After warning Edmund, the Marquis of Treville walked out of the study, and then he went straight to the nursery where Charlotte was.
This room is not big, but it is very close to the room of Edgar and Alice, so that the parents can take care of their eldest daughter at any time - of course, in most cases, it is just Alice who takes care of it.
The room was decorated very delicately, with various furry toys on display, and blankets were wrapped on the walls to prevent Xia Lu from bumping into them.
At this time, Xia Lu was lying on the small bed, hugged by her mother, and Alice was teasing her daughter with a smile on her face, and teaching her to speak in a low voice.
The Marquis of Treville remained silent for a moment, as he could not bear to disturb the happy scene between mother and daughter.
Alice, who was originally very beautiful, now has a more attractive look due to the brilliance of motherhood on her face, and she is even more stunningly beautiful.
Why doesn’t that boy Edgar know how to cherish it? Marquis Treville couldn’t help but mutter in his heart.
When he thought of his useless son, his originally excited mood cooled down again. His career was about to turn around, but to whom would this career be passed on in the end? Edgar was definitely not worthy. He
Can't afford it.
Although he is still in the prime of life now, the day will eventually come when he is called by the Lord. On that day, who can he entrust his family to?
While he was deep in thought, Alice finally noticed her father-in-law coming to the room. "Dad!"
She thought that the general was going to take Xia Lu to play in his study as usual, so she quickly stood up and was about to hand Xia Lu into his hand.
The Marquis of Treville immediately reached out and hugged his granddaughter. When Xia Lu saw her grandfather, she was also very affectionate. She stretched out her arms and pulled the short beard on his lips, and then giggled.
The Marquis of Treville did not pay attention to his granddaughter's offense, but actively cooperated with his granddaughter's antics, completely losing sight of his usual seriousness and solemnity.
This scene made Alice laugh uncontrollably, "Don't spoil her too much. What if she gets spoiled!"
"So what if my granddaughter is spoiled." Marquis Treville replied disapprovingly, "Learning and etiquette can be learned slowly in the future, but the courage to be fearless must be cultivated from an early age."
"She doesn't need to be a cavalry, what does she need so much courage for..." Alice replied aggrievedly. "Isn't it enough to just be Miss Treville and find a good husband?"
"You are completely wrong about this! She is not an ordinary lady, she is the lady of our Treville family. She cannot hold a saber but she still has to fight for her own destiny. The most important thing in fighting is courage. Some
You just need to be calmer than your opponent, and you will win if you hold on for one more second. The most important thing is persistence and wit! No matter who she marries in the future, she will always be a member of our Treville family. She doesn’t need to
, nor should she rely on her husband and son to decide her own destiny, that is ridiculous, she must learn to live for herself!"
After hearing the tirade of the Marquis of Treville, Xia Lu let out a small cry of joy, as if cheering for her grandfather, and the Marquis of Treville also lowered his head and kissed his granddaughter on the forehead.
Come and encourage Xia Lu.
Alice didn't agree with what her father-in-law said, but she didn't dare to refute it anymore and could only smile helplessly.
Of course she didn't know that it was precisely because he was completely disappointed in his son that the general attached so much importance to Xia Lu's training. He had already placed all his hopes in life on the next generation.
If such huge pressure fell on an ordinary child, it would most likely crush the child's immature shoulders. I wonder if Xia Lu can withstand this pressure?
"Okay, Alice, let's go to the study together." After teasing his granddaughter, the Marquis of Treville said to Alice.
"Huh? Let's go together?" Alice was a little surprised, "Why?"
"We have a distinguished guest here." The Marquis of Treville explained to his daughter-in-law softly, "The Count of Monte Cristo from last time came to visit us again."
Alice gasped because she was caught off guard, and then glanced at her daughter worriedly.
Of course she knew that the Count of Monte Cristo's visit again meant that danger was coming to the family. She had already taken the risk herself, but her daughter could not rest assured.
"Don't worry so much, it'll be fine." The Marquis of Treville saw what his daughter-in-law was thinking, so he calmly comforted her, "The arrival of the Earl means that His Majesty is already preparing to return to Paris - this is very important to our family.
This is great news for us, and it is worth taking any risks. Everything we put in today will be rewarded with satisfactory returns."
"I know...I know everything." Alice lowered her head and replied in a low voice.
Of course she knew that she had no choice but to hope that the Bonaparte family would succeed.
Then, she silently followed the Marquis of Treville towards the study.
Edmond Dantès had been waiting for the Marquis to return. He didn't wait long before the door opened again.
He looked up, and sure enough, Lady Alice was brought over, and the Marquis of Treville was obviously holding a baby of about one year old in his hands.
The baby quickly attracted his full attention.
This blond baby has fair skin and looks as cute as a doll.
He stood up and walked to the Marquis of Treville, then carefully observed the child. After getting the Marquis' permission, he gently touched Xia Lu's little face.
Xia Lu was not frightened by this serious-looking stranger. Instead, she looked at him with a smile, as if she was welcoming this guest. This smile looked so sweet that Edmund couldn't help but laugh.
She is indeed the daughter of Edgar and Lady Alice...he thought to himself.
He was dissatisfied with Edgar's character and abilities, but he had always recognized Edgar's appearance. Xia Lu seemed to have completely inherited her parents' advantages in appearance, and she would definitely be good at it when she grew up.
She must be an amazing beauty.
Then, he looked at Alice.
"Madam, I congratulate you for having such a lovely daughter...Miss Charlot will definitely make the whole city of Paris fall in love with her in the future."
"You are very flattering." Of course, everyone is willing to hear good words, and Alice saluted the count with a smile on her face, "Mr. count, it is really a pleasure to see you again. Although I have always stayed in Paris, I have also heard this recently.
I have said some of your heroic deeds...I am proud to get to know you and become your friend."
"I am also proud to know you and Mademoiselle Agnes." Edmond Dantès replied, "The respect and help you and your sister showed me when I came to Paris last time is something I will never forget.
of."
"We are just doing a little work, how can it compare with your heroic feat of serving His Majesty from life to death?" Alice replied with a smile, "It seems that you will stay in Paris for a long time in the future. During this period, if there is anything,
If you need help from us two sisters, please feel free to ask, we are very happy to help our friends."
"Actually, I do want some help now." Edmund immediately answered. "So I can only shamelessly ask you to trouble me."
Then, he briefly told Alice what he had just told the Marquis of Treville - of course, in accordance with the Marquis's instructions, he hid everything about Bianca.
"No problem, I will do my best to provide convenience for you." After hearing this, Alice made a statement without any hesitation. "I may not be able to help you much in other places, but I can find a social network for you in Paris.
I can still get tickets for the junction."
She is also a determined person. Now that she has reached this point, there is really nothing to hesitate about. Although she still has little loyalty to the Bonaparte family, she must do it for her husband and daughter.
Try to help them as much as you can, there is no other way.
"First of all, I have to buy a house. It should neither lose my identity nor be too eye-catching and affect my daily actions..." Edmond Dantès said as he took out a small house from his pocket.
bag, and then handed the bag to Alice, "This is the funds allocated to me by His Majesty."
Alice took the bag, and with a quick glance she saw the brilliance of the gems inside.
She quickly estimated the approximate value of these gems, and then nodded, "Although there will be a discount if these gems are quickly converted into cash, it is enough to buy a mansion. I will choose a place as soon as possible."
Okay, then we’ll find someone to take care of it, don’t worry.”
At this point, she made another joke, "I remember that the last time you came here, you also took a bag of gems... Did your Majesty open some ancient treasure? Why are there so many gems in your collection?"
"These are all gifts given to him by the most loyal servants of the empire." Edmund replied, "In order to support my actions, His Majesty has promised that he will provide me with a budget. There is no upper limit. I can do whatever I want.
Control and use it. If all the money I have is spent now, he will continue to add more."
"There is no upper limit..." Alice gasped, and of course she could hear the meaning contained in it.
This means that His Majesty has placed infinite trust in him. At this moment, he is the young man's full agent and can even appoint the Treville family to do things for him - but the other party is concerned about his own face, so he does not say so clearly.
No matter who he was in the past, it doesn't matter anymore. At this moment, he is the person who must make good friends.
"That's really admirable trust." She said sincerely, "I also believe that you will be able to live up to your trust."
"The most important thing now is that no one can tell that he is the Count of Monte Cristo." At this time, the Marquis of Treville, who had been silent, interjected, "The last time he came to Paris, Agnes took him to you.
Father, and then publicly attended the banquet as a guest. Although a year has passed, there is no guarantee that no one will still have an impression of him."
Alice also felt a headache when thinking about this section.
She is not only having a headache for the count, but also for her own family - obviously, the last time her father entertained the "Count of Monte Cristo" for an appearance, it didn't matter at the time, but now it will definitely arouse suspicion, because the name Count of Monte Cristo
It must have been detected by the Royal Government.
Will anyone suspect that Duke Nordrian has colluded with the Bonapartists for a long time? After all, his daughter is married to a well-known Bonapartist... The two things are superimposed, and it is difficult not to arouse suspicion.
Although her father's status in the palace should not cause him any trouble, as a daughter she couldn't help but feel worried.
It's just that since she got married, her father has almost ignored her, so she doesn't know how her father copes with those doubts and questions.
"It would be great if Agnes didn't have such trouble..." Distraught, she couldn't help complaining. "Now we are all in trouble."
"Miss Agnes is also kind-hearted. She just wanted me to gain respect from Parisian society as soon as possible. I will always keep this sincere friendship in my heart." Edmond Dantès once again defended Agnes, "
Moreover, this time, for the sake of convenience, I forged a new identity, and I will try my best to disguise myself. As long as I disguise myself properly, I believe I won’t be recognized so easily - after all, a year has passed."
Now that it's a done deal, Alice can only accept this statement. "That's all. You should be careful when you go and don't show up easily at a crowded party. In addition, you'd better not have anything to do with my family."
There has been contact, which is very dangerous for both parties."
"Can't we take advantage of the situation and let him simply abandon the false king? Anyway, the false king's life will not last long. It would be better to change the court as soon as possible." Marquis Treville said abruptly.
Of course he knew that his in-laws would not change families so easily, he just wanted to mock her maliciously.
"I'm afraid it's not that easy..." Alice smiled bitterly, "He always thought that he could return to the country and build up his family fortune again, all thanks to the kindness of Count Artois, so emotionally, I'm afraid it would be difficult for him to do so.
Make the decision to abandon the Wang family."
She grew up in an exiled aristocratic family loyal to the Bourbon royal family. Although she has changed her family now, it is not easy to call her the false king, so she simply uses the Count of Artois to refer to King Charles X.
Talking about feelings, isn't it just that he has no courage... The Marquis sneered disdainfully in his heart, but for the sake of his daughter-in-law, he stopped there.
He continued to caress his granddaughter in his arms.
Holding her granddaughter in her arms while talking about political conspiracies with great interest, this is also "education starts from the baby" in a sense. Xia Lu lay in her grandfather's arms and looked at the three adults in confusion. This was also her
For the first time in my life, I was exposed to the darkest, deepest, and stormiest world in France.
Of course, there will be many, many more times in the future.
After teasing his granddaughter for a moment, the general spoke again,
"Just call Agnes over, I still have to entrust her with some things."
"Why?" Alice was a little confused. "What can she decide?"
"She can decide many things." The general replied pointedly, "Your Majesty still misses her."