"Hell!"

When he heard the name, Prince Jérôme-Bonaparte, who had a leisurely face, suddenly turned ugly, and even his eyebrows twitched on his rich face, not so much annoyed as frightened. Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. ｂｉｑUｇE。 ｉｎｆｏ

Charles knew why he was so shaken, of course, but he pretended to be ignorant on the surface, and only looked at Prince Jérôme curiously.

It took a while for the prince to regain his composure, and some fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

With great difficulty, he took out a handkerchief from the pocket next to his clothes, and then carefully wiped the sweat from his forehead, taking the opportunity to observe Charles's reaction and judge what his intentions were, but Charles kept smiling and couldn't see what he was thinking, so he had to put away the handkerchief.

"Well, Charles, tell me what's going on?" He asked him in as calm a tone as possible, "Where did you meet that person?" ”

"I met her on a visit to England, and it was an accident, and I didn't expect such an incident beforehand......" Charles first painted himself with a seemingly innocent coat of paint, and then went on to explain, "I was visiting the Duke of Wellington, and she came to me......"

"Hell!" Prince Jérôme couldn't help but curse again, "How could she get to the Duke of Wellington's house?" ”

"This is because one of her widowed sisters-in-law has already negotiated a marriage with the Duke of Wellington's brother, so she is now a relative of the Duke of Wellington and can get permission to enter his house." Charles explained to the prince in a soft voice, "Because of this layer of in-laws, she seems to be quite respected in the aristocratic circles of England now......"

The Patterson he was talking about was, of course, Miss Elizabeth Patterson, Prince Jérôme once ran to the United States with a hot head when he was young and absurd, trying to make a career for himself, but instead of breaking out, he hooked up with a rich lady, that is, the Patterson.

The rich ladies of the New World, who had seen the flirtatious skills of the Europeans, especially the French, soon fell in love with Prince Jérôme, and were married in Baltimore in 1803, when the Prince was only nineteen years old, and his wife was eighteen.

However, the sweet time of the young couple did not last long, and after a period of mixing in the Americas, Prince Jérôme Bonaparte decided to return to his brother Napoleon, who had become the first consul of France, and at this time, the pregnant lady Elizabeth Patterson also followed her husband on the ship back to Europe, hoping that she would be able to integrate into the aristocratic families of Europe.

By this time, however, Napoleon was ready to become emperor and make his family the most dazzling royal family in Europe, and he was bent on marrying his brothers to the daughters of the oldest aristocratic families in Europe. So when he heard about his brother's marriage to Ms. Patterson, he was furious and declared that he did not recognize the marriage.

Emperor Napoleon first wanted the Pope to declare the marriage null and void, but the Pope believed that the marriage was complete and could not be annulled, so he did not agree, so the Emperor simply issued a decree not to recognize the marriage.

Because Britain and France were at war at the time, the Jérôme couple came to neutral Portugal by ship. But as soon as they arrived on the continent, they were shocked and disappointed when they heard the bad news.

After discussing it for a while, Jérôme decided to go back to France to persuade his brother to change his mind, so he left his wife there, and Elizabeth Patterson finally had to go to England to give birth to her child, but her husband never looked back.

When he arrived in France, Napoleon scolded his young brother for his absurdity, and then forcefully ordered him to abandon Elizabeth Patterson, who had no aristocratic status, even though Jérôme tried his best to justify and tell his brother that she was pregnant.

Of course, Napoleon was not a force of force, he also used inducements - he told his brother that he would find him a royal princess to marry in the future, and find a kingdom for him to rule over.

There was not much trouble between becoming king and keeping his wife and children, and His Royal Highness Prince Jérôme wisely chose to follow his brother's orders. And since then, they have never seen the mother and son again.

Emperor Napoleon made good on his promise, and he later had Jérôme marry Catherina, the princess of the Duchy of Württemberg, and also created a kingdom of Westphalia, making his younger brother a true king.

Unfortunately, the empire soon collapsed, and the Kingdom of Westphalia disappeared with the fall of Napoleon.

However, unlike Empress Louisa, who turned her back on Emperor Napoleon, Queen Catherina did not abandon her husband, but continued to live in seclusion with Prince Jérôme, and finally gave birth to two boys, one girl and three children for him, and the Jérôme branch has become the most prosperous branch of the Bonaparte family now.

During these decades, Prince Jérôme had made no attempt to contact Lady Patterson and her son, and had apparently made the decision to leave them all behind.

That's why when he heard Charles mention this person, his reaction was so violent.

Lady Elizabeth Patterson's brother, Robert Patterson, married a wealthy woman, Marianne Carton, and after his death in 1822, his widow finally decided to marry the Marquess of Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington's own brother, who was also widowed.

Napoleon, who was born as a local tyrant in the countryside of Corsica, looked down on these local tyrants in the United States and did not want his brothers to marry them, but the British aristocrats who had been heirlooms for generations did not have so many scruples, which is a little embarrassing to say.

But Prince Jérôme was not in the mood to sigh now, on the contrary, he was a little flustered, for he knew in his heart that he did owe too much to the mother and son, and the more he owed them, the more he did not want to see them or hear about them.

"Huh...... Is that so......" Prince Jérôme chuckled dryly, but could not see much of a smile, "and did she tell you anything?" ”

"Hmm...... I was also startled when I first heard her identity, and then out of respect for the will of the emperor, I didn't want to say anything more to her at first, but she was very persistent and chased after me and kept asking to talk to me in detail. Charles shrugged his shoulders slightly, as if in deep regret. Finally, out of respect for a lady, I had to be patient and listen to her say what she wanted to say. ”

"Hey! What do you have to tell her so many rules! The prince couldn't help but sigh, "Don't you know that she won't say anything good to me or to the empire!" Why listen! ”

Because there are ties in his heart, he can't care about any image now.

It took him a moment to remember that it wasn't appropriate for him to do this, so he reluctantly sat up straight, "Okay, so what did she tell you?" ”

"I'm afraid you're mistaken, she doesn't have anything particularly bad to say about the Empire, and she barely mentions you." "She's just saying that she wants to bring her grandson to the Empire to settle down, and let her grandson serve the Empire and contribute to the cause of the Bonapartes." ”

"Grandson?" Prince Jérôme asked quizzically.

"Yes, that son of hers gave birth to two more sons in the United States." Charles nodded, trying not to let the ridicule in his heart show, "One is older and has served in the military since graduating from West Point, and the other has only recently been born. ”

"Really...... I already have two grandchildren...... "Prince Jérôme sighed again, as if for a moment there was a little softness in his heart.

But the softness soon vanished, and he raised his head again and told Charles, "Don't let them go back to France, or else everything will be messed up." No, no! ”

When the prince was anxious, Charles did not speak, but sat calmly.

His attitude made Prince Jérôme feel extremely bad, and he couldn't help but widen his eyes.

"You...... You wouldn't have told Your Majesty already, would you? ”

Charles still didn't answer, just smiled and looked at the other party.

"You...... You...... What have you done! Why only tell Your Majesty, and wait until now to tell me? ”

The prince was furious, and he stood up, his whole body trembling, and even his gray hair trembled with it. "I ...... How can you take care of my family? Who are you to do? Damn it! No way! Absolutely not! ”

Angry and anxious, the Prince's words were already a little incoherent, and his face had become very ugly, and if it weren't for the fact that there was still some sanity, I am afraid that he would have struck Charles directly with his cane, although it was almost the same by now.

"Don't be in a hurry, Your Highness...... It's important to take care of your body. Charles waved his hand lightly, signaling the old man not to be too angry, "This matter is very important, and it is also a matter of the Bonaparte family, so after careful consideration, it was decided to report it to His Majesty first, and then he will make the decision." After all, he is now the patriarch of the Bonaparte family, and all the affairs related to the Bonaparte family should be in charge of him, right? ”

"But I'm also his uncle, and I'm the party!" Prince Jérôme immediately interrupted him with an almost roar, "How can you hide it from me!?" ”

"After His Majesty's careful judgment, he decided that it was best for him to make a decision first, so he didn't tell you at the first time." Charles shook his head as if aggrieved, "Besides, didn't I already tell you now?" ”

"What's the use of telling me now? Hmph, Your Majesty...... Your Majesty! What do you mean, Your Majesty? Scare me? Who doesn't know that you are a selfish person, don't make it seem like your heart is full of blood and loyalty! Prince Jérôme did not look fooled by him, but sneered, "Besides, Your Majesty is Your Majesty, but my son and I are Princes, and we are Your Majesty's heirs, have you forgotten this?" ”

"At least for now, I must be loyal to Your Majesty, what's wrong? If something unexpected happens, it will not be too late for me to be loyal to you again. Charles's expression became grim, "Also, Your Highness, I have to point out to you that you have said something very, very inappropriate, and that even you will not be able to take responsibility if you are strictly prosecuted, and although I can keep it a secret for you, you had better not say it again." ”

His cold words finally calmed Prince Jérôme a little.

The Prince thought for a moment, and then realized that at least for the time being, he could not help Charles, as he had just proved.

"Alright, alright, Charles, I'm sorry, I'm a little excited." He sat down again in a trance, and then said to the other party in as gentle a tone as possible, "So has Your Majesty made a decision now?" Can you tell me now? ”

"Your Majesty is still thinking about it." Charles didn't dwell on what had just happened, but replied very calmly, "But as far as I go, he is more inclined to agree to this request, after all, the Bonaparte family is thin, and in order to maintain the empire, it is good to have an extra helper......"

"No...... Don't let her come back! Prince Jérôme cried out in despair, "It will be a great temporary disaster, and you have no idea how hard her heart is." ”

"Your opinion...... In fact, I also have some agreement, although I have no dealings with her, but judging from the performance of that day, she is indeed a strong-willed woman. Charles nodded approvingly, "And vindictive." ”

"Yes, yes! So why do she want it to be! The prince nodded repeatedly, "Charles, do me a favor and let His Majesty keep her out of the country!" ”

The Prince could not go and intercede with His Majesty the Emperor in person, for that would mean that he had heard the secret; And the Prince knew that if he went to implore His Majesty, he would probably only strengthen his resolve, for Louis Bonaparte was in fact quite wary of the Jérôme family, and to recall the grandson whom the Prince had left behind, in order to divide his own family.

Elizabeth Patterson and her grandson wouldn't have made a good impression of the Jérômes.

"Well......" Charles muttered deliberately.

After His Royal Highness the Prince was a little anxious, he nodded, "Actually, I think the same as you, I really should stop it." But...... Your Majesty's personality is also known to you, and if he had made up his mind, I am afraid it would not be so easy to change - so I think that if she cannot come back, she should simply let that grandson return to China. ”

"So?" Prince Jérôme groaned again. "Can't you work hard?"

Charles spread his hands.

The prince lowered his head, thought carefully, and finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, then do it, Charles, and make sure you don't let her set foot on French soil, please do me a favor!"

"Yes, Your Highness, I will do my best to fulfill this wish of yours." Charles immediately nodded in response.

As he said, Louis Bonaparte was inclined to accede to the request after receiving his report, but Charles also told a big lie - Madame Elizabeth Patterson did not ask him to come to France too, only to bring back her grandson.

He deliberately vaguely obscured the difference, in order to frighten and frighten the prince, to oppress him with His Majesty's will, and then lower the conditions a little

Not only did he want the prince to know that he owed him a favor, but he also wanted the highness to understand that such a calamity could happen again at any time - so he should still have to ask for it in the future.

At the same time, he will fulfill his promise to the lady to let her grandson set foot on French soil, and although he will not be able to directly bear the title of royalty, he will at least enjoy part of the honor he deserves.

And that Bonaparte would be another friend of his royal family.

With this pleasure in mind, he glanced at Prince Jérôme again.

The poor old man was obviously a little exhausted from the double toss of anger and fright just now.

And he, very happy about it. (To be continued.) )