20demayo Chapter 959 Lu Su, you should be more relaxed!
Chapter 959 Lu Su, you should be more relaxed!
Upon hearing this, Lu Su didn't become complacent or change her mind because of Gao Yao's affirmation. Instead, she lowered her head even lower and said in a soft but remarkably clear voice, "Your Majesty, please don't make fun of me anymore. Back then, I was ignorant and reckless. Seeing my sister handle things so effortlessly, I thought, if others can do it, why can't I? I felt a bit of a sense of dissatisfaction and comparison."
Lü Zhi paused, her tone tinged with the maturity of experience. "However, as I've become more familiar with this, I've gradually come to understand the difficulties involved. Many things, you might only need a fraction of your effort to organize, but I often have to expend a third of my effort to barely achieve a similar result. The difference is truly minute."
She raised her head, her gaze clear and resolute at Gao Yao, and continued, "This disparity speaks volumes. If the king has any orders requiring my assistance, I will do my utmost, even at the cost of my life. But when it comes to ruling the six palaces, coordinating all parties, exercising both kindness and authority, and winning the hearts and minds of the people... I honestly don't possess such a keen mind or swift tactics. All I can hold onto is my loyalty to the king and my duty to refrain from overstepping boundaries."
These words were spoken with utmost sincerity, without a trace of affectation. Gao Yao listened, nodding slowly, sighing inwardly: As expected, time and experience are the truest tools for sharpening a person. The Lu Su before him was no longer the thorny young girl he'd forced to stay by his side, her eyes a mixture of fear, stubbornness, and unyielding determination. Back then, she was like an untamed young animal in the wilds, deprived of her freedom, yet still possessed a fierce determination to risk everything and refuse to yield.
Now, she has learned to examine herself, to weigh the pros and cons, and to know when to advance and retreat, and when to strike deep. This kind of growth isn't about smoothing out edges and corners, but rather a restrained wisdom grounded in realistic cognition.
Gao Yao sighed inwardly, his tone unconsciously softening, even tinged with a hint of nostalgia and teasing. "You..." He shook his head gently. "Sometimes I think you're better the way you were before. So lively, so reckless. Don't you think the fearlessness Yunna exudes now is quite similar to the way you were when I first took you by my side?"
"Ah...this..."
Gao Yao's words were like a pebble dropped into a calm lake, instantly sending ripples through Lu Su's heart. She was caught off guard, her fair cheeks flushing a deep crimson that spread all the way to her ears. Those early years were a time of shame, resistance, and helpless submission. She had once considered Gao Yao an enemy, and even though he had long possessed her body, resentment and resentment lingered within her. Her so-called submission stemmed more from fear of his tireless torment and the honesty of her body.
Now that the past was brought up again, and spoken with such a touch of intimacy, as if recalling the mischievous days of childhood, wasn't this implying... that the king actually preferred the ignorant, unruly self of that time? This realization made her flustered, mixed with an indescribable throbbing.
Seeing Lu Su's bashful expression, Gao Yao's smile deepened. This was exactly the effect he wanted, to break through her rigid, composed exterior and reveal her true feelings. He toned down his playfulness, his tone becoming gentle and serious. "I'm not saying you're not good right now. It's just that I'd rather see you living with some vitality, with your own temperament and color, rather than blindly pursuing maturity and staidness, suppressing everything inside. While your current state makes me feel less worried, it doesn't make me happy."
He paused, then gave an example: "Take a lesson from Natasha and the others. Even though I didn't visit them often, they always managed to enjoy their lives, delving into new things or gathering together to sing and dance, living a carefree and joyful life. It's so lonely in this deep palace. If you don't find some fun, won't you get bored? I hope you can do the same. Do you understand?"
Gao Yao's words truly came from the heart. As a time traveler whose soul had come from modern society, he deeply loathed the stagnant, rigid, and oppressive atmosphere of the traditional harem. When the hustle and bustle subsided and he needed to relax, he would look around and see only faces walking in a state of proper order, lowering their brows and looking submissive, even their laughter restrained by a certain restraint. Even the air seemed stagnant, like stagnant water. He would feel a strange sense of suffocation and alienation.
It felt as if everything around him, including the women who depended on him, were just illusory background boards that could disappear like smoke at any time, leaving him unable to grasp any real liveliness and warmth.
It was with this in mind that he "invented" mahjong and poker early on, and taught them games like "Dou Dizhu" (Fight the Landlord). This wasn't just to while away the time, but also to inject a sense of life into the complexities of the palace. He also introduced modern fitness and bodybuilding concepts, personally creating or guiding them in exercises that would strengthen their bodies and sculpt their figures, requiring them to practice them daily.
This was not just to maintain a healthy body and slow down the aging process, but also to allow them to always have an upright and graceful posture, radiating a vigorous vitality from the inside out. In his view, a healthy body and an active spirit were the foundation for fighting the loneliness of the deep palace and maintaining personal charm.
Lu Su listened quietly, taking Gao Yao's words of concern and expectation to heart. Her initial embarrassment gradually faded, replaced by a warm touch and understanding. She bowed deeply again, her voice soft but filled with unprecedented resolve and a sense of sudden enlightenment. "Yes! Your Majesty, I will keep your words in mind. From now on... I know what to do."
Gao Yao nodded in satisfaction, knowing that she truly understood this time. He reached out and gently patted her shoulder. "I'm glad you understand. Get up and walk with me in the garden to see how the flowers you've been tending to are blooming."
Lu Su stood up as instructed, followed Gao Yao half a step behind, and walked out of the hall with him. The sunlight shone through the carved window lattices, dancing on her face, which still had a faint blush. Beneath her drooping eyelashes, it seemed as if something was quietly changing.
The late summer heat hadn't completely subsided in the courtyard, but a few cool breezes blew through the carefully manicured flowers and trees, bringing a hint of the fresh scent of grass and trees. The white marble path meandered forward, and the palace lanterns on either side were already lit, casting halos of warm yellow light in the deepening twilight.