The Long Ballad Episode 30 Recap
> The Long Ballad Recap
Asher Sun didn’t find Changge at Liuyun Temple but met Situ Langlang. Situ knew the name Li Changge and realized Asher Sun was looking for her, but he didn’t reveal anything. Asher Sun left disappointed. Qin Lao noticed the look in Asher Sun’s eyes and advised him to rest, promising they would help search for Changge. Changge went out for tea and encountered a man spreading rumors about the fire.
She tried to follow him, but he vanished into the crowd. Though she couldn’t catch him, the fire rumor troubled her. Meanwhile, Du Ruhui visited Ziwei Palace and brought up the circulating rumors. Hao Dou had heard that the fire disaster would originate from the palace’s candlelight.
With rumors running rampant, Du Ruhui demanded the Crown Prince extinguish the candles, choose an auspicious day, wear ceremonial attire to offer prayers, and personally inspect refugee housing, dressed in plain robes with no ornaments—to show sincerity. Leyan saw clearly that the rumors targeted the Crown Prince. Du Ruhui was impressed by her growth and assured her he would handle the matter. In the palace of Chang’an, Li Shimin played chess with the astrologer Chunfeng.
Chunfeng told Li Shimin he had divined that a great fire would break out in Luoyang within three days, and thus informed Du Ruhui to prepare. The Crown Prince’s behavior in Luoyang had already reached Li Shimin, who planned to deal with him upon his return. Chunfeng also cast a hexagram for the trip to Luoyang, deeming it dangerous yet ultimately smooth. Wei Shuyu went to Liuyun Temple to persuade Changge to leave.
With Hao Dou still in the area, he believed it was too dangerous for her. But Changge was determined to stay and help the disaster victims. Before setting out, Du Ruhui received a brocade pouch from Li Chunfeng, who claimed it would ensure his safety. Du Ruhui opened the pouch and followed the address inside to Liuyun Temple. Upon learning that Sun Simiao was currently treating patients there, he realized that Li Chunfeng intended for him to consult the physician.
Though Du Ruhui was a high official, he still abided by the temple's rules and waited in line. While waiting, Hao Dou spotted someone who resembled Changge. Wei Shuyu had taken Changge into the medicine room. Hao Dou wanted to check, but the temple master blocked him. Wei Shuyu again tried to persuade Changge to leave, but she refused—she hadn’t found her own path yet and didn’t want to leave.
As for Hao Dou and the others, she would simply avoid them to stay out of trouble. Sun Simiao examined Du Ruhui and diagnosed that the disease had reached his bones—he didn’t have long to live. If he wanted to extend his life, he would have to immediately retire to the mountains. But Du Ruhui couldn’t abandon the troubled world and insisted on staying until his body could no longer hold out.
Moved by his conviction, Sun Simiao agreed to extend his life for three more years, though he warned that Du Ruhui would suffer great pain when his time came. Still, with the empire in turmoil and the people suffering, Du Ruhui believed three more years would be enough to help Li Shimin usher in a prosperous Tang era. Even if his end was painful, it would all be worth it. Changge came to thank the temple master for his help.
The master already knew her true identity and mentioned Du Ruhui’s sense of purpose, noting that he and Changge shared the same path, only through different methods. Inspired by the master, Changge realized her true intention: she desired a grand Tang Dynasty and was willing to eliminate anyone who threatened that goal. The arsonists behind the scenes were monitoring the fire rumors while also planning to assassinate Li Jing.
On the streets of Luoyang, Li Jing was playing chess with someone. His wife came to find him and mentioned that Du Ruhui had visited again, hoping Li Jing would take over as Minister of War—a request Li Jing kept declining. As they were about to return home, they overheard beggars spreading rumors. Asher Sun also heard them. Both followed the beggar, who turned out to be an assassin. As he tried to kill Li Jing, Asher Sun intervened.
Suspecting the beggar knew who had spread the rumors, he demanded a name, but the beggar—being a death warrior—poisoned himself and died. At this point, Asher Sun understood that the person behind the rumors couldn’t possibly be Changge. The third day arrived—the night of the rumored fire calamity. Both Changge and Leyan were uneasy. At Changge’s request, Leyan took her to Ziwei Palace.
Meanwhile, Sheng Xin and his people began to stir up trouble in the palace, pouring fire oil everywhere and setting it ablaze. As the palace caught fire, panic spread. Changge and Leyan rushed into the palace to rescue people. Li Jing had been drinking tea with Asher Sun and asked about the mysterious “old friend” of his who had ties with the Crown Prince.
Upon seeing the blaze, they too rushed to Ziwei Palace to fight the fire and rescue people. Amid the chaos, Changge discovered a scarecrow dressed in the Crown Prince’s ceremonial robes and realized it was a long-planned scheme. Since her face had just been seen, she had to leave immediately.
