Romance on the Farm Episode 22 Recap
> Romance on the Farm Recap
As rumors circulated among the villagers about the Jinyang Guild's aggressive land acquisition, Lian Ye'er expressed her worries, to which her father calmly assured her he would handle it, reminding her that even the Jinyang Guild wouldn't dare defy an official. Lian Man'er, meanwhile, was helping her father with numerous notices to be posted around the village.
Both sisters couldn't shake the feeling that the sudden disappearance of Shen Nuo and Thirteen and the guild's arrival were connected, though they hoped otherwise, pondering where the two men could have gone. Shen Nuo and Thirteen were, in fact, staying at an inn to avoid suspicion. Shen Nuo explained to Thirteen that telling Lian Man'er about their plans would only lead to opposition, as she would always prioritize her family and the villagers' interests.
He stressed the importance of focusing on the larger mission first and keeping Lian Ye'er in the dark as well. Thirteen reported that Black Tiger Fortress's assistance had helped them acquire land in many villages within Wu Zhonglian's designated area, but progress in Shisanli Camp was slow due to the recent posting of notices. Shen Nuo reiterated that Wu Zhonglian would find a way to take the land regardless, and they needed to proceed to prevent him from harming villagers.
He promised that the land would be returned to the villagers once their mission was successfully completed. Lian Man'er continued her routine of delivering vegetables to the Liu Mansion, subtly looking for an opportunity to find Xiu'er. She used the pretext of warming her Malatang to gain access to the kitchen, where she overheard a cook being instructed to deliver food to the "new concubine" who was kept locked away. Following the cook, Man'er located Xiu'er.
Overwhelmed, Xiu'er tearfully confided in Man'er, expressing deep regret for believing Uncle Shouren's deceptive words and lamenting her miserable, "animal-like" existence under Liu Fugui, who had also physically abused her. She desperately pleaded for Man'er to rescue her and bring her home. Man'er promised to find a way to free her, acknowledging the difficulty due to the mansion's guards and the risk of Liu Fugui retaliating against their family.
She also reassured Xiu'er that their family was safe and that Liu Fugui’s claims about their family being "gone" were lies. Back in Shisanli Camp, Wu Zhonglian grew impatient with Shen Nuo's slow progress on land acquisition, demanding immediate completion and hinting at taking matters into his own hands if necessary, while also seeking to gauge Shen Nuo's loyalty. Members of Black Tiger Fortress then began their aggressive tactics, forcefully demanding land deeds and threatening to burn down houses.
During one such confrontation, Chunzhu's father was injured while bravely defending his family. Shen Nuo and Thirteen arrived, with Shen Nuo attempting to negotiate, offering fair compensation and emphasizing the villagers' safety. However, the villagers, including Chunzhu's father, angrily accused Shen Nuo of betraying them and bullying his own people with outsiders. In a shocking turn, Shen Nuo drew a knife and held it to Chunzhu's father's throat, terrifying everyone, including Lian Man'er, who watched in disbelief.
Lian Ye'er quickly pulled Lian Man'er away, who was furious and insisted on confronting Shen Nuo. Ye'er stopped her, warning her of the danger. When Thirteen appeared at their home, Lian Man'er and Lian Ye'er immediately grilled him about his and Shen Nuo's involvement. Thirteen, delivering Shen Nuo’s message, coldly stated that no one, including family, could impede his mission, advising them to sign the land deeds and leave for their safety, given the Jinyang Guild's ruthless methods.
Lian Ye'er, enraged by his betrayal, vehemently cursed him and ordered him to leave their house. The Lian family was left reeling with anger and disappointment. Lian Father felt compelled to explain to the villagers that they had been deceived by Shen Nuo and Thirteen. Lian Mother, however, was more pragmatic, suggesting they sell the land for enough money to buy a comfortable house in town and live safely.
Lian Man'er, feeling responsible for bringing Shen Nuo into their lives, offered to find new accommodations for the family if they decided to sell. She tried to persuade her grandfather to sell, warning that continued resistance would only lead to fear and potential danger to their lives. Aunt He agreed, urging them to sell, but Lian Fang adamantly refused, declaring he would rather die than part with his land.
Chunzhu's mother, distraught, blamed Lian Fang for his father's injury, but Chunzhu's grandmother interjected, asserting that the true fault lay with the brutal land grabbers. Physician Wang examined Chunzhu's father, who had regained consciousness, confirming he was out of danger but needed to avoid stress.
At Chunzhu's house, Chunzhu's grandmother implored both Chunzhu's father and Lian Fang to accept their fate, arguing that human life was far more precious than land, and that all they truly desired was a peaceful family life. Lian Fang, deeply moved by her words, began to grasp the harsh reality of their situation. Later that night, Lian Man'er secretly met Shen Nuo at the inn.
Shen Nuo confessed that his earlier ruthless actions were a necessary act, a charade designed to convince Wu Zhonglian of his unwavering commitment and secure the crucial ore transport mission. He revealed his theory that Wu Zhonglian’s aggressive land acquisition in Shisanli Camp was to clear a path for his mining and ore transportation operations. Shen Nuo explained that he needed to secure this transport mission to discover the mine's precise location and gather decisive evidence against Marquis Ningyuan's treason.
Man'er expressed her earnest wish for a swift end to the whole ordeal and for the villains to be brought to justice. Before she left, Shen Nuo unexpectedly offered his help with Lian Xiu'er's predicament, outlining a strategic plan that could not only rescue Xiu'er but also expose Liu Fugui, simultaneously advancing Shen Nuo's own covert operations against Wu Zhonglian. On her way home, Lian Man'er found Wang Youheng waiting for her.
He shared his unshakeable faith in Shen Nuo, recounting their past experiences together and asserting that Shen Nuo, despite the current public hatred, would never act for selfish gain, implying he must be under duress. Man'er, seeing his unwavering trust, encouraged him to maintain his belief in Shen Nuo. To ensure the villagers' safety, the Lian family, along with many others, reluctantly agreed to abandon their ancestral home in Shisanli Camp.
Lian Fang, with a heavy heart, tearfully bid farewell to the land he had cherished his entire life. Lian Man'er temporarily closed her restaurant to oversee the family's relocation to a new settlement. She carefully assigned rooms, giving the larger ones to the elders. Aunt He, hoping to reconcile with Lian Ye'er, tried to switch rooms to be closer to her, but Lian Ye'er, still harboring resentment from past events, politely but firmly kept her distance.
Lian Man'er attempted to mediate, suggesting that some relationships require time to heal and for people's true characters to become clear. Meanwhile, Lian Man'er's grandmother called for her, indicating their intention to visit Lian Xiu'er at the Liu Mansion.
