The beauty of Palazzo Potico is intoxicating, although it cannot be compared with many palaces known for its large scale and grandeur, but Palazzo Potico has some enviable comfort and ease, literature and elegance.

Although it is also made of marble, Palazzo Potico does not give people that cold feeling, on the contrary, even in the early winter days, the palace is always filled with a warm and warm atmosphere.

The Potico Palace is not very large, Alexander VI chose this place as his daughter's residence, of course, because of its proximity to the Vatican Palace, where he lived, but more importantly, because the palace's intoxicating environment won over the pope, who was quite discerning about his taste for life.

Alexander VI was fond of art and even somewhat obsessed with art, especially the cultures of the ancient Greek and Roman eras, which were strictly pagan but irresistibly indulged in them because of their irresistible charm.

So when choosing a house for his daughter, this dedication to beautiful art dominated his emotions, and in the end, this retro-like palace became his most satisfying place.

And it wasn't just the palace, Alexander was amazed when he walked into the Potico Palace, which was more of a rich collection than a residence for the Pope's beloved daughter, many of which would be a shame even for the wealthy collectors of our time.

Especially when he saw the picture of "The Seventh Day of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ" in Joanna's living room, which almost covered the front wall, even though he knew that this painting could not be the work of Raphael, who was still just an ignorant teenager, he was still amazed by the delicate and subtle artistic effect of the picture.

"This is the work of Petro of Perugia," seeing the strange expression on Alexander's face, Giulia Farne walked over and stood beside him, also looking up at the huge oil painting in front of him, "You probably know that this master is very famous, he is ......"

"A classmate of Leonardo da Vinci and Botticelli, a pupil of André del Verrocchio."

Alexander casually continued, although he was not very familiar with these contemporary art masters, but he still knew some of the more key figures, and there was another sentence he did not say, this person was still the teacher of Raphael, who was one of the three masters along with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.

He at least knew about such a person, not to mention that as long as he looked at the oil painting in front of him, he couldn't help but think of Raphael.

After all, Raphael's fame began with copying this painting of Petro's "The Seventh Day of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ", and because the copying was too realistic to make it impossible to distinguish which one was written by the master and apprentice, he became famous.

Julia Farne looked surprised and surprised, although Caesar had introduced the young man and said that he had defeated the French, but in the young lady's mind, this man was at most a reckless soldier from the country, who might fight but must have been rude, at least from his appearance, it was rare to see such a raunchy man in Rome, who did not even have a little pollen on his head.

But suddenly this man talked about art, and it seemed that he mentioned the names of many masters, but these were nothing, after all, these masters were famous masters, to Giulia Farnay's surprise, this person was actually quite familiar with the "Resurrection of Jesus" in front of him, which made the young lady a little unexpected, after all, this painting is not very famous, and Pietro of Perugia had not yet ascended the papal throne when he asked Alexander VI to create this painting, Naturally, it is less noticeable.

Only those who were genuinely interested in art had heard of this masterpiece in Pietro's studio, and it was then these people who spread the beauty of the painting.

In other words, if this "GI" knows nothing or is indifferent to art, let alone appreciation, he probably won't know that such a masterpiece exists.

Julia Farne, of course, did not know that Alexander was so familiar with the author of the painting only because of the facilitator of the painting, not the painter himself.

"It looks like I'm going to look the other way at you, I originally thought of you as a soldier who could only fight."

Julia Farne did not hide her previous contempt at all, and her very calm attitude surprised Alexander a little, because he had the impression that it would always take some means to be able to maneuver between the Borgia family, and to be able to be like a fish in water, so now this young woman's straightforwardness made him feel a little unexpected.

"Agri's Gombray doesn't just fight," said Agri's Gombray, who had regained her composure and had re-touched her makeup, came out of the room in the company of Lucrezia, and could see that the queen had completely calmed down, or at least would not make any more embarrassing moves out of excitement, "He is a businessman. ”

When he heard Joanna talk about businessmen, Alexander always felt that her tone was a little sarcastic, but he didn't care, for him there was indeed only a pure deal with Joanna, as for saying that he had robbed her by fire before, Alexander was not ashamed, after all, he was not the money he snatched from Joanna.

"You're still in business? What do you do, sell all kinds of goods or specialize in wool business like the Medici family? Lucrezia also looked at Alexander with a little curiosity, but there was always a hint of innocent mockery in her demeanor, as if she didn't care at all that her words might stab someone.

"It's a kind of trade, but it's just a way to make a living." Alexander responded, then he looked at Julia Farne, "As you say, I'm just a rude soldier, and maybe I'm useful on the battlefield, but I'm really useless elsewhere. ”

Alexander didn't care about the disdain shown by the darling of the Borgia family, and of course he knew that she had the capital to show contempt for him. And in Lucrezia's eyes, there was probably no one else in the world who could arouse her real interest except her father and a few brothers.

"I don't think so," Caesar, who had been standing by talking to Julia's mother-in-law, Alexandra de Mira, suddenly interjected, and as soon as he spoke, he became the center of the room, and everyone looked at him, "As far as I know, when you pay for Bonarroti's trip from Sicily to Rome with 30 florins, you will never have more money left on you than you give him, and at that time you were only the treasurer of a small library in the Episcopal Palace of Palermo, right?" ”

Alexander was slightly surprised, he knew that Caesar could not fail to investigate him, and it was certain that he would ask Michelangelo about his experience in Sicily, but he didn't expect Caesar to inquire so clearly, although these news were somewhat different from his original situation, but he would know the news of a seemingly unimportant person in such detail, which shows that this person is indeed a hero.

"In fact, I had about 30 florins in my pocket at the time," Alexander smiled, "art is noble, but at least you have to eat enough to talk about these great things." ”

"But you gave almost half of your fortune to sponsor someone who wasn't famous?" Alexandra de Mira walked over slowly, looking at him with some suspicion, "Or maybe you're not afraid that he's just a liar, maybe your money will be squandered in a tavern or on a woman." ”

Alexander still smiled slightly, of course he would not tell this woman who had the same lover as his daughter-in-law, and that Michelangelo would spend his long life alone and without any woman.

"It turns out that I am not wrong about Bonarroti as a person," Alexander could only say, although it sounds somewhat self-righteous, but it feels good and necessary to disguise himself in front of these people, and it is necessary to have a proper disguise in front of these people, and it is necessary to have a unique vision in front of them, and I found that he had a persistence and conviction that other people did not have, and although I did not understand art, I was really impressed by him, and you can take this as a young impulse, but I have never regretted paying for him. ”

Alexander's words made several members of the Borgia family curious, and even Joanna looked at him with some surprise.

"I didn't know you still had such a persistent belief in art," said Joanna with a slight teasingness, by this time she had fully regained her majesty as queen of Naples, and when she remembered the way she had lost her identity due to excitement when she first met Alexander, she made her attitude even more cold, "I think I have to stay here for the time being, and you can stay in Marino Palace with your people until I inform you." ”

Hearing Joanna say this, Alexander looked at Caesar next to him, and he knew that it was Caesar who really made the decision.

Seeing this, Joanna was a little annoyed, but she could only look at Caesar on the side.

"Your people can go back to Marino," Caesar nodded and walked over, he first nodded to the women, then gestured to Alexander, and then led him out of the room and walked slowly along the oval corridor, "You know that the situation in the city of Rome is a bit complicated right now, and the queen has just been assassinated, so it's best to keep her out of the crowd for a while." ”

Alexander nodded, he knew that Caesar's words should be just the beginning, and the real thing to say was later.

Sure enough, Caesar then groaned slightly, as if wondering how to phrase it, and then lowered his voice a little and asked, "I heard that Giovanni looked for you?" ”

Alexander glanced at Caesar and nodded silently.

This kind of thing can't be hidden from others in the first place, let alone the current Caesar.

Alexander was sure that Caesar had given his men the opportunity to take control of the Vatican by arresting Joanna's assassin a few days earlier, even if he hadn't done so before, but it would not be an exaggeration to say that Caesar was the most powerful man in the Vatican or even in the entire city of Rome.

From this point of view, the French may not have had much of a comfortable time in Rome, after all, both inside and outside the city, they are losing little by little their control of the city, which they already did not have a dominant hand on.

"Did Giovanni make any demands on you?"

Caesar's undisguised contradiction with his brother made Alexander feel once again that this man was different.

Even people who often do evil often do not want others to see that they are ruthless to their families, and some are even more keen to play themselves as people who are cruel to outsiders, but close and friendly to their families, as if in this way they seem to have a good side that others cannot detect under their terrible appearance.

But Caesar Borgia was clearly not such a man, he did not seem to care about being seen as ruthless, and even to his brothers, he would not pretend to be lenient in giving kindness that seemed too extravagant to him.

"The Duke thinks I ought to show his allegiance," said Alexander, nonchalant, as if unimpressed by Giovanni's temptation, and then he asked suddenly, "and your brother's wife, the esteemed Chasan of Naples, also thinks that this offer is good, and what do you think, my lordship, to the Duke's suggestion?" ”

Caesar looked at Alexander and shook his head directly.

"If you want to hear what others have to say, I would suggest you keep it as it is, for it might be more useful for you to be loyal to the Queen." Caesar said and stopped, looking at Alexander with a pair of peaceful angelic eyes, "I know you have done a good job, whether it is in the Bruiny Valley, or the robbery that the queen has suffered before and this attack, you have done a good job, so I now wonder if I can trust you?" ”

"Of course, Your Excellency, you can trust me."

Alexander smiled and nodded, he was a little curious that Caesar would say something so solemnly.

Although everyone knows this so-called trust, it is nothing at all.

"The French occupation in Rome should not be long," Caesar motioned for Alexander to accompany him on his slow walk around the palace, "Gonzalo's coalition may not have to wait until next year to completely defeat the Lombard French army, and then the French in Rome will collapse without a fight." ”

Alexander couldn't help but nod slightly, he couldn't help but admit that Caesar had extraordinary vision and a very accurate foresight.

In fact, the French who occupied Rome had to surrender to the coalition forces besieging Rome in the spring of 1497, after another defeat of the main French army.

"So what do you want me to do?" Alexander asked.

"I only want you to be honest with me," Caesar whispered to Alexander, "I don't know if you know what news the queen has brought to the Pope, but this news should be useful to your uncle, Count Mordillo," Caesar lowered his voice, "Someone has accused the Count of trying to collude with the French, and you were sent to do it for him." ”