Fortunately, Lucilla did not continue the previous topic. She looked around, nodded, and said, "This is a good place. It seems that my brother really values you."
"His Majesty is fair in his rewards and punishments. He has always given preferential treatment to his own people," Zhang Heng said.
Lucilla smiled noncommittally when she heard that. "I heard that you first solved the security problem in the southeast city, and then avoided the delay of the bronze statue's delivery. My brother is very happy."
"It's all part of my job."
"It's hard to say whether it's part of your job or not, but your ability is really good. Because of this, I wonder why you always avoid me." Lucilla paused. "You know who I am, what I can give you, and what my brother can't give you."
Zhang Heng was silent when he heard this.
"Do you know what I'm most curious about?" Lucilla continued.
"I'd like to hear the details."
"You approached my brother to gain power. You don't have to deny that. That night at Senator Dior's house, you deliberately provoked Sartonilos in order to attract Commodus's attention. This made me think that you were no different from other people who approached my brother. But the interesting thing is that if that's the case, you should also find a way to get close to me, because there is no doubt that my friendship will be of great help to your political career in the future. However, you seem very negative about this matter."
A glint flashed in Lucilla's eyes. "Either I am so ugly that it makes you sick, or I have to suspect that my initial judgment of you is not accurate. You approached my brother not to gain power, but for another purpose."
Zhang Heng's heart tightened when he heard this. He did not expect this seemingly irrelevant woman to have such sharp eyes. Indeed, Lucilla had asked the core of the problem.
If he really wanted to get close to Commodus for the sake of power, he should try his best to win Lucilla's favor. But in fact, Zhang Heng wanted to get close to Altrus from the emperor. Lucilla had nothing to do with Altrus. Naturally, Zhang Heng did not want to waste his energy on her.
Fortunately, Zhang Heng's historical advantage came into play at this time.
After a moment of silence, Zhang Heng said, "Your beauty is well-known in Rome. No man can refuse your invitation … As for why I dare not approach you, it's because I heard rumors that your relationship with His Majesty is not as good as everyone thinks."
Lucilla raised her eyebrows, a little surprised. "Who told you this?"
After that, Zhang Heng shut his mouth, making it clear that he did not want to answer this question.
Lucilla did not dwell on it. She just put away the smile on her face and said lightly, "Since you have entered this circle of power, you should know that there will never be a lack of baseless rumors here. These rumors are just a tool used by politicians to attack each other. I am Commodus's only remaining blood relative. How can I harm my only brother? This is just Commodus's real enemy trying to sow discord between me and my brother."
Zhang Heng bowed, "Thank you for your advice. After all, I am His Majesty's man. I need to maintain my loyalty to His Majesty, even if it's just a rumor …"
Lucilla interrupted impatiently before he could finish, "You are very responsible. I am very happy that my brother finally has some decent people under his command. There are no longer only those who hide their faces and those who only know how to compete for favor. In this case, I will not disturb your loyal performance."
Upon hearing that, Zhang Heng took out the necklace that Lucilla gave him.
"You can keep this. I don't lack jewelry. Besides, I never take back what I give out."
After Lucilla finished speaking, she seemed to have lost interest in Zhang Heng. She turned around and walked out of the front hall with her guards. Zhang Heng followed behind and respectfully sent Lucilla out of the door. When Lucilla walked to the street, she stopped again, turned her head, and said to Zhang Heng, "Don't think that no one knows what you have done. I will keep an eye on you."
Zhang Heng frowned, not understanding what Lucilla meant by her last sentence. However, the latter had already gotten into the carriage.
And when the slave girl on the other side saw that everyone had left, she ran down from the second floor and poked her head out to look around.
"Is she the emperor's sister? She doesn't look like a good person. "
"Why do you say that? Is it because she plans to let the guards push you away?" Zhang Heng asked. "Also, what did I tell you before? I told you not to block the door anymore. You have no idea what kind of people are going to come here."
"Even so, I can't let anyone into our house," the slave girl said angrily.
"It's my house. I don't mind. What are you angry about? If something like this happens again in the future, ask the servants to ask them. If they can't stop them, just let them in. Don't go there anymore."
"Oh."
Zhang Heng saw that the slave girl was still a little unhappy, so he took out a gold coin and gave it to her. "Go to the tailor's shop and bring back the clothes I ordered. I need to wear them for the dinner tonight. Use this money to order a set for yourself."
"Are you going to the dinner? In the palace?" The slave girl was easy to coax. After taking the gold coin, her mood suddenly improved again. Zhang Heng also recently discovered that this slave girl was a little money-grubber, and she liked to save money.
"Hmm, I have been an advisor for so long, and I haven't met many of my colleagues yet. It's time to meet them," Zhang Heng said lightly.
…
Lucilla's visit was just an accident. The most important thing for Zhang Heng today was the upcoming dinner. This was the welcome dinner that Commodus promised him to welcome him to join the small political group around him. According to Commodus, his advisors and some other hardcore supporters of the royal family would be present tonight.
And of course, Zhang Heng cared about Altrus the most. It was not that Zhang Heng did not consider killing Altrus at the dinner, but he had an agreement with the priestess. Before he killed Altrus, he had to hand Altrus over to the priestess for a period of time.
If that was the case, he would not be able to kill Altrus at the dinner. Besides, if Altrus died at the dinner, he would be in trouble. Although Zhang Heng was confident that he could make it look like an accident, as long as Altrus died, he would not be able to escape responsibility as the protagonist of the night.
Zhang Heng decided to stay put and use this opportunity to get in touch with Altrus. After that, he would look for a chance to kill Altrus. It would be best if he could clear his name.
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