The Sword and the Brocade: Episodes 16-18
May. 5th, 2024 11:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alias_sqbrMasterlist, Character Guide, and Content Notes
I've added an extra content note: People in arranged marriages being pressured to have sex they don't want, though in every onscreen interaction they say no and this is respected.
Which is a bit wordy, but that specific vibe happens a lot.
When we left off, a sign was about to fall on Shiyi's head!!
And now...
At the last second the sign is knocked away by an ARROW!! Which was shot by... Lingyi?? What is he doing here??
He rides towards her on a big horse while romantic music plays.
He shouts at the refugees that he understands that they've suffered but if they don't stop, he'll be forced to arrest them, and does arrest the instigators of the riot (how he knows who they are mid-riot idk) Somehow even though plenty of people grabbed bags of rice noone seems to have noticed the mould, and now that they've calmed down the refugees help set everything up again. And then Amber arrives with the good rice.
Shiyi tries to pretend she's fine but he sees the blood on her leg and picks her up and carries her onto his horse before carrying her princess style through the Xu compound to her chambers as more music plays. It's pretty romantic.
(And yes, the downside to Lingyi taking off his terrible hat is seeing his terrible wig)
Shiyi: I... I can walk... Aren't you worried about your dignity?
Yingli: We're husband and wife :)
Her leg is apparently just badly bruised, he initially insists on applying the medicine but when he sees how shy and awkward she is about it leaves it to Dongqing.
Dongqing: I've known you since childhood and never seen you shy before :D
Shiyi: Shut up >:(
Outside, Lingyi is informed that the refugee instigator died suddenly for no apparent reason.
Lingyi: Gathering evidence against the Ou family is going to be difficult. But thank you for your help. And please take care of the farmland Shiyi sold from her dowry.
He follows the sound of falsetto singing to find his brother Lingkuan in (masculine, I think) makeup performing opera for his wife, who is tapping her pregnant stomach in time to the music. A tutor encourages him from the side.
Lingyi is passive aggressively pissy that Lingkuan spent the last few days watching opera, without explaining exactly why, and Danfang goes off at him for not just SAYING IF HE HAS A PROBLEM instead of being coldly distant all the time.
Lingkuan: Now, now, Danfang, you go rest, I'll talk to Lingyi. I'm sorry she was so rude, it's just that-
Lingyi: Did you know the Xu family was nearly ruined while you were WATCHING OPERA?
Lingkuan: What?! D:
Honestly I don't think this is entirely fair. He wasn't to know!
Meanwhile Madame Luo and Yizhen are back from their suspiciously ill timed temple visit. They come across Lingkuan kneeling in penance and Lingyi explains what happened.
The next morning Lianfang is desperately apologising for her subordinate's actions to Madame Luo, who is more pissed than she was about her nearly killing Zhun and lets Lingyi decide what to do.
Lingyi: Flog the nanny 20 times then kick her out. Sell all other involved servants. And Lianfang no longer manages the household affairs.
SELL? GOOD COMMUNISTS DO NOT SELL PEOPLE, XU LINGYI!
Or are all the servants indentured anyway? Geeze.
Lianfang: She just made a wrong decision in a moment of weakness ;_;
Lingyi: And as a result this family nearly lied to his majesty!
Right, fulfilling your promise to the emperor is of course more important than nearly killing a bunch of refugees.
Lingyi: If that happened this whole family would be killed!
...ok, fair enough.
I do like that Lianfang is sincerely loyal to her servant, even though the servant fucked up so badly and it would be in Lianfang's best interest to throw her under the bus.
Madame Luo sighs and says she won't flog such an old woman, but the nanny really does have to be fired. She wavers on transferring the household affairs but Lingyi and Yizhen doggedly point out that Shiyi is clearly much more competent in a crisis, and more interested in the family's best interests than petty power games.
Madame Luo: Yes, a concubine shouldn't manage household affairs forever.
Whatever you gotta tell yourself, lady.
Oh, the nanny was LIANFANG'S nanny as a CHILD, no wonder she's so loyal!
OOH. She makes her tearful goodbyes then warns Lianfang of the consequences of Shiyi looking through the accounts and finding evidence of "WHAT THEY DID BACK THEN"???
Nanny: I won't be here to help you with your burdens. You will have to endure so much ;_;
As Lianfang tearfully watches her be dragged away by a bunch of pissed off servants from Lianfang's family, the show doesn't even bother telling us she's thinking "THIS IS ALL SHIYI'S FAULT".
YOU GUYS COULD HAVE JUST BEEN NOT EVIL. SHIYI WOULD HAVE TREATED YOU FINE.
Madame Luo: Poor Lianfang, so put upon by bad servants :( I need to punish her so in future servants know there will be consequences when they're evil. But I worry Shiyi will make mistakes. I suppose when that happens we can give the family affairs back to Lianfang, who is so much more competent.
IS SHE THOUGH
Shiyi goes to visit Concubine Qin (who everyone is now referring to as Shiliu, and that's shorter), to thank her for getting injured tying to protect Shiyi during the riot. And then just as she's leaving, Lingyi shows up haha
Lingyi: ...Ah, hello. Shiliu, I heard you were injured and came to visit.
Shilui: Why don't you stay for dinner? :)
Shiyi: I'LL JUST GET GOING
Lingyi: Stay and have dinner with us.
Luckily Shiliu is the one concubine who would NOT be offended by this, and instead goes into Maid Mode, serving the two of them and getting awkward when the other two insist she sit down and join them.
Look, I know this isn't actually going there, and I don't really ship it, but this is way more of a threesome setup than I thought this show would ever give me.
For a second I wondered if Shiyi or Shiliu was wondering if Lingyi was angling for a threesome. But they'd know he's way too proper to suggest such a thing, even if he was interested in both of them rather than just Shiyi.
Lingyi: Here, Shiyi, try this meat <3
Me: Wow that is such a romantic thing to do, keep it for when you're in her chambers, dude.
Shiliu: *awkward third wheel smile*
Lingyi: Um. And Shiliu, have some of this.
Shiyi: *starts wildly coughing* Sorry...I'm not good with spicy food.
Lingyi and Shiliu: Oh no this is my fault D:
Shiliu: Here, eat this bamboo shoot!
..ok maybe I DO ship it.
Shiyi starts to feel bad about intruding and the weird atmosphere, and begs off with a headache.
Lingyi: Oh no. I'll escort you back to your chambers.
Shiyi: It's fine, enjoy your meal.
Shiliu: No, I worry about you, let him take you back.
Lingyi: You have a leg injury. Let me help you *takes her hand*
Shiliu watches them leave with a small smile.
I think we're supposed to not ship Shiliu/Yingli because although nice, she's an ignorant and not very bright ex-servant. But the actress has an air of mature intelligence which makes up for her lines being few and bland. And they seem to like each other fine, they're just sad about the dead kid and not very close.
On the way back Shiyi asks about the Ou family. TIME FOR EXPOSITION!! I knew I could trust the show to explain all this to me in simple words when it became relevant.
Yingli explains that the Xu and Ou have feuded as warriors for generations, but the current Marquis Jingyuan is power hungry and has used the sea ban to make money from piracy.
When Lingyi's father and older brother tried to get the sea ban lifted Marquis Jingyuan set things up so they died in battle and the rest of the Xu family was imprisoned for... some made up crime the show doesn't feel the need to explain. Shiyi's grandfather pleaded with the emperor to let Lingyi redeem the family in battle.
(haha I just typed that as "sean ban". I am definitely against that!)
Shiyi: I am sure your father and brother rest in peace seeing how well the family is doing now thanks to you.
Lingyi: They won't rest in peace while corrupt officials hurt the populace.
Shiyi: They'll get what's coming to them.
Marquis Jingyuan and his eldest son Ou Lixing have high government positions, and Ou Lixing's wife's father is a powerful minister.
"the younger son Ou Yanxing is illegitimate and not much is known about him".
:D
I love this shot of the garden with it's arches:
Lingyi keeps walking Shiyi into her apartments past the door, and she thinks "Wait, does he want to stay the night? WHAT IF I GET PREGNANT?"
Shiyi: My lord... you... should attend to your mother!
Lingyi: It's late, she's asleep. I'm thirsty, do you have any tea?
Maids: WE SURE DO COME IN :D :D
Shiyi: Well, enjoy your tea. I have to go read the accounts!
The show keeps playing her trying to avoid sex for laughs and it feels more uncomfortable when he does actually want to have sex with her, even if he'd still accept a no she can't be sure of that.
I mean some of the humour now is that she implicitly does actually want to have sex with him too, in the sense of finding him attractive and having at least vague flutters of romantic interest, it's just that she has practical reasons to want to avoid pregnancy. But that's not been made clear because obvs the heroine can't be lustful.
He looks at her embroidery and asks what she enjoys so much about it.
Shiyi: Beautiful flowers and plants bloom from my hands. And it helps settle me down.
Lingyi: Isn't that what a husband is supposed to do?
Shiyi: I have learned I can only rely on myself :)
He flashes back to the night as a child when the Xu family were arrested, and how his mother took care of him.
Meanwhile the maids agree that if they can get him to stay the night, it will improve Shiyi's status, and come in to offer to make him a bath.
EPISODE ENDS.
Ok most people wouldn't consider that a cliffhanger per se but I would have felt bad ending there.
Ha. He sees her horrified expression at the thought and immediately stands up to leave. But his feelings have been hurt and he goes to drown his sorrows in work.
Shiyi meets with the head servants. They worry amongst themselves that she will take revenge for them going along with Lianfang's mistreatment. The head of fabrics, who has always been in Lianfang's pocket, smugly says Shiyi won't have the guts, doesn't everyone know that she can't even get her husband to stay the night?
Shiyi is very sharp and professional, and has gotten everyone's measure from reading the accounts (turns out that was not just an excuse to avoid sex!). She rewards one especially competent head servant, then tells two who have been corrupt that they won't be fired per se, but their positions will be managed by other staff. Naturally this includes the head of fabrics, who tries to protest but is sharply shut down. Shiyi says that she has spent enough time being poor to understand accounts very well, and is not some ignorant pampered girl to be tricked eg like Lianfang.
Later, she digs up from the accounts that the three people who bought Murder Fabric were Lianfang, Concubine Wen and Princess Danfang. This type of fabric was probably used for inner layers and gifts for their men: Lingyi and Lingkuan. They can't go around checking anyone's inner robes, but by investigating the brothers they may figure out which woman used the fabric.
She also notices that Lianfang stopped buying from the Wen family, and realises she was a pawn in Concubine Wen's resulting revenge.
Lingyi is pissy at his valet then realises he's in a bad mood and gives him the evening off.
Valet: Unless your business is very urgent, I'd avoid the Marquis, he's in a bad mood after visiting his wife.
Deputy: My business isn't urgent... but what's happened? I thought they'd been getting along.
Valet: I would never gossip about his lordship.
Deputy: Awwww come on :(
Dongqing attempts to pull a prank on Amber and ends up surprising the Deputy who throws her to the ground in surprise, so she bites him and they bicker about it. Sure, I guess I can ship that.
Lianfang: What are you writing, My Lord? :)
Lingyi: Comfort for the refugees.
LianFang: The refugees caused a lot of trouble, we should get them out of the city as quickly as possible.
Lingyi: They'd die.
Lianfang: Your life is more important than theirs.
Lianfang I know trying to be nice to refugees ended badly for you last time but you are SO BAD at seducing Lingyi.
She tags along to visit Madame Xu, who pointedly praises her for being so nice about losing control of the household and then bugs them make babies.
Shiyi hears they're all together and thinks she has time to search Lingyi's rooms, underestimating Lingyi's desire to avoid having his mother pressure him to have sex.
He of course takes her visiting his chambers ENTIRELY the wrong way, though quickly realises she's more interested in his clothes than him.
He says that if she's so interested in making him clothes she should measure him directly, which is a bit creepy but she's reluctantly into it so ok.
She asks about the refugees and helps him figure out he can help the female refugees get jobs filling a current fabric shortage.
Lingyi: That's one merit for you. I should reward you. If you were a man you'd achieve great things.
Shiyi: Can't a woman achieve great things?
haha he asked his valet to make her a fancy sweet tea he doesn't really like himself and she says sorry I don't like sweet teas and leaves.
Concubine Wen, with a box full of money: The Luo and Wen families are from the same region, we should be allies. Here are some gifts from my sister, who would like to meet you to, to discuss buying fabric and investing in our new medicine business.
Shiyi: I am part of the Xu family now. If your sister wishes to meet, we should wait until his Lordship can met her as well.
Concubine Wen: Ah, him being there might makes things difficult...
Shiyi: Then why would you suggest it? I know my sister bought from the Wens, and Lianfang didn't. But I will simply buy from whoever sells the best, cheapest wares.
She also makes it clear she knows that Concubine Wen used her to get back at Lianfang, and implies that if she is used that way again there will be Consequences.
Concubine Wen complains to her sister that Shiyi is not as cold as her sister, but is more clever and stubborn, and this is dangerous. The sister is unsympathetic and tells Concubine Wen to earn her keep.
Concubine Wen complains to her maid about her powerlessness as a concubine. She needs Wen support for her son's future. In the past, when she made deals for the Wen with Yuanniang, Lingyi found out and entirely blamed Wen as if it could have happened without Yuanniang's approval.
Lingyi hears about how things went down with Shiyi and Concubine Wen (who tattled, I wonder? The maid?) and muses that Shiyi is very different to her sister. He orders Shiyi be given some extra spending money.
Shiyi: Goodness, everyone is giving me money lately! But I don't need it.
Dongqing: Yes you- *is silenced by Shiyi's look*
Shiyi: Please tell his Lordship I do not want undeserved rewards.
Lingyi: Well said. But if you are seen lacking money in front of guests, it will make me look bad. And you made a huge accomplishment for the Xu family with the disaster relief. Who says you don't deserve a reward?
And then he gives her back her land titles, saying she shouldn't use her dowry to support his family.
Shiyi is initially quietly delighted, but then realises this is more land than she started with. Lingyi says he bought the land between her scattered properties.
Shiyi: You spent a lot of money...
Lingyi: We're husband and wife, why do you act like an outsider?
haha aww so he invites himself to lunch and she apologises for only having sweet and sour dishes, which she likes and he doesn't. He says it's his fault for not giving notice, and asks her to explain why she likes that sort of flavour since he can't see the appeal. Her enthusiasm is infectious and he smiles as he eats.
Lingyi: How are the clothes you're making for me going?
Shiyi: (CRAP I FORGOT I MADE UP THAT EXCUSE) Not quite ready yet. But you're well built I'm sure you look good in anything.
Lingyi: (She thinks I have a nice body :D :D)
Valet: I saw how happy you looked eating sweet and sour fish at lunch so had the cooks make you it for dinner :)
Lingyi, sadly: It's not right, take it away.
Aww, Master Jian has been teaching embroidery to refugees and asks Shiyi if she is able to help with the teaching. She'll have to be IN DISGUISE to prevent scandal, eg she takes her hair down. I get the impression single women have their hair down and have more freedom.
Amber: You'll be in trouble if Madame Xu finds out, couldn't Master Jian just hire extra teachers?
Shiyi: This is to encourage me to keep my hobby and dream in mind while looking for the killer. Anyway, why is it so wrong for a woman to show herself in public?
She bumps into "Mr Lin" aka Ou Yanxing the secret Ou and oh nooo someone is going to see them together.
He's very happy to see that Shiyi is ok after not showing up to their planned meeting. She avoids mentioning that she's married since then meeting would be improper. Amber explains that he's the one who helped with the rice, and Master Jian explains that he's her backer.
Lingyi summons Shiyi to his chambers and asks her to find reliable staff to secretly take care of a poorly dressed, dirty little boy named Fengqing.
Guess his mum was a Feng Xin/Mu Qing shipper (TGCF joke)
Shiyi sharply cuts down any speculation amongst her maids that he looks like Lingyi and might be a secret by-blow.
But somehow Concubine Wen hears about this "secret son" being raised by Shiyi and worries he's another obstacle to Yu's future. Shilui is uncharacteristically sharp about her being mean about the boy.
And then the next day Shiyi's brother arrives saying all the nobles are talking about it. He advises Shiyi not to make a fuss, but to refuse to treat Fengqing like a legitimate son. He says Shilui seems like a nice woman who'd do a good job of raising this kid without damaging the status of the kids Shiyi is 'obviously' going to have soon herself. Shiyi just smiles and nods but does appreciate his good intentions.
Shiyi: I am afraid Princess Danyang will be upset when she finds out.
Lingyi: ...How did you know he's Lingkuan's son, and not mine?
Shiyi: You would never let a child of yours be so poorly cared for. Maybe with a woman of high status...
Lingyi realises she's talking about him being seen "cheating" with Lianfang and explains how he was framed.
Lingyi: ...you don't believe me.
Shiyi: You are a noble and upright man, you wouldn't lie to me.
Lingyi: *smiles to himself for a moment* But this is still my fault. I was away in battle while Lingkuan was young and he became a playboy, then on my return I was too harsh and he became terrified of me. He felt he had to hide his troubles from me.
Shiyi: It's not too late for things to change, if you are willing.
Oooh. Lingyi berates Lingkuan for abandoning the mother of his child, an actress's sister. Madame Xu says she's the one who sent the mother away after she blackmailed her for money to hide the scandal, not knowing she was pregnant. Lingkuan didn't know about any of this and feels terrible.
They all agree the shock of finding out could harm Danyang's pregnancy, and Yingli says Shiyi has agreed for him to acknowledge the child as his own.
Aww but then Shilui comes to Shiyi begging to be able to raise the child, saying she became infertile after a miscarriage and has always wanted children. Shiyi says she will ask Lingyi and Madame Xu...
...as we see Lianfang asking Madame Xu to take care of him herself.
Madame Xu: You're so young, and will have children of your own. Why not use your energyfucking serving Lingyi?
Lingyi: I'm TRYING. Maybe if I have Fenqing, he will visit me more...
Madame Xu asks Yizhen, who thinks Lianfang will do the best job because she has more energy? Yeah for EVIL SCHEMES and DEADLY PUPPIES. She could do with a bit less energy!
Lingyi and Shiyi both argue for Concubine Qin, so Madame Xu says both concubines will get a chance to prove themselves.
haha oh nooo 'Mr Lin" has a crush on Shiyi, and both he and Lingyi are walking the marketplace, talking about how great and unmaterialistic Shiyi is and asking their subordinates to help find a gift she'd like. This triad would also work!
Shilui is affectionate but a bit shyly clueless about how to entertain Fengqing. Lianfang gives him a toy spear and pretends not to mind when he cheerfully pokes her with it.
Yizhen: Don't poke people with your spear.
Lianfang: He's just playing. Keep having fun, Fengqing :)
But it's Shilui who wraps herself around him protectively when he throws it in the air and nearly stabs himself.
Lingyi: Who gave the small child a SPEAR??
Lianfang: ...me. But I didn't know it would hurt anyone!
Lianfang. You already nearly killed one child with a PUPPY. Children are VERY BREAKABLE.
It's Yizhen who calms him down and gets him some food. Shiyi and Lingyi share a significant look.
Lianfang: Why did you buy a SPEAR??
Maid: A street peddler told me boys like them!
Lianfang: This was all a trap! By THAT DAMN SHIYI!!
Lingyi sees Shiyi asleep by Fengqing's bedside. He watches her for a while with a soft smile then carefully picks her up and carries her to bed, takes off her shoes, and pulls a blanket over her. Shiyi wakes up pretty early on in this process but pretends to still be sleeping and I think he realised, but just smiles to himself.
Ok yeah I ship it. He should have taken her hairpins out too, though, they look sharp.
The Deputy bumps into Dongqing who is feeling cheerful about all this shippiness. At first he has a flashback to her biting him and losing his dignity and tries to escape, but then she offers him snacks. She thinks "Ok after so many snacks you've forgiven me for biting you, right?"
The next morning Shiyi wakes up in bed, still dressed, in the arms of Lingyi in his underclothes.
Since I keep talking about the underclothes: if you're not familiar it's a basic tunic/trouser combo, like a karate uniform. So not actually revealing, but associated with sleep and one step from nudity.
Also, in case it's not obvious, the show does that thing where sex is a big motivation and plot point but is never actually talked about overtly. There's just implication and subtext, which I am making text. I get the impression every day speech in the actual Ming Dynasty would have been even more convolutedly indirect but also much more dirty.
I'm still not even halfway through the show and wondering what twists the plot is going to go through, since Shiyi and Lingyi are getting pretty shippy and the rest of the plot setup doesn't currently seem like enough to sustain 27 more episodes. I guess I'll see!
I've added an extra content note: People in arranged marriages being pressured to have sex they don't want, though in every onscreen interaction they say no and this is respected.
Which is a bit wordy, but that specific vibe happens a lot.
When we left off, a sign was about to fall on Shiyi's head!!
And now...
At the last second the sign is knocked away by an ARROW!! Which was shot by... Lingyi?? What is he doing here??
He rides towards her on a big horse while romantic music plays.
He shouts at the refugees that he understands that they've suffered but if they don't stop, he'll be forced to arrest them, and does arrest the instigators of the riot (how he knows who they are mid-riot idk) Somehow even though plenty of people grabbed bags of rice noone seems to have noticed the mould, and now that they've calmed down the refugees help set everything up again. And then Amber arrives with the good rice.
Shiyi tries to pretend she's fine but he sees the blood on her leg and picks her up and carries her onto his horse before carrying her princess style through the Xu compound to her chambers as more music plays. It's pretty romantic.
(And yes, the downside to Lingyi taking off his terrible hat is seeing his terrible wig)
Shiyi: I... I can walk... Aren't you worried about your dignity?
Yingli: We're husband and wife :)
Her leg is apparently just badly bruised, he initially insists on applying the medicine but when he sees how shy and awkward she is about it leaves it to Dongqing.
Dongqing: I've known you since childhood and never seen you shy before :D
Shiyi: Shut up >:(
Outside, Lingyi is informed that the refugee instigator died suddenly for no apparent reason.
Lingyi: Gathering evidence against the Ou family is going to be difficult. But thank you for your help. And please take care of the farmland Shiyi sold from her dowry.
He follows the sound of falsetto singing to find his brother Lingkuan in (masculine, I think) makeup performing opera for his wife, who is tapping her pregnant stomach in time to the music. A tutor encourages him from the side.
Lingyi is passive aggressively pissy that Lingkuan spent the last few days watching opera, without explaining exactly why, and Danfang goes off at him for not just SAYING IF HE HAS A PROBLEM instead of being coldly distant all the time.
Lingkuan: Now, now, Danfang, you go rest, I'll talk to Lingyi. I'm sorry she was so rude, it's just that-
Lingyi: Did you know the Xu family was nearly ruined while you were WATCHING OPERA?
Lingkuan: What?! D:
Honestly I don't think this is entirely fair. He wasn't to know!
Meanwhile Madame Luo and Yizhen are back from their suspiciously ill timed temple visit. They come across Lingkuan kneeling in penance and Lingyi explains what happened.
The next morning Lianfang is desperately apologising for her subordinate's actions to Madame Luo, who is more pissed than she was about her nearly killing Zhun and lets Lingyi decide what to do.
Lingyi: Flog the nanny 20 times then kick her out. Sell all other involved servants. And Lianfang no longer manages the household affairs.
SELL? GOOD COMMUNISTS DO NOT SELL PEOPLE, XU LINGYI!
Or are all the servants indentured anyway? Geeze.
Lianfang: She just made a wrong decision in a moment of weakness ;_;
Lingyi: And as a result this family nearly lied to his majesty!
Right, fulfilling your promise to the emperor is of course more important than nearly killing a bunch of refugees.
Lingyi: If that happened this whole family would be killed!
...ok, fair enough.
I do like that Lianfang is sincerely loyal to her servant, even though the servant fucked up so badly and it would be in Lianfang's best interest to throw her under the bus.
Madame Luo sighs and says she won't flog such an old woman, but the nanny really does have to be fired. She wavers on transferring the household affairs but Lingyi and Yizhen doggedly point out that Shiyi is clearly much more competent in a crisis, and more interested in the family's best interests than petty power games.
Madame Luo: Yes, a concubine shouldn't manage household affairs forever.
Whatever you gotta tell yourself, lady.
Oh, the nanny was LIANFANG'S nanny as a CHILD, no wonder she's so loyal!
OOH. She makes her tearful goodbyes then warns Lianfang of the consequences of Shiyi looking through the accounts and finding evidence of "WHAT THEY DID BACK THEN"???
Nanny: I won't be here to help you with your burdens. You will have to endure so much ;_;
As Lianfang tearfully watches her be dragged away by a bunch of pissed off servants from Lianfang's family, the show doesn't even bother telling us she's thinking "THIS IS ALL SHIYI'S FAULT".
YOU GUYS COULD HAVE JUST BEEN NOT EVIL. SHIYI WOULD HAVE TREATED YOU FINE.
Madame Luo: Poor Lianfang, so put upon by bad servants :( I need to punish her so in future servants know there will be consequences when they're evil. But I worry Shiyi will make mistakes. I suppose when that happens we can give the family affairs back to Lianfang, who is so much more competent.
IS SHE THOUGH
Shiyi goes to visit Concubine Qin (who everyone is now referring to as Shiliu, and that's shorter), to thank her for getting injured tying to protect Shiyi during the riot. And then just as she's leaving, Lingyi shows up haha
Lingyi: ...Ah, hello. Shiliu, I heard you were injured and came to visit.
Shilui: Why don't you stay for dinner? :)
Shiyi: I'LL JUST GET GOING
Lingyi: Stay and have dinner with us.
Luckily Shiliu is the one concubine who would NOT be offended by this, and instead goes into Maid Mode, serving the two of them and getting awkward when the other two insist she sit down and join them.
Look, I know this isn't actually going there, and I don't really ship it, but this is way more of a threesome setup than I thought this show would ever give me.
For a second I wondered if Shiyi or Shiliu was wondering if Lingyi was angling for a threesome. But they'd know he's way too proper to suggest such a thing, even if he was interested in both of them rather than just Shiyi.
Lingyi: Here, Shiyi, try this meat <3
Me: Wow that is such a romantic thing to do, keep it for when you're in her chambers, dude.
Shiliu: *awkward third wheel smile*
Lingyi: Um. And Shiliu, have some of this.
Shiyi: *starts wildly coughing* Sorry...I'm not good with spicy food.
Lingyi and Shiliu: Oh no this is my fault D:
Shiliu: Here, eat this bamboo shoot!
..ok maybe I DO ship it.
Shiyi starts to feel bad about intruding and the weird atmosphere, and begs off with a headache.
Lingyi: Oh no. I'll escort you back to your chambers.
Shiyi: It's fine, enjoy your meal.
Shiliu: No, I worry about you, let him take you back.
Lingyi: You have a leg injury. Let me help you *takes her hand*
Shiliu watches them leave with a small smile.
I think we're supposed to not ship Shiliu/Yingli because although nice, she's an ignorant and not very bright ex-servant. But the actress has an air of mature intelligence which makes up for her lines being few and bland. And they seem to like each other fine, they're just sad about the dead kid and not very close.
On the way back Shiyi asks about the Ou family. TIME FOR EXPOSITION!! I knew I could trust the show to explain all this to me in simple words when it became relevant.
Yingli explains that the Xu and Ou have feuded as warriors for generations, but the current Marquis Jingyuan is power hungry and has used the sea ban to make money from piracy.
When Lingyi's father and older brother tried to get the sea ban lifted Marquis Jingyuan set things up so they died in battle and the rest of the Xu family was imprisoned for... some made up crime the show doesn't feel the need to explain. Shiyi's grandfather pleaded with the emperor to let Lingyi redeem the family in battle.
(haha I just typed that as "sean ban". I am definitely against that!)
Shiyi: I am sure your father and brother rest in peace seeing how well the family is doing now thanks to you.
Lingyi: They won't rest in peace while corrupt officials hurt the populace.
Shiyi: They'll get what's coming to them.
Marquis Jingyuan and his eldest son Ou Lixing have high government positions, and Ou Lixing's wife's father is a powerful minister.
"the younger son Ou Yanxing is illegitimate and not much is known about him".
:D
I love this shot of the garden with it's arches:
Lingyi keeps walking Shiyi into her apartments past the door, and she thinks "Wait, does he want to stay the night? WHAT IF I GET PREGNANT?"
Shiyi: My lord... you... should attend to your mother!
Lingyi: It's late, she's asleep. I'm thirsty, do you have any tea?
Maids: WE SURE DO COME IN :D :D
Shiyi: Well, enjoy your tea. I have to go read the accounts!
The show keeps playing her trying to avoid sex for laughs and it feels more uncomfortable when he does actually want to have sex with her, even if he'd still accept a no she can't be sure of that.
I mean some of the humour now is that she implicitly does actually want to have sex with him too, in the sense of finding him attractive and having at least vague flutters of romantic interest, it's just that she has practical reasons to want to avoid pregnancy. But that's not been made clear because obvs the heroine can't be lustful.
He looks at her embroidery and asks what she enjoys so much about it.
Shiyi: Beautiful flowers and plants bloom from my hands. And it helps settle me down.
Lingyi: Isn't that what a husband is supposed to do?
Shiyi: I have learned I can only rely on myself :)
He flashes back to the night as a child when the Xu family were arrested, and how his mother took care of him.
Meanwhile the maids agree that if they can get him to stay the night, it will improve Shiyi's status, and come in to offer to make him a bath.
EPISODE ENDS.
Ok most people wouldn't consider that a cliffhanger per se but I would have felt bad ending there.
Ha. He sees her horrified expression at the thought and immediately stands up to leave. But his feelings have been hurt and he goes to drown his sorrows in work.
Shiyi meets with the head servants. They worry amongst themselves that she will take revenge for them going along with Lianfang's mistreatment. The head of fabrics, who has always been in Lianfang's pocket, smugly says Shiyi won't have the guts, doesn't everyone know that she can't even get her husband to stay the night?
Shiyi is very sharp and professional, and has gotten everyone's measure from reading the accounts (turns out that was not just an excuse to avoid sex!). She rewards one especially competent head servant, then tells two who have been corrupt that they won't be fired per se, but their positions will be managed by other staff. Naturally this includes the head of fabrics, who tries to protest but is sharply shut down. Shiyi says that she has spent enough time being poor to understand accounts very well, and is not some ignorant pampered girl to be tricked eg like Lianfang.
Later, she digs up from the accounts that the three people who bought Murder Fabric were Lianfang, Concubine Wen and Princess Danfang. This type of fabric was probably used for inner layers and gifts for their men: Lingyi and Lingkuan. They can't go around checking anyone's inner robes, but by investigating the brothers they may figure out which woman used the fabric.
She also notices that Lianfang stopped buying from the Wen family, and realises she was a pawn in Concubine Wen's resulting revenge.
Lingyi is pissy at his valet then realises he's in a bad mood and gives him the evening off.
Valet: Unless your business is very urgent, I'd avoid the Marquis, he's in a bad mood after visiting his wife.
Deputy: My business isn't urgent... but what's happened? I thought they'd been getting along.
Valet: I would never gossip about his lordship.
Deputy: Awwww come on :(
Dongqing attempts to pull a prank on Amber and ends up surprising the Deputy who throws her to the ground in surprise, so she bites him and they bicker about it. Sure, I guess I can ship that.
Lianfang: What are you writing, My Lord? :)
Lingyi: Comfort for the refugees.
LianFang: The refugees caused a lot of trouble, we should get them out of the city as quickly as possible.
Lingyi: They'd die.
Lianfang: Your life is more important than theirs.
Lianfang I know trying to be nice to refugees ended badly for you last time but you are SO BAD at seducing Lingyi.
She tags along to visit Madame Xu, who pointedly praises her for being so nice about losing control of the household and then bugs them make babies.
Shiyi hears they're all together and thinks she has time to search Lingyi's rooms, underestimating Lingyi's desire to avoid having his mother pressure him to have sex.
He of course takes her visiting his chambers ENTIRELY the wrong way, though quickly realises she's more interested in his clothes than him.
He says that if she's so interested in making him clothes she should measure him directly, which is a bit creepy but she's reluctantly into it so ok.
She asks about the refugees and helps him figure out he can help the female refugees get jobs filling a current fabric shortage.
Lingyi: That's one merit for you. I should reward you. If you were a man you'd achieve great things.
Shiyi: Can't a woman achieve great things?
haha he asked his valet to make her a fancy sweet tea he doesn't really like himself and she says sorry I don't like sweet teas and leaves.
Concubine Wen, with a box full of money: The Luo and Wen families are from the same region, we should be allies. Here are some gifts from my sister, who would like to meet you to, to discuss buying fabric and investing in our new medicine business.
Shiyi: I am part of the Xu family now. If your sister wishes to meet, we should wait until his Lordship can met her as well.
Concubine Wen: Ah, him being there might makes things difficult...
Shiyi: Then why would you suggest it? I know my sister bought from the Wens, and Lianfang didn't. But I will simply buy from whoever sells the best, cheapest wares.
She also makes it clear she knows that Concubine Wen used her to get back at Lianfang, and implies that if she is used that way again there will be Consequences.
Concubine Wen complains to her sister that Shiyi is not as cold as her sister, but is more clever and stubborn, and this is dangerous. The sister is unsympathetic and tells Concubine Wen to earn her keep.
Concubine Wen complains to her maid about her powerlessness as a concubine. She needs Wen support for her son's future. In the past, when she made deals for the Wen with Yuanniang, Lingyi found out and entirely blamed Wen as if it could have happened without Yuanniang's approval.
Lingyi hears about how things went down with Shiyi and Concubine Wen (who tattled, I wonder? The maid?) and muses that Shiyi is very different to her sister. He orders Shiyi be given some extra spending money.
Shiyi: Goodness, everyone is giving me money lately! But I don't need it.
Dongqing: Yes you- *is silenced by Shiyi's look*
Shiyi: Please tell his Lordship I do not want undeserved rewards.
Lingyi: Well said. But if you are seen lacking money in front of guests, it will make me look bad. And you made a huge accomplishment for the Xu family with the disaster relief. Who says you don't deserve a reward?
And then he gives her back her land titles, saying she shouldn't use her dowry to support his family.
Shiyi is initially quietly delighted, but then realises this is more land than she started with. Lingyi says he bought the land between her scattered properties.
Shiyi: You spent a lot of money...
Lingyi: We're husband and wife, why do you act like an outsider?
haha aww so he invites himself to lunch and she apologises for only having sweet and sour dishes, which she likes and he doesn't. He says it's his fault for not giving notice, and asks her to explain why she likes that sort of flavour since he can't see the appeal. Her enthusiasm is infectious and he smiles as he eats.
Lingyi: How are the clothes you're making for me going?
Shiyi: (CRAP I FORGOT I MADE UP THAT EXCUSE) Not quite ready yet. But you're well built I'm sure you look good in anything.
Lingyi: (She thinks I have a nice body :D :D)
Valet: I saw how happy you looked eating sweet and sour fish at lunch so had the cooks make you it for dinner :)
Lingyi, sadly: It's not right, take it away.
Aww, Master Jian has been teaching embroidery to refugees and asks Shiyi if she is able to help with the teaching. She'll have to be IN DISGUISE to prevent scandal, eg she takes her hair down. I get the impression single women have their hair down and have more freedom.
Amber: You'll be in trouble if Madame Xu finds out, couldn't Master Jian just hire extra teachers?
Shiyi: This is to encourage me to keep my hobby and dream in mind while looking for the killer. Anyway, why is it so wrong for a woman to show herself in public?
She bumps into "Mr Lin" aka Ou Yanxing the secret Ou and oh nooo someone is going to see them together.
He's very happy to see that Shiyi is ok after not showing up to their planned meeting. She avoids mentioning that she's married since then meeting would be improper. Amber explains that he's the one who helped with the rice, and Master Jian explains that he's her backer.
Lingyi summons Shiyi to his chambers and asks her to find reliable staff to secretly take care of a poorly dressed, dirty little boy named Fengqing.
Guess his mum was a Feng Xin/Mu Qing shipper (TGCF joke)
Shiyi sharply cuts down any speculation amongst her maids that he looks like Lingyi and might be a secret by-blow.
But somehow Concubine Wen hears about this "secret son" being raised by Shiyi and worries he's another obstacle to Yu's future. Shilui is uncharacteristically sharp about her being mean about the boy.
And then the next day Shiyi's brother arrives saying all the nobles are talking about it. He advises Shiyi not to make a fuss, but to refuse to treat Fengqing like a legitimate son. He says Shilui seems like a nice woman who'd do a good job of raising this kid without damaging the status of the kids Shiyi is 'obviously' going to have soon herself. Shiyi just smiles and nods but does appreciate his good intentions.
Shiyi: I am afraid Princess Danyang will be upset when she finds out.
Lingyi: ...How did you know he's Lingkuan's son, and not mine?
Shiyi: You would never let a child of yours be so poorly cared for. Maybe with a woman of high status...
Lingyi realises she's talking about him being seen "cheating" with Lianfang and explains how he was framed.
Lingyi: ...you don't believe me.
Shiyi: You are a noble and upright man, you wouldn't lie to me.
Lingyi: *smiles to himself for a moment* But this is still my fault. I was away in battle while Lingkuan was young and he became a playboy, then on my return I was too harsh and he became terrified of me. He felt he had to hide his troubles from me.
Shiyi: It's not too late for things to change, if you are willing.
Oooh. Lingyi berates Lingkuan for abandoning the mother of his child, an actress's sister. Madame Xu says she's the one who sent the mother away after she blackmailed her for money to hide the scandal, not knowing she was pregnant. Lingkuan didn't know about any of this and feels terrible.
They all agree the shock of finding out could harm Danyang's pregnancy, and Yingli says Shiyi has agreed for him to acknowledge the child as his own.
Aww but then Shilui comes to Shiyi begging to be able to raise the child, saying she became infertile after a miscarriage and has always wanted children. Shiyi says she will ask Lingyi and Madame Xu...
...as we see Lianfang asking Madame Xu to take care of him herself.
Madame Xu: You're so young, and will have children of your own. Why not use your energy
Lingyi: I'm TRYING. Maybe if I have Fenqing, he will visit me more...
Madame Xu asks Yizhen, who thinks Lianfang will do the best job because she has more energy? Yeah for EVIL SCHEMES and DEADLY PUPPIES. She could do with a bit less energy!
Lingyi and Shiyi both argue for Concubine Qin, so Madame Xu says both concubines will get a chance to prove themselves.
haha oh nooo 'Mr Lin" has a crush on Shiyi, and both he and Lingyi are walking the marketplace, talking about how great and unmaterialistic Shiyi is and asking their subordinates to help find a gift she'd like. This triad would also work!
Shilui is affectionate but a bit shyly clueless about how to entertain Fengqing. Lianfang gives him a toy spear and pretends not to mind when he cheerfully pokes her with it.
Yizhen: Don't poke people with your spear.
Lianfang: He's just playing. Keep having fun, Fengqing :)
But it's Shilui who wraps herself around him protectively when he throws it in the air and nearly stabs himself.
Lingyi: Who gave the small child a SPEAR??
Lianfang: ...me. But I didn't know it would hurt anyone!
Lianfang. You already nearly killed one child with a PUPPY. Children are VERY BREAKABLE.
It's Yizhen who calms him down and gets him some food. Shiyi and Lingyi share a significant look.
Lianfang: Why did you buy a SPEAR??
Maid: A street peddler told me boys like them!
Lianfang: This was all a trap! By THAT DAMN SHIYI!!
Lingyi sees Shiyi asleep by Fengqing's bedside. He watches her for a while with a soft smile then carefully picks her up and carries her to bed, takes off her shoes, and pulls a blanket over her. Shiyi wakes up pretty early on in this process but pretends to still be sleeping and I think he realised, but just smiles to himself.
Ok yeah I ship it. He should have taken her hairpins out too, though, they look sharp.
The Deputy bumps into Dongqing who is feeling cheerful about all this shippiness. At first he has a flashback to her biting him and losing his dignity and tries to escape, but then she offers him snacks. She thinks "Ok after so many snacks you've forgiven me for biting you, right?"
The next morning Shiyi wakes up in bed, still dressed, in the arms of Lingyi in his underclothes.
Since I keep talking about the underclothes: if you're not familiar it's a basic tunic/trouser combo, like a karate uniform. So not actually revealing, but associated with sleep and one step from nudity.
Also, in case it's not obvious, the show does that thing where sex is a big motivation and plot point but is never actually talked about overtly. There's just implication and subtext, which I am making text. I get the impression every day speech in the actual Ming Dynasty would have been even more convolutedly indirect but also much more dirty.
I'm still not even halfway through the show and wondering what twists the plot is going to go through, since Shiyi and Lingyi are getting pretty shippy and the rest of the plot setup doesn't currently seem like enough to sustain 27 more episodes. I guess I'll see!
