The Sword and The Brocade Episode 39 Recap
> The Sword and The Brocade Recap
On the memorial day for the late Marquis Yongping and his second son, Ling'an, Xu Lingyi visited Ling'an's memorial tablet. He placed a bamboo painting before it, vowing to find evidence of the Ou family's crimes and bring justice to both Ling'an and his late father. Meanwhile, Great Madam gathered the Xu family, emphasizing their long history of protecting the nation.
She sternly reminded them to unite and uphold the family's dignity, warning that betrayal from within—citing Concubine Qiao Lianfang's selfish deeds and Concubine Wen's collusion with the Ou family—would not be tolerated. Second Madam, Yizhen, expressed her profound grief over the family's losses. Great Madam then voiced her concerns, lamenting the family's constant troubles and attributing them to Shiyi's continued involvement with Xianling Pavilion, which she felt distracted Shiyi from her main duty of providing an heir.
As autumn arrived, Prince Yu extended a special invitation to Shiyi for a banquet. Great Madam informed Shiyi that she and Second Madam Yizhen would accompany her. She cautioned Shiyi, whose embroidery from Xianling Pavilion had gained court-wide attention, to be extremely careful with her words and actions at the banquet to avoid bringing trouble upon the Xu family.
Just before their departure, Zhun showed off a rabbit lantern he had made and asked about his brother Yu, who had left for Leshan to study. Upon arriving at Prince Yu's mansion, the Xu family witnessed Marquis Jingyuan, an Ou family member, arrive with his sons, including Ou Yanxing, who was known to Shiyi as the painter Lin Shixian.
Second Madam Yizhen was deeply shocked to realize that the bamboo painting she had offered to Ling'an at the memorial ceremony was created by a member of the Ou family, their sworn enemies. Back at the Xu mansion, Great Madam and a distraught Second Madam Yizhen confronted Shiyi about Lin Shixian's true identity.
Xu Lingyi intervened, admitting he already knew Lin Shixian was Ou Yanxing but defended Shiyi, explaining that Yanxing was unaware of the family feud and had, in fact, assisted them on multiple occasions. Xu Lingyi accepted shared responsibility, but Second Madam Yizhen was overcome with sorrow, crying that she had unknowingly dishonored her late husband with an enemy's painting. Shiyi apologized for the pain her oversight had caused.
Great Madam, however, held Shiyi responsible and demanded she immediately leave Xianling Pavilion to focus on household duties and producing an heir. When Xu Lingyi tried to intercede, Great Madam remained firm, stating a married woman must be entirely committed to her husband's family. While Shiyi accepted any punishment for her mistake, she steadfastly refused to abandon Xianling Pavilion, explaining that embroidery was her passion and a way to empower other women.
Second Madam Yizhen, still distressed, urged Shiyi to quit, fearing the Ou family would exploit her. Seeing the impasse, Great Madam grounded Shiyi in the Western Lateral Court. Danyang and Concubine Qin visited the grounded Shiyi. Danyang expressed concern that embroidery was the root of her troubles, while Concubine Qin advised Shiyi to conform to traditional roles. Shiyi challenged this notion, asserting her right to pursue personal passions beyond her marital duties.
Soon after, Shiyi's sisters, Wuniang and Erniang, also arrived. Erniang made critical remarks about Shiyi's stubbornness, though she meant well. Later, Erniang and Wuniang paid their respects to Great Madam. Wuniang began by diplomatically praising Shiyi’s conduct and attributing her positive changes to Great Madam’s guidance. Erniang also spoke up in her sister's defense. Great Madam acknowledged Shiyi’s virtues but reaffirmed her strict stance on discipline. Afterward, Wuniang expressed concern over Erniang's boldness in speaking directly to Great Madam.
Erniang explained she had to defend Shiyi, believing that if their sister were looked down upon, it would shame them all, revealing to a surprised Wuniang that she truly cared. Xu Lingyi visited Shiyi, comforting her and suggesting they wait for his mother's anger to subside before discussing Xianling Pavilion again. Meanwhile, Danyang confided in Xu Lingkuan that she now admired Shiyi for pursuing ambitions Danyang herself feared to chase.
Xu Lingkuan confessed that unlike his brother, he could not bear the thought of his wife working publicly. Great Madam and Concubine Qin then visited Second Madam Yizhen. Great Madam mentioned that the sisters' defense of Shiyi proved her sincerity and suitability as the main wife. Second Madam Yizhen agreed that Shiyi's oversight was due to inexperience, not ill intent. Concubine Qin subtly fanned the flames, implying that Shiyi's negligence stemmed from her preoccupation with Xianling Pavilion.
Great Madam grew angry, accusing Shiyi of being "too self-willed" for associating with the Ou family and neglecting her duties. She resolved to personally teach Shiyi the "doctrine of being a wife" before she could be fully entrusted with the family. Concubine Qin then set a trap. After sending Amber to the garden, she asked her to retrieve an embroidery pattern from a cabinet where she had planted half of an embroidered handkerchief.
Amber immediately recognized the handiwork as belonging to her elder sister, Tong Biyu, a former maid of Yuanniang. Pretending surprise, Concubine Qin revealed she had the other half, given to her by Biyu before her death, and deduced Amber was Biyu's long-lost sister. She then led Amber to Biyu's former room, revealing Biyu had committed suicide by hanging herself there. Amber vehemently denied that her strong-willed sister would take her own life, convinced there was foul play.
Concubine Qin insinuated Biyu's death might be linked to Yuanniang. Amber suggested that Nanny Tao, Yuanniang's trusted maid, might know the truth. Not wanting to burden the troubled Shiyi, Amber pleaded with Concubine Qin to investigate, and Qin promised to uncover the truth for her deceased friend.
