Episode 21 recap: Lian Xiuer was deceived into marriage.
Lian Maner told Lian Xiuer about Liu Fugui not having a son, but Lian Xiuer didn't believe it. She thought it was their eldest brother acting as a matchmaker and believed that he wouldn't harm her. Besides, she thought the Liu family was wealthy, so she still wanted to marry into it. Lian Maner's uncle didn't dare to offend Liu Fugui, so he could only let Lian Xiuer become a concubine and keep it a secret from them.
Lian Maner's uncle also took money from his wife and planned to give it to Lian Xiuer as dowry. Shen Nuo had been following Boss Cao and indeed saw Liu Fugui giving goods to Boss Cao and handing him a route to transport the goods.
Shen Nuo investigated and found out that this time they were transporting not private salt but iron ore, which could be used to make weapons. This was no longer just a matter of making money; it was likely a plot to rebel. However, Shen Nuo didn't have evidence yet, so the priority was finding the mine to gather evidence.
Soon it was time for Wu Huizhang's wedding. Wu Huizhang put on her bridal gown and came out, but the groom didn't show up to welcome her. The matchmaker quickly said that the groom had some urgent matters and couldn't come, but he was sincerely looking forward to marrying the bride, and there would be no problem. Lian Maner's uncle also helped speak in support. Lian Maner had already sensed something was wrong and said that if the groom didn't come, they wouldn't proceed with the marriage, even though they were from the countryside.
Lian Maner's grandmother didn't believe what Lian Maner said and thought he, a junior, shouldn't interfere in the matters of the elders. Lian Maner's uncle also joined in and said that they had given such a generous dowry, which girl in the surrounding villages could compare? Lian Xiuer still went ahead with the marriage, and the matchmaker said that once they crossed the threshold, the groom would surely treat Lian Xiuer well.
To Lian Xiuer's surprise, when she arrived at the groom's place, she found out that the groom was actually Liu Fugui himself, and he was not Liu Fugui's son at all. She refused to accept Liu Fugui and resisted desperately.
Lian Xiuer caused a disturbance all night, and Liu Fugui couldn't do anything about it. In the end, he locked Lian Xiuer in the firewood room to let her think things through. Wu Huizhang called Liu Fugui over, wanting to acquire land. Liu Fugui believed that these people had been here for generations and wouldn't give their land to Wu Huizhang. Wu Huizhang suggested taking the eastern route, and Liu Fugui asked if they didn't need to avoid attracting attention. Wu Huizhang said that as long as there was no one around, they didn't need to hide.
Wu Huizhang gathered the prominent figures of Jinyangxing and said that whoever could accomplish this task would be rewarded with tea. Everyone hesitated, but Shen Nuo expressed willingness to serve Wu Huizhang. Lian Maner brought vegetables to Liu Fugui's place and asked the steward about the recent marriage. The steward said that it was just bringing in a concubine and not a significant marriage. Moreover, this concubine had offended Liu Fugui and was currently locked in the firewood room. Lian Maner returned and told Lian Ye Er about it, thinking that Lian Xiuer was their grandmother's favorite, and if they told her, she would definitely cause a scene. In the end, Lian Xiuer wouldn't be returned, and it would also offend Liu Fugui. So they decided not to inform them for now.
Liu Fugui came to see Lian Xiuer and told her to think it through. Either she served him well, or she would lose her life. Lian Xiuer expressed her desire to go back home, and Liu Fugui said that his family would soon be gone. People discussed the news of the land acquisition, and some thought it was a good thing since they had bought the land with money, and now they could move to the town with the money.
Lian Maner's second uncle was also tempted, but Lian Maner's grandfather disagreed with selling the land. He said that they were living a good life now, and they shouldn't give up the place where they grew up.
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