The Long Ballad Episode 27 Recap
> The Long Ballad Recap
Leyan kept calling Xiao Wu's name in her coma. Hao Dou woke Leyan, and as soon as she opened her eyes, she asked about Xiao Wu. Hao Dou admitted to her that he had properly buried Xiao Wu. Thinking of Xiao Wu, Leyan was overwhelmed with grief and blamed herself for his death. She asked Hao Dou to accompany her to visit Xiao Wu.
Hao Dou was surprised that Leyan, who once feared him, now looked at him without a trace of fear. After all the hardships she had endured, even death no longer frightened Leyan—how could she still fear Hao Dou? Seeing how much Leyan had grown through her suffering, Hao Dou felt deeply for her. He took out the protective charm he had picked up, hoping it would keep Leyan safe for life.
But Leyan only wished peace for the people of the world. As for the charm, she gave it back to Hao Dou, hoping it would fulfill its final purpose: to protect him. Leyan and Hao Dou visited Xiao Wu together. In front of Xiao Wu's grave, they laid out bowls of white rice. With tears in her eyes, Leyan ate a bowl on Xiao Wu’s behalf, hoping for a prosperous and peaceful world without displaced people.
After this experience, Leyan had matured greatly. She was no longer a pampered princess. When a maid offered to help her bathe, she declined and did it herself. After her bath, Hao Dou received a letter from His Majesty and rushed to deliver it to Leyan, accidentally catching a glimpse of her post-bath appearance. His heart skipped a beat. Leyan took the letter and, learning that the Crown Prince would arrive in Luoyang, decided to stay a few more days.
Hao Dou commented on how much she had changed. Leyan was no longer the naive princess she once was—she now understood the hardships of the people and recognized Hao Dou’s cold exterior masked a kind heart. Li Changge arrived at Liuyun Temple with Situ Langlang and Sun Simiao. The temple had taken in many refugees. A woman named Abi gave her a tour, and Changge chose a quiet room to live in. She trained diligently in Situ’s sword techniques.
Though he once told her that their paths were different and she would never master the Yue Maiden Sword Style, she still couldn't comprehend its essence. Luo Shiba brought Asher Sun to see Elder Qin and Xu Feng. Xu Feng reacted as if seeing an enemy. Asher Sun simply stated he and Changge were friends and that he came to Tang only to find her.
Elder Qin, always far-sighted, knew that the notice of Li Changge’s death posted by Asher Sun was to protect her. He decided to trust Asher Sun and agreed to enter the city with him to find Changge. The Crown Prince arrived in Luoyang. Upon arrival, he insisted on revealing his identity. Wei Shuyu couldn't persuade him otherwise and followed him to the government office.
The Crown Prince thought his identity would earn him the refugees' gratitude, but they only wanted food. They rushed at him madly, and Wei Shuyu had to shield him tightly. Leyan, staying in the office, heard the commotion and stepped out as Princess Yong'an to calm the people. Meanwhile, Hao Dou identified and subdued someone who was faking injury to incite unrest. Together, they resolved the refugee crisis. Wei Shuyu was overjoyed to see Leyan.
He took her hand and promised never to let her suffer again. Just then, the Crown Prince’s maid reported that he had a high fever and couldn’t offer relief to the refugees. Leyan knew he was faking and came to soothe him, hoping he would grow up quickly. The young Crown Prince eventually fell asleep in her arms, moved by her heartfelt words.
Wei Shuyu thanked Hao Dou for finding Leyan but also pointed out that had Hao Dou not been so obsessed with chasing Changge, Leyan might not have gone missing. He took the chance to advise Hao Dou against losing himself in single-minded pursuits. Meanwhile, Changge secluded herself in her room without eating or drinking. Situ Langlang wanted to visit her but was stopped by the temple master, who went in his stead.
The temple master encouraged Changge to let go of the past and help Liuyun Temple save people. Looking at the painting of “Wu Wei” on the wall, Changge poured out her regrets: if she hadn’t fought, perhaps A Dou, Gongsun Heng, and Luo Yi wouldn’t have died so tragically, and Asher Sun wouldn’t have lost his loved ones. The temple master said that the Way ultimately lies in people, and dwelling on the past only brings more sorrow. With her guidance, Changge finally accepted reality. She couldn’t return to her homeland, so she gave herself the name A Li and decided to stay at Liuyun Temple.
