The Sword and The Brocade Episode 38 Recap
> The Sword and The Brocade Recap
Concubine Wen, exiled to a farm, received a visit from her sister-in-law. Her sister-in-law revealed that an anonymous party had discovered the Wen family's role in a silk farmer's death and was threatening to report them to the authorities unless they destroyed Shiyi's embroidery. Concubine Wen accepted her suffering, prioritizing the Wen family's safety and Yu's future, as he, being an illegitimate son, depended on their support.
Her sister-in-law chided her for being caught, to which Concubine Wen explained that Shiyi had already been suspicious and had even accused her of being an Ou family informant, which implicated Yu. The sister-in-law stressed that the Wen family's involvement must remain secret to safeguard Yu's prospects. Xianling Pavilion thrived after the Emperor praised Shiyi's "Four Divinities" embroidery, leading to numerous orders.
Shiyi humbly attributed the success to her teachers, Master Jian and Master Luo, and the collective efforts of the other embroiderers. Concerned that Ou Yanxing might face punishment from Marquis Jingyuan over the embroidery incident, she tasked Amber with inquiring about his well-being. Meanwhile, several girls presented Master Jian and Master Luo with an embroidery piece titled "Loved By Your Students," thanking them for teaching them skills that allowed them to make a living.
Master Jian expressed his hope that they would continue to spread their skills and help more women. Within the Ou family mansion, Ou Lixing fumed over his father's leniency towards Ou Yanxing, believing he should be expelled from the clan. Elsewhere, Amber tended to a badly injured Ou Yanxing, expressing her deep concern. Ou Yanxing gently reminded her that he already had someone in his heart. Just then, Ou Lixing burst into the room.
As he ordered a servant to apply medicine to Ou Yanxing's wounds, Amber, who had hidden, offered to do it herself from behind a screen. Ou Lixing caught a glimpse of a woman's partially exposed back and mistakenly believed Ou Yanxing was entertaining a lover despite his injuries. He left with a mocking remark, assuring Ou Yanxing he would not speak of such a "shameful thing." After they left, Ou Yanxing instructed Amber to leave discreetly.
Though acknowledging her humble status and forbidden feelings, Amber reiterated her selfless wish for Ou Yanxing's happiness and safety. Xu Lingyi was troubled by Marquis Jingyuan's imprisonment of the pirate leader Wang Jiubao's wife and son in Nanjing. As the court wished to recruit Wang Jiubao, Xu Lingyi believed that rescuing his family was key to gaining his trust and potentially securing evidence against the Marquis.
Overruling his aide's concerns, Xu Lingyi insisted on going to Nanjing personally, having already laid out a meticulous plan. There, he successfully rescued Wang Jiubao's family and met with the pirate leader. He offered a favorable enlistment, including command of his own men and autonomy from the Fujian military. Wang Jiubao remained skeptical, questioning how he could trust a government that had driven his people to piracy and kidnapped his family.
When Xu Lingyi revealed the court's plan to lift the sea ban, Wang Jiubao stated he would only consider the offer after the ban was truly lifted. Back home, Xu Lingyi remained hopeful, explaining that Wang Jiubao’s distrust stemmed from years of being threatened by the Marquis and that he believed the pirates, who only sought survival, would agree to the terms once the sea ban was lifted.
At Duke Mao's mansion, Erniang discovered her adopted son stealing family property for his birth mother, Lady Wang-Liu. Enraged, she intended to punish him according to family rules, but her maid, Jinlian, intervened. Jinlian advised that punishing the boy would only drive him closer to his birth mother and cause future trouble for Erniang. Later, Erniang confronted Jinlian, suspecting she was secretly taking advice from Shiyi.
Jinlian tearfully confessed that Shiyi had been discreetly helping out of genuine concern, providing medicine and guidance to help Erniang cope with her illness and struggles. Erniang, initially dismissive, relented after Jinlian's tearful plea. Jinlian declared her own loyalty, professing that she was the one who could not live without Erniang. Erniang allowed Jinlian to stay on the condition that she would no longer keep secrets, stating the incident would be forgotten.
Ou Lixing met with Concubine Qin, revealing her as his informant. He praised her for protecting herself after their previous plan failed, then tasked her with driving a wedge between Xu Lingyi and Shiyi. Reminding her of her own quest for vengeance against the Xu family, he urged her to succeed. Ou Lixing then brought up "Master Lin" from Xianling Pavilion. Concubine Qin identified him as a painter and co-owner.
Ou Lixing revealed Lin's true identity as the Ou family's second son and hinted at a suspiciously close relationship with Shiyi. He informed Qin that she and Shiyi would be invited to an upcoming banquet hosted by Prince Yu, instructing her to use this opportunity to her advantage. Xu Lingyi returned from his trip to find Shiyi eagerly awaiting him. They shared a tender reunion, embracing and speaking of how much they missed each other.
He recounted his partial success with Wang Jiubao, confident the pirate would surrender once the sea ban was lifted. The next day, Dongqing admired an elegant belt Shiyi had embroidered for Xu Lingyi, who complimented Shiyi for knowing his tastes so well. Lin Bo later privately gave Dongqing a scar-removing medicine he "chanced upon," hinting at his romantic interest. Inspired, Dongqing decided to embroider a belt for Lin Bo, using Xu Lingyi’s as a reference.
Amber saw Dongqing with the Marquis's belt and mistakenly believed she harbored improper feelings for him. Later, Amber told Dongqing she had stopped wearing a precious prayer bracelet because she felt unworthy of it due to her own "improper thoughts." Dongqing, misunderstanding, lectured Amber on knowing her place as a servant, but Amber retorted that status doesn't define a person's worth. While distressed about her long-lost sister's upcoming birthday, Amber hoped only for her safety.
Later, Concubine Qin found a handkerchief in the courtyard with a distinctive half-lotus pattern. Hiding, she overheard Amber confirm the handkerchief was a keepsake from her sister. Concubine Qin then recalled that Biyu, Yuanniang's former maid, had entrusted her with a matching half-handkerchief, asking her to care for Biyu's sister if she ever found her. Realizing Amber was Biyu's sister, Concubine Qin saw this as a pivotal opportunity to seek justice for both herself and the deceased Biyu.
Concubine Qin visited Second Madam, finding her struggling to paint bamboo for an upcoming memorial for the late Marquis and Master Ling'an. Second Madam explained it was a tradition she kept in their memory. Concubine Qin subtly remarked that their deaths were due to the Ou family's betrayal, then suggested Second Madam seek out the exceptionally skilled bamboo painter, Master Lin, at Xianling Pavilion.
When Second Madam considered asking Shiyi to go, Qin noted that Shiyi was busy, compelling Second Madam to go herself. At the pavilion, Second Madam found Ou Yanxing, whom she recognized as Master Lin. He humbly agreed to paint for her and quickly produced a beautiful piece. He refused payment, offering the painting as a gift and asking only for her future patronage of Xianling Pavilion.
