The Sword and The Brocade Episode 6 Recap
> The Sword and The Brocade Recap
Amber, despite being Luo Madam's confidante, showed her compassion by allowing Shiyi to leave the Luo Residence. She warned Shiyi that she could only delay reporting her absence for one hour, after which she would have to inform Luo Madam. Shiyi expressed her gratitude and rushed to the Shuntian Prefecture Office but was denied entry despite her pleas that Concubine Lv's case had hidden truths. Unyielding, Shiyi proceeded to Ci'an Temple, hoping to find a witness.
At the temple, Shiyi questioned a young monk named Qingming about the day her mother died. Qingming initially claimed ignorance but, upon learning the victim was Shiyi's mother, recalled seeing Concubine Lv in the Octagonal Pavilion. He also remembered seeing another woman in the pavilion, though he only caught a glimpse of her back. He deduced the woman must have been from the Marquis's household, as the temple was exclusively hosting the female members of the Xu family that day.
Just as Shiyi was being taken away by the arriving Luo family servants, Qingming remembered another detail but had no time to share it. Upon her return, Shiyi faced Luo Madam, who sternly reprimanded Dongqing. Shiyi intervened, taking full responsibility and fabricating a story that she had gone to Ci'an Temple to pay respects to Concubine Lv, having decided to accept Luo Madam's arrangements. Pleased, Luo Madam confirmed her sincerity and promised a proper burial for Concubine Lv.
Later, Dongqing accused Amber of betrayal, but Shiyi defended her, explaining Amber's help had been crucial. Overhearing this, Amber quietly stated she had only done her duty. In private, Luo Madam reflected on her successful use of psychological warfare to control Shiyi, confident she could not escape her grasp. Meanwhile, Shiyi realized her mother's death was connected to the Xu family and resolved to find a way to approach them.
During the Dragon Boat Festival, Yuanniang presented Xu Lingyi with a handcrafted perfume satchel and inquired about their son Zhun's marriage arrangements with the Jiang family, which Xu Lingyi confirmed were underway. Later, Xu Lingyi visited the Luo Residence. He explained to Master Luo the political difficulties delaying his reinstatement. Afterwards, his subordinate Lin Bo mentioned rumors that Concubine Lv had died because she and her daughter were trying to get close to the Xu family.
Shiyi, overhearing this, fiercely confronted Lin Bo, defending her mother's honor and asserting their outing had no connection to any social-climbing ambitions. Xu Lingyi ordered a chagrined Lin Bo to apologize and vowed to punish anyone in his household caught spreading such rumors. As the tension eased, Erniang sarcastically insinuated that Shiyi was already trying to seduce Xu Lingyi. Shiyi retorted that Erniang's words insulted Xu Lingyi as well.
Erniang then accused Shiyi of acting like the Marquis's new wife while Yuanniang was still alive. Reflecting on these events, Shiyi deduced that Erniang had orchestrated the marriage proposal from Wang Yu to escape it herself. Resolved to prevent Erniang from marrying into the Xu family, especially since her scheme had indirectly led to Concubine Lv's death, Shiyi took action. When the Wang family's matchmaker arrived, Shiyi discreetly handed over her own portrait.
Later, Erniang presented Shiyi with beauty products, taunting her that the playboy Wang Yu would be hard to keep. Suddenly, Wang Yu burst into the residence, demanding to see Luo Shiyi. Upon seeing her, he realized he had been deceived. Enraged, he accused Erniang of seducing him while pretending to be Shiyi and lying about the second daughter being "sickly."
Ignoring Erniang's panicked denials, Wang Yu grabbed her, forcefully kissed her in front of everyone, and declared she was the only one he wanted. Witnessing the public scandal, Luo Madam was forced to accept the outcome and had a distraught Erniang escorted away. Erniang desperately pleaded with her mother, calling Wang Yu a "beast," but Luo Madam was unyielding, stating Erniang had brought this fate upon herself.
When Erniang and her own mother, Concubine Liu, threatened suicide, Luo Madam coldly dismissed them. She then threatened that if Erniang died, she would leverage the scandal to ensure the Jiang family proceeded with their marriage to Zhun. Later, Luo Madam learned that Shiyi had orchestrated the reveal by giving her own portrait to the matchmaker. In despair, Erniang realized Shiyi had ruined her plan.
Dongqing expressed concern that Shiyi would marry Xu Lingyi solely for revenge, but Shiyi firmly declared that finding her mother's killer was more important than anything else. News of Yuanniang's deteriorating condition prompted Luo Madam and Shiyi to rush to the Xu mansion. On her deathbed, Yuanniang expressed her sorrow to Xu Lingyi, feeling she had failed him. Knowing her end was near, she made a final plea: for their son Zhun's sake, he must marry Shiyi.
Xu Lingyi hesitated, citing Shiyi's youth, but moved by Yuanniang's desperation, he finally agreed, stipulating, "as long as she's willing." Relieved, Yuanniang beckoned Shiyi closer. She warned her that the mansion was fraught with hidden dangers and that her own illness was suspiciously incurable. After entrusting Zhun to Shiyi's future care and singing him a final lullaby, Yuanniang turned to Xu Lingyi, asked for his forgiveness for not being a good wife, and passed away. With a heavy heart, Xu Lingyi vowed to fulfill his promise.
