The Sword and The Brocade Episode 42 Recap
> The Sword and The Brocade Recap
As Shiyi and Xu Lingyi watched the moonlight, Shiyi considered tearing up the Divorce Agreement, but Xu Lingyi stopped her, stating that keeping it would serve as a constant reminder to cherish their present. Shiyi also shared a dream of her mother, and Xu Lingyi reassured her that with her mother's killer brought to justice, her spirit could rest, promising to always be by Shiyi's side.
The following day, Dongqing confronted Amber in the woodshed, demanding to know why Amber had used her to harm Shiyi. Amber asserted she never intended to hurt Shiyi, only to help her leave the Xu family and live freely. Amber had mistakenly believed Dongqing was infatuated with Xu Lingyi and thought her actions would fulfill Dongqing’s desires.
Dongqing clarified that she had no such feelings for Xu Lingyi, revealing she had taken his belt only to learn Shiyi’s embroidery techniques, intending to make a similar belt for Lin Bo, the man she truly admired. Dongqing accused Amber of colluding with the Ou family, but Amber denied this, stating she simply couldn’t bear to see Shiyi make compromises in the Xu family, believing Xu Lingyi to be a heartless man undeserving of Shiyi.
Shiyi and Xu Lingyi, having overheard the conversation from outside, entered the woodshed. Xu Lingyi questioned Amber’s accusations. Amber then revealed that Concubine Tong was her older sister, accusing Xu Lingyi and Yuanniang of causing her sister’s death. Xu Lingyi explained that although he was intoxicated the night Concubine Tong came to him, nothing improper occurred. He recounted how Yuanniang had informed his mother the next morning, insisting that Concubine Tong be made a concubine.
Xu Lingyi reluctantly agreed to protect Concubine Tong’s reputation, although he had suspected a conspiracy between Yuanniang and Concubine Tong, and had tried to ascertain if Concubine Tong had any unspoken difficulties, but she remained silent. With the truth revealed, Shiyi defended Amber, whose actions stemmed from a misunderstanding and a desire for Shiyi’s well-being, pleading with Xu Lingyi not to inform Great Madam.
Xu Lingyi, while showing leniency regarding punishment, declared that Amber’s betrayal had put the entire Xu family in grave danger, and ordered her to leave the Xu mansion immediately. Amber, feeling she had no place left, tearfully bid farewell to Shiyi, who offered her refuge at Xianling Pavilion. Before leaving, Amber revealed she had discovered her sister’s embroidered handkerchief at Concubine Qin’s residence, implicating Concubine Qin in the events. Meanwhile, Ou Lixing’s body was returned to the Ou family.
Despite Marquis Jingyuan’s fury, Ou Lixing had brought elite assassins out of the city—private troops that indicated treason—forcing the Ou family to suppress the matter. Young Madam Ou was consumed by hatred for Ou Yanxing, believing he had conspired with Xu Lingyi to kill Ou Lixing, unfairly gaining everything Ou Lixing had worked for. Elsewhere, Lin Bo sought out Dongqing, apologizing for his previous misunderstandings. Dongqing threw a half-embroidered belt at him, confirming her anger.
Lin Bo confessed his love and desire to marry her. Dongqing, still fuming, produced the broken jade hairpin he had earlier shattered, demanding he restore it. Lin Bo was at a loss, but Zhaoying, understanding Dongqing’s true feelings, advised him that she wasn’t truly asking for the hairpin to be fixed, but rather for him to appease her and mend their relationship. Xu Lingyi and Shiyi then set another trap.
Lin Bo reported to Xu Lingyi that Wang Jiubao had sent good news, implying he was willing to surrender. Concubine Qin, who had been secretly listening, prepared to leave the mansion. Lin Bo and Zhaoying followed her, anticipating her meeting with Young Madam Ou. To their surprise, it was Marquis Jingyuan who arrived. He promised Concubine Qin all that Ou Lixing had offered, including sending her to Fujian and providing her with an orphaned child.
In return, Concubine Qin disclosed Wang Jiubao’s intention to surrender and all the tasks Ou Lixing had assigned her. Upon receiving the information, Marquis Jingyuan furiously condemned Concubine Qin, blaming her for his son's death. Suddenly, Concubine Qin experienced severe abdominal pain, realizing the wine she had just consumed was poisoned. She shattered her cup to alert Lin Bo and Zhaoying, who rushed to her aid, calling for a physician and bringing her back to the Xu mansion.
Near death, Concubine Qin painfully expressed her deep-seated grievances. She lamented Xu Lingyi’s neglect despite being his concubine. She confessed her hatred for Great Madam, who had made her drink contraception decoction, which caused her a miscarriage and rendered her infertile, leading her to lose her child and her ability to conceive again. She expressed her disdain for the Xu family, who, in her eyes, constantly belittled her and denied her the right to be a mother.
She also directed her bitterness toward Shiyi, feeling used as a pawn in power struggles, especially after believing she would be allowed to raise Jie, only to have the child given to Second Madam. Xu Lingyi clarified that it was his decision to have Second Madam raise Jie, as she was the most suitable. Concubine Qin scoffed, asserting that the Xu family considered her too lowly to be a mother.
Great Madam, with tears in her eyes, apologized, explaining she had feared a future legal wife would trouble Concubine Qin over a child, never realizing the immense harm she caused. Xu Lingyi also apologized for his neglect. Concubine Qin admitted she had waited for this apology for many years, but declared she would not forgive them, stating that their debts were now settled. Shiyi approached Concubine Qin, acknowledging her deep suffering but highlighting that her pursuit of happiness was misguided.
Concubine Qin, recognizing Shiyi’s good heart, revealed a crucial secret: she had been present when Concubine Lv, Shiyi’s mother, was killed by Ou Lixing’s men at the temple. Concubine Qin then expressed her final wish, hoping that in her next life, she would be born into an ordinary family, find a loving husband, and raise several delightful children, unlike her current existence, which felt like an endless, lonely confinement within the marquis’s mansion.
