novelhk Chapter 962: After fighting for so many years, can’t we enjoy ourselves?
Chapter 962: After fighting for so many years, can’t we enjoy ourselves?
After figuring out all these points, Gao Yao compared the current situation again. A sudden sense of enlightenment came over him like a tide, instantly breaking down the wall of worry he had built up before.
Longevity and health! Gao Yao is no Liu Bang, exhausted by war and political intrigue, plagued by injuries in his later years! He possesses a mysterious technique granted by the system. While not yet fully developed, it has already shown promise in strengthening his body and prolonging his life. Furthermore, he has meticulously researched a medicine using fragments of the Celestial Star. While he hasn't yet fully cracked the secret of immortality, he is absolutely confident that living to a hundred and fifty years is a sure thing.
As long as Gao Yao remained alive and vigorous on the throne, even if Lü Zhi harbored ambitions, she could only play minor games within the rules, employing tactics to secure more resources and support from court officials for her son. But throughout history, which concubine in the harem, or prince's relative, hadn't done the same? This was the norm within the imperial court, not a source of disaster capable of overthrowing the dynasty.
The influence of foreign relatives! This point is even more diametrically opposed to history. Lü Gong's previous foolish actions not only ruined himself, but also implicated the entire Lü clan. Gao Yao then carried out a ruthless purge. Except for Lü Zhi and Lü Su, who allowed Lü Gong to live out his days under house arrest, all other Lü family members and their cronies who were deeply implicated in the case were virtually eradicated.
The remaining members of the Lü clan are few in number, often placed in insignificant positions far from the center of power. Scattered across the land, they lack the ability to coordinate with one another. In the entire court, there are no more than a dozen officials with close ties to the Lü family, making them incapable of forming any influential political bloc. Even if Lü Zhi were to become empress, without the powerful backing of her family, her influence would be greatly diminished. She would rely primarily on Gao Yao's favor and her own wisdom, rather than on a vast network of extended relatives to enforce her will, as was the case in history.
The structure of the court! His Gao Yao court was not the disorganized one of Liu Bang's later years, purged and scattered. Xiao He, Han Xin, Zhang Liang, Chen Ping... these top talents in history, now in their prime, each possessing their own strengths, acted as a check and balance. They were loyal to Gao Yao because he could lead them to greater achievements and realize their own values.
Gao Yao had absolute confidence in his ability to control them. In this situation, it was a pipe dream for Lü Zhi, a woman in the inner palace, to bypass Gao Yao and manipulate and control these arrogant and proud individuals. Her ambition and tactics were indeed inadequate in the face of these true political giants.
At this thought, Gao Yao couldn't help but laugh. His smile was tinged with self-mockery, relief, and a sense of relief. He had climbed from the bottom to the top, treading cautiously and cautiously at every step. His deep knowledge of history had been both his guiding light and his inner demon. He was constantly wary of history, attempting to avoid every known risk, yet he had inadvertently been blinded by the shadow of history, ignoring the earth-shattering changes that had taken place in reality. He was no longer the Liu Bang who relied on the Lu family to rise to power. The foundation and operating logic of the empire he had built were completely different from those of the early Han Dynasty.
"Haha..." A low laugh escaped Gao Yao's throat. He shook his head and sighed with deep emotion: "Lu Su, I'm really a little narrow-minded!"
This self-deprecating remark was a sign that he had completely figured things out, a farewell to his past unnecessary worries, and a sincere thank you to Lu Su for her advice.
However, this self-deprecating remark struck Lu Su like a bolt from the blue! Her heart, already weighed down by her bold words, instantly rose to her throat. A king mocking himself? This, in her opinion, was definitely not a good thing! She immediately wondered if her words had been too blunt, offending the king's authority and causing him to express his displeasure in this ironic way.
Instantly, panic seized her. Almost without thinking, she swiftly circled in front of Gao Yao and knelt on the ground, her forehead touching the ground. Her voice trembled slightly, "Your Majesty! I absolutely did not mean to mock you! I have been reckless in discussing state affairs and my words were rude. I am guilty... Please punish me!"
She prostrated herself on the ground, not daring to look up, her heart filled with regret and fear. She was so focused on sharing her husband's worries that she forgot the distinction between ruler and subject, forgetting that some words, no matter how reasonable, could be considered presumptuous if spoken by a concubine like her.
Gao Yao looked at Lu Su, who was kneeling on the ground, frightened like a frightened deer. He was startled at first, but then he understood her concerns and felt a surge of pity in his heart. He leaned over and helped Lu Su up with his own hands. He could feel her body trembling slightly where his hands touched.
"Get up, silly girl." Gao Yao's voice returned to its usual gentleness, even with a hint of a smile. "I was speaking the truth. It was you who enlightened me and made me stop dwelling on this trivial matter. What crime have you committed? Not only am I not guilty, but I have actually done something meritorious."
He held Lu Su's slightly cold hand and patted it gently, looking at her beautiful face, which was still filled with fear, with gentle eyes: "I was too obsessed with the illusions of the past and ignored the reality before me. What you said today was very good and insightful. I am very comforted."
Hearing Gao Yao's sincere praise and confirming he wasn't angry, Lu Su's heart finally settled. She looked up, the fear in her eyes fading, replaced by a hazy glint and a hint of shy joy at being recognized. "I'm glad my husband doesn't blame me..."
Gao Yao felt a stir as he watched her like this. The gloom that had been building for days vanished, replaced by a relaxed, even playful, mood. He recalled the private "punishment" he'd once devised to temper Lu Su's occasional temper, and a meaningful smile played across his lips.
"Since you are innocent, you deserve a reward." Gao Yao deliberately prolonged his tone, his eyes wandering over Lu Su's beautiful figure. "However, I don't want to see any singing and dancing, nor do I want to hear any music today. I just want to rest here and watch you quietly."
He paused, lowering his voice with an ambiguity that only the two of them understood: "Let the maid take Yunna to my palace to rest. Tonight, I just want to see you... dance for me alone."
Lu Su was stunned for a moment, then a vibrant blush spread from her cheeks to her ears, even tinging her fair neck with a faint pink. She instantly understood what Gao Yao meant by "dancing." It wasn't a proper dance at all, but rather the most intimate pleasure between husband and wife. The so-called gauze dresses, peeled off piece by piece until their bodies were fully exposed... It wasn't a dance at all; it was clearly a prelude to the ultimate teasing and pleasure. This punishment had long since degenerated into an intimate game between them, a tacit agreement.