The Long Ballad Episode 5 Recap
> The Long Ballad Recap
Li Changge was severely wounded by an arrow. She lay on the riverbank, barely clinging to life, when Asher Sun came upon her once again. He rushed forward to save her and discovered that Li Changge was a woman. When Li Changge regained consciousness, Asher Sun concealed the fact that he had learned her true identity.
Highly alert, Li Changge refused his help, gritting her teeth as she pulled out the broken arrow herself and took a strong swig of liquor. Taking advantage of her momentary distraction, Asher Sun poured the liquor over her wound to disinfect it. Only then did Li Changge realize his good intentions. Wei Zheng angered Li Shimin and believed that Li Shimin would not spare his life, so he was ready to die.
Li Shimin was known for his kindness and virtue. If Wei Shuyu wished to follow Li Shimin after his death, Wei Zheng had no complaints. Just then, Li Shimin sent a food box. Wei Zheng thought it contained poison, a sign of his impending death, but it turned out to be his favorite dish, vinegar celery, personally prepared by the Crown Princess. This gesture reflected Li Shimin’s sincerity.
Even the stone-hearted Wei Zheng was moved and decided to follow Li Shimin. Asher Sun had clothing and medicine brought for Li Changge. After changing clothes, she came to thank him for saving her. The two shared a drink but kept their identities hidden. Asher Sun used the alias Qin Zhun, while Li Changge called herself Shisilang. They formed a bond under these false names. Li Changge was carrying the Crown Prince’s seal, which held great significance.
Although Li Shimin was generous and kind, he hardened his heart for the sake of the greater good. He secretly told Du Ruhui to retrieve the seal at any cost, even if it meant killing Li Changge. Later, Li Leyan came to plead with Li Shimin to spare Li Changge, but he told her to forget about her.
Before she could react, a marriage decree arrived at the Eastern Palace, declaring Li Leyan a princess and the object of a diplomatic marriage alliance for the Tang Dynasty. Du Ruhui, aware of the deep bond between Li Changge and Wei Shuyu, believed she would surely seek him out. So he ordered Hao Dou to keep close watch on Wei Shuyu and to seize the Crown Prince’s seal and eliminate Li Changge the moment she appeared.
Unbeknownst to them, Li Changge had already reunited with Hao Dou, who formally kowtowed to her and became her disciple, pledging to follow her to Youzhou. The Inspector of Youzhou, Li Ai, had once been close to Li Jiancheng. Li Changge planned to seek his help and persuade him to send troops and avenge her family. Li Shimin visited Wei Zheng again. This time, Wei Zheng had changed his stance and invited Li Shimin in for tea.
Seeing Li Shimin troubled over Li Leyan's marriage, he offered a plan to help her avoid the alliance. Back at the palace, Li Shimin instructed Li Leyan, as per Wei Zheng’s suggestion, to claim she had fallen ill and needed treatment in Luoyang. He had arranged everything for her departure. This fabricated illness would spare Li Leyan from the diplomatic marriage. Watching her cry, Li Shimin couldn't help but think of Li Changge’s heroic spirit.
As the journey to Luoyang was long, he arranged for Wei Shuyu to accompany her. As he watched her leave, he understood that one day, she would understand his decisions. In Youzhou, Asher Sun deliberately ordered his men to smuggle coal to attract the gate guards’ attention and investigate the city’s defenses. Li Changge and Hao Dou also arrived in Youzhou with little money and stayed in a dilapidated woodshed, while Asher Sun’s group stayed in a luxurious room.
Wei Shuyu was escorting Li Leyan to the Luoyang Palace. He originally intended to return to Chang’an, but Hao Dou brought an oral decree from the Crown Prince stating Wei Shuyu should accompany him to Youzhou to retrieve the seal and eliminate Li Changge, while summoning Li Ai to the palace. Hao Dou told his men to kill Li Changge on sight and eliminate Wei Shuyu if he interfered. Li Leyan, who overheard this, grew increasingly worried for Wei Shuyu.
