"Tiberius, Apis is talking to you again?"

"Yes, Mother."

"What's the content of this conversation?"

"Nothing special, nothing more than some things in the Senate, and small things in life."

Warm sunlight poured into Lilia's house through the window, and as a mother, Lilia once again cared about the recent condition of her child Tiberius. Ever since Apis had taken Tiberius with her, Lilia's mood had become more and more restless, and she was glad that Tiberius had been appreciated by Apis, but she was also worried that Tiberius had become more and more estranged from her, that they had less and less time together, and that they had less and less understanding of each other. And, what worries Lilia even more is that Tiberius has grown up and hides a lot of things in her heart and no longer tells herself. It was as if he had gradually become an outsider, but it was Apis who had become his relative......

"Tiberius, you must tell me the truth. He is Apis, not someone else, and everything he looks for you is no small matter, you know, outside, even the Roman officials outside, it is difficult to see him. ”

Seeing Tiberius' indifferent look, Lilia asked uneasily. Tiberius has been by her side for more than ten years, she knows his character and temper, and once he says it's okay, it's okay.

"It's really nothing, Mother. Appis approached me for a taste of the wines produced in Northern Gaul and to talk about Parthia and Armenia. ”

Tiberius looked at Aristotle's writings and returned impatiently.

"This is a hint, Tiberius, and Apis, that is a hint to you, to let you go with him to Parthia. He will give you some positions, and then let you achieve military merits, so that you can better and faster rise to prominence in Roman politics. ”

Lilia walked over and hugged Tiberius with a weird smile. This posture made Tiberius very uncomfortable, not because his mother's movements were wrong, but because her attitude and motivation had already made Tiberius feel an inexplicable pressure and uneasiness. In the past, although his mother had shown concern, she was not as contrived as she is now, and there was always a weirdness behind her smiling face that Tiberius could not grasp.

"I didn't think much of it. If he wants to take me to Parthia, he will go, and it doesn't matter if he doesn't take me. It's nice to be in Rome, the bustling city, with so many poetry books and books to keep with me, and the occasional colossal tournament, which is also good. ”

Tiberius moved a little to the side and said casually.

"Childish! Tiberius, my child, know that you are no longer a child. Apis must have had his thoughts and purposes in mind for holding you in such high esteem. Now, all of Rome knows that Teretus is gone, and you are his most important boy, and you know what, right now, the nobles of Rome and the members of the Senate are all talking to you? They often come to our homes to ask for warmth and give us all kinds of gifts and luxuries. Do you think they have that good intentions? It's all because of you. They made a bet on you. Because anyone with a discerning eye can see that you are the person that Apis focuses on cultivating. You must continue to please him and strive to become the heir of Apis, just as Octavian was the heir of Caesar. Sometimes it's normal to use a little trick. ”

Seeing Tiberius's impatience, Lilia was annoyed. She reprimanded Tiberius loudly, and her former gentle and elegant form swept away, and even the servants around her were a little surprised. They had never seen their mistress like this.

"Become the heir of Appis? Mother, you're thinking too much, aren't you? It's true to get his appreciation, but it's impossible to be an heir. I am not related to Apis by any blood, I am the son of Claudius, my father is dead, how can I be the heir of Apis. Well, Mother, you can raise flowers and make food at home, and occasionally go to the theater to watch a play and listen to music. Don't speculate about these fictitious things, let alone have illusions. I'm not much of an heir. Also, don't accept the gifts from the nobles and the senators. We can't give them any promises, and if we take something from someone else, we have to do something for someone else, but I don't have the ability to do anything for someone else right now. You too. Therefore, the next time those officials and wealthy businessmen send things again, they will all refuse. ”

In the face of his mother's chattering "teachings," Tiberius grew more and more impatient. Even roll up the book and prepare to leave. But his mother grabbed his right hand like an eagle catching a chicken.

"Where are you going?"

Lilia asked.

"I went to the barracks to practice horseback riding."

Tiberius turned around and looked at his mother innocently, hoping that Lilia would let go. He was already annoyed in his heart. When I returned home, I originally wanted to talk to my mother about my feelings, chat about family life, and eat the food made by my mother. But unexpectedly, as soon as he got home, his mother Lilia talked to him again about politics, how to win the favor of Appis, how to get into the position and other cold topics.

"Horsemanship, that's the stuff of rude generals and soldiers, Tiberius, you're going to learn how to make a name for yourself in Roman politics. You are to learn oratory, to learn eloquence from Cicero. Study law and literature. Learn how to achieve status. Tiberius, nothing is impossible. Including heirs. It doesn't matter if they are related by blood or not, Caesar's earliest heir was Pompey, and there was no kinship between them at all. It's all about trust and appreciation between people. You can try to woo Nevia, who is Appis's only daughter. As long as you marry Nevia, there is no reason why Apis should not make you his heir. Rome's endless territories and legions, that's what you should fight for. Indulge in those withered words and dust training all day long, and you can't get anything useful. ”

Lilia grabbed Tiberius and continued to chatter.

"Enough! Mother. A lot of things aren't what you think. Whether Apis wants to make me his heir or not, that's his business, I just want to be myself. Live your true self. I think that even if Apis intended to promote me and make me his heir, he would not want to see a hypocritical Tiberius, do you think I did a little action Apis couldn't understand? He is an extremely intelligent man, and if I really pursue Nevia for the sake of the so-called heir, then Apis will definitely dislike me, and when the time comes, let alone an heir, I am afraid that the love and care I have now will be gone. Mother, let it be, there are some things, don't be too demanding. It backfires. ”

In the face of his mother's nagging Lilia, Tiberius finally couldn't take it anymore, and he responded loudly.