The Long Ballad Episode 48 Recap
> The Long Ballad Recap
Changge revealed that Mimi had been under Yicheng’s threat all along. In fact, when Mimi exposed Changge’s identity at the assembly, it had been pre-arranged between them. Mimi had never betrayed Changge. That exposure was Changge’s idea, meant to gain Yicheng’s trust and infiltrate Dingxiang to gather intelligence. Yicheng planned to execute Asher Sun publicly to set an example.
Changge, Xufeng, and the others originally planned to infiltrate the palace and rescue Asher Sun, but Sheer came out on his own to help her, volunteering to become Changge’s hostage. With Sheer’s help, Changge changed the plan: she would take Sheer as a hostage to the main hall to rescue Asher Sun, with Xufeng and Luo Shiba assisting in secret. Meanwhile, Situ Langlang and Shuyu would go rescue Empress Xiao, her son, Mimi, and Buzhen.
In the main hall, Changge held Sheer hostage to force Yicheng to release Asher Sun. Yicheng only had one son and couldn’t afford to take the risk, so she ordered Asher Sun to be released. Asher Sun and Sheer swapped places. Asher Sun thanked Sheer in passing, already knowing Sheer had been captured on purpose to save him. Sheer couldn’t bear to watch Yicheng keep making mistakes or see Asher Sun die.
So once he was beside Yicheng, he used her life to keep the others from acting. Yicheng knew Sheer wouldn’t kill her, so she ordered Raymond to hunt down Asher Sun. But Sheer then threatened her with his own life. Only then did Yicheng realize it had all been an act by Sheer and Changge. Enraged, she ordered Raymond to pursue and kill Asher Sun without mercy.
If Sheer was no longer loyal to her, he had no place by her side. Changge and Asher Sun tried to escape the palace. Mimi covered their retreat from the shadows. Changge told Mimi that Buzhen had already been rescued and they would leave the palace together. Unexpectedly, Raymond and his men arrived just then. Mimi took an arrow for Changge and was mortally wounded. Xufeng and Mu Jin arrived too late.
Before dying, Mimi saw Mu Jin one last time and asked him to take care of Buzhen. She had no regrets dying for Changge. Changge wept bitterly over Mimi’s death, and Asher Sun held her tightly. With the situation in Dingxiang Palace settled, Mu Jin carried Mimi’s body out. Sheer stood stunned, unable to believe Mimi was dead. Mu Jin didn’t let him touch her—Mimi had been killed by Raymond.
Sheer collapsed and wanted to seek revenge on Raymond, but Asher Sun urged him to leave Dingxiang with them. Yicheng was doomed to fail. Sheer refused; he wouldn’t stop Asher Sun from doing what he needed to, but Asher Sun couldn’t control him either. Li Jing's army pressed forward, and the tribal chiefs were all uneasy. Sheer still came to the main hall, causing a scene.
He wanted to settle the score with Raymond and hoped Yicheng would wake up—the Sui Dynasty was gone. Yicheng was heartbroken that her son no longer stood with her. She had him taken away by force. She ordered the tribal chiefs to be safely escorted out, and Raymond led the Bear Division elites to face the enemy and calm the chiefs. But this was just a ruse to let Raymond cover Sheer’s escape from Dingxiang.
Yicheng planned to leave with the chiefs. With their protection, she might survive, but she couldn’t let Sheer take any risks. Raymond, loyal to Yicheng for thirty years, only wanted to stay with her until the end. Yicheng acknowledged his loyalty, but Sheer meant everything to her. Raymond had to use his life to protect him. Raymond, following Yicheng’s order, escorted Sheer away despite his resistance. Meanwhile, Asher Sun visited the Great Khan.
The poison had spread to his organs—he could no longer lead troops. Asher Sun promised to take care of the Great Khan for the rest of his life. He told him about the current situation and expressed his desire to end the war, bring peace to the world, and restore stability to the grasslands. Mimi had passed. Everyone came to bid her farewell. Mu Jin cried as he said goodbye.
He had brought her favorite candy, but she was gone forever. In the days to come, he would devote himself to fulfilling her last wishes. When all was done, he would go to be with her forever. Changge sent Luo Shiba, Xufeng, and Shuyu to escort Empress Xiao and her grandson back to Chang’an. Luo Shiba hoped that once the mission was complete, she could live freely with her friends. This comforted Changge. Situ Langlang also said his farewell. With the two armies about to clash, Changge couldn’t take care of Zhenzhu, so she decided to send her back to Mobei for now and visit her when time allowed.
