Chapter 872: Banquet
Fortunately, Lucilla did not dwell on the previous conversation. She looked around, nodded, and said, “This is a good place. My brother seems to value you a lot.”
“His Majesty graciously rewards those who have helped him and rightly punishes those who go against him. He has always treated his men well,” Zhang Heng said.
Lucilla smiled nonchalantly when she heard what Zhang Heng said. “I heard you are the first to solve the public security problem in the southeast city. And right after that, you made sure that the bronze statues were delivered on time. I believe that these two achievements made my brother really happy.”
“It’s all part of my job.”
“Let’s put aside the fact that this is your job. I have to admit that you are indeed quite capable. I wonder why you keep trying to avoid me.” Lucy paused. “You know who I am, and I can give you something my brother can never give.”
Zhang Heng remained silent.
“Do you know what I’m most curious about?” Lucilla continued.
“I appreciate further details.”
“You approached my brother to gain more power. You don’t have to deny that. That night at Senator Dior’s domus, you deliberately provoked Sartonilos to attract Commodus’s attention. At one point, I thought that you were no different from the others. But what’s interesting is that you have no intention to get close to me. If you become my friend, there is no doubt that it will be useful to your political career. But you don’t seem to think so?”
A glint flashed in Lucilla’s eyes, “Either I am that ugly that it makes you sick, or I’ve misjudged you from the beginning. You are not simply approaching my brother to gain more power. It seems like you have another agenda in your mind.”
Zhang Heng’s heart clenched when he heard what she said. He did not expect that this seemingly unreliable woman would have such extraordinary observation skills. Indeed, Lucilla had asked the right questions this time.
If Zhang Heng had indeed approached Commodus to gain more power, he would have worked hard to gain Lucilla’s adoration as well. The real reason why Zhang Heng approached Commodus was that he wanted to know Altrus’ whereabouts. And Lucilla had nothing to do with Altrus. Hence, Zhang Heng had no reason to please her.
Fortunately, Zhang Heng’s advantage in understanding history could be brought into play at this time.
After a moment of silence, Zhang Heng said, “Your beauty is distinguished across the land of Rome. And no man can reject your invitation… I didn’t dare to approach you because I heard rumors that your relationship with his majesty is not as good as everyone thinks.”
Lucilla raised her eyebrows. She was a little surprised, “Who told you about that?”
Zhang Heng shut his mouth, making it clear that he did not want to answer this question.
Not wanting to delve into it, Lucilla put away the smile on her face and said casually, “Since you have entered this power circle, you should know that unverified rumors are something that will always be around. These rumors are the weapons politicians use to attack each other. I’m the only remaining blood relative of Commodus. How could I go against my only brother? Commodus’s real enemy is the one souring our relationship.”
Zhang Heng bowed, “I have learned my lesson here. I am the emperor’s advisor, after all. I have to maintain my loyalty to his majesty no matter what, even if unpleasant rumors circulate me…”
Lucilla interrupted impatiently without waiting for Zhang Heng to finish his sentence. “You are a conscientious man. I’m overjoyed that my brother has finally found a decent person to work with. He needs an undespicable person to lessen his burden. If that’s the case, I won’t interrupt you putting on a show with your loyalty.”
Zhang Heng took out the necklace that Lucilla gave him some time ago.
“Keep it. I don’t lack jewelry. Besides, I do not take back items I gave out.”
After Lucilla finished speaking, she seemed to have lost her interest in Zhang Heng. She turned and walked out of the front hall with her guard. Zhang Heng followed her and respectfully sent Lucilla out of the door and waited for her to leave. When she got to the street, she stopped again, turned to Zhang Heng, and said, “Don’t think that no one knows what you are doing. I will keep my eyes on you.”
Zhang Heng frowned, wondering what Lucilla meant. At the same time, the latter had already gotten into her carriage.
And the slave girl ran down from the second floor when she saw that everyone had gone.
“Is she the emperor’s sister? She doesn’t look like a nice person.”
“What makes you say that? Is it because she ordered her guard to get rid of you?” Zhang Heng asked. “Also, what did I tell you about blocking people from entering the house? You don’t even know who the person is.”
“I can’t be letting people into our house as they please, can I?!” the slave girl replied angrily.
“It’s my home. I don’t mind. You don’t have to get angry. If a similar thing happens again, ask the servant to deal with them. If you can’t stop them, just let them come into the house. Don’t go and stick your nose into their business.”
“Okay.”
Seeing that the slave girl was still a little unhappy, Zhang Heng took out a gold coin, gave it to her, and said, “Go to the tailor’s shop and bring back the clothes I ordered. I will wear it for the evening dinner later. By the way, use the rest of the money to get yourself a set.”
“Are you going to the palace to attend the dinner party?”
Making the slave girl happy again was a breeze. She immediately felt better once she received the coin. Zhang Heng had recently discovered that the slave girl liked money a lot.
“Yes. I’m going to the palace to attend dinner later. I have worked as an advisor for a while now, but I have not met most of my colleagues. It’s time for me to meet them,” Zhang Heng said casually.
…
Lucilla’s visit was an expected event. Zhang Heng needed to attend the upcoming dinner. It was the banquet that Commodus had dedicated to him, welcoming him into his small political group. According to Commodus, his advisers and other hardcore supporters would be there tonight as well.
Of course, what Zhang Heng cared about most was Altrus. He had never seen him before. Zhang Heng could have killed Altrus at the dinner party, but he promised the priestess that he would hand him over to her for a while before he killed him.
Since this was the case, he wouldn’t be able to kill him at the banquet. Besides, if Altrus died there, he would get into trouble as well. Although Zhang Heng was confident that he could make the death look like an accident, he would look as if he had something to do with Altrus’ death since he was the main protagonist of the night.
Hence, Zhang Heng decided to put a temporary hold on his plan and use this opportunity to get to know Altrus a little more. He would look for chances afterward to eliminate him. And he had to make sure that no one would suspect him.