The Long Ballad Episode 6 Recap
> The Long Ballad Recap
While gathering information outside, Li Changge found the gates of the Inspector's Office tightly shut. She struck up conversation with the guards and learned that Li Ai had remained secluded since the incident with Li Jiancheng—proof of his loyalty and deep feelings. Meanwhile, Ya Luo, who was part of Asher Sun’s coal smuggling scheme, successfully drew the gate commander’s attention. The commander demanded two thousand shi of ore and planned to secretly kill Ya Luo once the goods were delivered.
Outside the Inspector’s Office, Li Changge encountered Asher Sun. They tacitly concealed their respective missions and returned to their inn. Coincidentally, they were headed to the same place and even staying at the same inn—only Asher Sun had a refined suite while Li Changge stayed in a shabby woodshed. Back in his room, Asher Sun couldn’t help but smile as he thought of Li Changge. Ya Luo, surprised, reported that Wang Junkuo had demanded the two thousand shi of ore.
Asher Sun decided to meet this old acquaintance. Meanwhile, Li Leyan, worried about Wei Shuyu’s safety, sneaked into the carriage but was discovered en route. Hao Dou wanted to send her back to Luoyang, but she insisted on staying with Wei Shuyu. He had no choice but to take responsibility for her safety. That night, Li Changge wrote a letter in the woodshed and stamped it with the Crown Prince’s seal, formulating a plan for self-preservation.
Asher Sun took Ya Luo to meet Wang Junkuo, who was furious that Asher Sun’s cart carried nothing. Asher Sun revealed his identity and claimed he had a way to save Wang Junkuo’s life. Youzhou was no longer what it once was—Wang Junkuo had been hoarding ore to secretly forge weapons and raise an army. To win him over, Asher Sun offered warhorses from the Western Regions.
As long as Wang Junkuo agreed to cooperate, he would have a limitless supply of horses and weapons from the grasslands. Wang Junkuo did not agree outright and instead secretly ordered his men to find out where Asher Sun was staying, unaware that Asher Sun had already taken precautions. Suyi She, under Asher Sun’s orders, returned to the grasslands to report to the Great Khan about the situation in Chang’an.
However, before he could meet the Great Khan, the Little Khan intercepted Asher Sun’s letter and prevented him from entering. In Youzhou, Li Changge sat alone on the rooftop, missing her mother. Asher Sun came to sit beside her and asked why she had visited the Inspector's Office. She concealed her identity and did not inquire about his either. Asher Sun pretended not to know she was a woman.
They chatted casually, and when Li Changge saw Asher Sun’s treasured blade, it reminded her of training under Li Shimin since childhood. Overcome by memories, she stood up to leave, but stumbled and nearly fell from the rooftop. Asher Sun caught her in time. Looking into his eyes, Li Changge felt a strange flutter in her heart. Li Shimin summoned Du Ruhui again to inquire about Li Changge’s whereabouts. Du Ruhui told him truthfully that she had gone to Youzhou.
As the gateway to the Tang Dynasty, Youzhou's importance made Li Shimin sorrowful that Li Changge would go so far as to oppose him. She was still young and could not discern good from evil, and with the Crown Prince’s seal in hand, she posed a great risk. Du Ruhui urged Li Shimin to choose between her and the nation—if someone used the seal to harm the empire, the consequences would be dire.
Meanwhile, before heading out, Li Changge entrusted the seal to Hao Dou. She told him that if she did not return by nightfall, he should leave with Asher Sun. Deep down, she believed Asher Sun was someone she could trust. The next day, Li Leyan and her group arrived in Youzhou. Wei Shuyu wanted to take her to the inn to rest, but Hao Dou, suspecting he might try to see Li Changge, intervened.
Li Leyan, seeing through him, used her status as a princess to stop Hao Dou and allowed Wei Shuyu to proceed, while Hao Dou remained by her side for protection. Though he didn’t argue, he left a personal guard with Wei Shuyu to monitor him and personally escorted Li Leyan back to rest. Elsewhere, Li Changge paid another visit to the Inspector's Office. She sensed that the Prince of Lujiang was plotting treason, so she revealed her identity. Li Ai was overjoyed that Li Changge was still alive and wanted to protect her, but she had not come seeking shelter—she had come to offer her help.
