Langhua: The Codependence of a Prince and His General

Three Years

"What?" Hua Yuheng immediately dropped his lackadaisical attitude, straightening up and turning to face Xuanyuan Lang. "What are you talking about, Qilang? Why so suddenly?"

"It's not sudden at all. Do you remember your plan? The one you told me about all those years ago.

"You said you would take the exam at sixteen, and then you'd join the army to learn military tactics, right? So you can master both the pen and the sword. But you missed the exam... because of me."

Hua Yuheng frowned. "Qilang, I—"

"Let me finish." Xuanyuan Lang held up his hand, his voice low and urgent. "I don't want you to waste your time waiting another three years for the next exam. You've learned what you needed to, both of us know that. So you should just proceed to the next step and return to your father's army."

I've kept you trapped here with me long enough.

Hua Yuheng shook his head. "No. When I said I'd join the army, I meant the capital guards, or even the imperial army. There's no need for me to go back to the border."

"You're used to that area, and your father's old men are still there. Don't you think you'd make better progress there? You can build your own sphere of influence and rise up the ranks away from prying eyes."

Besides, he was freer there. Unlike here, in the capital, where he had to watch his every move and suppress his innate nature.

"Think about it logically, Ah Heng. There are no downsides for you."

"But what about you?" Hua Yuheng said, his voice suddenly fierce. "I can't just leave you here alone."

"What do you mean?" Xuanyuan Lang kept his tone light. "Lord Lin will be here, as well as your senior brother. Not to mention I have the support of my First and Sixth Brothers as well."

Conditional support, of course, but it was better than nothing. Rather, it was all he could afford right now.

"You know that's not the same," Hua Yuheng said, his brow furrowed with both hurt and worry. When he looked like that, Xuanyuan Lang could feel his determination wavering.

No. He had to steel himself.

"Ah Heng," he said softly, pulling out his trump card. "Help me ascend the throne."

Hua Yuheng stiffened. "You've decided?"

"Yeah. You're right, we can't stay kids forever. I can't be so half-hearted anymore."

All his life, he had shied away from taking that definitive step. Everything he did, he did half-heartedly, with hesitation. And now his indecision had cost him.

He had joined the Empress' camp, but he had not committed to the succession race.

He had led Xuanyuan Rui out of his shell, but he had not committed himself to his Sixth Brother's well-being.

He had even stopped the crazed Consort Xian, but he had not committed to killing her.

In the end, he was as much to blame for his mother's death as anyone.

His fingers dug into the handrail, clenching into fists. Now he had to make up his mind before it cost him anything else.

"Lin Xiangyang is steadily gaining traction in the imperial court and in the capital. That's why I need you to build your reputation in the military and become my right-hand man. Right now, General Ma has an iron grip over the military officers in the capital, so you should start at the place where the army has the second most influence—at the conflict-stricken border.