Fortunately, Lucilla did not continue the previous topic. She glanced around, then nodded. "This place is nice. It seems my brother truly thinks highly of you."
"His Majesty rewards and punishes fairly. He has always treated his own people well," Zhang Heng said.
Lucilla merely smiled noncommittally. "I heard you first dealt with the public security problems in the Southeast District, then prevented the bronze statue's delivery from being delayed. That made my brother very happy."
"I was only doing my duty."
"Whether it was your duty or not is hard to say, but you are indeed quite capable. That is precisely why I find it strange that you always act as though you want to stay far away from me." Lucilla paused. "You know who I am, what I can offer you, even things my brother cannot give you."
Zhang Heng fell silent.
"Do you know what I am most curious about?" Lucilla continued.
"I would like to hear it."
"You approached my brother for power. There is no need to deny it. That night at Senator Dio's home, you deliberately provoked Saturnilos in order to catch Commodus's attention. For a time, I thought you were no different from all the others who approached my brother. But interestingly, if that were truly the case, you should also have found a way to approach me. After all, gaining my friendship would undoubtedly be of great help to your future political career. Yet you have been conspicuously passive in this matter."
A sharp glint flashed through Lucilla's eyes. "Either I am ugly enough to make you sick, or I have no choice but to suspect that my initial judgment of you was wrong. You did not approach my brother for power, but for some other purpose."
Zhang Heng's heart tightened. He