It was the Sunday before the feast of Santa Matthias, and after a busy winter, the cardinals who were about to usher in the coming Lent had a little respite, and they were much more relaxed when they came to the Vatican Palace to attend the meeting, and in the solemn chamber, these religious princes dressed in red stood in groups and twos according to their factions and preferences—some of them muttered with great interest over the colorful gossip and gossip, Others, with solemn expressions, discussed or talked about certain matters that might be mentioned at the meeting, while others, with their hands in their hands, stood in place, looking at each other face by face – yes, I am Cardinal Grand and Cardinal Lovere, the cardinals were jealous of them, but did not want to offend them, so they hardly talked to them too much, except on the most important business.

But today there may be something different, first of all, the Frenchman, Georges. Morality. Amboise walked up to Cardinal Grande Lovere, who almost spoke to him kindly, and then a cardinal from Spain, and a cardinal from England politely exchanged pleasantries with Cardinal Lovere Younger, and the cardinals could not help but think about it, as the noble clergy exchanged glances, gestures, and agreed on what to do after the meeting, and they must have known what had happened.

The door to the gallery was opened, Brother John entered the chamber with his head held high, and the cardinals immediately respectfully divided into two columns to greet the Pope.

Pius III walked between them, as always, dressed in a white robe of cashmere, with a simple linen crown, with a golden cross on his chest, his gaze still as sharp as that of a falcon, and his stride as firm and powerful as that of a stag, but it was evident that he was thinner than before Candlemas and his cheeks were horribly sunken. Behind His Excellency the Pope is Giulio. Cardinal Medici, another disciple of Pius III and his favorite, temporarily assumed the role of private secretary to the Pope after the departure of the Desi friar.

He was the only one in the chamber who had a seat with Pius III, and as a joke, he had an extra desk than Pius III.

There had been nothing important to the cardinals to be wary of lately, and it was nothing more than clichés when the third cardinal came to the forefront, and a few cardinals who were in amusement even yawned secretly, and no one noticed that Cardinal Lovere the Younger had his fingers in his palm, except for Cardinal Lovere the Great.

"Who!" Brother John, who was standing at the door, suddenly shouted.

With a heavy thud, the closed door was suddenly pushed open, and a stranger burst into the hallowed synagogue, unkempt, weapon in hand, and heart-pounding scars on his half-body. The cardinals screamed at the sight of such a scene, and some of the more timid, or rather cautious, cardinals even wanted to hide under their desks or behind the papal throne - fortunately he was not an assassin or a daring heretic, and he looked from side to side in the same panic, and asked in a voice that almost tore his throat: "Julio. What about Cardinal Medici? ”

He searched through the group of cardinals, but of course he could not find Giulio, but Giulio had risen from behind his desk, holding a huge Bible—a decorated Bible, with a heavy oak board as a cover, with gold at the corners, as wide as a wrist to an elbow, and as long as an ankle to a knee, and with the contents of three hundred sheepskins, which could quite justify the saying that "knowledge is power."

But his precautions were superfluous, and as soon as the reckless man saw him, he pounced on him and fell on his knees: "Please," he cried out, "Please, save the Medici, save Nerry, save Carboni—save Florence!" ”

Before his plea landed, Pius III jerked up from his seat and pointed angrily at the man: "Guard! He shouted, "Guards! Bring this assassin out! ”

At this time, even the dullest cardinal had already understood that there must have been some terrible change in Florence, but no matter what the change, could the Vatican Palace guards turn a blind eye and let him go all the way to the papal chamber - he was obviously deliberately let go, and what he was going to say next would inevitably have a great impact on Pius III's planning and arrangement.

"I'm not an assassin!" The messenger hurriedly shouted, "Your Excellency," and he looked at Julio, "Your Excellency! Carboni's parent, Fiorentina's first standard-bearer, was assassinated five days earlier in the town hall, accompanied by Tana. Neri was also seriously injured, and there are witnesses who pointed out that it was your younger brother, Giuliano, the parent of the Medici. The Medici attacked them - before I left, the Council of 3,000 had passed a resolution to push Sodrini's parents to the position of first standard-bearer, and his first order was to invite all Florentines to vote in the town square to decide whether or not to expel the Medici! Men, women, children, the elderly...... As long as you have Medici blood, no exception! ”

At this time, the belated guards finally appeared in the council chamber, but Giulio had already turned and cast a pleading glance at the Holy Father, who waved his hand weakly and told the guards to leave, this man had already said the most important things, and even if he was torn apart by his horse now, it would be useless.

"Where's my sister Constina?" Giulio asked.

"She gathered the people of Neri and the Medici against the clansmen and mercenaries of the House of Sodrini, and she held out when I left Florence."

"What about Juliano?"

"I don't know, he's missing." The messenger swallowed and said with difficulty.

"Joe. What about the Medici! Pius III shouted angrily: "I made him the archbishop of Florence, will he show me this?!" ”

A wry smile appeared on the messenger's face: "Before Carbony had even been in trouble, he was placed under house arrest in the Cathedral Church, and I couldn't see him or hear him at all. ”

"And who told you to come?"

At this, the messenger could not help but look confused: "A man with a mask and a cloak, but he must be from some family, and he escorted me out of Florence. ”

"What about Gardis?"

"As I passed there," said the messenger, "it was as if I saw a pillar of smoke rising in the distance." ”

The cardinals suddenly looked at each other, the pillar of smoke did not bode well in this era.

"That's the end of today's meeting." Pius III said coldly, and he stood up, while facing his disciple, no doubt, Julio. The Medici held out his hand, but Giulio took a step back.

"Holy Father," he said eagerly, "I want to go back to Florence." ”

There was a small commotion among the cardinals – and sure enough, His Excellency the Pope did not hesitate to veto: "No! ”

"My loved ones are suffering!"

"Then pray for them!" Pius III could almost be said to be roaring: "Now that you have put on the vestments, you should know that everything in the world is no longer about you!" ”

"It's impossible."

"Not now," said Pius III, almost pleadingly, "I send a credible messenger with the Pope's edict, and they will be safe and sound." ”

"Let me go, Holy Father," Giulio. Medici insisted: "It's not something to be gambled on – if something happens to them, I'll never sleep for the rest of my life." He stepped forward, knelt down, and kissed Pius III's feet, "Please let me go...... Holy Father, Teacher! ”

"Do you know what you're talking about?" Pius III said bitterly.

The cardinals could not help but be relieved that there were indeed rumors in Rome that Pius III was deteriorating and that it might no longer be possible to preside over this year's Mass for the Feast of the Assumption – but today's accident almost proves that this rumor is not just a rumor.

"I know," said Giulio, choking up, "I'm leaving Rome, but I'm coming back." ”

"No," said Pius III, "I will not allow you to leave, never, you will be by my side, Giulio...... At this juncture...... Am I not more worthy of your affection than those relatives I have never met? ”

"It's different," said Giulio, "Teacher, I have to go and save their lives." ”

"And what about mine? Don't you care? ”

The young black-haired cardinal was silent. After a minute or less of oppressive breathing, he stood up and slowly took off his crimson cardinal robes, then his round hat, his golden cross, and the ring on his hand.

Fool!

A sucker!

Idiot!

The cardinals cursed uncontrollably in their hearts, could they not know that if the rumors were true, then the frequent actions of Pius III recently were undoubtedly seeking the greatest benefit for their disciples! Although they all have their own ideas, Giulio and Medici may not be able to be elected in the end, but what Pius III may leave him is enough to exchange him for an important position, just like Rodrigo in the past. Borgia & Giuliano. Della. Lovere, haven't they all been rewarded handsomely for taking a step back at a critical moment?

So, Giulio, why did the Medici care so much about his relatives? Even if he cared, he could have sent a credible emissary back with the Pope's edict, as Pius III had said, but he was ...... At this critical juncture, the stubbornness of young people was summoned...... Doesn't he know what he's going to lose? Even if half of Florence was excommunicated later to avenge the Medici and their in-laws and friends...... Pius III almost made it clear that he was planning to leave him that supreme and holy position!

They secretly lamented that they hated that they were not Giulio and Medici, and they stamped their feet and bit their tongues—and their hearts danced with this exciting tragicomedy!

And what led them even more unexpected happened, Joshua. Cardinal Lovere suddenly stepped forward, grabbed Cardinal Giulio's placket, and punched him hard!