Episode Summary
Episode 19 sees three hundred antiques, including the significant silver-buckled bowl, successfully auctioned in Hong Kong under Zhao Youlin's arrangement, with Mu Jianhui impressed by the faked provenance. Meanwhile, the investigation into the Lu family tomb hits a snag as prosecutor Song Huiru, Qi Dacang's wife, deems the evidence insufficient. Qi Dacang and archaeologist Luo Qing struggle to gain the cooperation of Lu Fugui, a descendant, until Fang Kun impulsively promises to build a family temple for the Lu clan post-excavation, securing Lu Fugui's help but angering Luo Qing. Fang Kun also persists in trying to solve agricultural issues in Yin Village. Mu Jianhui instructs his brother-in-law Liu Shusheng to legitimize his business. Elsewhere, Qi Xiaoman, frustrated with her husband Li Chunlai, successfully offers her skills as a technician to the archaeological team.
Spoiler Alert
"The Lost National Treasure" Episode 19 Recap & Spoilers: High-Stakes Auctions and Troubled Tombs
Episode 19 kicks off with a high-stakes operation orchestrated by Zhao Youlin, as three hundred valuable antiques, including the coveted silver-buckled bowl, are successfully shipped to Hong Kong. Mu Jianhui and Lao Xiao oversee the entire process. At the auction, Mu Jianhui expresses his admiration for the "mastermind" who managed to create a convincing provenance for the silver-buckled bowl. He marvels at how, in a mere five days, the bowl's papers were doctored to show a journey from Belgium to the United Kingdom, ultimately allowing it to be auctioned off for a sky-high price.
Meanwhile, back on the mainland, trouble is brewing for the investigation into the Lu family tomb. A dejected Zhou Yongfu reports to Qi Dacang and Yang Qingshi that the prosecutor's office has rejected their case file. The reason cited is that the prosecutor believes the tomb is empty and the evidence provided is insufficient to formally open an investigation. Adding a layer of complexity, the prosecutor in charge of the case is none other than Qi Dacang's wife, Song Huiru. Qi Dacang is understandably anxious; if the case isn't pursued, the tomb raiders will go unpunished, and all their hard work will have been for nothing.
Qi Dacang, who is clearly intimidated by his wife, attempts a lighthearted approach with Song Huiru, but she remains strictly professional. He tries to impress upon her the significance of the Lu family tomb, warning that if the culprits aren't brought to justice, the ancient site could be targeted again. However, Song Huiru stands firm, insisting that all legal procedures must be rigorously followed. After their workday, the couple heads off to pick up their son from school, the tension of the case lingering between them.
Still seeking progress, Qi Dacang makes inquiries at his station about the ancient tomb and then meets with Luo Qing, the archaeologist, to find out when the excavation work will finally commence. Luo Qing patiently explains that archaeological work is intricate and must proceed step-by-step according to established protocols. Following Luo Qing's suggestion, Qi Dacang accompanies her to speak with Lu Fugui, a descendant of the Lu family. Unfortunately, Lu Fugui remains deeply distrustful, viewing archaeologists as being no different from tomb raiders, and is highly resistant to their efforts.
Luo Qing finds herself at a loss for how to win over Lu Fugui. Seeing her predicament, Fang Kun approaches her with roasted sweet potatoes and shares an anecdote from archaeological history. He recounts a true story where an archaeological team leader, during an excavation, discovered he was the twelfth-generation direct descendant of the tomb's occupant. This unexpected revelation temporarily halted the project, but eventually, the team leader and the cultural relics bureau devised a mutually satisfactory solution. Intrigued and desperate for ideas, Luo Qing listens intently. Just as Fang Kun is about to reveal more, Hou Yue interrupts, reminding Luo Qing to get some rest, and Fang Kun playfully leaves her in suspense.
The following morning, a remorseful Lu Fugui sits by his ancestral grave, lamenting his failure as a Lu descendant to protect the tomb, feeling he has brought shame upon his family. Seizing the moment, Fang Kun has a sudden inspiration. On behalf of Luo Qing, he proposes a grand gesture: after the excavation is complete, the archaeological team will build a family temple for the Lu clan. Lu Fugui is overwhelmed with emotion and, moved to tears of gratitude, immediately agrees to provide all his family's historical documents to aid their work.
Luo Qing, however, is furious with Fang Kun for his impulsive promise. She accuses him of making a reckless commitment and then planning to wash his hands of the responsibility. She points out that he, of all people, should understand the profound significance a family temple holds for the Lu family. While his promise brought hope to Lu Fugui, it has created a significant burden for the archaeological team. If they fail to deliver on the family temple, or if it's not done to the family's satisfaction, the team will lose all credibility with the Lu family and face their enduring disapproval.
Despite these local dramas, Fang Kun’s thoughts are also still with Yin Village (Yin Village). Upon hearing that Qi Youliang has returned, Fang Kun immediately heads back to Yin Village, armed with good wine and food, hoping to persuade Qi Youliang to cooperate. However, Qi Youliang, fiercely protective of his cherry harvest, stubbornly refuses to help. He blames Fang Kun for bringing trouble to the village, leaving Fang Kun disheartened. Undeterred, the next day, Fang Kun relentlessly pesters Section Chief Ma, urging him to arrange a meeting with an agricultural expert to help resolve Yin Village's farming issues.
In another part of the unfolding drama, Mu Jianhui returns to the mainland and hands over a suitcase full of cash to Liu Shusheng. He sternly instructs Liu Shusheng to focus solely on his construction business from now on, to sever all ties with his disreputable associates, and to avoid any illegal activities. Mu Jianhui emphasizes that Liu Shusheng must become "clean" inside and out, leaving no room for suspicion. Though completely baffled by his brother-in-law’s sudden demands, Liu Shusheng agrees to follow his instructions.
The episode also revisits the troubled marriage of Li Chunlai and Qi Xiaoman. After only a few days on a new job, Li Chunlai complains that the work is too strenuous and quits. Qi Xiaoman, deeply disappointed by her husband's lack of ambition and drive, gets into a heated argument with him. Li Chunlai shows no appreciation for her concerns and cruelly mocks her, suggesting she was unwanted and that he did her a favor by marrying into her family as a live-in son-in-law. Heartbroken by his words, Qi Xiaoman decides to take control of her own life. She visits Fang Kun and the archaeological team, bringing them food, and makes a bold offer: she wants to join the team as a female technician. Impressed by her professional-looking skills, the team decides to give her a trial run.
