Mythical Qin: I, Gao Yao, will never be a eunuch!

Chapter 960: Lu Su recommended Lu Zhi?

Gao Yao dismissed the attendants, leaving only him and Lü Su in the vast courtyard. Lü Su obeyed, gently embracing Gao Lai's arm. Her gesture seemed intimate, but her fingertips were slightly pale, betraying the tension within. They strolled silently along the path, the soft rustling of their shoes against the stone surface accentuating the stillness.

This silence wasn't entirely peaceful; rather, it felt like a bow gradually drawn to full strength, poised to be released. Lu Su knew the king wouldn't summon her alone just for a stroll, much less bring up that sensitive topic for no apparent reason. She lowered her eyelashes, taking in the man's steady warmth and undeniable power. Her thoughts raced, a mixture of the sweetness of being trusted alone and the dread of the potential dangers.

Sure enough, after passing a clump of tuberoses in full bloom, Gao Yao slowed his pace slightly. His deep voice broke the silence, like a stone dropped into a seemingly calm lake: "Since you don't want to be the one, then who among your sisters do you think is most suitable to be the master of the harem?"

coming.

Lü Su's grip on Gao Yao's arms suddenly tightened uncontrollably. Though she instantly realized her mistake and relaxed, Gao Yao had already sensed the momentary stiffness. Her heart was pounding like a drum. This question seemed ordinary, but in reality, it was extremely dangerous. Recommending anyone would put herself in the spotlight, potentially offending others, and even more likely to be interpreted as forming a clique or slandering the harem. Especially... her inseparable sisterly bond with Lü Zhi was an invisible shackle.

She opened her red lips slightly, but could not utter a word for a long time. The faces of many sisters flashed through her mind rapidly. She weighed the pros and cons and considered the appropriate measure. She felt that no matter how she answered, it would be difficult to be comprehensive.

Gao Yao seemed to sense her inner struggle and fear. He didn't turn his head, his gaze still fixed on the shadowy trees ahead. His tone was calm, yet it held a reassuring power as he offered a promise that was like a special pardon: "Don't worry, I'm just asking. I want to hear your thoughts. You can speak freely and without any concerns. No matter what you say today, I will never blame you for what you said."

This assurance was like a barrier, temporarily insulating her from the outside world. Lu Su took a deep breath, the cool, floral air of the courtyard filling her lungs, calming her turbulent emotions. She knew this was the king's trust, but also a test she must face. There was no point in avoiding it; it was better to speak frankly.

She stopped, raised her eyes, and looked firmly at Gao Yao's profile. Her voice, though soft, was incredibly clear: "This... If Your Majesty really wants to know what I think," she paused, as if using up all her strength, and uttered the name, "That is... Lü Zhi."

"Oh?"

Gao Yao finally turned his head and glanced down at Lü Su beside him, a flicker of genuine surprise in his eyes. This answer was both unexpected and plausible, but the fact that Lü Su offered it so bluntly and openly did surprise him. He had assumed that, given Lü Su's intelligence and the delicate relationship between them, she would at least recommend someone who appeared neutral or had no ties to the Lü family, to avoid suspicion. Perhaps Xiaoyue, with her gentle temperament and modest background, or Natasha, with her unique background but no clique-building affiliation, might be the one she chose. Instead, she chose Lü Zhi, the most controversial and potentially the most vulnerable.

"Your Majesty," Lu Su said, no longer hesitating. She organized her words, trying to clearly present her considerations. "I know that Your Majesty is concerned about the Lu family's past. I also know that Your Majesty has always been wary of my sister's ambition, worried that if she is given more power, her ambition will spread like weeds and become difficult to control."

She directly pointed out Gao Yao's deepest concerns, and this confession made Gao Yao's eyes slightly fixed, and he listened more attentively.

"But," Lü Su changed the subject, her tone becoming objective and calm, as if analyzing a matter unrelated to her. "Your Majesty, please be fair. In this harem, when it comes to her ability and skill in handling affairs, her influence on the palace staff and even on the connections with the previous dynasty, and especially her practical assistance to Your Majesty's foundation and the stability of the court and harem—except for her sister Lü Zhi, there is truly no one who can surpass her. This is an undeniable fact."

Gao Yao listened silently, without interrupting. He acknowledged that what Lu Su said was true. He had never doubted Lu Zhi's ability. She handled the affairs of the Chamber of Commerce, even the relationships that needed to be coordinated behind the scenes, with impeccable management, even with more courage and foresight than many men.

Seeing Gao Yao didn't object, Lu Su felt a sense of relief and continued, "I understand that, according to common sense, I should avoid suspicion and recommend someone else, so as to appear fair and selfless. However, I do not wish to deceive His Majesty by avoiding suspicion. Every word I say is based on factual judgment." She tilted her head slightly, her eyes revealing an almost innocent earnestness. "As for the issue of my sister's inflated ambition, which Your Majesty is worried about, in my opinion... it's actually quite easy to resolve."

"Easy to resolve?" Gao Yao finally spoke again, his tone tinged with obvious skepticism and a subtle hint of amusement. He understood and even agreed with Lu Su's previous affirmation of Lu Zhi's abilities and her explanation of the avoidance of suspicion issue. But this final statement, "easy to resolve," made him think that Lu Su might be oversimplifying the matter. Power, public opinion, and family background were involved, especially with a woman as thoughtful and ambitious as Lu Zhi. The complexity of the situation was far too complex to be summed up in a single word: easy to resolve. He wanted to hear her opinion.

As night fell, deep within the Xianyang Palace, Gao Yao's chambers were brightly lit, yet the heaviness that settled between his brows could not be dispelled. The wisps of smoke rising from the incense burner mirrored his turbulent thoughts, swirling and uncertain, unable to find a way out. During the day, the undercurrents of court debate over the succession of empress and crown prince, along with Lü Zhi's seemingly submissive yet insidious gaze, had left him feeling an unprecedented sense of fatigue and vigilance.

Gao Yao, a modern man versed in history, rose step by step to his current position of dominance, possessing power and authority once unimaginable. Yet, deep within, the fear of "historical inertia" remains a constant, a nagging wound. He fears that even if he changes the course of events, the woman known as "Lü Zhi" will ultimately follow the same path of coldness and ruthlessness that led her to the pinnacle of power.