The quarrel between the two supreme rulers in the garden could not have been heard by Charles and Louis Bonaparte, who had left, but Charles could feel an oppressive atmosphere permeating the palace.

And the source of this atmosphere is right behind him.

He could not see the expression of Louis Bonaparte following him, but he could hear the extremely rhythmic footsteps behind him, both oppressive and somewhat subtle and complacent.

This gentleman has good reason to be complacent.

After more than a dozen years of exile, he has now been recalled to France, and seeing that His Majesty the Emperor is ready to reuse him, that is to say, he is now on a golden strip......

But Charles was not so happy.

Being stared at the back by such a person, there always seems to be a feeling of being on the back.

He involuntarily quickened his pace, intending to bring the other party to the place earlier.

Fortunately, he was also familiar with the way to the palace, and at once he took Louis Bonaparte to the side hall, ready to let the chambers of the court take him to the room where he rested.

"Charles?" Just as Charles was about to leave, Louis Bonaparte, who had been silent, suddenly stopped him.

Hey, that's a real problem......

Charles could only sigh bitterly, then turned to look at the other with a smile.

"What else do you command, Your Highness?"

"I'm not Your Highness yet, so there's no need to call me that." Louis Bonaparte looked at Charles calmly, "If I'm not mistaken, you're the grandson of Marshal Treville, aren't you?" ”

Although it was a question sentence, his tone was very firm, and it was obvious that he knew something about Charles.

This is not unusual, although they were exiled before, but Prince Louis's family is also a royal family after all, and some news channels are also very normal.

"Yes." Charles nodded, a little puzzled.

"That's great." Louis Bonaparte smiled slightly, "I have always admired your grandfather, Marshal Treville, and admired his heroic deeds in leading troops into battle, and I always wanted to ask him for advice when I was in France, but because I was later released from the country, I never had the opportunity, I deeply regret it, and this time I hope I can make up for this regret." ”

"My grandfather also admired your father, so if you wanted to meet him, he would be happy to meet you." Charles replied.

In fact, this is just a polite remark, the return of Louis Bonaparte and other royal families will definitely cause waves, for the Treville family, the best way to deal with it is to keep a low profile for the time being, peep into the situation and then decide the next step, at this time it is definitely not a good thing to get close to Louis Bonaparte, it will only make yourself the focus of attention in front of everyone - but the future Prince Royal Highness said so, and Charles couldn't refuse in person, so he had to accept it.

Fortunately, Charles was not embarrassed for long, and while he was talking to Louis Bonaparte, a big fat man in a gown, dragging his heavy steps, walked towards Louis Bonaparte with a smile on his face.

He looked to be about sixty years old, in good spirits, with a cheerful smile in his smile, and he seemed to be the kind of hedonist who had no worries about food and clothing since childhood, and the kind of person who traveled widely and everyone was happy to be friends with them.

There are not many people in the palace who can be so cheerful, and this old man is one of them - he is His Royal Highness Prince Jérôme-Bonaparte, uncle of His Majesty the Emperor and Minister of the Interior of the French Empire.

It seems that he ran into the palace for this nephew.

When he reached the two men, he enthusiastically opened his arms and hugged his nephew, while Charles retreated knowingly.

Louis Bonaparte did not dodge, he stood still in silence, and then opened his arms and embraced his uncle.

However, although there was a faint smile on his face, his eyes were cold, without any warmth.

Of course, neither side can expect any goodwill, as long as they can be in the palace, in front of His Majesty and the others, as long as they can make a look of royal solidarity.

"My nephew, I haven't seen you for so many years, you have really changed a lot!" After a warm hug, Prince Jérôme let go of his hand and looked at Louis Bonaparte carefully, "You are a little thinner than you were then, but you are more energetic. ”

"A life of exile can destroy people's bodies, but it can also hone people's will." Louis Bonaparte replied indifferently, "I don't think I've gained nothing in the past ten years." ”

"You've worked so hard over the years...... Prince Jérôme sighed, as if he hadn't heard the implicit meaning of the other man's words, "Actually, I've always hoped that you would come back as soon as possible, but what...... Hey, the will above is really firm, so I can only helplessly watch you outside, I'm really sorry! ”

"It's also not something you can control, and you don't need to apologize." Louis Bonaparte shook his head, "On the contrary, I owe you a debt of gratitude for your dedication to assisting Your Majesty over the years, and for your great contribution to the stability of the Empire." ”

As we all know, Prince Jérôme's favorite thing is to spend all his time drinking and being sexy, and what he hates most is to be entangled in official business, whether he is a king or a minister, what he hates the most is to deal with official affairs, basically it can be said that he is a shopkeeper, and what he does is basically empty words, but this kind of polite words The prince also likes to listen, and Louis Bonaparte's compliments make him laugh.

"As members of this family, it's our duty to share Your Majesty's worries, isn't it? In the future, you will also be reused by Your Majesty and make due contributions to the sacred cause of our family, we are already old, and the future is the time for you to show your ambitions! As he spoke, he hugged his nephew again, "When is your father going to come back?" I've been waiting to receive him. ”

"He hasn't been in good health lately, so he plans to recuperate for a while and then return to China after a while." Louis Bonaparte replied quietly, "But he misses you very much, and would love to have the opportunity to walk around with you again." ”

"Is that so? That's a pity, I really hope he can return home soon. The prince nodded, "By the way, how did you just talk to the two Majesies?" ”

"Your Majesty is in a good mood to-day, and you have a very speculative conversation with me, and Her Majesty the Queen Mother ......" Louis-Bonaparte paused deliberately to gauge the reaction, and Prince Jérôme's ears twitched unsurprisingly, evidently very concerned. She wasn't in a good mood today, so she didn't talk to me long before she kicked me away. ”

Upon hearing that Her Majesty the Queen Mother had not compromised and was still resolutely opposed to the family she had driven away, Prince Jérôme was obviously quite relaxed.

"Hey, people will be stubborn when they get old, Her Majesty the Queen Mother is old after all, you can also be considerate of her." He smiled and patted his nephew on the shoulder, comforting him. "Actually, you don't have to worry, since His Majesty the Emperor has made up his mind, even if the Queen Mother is unhappy, she will acquiesce, and besides, she actually has no ill will towards you, just because of some past things. In any case, the past is in the past, time will dilute everything, and everyone will slowly forget the past and look forward together and re-embark on the new era. ”

"I came back this time so that I could play a little role and help His Majesty lead the country into a new era." Louis Bonaparte replied to his uncle in a very gentle manner, "I don't think this is an easy job, so I need your help to give me some experience of the life of an elder, so that I can avoid the hidden reefs and become a servant of the empire as soon as possible." ”

Out of Louis-Bonaparte's line of sight, Prince Jérôme frowned slightly.

Obviously, he could hear it, although it seemed to be humble, but this nephew's words were really a little aggressive, "help Your Majesty lead the country into a new era", no matter how you listen to it, there is a feeling of "don't mix it up when you are old", especially in the back, he is secretly regarded as an old guy who can only provide some advice.

If it weren't for the fact that he had developed a good self-cultivation over the years, I am afraid that his smile would no longer be able to hang up now.

However, he also understands that for more than ten years, he and his brother Louie's family have had a long-standing grudge - he enjoys glory and wealth, and the opposite family can only be displaced as exiles, and it is strange not to be hated.

In particular, when Her Majesty the Queen Mother drove away the two princes, Lucien and Louis, he made a lot of efforts in it.

He also knew in his heart that there was not much point in being so cowardly now, so after the politeness was over, he was no longer willing to waste that energy to continue to talk about the scene.

"It's good that you want to do something big, and the young people of our family should have this kind of spirit, so that they are worthy of the surname Bonaparte! Unlike my waste son, who knows how to eat, drink, and have fun all day long, I will have to be angry with him sooner or later. Prince Jérôme praised the other party a few more words, and then immediately changed the conversation, "I'm already old, and my heart has long been bad, just waiting for early retirement, I'm afraid I can't give you much advice, but the only one, I still have to remind you." ”

"What?" Louis Bonaparte was a little confused.

"My nephew, Your Majesty has brought you back against all odds, and you are grateful to Your Majesty, no problem; You're young and want to make a big career, that's fine, but ...... Sometimes, people should not be too strong, you have not been in the country for so many years, your majesty's character may not be very clear to you, but he is a person who pays attention to harmony, he does not want any turmoil in the empire, so you should think more before you do anything, don't be too intense, so as not to offend others in vain. Prince Jérôme admonished his nephew like an elder, "Also, Your Majesty the Queen Mother, don't be lazy, although she has an opinion on you now, she may not give you much of a good look, but for the sake of your own career, you had better reconcile with her, at least maintain a passable relationship." Don't forget, no matter what, she is Your Majesty's mother after all, the one who led the empire out of the predicament before. ”

"I am very happy to maintain a good relationship with Her Majesty the Queen Mother, as long as she is willing to give me this opportunity." Louis Bonaparte looked at each other calmly, "I finally came back, I don't want to be exiled again." I repeat, I am not coming back this time to make a grudge against anyone, but to serve my country! ”

Louis Bonaparte said this with great sincerity, but it confused Prince Jérôme a little. He didn't know if the other party was true or just casually talking about it in order to numb himself.

But that's not really important.

The important thing is that at least this nephew of his, has shown a tactful attitude, and that is enough,

If it is a stunned young man full of hatred who comes back, who only thinks about revenge and hatred, and wants to make his political enemies angry, that is the most troublesome, in that case, the queen mother will be fine, and these old ministers will have to get into trouble.

Now Louis Bonaparte is so tactful, it shows that he is not a person who is particularly obsessed with hatred, and that hatred can be eliminated if it can be compensated, or at least turned a blind eye.

This has to be talked about - the so-called compensation, isn't it just the wealth and lust? He can give it all.

"Okay, let's not talk about the past, it's just a matter of adding to the troubles for no reason, let's talk about something more relaxing...... There have been so many fun places to go in Paris over the years, and when you're settled, your uncle will take you there to have fun, and you're guaranteed to forget about hell Italy in no time! His Royal Highness's smile revealed some secrets that people understand, "By the way, how did you think about the matter I wrote to you last time?" Mr. Tangral has been asking me about the results. ”

"I haven't thought about it yet." Louis Bonaparte shook his head, "I don't know what Mademoiselle Tangral's character is, I haven't even met her yet, and in my situation, I have to be cautious in choosing a marriage partner, and I can't get involved in some unwarranted disputes." ”

Prince Jérôme's face froze slightly.

The other party seems to be still waiting, and now he is lukewarm to the olive branch he throws to himself, which makes him a little unhappy. Of course, on the surface he has no way to show it.

"Baron Tangral is the most famous banker in our country, and the Imperial Government relies heavily on his ability to raise funds, and people in his position are respected, even if some of his peers hate him, this does not shake his position, and he is also a steady man, and will not be involved in any disputes. He is now very interested in finding a noble husband for his daughter, and you happen to be a little short of money, so this marriage is just right for you to take what you need, I think it's very good! Prince Jérôme increased his volume, "Of course, it's normal for you to hesitate, it's still early anyway, you can observe, Miss Tangral I've seen, and she's really pretty good-looking—as for character, hey, with so much dowry, who cares about what character?" If you don't like her, it's a big deal to offer her as a vase when the time comes, so much money is enough for you to endure such a little inconvenience, right? ”

"You have a point...... Louis Bonaparte nodded slightly, as if he was also groaning.

"It's very reasonable, so reasonable that I'm tempted." The prince laughed again and patted his nephew on the shoulder, "Anyway, you should think about it quickly, don't rub it off, if you continue to rub it off, I want to find this marriage for my son!" ”

"Thank you for your continued care, my uncle." Louis Bonaparte also laughed, "I'll make a decision as soon as possible." ”

"That's good, that's good." The prince seemed very pleased, and then made a gesture, "Well, I'm a little tired after standing and talking for so long." ”

"I'll help you go to rest." Louis Bonaparte very considerately bowed down and put his arm on his uncle's shoulder.

"I have one more warning for you, my nephew." Just as Louis-Bonaparte was close to his uncle's chest, Prince Jérôme suddenly whispered in his ear.

"In France, it is all too normal for mothers and sons to have disputes, François II and his mother, Louis XIII and her mother, and even Louis XIV and his mother, all of whom quarreled, and it is all too normal for the monarch who succeeded to the throne at an early age to hate the mothers who were regent in their early years." The smile on the prince's face disappeared, and his tone was very serious, "It is precisely because of this dispute that we can have the opportunity to bargain for ourselves and serve this person or that person, but never forget, my nephew, after all, we are only servants, and they are mother and son, there are some things that we can't interfere in, and we must not interfere, whoever does this will suffer." ”

Louis Bonaparte froze.

He didn't expect his uncle to say such a warning when they met for the first time in more than a decade.

Judging from the uncle's character, it can almost be regarded as a heart-to-heart.

This made him a little impressed.

What exactly does this imply? It's worth thinking about.

"I'll take your admonition to heart." He nodded solemnly.

No matter what kind of feelings he has for his uncle, after all, this is also an old guy who has been in the court for decades, and his life experience can really be heard.

………………………………

The confrontation between the uncle and nephew of the Bonaparte family in the side hall, of course, Charles could not hear it.

After getting rid of Louis Bonaparte, he walked straight to the library in the corner of the palace.

It is the place where the royal archives are kept.

Charles, who had already obtained permission, stepped into the nondescript building under the watchful eyes of the guards.

It was spacious, but it was filled with shelves that stood here and there, leaving very little space, like a library—except that there were no readers in it.

Of course, most of the documents in these bookshelves are just bills for the purchase of items by the palace, documents for personnel transfers, and other trivial things, and there are not many things of real value.

But this very small number of valuable documents is a precious historical relic.

A large number of letters from two emperors themselves, secret reports of various governors, and copies of military movements are stored here, and a historian can obtain enough treasures in this treasure trove to write countless treatises.

And Charles is the one who came here to look for treasures today.

Although he had permission from His Majesty the Emperor, he still did not have the right to move freely and borrow books here.

He had to wait in the adjacent reading room, while the staff went to find the documents he wanted to borrow.

The documents were kept in separate categories, most of which almost never saw the light of day, and all Charles was looking for were all the documents that the Marquis de Novatier had exchanged with Elba between 1814 and 1815.

At that time, the emperor was forced to abdicate, and the Marquis de Novatier was lurking near Paris, and he was always moving around to recruit those who were still loyal to the emperor, paving the way for the emperor's early return to China.

During this time, listening to Grandpa's description, it was bloody, and the Marquis of Novatier was not only dealing with those supporters of the Bourbon dynasty, but also against those traitors, and he didn't know how much blood was stained on his hands.

These documents were originally stored on the island of Elba, but after the successful restoration, the emperor brought them back to the Fontainebleau collection, in other words, the bloody secrets were hidden in this unremarkable archive.

The manager was very professional, and Charles didn't have to wait long before he came over with a large stack of papers.

Charles thanked him, took the papers, and read them as carefully as a graduate student in history, immersing himself in the heavy and fascinating secrets.

He read the letters one by one, and I have to say that the Marquis de Novatier's handwriting was quite good, with a strong pen and an extraordinary momentum.

Of course, what is even more admirable is that in his letters, he faced his hostile environment with a fearless attitude, and always tried to fulfill his duties, and he also repeatedly encouraged His Majesty the Emperor in his letters, hoping that he would not lose faith.

Just looking at these letters, Charles could understand why two generations of emperors had such a high regard for the Marquis de Novatier, even though he was paralyzed in bed, he still received favor and was not forgotten.

Charles struggled to find valuable information in the letters, and one letter quickly caught his attention.

To be precise, it was a letter with an annex, and the letter itself said that the Marquis de Novatier had successfully convened a meeting of Napoleon's supporters, who had already negotiated the details and were ready to receive His Majesty the Emperor in France.

In the annex to the letter, it is said that during this meeting, he found a traitor and had been executed that night.

"The signed witnesses, Lieutenant Colonel Louis Jack Polbe of Artillery, Brigadier General Etienne Duchanby, and Minister of Forest and Water Crauter Ricapo, declare that on 4 February, a letter was received from the island of Elba recommending General Flaven Quesnair to the Napoleonic Party Club, who had served under the command of the Holy from 1804 to 1814, and that Louis XVIII had recently made him a baron, and had given him a place in the Epinay Domain, becoming Baron Fleven-de-Epinay. But even so, he is said to have remained loyal to the Napoleonic dynasty. So a note was sent to the general, inviting him to attend the meeting the next day (5th......

……………………

The chairman inserted his sword into his staff and turned to descend the stone steps; A trail of blood dripped down his steps onto the snow. He had just reached the top of the stone steps when he heard a heavy, shallow sound from the river, which was the sound of throwing the general's body, and the witnesses confirmed that he was indeed dead, and threw him into the river. So, the general was killed in a noble duel and not assassinated by a cold arrow. To prove this, we signed this document to tell the truth, fearing that in the future, the participants in this horrific scene could be falsely accused of premeditated murder or other dishonorable acts.

Polbe, Duchampie, Ricapo"

[The original text is in the original book, and it will not be copied in its entirety, the general plot is that the Marquis held a meeting, and the Baron Ipinay, who had already rebelled, mixed in, but he was found out at the meeting, and he was unwilling to keep it secret, so the Marquis of Novatier directly asked to duel with him, and killed him, and the other witnesses signed together, indicating that the Baron was killed one-on-one, not by a sneak attack or other dishonorable death. 】

After a long time, Charles finished reading the story.

He had no sympathy for what had happened to Baron Ipinay, after all, everyone was their own master, and he could only blame bad luck for his death.

What really made him think a little bit was that he felt as if he had heard the name somewhere.

Ipina ...... Ipina ......

Franz de Ipinay!

After pondering for a while, a flash of light suddenly flashed in his mind like a flash of lightning.

Charlotte had mentioned the name to him.

For safety reasons, but also out of the consideration that she didn't want Charles to get too involved, Charlotte rarely told him about her "business", and her tone was very tight.

Only once, by her accidental negligence, did she slip a little out of the way that in the organization of their royalist party there was a particularly capable young man named Franz de Epinay, the successor of Baron Epinay. (Of course, this is only a one-sided statement by the royalists, who have revoked the title since the restoration of the empire because of the general's treachery.) ）

Thinking about it, this is also normal, since Baron Epinay has been loyal to Louis XVIII and the Bourbon royal family, it is really normal for his son to continue to serve the royal family.

Moreover, he now seems to be lurking in the territory of this country, ready to carry out a deadly attack on the Empire.

The only thing is that he has no idea whose hands his father died - and of course this does not affect his hatred of the Empire.

Charles smiled wryly.

In other words, he didn't find any clues about the Count of Monte Cristo, but he actually found Charlotte's head?

This is a bonus, although he doesn't know what the story is for.