Flowers, Swords and France

"Treasury Village?" Fran was a little surprised.

"Yes, it is the Treasury Village." The guard officer nodded patiently with full style. "In the near future, our royal family will reunite there, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince specially invites you to come there as guests to add luster to the Treasure Village."

"Really..." Fran pondered for a moment, and she didn't know how to answer for a while.

"His Royal Highness said that when he met you before, he wanted to entertain you with Russian hospitality, and he also hoped that you could leave some paintings for him here." Seeing that the other party was still a little hesitant, the officer continued to bow with a smile, "His Royal Highness wants to keep his promise, and he also earnestly hopes that you can give him a chance to fulfill his promise."

Fran glanced at Mary next to her again.

Mary didn't say anything, but shrugged nonchalantly, as if to say "Why not go?"

She thought about it and realized that there was no reason to refuse the courtesy of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Alexander. She was here just to be a messenger. All affairs were being handled in an orderly manner by Count Bezukhov. She didn't need to do anything except waiting quietly, and no one needed her to do anything else.

At least on the surface, she came to visit Petersburg, and she had played this role very well so far. During this period of time, she had been wandering around the palaces, churches and scenic spots in Petersburg, just like any tourist interested in Russia.

It was precisely because she was playing such a role that it would be too strange to refuse the invitation of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and not visit the most glorious place in Russia.

"Well, I am very happy that I can receive such a warm hospitality from His Royal Highness..." She finally agreed. "I never thought I would have the honor of seeing your court. I am excited and nervous about it."

"Don't be nervous. Your Majesty and His Royal Highness are very tolerant and reasonable people. They will never let a beautiful lady like you suffer any difficulties. You can rest assured." The guard officer bowed again, "You can continue your scheduled trip today, and I can take you there tomorrow."

"Thank you." Fran also saluted him, and then took a lot of her own gifts and rushed back to her residence with Mary.

As soon as they returned to the Bezukhov family's manor on the outskirts of the city, Fran and Mary conveyed the invitation they received to Count Bezukhov.

Being invited by the Russian court was beyond her plan and surprised the old count.

"I'm sorry... I didn't expect such a complication to arise..." Fran said apologetically, "I didn't expect His Royal Highness Alexander to come to me on his own initiative."

"This is not surprising. We Russians are always very attentive to people like you. The court likes European celebrities. You are beautiful and well-educated, and you come from a famous family. It is normal for you to be favored by the court, isn't it? Besides... the Crown Prince seems to be planning to pass a message to France through you, so he has to try his best to please you." Count Bezukhov was not angry, but quickly accepted the result. "Besides, we originally promised to give you a pleasant trip to Russia. Isn't it great to be able to visit the Imperial Village?"

"Since you said so... then I'll go. In fact, I'm really curious about it." Fran nodded.

"Just have fun, I'm trying to finish the last part of the work here - judging from the current progress, you can plan your journey home in a few days." The old man smiled gently, "Before the unpleasant deep winter comes, you can say goodbye to its terrible footsteps."

"That's great!" Fran was delighted. Although she was treated with great hospitality in Russia, she naturally felt homesick as time went by. In addition, the weather in Russia was really frightening as winter was approaching. So she wanted to go back a long time ago, but she didn't dare to tell others because of her feelings, so she had to keep it in her heart. Now she was very happy to hear the count say so.

"When you met Alexander before, did he ask me? Did he ask any strange questions?" Count Bezukhov suddenly asked.

Fran was a little surprised at first, then she thought about it and recalled the conversation she had with Crown Prince Alexander that night. Because the Crown Prince left a deep impression on her that day, she could recall most of their conversation - although they were dancing at that time.

Alexander was as arrogant as the world usually thinks of royal family members, but on the surface he was very polite. Perhaps because he had been educated as an emperor since childhood, his words were full of strong confidence, as if he could not be questioned by others, but because he had received enough education since childhood and had already begun to have experience in governing the country, his words made some sense.

Although it was sharp, it made sense.

"He did mention you, and said something that he did not agree with your views." Fran sorted out her thoughts, and then told the count what Crown Prince Alexander said that night.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince believes that with Russia's geographical endowments and climatic conditions, if it wants to be as wealthy as Britain and France, it must seize warm zones and seaports, participate in world trade, and seize wealth from them. He also believes that he and the Romanov royal family are the most powerful. The only option that can lead Russia on this path, and any other liberal statements are just lies to deceive people.

"Is this what this guy thinks of us? Ridiculously stupid!" Count Bezukhov sneered. "He said we are demagogueing? This is what he is deceiving! He has left the greatest injustice behind, But they want to whet our appetite with an illusory future!”

As if he was still angry, the count suddenly stood up, and then paced around the room angrily, making the floor creak.

"Yes, he is deceiving everyone with an illusory future, but in reality they ignore the people's cries for bread and freedom! They have been doing this for fifty years, and they will continue to do it in the future! I have already seen through them! "

Then, he raised his head coldly and looked at Fran, "Miss de Treville, I ask you not to be deceived by his words. This is just a Machiavellian's deception - if a royal family is even now If it doesn't care about its subjects, how can it show mercy to its people in the future? All its promises are just to make everyone close their eyes and dedicate their loyalty and wealth to it, as described by Alexander, you and others. all that , the Near and Far East, and the sea ports are all just to satisfy his personal desire to expand his territory, but he deliberately disguises it as the needs of the people! Even if the Russians use their lives to help him and his descendants expand to the entire sea of ​​​​stars, he will Will he give up on oppressing the entire nation? No! He will only let the people bleed and sacrifice for him to help him get what he dreams of, and then continue to deceive, persecute, and exploit our miserable nation!"

After venting like this, he slowly calmed down and sat down again.

"Sorry, miss, I'm just very angry at what he said. The endless greed of the Romanov family will only plunge this nation into a never-ending fight with other nations. We can't get wealth in a pool of blood, let alone For the benefit of the people, don’t believe a word he says.”

"Don't worry... I won't change my mind just because of his words." Fran dared to speak at this time, "I don't know much about your country's national conditions and political system, so I won't use my own It doesn’t matter what the perspective is... for me, it’s just about fulfilling my responsibilities.”

"That's good! At least you are loyal." The Earl smiled bitterly, "Unlike Natasha, who was really deceived by this set of ghosts. I would rather she be as loyal as you, rather than have her fight for her own. That thing betrayed me!"

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

"He also mentioned Natasha to me... He asked me how Natasha was doing." Fran whispered.

"What? Then how did you answer him?" The count was a little surprised.

"I just told him that I haven't seen Natasha. She seems to be recovering at home because of an illness." Fran replied with a smile.

"Great, that's enough!" The Count clapped his hands, very satisfied with Fran's appropriate answer, "I wish you a pleasant journey in Tsarskoye Selo. I think with your wisdom, you can definitely You are like a fish in water there, and even His Majesty the Tsar would probably be amazed by your beauty and talent."

"It's really embarrassing for you to compliment me like this." Fran was still smiling.

In this way, the next morning, Fran and Mary took the carriage of Count Bezukhov and his family again to the train station in Petersburg. Then they were greeted by the Guards officers who had been waiting there, and Put them on the train to Tsarskoe Selo.

Tsarskoe Selo is located in the southern suburbs of St. Petersburg. It has been the favorite residence of the czars since Catherine the Great. It is also a place where the court and nobles often gather. The entire upper class of Petersburg will use this place as the center of activity in summer and autumn. They won't leave until winter comes.

Because of this, a railway was built between Tsarskoe Selo and Petersburg in 1837, which was also the first railway facility in the entire Russian Empire.

At the invitation of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander, Fran and Mary took the train that day and came to the small train station outside Tsarskoe Selo.

Because only nobles have the right to come here as visitors, the train carriage is very spacious and comfortable, which made them feel the enthusiasm of the Russians from the beginning.

And this place, full of unique Russian customs and Western European palace culture, also welcomed its new guests in silence. (~^~)