Original subtitles

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by ⚔ Jin Xin Si Yu ✾ Team @ Viki

♫ Wearing peach blossom makeup, I boil tea over the stove ♫

♫ With a pure heart, I embroider the brocade of time ♫

♫ On the short paper, affection flows in the silent moonlight ♫

♫ I only wish that by my side, is my love ♫

♫ Cool autumn wind blowing, I gaze far leaning against the railing ♫

♫ Sunset glow over the green hill, in formation wild geese are flying ♫

♫ Covering a thousand miles on horseback, for whom is he longing ♫

♫ He returned home in dreams ♫

♫ I will never forget that you held my hands ♫

♫ In your warm palms, we braved winds and waves ♫

♫ Unexpectedly, after we traveled so far and turned grey-haired ♫

♫ I am still by your side ♫

♫ Hearts burning, we look into each other's eyes ♫

♫ Feelings overflowing, they don't need to be hid ♫

♫ No matter how time passes and life changes ♫

♫ Together, we will grow old ♫

[The Sword and the Brocade]

[Episode 39]

Your Ladyship, you must have been exhausted.

Harder, please.

That's too hard. Be gentle.

That's too gentle.

Your Ladyship, you're hard to please these days.

Dongqing,

I'll give you rewards

if you give me a good massage.

There you go.

Dongqing,

I learned a lot about the late Marquis

and Ling'an while I was preparing

the memorial ceremony.

Being military men all their lives,

they were committed to the safety of the country and its people.

How pleased they'd be to know that His Lordship

has done a great job.

My Lord!

It's you!

I'll make a cup of tea for you.

Just let me hold you like this for a while.

[Virtues Above All Ancestors Memorial Tablets]

Ling'an,

you always admired the nobleness of bamboo.

Hope you like this painting

of bamboo.

[Memorial Tablet of Xu Ling'an]

Please rest assured.

Everything is fine in the family.

Lingyi has become a pillar of the country.

He will find the evidence

for the setup and crime

committed by the Ou family,

bringing justice to you

and the late Marquis.

[Everlasting Virtues United and Happy Family]

For generations,

our family has made great contributions to this country

and sees it as our duty to protect the land and its people.

As members of the Xu family,

you need to bear in mind

we must never

lose our dignity.

Despite of all sacrifices.

The days pass quickly.

Tomorrow marks the Beginning of Autumn.

By convention,

Prince Yu will hold a banquet on behalf of His Majesty,

with officials and their families invited.

The eunuch delivered the order

stressed that Shiyi has been invited.

Tomorrow, Yizhen,

you and Shiyi will accompany me

to the banquet at the palace.

- Sure, Mother. - Sure, Mother.

Shiyi,

it's inappropriate for a great lady

to make her talent known to the people.

However, you insisted on your participation in Xianling Pavilion

and has created a buzz in the whole court

with your embroidery introduced into the Palace.

If Prince Yu asks you any questions tomorrow,

please be cautious with your words and deeds.

Do not cause trouble for the family.

Yes, Mother.

Zhun, slow down!

Grandma! Grandma! Look!

Zhun.

I made this rabbit lantern with Nanny Tao.

A rabbit lantern?

You're very good with your hands.

Would you make one for me, too?

Sure.

Grandma, where is Yu?

I haven't seen him for days.

He said he is going to Leshan for study.

He has already left?

Zhun, you were locked up in the abandoned room

that day.

Would you still want to play with Yu?

It was not his fault.

I have myself to blame for getting lost.

You're such a good boy.

You were right about one thing.

Yu is going to Leshan for study.

Your father asked him to review his lessons

in his room.

You don't want to disrupt him.

Okay.

Nanny Tao, take him away.

Yes.

- Zhun. - Jie, come.

Play the rabbit lantern with him.

Great!

- Come. - Let's go.

It's not easy for our family

to come to where it is now.

As a concubine,

Qiao Lianfang failed to fight her demons.

There was nothing she would not do

for her own private gains.

And Concubine Wen,

she colluded with the Ou family

and worked against us.

Today, I want you to bear in mind

that in this family, the wrong kind of people

will come to a bad end

and will not be tolerated.

Our family

will always stick together.

Only in this way

can we

survive and prosper.

Yes, Mother.

Great Madam, it's cold outside.

Please have this mantle on.

The death of the late Marquis and Ling'an

is a great loss to our family.

I've always wanted more children

in this family,

who will grow up into reliable men

to take care of our family.

However, accidents keep happening

to our family.

Great Madam, you worry too much.

Getting rid of the black sheep causes no loss

to the family.

Now, His Lordship can cut the mustard

and has gained reputation for our family

among the officials.

There is nothing to worry about.

Lingyi does everything for the family.

However, I still worry about him.

Without his approval,

Shiyi would have quit Xianling Pavilion.

She is too absorbed in her own business

to take care of the family.

That's why she hasn't got pregnant yet.

Late Her Ladyship appointed her sister Shiyi

to replace her

for the sake of Zhun.

Once Her Ladyship gives birth to a son,

it would be a threat to Zhun.

Her Ladyship is a smart person.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons

she hasn't got pregnant yet.

Lingyi has reassured the Luo family

that Zhun is the unopposed choice

to be his heir.

So, why would she worry about this?

It seems

she has no intention of getting pregnant at all.

All right.

It's late.

Get some rest.

This way, please.

[Mansion of Prince Yu]

It is just a banquet.

However,

dealing with dignitaries is an art

about interpersonal relationship.

Yanxing,

this is your first time meeting these people.

Pay attention to etiquette.

And learn from your brother.

Yes, Father.

[Mansion of Prince Yu]

Greetings, Steward Liu.

Marquis Jingyuan, you're here.

My apologies.

You're guests of honor today.

Watch your step.

It is

a long trip.

His Majesty is very satisfied with your embroidery

for his birthday celebration.

Today, Prince Yu will reward you

on behalf of His Majesty.

Yizhen, what's wrong?

Why the painter of the bamboo painting is with

the Ou family?

What bamboo painting?

The bamboo painting

served up to Ling'an at the memorial ceremony.

This must be your other son.

That's right.

Yanxing was traveling a lot.

He is not familiar with etiquette.

Please bear with him

for any misconduct at the banquet.

No trouble at all.

Let's get inside.

This way, please.

Please follow me.

He is Marquis Jingyuan's son.

[Memorial Tablet of Xu Ling'an]

I cannot believe the painting I served up to Ling'an

was painted by my enemy.

Yizhen!

Yizhen!

What is going on?

Marquis Yongping, Great Madam Xu,

this way, please.

Are you all right?

It's okay.

Get on your knees!

Mother...

My Lord,

I only have one question for Shiyi.

Why Xianling Pavilion

has a member of the Ou family?

That's my question too.

Knowing who he is, why did you still

keep Ou Yanxing at Xianling Pavilion?

It's not what you think.

So, Lingyi,

you knew that, too?

You knew that Shiyi was associating

with the Ou family.

And you allowed her instead of stopping her.

Did you forget

what the Ou family did to our family?

Did you forget

the death of your father and brother?

Mother,

as a member of the Ou family,

Ou Yanxing didn't know what happened in the past.

He has never been involved in the feud

between the two families.

He went by the name Lin Shixian

and joined Xianling Pavilion

by accident.

He has helped our family and Shiyi many times.

That's why I allowed Shiyi

to associate with him.

Mother,

Yizhen,

it is Shiyi's fault

as much as it is mine.

My Lord,

he is a member of the Ou family, after all.

The Ou family must be up to something,

allowing him to stay in Xianling Pavilion.

Shiyi,

do you know

how Ling'an was persecuted to death?

And I paid tribute to him

using our enemy's painting.

How could his soul find peace?

How am I supposed to face him after my death?

Yizhen.

Yizhen.

The bamboo painting

was a mistake.

Besides,

Ou Yanxing has quit Xianling Pavilion.

Yizhen,

I'm sorry

for making you sad.

It was my fault.

My apologies.

Admitting your fault is a good thing.

All this

would not happen if you didn't insist on

staying in Xianling Pavilion.

I want you to quit

Xianling Pavilion right now and stay home

to take care of the family and run the house.

Mother,

it's a good thing for Shiyi

to work at Xianling Pavilion,

studying and teaching embroidery.

Besides,

Shiyi never ignores the household affairs

because of Xianling Pavilion.

Mother, why can't you just let go of it?

Lingyi,

no matter by laws or the rules of the family,

she shouldn't be doing business.

I didn't stop her for your sake.

But now,

this has to stop.

A woman should perform her duties.

Now that you've married into the Xu family,

you are expected to commit yourself

to this family.

You can't get distracted.

All right,

this is final decision.

Mother,

you were right.

As for the bamboo painting,

it was my fault

that Yizhen got her feelings hurt

and you got disappointed.

I will accept any punishment

from you and Yizhen.

But I can't

quit Xianling Pavilion.

Why?

Before becoming the wife of Marquis Yongping,

I was Luo Shiyi.

I found comfort in embroidery.

I enjoyed embroidery.

I wanted to reach out to girls

who also like embroidery.

I don't want to say goodbye to all these things

because of my identity as the wife of Marquis Yongping.

Mother, Yizhen, please do me this kindness.

But the Ou family

is keeping a close watch on Xianling Pavilion.

While you work there,

you might get used by them,

putting the Xu family at risk.

The bamboo painting was an example.

You don't want it to happen again, child.

Quitting Xianling Pavilion is your best choice.

Mother,

please let me stay in Xianling pavilion.

I will be very prudent.

I will never put the Xu family in peril

because of Xianling Pavilion.

I...

Shiyi,

did I ever give you a hard time

since you married into the family?

What are you saying?

You've been a sister to me.

I never wanted anything from you.

Now, would it kill you

to make a concession

for the sake of the late Marquis and Ling'an

who were persecuted to death?

- Yizhen! - Second Madam!

- Second Madam! - Yizhen!

- Bring her to her room. - Yizhen!

Get back to her room.

Shiyi,

from today,

you're grounded

in Western Lateral Court.

Lingyi,

if anything happens

to Yizhen,

how could you face

our ancestors?

Shiyi, I heard that you're grounded by Mother.

I'm here to see you.

- How are you - Greetings, Your Ladyship.

Practicing embroidery right now?

It was all because of embroidery.

Danyang.

Shiliu, have a seat.

Men and women have different parts to play.

Through the ages,

men have been expected to make achievements

while women to run the house.

That's the rules.

And you will suffer for breaking the rules.

Shiyi, why can't you just assist your husband

and bring up children

like all the other women do?

Is that the only role for our women?

Is it a fault to do what we please

while performing our duties?

Your Ladyship,

ever since you married into this family,

you've been impeccable in taking care of

Great Madam, Zhun,

as well as household affairs.

You're very skillful at embroidery.

Your talent doesn't deserve to go unremarked.

However, the Xu family imposes strict rules.

Given what has happened,

Great Madam cannot simply compromise.

Even if His Lordship wants to stick up for you,

there is a limit to how much he can do.

What can we do to fix this?

Your Ladyship, Young Madam Qian

and Young Madam Wang are here.

I see.

Shiyi, your sisters are here.

You shall talk with each other.

Concubine Qin and I should go.

What brings you here together?

Aren't you a calm person?

How could you not feel bad

about being grounded?

Nanny Tao told us about your plight

in a letter.

That's why we're here.

I heard that

you got grounded by Great Madam

because of your business

in Xianling Pavilion.

Of course I had to come here.

We got anxious at the news.

We came here immediately,

worrying if you are suffering.

How come?

Stubborn as she is, just be glad

she doesn't make others suffer.

Sorry for making you worried.

I should be punished for what I did.

I deserve it.

Ever since we were kids,

you've been more assertive than us.

However, things are different now.

From now on, you don't get to

act on your caprice.

It seems you're having a hard time

being the wife of Marquis Yongping.

You were quite good when you scolded me.

Why do you become this pushover

in the Xu family?

It turns out you're a coward at heart.

Now I get it.

You're here to laugh at me.

What goes up must come down.

Did you see it coming

when you were lecturing me?

All right, all right.

It's good to know that you're fine.

In a hurry to see you,

we haven't visited Great Madam Xu yet.

That is inappropriate.

We should be paying respects to Great Madam Xu.

Sure, you go.

Erniang, let's go.

Erniang,

I don't expect you to do the talking.

I'll do it.

If you talk to Great Madam Xu like that

and get Shiyi caught in the crossfire,

I won't let you get away with it.

Wuniang, you sound serious.

Let me see what you're going to do with me.

I...

You're not going to be my baby's aunt.

You're so childish.

You got to listen to me!

Your visits are too few.

As sisters,

you should spend more time together.

That would be nice.

Great Madam Xu, you're right.

We haven't seen Shiyi for a long time.

We learned today

that you have taught her a lesson

because of her misconduct.

Then... In fact, Shiyi has known her mistake.

Shiyi used to be a willful girl.

However, after marrying into the Xu family,

she has become prudent and organized.

You have taught her well.

Young Madam Wang,

you're giving me far more credit than I deserve.

Not at all.

Shiyi was trusted by Great Madam Xu and Marquis

to manage the household affairs.

She has taken good care of the family,

caring for the elderly and the kids,

and putting the shoes on the right foot.

And Marquis loves her very much.

Everything seems perfect.

Great Madam Xu,

you did a great job instructing her.

As her sisters, we're happy for her.

I know about all her good deeds.

However, she will not be tolerated

for getting out of the line.

Shiyi is your daughter-in-law.

You only want what's best for her.

However, Shiyi is still young.

Please bear with her for her mistakes.

The Luo family and I, as her sister,

will remind her

to be careful about her words and deeds

and to stay on your good side,

for the sake of the relationship of our families.

Young Madam Wang, I see your point.

You may rest assured

that our two families will stay on good terms

because

Shiyi knows to fix it when it's wrong.

Great Madam Xu, thank you for your mercy.

Erniang,

that was bold, saying all those things.

Aren't you afraid of getting Great Madam Xu mad?

Our words don't count for much.

However, if we keep silent,

Shiyi will be even more looked down upon.

Don't worry.

It sounds that Great Madam Xu will let go of it

if Shiyi admits her fault.

It seems I was wrong.

Erniang, you do care for Shiyi.

Come on.

I hate to admit it, but she is my sister.

I would be embarrassed

if she got looked down upon.

My Lord,

Here you are.

Don't worry.

I know Mother well.

She is disgruntled now.

The more rebellious you are,

the more insistent she will be,

making the whole thing a deadlock.

We might as well stay put.

I'll talk to her when things quiet down.

I believe there might be some flexibility.

This is...

I promised Master Jian

that I will finish it for her.

Then, you'll finish it.

I always find

there is something special about Shiyi.

I just don't like the way she is.

I thought because of her humble origins,

being the daughter of a concubine.

But today, I finally got it.

You got what?

I hated her because she did what I wanted

but was afraid to do.

Ever since I was a child,

I've been told what to do and what not to do for being a girl.

I never thought about what I really want.

However, Shiyi always follows her heart.

I admire her for that.

Come on, you aren't thinking about

opening an embroidery shop, are you?

We've had enough in the family.

Just give it a rest.

What were you thinking?

Even if I want, I am not capable.

Oh, that's good.

I thought Shiyi set a bad example for you.

A bad example?

So, you think what Shiyi did is wrong?

No.

I didn't mean that.

Well, I... Unlike Lingyi,

I just can't bear to see my wife

work in public, exposed to sun and wind.

Shame on you!

Second Madam,

don't worry too much.

If Master Ling'an knew the truth,

he would understand.

Who would have known

Her Ladyship was in contact with someone from the Ou family?

It was an accident.

What is in the past is in the past.

We should not mention it again.

Yizhen.

Mother.

Great Madam.

Yizhen, I'm here to see you.

Are you feeling any better now?

Mother, I'm sorry for making you worried.

I feel much better now.

We can dispense with the courtesy.

Have a seat.

Sit.

Shiyi's two sisters

came to me today.

I never thought Young Madam Wang and Shiyi

were in a good place.

However, she has been

speaking up for Shiyi.

I was surprised.

It seems her heart was touched

by Shiyi's sincerity.

They show solidarity.

This is a good thing for Shiyi and our family.

Shiyi impressed others

with her personal virtue.

That's what the matron of Xu family should be like.

However, the bamboo painting thing

really let me down.

Otherwise, I would never treat her like that.

In fact, Shiyi has a good heart.

It's just she hasn't figured it out yet.

After all, she didn't experience

what happened to our family.

It's hard for her to understand our feelings.

I believe she will come around one day.

Great Madam, in my opinion,

there was an oversight

only because Her Ladyship has been too busy

with work in Xianling Pavilion.

She can take care of Xianling Pavilion,

but she fails to take care of this family?

She goes to Xianling Pavilion

every now and then.

That is inappropriate!

In her heart, she never sees herself

as the matron of Xu family.

Great Madam, please calm down.

I didn't mean that.

I was trying to say that Her Ladyship is smart.

There was negligence and some untrue rumors

about Her Ladyship,

it was never Her Ladyship's intention.

Great Madam, you must trust Her Ladyship.

Sit. Sit.

Sit!

Yes.

She is too smart for her own good.

How could she associate with the Ou family?

If I don't discipline her, who knows how far

she could get?

Mother... All right.

You don't need to speak up for her.

I know clearly what kind of woman we want

for managing the household affairs.

I will teach her

about the doctrine of being a wife.

Otherwise, I can't trust her

with the future of Lingyi and the Xu family.

[Xianling Pavilion]

Who would have thought

the madam who commissioned the painting

was the Second Madam of the Xu family?

Shiyi must have suffered a lot

in the Xu family.

It was the last day

I would go to Xianling Pavilion.

When she commissioned that painting,

I thought it would be a good way

to end my days here.

However, it caused trouble for Shiyi.

Don't say that.

This isn't your fault.

Don't blame yourself.

Madam.

You're here.

Look, these flowers are fresh from my garden.

How do you like it?

Madam, you grow the prettiest flowers.

Later, ask two servants

to send two flowerpots to Her Ladyship.

Also, I got this embroidered handkerchief

that I want Her Ladyship to see.

You know, being idle at home,

I would like to learn embroidery

from Her Ladyship.

I got mud on my hands.

Amber,

I need you to get the handkerchief for me.

It's right on top of the cupboard.

Yes.

Amber, not this one.

What's wrong?

Why...Why do you have this embroidered handkerchief?

What is your relationship to Concubine Tong?

Who did you say?

Concubine Tong.

Which Concubine Tong?

This half of embroidered handkerchief

belongs to Concubine Tong.

Concubine Tong, Tong Biyu,

was the maid of late Her Ladyship

Both of us were maids back then.

And we were close.

She'd gave me this before she died.

You got the other half.

So,

you're Biyu's sister?

Madam,

it's not that I don't trust you.

However, this is about my sister.

How am I supposed to believe

that this half of handkerchief

belongs to Concubine Tong?

Before her death, Biyu's biggest wish

was to find her younger sister.

Now I meet you.

I want you to make yourself known

to your elder sister.

Come.

This is where Biyu lived when she was alive.

She made these embroideries on her own.

Amber,

you might want to verify the stitches.

This is my sister's handkerchief!

This is my sister's handkerchief!

It turns out my sister lived right here!

However, she...

Biyu was thinking of you

when she died.

However,

she could never see you again.

How did she

die?

Well...

Madam, tell me, please.

I've been looking for her for a long time.

I must know the truth.

Get up first.

Amber,

do you know

why they keep her room the same after her death

despite the fact that she was a concubine?

It was in this place that Biyu hanged herself.

No one would live in this room

because it is deemed as bad luck.

That can't be true!

Why would my sister hang herself?

She was a very strong person.

Besides, we started out as maids.

We suffered all kinds of hardships.

There is no way

she would kill herself for little miseries.

You mean...

I have doubts about her death.

There must be something

to it.

Hearing what you just said,

I remember Biyu was very unhappy

during her last days.

Though we were close friends, she still

had her own secrets.

It seems to have something to do

with late Her Ladyship.

But late Her Ladyship was already dead.

We have no way of knowing it.

Nanny Tao, who late Her Ladyship trusted most,

is still alive.

She must know something.

You're right.

If you want to know what happened at the time,

you might as well beg Her Ladyship,

letting her to ask Nanny Tao.

Late Her Ladyship is Her Ladyship's elder sister.

If it involves late Her Ladyship,

it will put Her Ladyship on the spot.

Besides,

Great Madam is giving Her Ladyship a hard time.

I shouldn't cause Her Ladyship

any more trouble.

Well, what should we do?

Madam,

you are the only person who can help me now.

Please think of a way

to help me find the truth.

I will always be grateful

for your great kindness.

Why are you on your knees again?

- Just get up. - I'll remain on my knees

until you say yes.

Come on, get up.

All right.

Biyu was my friend.

If there really is something behind her death,

I think I have the responsibility to look into it.

Madam, thank you so much.

Just get up.

♫ In the cold darkness of midnight, a sigh is heard ♫

♫ Who picked up the paintbrush to draw loneliness? ♫

♫ In my life, I can draw everything but lovesickness ♫

♫ The mountain city is waiting for the rain ♫

♫ I am waiting for you to pass in my memory ♫

♫ The sky is in a more lonely color than your face ♫

♫ The wind rises and the candlelight flickers ♫

♫ The thin clothes can't stand the cold days ♫

♫ Full of twists and turns, fate is untold ♫

♫ I ground my thoughts into ink ♫

♫ But I still can't sketch your contours ♫

♫ How could the ink and paper exhaust our stories? ♫

♫ Who picked up the pen to disturb the heart ♫

♫ Who visited to remind me of the past? ♫

♫ If feelings can be kept in mind, but cannot be confessed ♫

♫ I won't escape from whatever end ♫

♫ In the dim lantern light, with you there is me ♫

♫ Who picked up the pen to set free lonely tears? ♫

♫ Whoever visited my life, only you stayed every day ♫

♫ If the moth doesn't fly into the fire ♫

♫ How can it be said to be persistent? ♫

♫ Coming to the end of your story, there is me ♫