After Mrs. Mercedes left, the room fell into silence for a while.
Being so highly recognized by her "predecessor" made Valentine feel moved, but she also felt a little proud inside. When she was young, what she lacked most was self-awareness and self-confidence, and now she finally got it.
Of course, this does not mean that the matter is finalized. In the end, everything depends on the count's own opinion.
While Valentine was secretly delighted, Teresa was also thinking briefly. She was thinking about something else.
At present, although the count is unmarried, he is not single. He and Mrs. Danglars have been "living together" for a long time. With the count's character, he must have deep feelings for this lady, so how to deal with this?
Madam, it has also become a difficult matter.
Logically speaking, Emily has a very bad reputation due to some things in the past, and her husband, the banker Danglars, is still in a state of "fleeing in fear of crime." This can be used as an excuse to order her to leave the count.
——However, forcing Emily and the Earl to separate at this point in time may have the opposite effect and arouse the Earl's resentment.
So she hesitated a little.
"Valentine, do you know Danglars and her daughter?" Finally, she decided to ask Valentine herself about her attitude.
"I haven't had contact with that lady a few times, but I am familiar with Eugenie. After all, we are the same age... we can be considered friends more or less." Valentine answered honestly, "During the turmoil in Paris before, I was once raped by the count.
I took him to his home for refuge, and we got along very well at that time."
"So, you should know that the relationship between the count and the lady is a bit... unusual, right?" Teresa asked awkwardly.
The young Valentine was obviously several times more embarrassed than Teresa, and she immediately blushed. "I know... they are very close, and they live together. I thought they were husband and wife for a while! Later,
After grandpa’s explanation, I realized that there were so many stories in it..."
Teresa felt that it was almost blasphemous to say this to a pure child, but now that the matter was over, she had to speak clearly, so she could only hold back her embarrassment and continued to ask Valentine, "Then what do you think about this?"
What do you think? Let me be clear, Valentine, what do you plan to do with Danglars and her daughter? After all, it is you who want to be the hostess, and you cannot let her occupy a position that does not belong to her...
…”
Valentine's breathing suddenly became rapid.
She understood that at this moment, the fate of Emily and Eugenie, mother and daughter, was in her own hands.
Presumably, if she said now that the mother and daughter must be driven away, Her Majesty the Queen would immediately issue an order, and then the mother and daughter would instantly fall into a situation that is beyond redemption.
She couldn't bear to do it.
"Your Majesty, I think it's best not to drive them away. After all, they are already miserable enough. If they are forcibly driven away, wouldn't my hands be stained with sin from the beginning? My father has been harmed because of his power.
I've met so many people that I don't want to and can't do the same thing.
Besides, I am still young after all, and it is impossible for me to fulfill my wife's... wife's obligations, so Lady Emily is fulfilling my obligations for me. If I drive them away now, wouldn't the Earl be lonely?
Long? That's too much...so let them stay there."
At this point, Valentine blushed and lowered her head out of embarrassment.
"Oh, oh, our lovely Valentine also understands what a wife's obligations are." Teresa couldn't help but laugh out loud.
She was also secretly amused in her heart, how could such a child know how to assume the role of "housewife"? She didn't even understand what marriage meant, so she wouldn't be jealous of Emily at all.
But just because she hasn't grown up now doesn't mean she won't grow up in the future. When she reaches marriageable age in a few years, she may have to face a real dilemma.
Teresa felt a little overwhelmed after being involved in it a little bit.
As if feeling Teresa's thoughts at the moment, Valentine gently raised her head and looked at Her Majesty the Queen sincerely, "Your Majesty, please don't feel sorry for me. In fact, I think, from an objective point of view,
On the contrary, I was the one who took away the things of Lady Emily and Mademoiselle Eugénie... When I was around them, I could feel that they all respected and loved the Earl, and regarded the Earl as their future settler from the bottom of their hearts.
However, I broke into their lives and took away the thing that Mrs. Emily misses most. I feel ashamed of them! So, if I really become the count's wife in the future, I will
I will also keep them as friends, and they can also become my family. I lost my mother when I was young, and I also hope to have more family members to accompany me, so everyone can live together happily. Isn’t this good?
?"
Teresa was stunned by Valentine's shocking words. She couldn't tell whether Valentine was too naive or too generous.
However, this is everyone's private life. If she is happy with it and others are happy with it, what can she say?
Besides, your husband also has a confidante left by his side... You can't drive her away.
When she thought of this, Teresa suddenly lost interest.
Forget it, anyway, there are still a few years until Valentine grows up. Then we will see how to deal with the mother and daughter.
"Well, let's do it according to your opinion now. If you have different opinions in the future, just tell me directly and I will try my best to help you."
After saying this, she looked at Valentine carefully.
Although she despises the cunning and scheming prosecutor Villefort, she has a very good impression of Villefort's daughter. She has such a gentle and compassionate personality, and has the appearance and demeanor befitting a famous family. She is also so loyal to the family and willing to dedicate herself.
No matter what, Teresa felt very close to her.
If a child can do this, wouldn't it be limitless in the future?
Of course, children will always be affected by various influences from the outside world as they grow up, and some will even fall into depravity. Teresa hopes that she can take care of Valentine as much as possible in the future so that she can be less contaminated by the outside world.
Feng Qian, with today's purity and kindness, became a bride, and then became the most respected wife in the palace.
Although she could not change the customs and concepts of the entire country, she could eventually create a corner of pure land without corruption, and this was enough.
"Valentine, what we should do has been done, so I wish you good luck next. I hope you can succeed, and I am optimistic about you. You can become a role model for the palace in the near future..."
==============================
While Theresa was cordially receiving Valentine, Aigron was also receiving the elderly Marquis of Noirtier.
However, compared to them, the atmosphere here in Aiglon is much more serious.
Although neither of them is a completely ruthless political machine, they are already considered players in the field of power, so they understand very well the principle of putting business first and private matters second.
Therefore, after meeting, the Marquis of Noirtier first reported his recent work to Aiglon.
Previously, the Marquis of Noirtier assisted Aiglon in stabilizing the domestic situation and personally conducted the referendum on Aiglon. Therefore, as a "reward", Aiglon also fulfilled his promise and sent the Marquis to the Imperial Parliament as soon as he came to power.
In the House of Lords.
After Aigron came to power, he first purged the House of Nobles and expelled a large number of old aristocratic members who were unwilling to be loyal to the empire and the Bonaparte family. Naturally, the Marquis of Noirtier was personally responsible for this.
For decades, the Marquis has been well-known for his majestic reputation and tough tactics. How could he care about the noise of these juniors now when he was talking eloquently in the National Assembly during the Great Revolution? Therefore, after he waved his iron fist and made great moves,
After purging and expelling dozens of members as a warning to others, it can be said that the current House of Lords has become obedient to His Majesty the Emperor.
Of course, "rectification must be obeyed" is only a means, and "improving legislative efficiency" is the ultimate goal. Therefore, under the instruction of Aiglon, the Marquis of Noirtier also promoted a series of urgent legislative work, including
A financial bill related to the railway business, a financial bill that completely separated royal expenses from the national treasury, etc.
Precisely because the Marquis is so efficient, Aigron is naturally extremely satisfied with his work results.
The only pity is that the Marquis is already old, so he has to prepare a future successor for the Marquis in case of emergency.
As usual, the Marquis of Noirtier reported to Aiglon in detail the recent developments in the two houses of parliament, as well as who was loyal to the empire, who might have different aspirations, etc.
With such an aging body, shouldering the heavy responsibility of "running the parliament" is of course a great drain on the body. Even if you don't need much insight into the subtleties of observation, you can see the tiredness on the old man's body.
Looking at his haggard face and hoarse voice, Aigron couldn't help but feel pity in his heart.
This tough guy who had gone through the entire Revolutionary era and was able to duel and win the best swordsman in the army in 1815 finally bowed down in the face of time.
The waves behind the Yangtze River push the waves ahead. This is common sense in the world, but when you witness it with your own eyes, it still makes people feel a little sad.
"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Marquis." Because of this, Aigron thanked the Marquis in a more cordial tone than usual. "Thanks to your help, this government has been able to pass so many things in a short period of time."
important legislation... I am deeply grateful for this. Likewise, just because you have worked so hard, I advise you to take a good rest recently. Anyway, the most important things are almost done now... You can
It’s time to take a breather.”
"Thank you very much for your concern, Your Majesty." The Marquis of Noirtier respectfully thanked Aiglon, "But you know me. For me, it is not just me who works in the parliament to promote the country.
It's my job, it's my life, it's my pleasure, I... I can't convince myself to stop.
And you can also see that my body is not as good as before. I don’t even know how long I can last. But I am not afraid of death. Death is inevitable for everyone. I have already lived a few more lives by those unlucky guys who died under the guillotine.
It has been ten years...I will use the time that I can still run around to make the greatest contribution to the country and you. Only in this way can I die without regrets..."
The words of the Marquis of Noirtier were on the one hand the voice of his heart, and on the other hand they were also intended to show Aigron his feelings of dedicating everything to the empire.
He knew that he was already at the end of his life, and he didn't know how long he could live, so he might as well burn his old life desperately in exchange for His Majesty the Emperor's final mercy.
And his approach has indeed achieved his goal - Aigron has always been very tolerant towards those very useful and diligent subordinates, and is never willing to treat them poorly.
"Your Majesty, at my current age, I must prepare for a rainy day for you and be prepared in case I am unable to serve as director." At this moment, the Marquis of Noirtier continued to speak, "There is no one else in the parliament.
They have more qualifications and prestige than me, so it is impossible for my successor to drive it with the same tough measures as me. In other words, blindly high pressure cannot be sustained, and it can easily rebound. You'd better act now
First promote a few juniors with outstanding talents, buy them with high-ranking officials and generous salaries, and then use them as the core to form a pro-government party group, and use their numerical advantage to build ballast in the Imperial Parliament... Only in this way can you sit back and relax.
"
After finishing speaking, he told Aigron the names of several young talents he was optimistic about for His Majesty's future use.
For Aigron, this is not a problem. Anyway, in the past few years, he has made a lot of nobles. In the future, he will continue to make anyone he likes a noble, and then send him to the House of Nobles.
This is the subtlety of the bicameral system. As the lower house, the National Assembly will often see changes in members due to changes in public opinion, which will allow many opposition parties to occupy seats in the assembly.
"Normalized control", then it can be both offensive and defensive, and the fact of autocracy can be achieved on the basis of "constitutional government".
This is also proven by the practice of many countries during the same period or "in the future".
And the political structure that the Marquis of Noirtier worked so hard to create for Aiglon is exactly the same.
Based on his experience, he correctly realized the power of "public opinion", which was absolutely invincible. However, at the same time, he also saw the violent and fickle nature of "public opinion". In the end, this revolutionary vanguard became a loyal imperialist.
Politicians, supported under the banner of "elected emperor".
Of course he knew that such a system was not perfect, but he believed that it was the most suitable thing for the country now, and only the Bonaparte family could lead the country through the sea of blood and face tomorrow.
"Ballast stone..." Aigron nodded in agreement, "Yes, you are right, I just want this! Then do as you wish."
After he finished speaking, he felt a little sad and sad in his heart.
He knew the "original work", and therefore also knew that the Marquis would suddenly suffer a "stroke" and become paralyzed at some point in the future.
Maybe a few years from now, maybe even tomorrow - but no matter what, this is his tragic loss.
He burned his whole life for my family...I should compensate him. Aigron thought to himself.