The Sword and the Brocade

The Sword and the Brocade is a compelling story about concubine-born Luo Shiyi who marries Xu Lingyi, Marquis Yongping to honor a dying sister's wish. Seven Tan and Wallace Chung are outstanding in their roles, the former as the smart, diligent and kind Shiyi, the latter as the cold, strict and upright Lingyi. The sweet, heart-fluttering slow-burn romance between Shiyi and Lingyi develops in a charged setting laden with scheming concubines and political rivals.

When the leads fall in love, their devotion to each other is so heartwarming you'd just want to keep watching how an intelligent and sensible couple who truly love, respect and trust each other overcomes one scheme after another, outmaneuvering enemies together.

My main gripes about Cdramas are their length and tendency to drag. But this is so good, with hardly any draggy parts, I just wanted it to keep going. The music is stirring, the cinematography is stunning and the story flows smoothly. The ending is one of the most satisfying endings in Cdramas I've watched.

This got a lot of flak for featuring the concubine system, which, for me, is tantamount to saying that all shows featuring war and crime are bad. In fact, far from supporting the concubine system, this drama shows how evil it is, causing much grief to everyone involved, from the husband to the wives, concubines and children. In the end, the male lead and his brother both abandon the practice. Thus, the flak this drama got was unfair and undeserved.

I am not familiar with the male and female leads of this movie -- their history, their TV and movie work. But I think all the players in this romantic drama of the Xu family are wonderful. The Sword and the Brocade takes place in China somewhere in the distant past, but the story could take place any time. Simple love, simple conflicts, nothing you have to dig for to understand. I recommend it highly.

I loved this show. Not many shows are getting my attention lately. I just so happened upon this show and though of Cinderella of the Chinese and it isn't like European Cinderella where she sees him and immediately falls for him. Concubine daughter wants nothing to do with noble, ends up falling for him and having to struggle. Just wish I didn't have to read the subtitles in order to watch it...wasn't easy with having the subs flying across my screen and me having to stop, rewind and pause it so many times. But was better than the European/American stories anyday.

Just started this and was compelled to write an early review because of the bashing of concubines. These are fictional dramas and weather anyone likes it or not concubines were a common thing for 2000 years! Weather you agree with it or not or you want t think abandoning it was a reality it's a fictional drama! The fact people don't want to fathom the fact that there were concubines and think because a fictional drama written in 2021 was historically accurate because they abandoned the practice. Most men had 100's of concubines. Any ways I'm finding this to be decent but imo they down play the facts of concubines. I'll keep watching and update if needed..

I'm not sure how this show managed to make a dull couple with the most tepid temperament so much fun to watch. Perhaps it's the chemistry between the FL and ML (played by Seven Tan and Wallace Chung). Or maybe because they are the least annoying characters among a boatload of over-the-top, melodramatic personalities in this harem drama.

The story follows the trial and tribulation of a concubine's daughter who married into a large prestigious family filled with continuous conflicts and intrigues. There were also several murder mysteries that placed her and her new family at risk. There are definitely plot pitfalls, but not enough to dampen my enjoyment of the show thus far.

Some of the elements that kept me going past twenty-some episodes were the exquisite set design and original soundtracks. The beautiful "Be together" by Zhou Shen is now one of my favorite Chinese drama theme songs. In addition, the performance by Seven Tan and Wallace Chung really was a pleasure to watch.

I recommend this romantic period drama to anyone who needs a fun little mental escape at the end of a long day.