This Thriving Land Episode 18 Recap
> This Thriving Land Recap
Ning Susu suddenly experienced bleeding, leading Fei Zuoshi to believe she had suffered a miscarriage. She anxiously questioned a doctor, who, admitting his limited medical skills, informed her that Susu was not pregnant and showed no signs of miscarriage; the bleeding was merely her period. Fei Zuoshi found this impossible, arguing that Susu hadn't had her period for a long time and was even showing.
The doctor explained that some women, believing themselves pregnant, may experience delayed periods, and a lack of activity combined with overeating can lead to weight gain appearing as a baby bump. Refusing to accept this, Fei Zuoshi sent Qing to find Doctor Huo, but Qing reported that she had already tried him first and he had retired to the county town and closed his practice.
Fei Zuoshi was stunned, while a terrified Ning Susu insisted she didn't mean for this to happen and didn't know what was going on. Tietou, having learned that Ning Xuexiang's promise of permanent tenancy rights was fraudulent, initially confronted Ning Xiuxiu, mistakenly believing she had advised Ning Xuexiang on this. He expressed his long-held suspicion that something was off, lamenting that he finally understood what had happened. He worried that Fei Zuoshi might revoke his permanent tenancy rights.
Ning Xiuxiu, unaware of her father's scheme, countered by stating there was no point asking her if he already believed she would side with her father. Tietou then begged Ning Xiuxiu for help, handing her a letter written by Du Chunlin, admitting he couldn't read its contents. Feng Dajiao, who was present, interjected, scolding Tietou for his disrespect towards Ning Xiuxiu and demanding an apology.
Tietou apologized, and Ning Xiuxiu, seeing his distress, instructed him to take the letter to Ning Kejin on behalf of the Farmers' Association. Tietou journeyed to the county town to find Ning Kejin, conspicuously carrying a large Farmers' Association flag that Ning Xiuxiu had embroidered for him. Kuangzi, Ning Kejin's man, announced Tietou's arrival, noting the flag. Ning Kejin, surprised, invited Tietou in.
Tietou presented Du Chunlin's letter, emphasizing that he had memorized every word and warning that if Ning Xuexiang dared to deceive the Farmers' Association again, the county farmers' association would intervene, stating he wouldn't be able to control the consequences. Tietou then left. Ning Kejin delivered the letter to his father, Ning Xuexiang, who immediately grew concerned, fearing a forceful arrest.
Ning Kejin explained that the mastermind behind Tietou had deliberately left Ning Xuexiang room to maneuver by having Tietou come directly to them rather than immediately involving the county association. Understanding the gravity of the situation, Ning Xuexiang ordered Kuangzi to invite Tietou back, stating he had important matters to discuss. Later, Ning Xuexiang not only treated Tietou to drinks but also granted legitimate permanent tenancy rights to Glutton Fei's family and other previously tricked households.
Upon learning Ning Susu was not pregnant, Fei Zuoshi was heartbroken. She refused to speak to Susu, or eat or drink anything. Fei Wendian, observing her distress, asked a servant about her condition, who confirmed that Fei Zuoshi had refused to eat. Ning Susu, on the other hand, had eaten but continued to cry. Meanwhile, Tietou, overjoyed that his wish had been fulfilled, excitedly came to thank Ning Xiuxiu.
He lauded her as "something else" and "totally impressed," recounting how Ning Xuexiang had respectfully returned Du Chunlin's letter, treated him to drinks, and confirmed that all the previously fake permanent tenancies, including Glutton Fei's, had been made legitimate, ensuring no one would take his land again.
Feng Dajiao, worried about Ning Xuexiang's potential retaliation against Ning Xiuxiu for exposing his deception, questioned what she had done, to which Ning Xiuxiu nonchalantly replied that she had always suspected something was amiss and Tietou's actions had revealed the truth. When Feng Dajiao expressed concern that her father would come after her, Ning Xiuxiu boldly declared, "Let him come, I have questions for him anyway." Feng Dajiao, weary of the ongoing feud, then returned to his work.
Ning Susu grew increasingly angry. She confronted Fei Wendian, demanding he return to their room to sleep with her. She argued that her not being pregnant this time was unintentional, and she genuinely thought she was. She complained that Fei Zuoshi was acting as if she would never get pregnant again, but Ning Susu vowed that if she didn't get pregnant this time, she would next time.
Fei Wendian gently told her to calm down, explaining that "this isn't something to rush." He then asserted that they "can't keep making the same mistake," clearly implying he did not want to continue their marriage. Fei Wendian then visited Fei Zuoshi, urging her not to blame Ning Susu. He kindly offered to get his sister-in-law some food, noting she hadn't eaten all day.
Fei Zuoshi, however, reiterated her anger, stating she felt a stabbing pain in her ribs just thinking about the situation. Fei Wendian then announced his intention to return to school, explaining that Susu no longer needed his company and he had important matters to attend to there. Fei Zuoshi, though upset, acknowledged she couldn't make him stay and wished him well. Fei Wendian then spoke to Ning Susu directly, telling her he was leaving for school.
He reiterated his belief that their relationship was "wrong from the beginning" and encouraged her to make plans for her own bright future. After his confession, he packed his belongings and departed. Ning Susu rushed out to chase him, calling his name, but he was already too far away. Unwilling to remain at the Fei residence, Ning Susu packed a few clothes and returned home. She poured out her grievances to her father, Ning Xuexiang, and brother, Ning Kejin.
Ning Xuexiang had just learned from Ning Kejin that Fei Zuoshi was the mastermind behind Tietou's previous agitation regarding the permanent tenancies, making them resent her deeply. When Ning Susu tearfully explained that she wasn't pregnant, and that Fei Zuoshi had subsequently ignored her, serving her barely edible meals and causing Fei Wendian to leave, Ning Xuexiang was enraged. He vowed to settle all old and new scores with Fei Zuoshi.
Humpback Guo, on his way to town with his donkey cart to get supplies, encountered Feng Dajiao. After exchanging pleasantries, villagers began shouting that press gangs were coming. Soon, Village Chief Ning Xuewu arrived with soldiers to conscript men. Humpback Guo and Feng Dajiao, not wanting to be conscripted, ran, but were surrounded.
The soldiers ordered all young men to the village committee for registration, threatening severe punishment for evaders and their families, and even arresting Ning Xuewu for failing to meet the quota. To escape, Humpback Guo pretended to be a hunchback, while Feng Dajiao feigned being deaf and mute. Ning Xuewu helped them by confirming their ailments. The soldier, after examining them, dismissed them.
Humpback Guo, seeing Feng Dajiao reveal he could hear, insisted that going back to the village was no longer an option, as they would be caught. He offered Feng Dajiao a job for half a month, promising cash payment, highlighting that Feng Dajiao was a good helper and that heaven had sent him to help.
Feng Dajiao, worried about his parents and Ning Xiuxiu, hesitated, but Humpback Guo convinced him not to worry, noting Feng Er had seen them together and would likely inform Ning Xiuxiu, and promising to send a message. Feng Dajiao, fearing conscription, reluctantly agreed and left with Humpback Guo for the city to lay low. As soldiers roamed the village capturing men, the villagers panicked. Tietou and Zhuzi quickly packed their belongings to flee.
Tietou asked Ning Xiuxiu if she had seen Feng Dajiao, and she told him Feng Dajiao had gone to the fields early, but the fields were now empty. She explained that press gangs were coming from the west, seizing every man they saw. Ning Xiuxiu, worried about Feng Dajiao, decided to seek help from Ning Kejin, hoping his militia men could help search.
Meanwhile, Zhuzi remembered that soldiers wouldn't conscript militia members, so he pulled Tietou along to seek refuge with Ning Kejin. Unexpectedly, Niwei was also hiding there. Ning Kejin, not wanting to invite trouble, ordered his men to drive all three of them away, stating that all his militia members were already registered and accounted for.
Ning Xiuxiu pleaded for Tietou and Zhuzi, but Ning Kejin remained firm, explaining that he and his father had paid off the soldiers to not conscript their registered men, and he couldn't risk harboring unregistered individuals. Just then, a team of soldiers arrived to search the militia grounds. Ning Kejin quickly offered them tea, and Ning Xiuxiu served the officer.
The officer, initially complaining about the quality of the tea, accepted better tea when offered and then stated his superior's new requirement: to ensure the militia's headcount matched their register, as they suspected men might be hidden among them. Ning Kejin, having already paid off the soldiers and stating that all his registered men were present, discreetly handed the officer some silver dollars, hoping to dismiss him.
However, the officer then announced he also needed to take attendance and copy the register. Ning Kejin feigned forgetfulness about the register's location, blaming his men. He offered to write down names as the men called them out, but the officer suspected stalling and insisted on the official register. Ning Kejin, pretending to scold his man, ordered him to fetch the register. Ning Xiuxiu, quick-thinking, had secretly added the names "Wang Zhuzi," "Wan Yier," and "Li San" to the roster.
As the officer began calling names, Zhuzi responded when his name was called. When "Wan Yier" was called, Tietou quickly claimed the name, and when "Li San" was called, Niwei, visibly trembling from fear, was prompted by Ning Kejin to say his full name, explaining that "Niwei" was just his nickname and his real name was Li San. The officer, still suspicious of Niwei's demeanor, made a sarcastic remark about his name.
Despite the officer's initial doubts and suspicions, Ning Kejin's quick wit and another five silver dollars successfully defused the situation, and the soldiers departed without discovering the hidden men. Ning Kejin, proud of their cunning escape, commented to Ning Xiuxiu about the cost. Ning Xiuxiu admitted she was the one who added the simplified names to the roster, explaining the quick thinking required under pressure. Tietou thanked Ning Xiuxiu, curious about the name "Wan Yier."
Ning Kejin also praised Ning Xiuxiu for her cleverness in saving the three men. Worried about Feng Dajiao, Ning Xiuxiu, Tietou, Zhuzi, and Niwei immediately set out to search for him in the fields. Feng Er and his wife also joined the search. They found Feng Dajiao's hoe in the fields, prompting Ning Xiuxiu to worry that something terrible had happened, as he would never abandon his hoe. After searching everywhere, they still had no news of Feng Dajiao.
Feng Er's wife, distraught, suggested Feng Dajiao might have been conscripted, noting that the press gangs were "like mad dogs" and had taken everyone who could lift a gun. Later, Feng Dajiao's mother informed Ning Xiuxiu that the village was abuzz with news that Ning Susu's pregnancy was fake, leading to Fei Wendian's departure and Ning Susu's return home. This new crisis added to Ning Xiuxiu's distress over Feng Dajiao's disappearance.
The next morning, Ning Xuexiang drove Ning Susu to the Fei residence to confront Fei Zuoshi and demand justice. He accused Fei Zuoshi of mistreating Ning Susu and kicking her out, claiming his daughter was a doted-on treasure at home but was barely fed at the Fei household. Fei Zuoshi, feigning innocence and citing her recent illness, denied knowing Susu had returned home and insisted that the villagers knew how well she normally treated Susu.
She asserted that her family matters were their own business and that her land rentals were not subject to blackmail. Ning Xuexiang, however, countered that Fei Zuoshi was responsible for his losses related to the permanent tenancy rights, accusing her of provoking Tietou. He demanded five mu of land for Ning Susu as compensation and to save face for her return.
Fei Zuoshi scoffed at this, sarcastically remarking on how "precious" Ning Xuexiang's daughter was to earn five mu of land just by going home, suggesting his ancestors had acquired their land in a similar fashion. She flatly refused his demand and told him to take Ning Susu back home, ordering her servant to help Ning Susu out of the carriage. Ning Xuexiang, however, forbade Susu from leaving the carriage until the matter was settled.
Just then, Ning Xiuxiu arrived, stepping in to rescue Ning Susu. She berated both Ning Xuexiang and Fei Zuoshi for arguing over their own interests and sacrificing her sister's feelings. Ning Xiuxiu took Ning Susu away, declaring she would take her sister herself. As Ning Xuexiang turned to leave, Fei Zuoshi ordered her servant to close the gates. Ning Xuexiang, however, protested from a distance that the matter was not yet settled.
