meddle in his official affairs for personal reasons. Xu Lingyi reassured her that he would not ignore the matter, as Erniang was her sister. Shiyi then relayed a peculiar comment from Ou Yanxing: "Wang Yu's death isn't as simple as it appears." She voiced her suspicion that the Ou family was involved.
Xu Lingyi cautioned her, noting that Ou Yanxing was now actively participating in his family's affairs, making him untrustworthy given the deep-seated enmity between the Xu and Ou clans. Shiyi acknowledged his concerns but maintained that Ou Yanxing was not a bad person, affirming she had no private contact with him and was careful in public. She then asked if Xu Lingyi trusted her. Failing to secure Shiyi's help, Erniang created a public disturbance during the Xu family's flower banquet.
Dressed in mourning clothes, she knelt at the mansion gates, stopping the arriving guests. Great Madam Xu, along with Madam Tang and Madam Gan, tried to persuade Erniang to rise, but she refused, accusing Shiyi of abandoning her and the Xu family of protecting Duke Wei out of fear. When Shiyi tried to lead her inside, Erniang insisted on airing her grievances publicly. Great Madam Xu, attempting to salvage the situation, invited the guests inside while the sisters talked.
However, Erniang continued her plea, accusing Duke Wei's retainer, Ren Kun, of murder and the Censorate of a cover-up. She demanded Xu Lingyi use his influence, but Great Madam Xu sternly rebuked her, stating that the Xu family would not violate the law by interfering with the Censorate's duties. As the scene escalated, the guests began to leave.
Young Madam Jiang, Wang Yu's sister, then confronted Great Madam Xu, questioning the Xu family's heartlessness and expressing concern for the future of the betrothal between her family and Zhun. She insisted that if Xu Lingyi officially accused Duke Wei, the Censorate would be forced to act. Great Madam Xu reiterated that the Xu family would not compromise the law for personal gain.
After the chaotic banquet, Great Madam Luo warned Shiyi to remember her identity as a Luo daughter, stating the Luo family would not forgive her if Zhun's betrothal was jeopardized. Back at the Xu mansion, after hearing Second Madam praise Shiyi, Great Madam Xu offered guidance. She advised Shiyi that a matron must understand the hidden motives behind people's actions, suggesting Erniang's behavior had a deeper cause. She stressed that balancing sisterly affection with her duties would require great wisdom.
Meanwhile, Ou Lixing and his wife, Young Madam Ou, reveled in the Xu family's turmoil. Young Madam Ou revealed she had arranged the murder, paying her loyal relative, Zhou Xian, to kill Wang Yu. She was confident their plan would succeed, as interfering would force Xu Lingyi into conflict with Duke Wei, the Censorate, and the Wang and Jiang families. She then instructed Ou Lixing to ensure Zhou Xian left the capital.
At the Xu mansion, Xu Lingyi told Shiyi that Duke Wei had publicly opposed him in court over the sea ban, deliberately creating distance. Xu Lingyi explained his suspicion that the Ou family had orchestrated the initial conflict that led to Wang Yu's death. Connecting this to Ou Yanxing's comment and the current fallout, Shiyi deduced the entire affair was an elaborate scheme by the Ou family to isolate the Xus.
Xu Lingyi suggested Shiyi move to the villa to avoid the trouble, but she refused, insisting she must be the one to resolve it. She argued that if she handled it, only her reputation was at stake, but if he intervened, it would be seen as favoritism, playing into the Ou family's hands. She assured him she had a plan. Trusting her, Xu Lingyi later dispatched a letter to Imperial Censor Li.
Young Madam Ou continued her deception, visiting Erniang and feigning sympathy while subtly pressing her to secure an adopted heir to avoid a bleak future. Emboldened, Erniang returned to the Xu mansion and knelt defiantly in the pouring rain. Shiyi pleaded with her to come inside, but Erniang threatened to collapse and ruin the Xu family's reputation, vowing to drag Shiyi down with her.
As Shiyi turned away, a crowd of Wang Yu's victims suddenly appeared, surrounding Erniang and demanding justice. Shiyi intervened, declaring Erniang a guest of the Xu family and getting the crowd to wait outside. Inside, Shiyi confronted Erniang, revealing the crowd as a taste of the consequences she would face. Erniang accused her of using cruel tactics, but Shiyi calmly stated that as Wang Yu's wife, Erniang bore responsibility for his sins.
Shiyi accused her of not caring about the real killer but only seeking to satisfy Duke Mao's demands for an heir and take revenge on her. Erniang retorted that Shiyi had the life that should have been hers. Shiyi advised her to go home and recover, promising to help with the adoption matter if she stopped causing trouble. She then had a carriage with a warm stove prepared to send Erniang home through the back gate.
Upon her return, Erniang was harshly reprimanded by Young Madam Jiang and Lady Wang for shaming their family. Overwhelmed, she collapsed. They immediately stripped her of her household duties, putting a capable relative, Wang Liu-shi, in charge. A physician diagnosed Erniang with a severe illness stemming from her miscarriage and exposure to the cold, warning her life was in danger without long-term care.
Later, Shiyi thanked Xu Lingkuan, revealing that he was the one who, at her request, had found Wang Yu's victims. Great Madam Xu praised them both—Xu Lingkuan for his resourcefulness and Shiyi for her clever strategy. Following Great Madam Xu's advice to show sisterly concern, Shiyi sent messengers to check on Erniang, but they were always turned away. Meanwhile, Erniang's supposed confidante, Young Madam Ou, deliberately avoided her pleas for help. Unseen, Madam Gan from the Luo family showed silent compassion, secretly sending her personal savings to Erniang with a message to focus on her recovery.
