Cry Me A River of Stars Episode 21 Recap
> Cry Me A River of Stars Recap
Tao Junran presented a City Defense Map to Yun Jiayu. Yun Jiayu, eager to incite rebellion, took the map to the ministers, only for Minister Liu to discover that the map was a forgery. Upon learning this, Yun Jiayu immediately summoned Tao Junran to subtly test whether he was aware of the deception.
Despite Tao Junran's composed demeanor, the astute Yun Jiayu grew suspicious, considering two possibilities: either Tao Junran had secretly kept the real map, or he and A Fan had conspired to trick him. Concluding this, Yun Jiayu swiftly dispatched a subordinate to Azureland to bring A Fan to him. Meanwhile, Zhuo Jiqing, in disguise as a man in black, sought out Ruby.
He skillfully manipulated her, highlighting her resentment towards A Fan for losing the High Priest position and for challenging Azureland's cherished traditions. He warned Ruby that A Fan's progressive changes would eventually lead to the destruction of Azureland. Feeling her frustrations validated, Ruby readily agreed to cooperate with him. Later, Zhuo Jiqing impersonated Liao Zhongyan to approach A Fan. He offered her a bowl of fish soup, despite knowing her aversion to fish, which immediately raised A Fan's suspicions.
His uncharacteristic behavior, such as reading and appearing dazed, further confirmed her unease. A Fan directly confronted him, realizing he was not the true Liao Zhongyan. Zhuo Jiqing then revealed his true identity and forced A Fan to drink a Truth Serum. Under the influence of the drug, Zhuo Jiqing relentlessly pressed A Fan for the location of the City Defense Map, even trying to provoke her by falsely blaming Tao Junran for the deaths of her people.
Just as Zhuo Jiqing was questioning A Fan, Lian Qi appeared, and Zhuo Jiqing's disguise as Liao Zhongyan was revealed. Zhuo Jiqing quickly abducted A Fan and fled. Lian Qi gave chase, but Tao Junran suddenly appeared, stopping him. Tao Junran revealed to a shocked Lian Qi that the forged map and his public display of affection with Yun He'an were all part of an elaborate plan he had orchestrated with A Fan to gain Yun Jiayu's complete trust.
Lian Qi, deeply hurt by Tao Junran's apparent betrayal and public romance with Yun He'an, accused him of being disloyal and insensitive. Tao Junran apologized, explaining his marriage to Yun He'an was initially a fake one to save Cao Qing, but Yun He'an had torn up the agreement, cementing their union. He emphasized the critical situation, as Yun Jiayu had meticulously planned an attack on Midland, and only he could stop it, swearing his unwavering love for A Fan.
Though Lian Qi was convinced, he still worried for A Fan's safety. He insisted on sacrificing himself to further their plan, believing his capture would make Yun Jiayu trust Tao Junran even more and that his own life was insignificant compared to A Fan's well-being and the success of their mission. Despite Tao Junran's protestations, Lian Qi allowed himself to be captured by Zhuo Jiqing’s men.
Zhuo Jiqing later reported to Yun Jiayu that Lian Qi had been "dealt with" and that his identity was safe, implying Lian Qi was no longer a threat. Yun Jiayu, angered by Zhuo Jiqing's extreme action, reminded him he only wanted Lian Qi "solved," not killed, but Zhuo Jiqing retorted that they were now "on the same boat." Upon receiving Tao Junran's urgent message, Liao Zhongyan and Xiao Nanshan sprang into action.
They orchestrated a fake earthquake using explosives to create chaos and scare away the guards at the water dungeon where Lian Qi was held. Using retrieved keys, they freed Lian Qi. During their escape, they were pursued by Yun Jiayu's forces. Liao Zhongyan bravely fought off their pursuers, even using a bomb, but was tragically struck by arrows while protecting Lian Qi.
He succumbed to his wounds in Xiao Nanshan's arms, making Xiao Nanshan promise to bring A Fan back and assuring him that he would watch over him from the stars. Meanwhile, A Fan was brought to Yun Jiayu's mansion by Zhuo Jiqing. Tao Junran secretly visited her, apologizing for the hardships she was enduring for Midland and vowing to find a way to rescue her. Yun He'an was deeply uneasy about A Fan's presence, fearing Tao Junran's feelings might change.
Yun Jiayu, seeking to test Tao Junran's sincerity, tasked Yun He'an with tormenting A Fan. Yun He'an began by making a servant deliberately drop ice and then ordered A Fan to pick it up with her bare hands, subsequently placing her foot on A Fan's hands to cool herself.
Tao Junran intervened, not overtly showing sympathy for A Fan, but calmly advised Yun He'an that her "liver fire was too strong" and that external remedies wouldn't solve the core problem, effectively stopping the abuse. A Fan, enraged by her suffering and the perceived betrayal, bit Tao Junran, accusing him of her people's deaths.
Yun He'an was furious, but Tao Junran pacified her by explaining that public mistreatment of A Fan could alienate the Azurelanders and jeopardize Yun Jiayu's grand plans. Yun He'an grudgingly accepted his reasoning. Later, Yun Jiayu discovered that what he believed was the City Defense Map, obtained from A Fan by Zhuo Jiqing, was actually a letter from her deceased mother, cautioning against the people of Westland. Realizing he had been tricked, he concluded that the true City Defense Map must still be in Tao Junran's possession.
