This Thriving Land Episode 4 Recap
> This Thriving Land Recap
Upon learning of Ning Xiuxiu's intention to marry Feng Dajiao, Ning's mother worried about the Feng family's poverty and urged Ning Xuexiang to prepare a dowry. Ning Xuexiang reluctantly agreed to provide five mu of land, but Ning's mother insisted on fifteen mu of fertile land by the west well in the village, given the hardships Xiuxiu had endured.
Despite her mother's attempts to console her with news of the dowry, Ning Xiuxiu, before the villagers, made three solemn vows: from that moment, she would never step foot in the Ning family home again; she would never consume any food from the Ning family, nor take anything from them; and she declared Ning Xuexiang was no longer her father. After her pronouncements, she got into the wedding carriage.
Ning Susu rushed home, weeping upon discovering Xiuxiu was marrying Feng Dajiao, not Fei Wendian. She desperately tried to stop her sister, but Xiuxiu left without looking back. Fei Wendian also hurried to intercept the wedding carriage, demanding to know why Xiuxiu was marrying Feng Dajiao. The matchmaker pointed out that Fei Wendian was already married to Susu and questioned if he desired both sisters.
Xiuxiu then firmly told Fei Wendian that their relationship was over and asked him to let her go. Ning Susu, believing her father forced Xiuxiu into the marriage, confronted Ning Xuexiang, accusing him of lying about saving Xiuxiu and only caring about the betrothal gifts and land from the Fei family. She felt like they were valued less than dogs. Ning Xuexiang, in turn, forcibly sent Ning Susu back to the Fei Residence.
Fei Zuoshi arrived at the Ning home to find a weeping Ning Susu, who explained that her father had thrown her out. Fei Zuoshi consoled her, persuading her to return to the Fei Residence, promising her favorite dishes and asserting that her marriage with Wendian would be resolved quickly. Meanwhile, a messenger arrived at the Feng Residence, informing Feng Er that the bride was on her way. Feng Er was overjoyed and sent Tietou to find Feng Dajiao.
Feng Dajiao's mother, initially worried about the sudden marriage, quickly started cooking. Feng Si and his wife arrived to offer congratulations, subtly hinting at sharing in the dowry, emphasizing the closeness of brothers and implying Feng Er shouldn't forget them in his newfound prosperity. Feng Er rebuffed them, reminding them of their agreement to manage their own families.
When Ning Xiuxiu arrived, the matchmaker confirmed no dowry was brought, telling a dismayed Feng Er that he should be grateful to have married a wife without spending a penny, considering their family's humble circumstances. Feng Er, contemplating his financial loss, regretted having the matchmaker propose the marriage. Inside the dilapidated Feng home, Ning Xiuxiu felt a profound sense of desolation. She waited anxiously for Feng Dajiao, but he remained absent, intensifying her feelings of abandonment.
She acknowledged that leaving the Ning family, which had left her "deeply disappointed" and made her "heart go completely cold," was the right choice, but she felt this new place was not truly her home either, making her the "loneliest person in the world." She was overwhelmed by a "bone-chilling cold" feeling. Feng Dajiao's mother and Tietou's mother tried to comfort Xiuxiu, urging her to sit for good fortune.
When Xiuxiu requested water, Feng Dajiao's mother offered cold water, which Xiuxiu found too cold. She then offered hot noodle soup, saying Xiuxiu's fair complexion made their "shabby house brighter." Xiuxiu asked if Dajiao had returned, learning he had left the previous day. She inquired if anyone had searched Chicken Ridge, where the bandits were. She eventually ate a bowl of noodles ravenously, indicating her prolonged hunger.
Feng Er, despite observing Xiuxiu's hunger, expressed his displeasure about her eating without contributing, stating that if she ate their food, she would become their family and be obliged to bring the promised land. Xiuxiu attempted to go find Dajiao, but Feng Er and his mother stopped her, saying it was improper for a bride to seek the groom and questioning her ability to do so in her weakened state.
Soon after, news arrived that Feng Dajiao had been seen taking someone into town. Relieved that he was safe, Ning Xiuxiu finally relaxed and fell asleep. Feng's mother covered her with a quilt. Later, Feng Dajiao's mother expressed her admiration for Ning Xiuxiu's beauty but worried about the implications of her past with the bandits, fearing Feng Dajiao might not accept her.
Feng Er, however, saw an opportunity, suggesting that once Dajiao and Xiuxiu returned to her maiden home, they could demand more land from Ning Xuexiang, possibly more than the fifteen mu. Tietou soon returned with Feng Dajiao, who was stunned to find Xiuxiu in his home. His parents explained the situation.
Feng Dajiao, recalling how her own father abandoned Xiuxiu and the Fei family rejected her, declared he would keep her regardless of her circumstances, stating his heart ached at her suffering. Feng Er immediately pressed for the fifteen mu of land as dowry, but Dajiao adamantly refused to demand it from Xiuxiu's family. Tietou privately urged Feng Dajiao to reconsider, reminding him that Xiuxiu had been violated by the bandits.
Feng Dajiao, however, stated that he had loved Xiuxiu since childhood, knowing he could never aspire to her before. Now that no one else wanted her, he considered it a blessing from heaven that she was willing to marry him, and he cared about nothing else. That night, as Ning Xiuxiu slept, she muttered Fei Wendian's name in her dreams. The next morning, Ning Xiuxiu woke to find Feng Dajiao sleeping beside her on the bed-stove.
Feng Dajiao's mother wanted to prepare a good meal for Xiuxiu. Feng Er grudgingly agreed to go to the market for a fish, but only if Xiuxiu would agree to ask her family for the land after eating. When Ning Xiuxiu wanted to wash her face and brush her teeth, she asked Feng Dajiao's mother for warm water and salt, as she had forgotten her tooth powder.
Feng Er, watching her, complained about the waste of precious salt, which was hard-earned by trading eggs from their chickens, which were fed with rice. Despite his grumbling, Feng Dajiao's mother told Xiuxiu to ignore him. When Feng Dajiao returned, Ning Xiuxiu immediately approached him, expressing her relief that he was safe and her worry that he had been captured by bandits. She then asked why he had come to her house and if he had gone to find Fei Wendian.
