The Long Ballad Episode 40 Recap
> The Long Ballad Recap
Li Leyan left the palace to look for Wei Shuyu, but he hurried past without noticing her. When she asked, she learned that he had just returned from the west and had gone back to the palace to report after arranging accommodations for the Northern Desert princess. Li Leyan sympathized with his hardships and visited the Four Directions Pavilion to see the princess. Mimi happened to be leaving Li Changge’s room at that moment.
Li Leyan mistook her for the Northern Desert princess and asked how she knew there was a “rabbit” character in her sachet. Mimi, aware that Li Changge had enmity with the palace, had only concealed Changge’s identity. Disappointed, Li Leyan left. Meanwhile, Yi Cheng’s spies spotted Mimi in Chang’an. Since Mimi was still alive, Yi Cheng could still make use of her. Li Changge took Asher Sun to the tomb where her mother lay in eternal rest.
The first time she had come, it was in secret. This time, she came openly with Asher Sun to pay respects. Offerings had always been placed at her mother’s altar, and Li Changge assumed it was Wei Shuyu or Li Leyan. As they knelt before the altar, Asher Sun solemnly promised her mother that he would take care of Li Changge for the rest of his life. At that moment, Li Shimin also arrived to pay respects.
He was surprised to see Li Changge, but was relieved to see her safe and sound. Despite her attempt to stop him, Li Shimin paid his respects. Upon seeing Asher Sun, he also thought they were well-matched—if someone could protect Li Changge, he would be at ease. After the memorial, Li Shimin left first. Li Changge was shocked to realize that he had always been the one visiting the grave. It seemed she could never avenge her mother.
Wei Zheng, who accompanied Li Shimin, handed her new identity papers and household registration, hoping she could live in Tang under a new identity. Li Changge said she had a mission yet to complete. Wei Zheng cleverly deduced she was the one who sent the secret letter. She was determined to be the northern desert’s envoy. He believed that the alliance was just a formality, prompted by fear, not sincerity.
But Asher Sun and Li Changge both said it was worth a try. Wei Zheng brought up the past—how the informant during Li Shimin’s coup was not his spy, but Li Changge’s mother. Li Changge then learned that Li Shimin had once saved her mother’s life. They had fallen for each other, but while he was away on campaign, Li Jiancheng—drunk—mistook her for one of his concubines.
By the time Li Shimin returned, she was already pregnant, and it was too late. She became Li Jiancheng’s consort, and from childhood, Li Changge had been close to Li Shimin, like father and daughter. What Li Changge saw in the past was not the truth—Li Shimin had not killed her mother. Wei Zheng’s words had a great impact on Li Changge. Asher Sun stayed by her side, comforting her.
They had come to Tang on behalf of the northern desert. If the mission succeeded, peace could return to the prairie for a long time. Asher Sun promised that after it was all over, he would retire with her to live a quiet life. After returning to the palace, Li Leyan thought over everything carefully. She recalled Mimi’s clothes and hesitant speech and deduced that she wasn’t the Northern Desert princess. She must have known Li Changge.
So she left the palace again with only her maid, determined to confirm whether Li Changge was at the Four Directions Pavilion. Because of Li Changge’s special identity, she didn’t want to alert anyone. But on the street, she ran into Hao Dou. For her safety, Hao Dou agreed to follow from afar and not interrupt her reunion with Li Changge. Li Leyan met Li Changge at the pavilion, and the two were overjoyed.
Li Changge introduced Asher Sun and Mimi to her. They returned to the room to chat, but then news arrived that envoys from Asher's Tribe had come. The people of the northern desert had always feared the tribe, and upon hearing the news, they panicked and tried to flee, even after Li Leyan revealed her identity as Princess Yong’an. Hao Dou, fearing for her safety, drew his sword to quell the unrest.
Just then, Sheer arrived at the pavilion and saw Li Changge. Mimi was uneasy upon learning that Sheer and Yi Cheng had arrived in Tang. Asher Sun stepped forward to meet Sheer. Sheer hadn’t expected Asher Sun to fake his death. But Asher Sun told Sheer to stop pretending to be innocent—since the royal court and Bear Division had stabbed him in the back, there was no way Sheer didn’t know. Asher Sun no longer wished to be enemies.
From now on, they were no longer brothers. Just then, Yi Cheng also arrived at the pavilion. A banquet was held for the envoys. At the banquet, Yi Cheng brought up the Tang Emperor’s past promise of a marriage alliance with Asher's Tribe. Pearl, seated beside Li Changge, sensed something was wrong. Li Changge, wanting to protect Li Leyan, asked Hao Dou to escort her out, and she toasted Yi Cheng and Sheer as a representative of the northern desert.
Yi Cheng stopped her and insisted her guard drink the toast instead. Asher Sun understood Yi Cheng’s ploy. He remained composed, stood up, and drank from Li Changge’s cup. Yi Cheng sneered and mocked Asher Sun. In Dingxiang, Mu Jin disguised himself and snuck into the city, growing increasingly suspicious of the Great Khan’s illness. After observing Raymond’s cautious behavior, he became more certain and began secretly investigating the truth behind the Khan’s condition.
