Overlord Episode 21 Recap
> Overlord Recap
Li Zhao chose not to attend Zhao Jin’s family banquet that evening. Instead, he sought solace in drink with Wu Lin, wandering the streets of Chang’an. As they passed various landmarks, he found himself reminiscing about moments spent with his mother, Concubine De. Wu Lin gently reminded him that they could still make it to the Zhao’s Mansion for the birthday celebration, but Li Zhao insisted he wanted to go nowhere else that day, only to wander the night market.
He recalled coming to Yongxing Lane with his mother during the Lantern Festival to guess riddles, a stark contrast to her current demeanor. He worried he might one day become like her. Meanwhile, Concubine De had been waiting for Li Zhao in his room for a long time. Upon his return, she angrily confronted him about his absence. Li Zhao offered her her favorite osmanthus cake, reminding her of its unique taste from He's Store at Changle Lane.
He then produced a sword tassel, a precious item he had kept tied to his Cloud Dragon Sword, explaining how she had made it for him at the Lantern Festival when he was six years old—the last happy memory they shared before she changed. Concubine De stated that everything she did was for the Pang family and for him, and he had no right to question her.
Li Zhao replied that he had always been obedient to her, but he could not bring himself to ally with Zhao Jin. He recounted Zhao Jin’s betrayal in forging evidence to frame his grandfather, which nearly led to the annihilation of their entire family, and the shameful act Zhao Jin committed against his mother that fateful night.
Li Zhao lamented his inability to avenge his family and his mother's humiliation, forced to watch Zhao Jin rise through the ranks and maintain a façade of peace with him in court. Concubine De, equally pained, revealed that she had sacrificed her chastity to save their family and his life, as Zhao Jin held crucial evidence against them. While she still cherished the memory of the osmanthus cake, she explained that some things must be done, and some must not.
Concubine De eventually left with the cake, leaving Li Zhao deeply troubled. Li Qingliu, concerned about further harassment, sought refuge in Long Aoyi’s room, asking if he could rest there. Long Aoyi teased him about the 'walking marriage night' and the possibility of him marrying Zheluo's No. 1 warrior and becoming a mistress, noting that he couldn't refuse or leave the tribe.
He complained about being almost strangled earlier while she was promoting tea, but she countered that she was creating an opportunity for him to escape. She instructed him to sleep on the floor. When asked about her thoughts on the 'walking marriage night', Long Aoyi dismissed the idea, instead sharing her aspirations: to strengthen the Longzhu Gang, secure good marriages for the sisters of Wuyun Pavilion, ensure her master’s comfortable retirement, and find a good husband for Xiaoqin.
Li Qingliu, sharing similar ambitions for his Xinsilu silk store, recited a poem about musical harmony, reflecting on how he felt they had always unknowingly helped each other, like different instruments playing the same tune. He proposed that they continue to work together, supporting each other to achieve their dreams. Long Aoyi found the idea appealing, humorously extending it to other ventures like running a brothel or selling pork, before claiming to be sleepy.
The next morning, Yuwuaji, the young leader of the Zheluo tribe, sent for Li Qingliu and Long Aoyi. She praised the tea they had brought, which had caused a sensation in the tribe, noting its unique sticky rice fragrance, unlike fresh tea. Long Aoyi realized the tea was spoiled and had turned moldy, but that it suited the tribe’s taste.
Li Qingliu, quick-witted, concocted a story about it being a special Silver City process involving dew fermentation, which transformed the raw tea into a mellow, palatable, and healthful beverage. Long Aoyi playfully complimented his "serious nonsense" and named it "Er Tea," inspired by local "er blocks," before Li Qingliu corrected it to "Pu'er Tea," emphasizing its affordability for everyone. Yuwuaji decided to purchase a large quantity and requested other provisions, such as salt, which Long Aoyi readily agreed to supply.
Yuwuaji invited them to extend their stay, but Li Qingliu, wary of Dabaru, insisted they had urgent business in Jia’ermu. Dabaru then informed them that the main official road to Jia’ermu had been completely destroyed by floods half a month prior. Li Qingliu immediately suspected foul play, believing the officials who had sent them must have known about the road conditions. He also expressed concern about the sealed box they were transporting, fearing it was part of a trap.
Yuwuaji offered a solution: a secluded, deserted old official path near Coyote Lake that would allow them to bypass the pass and reach the capital of Jia'ermu directly. She volunteered to guide them, with Dabaru and other tribesmen accompanying them. As they journeyed with Yuwuaji, Dabaru, and two other tribesmen, Long Aoyi remarked on the distance. Dabaru, noticing Li Qingliu's weariness, offered to carry his box.
Upon reaching the divine tree, which marked the border between the Tang Dynasty and Jia'ermu, Yuwuaji paused to pray, explaining that in Zheluo, wrestling determined marriage because only those who fought passionately for their love were truly worthy. Long Aoyi was moved by this sentiment. Yuwuaji then realized Long Aoyi's true family name wasn't Li but Long. Long Aoyi confessed her real identity, and Yuwuaji accepted it, becoming fast friends and agreeing to call each other Aoyi and Aji.
Excited to be in Jia’ermu, Long Aoyi eagerly looked around but suddenly slipped down a slope. Li Qingliu instinctively reached for her, and they tumbled down together. They landed safely, and Li Qingliu, feigning unconsciousness, listened as Long Aoyi frantically urged him to wake up, reminding him of their mission and the money they needed to earn with Xiaoqin and Yan Bin. When he finally spoke, he asked if she genuinely worried about him, which she denied.
He then presented her with a grass rabbit he had woven using her technique before their journey, offering it as an apology. Though she pretended to find it ugly, she secretly cherished it, quickly grabbing it back when he threatened to throw it away. She confronted him about his past deceptions, accusing him of using her for "lower-class resources" and flattering women with "sour poems," and doubting his sincerity about partnering for business.
Li Qingliu earnestly clarified that his past actions were misunderstandings, affirming his sincere desire to build a business with her. Meanwhile, Li Zhao, having learned from Wu Lin that Long Aoyi had not yet passed the border checkpoint, frantically studied a map, discovering the deserted official path to Jia’ermu. Ignoring Concubine De’s anger, he and Wu Lin rushed towards the border, changing horses frequently and riding through the night.
Upon their arrival, darkness had fallen, and they noticed a bonfire dance nearby. Drawn by the light, they observed the tribe members dancing in a circle, holding hands. Li Zhao watched, his heart sinking as he saw Li Qingliu gently tickling Long Aoyi’s palm, their interactions clearly intimate and loving. Seeing Long Aoyi was safe, but also seemingly content with Li Qingliu, he turned and left, heartbroken and weary.
The Zheluo tribe celebrated Li Qingliu and Long Aoyi as "envoys from the God of Mountains" for bringing Pu'er Tea and rediscovering the long-lost water course that connected their tribe to the Silver City via the Furong River, enabling mutual trade. Yuwuaji organized a joyful fire circle dance. Long Aoyi grew slightly displeased when she noticed Li Qingliu looking at Dabaru.
When asked about Silver City's talents, Li Qingliu enthusiastically praised Long Aoyi’s Guozhuang Dance, and she proceeded to teach everyone. Later, Li Qingliu pulled Long Aoyi aside, intending to confess his love once more. He began, "Actually, I like. . ." but was interrupted by Dabaru who enthusiastically discussed their successful trade. He tried again, saying "I like. . ." but just as he spoke, Du Changfeng arrived with a troop of soldiers, cutting him off.
Du Changfeng ordered the arrest of Li Qingliu and Long Aoyi, accusing them of violating Tang Dynasty laws. Long Aoyi vehemently cursed him and demanded to know their crime. Du Changfeng declared that they had exploited their role as escorts for the Nyuertu tribute to secretly smuggle out forbidden Tang weapon forging blueprints for Tang knives and horse spears, an act of treason punishable by hanging under Tang law.
Li Qingliu challenged Du Changfeng, asking how a high-ranking official could level such serious accusations without proper evidence and a fair trial, reminding him that the Everlasting Code required witnesses and neighbors. Long Aoyi further accused Du Changfeng of opportunism, noting his shift from calling them "business envoys" to "traitors," and sarcastically suggested he would be famous for his "face-changing" abilities.
Li Qingliu pointed out that the tribute box bore the official government seal and had been handed to him directly by the county magistrate. With the seal still intact, he questioned how they could have placed anything inside without breaking it. Du Changfeng countered by referring to the previous gold thread theft case, where a box was allegedly opened without breaking its seal, using it as proof of their capability.
Li Qingliu seized on this, asking how Du Changfeng knew such details about the confidential gold thread case unless he was involved himself. Enraged and outmaneuvered, Du Changfeng ignored their defense and immediately ordered their decapitation as a warning to others.
