The Sword and The Brocade Episode 33 Recap
> The Sword and The Brocade Recap
Concubine Yang, accused by Luo's Head Wife of stealing household silver, pleaded that the money was her personal savings intended to save Erniang's life. Despite her pleas, Luo's Head Wife had her confined to the woodshed. Luo's Head Wife then dispatched a servant with money for Erniang, but the funds were intercepted by Madam Liu at the Wang residence and never reached her. Soon after, Concubine Yang fell seriously ill.
Luo's Head Wife visited her, revealing she knew Concubine Yang had deliberately leaked information to provoke her and worsen her own illness. Now, she wanted Concubine Yang to experience the same suffering. Defeated, Concubine Yang conceded that Luo's Head Wife had won their lifelong battle, but Luo's Head Wife reflected bitterly that even in victory, she felt she had gained nothing. Meanwhile, Xu Lingyi secretly investigated Wang Yu's death and orchestrated a trap.
He had a night watchman go to the Censorate and falsely claim to have witnessed the murder, giving a vivid but inaccurate account of the attack. Zhou Xian, the real killer who was hiding nearby, overheard the false testimony. Panicking that he had been identified, he attacked the watchman and confessed to the murder. At that moment, Xu Lingyi arrived with officials from the Censorate and arrested Zhou Xian, who realized he had been lured into a trap.
News of his capture reached Young Madam Ou and Marquis Jingyuan. Surprised by the failure, they remained confident in Zhou Xian's loyalty, believing he would not betray them. Shiyi visited Erniang in prison to explain Young Madam Ou's intricate schemes. She revealed that Zhou Xian was a retainer of Marquis Jingyuan's family and that Young Madam Ou had orchestrated Wang Yu's murder to frame Ren Kun.
Shiyi further exposed Young Madam Ou's manipulation of Erniang, including her influence on the adoption matter within the Wang family. Erniang initially refused to believe her, but when her maid Jinlian confirmed she had seen Zhou Xian at Marquis Jingyuan's Mansion, Erniang realized she had been deceived. Enraged, she wanted to confront Young Madam Ou, but Shiyi advised against it, explaining that since Zhou Xian had claimed personal vendetta as his motive, they lacked concrete proof against the Ou family.
Shiyi assured Erniang that with the true culprit found, Duke Mao would ensure she was treated fairly. Still, Erniang remained ungrateful, declaring that Shiyi owed her. Unable to let the injustice go, Erniang devised a plan for retribution. She sent Jinlian with a letter to her brother, Zhenxing. The next day, dressed in mourning clothes, Erniang caused a commotion outside Marquis Jingyuan's Mansion, publicly accusing Young Madam Ou of murdering her husband and causing the loss of her child.
Young Madam Ou responded by slapping her. The scene was witnessed by Zhenxing and his scholar classmate, who intervened to defend Erniang and condemn Young Madam Ou. Later, when Zhenxing expressed concern for her, a bitter Erniang suggested his help was merely a tactic to aid the Xu family in their rivalry with the Ou family, which deeply angered him. Zhenxing recounted the confrontation to Xu Lingyi and Shiyi.
They agreed that while it wouldn't secure a conviction, the public scandal would significantly damage the Ou family's reputation. Xu Lingyi also noted that Minister Zhou, now implicated through his family's connection to the killer, had been reprimanded by the Emperor, straining his relationship with the Ou family. That evening, Shiyi prepared a special meal for Xu Lingyi, explaining it was a gesture of gratitude for his help.
Xu Lingyi felt a pang of disappointment, perceiving her actions as obligatory rather than affectionate. He feigned an urgent matter and retreated to his study, questioning whether Shiyi's care stemmed from genuine concern or a sense of debt. Duke Wei revealed to Xu Lingyi his newfound support for lifting the sea ban.
He acknowledged that the Ou family's advocacy for the ban was driven by self-interest and that lifting it was in the nation's best interest, offering a solution to smuggling and a way to replenish the treasury. Separately, Lin Shixian argued the merits of lifting the ban to Marquis Jingyuan, but the Marquis was dismissive and did not divulge his family's illicit trade interests.
Mr. Mu later advised the Marquis that if he truly intended to promote Lin Shixian, he needed to be more forthcoming. Before leaving for Xianling Pavilion, Shiyi was cautioned by the Great Madam of the Xu family about her frequent public appearances, emphasizing that as a Marquis's wife, her conduct reflected on the entire family.
At the pavilion, Shiyi presented Master Jian with an exquisite hair embroidery piece as a birthday gift and announced her intention to withdraw from the guild. Shortly after, Lin Shixian arrived and, upon learning of Shiyi's plan, offered to quit in her place so she could continue her exceptional work. Shiyi politely declined his sacrifice, understanding his good intentions.
Later that evening, as the members of Xianling Pavilion gathered to celebrate Master Jian's birthday, Xu Lingyi passed by and noticed Shiyi's carriage. Persuaded by his attendant Zhaoying, he entered the pavilion to escort Shiyi home.
