Episode Summary
In this episode, Mu Jianhui forces Liu Shusheng to apologize to Wen Wen, leading to Liu stabbing himself to gain forgiveness. Wen Wen, though distressed, is persuaded by Mu Jianhui to stay with Li Yuanguang for Li's sake, and they plan to marry. The archaeological team faces difficulties, moving to a new location while Qi Dacang grows impatient for results that could affect his legal case. A major breakthrough occurs at the Lu family tombs: descendants reveal that Lu Dafang's tomb (M2) is a cenotaph, and the team, led by Luo Qing, successfully excavates M3, confirming it as Lu Dalin's tomb, rich with artifacts. This discovery helps bring criminals to justice. Qi Xiaoman is invited back to the archaeological team by Fang Kun. Meanwhile, Mu Jianhui plots to uncover genuine antiques, using Li Yuanguang and a "Third Uncle" to confront a dealer holding real treasures. Wen Wen shows signs of pregnancy.
Spoiler Alert
The Lost National Treasure Episode 22: Recap & Spoilers
Mu Jianhui Makes Amends, Wen Wen's Dilemma
Mu Jianhui, bringing Liu Shusheng along, personally visited Wen Wen to apologize. He angrily admonished Liu Shusheng, reminding him that he too would one day be a father and asking how he would feel if his own children were bullied. Liu Shusheng knelt, desperately begging Wen Wen for a chance. When Wen Wen remained silent, he impulsively grabbed a knife and stabbed himself in the thigh.
Unable to bear the sight, Wen Wen finally shouted at him to leave. After Liu Shusheng departed, Mu Jianhui advised Wen Wen to put the incident behind her, as if it never happened. However, Wen Wen felt too ashamed to face Li Yuanguang and considered leaving town. Mu Jianhui persuaded her by explaining that Li Yuanguang, an orphan who had endured a difficult life, had finally found happiness with her. If she left, Li Yuanguang's future happiness would be ruined. Hearing this, Wen Wen's heart ached for Li Yuanguang, and she decided to endure the pain silently.
Village Affairs and Archaeological Progress
The Cultural Relics Inspection Team used Li Chunlai's case to educate the villagers about the law. Some wives of villagers who had broken the law complained about the perceived injustice to their husbands, until Qi Youliang, the village chief, appeared and berated their shrewish behavior. Qi Youliang expressed his shame as the village chief and warned everyone present that anyone else who dared to knowingly break the law would not be forgiven.
Meanwhile, the archaeological team could no longer stay at Qi Youliang's house and found a deserted small courtyard to use as their accommodation. Elsewhere, Qi Dacang felt that the excavation progress of M2 was too slow. Luo Qing explained that the area beneath the tomb was full of "liao jiang shi" (a type of hard, ginger-like stone), and rushing the excavation could cause irreparable damage to the tomb. Jiang Xiaobai, noticing Qi Dacang's anxiousness, was curious. Luo Qing clarified that if the work didn't conclude soon, Qi Dacang's own legal case couldn't be judged.
Liu Shusheng's Change of Heart and Mu Jianhui's Plan
After discovering a large sum of money in his account, Liu Shusheng finally came to his senses. He accompanied Mu Jianhui up the mountain to visit his sister, Liu Shulan. However, Liu Shulan remained unresponsive and wouldn't open her door. After failing to persuade her, Liu Shusheng told Mu Jianhui to return first, vowing to stay outside her door and ensure his sister would have a new quilt.
That evening, Mu Jianhui found Li Yuanguang. To prevent their secret from being exposed, he urged Li Yuanguang to marry Wen Wen quickly and gave him a box full of money. When Li Yuanguang returned home, he was pleased to see Wen Wen had prepared dinner. He casually mentioned getting their marriage certificate the next day. Wen Wen, though preoccupied with her worries, agreed.
Breakthrough at the Lu Family Tombs
At the Lu family tombs, Luo Qing was leading the team in opening the third chamber of the tomb (M3), but the excavation proved much more difficult than anticipated. Just then, descendants of the Lu family from the south arrived to pay their respects. According to their elders and clan records, Lu Dafang was demoted and sent to Lingnan, where he died of depression. His elder brother pleaded with the emperor, who then allowed Lu Dafang to be buried in his hometown. However, due to the long journey and hot weather at the time, they could only bring back his burial garments, meaning the tomb of Lu Dafang in Lu Family Village was a cenotaph (an empty tomb or a monument erected in honour of a person whose remains are elsewhere). This information helped Luo Qing and the team solve the mystery of the occupant of M3. Watching the Lu descendants worship at the tomb, Luo Qing was deeply moved and felt an even greater sense of responsibility.
New Opportunities and Unraveling Truths
Since Li Chunlai's arrest, Qi Xiaoman had voluntarily left the archaeological team and started collecting scrap to make a living. Fang Kun approached Qi Xiaoman and sincerely expressed his intention to invite her to become an official member of the team. He promised it wouldn't interfere with farming seasons, ensuring a stable income regardless of drought or flood. Most importantly, he said it would show the villagers that the team acted with integrity and wasn't afraid of gossip. Qi Xiaoman was deeply touched by his words.
Under immense pressure, Luo Qing and his mentor finally opened the third chamber of the tomb. The vast number of artifacts inside confirmed their predictions: this was the tomb of Lu Dalin. Qi Dacang handed over the evidence from the three tomb chambers to his wife, who was the prosecutor handling the case. The people of Hedong involved in the crimes were finally brought to justice, and television stations broadcasted news about the Lu family tombs.
Schemes and Suspicions
Inside the Mingde Museum, Zhao Youlin was giving a tour to a group of experts. A highly respected elder recommended Zhao Youlin to be the president of the antique association. Mu Jianhui, meanwhile, was formulating a plan and contacted Liu Shusheng to ask for the contact information of the person who had cheated him years ago. At this moment, Li Yuanguang was thinking of inviting Mu Jianhui for a meal. Wen Wen still looked grave and suddenly felt nauseous, dismissing it as an upset stomach.
Just then, Mu Jianhui gathered Li Yuanguang and others. Through a "Third Uncle," they found a fake tomb. The "Third Uncle" tried his old tricks, but Mu Jianhui saw through him immediately and demanded he bring out genuine items. Because Li Yuanguang was carrying explosives, the "Third Uncle" was intimidated and had no choice but to take them to the person behind the scenes. Sure enough, the warehouse was filled with real treasures.
