Episode 25 recap: Lian Maner is about to leave.
Shen Nuo dropped his weapon and was stabbed by someone on this side, which greatly saddened Lian Maner. The leader of the Wude Division originally intended to kill Shen Nuo, but fortunately, Yu Xiang Jin arrived with his men. Yu Xiang Jin wanted to kill the leader of the Wude Division and avenge his brothers.
Shen Nuo was severely injured and untied Lian Maner before taking her into a room to hide. Lian Maner felt guilty for causing trouble for Shen Nuo, wishing she hadn't gone to that cave. Shen Nuo didn't blame Lian Maner and acknowledged that she helped him find the evidence he had been searching for.
Shen Nuo mentioned that he had promised Lian Maner to stay together, but now it seemed impossible. Someone barged in and attacked Shen Nuo. In a critical moment, Lian Maner grabbed a sword and killed that person, saving Shen Nuo.
Shi San arrived with the people from the Wude Division. The leader of the Wude Division wanted to commit suicide, claiming that they wouldn't find evidence to incriminate the Marquis of Ningyuan. Shen Nuo stated that the leader of the Wude Division had been loyal to the Marquis of Ningyuan, but the Marquis had long abandoned him. The leader of the Wude Division didn't believe it and mentioned that he had participated in the imperial examination in good faith but was later framed. Luckily, Ningyuan had saved him, and he owed a debt of gratitude to the Marquis.
Shen Nuo revealed that the Marquis of Ningyuan had already started purging the faction, and the leader of the Wude Division was bound to die regardless. In a fit of anger, the leader of the Wude Division attempted to kill Shen Nuo, but Shen Nuo stood in front of Lian Maner and killed the leader. Lian Maner held the unconscious Shen Nuo in her arms, feeling deeply saddened.
The evidence of the Marquis of Ningyuan's rebellion is conclusive, and he has been imprisoned in the dungeon. The emperor has issued a decree stating that in Jinyang County, due to the rebellion of the traitorous faction, the people have been displaced. Now, their lands are being returned to them, and they are exempt from paying taxes for three years.
Lian Maner and the others have returned to their hometown. Lian Maner's parents are very happy and feel that their old house in the countryside is better than the city.
Lian Maner took out the game box from before. The mission in the game was to collect 1000 gold coins, and she now has 999.8 gold coins. She held a silver coin in her hand, hesitated for a moment, but decided not to put it in. Lian Maner's grandfather is worried about his older brother and often goes out to search for him, despite the family's attempts to persuade him otherwise.
Lian Maner knows that her father and second uncle are concerned about their older brother, even though they don't say it out loud, so she suggests that they all go out and search together. Lian Xiu Er also discussed this matter with Lian Maner's grandmother, feeling that she has caught the attention of Liu Fu Gui. If her older brother hadn't given her to Liu Fu Gui, he would have been harmed by Liu Fu Gui long ago, and now she no longer blames her older brother.
Lian Xiu Er believes that the past is the past and asks her mother not to blame her older brother anymore. Lian Maner goes out to distribute flyers, and Lian Xiu Er joins her. They see Shi San returning, and Lian Ye Er is very happy.
Shi San explains that Shen Nuo is busy with official duties and can't come back for now. Shen Nuo wrote a letter to Lian Maner and Wang You Heng, asking them to bring it back. Lian Maner reads Shen Nuo's letter and takes out the token Shen Nuo gave her before, realizing that she should be the one apologizing, as it's very likely that she won't be able to see Shen Nuo again.
The second uncle calculates their current income and realizes that they can afford to set up a shop for Lian Ye Er. They plan to let Lian Ye Er sell cosmetics there, which can be considered as their dowry for her. The second uncle's wife has no objections. Lian Maner's grandfather finally finds the older brother near the government office. The older brother is now mentally unstable and runs back home. Lian Maner happens to see them, and they all chase after him together.
Lian Maner and the others see that the older brother's family lives in a very humble place, and their hearts ache for them.
Why does the protagonist have to be so saintly? The first branch of the family wanted her dead for money from the very beginning, and they repeatedly caused her harm when things didn't go their way. Even her little brother, Xiaoba, was killed.
The first branch's mother never repented and complained about taking care of her mentally disabled older brother. Just because the selfish grandfather couldn't let go of his favorite son, the protagonist is expected to swallow her pride and reconcile with them.
I binge-watched the episodes and couldn't help but feel inspired. This drama is truly heartwarming and has given me a lot of emotions. It has taught me to cherish the people in front of me, whether it's in reality or in some other world or dimension.
Treasure the present moment, enjoy life, and feel proud of every choice I make. Strive to fulfill every task in my own life journey.