The Sword and The Brocade Episode 9 Recap
> The Sword and The Brocade Recap
The morning after their wedding night, Shiyi was still uncomfortable sharing a bed with Xu Lingyi, tensing at his every move. When he found her awake, she claimed she couldn't sleep and wanted to read. Understanding her need for space, Xu Lingyi suggested she move to the warm partition. Relieved, Shiyi took her comforter and settled there. Before leaving for the imperial court the next morning, Xu Lingyi found her asleep with her comforter kicked off and gently covered her.
Later, Shiyi confided in her maid, Dongqing, that she was not used to sleeping beside Xu Lingyi and cared little for his favor, as her true purpose was to find her mother's murderer, after which she intended to leave the Xu estate. Elsewhere, Xu Lingyi and Official Fan approached Duke Wei to discuss the upcoming Summer Hunt.
The Duke, however, was still grieving the death of his old rival, Official Hu, and saw no point in the archery competition without him. Xu Lingyi recognized the Duke’s lingering sorrow, which was suppressed by an imperial edict, and decided the hunt would be the perfect opportunity to have an honest conversation with him. Later, it was time for Shiyi’s ceremonial return to her family home. Shiyi's brother arrived with gifts for Great Madam Xu from Madam Luo.
After the formal greetings at the Luo residence, Madam Luo took Shiyi aside. She was furious to learn that Concubine Qiao was managing the household, calling Shiyi useless. The Young Madam of the Luo family defended Shiyi, explaining that Concubine Qiao, Great Madam Xu's niece, had been in the family longer and Shiyi needed time to earn their trust.
Madam Luo ignored this and urged Shiyi to follow Nanny Tao's advice to reclaim her authority, warning that if Concubine Qiao bore a son, Shiyi would lose not just her power but her very position as the primary wife. Lady Wuniang and Lady Erniang also came to visit. Wuniang was genuinely happy for Shiyi, admiring her vibrant appearance, while Erniang feigned pleasantries, concealing a bruise on her hand.
During the family banquet, Erniang deliberately created tension by bringing up the late Yuanniang's favorite dish. She then provoked Shiyi further by mentioning a dish her mother, Concubine Lv, had said Shiyi loved, causing an unnerved Shiyi to spill soup on Xu Lingyi. Madam Luo harshly reprimanded her for her clumsiness and lack of composure, but Xu Lingyi intervened, defending Shiyi's gentle nature and assuring his mother-in-law that his own mother would guide her.
The Young Master of the Luo family then defused the situation by joking about his hunger, allowing the dinner to end peacefully. On the carriage ride back, Xu Lingyi accused Shiyi of complaining to her mother about the household authority, questioning why she resorted to "behind-the-scenes actions" like Yuanniang. Shiyi, offended by the comparison, retorted that it was improper to speak ill of the deceased.
When they arrived, she pointedly refused his offered hand and got out of the carriage herself. Annoyed, Xu Lingyi declared he had urgent business at his office and left, despite his attendant reminding him he had no appointments. At his office, Xu Lingyi confided in his lieutenant, Lin Bo, that his marriage to Shiyi was not his choice but a duty to fulfill Yuanniang's dying wish, and he only hoped for a peaceful coexistence.
That night, he stayed in his study at Banyuepan instead of the Western Courtyard. Hearing this, Concubine Wen gossiped to Concubine Qin that Shiyi had already fallen out of favor and was no match for Yuanniang. Concubine Qin disagreed, finding Shiyi kinder and more approachable, but Concubine Wen dismissed this, remarking that those without power are always easy to get along with.
The following day, Great Madam Xu advised Xu Lingyi to spend more time with his concubines, reminding him that they depended on him. Taking her advice, he first visited Qiao Lianfang, whom he found playing the zither. As she played, Lianfang recalled their first meeting when his music had captivated her, and she proposed they play a duet.
Distracted by thoughts of court affairs, Xu Lingyi thanked her for taking care of his mother while he was away on campaign and promised to guide her zither practice in the future. Upon leaving, he instructed his attendant to send her a red musical score from his study, remarking that he had not played in over a decade. Lianfang, who had dressed up in anticipation, was crestfallen when only the music score arrived, not Xu Lingyi himself.
Next, Xu Lingyi visited Concubine Wen. Eager to win his favor, she had prepared a lavish meal, including an expensive ginseng chicken soup made with a 100-year-old ginseng root, pine mushrooms, and deer antlers. A frugal man, Xu Lingyi was appalled by her extravagance. He declined the soup, claiming he had urgent matters to attend to, and suggested she give the costly dish to his son, Yu, who could better benefit from it. Finally, he went to Concubine Qin's quarters.
She served him tea and asked his opinion on a painting. Xu Lingyi recognized it as a valuable work by Lin Chun, but Concubine Qin admitted she knew little about art and had merely found it while tidying. The conversation soon turned to her lingering sorrow over her past miscarriage and inability to have more children. Unable to offer real comfort, Xu Lingyi advised her to take care of her health and departed.
That night, Xu Lingyi was jolted awake by a nightmare in which an imperial edict condemned his family to execution for military failure. He went to the courtyard for air and found Shiyi there. She noted his troubled expression, sharing her belief that quiet contemplation at night can bring clarity. When she commented that a powerful man like him should have no worries, he pointedly replied that her presence there suggested she had them too.
Shiyi then clarified her position on the household, stating she had no desire to compete for authority; her only concern was that the household be managed well, regardless of by whom. As their conversation ended, Shiyi astutely observed his true inner conflict: he thought too much about problems he felt powerless to change. The next day, Shiyi began her private investigation into her mother's death. She visited Princess Danyang on the pretext of discussing embroidery designs for a fan.
Danyang and her maid were initially condescending, assuming the illegitimate -born Shiyi was desperately trying to curry favor. However, Shiyi impressed them with her expertise, correctly identifying a piece in Danyang's collection as a rare work from Jifeng Hall in Hangzhou. After examining the collection, Shiyi found no patterns or fabrics matching the clue from her mother's belongings and politely took her leave. She then continued her search by visiting the Second Madam to inspect her embroidery as well.
