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Beware of the mother-in-law!
I love the feeling of finishing a show🤭. A couple of thoughts on this one…The costumes and sets were absolutely stunning, the female lead’s chambers were breathtaking—especially that window that looked like a moon! I also quite loved the detail of her evolving hairstyle, signifying her growth as the lady of the house.
Now, the monster of the show. Mommy dearest, big mama, mother-in-law. Girl. This woman was such a hypocrite and biased, it was actually infuriating. The ending scene also just made me laugh to be honest. Praising Shi Yi’s embroidery business, only because it ended up being mega-successful. Meanwhile, throughout the whole show, she held it against the female lead😐🧍🏻♀️. The mother-in-law was such a brainless woman, who was easily manipulated by anyone, and who could not once admit her mistakes. Not once did she apologize to Shi Yi for the abuse and mistreatment she faced. Every single time, she had to be reminded how amazing the female lead actually is in doing her duties as the legal wife/ladyship, only to immediately turn against her in a matter of seconds. No matter how many good deeds Shi Yi did, one bad thing and POOF, the mother-in-law just complained what a bad wife she is… Give me a break! It was so annoying, because the female lead’s submission was used as an excuse to push the narrative that “actions are louder than words”. It would have been really nice had Shi Yi just cussed out her mother-in-law… even just once, honestly. The female lead never complained, blabla, and I’m supposed to believe it’s aspirational, meanwhile, she faces unjust treatment all the time. No matter how much I like that man, having that kind of family-in-law is just a big no-no. Ugh, I would hate to live in that house.
Another time the writing pissed me off was when Shi Yi had a lapse in judgment and actually believed that Ling Yi had killed her mother. The show spends every single episode establishing Shi Yi as a level-headed female lead, who thinks before she acts. A female lead who is one step ahead, and when she is not, she adapts quickly and turns a situation back around in her favor. In order to create several episodes’ worth of conflict and tension between the two leads, they made her emotional and guided by irrationality when it mattered most to stay calm. Now, you can argue that 1) Shi Yi is still very young, literally a teenager, and 2) her mother was one of the very few people in her life that genuinely loved her, thus, her death was obviously a big blow—especially since she found her dead. Therefore, 3) finally finding some evidence, even if it’s collateral (as she did admit herself), it is not surprising that she would hope and be over-eager. But taking Ling Yi’s ambiguous and DRUNK confession as the absolute truth is just so dumb lol. Again, I just think the writers wanted some tension among the leads, but I did not like it (the conflict itself was annoying, however, the pay-off was … nice…. I guess… 👀 since we did get a really nice kiss… and yearning and longing… I’ll take whatever I can get!). Shi Yi, until that point, was rational, but not heartless, caring and sensible. In a critical moment like that, I wish the writing had been better.
The last 3 episodes were so … I just wanted to finish the show, so I skipped the part when girly was almost beheaded lol. I do think the show was good, and had sweet moments between the leads, but they dragged it a little. I think more than 40 episodes was just too much. However, the sets, costumes, the stunning OSTs as well has the yearning portrayed by Wallace Chung really did make up for it. I did enjoy the overall acting performances by the whole cast as well. I would not rewatch this show, though. Big Mama annoyed me too much… 🤭💖
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Worth the Wait and Effort
I waited a long time for the ML & FL to take the plunge, and boy was it worth it! This was my very first CD and I am hooked forever now. The costumes, set design, mannerisms and cultural settings - breathtaking! It transports you back to a time when there were rules and customs and honor (even though some of it was pretty weird and pretty warped). I loved this drama. The chemistry between the lovers was so real and believable. I will watch it again and again. Some of those characters were so evil it was cringe-worthy (in a good way) and it was nice to see them get their karma.Loved the music too. The opening theme and the closing music, but most especially the love song.
I was a little disappointed that the final episode felt a little rushed - and left too much undone, or loosely tied up. I would have liked a little more detail, a little more closure. But I suppose a happy ending is a happy ending.
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Simple but Meaningful Story of Mutual Relationship
-- Review :First of all, don't read this review if you hate a review that loves comparing things and stuffs.
Second, I'm writing this from female lead point of view
Third, Lets separated it from the novel version because it's a drama despite they said it's adapted (or loosely adapted) from the novel.
FL Female Lead = Shiyi
ML Male Lead = Lingyi
In short, this story is about an independent lady that has talent in embroidering, kind heart but not easily bullied.
As she never thought she would love a person through arranged marriage, more over when she has bad impression for him, but later found out her husband is just that good (ehm perfect) so she finally fell for him and convinced to give all out to manage the family well, went through thick and thin together. Just like the synopsis said. Lol.
Shiyi :
1. Find the killer of her mother
2. Deal with trivial matters (concubine daughter status, harems, sisterhood issues, mother in law, offsprings etc)
3. Together with husband deal with bigger matters/politics/etc
4. Keep embroidering
Lingyi:
1. Lift the sea ban policy + revenge his father's death caused by Ou family + be a good govt official
2. Help Shiyi finds the killer
3. Only wish for one heart despite he got some concubines (it's usually two people said they'd love each other and would be faithful but then the male taking other concubines/cheating, while in this story the male got concubines already but then find his true love--and finally no concubines left in the house, lol).
I don't like point no. 3, but since it's set in historical time, rich people did have 3-4 wives that time.
And also, this is not Lu Yi from Under The Power who said "having one wife is enough because two or more will troublesome"
---Scores :
Story 9.5
It's rather typical, harem conflicts (but not as serious as Yanxi Palace or Ruyi, more or less similar like Minglan Story's harem conflicts), light politics (just like Under The Power but a little bit more serious politic).
The good points are how good the male lead toward female lead while herself isn't overaly dramatic person.
Two people with same moral and virtue, same vision about good governance and serve people, avoid unnecessary conflicts, such a pair made in heaven.
Acting/Cast 10
Male lead is veteran actor, experiences are priceless, his acting skill is unquestionable, while female lead is a well known actress that could deliver different expressions. So good watching them together.
Music 10
Love ALL the OSTs
Too bad not duet, each only sings their own song.
Rewatch Value 10
To be honest, because it's a generally simple storyline, not overly long, not overly dramatical and not tears drenching, it is trully rewatchable. Drama Goodbye My Princess, who's dare to rewatch? Me no. I need almost a year to forget the tragic ending. Also Rises of Phoenix, what a "brutal" ending. No rewatch. Lol.
I should add other scores:
1. Biased: 10 (fan of the actor and actress)
2. Adaption: 7 (to be honest, if the novel to be adapted, it might need 100 episodes and i don't think it's would even getting far and far away from genre idol drama, coz too many "strategies". lol)
3. Ending: 10 (THEY BETTER MAKE IT HAPPY)
4. Costume: 10 (because they retain the crucial points of make ups, clothing, background, etc during Ming dynasty).
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Highly recommend this show!
This show is wonderful. I really enjoyed the storyline, chemistry was great. This is a slow burn romance, so if you are looking for insta love this isn’t it, but it’s a heart wrenching story. After losing her sister Lady Shiyi becomes the wife of her brother in law to raise her nephew in her sisters place. But there is another romantic interest and a handful of concubines that try to sabotage this marriage. As well as a family rivalry that rivals the Montagues and Capulets. The costumes and set design was beautiful as well. Highly recommend this show!I watched this on Amazon Prime, I know it is also on Viki and subtitles are available on both platforms.
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Such an underrated drama!!
At its core, this drama boasts a captivating plot that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. What sets this drama apart is its unwavering commitment to character development, particularly in the case of the female lead.
This isn't your typical Chinese romance drama where the female lead is relegated to a passive role, dependent on others for her happiness. Instead, we are presented with a heroine who defies expectations at every turn. She is not a woman of privilege; rather, she has to struggle and sacrifice that we come to understand the depth of her character. Admittedly, the female lead may come across as annoying at times, but as a woman, I found myself empathizing with her on a profound level.
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A Love That Outwits Every Storm
🧵Two Hearts, One Unbreakable ThreadThere are dramas one watches… and then there are dramas one wanders into, as though stepping gracefully through the silk-draped corridors of a different world. The Sword and the Brocade is the latter — a lush, embroidered tale where every stitch seems deliberate, every shadow holds a secret, and every quiet glance between the leads carries the weight of a hundred unspoken vows.
At its heart lies a power couple forged not through ease but through unceasing trials — the kind of trials that would shatter lesser people: vicious concubines with porcelain smiles, household politics sharp enough to draw blood, a mother-in-law whose unrelenting scrutiny presses on them like a slowly closing fist, and family honor that hovers like a sword above every moment of tenderness.
And yet… somehow… their endurance becomes alchemy, transforming every hardship into a deeper strength and a fiercer happiness.
🌿 A Male Lead Steadfast as Stone
He is the kind of man ancient poets would have written about:
loyal to the bone, upright even when it costs him dearly,
gentle in ways he doesn’t know how to express,
and burdened with a family’s weight he never asked to carry.
Wallace Chung plays him with a beautiful kind of restraint — all quiet storms and unspoken longing. Even when the world twists his circumstances into knots, his integrity never wavers. Not once. Not even when he and the female lead find themselves standing on opposite ends of a painful misunderstanding — the sort of rift that, in a lesser drama, would become a fatal blow.
But here, his devotion becomes a shield, fiercely guarding their bond from both the world’s storms and the shadows of their own fears.
🌸 A Female Lead Bright Enough to Outwit a Palace
And she — Seven Tan’s character — is luminous.
Not in a loud or boastful way, but in that subtle, intelligent brilliance that only grows sharper under pressure. She is clever without cruelty, principled without rigidity, and kind in ways that feel both rare and revolutionary. She faces injustices not with despair, but with strategy, discernment, and a deeply rooted wisdom that makes you want to cheer each time she quietly turns the tables.
She is the kind of woman who survives the impossible not by being hardened, but by being herself — wholly, intelligently, virtuously herself.
❤️🔥It Doesn’t Matter How Many Obstacles Appear — They Win Anyway
This story throws everything at them — literally. Scheming concubines, deadly politics, betrayals without warning, a mother-in-law whose disapproval feels like a curse issued by the heavens. At times, the obstacles stack themselves into towers so tall the tension feels almost unbearable … but despite the seeming endless misunderstandings, the main characters are both simply too mature to be thwarted and threatened by them in any real way. They both read each other with such clarity that nothing ever festers long enough to divide them.
And there lies the miracle of this drama:
They never stop choosing each other.
Not when secrets surface.
Not when loyalties are questioned.
Not even when duty forces them into painful opposition.
Her pragmatism becomes the sword;
his integrity becomes the shield;
together, they weather every storm with grace.
Even during the most stressful episodes — when it feels like their bond may fracture under the weight of external forces and perceived mistrust — neither ever truly doubts the other’s heart. They bend, but they do not break. And when the world demands they turn against each other, they do the opposite:
They protect what they’ve built.
🕊️A Story Rich as Brocade, Soft as Silk
Every detail is a marvel — the glowing lanterns, the shimmering embroidery of the costumes, the antique halls whispering of old wounds and older traditions. The cinematography is painterly, drenched in color and texture.
But it is the relationship — gentle, slow-burning, beautifully earned — that gives the drama its soul.
🌼 The Ending? Worth Every Moment
Long dramas often falter near their conclusion, but not this one. The ending is warm, rewarding, and deeply satisfying — the kind that unties every knot with care. By the final episode, you feel as though you’ve witnessed two people carve out a sanctuary for themselves in a world determined to deny them peace.
The Sword and the Brocade is not simply a drama — it is an intricate tapestry of loyalty, wisdom, suffering, triumph, and a love that refuses to yield. A love earned inch by inch. A love sharpened by trial. A love strengthened by the sheer refusal to betray one another, not even in the darkest hour.
For me?
It remains one of the finest stories I’ve ever watched.
✨ An absolute masterpiece embroidered with heart. ✨
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Deep trust is important in a relationship
I think hvg deep trust in your partner is important but another important thing is communication too. Both can go along together toward creating a harmonious relationship. The deep trust is the theme of this drama. To your spouse, to your siblings even though they didn't treat you well but you still love them enough to wake them up, to your personal maids that you treated as a family.ML, Xu Lingyi, was a righteous man that had a cold personality and perceptive. He was striving forward to bring glory and justice to his family name. He cared deeply about the plight of unfortunate citizens that had been affected by the rampant piracy along the coasts of the kingdom. The piracy also related with his family feud with another family that had been going for generations. So, he was distant from his ex wife and concubines because he put more priority on his fight to lift the sea ban and clear his family name. Lingyi was moved by the pure-hearted and kind personality that his new wife the FL, Shiyi had. He watched times and times again how Shiyi sincerely did everything she can to help in a situation. So that was why he fell in love with her. When Lingyi fell in love, he deeply trusted shiyi, very protective of her and defended her every times. He tried to be close to her to build their relationship but he was a very patient man bcs shiyi rejected his moves quite a lot. Because he trusted her, he also very supportive of her passion and very understanding. There was a rough patch in their relationship and he deserved to feel hurt by what FL did bcs she disregard his feelings. He was valid for that.
I definitely enjoyed so much of Lingyi's approaches to be closer to Shiyi intimate moments, it just soooo butterfly-ish and sweet. The way I bit my hand at that one moment sksksks.
FL, Luo Shiyi, was a kindhearted woman, graceful, patient, smart, and an optimistic. She was also a gentle person but she had backbone. I forgot to add that Shiyi also had a very forgiving nature. Magnanimous. She was very gifted and passionate in embroidery. A daughter of a concubine that had been treated poorly in her family but she still maintained her optimistic nature. Tragedy happened and she needed to marry into Xu family for her investigation. She treated everyone including her husband sincerely but in term of emotionally, she didn't care about him that way at all. Like she didn't even try to hv a relationship with him. But she really understand her husband as a person, that earned her his admiration. So we can see how for such a long time, ML trusted her and treated her very well but she didn't return the same courtesy and that drove a wedge in their relationship. She didn't trust him at the important moment and that deeply hurt him. She was in the fault for this because she should definitely communicate with him earlier about her problem and trust him. Bcs of that moment, she started to realise how ML was really sincere toward her, wouldn't do anything to harm her at the cost of his life and that moved her heart. So yeah, she deserved a cold reception from him but fortunately for her, she didn't give up and gave it all to prove her love for him. Then that deep trust in each other helped both of them weathered the storms that keep coming.
I appreciated the additional of other couples like Linbo and Dongqing. They were so cute. Shout-out to Zhaoying, you were very entertaining. Not to forget, our handsome 2ndML, Mr. Lin (I don't want to spoil his real name), you were a righteous person and thank goodness you didn't disappoint me. Hupo, you were smart assistant, it was unfortunate of what had happened to you but you were still a loyal servant.
For the drama reviews that I love, I really like user Rhea's review and Blizzardahm. They wrote something that I thought but didn't know how to put it in words. Like how with Shiyi's wit and loving self, she brought Lingyi out his shell to be more affectionate toward his family members. And how Shiyi was steadfast to hold on her passion to spread the craft of embroidery and helping people to make a living from it.
The ending was my kind of happy ending where they told about how everyone's doing after the climax. I do wish we cld see adorable scene of Linbo and Dongqing, not just hear they were doing well.
20240320 1157
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Good Story Adaption
I watched "The Sword and The Brocade" 45 episodes [english subs] over 14 days. I had to be so strict and limit myself to a maximum of 4 episodes per day [could have easily binged and done a few all-nighters]....Thought the ending was very good because it went back and tied up all the loose ends. Don't you just hate it when you don't know what happened to some of the characters in a story?
I suppose my only complaint would be that some of the scenes were not connected, you know 'attention of detail' when reshooting a scene. Also, some of the script/lines had been used in other dramas [a bit of plagiarism].
On the whole, I enjoyed it very much as it had a mixture of storylines and kept me wanting to get to the end to see what happened - I did not cheat!!
Will definitely have a second viewing of the whole program and maybe extra viewing on certain episodes.
Reminded me a little bit of "Yanxi Palace" just a little ...
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Solid storyline, solid plot, solid character writing.
I'll say one thing: I generally don't like costume dramas and dramas with petty concubines. I also dislike "forced/arranged marriage that turns into real love" dramas. But I liked this one a lot, which must mean something.The characters were very well-written. Even the minor ones had a reason to exist in the story. The story was not very original, but it was different from other similar situations because neither the ML nor the FL begged to be loved, which was refreshing. The "married without love" premise may be the center of the plot, but the story doesn't really revolve around it. The ML and FL had a life and a complete personality both before and after their wedding and they also had to solve numerous problems that weren't related to their marriage. The interations among the various household characters and their friends and enemies was well-written and believable.
There was some exaggerated acting and some exaggerated sub-plots but they didn't manage to break the show.
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Head over Heels for this drama!
So I came across this drama in March 2021 and joined my mother in watching. So I started watching bits and pieces from Episode 13 onwards. I rewatched the drama approximately 8 times! It was so good it got me craving for more and started on my C-Drama addiction. Story is not extraordinary and goes at a slow pace. Plot is predictable the first time I watched. 徐令宜 is the guy you would fall for but also at the same time, laugh at. He has questionable actions but afterall, his love for 十一娘 is a chef's kiss. 十一娘 is witty to the point she tries to make her life count and better her quality of life. She doesn't make way when it comes to gender inequality. She empowers women. This drama also has quite the fights you would see in the harem. If you enjoy sweet slow romance, then this would be for you!Was this review helpful to you?
So worth the 45 episodes and I Didn't Fast Forward Once!
I wasn't expecting much when I started watching this, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I truly enjoyed it.Why it hits: Arranged marriage → mutual respect → full devotion
The ML went above and beyond when it came to the FL and it truly added to their chemistry together. However, despite him being a complete green flag to the FL, he did come up short when it came to his concubines. This led to so many drama plot lines, your head will spin. LOL!
Intimacy: Strong romantic build-up with tasteful bedroom scenes
The intimate level between these two was subtle, but sweet. I wouldn't call it a passionate romance at all, but more of a matured romance of two hearts that came to understand each other.
Ending: Sweet, emotional, fulfilling
Some viewers felt the ending was a bit thrown together, but I didn't mind it that much. Everyone was happy and that's all I was looking for at the end.
It's a long watch, however, I would definitely recommend investing the time!
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