Cry Me A River of Stars Episode 12 Recap
> Cry Me A River of Stars Recap
A Fan found herself troubled by the fact that her blood could cure the plague, despite not believing herself to be an Azurelander, leading her to question her true identity. She cautiously asked Cao Qing if he remembered the color of her tears from a past occasion. Cao Qing, however, was hesitant and claimed he couldn't see clearly due to the darkness.
Sensing that he was hiding something, A Fan pretended to leave but secretly hid nearby to eavesdrop on Cao Qing and Cherry. She then overheard them discussing that she was indeed an Azurelander, and that Tao Junran had been responsible for her earlier blindness, a secret they vowed to keep. Later that night, A Fan stealthily went to the prison to confront Lian Qi, demanding to know why he had concealed her Azurelander identity.
Faced with her persistent questioning, Lian Qi finally revealed everything he knew. He confessed that she was the daughter of the Azureland's High Priest and the King of Westland, and that her biological father was the High Priest's teacher from Midland. A Fan realized that Lian Qi had initially approached her not out of genuine affection but for other motives, using her trust before faking his death, which made her feel like a public mockery.
Lian Qi admitted he had no other choice, stating his actions were for the sake of the Azurelander people. Heartbroken, A Fan left, lamenting that within a short time, her father was no longer her father, and her beloved was no longer her husband. As A Fan grieved by the river, Tao Junran found her. A Fan confessed her true identity, expecting to be arrested.
Instead, Tao Junran affirmed that her identity didn't matter to him; as long as she was his A Fan, that was enough. He presented her with custom-made wedding attire and jewelry, promising to protect her forever once they were married. A Fan worried about the danger this posed to him, but Tao Junran declared they would become "a couple of outlaws" if necessary.
He also revealed that he had submitted a report to the Emperor requesting a reduction in penalties for the Azurelanders due to their contributions to controlling the plague, hoping that half of them would soon be released. Reassured, A Fan was deeply moved, and they shared a tender kiss by the river.
Tao Junran later surprised A Fan by showing her her old pleasure boat, the Springtime Pleasure Boat, which he had commissioned the best craftsmen in Cloud County to fully repair. Moved by his gesture, A Fan embraced him publicly. She affectionately noted that despite his often aloof demeanor, he genuinely cared for her. As they strolled through the market hand-in-hand, they exchanged sweet words and were seen by locals as "sweet as the candies."
They also shared a passionate kiss at her doorstep before parting ways for the night, with A Fan eagerly looking forward to their wedding. The Tao Mansion buzzed with preparations for the upcoming wedding. However, on the eve of the ceremony, Eunuch Wang arrived unexpectedly with an Imperial edict, summoning Tao Junran to the capital.
The edict praised Tao Junran for his meritorious service during the plague, granting him numerous valuable gifts, but then demanded his immediate presence in the capital to personally thank the Emperor. Tao Junran suspected the Yun family was behind this sudden summons. He verified the edict's authenticity, confirming it was not forged, but knew he could not delay.
He entrusted Cao Qing and Cherry with the crucial task of protecting A Fan, explaining that he couldn't be there to marry her but would make it up to her upon his return. When Cao Qing offered to accompany him, Tao Junran reiterated that A Fan’s safety was paramount, and Cherry solemnly promised to guard A Fan with her life. Tao Junran then departed with the Imperial guards.
Along the way, he grew suspicious of his escorts and soon realized they were from the Imperial City Division. He was told that he "dares to disobey His Majesty" and would be "executed instantly," leading to him drawing his sword and fighting them. Meanwhile, back at A Fan's residence, Cherry tried to reassure A Fan, who was distraught that Tao Junran might not make it back for the wedding.
A Fan feared Tao Junran was abandoning her or regretting the marriage. Cherry comforted her by showing her the wedding dress Tao Junran had prepared, emphasizing his commitment to protecting her for a lifetime. Suddenly, Eunuch Wang appeared with more guards, announcing he was there "on the orders of His Majesty" to arrest A Fan as a "traitor." Cherry fiercely defended A Fan, questioning Eunuch Wang's audacity to arrest Tao Junran's fiancée so soon after his departure.
Eunuch Wang dismissed her, asserting his authority was from the Emperor, and that A Fan's guilt would be decided by others. A Fan protested her innocence, stating she was merely a fisherman's daughter who had never left Cloud County. As Cao Qing angrily intervened to protect A Fan, Zhuo Jiqing unexpectedly arrived. Eunuch Wang greeted Zhuo Jiqing with relief, while Cherry, noticing their familiarity, realized Zhuo Jiqing's allegiance with Eunuch Wang. Zhuo Jiqing then told Eunuch Wang he would "take care of them."
