Cry Me A River of Stars Episode 6 Recap
> Cry Me A River of Stars Recap
The annual Pleasure Boat Competition reached its grand finale. Sanyue Mei, the performer from Springtime Pleasure Boat, captivated the audience with her elegant dance. However, it was A Fan's humble bowl of fried rice that truly impressed the judges, including Tao Junran and Cao Qing, the bailiff. A Fan confidently declared it the best fried rice in Biyun County. Tao Junran cast his vote for Springtime Pleasure Boat, stating his preference for fried rice, which surprised many in the audience.
After the talent round results were also tallied, Springtime Pleasure Boat was declared the overall champion, earning them the prestigious first place plaque and a substantial prize. Many spectators protested the outcome, believing the seemingly ordinary Springtime Pleasure Boat didn't deserve to win. Tao Junran stepped forward to address the crowd, explaining that the competition sought the most beloved pleasure boat, and customers visited boats for relaxation, not just superficial appearances.
He affirmed that Springtime Pleasure Boat triumphed because they genuinely valued the experience of every guest. His explanation resonated with the crowd. As other boat owners departed, they grumbled about Tao Junran's perceived favoritism toward A Fan, though none dared to challenge him directly. A Fan, acknowledging her personal acquaintance with Tao Junran, still insisted on her boat's undeniable quality and her rightful win. Yun He'an then chartered A Fan's Springtime Pleasure Boat for a trip to Nanlin Island.
A Fan, anticipating trouble, tried to redirect her to another boat, but Yun He'an was insistent. During the journey, Yun He'an, with an arrogant demeanor, questioned A Fan about her relationship with Tao Junran, whom she referred to as "Yunzhi." A Fan denied any romantic involvement, explaining that Tao Junran simply upheld justice and would act the same for anyone. Yun He'an, dismissive, retorted that "Yunzhi" would never be interested in someone like A Fan.
Upon arrival at Nanlin Island, Yun He'an's men were brutally forcing Azurelanders to cry, believing their blue tears possessed medicinal properties that could cure the Empress Dowager. A Fan's father, Li Yu, a man with a child-like mind, bravely rushed into the crowd to rescue a young Azurelander boy, but was quickly apprehended. Tao Junran arrived at the scene, angered by Yun He'an's cruelty.
He vehemently rejected the notion that Azurelander tears had healing powers, explaining their unique color was merely a result of their distinct lifestyle and diet. Yun He'an accused Tao Junran of protecting the Azurelanders and reminded him of how his own father died because of them. When Yun He'an's attendant reported the rescued child missing, Tao Junran offered his men to search, but Yun He'an, trying to assert her authority, declined, calling it a minor issue.
Tao Junran, having secured Li Yu, then confronted A Fan about the missing child, knowing she had hidden him. A Fan, after a brief denial, proudly confirmed her father's heroic act in saving the child. Tao Junran, upholding the law, ordered Cao Qing to take the child into custody, as harboring an Azurelander was a crime. A Fan protested, arguing for the child's innocence, and expressed her dismay at Tao Junran's cold-blooded adherence to the law.
Yun He'an, in contrast, supported Tao Junran, viewing the child's capture as an excellent opportunity to intimidate other Azurelanders. Tao Junran, despite his displeasure with Yun He'an's eagerness for cruelty, prepared to punish Xinguan, Yun He'an's maid, for the murder of an Azurelander. Yun He'an fiercely defended Xinguan, arguing that the deaths of Azurelanders were insignificant and that Xinguan acted under the Empress Dowager's decree due to the Azurelanders' resistance.
She boldly threatened Tao Junran, implying that he would be defying an imperial order and risking his career for a "nobody." Advised by his aide not to provoke Yun He'an, Tao Junran reluctantly released Xinguan. After Tao Junran left, Yun He'an, seething with anger, ordered her remaining followers to kill A Fan and anyone else who got in her way.
Later that night, Yun He'an's attendant lured A Fan to the Yun mansion under the pretense of collecting the remaining boat payment. Once there, Yun He'an mockingly offered A Fan a thousand tael to stay away from Tao Junran. When A Fan eagerly agreed, Yun He'an attacked her, expressing her disgust that A Fan valued Tao Junran so cheaply.
Just as Yun He'an intended to kill A Fan, Li Yu, who had followed A Fan, set fire to the Yun mansion as a distraction. In the ensuing chaos, A Fan fled and jumped into a nearby river, with Yun He'an's men in hot pursuit. Tao Junran, witnessing A Fan jump, immediately plunged into the water to rescue her. He carried the unconscious A Fan back to his mansion.
There, he discovered that A Fan was an Azurelander, as she shed blue tears. Cao Qing alerted Tao Junran that Yun He'an was outside. To conceal A Fan's identity and protect her, Tao Junran skillfully performed an emergency procedure, temporarily blinding her eyes. When Yun He'an burst into the room, demanding to know why Tao Junran had brought an "Azurelander woman" into his home, he denied she was an Azurelander, stating she was a drowning victim in need of rest.
Yun He'an tried to force tears from A Fan to prove her point, but A Fan's eyes, now compromised, did not respond. Tao Junran then had Cao Qing escort a frustrated Yun He'an out. Reflecting on the situation, Tao Junran was torn, grappling with his feelings for A Fan despite the fact that Azurelanders were responsible for the killing of his father. A Fan awoke the next morning, distressed to find herself completely blind.
Tao Junran reassured her, explaining that she had hit her head on a reef, causing internal bruising that made her eyes sensitive to light. He informed her that Li Yu was safely in the adjacent room. Seeing A Fan's fear, Tao Junran solemnly promised to take responsibility for her, insisting she stay in his mansion until her eyesight recovered.
A Fan, still shaken, sarcastically pointed out his strict justice, even towards a child, questioning if he would truly make an exception for her. Tao Junran patiently explained that Yun He'an's influential position, backed by the Empress Dowager, meant that openly defending the Azurelander child would have sealed the child's fate on Nanlin Island. He urged A Fan to remain hidden until Yun He'an departed Biyun County.
Later, Tao Junran revealed his plan to A Fan: they would collaboratively "punish evil and help the good" the following morning. The next day, Tao Junran, with A Fan by his side in his study (acting as a courtroom), brought Xinguan in for interrogation. Despite Xinguan's pleas, invoking Tao Junran's long-standing connections with the Yun family, Tao Junran remained resolute, asserting that the law applied equally to everyone, especially a mere servant.
A Fan testified that Yun He'an and Xinguan had pursued her the previous night. Xinguan vehemently denied the accusation. Tao Junran then called Wang Yuanbao, a witness, who corroborated A Fan's account, identifying Xinguan as the attacker. Cornered, Xinguan confessed, claiming sole responsibility for the attack, driven by a desire to avenge Yun He'an's perceived disrespect. Tao Junran, recognizing Xinguan's loyalty but bound by the law, sentenced her to three years in jail and 60 strokes with a rod.
Yun He'an protested, offering money as compensation, but Tao Junran stood firm, stating that justice could not be compromised. He ordered Cao Qing to ensure Xinguan was taken away, despite Xinguan's defiant declaration of being able to escape using hypnotism.
