The Long Ballad Episode 46 Recap
> The Long Ballad Recap
Asher Sun went to Sheer’s cell and asked him to leave first, but he had something to confess before he did. When they were young, they were close as brothers. The Great Khan hadn’t wanted to see their bond grow, so he had Sheer’s young wolf killed and made the pelt into a quiver for Asher Sun. Sheer had misunderstood Asher Sun for years.
He didn’t want Asher Sun to face danger alone, but Asher Sun clearly stated that someone had to sacrifice for the grasslands—and that someone was him. The next day, Sheer left the Tang Dynasty with Yicheng, and Asher Sun, in shackles, also returned to Dingxiang. At the Four Directions Pavilion, Li Shimin personally promoted the alliance. The tribes, upon seeing that the Tang had rescued their kin from Asher’s Tribe, relented.
Moved by Li Shimin’s benevolence, they swore a blood oath with him, signing the alliance. From that day forward, in both fortune and war, the Tang Dynasty and the tribes would advance and retreat together. Li Shimin summoned Changge and offered her the honor of a princess title, hoping she would remain in Chang’an and live happily. But when Changge learned that Asher Sun had gone alone into danger in Dingxiang, she refused Li Shimin’s arrangement.
Li Shimin mentioned Lady Jin and how it had been her wish for Changge to live a safe and happy life. Back then, he had wanted to send Changge away from Chang’an with Lady Jin, but she believed she had betrayed Li Jiancheng, who had always treated her kindly. She could never forgive herself. Lady Jin had written a letter to Li Shimin, admitting the Crown Prince had not mistreated her, but she still felt she had betrayed him.
Before Li Shimin, she drew her sword and ended her own life. Her dying wish was for Li Shimin to promise to keep Changge safe and happy. Li Shimin had always loved Changge like his own daughter. He couldn’t bear to see her go to Dingxiang, but Changge couldn’t sit by while the man she loved was in danger. Though Dingxiang was full of peril, she was willing to risk it all for Asher Sun. Li Shimin couldn’t stop her.
He only asked her to take care of herself, saying Chang’an would always be her home, and he would wait for her safe return. After all that had happened, Changge finally let go of her hatred. Before leaving, she called Li Shimin “Second Uncle” and returned the treasured sword she had once won. Li Shimin wept bitterly—his Changge had finally come back to him. Changge went to say goodbye to her mother.
In front of Lady Jin’s memorial tablet, she found a letter of proposal from Asher Sun and realized he had already been there. The letter was filled with his deep love for her. After everything they had gone through, Changge’s heart had already unknowingly fallen for him. Before leaving Chang’an, she poured three cups of wine before Lady Jin.
The first was her wedding wine, the second she offered on behalf of her husband Asher Sun, and the third was to ask Lady Jin to protect her son-in-law’s safety. In Dingxiang, Sheer went to see the Great Khan, who was bedridden and speechless. Seeing Sheer enraged him, and he refused to meet him. Not wanting to further upset him, Sheer left. The news reached Yicheng, who was not particularly concerned.
She summoned Mimi Guli and once again used Buzhen’s life to threaten her. Later, Mimi Guli was allowed to see Buzhen. She tightly embraced her younger brother, but the two were quickly separated again. Sheer secretly went to see Asher Sun. They drank heartily. Asher Sun learned that Sheer had already met with the Great Khan. Even Sheer now doubted that Yicheng was truly innocent. Just then, Yicheng arrived at the dungeon.
Sheer quickly left, and Asher Sun covered for him. Yicheng didn’t suspect anything. With the frontlines reporting urgent news, Li Tang and the allied tribal forces were closing in. Yicheng wanted Asher Sun to fight for the grasslands, but he refused. Yicheng then brought in the battered and bruised Mu Jin and used him as leverage.
For Mu Jin’s sake, Asher Sun agreed to help, but on two conditions: he wanted Yicheng to heal both Mu Jin and the Great Khan. Yicheng agreed to treat Mu Jin but said she would only consider helping the Great Khan once the Eagle Division returned victorious.
