Jeffrey Borgia is said to be a very beautiful man, with soft and shiny dark brown hair, a delicate and sensitive face characteristic of a teenager, and innocent eyes that only children have.

Among the children of Alexander VI, Jeffrey was not favored, and it was even rumored that the Pope doubted whether this beautiful boy was his descendant, because of this, Jeffrey and his father were not close.

This rumor is almost universally known in the city of Rome.

And another topic that makes people interested is Jeffrey's wife Xia San.

As the daughter of King Alfonso II of Naples, Joanna's sister-in-law came to Rome with a handsome dowry when she married Jeffrey two years ago.

At that time, Alexander VI had just ascended to the papal throne, and at a time when he was full of pride, he was overjoyed to see a daughter-in-law who had brought a huge dowry and a fiefdom.

The Pope's family also liked the young girl's joining, especially Giovanni and Caesar, who were very interested in their younger brother, a beautiful 16-year-old bride, and then it wasn't long before all sorts of rumors spread in Rome about the four of them.

These were well-known to almost the whole city of Rome, and even strangers like Alexander, who had only been here for a short time, could hear all sorts of rumors about the family, including the ambiguous stories between Charsan and her husband's two brothers.

Now hearing Giovanni say that Chassan wanted to see him, Alexander couldn't help but think of the stories about this brother and a woman.

"Xia San hopes to meet you, and she wants to show you her gratitude to you for saving Her Majesty Joanna." Giovanni didn't seem to think it was strange for him to say these things in place of his siblings, rather than that Chassan's husband should come forward to say this, and he naturally motioned for Alexander to follow him towards the Gilpitz Palace.

Could it be that this lady just lived in the house of her husband and brother in such a grand manner? Alexander was a little surprised, and looking at Giovanni's attitude of not caring about these things at all, Alexander couldn't help but feel that this person was really not wronged by someone who was stabbed in the black knife later, at least the conjecture that he was actually assassinated by his brother Jeffrey now seems not to be unreasonable.

Chassan Aragon is 18 years old, and the sensation she caused when she married Jeffrey two years ago is still often talked about today, and the family has shown enough affection for this daughter-in-law who brought tens of thousands of florins and a feudal kingdom to the Borgia family, which made Chasan live happily in Rome, and she has a good relationship with her husband's sister Lucrezia.

Now Xia Sang is 18 years old, it is after two years of love nourishment, from the best time of the young girl to the merry young woman, has begun to show plump posture so that she looks graceful and energetic in a long skirt imitating the ancient Roman era, and her light red hair that seems to be very lively is somewhat similar to Alexander, slightly jumpy, but vibrant.

Chasan has a very lively personality, or is somewhat similar to Giovanni in this point, when she saw Giovanni bring a young man, she got up from her chair and looked at it with a smile, and when Giovanni was about to speak, she said first: "I know you, Alexandre Juliant Cambrai, right?" ”

"Madam, it is my pleasure." Alexander bowed slightly, then he looked up and looked at Xia San carefully.

Xia Sang seemed a little surprised, she didn't expect that this young man seemed to be very bold, and actually looked at her like this, and then she smiled again: "You are younger than I thought, and quite bold, or as others say, you are still a child." ”

Others? Who?

Alexander's heart was thinking quickly, and his face was just right because Xia San's words showed a hint of shyness.

"I've heard a lot about you, and I've heard that you defeated the French, and that you saved my brother's wife from a robbery on the night you entered the city, right?"

"That's a trivial matter, and it's my duty to protect the queen." Alexander humbly said: "If there is anything to be proud of, I am proud of the fact that I once worked for Naples." ”

"I heard you're Lord of Agri?" Xia Sang asked with interest, "And you also sent food when Naples was suffering from famine?" ”

"Yes, ma'am, I prevented a famine, and this is what I am most proud of."

Alexander nodded, he couldn't be modest when he shouldn't, he felt that this lady of Charsan had not come to listen to him speak modestly, and it was clear that the young woman had a purpose.

As for what she wants to do, I don't know yet.

"Joanna says your army is very good at fighting?" Xia San still asked in the innocent and romantic manner that seemed to be the characteristic of a young lady who seemed to have nothing to do, which made her question seem a little blunt and even impolite because of the suspicion it carried, but because of the naïve romance it was not offensive: "Your victory in the valley of Bruiny is now famous, and everyone in the city of Rome is talking about it, and everyone is laughing at the French as a bunch of fools with a good appearance, who have been defeated by a group of peasants from Agri. ”

Giovanni coughed as he smiled apologetically at Alexander, as if apologizing for his sibling's words.

Alexander only smiled: "Madame, you are right, in fact my men are indeed a group of peasants, many of them are on the battlefield for the first time, even those veterans who have fought for the lord have never really confronted the French, and I have been able to win a large part by relying on my Bohemians." ”

Alexander noticed that when he spoke of bohemians, Giovanni, who had been smiling and listening to him, looked slightly straight, and went from being casual to paying attention.

"Can you tell me about the outcome of that battle, knowing that the French never mention their defeat." As if he was really interested, Xia San asked, "Although I will not be openly hostile to the French because of my husband, I still wish to hear more about their defeat, so that I will be more or less happy in my heart." ”

Although he doubted how much of this was true, Alexander briefly recounted the battle in the Bruini Valley, and when it was said that the French cavalry had broken through the chariots, Charsan looked nervous, and when she heard that the Bohemians had finally driven the French out of battle, she smiled.

"It's a thrilling battle, isn't it?" Chassan asked Giovanni next to him, "What if you were in command of this battle?" ”

Alexander was stunned, he didn't expect Xia San to ask this, looking at Giovanni, who had been standing next to him and listening patiently with a smile, Alexander was a little eager to hear the thoughts of this Duke of Gandia.

Of all the children of Alexander VI, Giovanni Borgia was considered by their father to be the ideal military commander of the future Borgia dynasty, although they also had a half-brother Louis who was more suitable for the role, but Louis's untimely death put an end to Alexander VI's thoughts.

So the pope pinned all his hopes on Giovanni, and at the same time he spared no expense to hire many famous teachers of this era to teach his son about military knowledge, and even sent his son directly to the coalition army to command the battle, only because of the agreement with the French king, he had to recall Giovanni back to Rome.

It can be said that in the mind of Alexander VI, although Caesar was his favorite son, he did not think that Caesar was a soldier, at least until now.

And Giovanni had high hopes.

Alexander was still willing to listen to such a personal opinion.

Giovanni glanced at Alexander, and then said to Chassan: "Although I have not personally experienced that battle, I can still imagine the danger involved, dear Chassan, the French are not as vulnerable as you think, otherwise Charlie would not have defeated your father and brother so easily, as for the French in Rome now, their troubles are not only from the coalition army." ”

Listening to Giovanni's words, Xia San's slightly expectant look on her face was slightly unpleasant, she seemed to be a little unhappy to look at Giovanni's, but she didn't speak, just waiting for him to continue.

Alexander nodded in his heart, Giovanni was not a man of arrogance, or that even in front of the woman he favored, he did not lose his composure as a soldier when referring to the enemy, which alone shows why he was favored by Alexander VI.

"If I were in command, maybe I wouldn't have defended the chariots," Giovanni looked at Alexander, "although the Agres are peasants, but they are good bait, I will personally lead the Bohemians to attack the French cavalry, and let the Agri try to attract the attention of the French in the chariot formation, and when they break through into the chariot formation, the chariot formation will become an obstacle to their movement, and then I will let the Bohemians surround the chariot formation, and attack all the French who try to break through, It may cost the Agri, but I'll be able to win this battle with a lot of joy. ”

Giovanni smiled strangely as he spoke, as if he had thought of something interesting, looking at his expression. Alexander's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

"But isn't Joanna in the convoy, and is it as you say, that Joanna is going to be sacrificed together?" Xia Sang asked with a little confusion.

"I'm just saying if it's me commanding," Giovanni said with a smile, and then he looked at Alexander, "and in fact you're doing a good job, and now the French don't even want to mention the name of the Bruigny Valley, and it's said that their commander, Louis de Charlon, hated what was happening there." ”

"I've seen that man, a French knight who likes to wear black armor."

"Yes, an arrogant French knight," Giovanni nodded in agreement, "but I have to warn you, this is a Frenchman who is not very broad-hearted, and the reason why he was appointed by Charles as the commander of Rome is not because of his intelligence, but because he has a high level of loyalty to Charles himself, but this is not a good thing for you, he will keep asking you for trouble." “

Alexander knew that the real topic of the day had just begun, and that Giovanni would condescend to invite him, not just to discuss a few artistic treasures and to hear him boast of his achievements.

"I am not afraid of the French, and I am victorious on the battlefield, and if that Frenchman thinks he needs revenge, he can come to me at any time." Alexander deliberately showed a stubborn look, and then he looked at Giovanni and waited for his next performance.

Sure enough, Giovanni first praised his bravery and fearlessness, and then said in a disapproving tone: "Although you are brave and upright, don't forget that this is Rome, and anything can happen in this city, not to mention that although the French cannot deal with you openly, as long as you and your people are forbidden to leave the city, they will always have the opportunity to take revenge on you." ”

Alexander was a little apprehensive, but although he was playing, he knew that what Giovanni said was also true, and that anything could happen in Rome.

Seeing the hesitation on Alexander's face, Giovanni finally smiled with satisfaction, this is the result he had been waiting for.

First shattering Alexander's self-righteous pride, and after making him see the danger in front of him, Giovanni handed over the olive branch that had been prepared long ago.

"Of course, it may be different if you have a lord who can be a strong supporter for you," Giovanni said casually, waving his hand, "In that case, the French will need to consider whether punishing you will cause your lord to be dissatisfied, especially now that the French are having a hard time in Lombardy and Rome, this may be an opportunity for you." ”

Alexander looked at Giovanni, he knew that this man was undisguised threats and temptations, but even if he was willing to take refuge, as Lord of Agri, he still belonged to the Kingdom of Naples in name.

So could he have gone straight to this Duke of Gandia?

Obviously this is not possible.

So what does Giovanni mean?

When Alexander's gaze swept over the slightly expectant look on Xia San's face next to him, he knew he had found the answer.

Chasan was the daughter of Alfonso II, and when she married Geoffry, she used the Duchy of Squealache as a dowry, and Chasan was not only the wife of Geoffry Borgia, but also the Duchess of the Duchy of Squealache under Naples.

So as the titular lord of Agri, who is also in the name of Naples, if he needs to find a protector, what more suitable is there than the daughter of the former king, a duchess of the principality?

For a moment, Alexander's heart was in a trance, and the gaze that looked at the two people at the same time became interesting.

It seems that those rumors about these two people may not be chasing after the wind, just from Giovanniken's unsparing efforts to fight for the interests of Xia San, it can be seen that the relationship between the two of them is not ordinary.

Just as Alexander was secretly pondering these two men in his heart, Xia San suddenly asked casually, "I heard that you had some trouble when you entered the city of Rome before, right?" ”

Not understanding her intentions, Alexander only nodded slightly.

"I heard that Constantine della Rovere helped you out of the siege?" Xia Sang continued to ask.

Alexander nodded in acknowledgement, and then noticed the gloom that quickly swept across Xia San's face.