The Long Ballad Episode 4 Recap
> The Long Ballad Recap
Li Shimin discovered that the Crown Prince’s seal was missing and ordered a thorough search of Chang’an to retrieve Li Changge. She escaped from Hongyi Palace with the seal but almost exposed herself. At the last moment, the little beggar, A Dou, saved her. He asked to become her disciple and work alongside her. Seeing his sincerity, Li Changge agreed to let him stay. News of her escape reached Asher Sun, who had only seen her disguised as a man.
Curious and increasingly intrigued, he still couldn’t figure out her true identity. The next day, Du Ruhui held a meeting with Fang Xuanling and Li Shimin. Fang Yi knelt and admitted guilt for failing to catch Li Changge. Li Shimin then ordered a group of elite soldiers to dress in plain clothes and investigate secretly, instructing Fang Yi to bring Li Changge back alive. As for Li Leyan, he punished her with confinement as a formality.
The capital’s officials were closely watching Li Shimin, afraid that his pardon of the second prince’s faction was just a façade. Fang Xuanling understood Li Shimin’s concerns and brought up Wei Zheng, who could help eliminate those hidden worries. After the meeting, Du Ruhui summoned his adopted son Gao Du.
Believing that the military rumors originated from Li Changge—who had been raised and trained like a prince—Du Ruhui saw her as a growing threat and entrusted Gao Du with her elimination. Gao Du investigated the source of the military rumors and, following a fishy scent on a note, found a fishmonger connected to the matter. Upon questioning, he realized that Li Changge might not have been responsible.
Asher Sun’s attendant rushed to report to him after witnessing the fishmonger being arrested. Asher Sun, ever observant, sensed something was wrong and concluded that their identities had been exposed. He prepared to leave Chang’an. Before they could depart, Chang He and his men gave chase. Asher Sun had no choice but to flee on horseback. On the road, he ran into Li Changge, who was being pursued. In desperation, she stole his horse and fled.
Asher Sun disguised himself and hid by the roadside. During her escape, Li Changge accidentally dropped the fish tally, a Wei family item. Chang He picked it up and handed it to Gao Du, who used it to threaten Wei Shuyu into helping him capture Li Changge. Li Changge escaped safely and reunited with A Dou. Together, they looked for a way out of the city. The last merchant caravan leaving the city belonged to Asher Sun.
Li Changge met him again and asked for help. They struck a deal—once she safely exited the city, she would give him her treasured dagger. Since A Dou wasn’t wanted, Li Changge hid among Asher Sun’s men. She told A Dou to wait for her at the pavilion ten miles outside the city. If she didn’t arrive in three days, he needn’t wait any longer. Gao Du stationed men at the city gate to block the exit.
He stopped Asher Sun’s caravan and searched for Li Changge. Fortunately, she was well hidden. With Asher Sun’s help, she successfully left the city. Outside the gate, Li Changge gave him her dagger. He gave her a horse in return, believing they would never meet again. After parting, she rushed toward the ten-mile pavilion, where Gao Du and Wei Shuyu were already waiting.
Shuyu had been coerced into helping, but Gao Du tried to sow discord, claiming it was Shuyu who had brought him there. They chased her relentlessly, forcing her to a dead end. Refusing to surrender, Li Changge rode toward a broken cliff bridge. Her horse fell, and she clung desperately to the hanging rope. Gao Du drew his bow to kill her. Seeing this, Shuyu shot an arrow first.
Though it didn't hit a vital spot, it caused Li Changge to fall off the cliff. Li Shimin went to the Wei Residence to ask Wei Zheng to join him. Wei Zheng, proud and unyielding, refused. Not only did he throw his smelly shoes at Li Shimin, but he also lashed out with harsh words. Hearing the commotion, Fang Xuanling rushed out to stop them. Though furious at Wei Zheng's arrogance, Li Shimin heeded Fang Xuanling’s advice and left.
