The Long Ballad Episode 7 Recap
> The Long Ballad Recap
Li Changge analyzed the current situation for Li Ai. Now that Li Shimin was besieged on all sides, he would surely have to scatter his troops across the land to defend. If the Youzhou army could also split into two to attack by surprise, the two forces could join together and seize the world in less than a month. After hearing her words, Wang Junkuo couldn’t help but admire Li Changge's remarkable talents.
Li Changge then produced the military edict she had drafted, sealed with the Crown Prince’s seal. She had written it in the name of Li Jiancheng, instructing Li Ai to lead troops into Chang’an to eliminate the traitor Li Jiancheng. At that moment, an envoy from Chang’an arrived at the residence. Wang Junkuo wanted to take this opportunity to capture the envoy to boost morale.
Li Changge followed Wang Junkuo and was surprised to find that the envoy was actually Wei Shuyu. Wei Shuyu hadn’t expected Li Changge to aid Li Ai in rebellion. He hoped she would return to Chang’an and confess her crimes, believing that Li Shimin would surely spare her life. But Li Changge sneered—she would never repeat the tragedy of the Eastern Palace. Although she didn’t kill Wei Shuyu, she had him imprisoned.
Li Changge was injured in her hand during the confrontation with Wei Shuyu. As she left the governor’s residence, Li Ai secretly sent someone to follow her, which was noticed by Asher Sun in the shadows, arousing his suspicion. Not only had Li Ai sent people to tail her, he also examined the military edict and found that the seal was newly applied. The Crown Prince’s seal must be in Li Changge’s possession.
Wang Junkuo also decided to cooperate with Asher Sun and sent someone outside the city to await his arrival. Li Changge returned to the woodshed. She knew someone had been following her today, but without evidence, she could only rely on Li Ai for now. That night, Asher Sun came to the woodshed. Recalling all that had happened since meeting Li Changge, he was struck by her wisdom and fearlessness and regarded her with new respect.
Then he knocked on her door. Seeing tears at the corner of her eyes, he felt a wave of compassion. He lied, saying he was feeling down and wanted to take her out for a walk. Speaking in a roundabout way, he tried to comfort her and lift her spirits. As Youzhou was currently unstable, he hoped she would leave soon.
But Li Changge believed she could protect herself and instead advised Asher Sun to finish his business quickly and leave. Asher Sun nodded in agreement, but both continued to hide their true intentions. To stall Hao Dou, Li Leyan insisted on staying with him at all times, even though it made him uncomfortable to be alone with her late at night. She kept pulling him to talk with her.
Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Hao Dou blew out the lamp, carried Li Leyan to bed, and stayed beside her to keep her company. The Young Khan arrived in Youzhou, bringing a message from the Great Khan. From now on, he would handle all matters in Youzhou. The Great Khan had reassigned Asher Sun to Shuozhou. Though reluctant, Asher Sun had no choice but to obey.
Now that Li Changge had joined Li Ai, she decided to move into the governor’s residence. But because of the great importance of the Crown Prince’s seal, she had to hide it carefully. A Dou did not live with her and offered to keep the seal safe. Trusting him, Li Changge hesitated but eventually gave it to him for safekeeping. Asher Sun set out to leave Youzhou.
Just before his departure, memories flooded back, and he suspected Li Changge was carrying the Crown Prince’s seal. Concerned, he decided to return to Youzhou. In the city, Li Changge spotted Wang Junkuo at an inn and secretly followed him outside the city, only to discover he had betrayed Li Ai and was preparing to raise a private army. Fearing for Li Ai’s safety, Li Changge rushed back to the governor’s residence to warn him.
But Wang Junkuo also brought troops to the residence, planning to eliminate the uncle and nephew. Fortunately, Asher Sun helped them in secret, saving their lives. Li Changge dragged Li Ai to her residence, searching for A Dou. But Li Ai betrayed himself, trying to get her to hand over the seal. Sensing danger, she drew her sword on him.
Li Ai confessed: he had known she had the seal all along, and Wang Junkuo’s “betrayal” was part of a ruse to make her reveal it. Just then, A Dou returned and, overjoyed to see Li Changge, was about to approach, but Asher Sun quickly stopped him. Li Changge had fallen into their trap—if A Dou stepped forward now, the seal would fall into Li Ai’s hands.
