Clint and Zhang Heng left Commodus's study one after another.
Zhang Heng walked down the steps along the way he came. As he walked through the garden in the vestibule, he heard a burst of giggles not far away.
Zhang Heng stopped in his tracks and saw Queen Christina and Commodus's sister, Lucilla, walking out of a flowerbed arm in arm, talking and laughing.
After seeing him, the two women also stopped. A playful look flashed in Lucilla's eyes. "Oh, what a good day it is today. We are lucky enough to meet the gladiatorial champion of the Amphitheatrum Flavium."
Christina was obviously impressed by the Oriental man in front of her, but she was much more reserved than Lucilla. After giving Zhang Heng a few words of encouragement, she planned to continue walking forward. However, the next moment, Lucilla grabbed her arm and pulled her back. "Didn't you always complain to me that life in the palace is boring?"
"Yes, Commodus is as diligent as his father. He is a good emperor, always worrying about all kinds of things. He worries that his people will starve, and he worries that the soldiers who fight for the empire won't get enough rewards … So, after we got married, he didn't spend much time with me." Although Christina tried her best to say good things about her husband, Zhang Heng could hear a trace of resentment in her tone.
"Well, men are like this. All they care about is power and politics. That's why we women have to learn to have fun on our own," Lucilla said.
"What kind of fun?" Christina was a little puzzled.
"We have the gladiatorial champion of the Amphitheatrum Flavium in front of us. Are we afraid that we can't find any fun?" Lucilla's eyes moved from Zhang Heng's face to his chest.
"Sorry, I'm no longer a gladiator," Zhang Heng said.
"Yes, my brother gave you freedom, but I heard that you just performed in the Victor Arena two weeks ago," Lucilla said leisurely.
"I have an agreement with Mark Reuss. In order to make up for his loss, I will hold a performance at the Victor Arena every month. If you want to watch my performance, I can give you two tickets to the box before the next performance. I believe the Victor Arena will be honored to have both of you here," Zhang Heng said in a tone that was neither servile nor overbearing.
"Oh, that's so sweet, but what if we want to see it now?" Lucilla, on the other hand, had no intention of stepping down. Instead, she puffed out her chest and took another half step forward, closing the distance between them.
"Today? Not today. I still have work to do." Zhang Heng's expression did not change.
"What job is more important than performing for us?"
Lucilla wanted to move forward, but this time, before Zhang Heng could speak, Queen Christina on the other side answered, "I know. My husband has mentioned you to me more than once. He wants you to be his consultant. So, have you gotten your appointment letter?"
"Yes, Empress."
"Congratulations. It seems that you really have something important to do," Christina said. She then turned to Lucilla and said, "Commodus has arranged a task for him. It should be very important. Let's let him go today."
"Wow, you are really my brother's good wife. You always follow your husband's lead," Lucilla raised her eyebrows and looked at Zhang Heng. "Well, since the queen has spoken up for you, I will seem inconsiderate if I stop you. But when you are done with the things at hand, remember to come to us."
Lucilla took off her necklace from her neck and threw it to Zhang Heng. "Here, I bet on you in the previous gladiatorial performance, and I made a lot of money from you. This necklace is for you. If you encounter anything that you can't solve, you can come to me with this necklace."
Zhang Heng took the necklace that was still warm. When he looked up again, Lucilla and Christina had already walked past him.
And Zhang Heng did not stay any longer. He put away the necklace and left the palace.
…
After solving the problem in the southeast city, Zhang Heng came to Commodus as he wished and obtained the identity of an advisor. However, he did not see his target. Altrus was more cautious than he thought. Zhang Heng and Clint heard Commodus roaring at someone outside the study, cursing the Senate. If Zhang Heng was not mistaken, that person should be Altrus.
However, when Zhang Heng entered the house, he did not even see Altrus's shadow. He guessed that there should be a secret passage in Commodus's study that allowed Altrus to enter and exit freely. In other words, Commodus allowed Altrus to enter and exit his study freely. This obviously exceeded the level of trust that a consultant could get.
The study was a forbidden place for all men. Even Queen Christina could not enter the study without Commodus' permission. It was no wonder that Clint had such a strong sense of crisis. He could not wait to drag Zhang Heng into the competition to fight against Altrus. On the other hand, the Balance Blade also wanted Altrus dead.
However, Altrus had been by Commodus's side all these years. He had done a lot of things for Commodus, both in the light and in the dark. He had also offended a lot of people. He obviously knew that he was always in danger, which was why he had been so secretive. Even his subordinates did not know where he was going. It was not easy to find him.
Zhang Heng did not have too many clues for the time being. He could only look for an opportunity after dealing with the bronze statue. Earlier, Commodus also mentioned that he would hold a welcome dinner for him after he was done with his work. At that time, all the advisors would attend. Zhang Heng could only hope that Altrus would be among them.
The place where the bronze statue was cast was in the suburbs, far from here. So, Zhang Heng called a carriage.
After he received the task, he did some homework. He knew that the person in charge of this matter was called Decius, and he was from the Caladia family. The Caladia family was a new aristocrat who relied on his military exploits to rise to power in Rome. It was all thanks to Aurelius that Decius's father could enter the Senate. Hence, the Caladia family had always been a hardcore supporter of the royal family. Otherwise, Commodus would not have handed over the bronze statue casting to them.
However, Decius, whom Zhang Heng was going to meet next, was not an important figure in the Caladia family. He was not the son of the first wife, and his mother was just a maidservant. Besides, the Caladia family rose too fast, and they lacked a solid foundation and heritage. Hence, Decius's background was not much better than that of a commoner. Hence, this task was very important to him. Zhang Heng analyzed that as long as Decius was not out of his mind, he should not have any intention to sabotage Zhang Heng.
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