Langhua: The Codependence of a Prince and His General

Teacher

"We're here." Lin Junli invited Xuanyuan Lang to walk into the Bureau of Civil Affairs for the first time. The front hall was filled with lower-ranked officials furiously writing reports and consulting with one another on everything from tax collection rates to the latest price of rice. Lin Junli nodded when some of them greeted him, but otherwise the two of them made a beeline for one of the smaller side rooms deeper in.

"This is my office. Pardon the mess, Your Highness," Lin Junli said apologetically as he opened the doors.

The first thing Xuanyuan Lang saw inside was Hua Yuheng's bare back.

It seemed they had interrupted him in the middle of changing into new clothes. Xuanyuan Lang caught just a glimpse of his back, tanned and toned if a little skinny from his month-long ordeal, nevertheless lined with the budding potential of strength. Then Hua Yuheng pulled his robes up, tucked them in, and tied his waist band.

He must have realized they were there, but he did not panic. Once he was presentable, he turned and bowed at the two of them.

"Lord Lin. Your Highness the Seventh Prince. Hua Yuheng is in your debt."

"We only did what we should have." Lin Junli put a hand on his arm, bidding him to rise. "Isn't that right, Your Highness?"

"...Yes, of course."

Hua Yuheng straightened up and looked at them solemnly. "Even if you say so, I will never forget this. I... No, the entire Hua household, will be eternally grateful."

Lin Junli chuckled. "Stop that. Look, you're making His Highness uncomfortable."

Xuanyuan Lang launched into a coughing fit. Hua Yuheng cocked an eyebrow at him, but soon he turned back to Lin Junli.

"Lord Lin, you have already helped me more than I could ask for. But... Please forgive my shamelessness. I hope you don't mind if I ask you for one more thing."

"Ask away."

All of a sudden, Hua Yuheng fell to his knees. This time, however, his spine was upright and his eyes fixed straight ahead. "Please accept me as your pupil."

Xuanyuan Lang's eyes widened. Lin Junli did not look surprised. "I take it this means you want to stay in the capital?"

"Yes, sir."

"If you do, you won't be able to return to the plains where you grew up any time soon. Can a boy who was raised wild like you be content settling down in the glamorous confines of the capital?"

Hua Yuheng did not waver. "If I must."

Lin Junli sighed. "Why force yourself?"

"I know now that military might at the borders means nothing on the grander scale. I no longer wish to be a puppet on the end of strings so long I cannot even see my master."

Lin Junli gave him a long look. "You must know that I am only able to instruct you in the ways of wen, of the civil gentleman. Martial strength is beyond me."

"My martial teacher is my father. I need none else."

"...Very well. But be warned, I will be a strict teacher." Lin Junli closed his eyes. As soon as he agreed, Hua Yuheng kowtowed three times, his forehead striking the floor loudly each time. With that, the ceremony was complete.

Hua Yuheng rose and bowed low. "Thank you, Master." Lin Junli merely nodded in response.

Meanwhile, Xuanyuan Lang was feeling rather awkward. The ceremony where a master accepted a new pupil was a private affair, and he felt like an outsider here. He did not even know where to look.