Romance on the Farm Episode 15 Recap
> Romance on the Farm Recap
Lian Man'er secretly overheard her parents discussing their struggles to gather money, even contemplating selling their remaining valuables and her father working difficult jobs despite his leg injury, all to help her repay a debt. Her father insisted on taking high-paying, strenuous work, believing it was their responsibility to help their daughter settle her obligations sooner.
Overwhelmed with guilt, Man'er silently chastised herself, realizing her wine business had inadvertently burdened her father with arduous labor, making her feel like a jinx. Soon after, Wang Youheng, hoping to lift Man'er's spirits, secretly lit a series of fireworks.
As the fireworks bloomed in the night sky, a delighted Man'er made several wishes: for all her worries to vanish, for her debt to be cleared, for her wine to be returned, and for the health of her parents and younger brother. She also wished to see him again. Coincidentally, Shen Yi then appeared, carrying Man'er's previously stolen wine.
He admitted that her wishes seemed to have come true, and clarified that he had advised a group of bandits to impersonate government soldiers to rob valuable goods from the Song family, only for them to mistakenly seize her wine. Man'er confronted him, expressing frustration over his numerous secrets and questioning the truthfulness of his words, even directly accusing him, "Wang Youheng was right, you are a bandit!"
Shen Yi then revealed his true identity, stating he was not Shen Nuo, but Shen Yi, the Wude Deputy Commissioner and younger brother of Empress Shen, and not from Qingshan County. He explained his presence in Shisanli Camp was part of an incognito investigation commissioned by the Emperor due to the empty national treasury.
Qingzhou Prefecture, the fief of Marquis Ningyuan and the location of Jinyang County and Shisanli Camp, had not paid taxes for years and had falsely reported a drought, requesting relief funds. Suspecting the greedy Marquis Ningyuan, the Emperor dispatched Shen Yi to uncover the truth and restrain the Marquis. Shen Yi confirmed that his investigation revealed no drought, but rather rampant collusion between officials and merchants, who oppressed the populace and embezzled funds.
Man'er realized that his past actions, from helping her with the funeral rites to assisting her at Yuelai Restaurant, were all pretexts to use her for his investigation. Shen Yi conceded that he still needed a local identity to covertly approach the Jinyang Guild, a merchant association involved in private salt smuggling, and asked for her help.
Man'er agreed to assist him, but when Shen Yi confessed his love, stating he had missed her every day since leaving, she firmly rejected him, saying she no longer needed his lies, having already agreed to help him as the Duke. Meanwhile, Wang Youheng, who had arrived to find Man'er, was disheartened to discover Shen Yi's return. Shen Yi temporarily lodged at the Lian family home.
Man'er explained to Zhang Aunt that Shen Yi and his companion were old friends who had resurfaced after a flood and needed to stay for a while. Shen Yi, though focused on his mission, expressed regret that Man'er was upset by his long-kept secrets and sudden departure, especially since he was now back seeking her assistance. He speculated that with Song Haikun having lost the registration book, his position as dispatcher would surely be jeopardized.
To retrieve crucial evidence, Shen Yi planned to infiltrate the Jinyang Guild and locate the new dispatcher. Unbeknownst to them, Old Three and Old Four, two brothers from the Black Tiger Fortress, had arranged to meet the Song family at Jinyang Bridge, demanding three thousand taels of silver for the return of the registration book. They believed their understanding of the book's contents gave them leverage.
Upon learning of their plan, Wu Zhonglian instructed Song Haikun to prepare the money, but secretly ordered him to eliminate the thieves after recovering the registration book. While buying provisions in town, Thirteen unexpectedly encountered Old Three and Old Four from Black Tiger Fortress, who were enjoying Yuefeng Restaurant's braised pork knuckles.
He overheard them confidently discussing their plan to meet the Song family at Jinyang Bridge to exchange the registration book for three thousand taels, convinced their understanding of its contents would secure the deal. Old Four even mentioned how Shen Yi had seemingly given up the valuable book for "that girl's wine." Realizing the inherent danger and likely trap, Thirteen rushed back to warn Shen Yi.
Shen Yi immediately headed to Jinyang Bridge, where he arrived just in time to rescue Old Three and Old Four from an ambush by the Song family's men, who managed to snatch the registration book. Old Three was gravely injured and suffering from an arrow laced with Qianji poison. Despite the danger, Shen Yi insisted they retreat to the Black Tiger Fortress, knowing the Song family would pursue them.
Later, Shen Yi sought out Wang Youheng, who was on his way to treat Chunzhu's mother, and requested his medical expertise for Old Three. Wang Youheng, visibly displeased, confronted Shen Yi for his unpredictable appearances that disrupted Man'er's life, asserting that he should not have returned. Shen Yi acknowledged their differences but emphasized their shared affection for Man'er and their mutual desire to protect her.
He admitted to having "unspeakable reasons" that he could not disclose but implored Wang Youheng to trust him, set aside his personal animosity, and provide medical aid to the injured. The following day, Shen Yi, Lian Man'er, and Wang Youheng ventured into the mountains, discovering the surprisingly large Black Tiger Fortress.
Man'er learned that its inhabitants were not malicious bandits but honest farmers whose lands had been seized by corrupt officials and wealthy lords, leaving them no choice but to seek refuge there. They encountered Yu Xiangjin, the leader of the fortress, preparing to take Old Three, still suffering from the Qianji poison, to seek a doctor.
Despite some initial skepticism from the fortress members about bringing outsiders, Shen Yi quickly introduced Wang Youheng as a highly skilled physician, stressing the urgency of treating Old Three. Wang Youheng confirmed the diagnosis of Qianji poison and began treatment, leading to Old Three's recovery. A grateful Yu Xiangjin profusely thanked them, and apologized to Man'er for the previous robbery, explaining they had believed the wine belonged to the Song family.
Man'er assured her it was fine, as Shen Yi had already returned the wine. Shen Yi then appealed to Yu Xiangjin to abandon their life of robbing, warning that it would inevitably endanger the elderly and children within the fortress. Yu Xiangjin explained their desperate situation, citing their lack of land, homes, or even household registration documents, which meant starvation if they ceased their current activities.
Man'er, having understood their plight, proposed a business partnership: the Black Tiger Fortress would provide the space and manpower, while she would share her distillation technology for her "Champion Brandy." She demonstrated its profitability, stating she had earned five hundred taels this month. Man'er initially proposed a three-seven profit split, before sweetening the offer to provide equipment and ingredients for a fifty-fifty profit split.
Shen Yi further advocated for the deal, assuring Yu Xiangjin it would be "extremely beneficial" for the fortress and free them from a life of constant fear. Yu Xiangjin ultimately agreed, contingent on transparent accounting and strict adherence to the agreed profit distribution. The Black Tiger Fortress, chronically underserved medically, greatly benefited from Wang Youheng's presence. He treated numerous villagers who had long suffered from untreated ailments, earning their profound gratitude.
Realizing the critical need, Wang Youheng decided to extend his stay for several more days, as many patients still required his attention and a single course of medicine was insufficient. Man'er, meanwhile, informed him of her imminent departure to deliver wine down the mountain and offered to send him any necessary supplies, including Three-Nine Cold Medicine.
Before leaving, she thanked Wang Youheng for the fireworks, acknowledging she knew he was behind them, but gently clarified her hope that they would "always be best friends," implicitly declining any romantic overtures. Following the visit, Shen Yi sought advice from Song Hailong on how to gain entry into the Jinyang Guild, explaining the slow pace of profit for small businesses.
Song Hailong clarified that Master Wu Zhonglian, the wealthiest individual in the region and the guild's head, held sole authority over admissions. He emphasized that the guild's members were all renowned, affluent merchants, and that without an established business or shop, Shen Yi and Man'er stood little chance. He also mentioned that while the Song family had close ties with Master Wu, his elder brother, Song Haikun, was currently unable to intervene.
Song Hailong further implied that one needed to demonstrate "abilities that interest" Master Wu. Shen Yi concluded that the entry bar for the Jinyang Guild was exceptionally high, requiring them to not only establish a business but also to make a significant impact. They initially considered opening a restaurant, but Man'er revealed that after using the five hundred taels received from Song Hailong to clear her debts, she only had a little over two hundred taels remaining.
Shen Yi pointed out that as he was currently living as a farmer, suddenly acquiring a large sum for a business venture would draw undue attention, potentially compromising his investigation should the Jinyang Guild later scrutinize their backgrounds. Consequently, they resolved to begin by producing wine to gradually accumulate the necessary capital for a shop, building their enterprise from the ground up.
