Langhua: The Codependence of a Prince and His General

Wrench in the Plans

"Qilang, what's the matter?" Hua Yuheng turned to look at him when he realized that he had stopped.

"I just saw my First Brother," Xuanyuan Lang said in a low voice.

"The First Prince?" Hua Yuheng said under his breath. "Why is he here?"

Xuanyuan Lang had no idea, either. "What about those people with him? Do you recognize them, Ah Heng?"

"I think I've seen them around." Hua Yuheng frowned. "If I'm not mistaken, the loudest one is the heir of a wealthy salt merchant down south. They're part of the delegations coming here for the central examination."

So was the First Prince trying to make connections with the candidates, too? Xuanyuan Lang pursed his lips. It was generally frowned upon for the princes to expand their influence like this. He did not know how their father would react if he found out.

Besides... At least on the surface, the Empress and Prime Minister Wang's camp prided themselves on being upstanding, upright nobles who did not deign to sully themselves with money and corruption. The First Prince's actions and presence here were in defiance of that.

"Maybe that's why he's using a pseudonym and a disguise," Xuanyuan Lang muttered to himself. Master Zhou, huh? "He could be acting on his own here."

"Might I remind you, Master Liang, that you're not much better." Hua Yuheng stuck out his tongue at Xuanyuan Lang. "I can hear the cogs in your brain turning, but could we get this oaf back home first? My arm's starting to get sore."

"Oh, right."

Lord Lin was already home when they got back to his residence. In the three years since, he had risen to Upper Rank-1 and was now recognized as one of Prime Minister Wang's most capable aides, perhaps even his successor in the court. That meant he was spending a lot more time in the Emperor's study these days and barely returned home before sundown.

Nevertheless, old habits die hard. Like Consort Liang, he insisted on his disciples joining him for dinner on time every day.

When he saw Lin Xiangyang's state, even he could only sigh in exasperation.

"Throw him into his room and prepare some sobering medicine for him. If he wakes up hungry, tell him he's only allowed a light supper."

"Yes, my lord." A few handmaidens, including Lin Xiangyang's favorite Caicai, took the drunk man from Xuanyuan Lang and Hua Yuheng's hands. By now, he was starting to stir and could just barely walk on his own, so they escorted him back to his room.

"Sorry to show you such an embarrassing sight, Your Highness." Lin Junli held his head and sighed again. "I have failed as a teacher."

"Don't worry about it, Lord Lin." Xuanyuan Lang waved him off with a sheepish laugh. "Master Lin lives a carefree life. It's a little enviable, to be honest."

"You don't have to hold back, Your Highness. Rest assured I will teach him a stern lesson when he wakes."

From what Xuanyuan Lang knew, Lord Lin might not have the time right now. And it was not as though he had not tried correcting Lin Xiangyang's ways before. A quick glance at Hua Yuheng told him that the latter was not convinced either.

As dinner was served, Lin Junli politely invited Xuanyuan Lang to stay for a meal with them. The prince hesitated.

His mother was not feeling well lately, so he had told her not to wait for him when he left the palace to meet Hua Yuheng. Besides, there was something he wanted to discuss with Lord Lin.

"...I see. So you saw His Highness the First Prince at Scarlet Pavilion today."

There was no talking around the dinner table, so he could only broach the topic in Lin Junli's study after dinner. Xuanyuan Lang had taken the seat opposite Lin Junli at his desk, while Hua Yuheng leaned against a wall nearby, his arms crossed in front of his chest.

The candlelight flickered slightly in the night, casting shadows across the room.

"Do you think he was there to scout out candidates on the Empress' orders?" Xuanyuan Lang asked without much hope. As he expected, Lin Junli shook his head.

"I don't believe Her Majesty would approve of such methods, and I didn't hear anything of the sort from my master either. The Prime Minister already has his means of finding new talent."

"So the First Prince has gone rogue," Hua Yuheng mused. "Can't say I'm surprised. He must have gotten tired of being a dog on the Empress' leash."

The other two men would not have phrased it quite like that, but they did not disagree with him.

"The First Prince's relationship with the Empress was never the best, and he has been... even more uncooperative of late," Lin Junli admitted. "So this is not unexpected to me either. Nevertheless, this could pose some problems to us in the battle for the position of Crown Prince. I must inform my master and the Empress about this. In the meantime, we might have to start considering other options."

Xuanyuan Chen was simply the best candidate their faction had for the role. If he was breaking off on his own, then...

Lin Junli and Hua Yuheng both turned to look at Xuanyuan Lang, who gulped.

"Uh, I..."

Upon seeing his obvious discomfort, Lin Junli smiled kindly.

"There's no need to be so scared, Your Highness. We won't force you right now if you don't want to do it."

Hua Yuheng tugged at the corners of his lips but did not say anything. Xuanyuan Lang hurriedly looked away. "...Right."

"There is one more candidate, isn't there?" Lin Junli continued. "The last remaining prince who is not on the Noble Consort's side.

"The Sixth Prince, Xuanyuan Rui."

Author's Note: Sorry this is a little late! Next chapter will be posted tomorrow as per the usual schedule ><