This Thriving Land Episode 6 Recap
> This Thriving Land Recap
Fei Wendian, having reluctantly married Ning Susu as a substitute for Ning Xiuxiu, intended to send Susu back to her family and leave Ox Temple Village, as his heart remained with Ning Xiuxiu. When he tried to depart, Ning Kejin confronted him, outraged at the thought of Susu, still a child, being left behind. Ning Kejin firmly declared that as long as he was there, no one would take his sister away.
Ning Mother, however, was desperate to secure Susu's future; she pleaded with Fei Wendian to accept Susu as his wife, instructing her daughter to embrace her role in the Fei family and never mention the substitute marriage again. Despite Susu's tearful pleas not to be sent away, Ning Mother remained resolute, even ordering Ning Kejin to prepare the cart. She also asserted her authority to Ning Xuexiang, declaring he no longer had a say in family matters.
Despite Fei Wendian's protest that he could not recognize Susu as his wife, Ning Mother knelt and begged him, until Lianye reluctantly and forcibly guided a distraught Susu to the waiting carriage. Deeply concerned for her mother's health, Ning Susu soon sought permission from Mrs. Fei to visit home. She explained that her mother was seriously ill and she worried incessantly, having had no proper time to speak with her during her brief previous visit.
Mrs. Fei kindly consented and arranged for a carriage to take Susu back. Meanwhile, Feng Er, after inspecting his fields, returned home and resumed his pressure on Ning Xiuxiu. He reiterated that she must retrieve the deed for the fifteen mu of land as her dowry, brutally reminding her that the Feng family had saved her from a desolate fate after her ordeal and that she owed them gratitude.
He then claimed that if she failed to bring back the land, the Feng family would cast her out, suggesting a person without gratitude was "worse than animals." Enduring his taunts silently, Ning Xiuxiu grabbed her belongings and walked out of the house. Feng Er, watching her leave, secretly smirked, convinced she was finally going to get the land deed. Ning Mother's health continued to deteriorate due to her constant worry for both daughters.
She tried to assure Susu that sending her to the Fei family was for her own good, as finding another husband would be difficult given her situation. She urged Susu to build a good life with Fei Wendian, emphasizing that the Fei family was respectable and well-off. Susu, though acknowledging Mrs. Fei's kindness and the comforts of the Fei Residence, confided that Fei Wendian largely kept to himself, rarely interacting with her.
She also expressed her deep hurt that Ning Xiuxiu was estranged and refused to see their ailing mother. Ning Mother, heartbroken, reaffirmed her love for Xiuxiu, and Susu promised to find a way to bring her sister home. At the Feng household, Feng Dajiao, upon learning from Feng Er that he had driven Ning Xiuxiu from the house to retrieve the land deed, became furious.
He immediately raced out and found Ning Xiuxiu, disoriented and feverish, attempting to build a makeshift shelter in a secluded area. Ning Xiuxiu declared she would rather die than claim the land from her father and steadfastly refused to return to the Feng family because of Feng Er's taunts. Feng Dajiao, realizing her high fever, insisted they go home, carrying her back despite her protests.
Once home, he sternly warned his father that if the fifteen mu of land was ever mentioned again, he would take Ning Xiuxiu and leave for Manchuria permanently, renouncing his family. His mother, terrified at the thought of losing her son, quickly supported him, imploring Feng Er not to provoke Dajiao further. Ning Xiuxiu's fever persisted, but Feng Dajiao stayed by her side, carefully nursing her.
In her delirium, she called out Fei Wendian's name, yet in her dreams, it was Feng Dajiao rescuing her, and his name was on her lips. The next morning, Ning Xiuxiu awoke to find Feng Dajiao still watching over her. Feng Mother then brought her medicine, telling Feng Dajiao to get brown sugar from Humpback Guo for Xiuxiu to regain her strength.
She also revealed that Feng Dajiao's threat to leave for Manchuria had successfully deterred his father from mentioning the land again. Soon after, Ning Susu, having learned of her sister's location, arrived at the Feng residence. Feng Mother welcomed her warmly, explaining Ning Xiuxiu's illness but assuring her of her recovery and the family's care. Susu, feeling remorseful, went to Ning Xiuxiu's bedside. Ning Xiuxiu, though weakened, immediately inquired about their mother's health.
Susu then confessed that their father had coerced her into substituting for Ning Xiuxiu's wedding with a broken promise to exchange them later. Ning Xiuxiu, pained by her sister's sacrifice, lamented that their father only valued land over his daughters. Susu, however, insisted her own suffering was insignificant as long as Xiuxiu was safe, and reaffirmed their unbreakable sisterly bond, to which Ning Xiuxiu reciprocated.
Though Ning Susu pleaded with her to visit their ailing mother, Ning Xiuxiu, bound by a vow never to re-enter the Ning household, refused. Instead, she gave Susu a jade pendant, a cherished dowry from their grandmother, which their mother had then given to both daughters as their own dowries. Ning Xiuxiu asked Susu to present it to their mother, assuring her that Ning Xiuxiu was well cared for and urging Susu not to reveal her illness.
Ning Xiuxiu promised to find a way to visit their mother when she recovered. Fei Wendian informed Mrs. Fei of his imminent return to school. Mrs. Fei, displeased with his quick departure after the marriage, admonished him, stating that he owed Susu proper "closure." She subtly hinted at the need for an heir, declaring that the Fei Residence had been quiet too long and it was "time for newborns." Fei Wendian, however, explicitly stated his intention not to touch Susu.
Despite this, Mrs. Fei ordered a lavish farewell dinner for him. Meanwhile, a servant from the Fei Residence arrived at the Ning household to summon Susu back. Susu pleaded with her mother to stay and care for her, but Ning Mother, informed of Mrs. Fei's concern about gossip for a newly married woman staying away, reluctantly urged Susu to return to the Fei Residence.
Lianye intervened, suggesting Susu could feed her mother one last bowl of porridge before leaving, to which both Susu and her mother agreed. Separately, at the Feng household, Feng Dajiao presented Ning Xiuxiu with a new mirror he had specially obtained. While admiring it, Ning Xiuxiu confessed her deep longing for her ailing mother.
Feng Dajiao offered to accompany her back to the Ning family, but Ning Xiuxiu was torn, explaining her solemn vow never to set foot in her old home again. Unaware of Fei Wendian's personal reluctance, Mrs. Fei strongly urged Susu to ensure Fei Wendian stayed, believing that if Susu bore him a child, he would be bound to the family. Susu, mortified by the suggestion, firmly rejected the idea, her face flushing crimson.
During the farewell banquet, Fei Wendian toasted Susu, acknowledging that their marriage was against both their wishes and that she remained a "free person," offering his help if she ever wished to leave the Fei family. Mrs. Fei swiftly interjected, reassuring Susu that Fei Wendian meant no such thing and reiterating the warmth and festive spirit of the Fei household, promising New Year's celebrations and temple fair visits.
Susu brightened considerably, and Mrs. Fei encouraged both of them to "drink to your heart's content." Soon, both Fei Wendian and Susu felt an unusual heat. Susu, feeling flushed, asked for the brazier to be removed, and Mrs. Fei quickly excused herself, feigning a need to fetch servants and more dishes. Unbeknownst to the young couple, Mrs. Fei had secretly drugged the wine, intending for them to consummate their marriage.
As the potent effects of the wine took hold, Fei Wendian's mind clouded. He stumbled, mistaking Susu for Ning Xiuxiu, and carried her to bed. Under the influence, he called out Ning Xiuxiu's name, declaring his lifelong desire to cherish her and claiming her as his own. Outside the room, Mrs. Fei knelt, fervently praying to the Fei family ancestors for a son.
