I Am Louis XIV

  Chapter 291 The Surprising Journey of Anna Maria Luisa De Medici (5)

The answer is surprising, but not so surprising - the Church of Rome and France were once close family, but now they are in the same boat, this is the inevitable result, just like now, don't look at the Holy Roman Empire of Leopold I It seems to have inherited France's former position - in the heart of the Roman church, but only because the emperor is in need of the church to help him fight against the Protestant princes and France. If not, you will see a more exciting drama.

When Mrs. Montespan proudly placed her chips in front of the king, the king wondered if she had used her talent - but Mrs. Montespan and her two sisters did not inherit the special characteristics of their mother. Mrs. Montespan's mother could have a duke who would do anything for her, they couldn't, they didn't have that magic, and it should be a good thing for them, but it wasn't for Mrs. Montespan, she could It's too bad to have the weak-willed Monsieur Marquis kneel at her feet, but not to stifle the monopoly and **** it breeds.

The death of Mr. Marquis should have something to do with Mrs. Montespan, but when the king went to investigate, there was only one bone left under six feet. There were too many methods for wizards to target mortals - they thought Montespan at that time Madame's power may come from the Mancini family, or other Gayola families, but when the Duke of Colonna recaptured Gayola, they knew they were wrong.

When there is only one answer left to a question, no matter how bizarre it is, the answer is possible, so Louis does not hesitate to push back along the result, add assumptions about the church, and all the unreasonable places are there. explain.

First of all, let’s look at the letters. The Archduke of Tuscany is in Italy. Siena, where he often haunts, was even the birthplace and territory of a Pope. Also in Romagna, it only takes one day to reach Rome by riding a horse, and pigeons are faster. Of course, Italians began to use pigeons to transmit messages as early as the time of Alexander VI.

As for the diamond powder, even if the Church did not place chess pieces beside the Archduke of Modena, the Duke of York, who is said to have converted to Catholicism, has already become a target of their concern, although Charles II once promised to convert to Catholicism after quelling the domestic rebellion , but now it looks like he prefers to swing back and forth between Catholicism and Protestantism, doing his best to get his best interests, even delaying the baptism of his firstborn.

Louis' spy reported that Charles II was preparing to create a "high school" Protestant in the country. In short, it was another Catholic church, but he was the head of the church. This coquettish approach undoubtedly made people speechless. At the same time, it also made the Catholic Church even more embarrassed.

So they must stop the Duke of York's impulsiveness - maybe not so impulsive, anyway, the Duke of York must not die in France because of the murder of the Duchess of Orleans, they already know Louis XIV very well, if the Duchess of Orleans dies, even if there is a church and Charles II, the king of France will definitely cut down the Duke of York, anyway, Britain and France have been enemies for a hundred years, they can continue to do it - Louis was willing to help Charles II, not because there was anything real between them Emotions, but because the authority of the king cannot be taken lightly. At that time, Charles II was already a mature young man, and Louis was still a teenager. What topics could they have?

As for the silver key of Cayola Island, it is needless to say that the Church of Rome knows better than any ruler what is going on in the inner world. For example, the priests in the Inquisition were originally born in the inner world, the society of wizards. There should also be a lot of their "own people"...

   And Mrs. Montespan—she spent all her childhood and adolescence in a convent. Could it be simpler for the church to intervene and influence her?

   "Then what shall we do with the lady?" Philip asked.

"We have two very interesting questions," said Louis. "First, how did Madame Aubigne decide to visit Madame Montespan? Second," he said softly, and then raised his eyebrows. Raising a second finger: "Second, how did Madame Montespan introduce Champagne for her so readily? Others may not know it, but she should know that Champagne's other identity is your spy."

   "They, no, it should be said that the Church of Rome is willing to compromise with you."

"It seems that the Grand Duke of Transylvania did put Leopold I under threat," said Louis. "It was also for this reason that he entered into a marriage contract with Carlos II of Spain in such a hurry - Tran The Grand Duke of Sylvania not only conquered Upper Hungary (modern Czechoslovakia), almost cutting off Austria from the rest of the Holy Roman Empire, but also intends to ally with the Ottoman Turks," Louis changed a gesture, spreading his fingers Hold another fist: "Although Leopold I wanted to set up a standing army like me from a very early time, he was still unable to face two powerful enemies at the same time."

"The Habsburgs fought against the Turks ten years ago with the armies of mercenaries and princes," Philip said. "Although Leopold I was emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, his voice could only be heard in Vienna. , he's just a blind and pitiful man who can't be compared to you at all."

   "You don't have to be so flattering to me," said Louis; "leave your sweet talk to the Duchess of Orleans or your lover."

   "Then speaking," said Philip, "the Church of Rome apparently found that it could not get the help of Leopold I. On the contrary, it might have to pay for it, and decided to change course!"

   "It's just a two-way bet," Louis said. "It's like the Grand Duke of Tuscany."

"As far as I know, his solution to the problem is simple now, and when Leopold I asked him to be his ally, he refused neatly - he said in his letter that if he became an ally of the Holy Roman Empire Allies, Louis XIV of France will come flying and hang his head on his mast."

   Louis really laughed for a while now.

   "The Grand Duke of Transylvania..." Philip said: "You know, he is a bold man. He is not only discussing with the sultan of Ottoman Turkey how to conquer Austria, but also planning a marriage relationship with you."

   "Wait?" This was something that Louis didn't know. He stretched out his hand, and Philip took out a message from his personal pocket and sent it to the king. Louie opened it and looked, "He finally gave up on the idea."

"Because he knows that such a proposal will only anger you." The title of the Grand Duke of Transylvania actually came from the sultan of Ottoman Turkey, which is not recognized in the Catholic and Protestant countries of Europa. In this case, he Coveting a member of the French royal family was presumptuous and worthy of being knocked off limbs and hanged before he truly became a Hungarian lord.

   "The Grand Duke of Transylvania has only one daughter now," said Philip. "If he intends to marry, does he like my son?"

   "Maybe it's even Little Louis."

   "Don't make such a joke," said Philip, who saw Louis tap the table thoughtfully: "But it is also possible that another son, Philip, Mrs. Montespan is pregnant."

  Philip was stunned for a moment, and then showed a gloomy smile: "No wonder they decided to open their cards at this time."

"I don't know about that Madame Aubigne, but Madame Montespan must have wanted to wait," said Louis, "but it may be that she is pregnant, so the Church of Rome will not wait until she has conquered me completely, once I am willing to trust her and love her, then the constraints of the church on her will be nothing."

  Philip sighed: "I didn't expect her to be pregnant so soon... I don't know how little Lucy should face her."

   "You don't have to face it," Louis glanced at Philip in surprise: "Why do you have to face it, I sent her to Fontainebleau to recuperate."

   "Huh," said Philip, "I know now that you're really not in love with her."

   "She's a good, good subordinate, I have to admit," Louie said, "but she's got what she wants, doesn't she?"

  ———

When the Duke of Colonna returned to Paris, he did not see Madame Montespan, because the royal lady had to obtain the permission of the king to announce her pregnancy, even though she deliberately designed a new style of long dress - that is, the waistline was moved to the chest Below, he revealed his bulging belly to everyone, and there was never even a word of news that the royal lady was pregnant in the palace.

This made the Duke of Colonna feel much better. Although a large part of the reason for Marie Mancini's imprisonment was self-inflicted, it was really a piece of cake for Madame Montespan, who was the initiator, to be so proud, but he couldn't ask the king Rejecting Mrs. Montespan's flattery - After hearing that Mrs. Montespan was likely to be a "special messenger" of the Roman Church, he also persuaded Louis to be more tolerant, after all, Mrs. Montespan was pregnant with his younger siblings.

"Because they are your younger siblings," Louis said gently, "that's why I want her to understand the boundaries between this child and you." Duke Colonna raised his head and saw a pair of pairs that were just like him. From the same aquamarine eyes: "She is also a witch, and she is absolutely unshakable in the position of little Louis. She knows this better than your mother..." Louis patted the Duke of Colonna's back: "But You are different, and in Mrs. Montespan's mind, you are an obstacle that needs to be overcome - what would she think? She would want her children to have the same status as you."

"But that's impossible," said Louis grimly, "you are my firstborn, Luciano, you were born in love, and though it goes away quickly, I love you like I love you Mother, I absolutely can't let anyone surpass you, even little Louis."

"I understand, father," whispered the Duke of Colonna, "I understand." In fact, when he and little Louis were still babies, Louis set two equally grand and broad paths for them, And never meet, so he can get along well with the Dauphin Louis when Marie Mancini reveals his true nature - they love each other like real brothers, except for the occasional pity in their hearts Or make fun of each other.

   "But what about Mrs. Montespan's child?"

"They will live a life of ease and tranquility under the supervision of the Duke of Orleans." Louis said that he did not intentionally refuse Madame Montespan's approach. As a monarch, he has no such cleanliness, but that child will not be the second The first Luciano, not even the second Duke of Halebur, they won't get any power from Louis.

   Those children may not even be present at the court.

The Duke of Colonna sighed softly and reassuringly. He knew it was wrong to take anger at an innocent baby, but he couldn't bear to see them at his father's side. When he saw them, he was reminded of a nameless person. Mother in the Bastille.

   "Have you seen your mother?"

   "Go." This is a must. Even before the interview with Louis, Marie Mancini will be waiting for him with remorse and horror. If something happens to the Duke of Colonna, she will definitely choose to commit suicide.

   "Then go again," said Louis, "with Anna of the Medici."

"is it okay?"

"She's your wife," said Louis, "she can't help but know that I'll let Elarius accompany you, and when you stand back, tell Mary that she can take off her mask and see you in her true face. ."

   "I don't know how to thank you."

   "Just don't blame me for being ruthless," Louis blinked: "I know people often say I'm too king."

  ——

Anna of the Medici saw her future husband the next day, and she shyly took the gardenia brought by the other party—I don’t know if it was because she wore a gardenia wreath when she visited the king, and then he Ask her to go to a place with herself, to meet someone very important, but not to bring her wet nurse and maid.

Although Madame Barbiere insisted on following, in the end, Madame Aubignet, the lady official, agreed to the Duke's request with a rather tough attitude. She later told Madame Barbiere that the marriage could be annulled until they had the same room, so Mrs. Barbie obediently said nothing, and what if they stayed together? The Duke of Colonna is an adult, but Princess Anna is not yet his waist.

The Duke of Colonna's carriage made its way slowly along the Boulevard Queens Boulevard (which had already been extended to the Place de la Bastille) to its destination, past crowds of brightly dressed pedestrians, with Anna of the Medici hiding in the glass windows Afterwards, they stared outside in a fixed posture, not taking their eyes off--in addition to the outstanding people who received invitations, some lesser-known painters, sculptors and musicians, dancers and actors also poured into Paris. Performing and exhibiting his works on the boulevard, in addition to asking for a little money to pay for his meals and lodging, he is eager to be appreciated by a noble person, like the old and poor Rembrandt, a He became the royal painter of the royal family.

   (end of this chapter)