While Agron was receiving Agnes, Teresa followed his instructions and settled the Duke of Nordelion and his entourage who had defected to her and his wife.
She said she wanted to settle this group of people, but in fact Teresa didn't have much enthusiasm. She had never met the Duke before, so she couldn't have any friendship, so she had nothing to say except the necessary polite words; and for
She was even more disgusted with Edgar, the Duke's son-in-law, because of what happened in the past. If the current situation had not dictated that the Treville family was of great use to the couple, she would have had Edgar kicked out long ago.
Among this group of people, the only one who made a good impression on her was Mrs. Alice. When they met in Switzerland, Alice's talent and wit left a deep impression on Teresa, and later Alice even helped
Teresa found and captured the assassin who assassinated her husband. In Teresa's mind, this was even more of a great achievement.
For Theresa, Alice is the only person in France that she can still regard as a "friend".
Because of this, after sending away the Duke and Edgar, Teresa deliberately kept Alice by her side in order to serve as her "advisor".
But this friend is not perfect. She has a "flaw" that makes Teresa find it hard to get over - she is Agnes's sister.
To be fair, Teresa did not hate Agnes. In fact, she admired her in her heart. However, it was only the fact that she and her husband were unclear that made her find it difficult to accept.
Especially just now, when the two sides met, Agnes didn't even try to hide it, and forced her to see Agron when they first met, which made Theresa deeply dissatisfied.
Now, these two people are alone together. What are they talking about? What else will they do?
These thoughts kept echoing in Teresa's mind, making her feel uneasy.
If it were in the past, she could forcefully interfere as a wife, but now she knows better that this is the critical moment, not the time for conflicts between husband and wife. They are walking on a dangerous road, and if they take a wrong step, they may...
There is no recovery, not only harming himself and his wife, but also harming other people who follow him.
Because she understood this, Teresa could only swallow her dissatisfaction and pretend to be calm.
"Mrs. Alice, although I have liked French culture since I was a child, in the final analysis I still don't know much about this country. This is also my first time setting foot on this country. I may still have a lot to learn in the future. I
Please be honest and direct when the time comes and tell me how to do my part, and also correct my mistakes." Although Teresa spoke in a very approachable manner, Alice did not relax at all.
.
This is the princess of the Habsburg family, and she may soon become the queen of France. She is definitely not someone she can easily manipulate.
Her Royal Highness the Princess said this out of politeness and humility. If she took it seriously and really regarded herself as Her Majesty the Queen's teacher and was arrogant and arrogant, not only would she not get any benefits, but she might also cause great trouble to her family.
However, Her Royal Highness the Princess can regard herself as a future advisor, which is the best opportunity she can get in this life.
She knew that as long as Princess Teresa became Her Majesty the Queen of France, she would become the most noble woman in the empire and the palace, and there would be a lot of noble ladies surrounding her, trying every means to please her and seek personal gain for their family, and
Although my natal family and the Treville family are famous aristocrats, they are not particularly outstanding among them.
Therefore, it is very important to be one step ahead. Just like in a race, I have gained an "advantage" to get a head start. Princess Teresa regards herself as a friend and advisor, and it is not in vain that Alice has worked so hard to please the couple.
.
Of course, jumping the gun just established an advantage, but it did not mean that everything would be worry-free from now on. Alice had been close to the court before, and she had witnessed with her own eyes the cases where favored courtiers suddenly fell out of favor and their fate sank.
Because of this, not only will she not be complacent, but she will also contribute all her talents to serve Princess Theresa and the imperial court with consistent prudence and respect.
This is not only for herself, but also for Xia Lu. She must rely on her own efforts to find the most glorious way out for Xia Lu.
If Xia Lu wins the favor of the court, what else will she need to worry about in the future?
"Your Majesty, you are too humble. Although I have not had much contact with you, I have already been impressed by your demeanor and upbringing. You have received royal education since childhood and learned how to rule a country with both dignity and wisdom.
, what are you doing that a mediocre woman like me can't comment on?" Because of this intention, Alice deliberately kept her attitude very low, "I am in front of you, if there is anything else,
What I am worthy of boasting about is that I am a few years older than you, have spent some time in Paris, and have some inside knowledge of the upper class. If you have anything you want to know, just ask me. I know.
I'll answer all of them. It's my honor to be able to give you some reference. As for giving advice, that's out of the question."
Alice's almost flattering attitude made Teresa couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, madam, I haven't been crowned yet, so I can't stand you being so respectful."
"You are the object of my allegiance, and you will be one of the people who attract the most attention in the entire country. I am very grateful to you for giving me the honor of staying by your side for consultation, but just because I am grateful to you, I should even more
Show due respect to you, because there will be many pairs of eyes looking at you in the future. If I talk and laugh without restraint in front of you, then others will not only not praise your virtue of humility, but will privately imagine that you are uncontrollable.
Your Majesty," Alice replied seriously. "So, Your Majesty, please allow me to take your trust seriously."
Alice's response actually made Theresa pause and think deeply.
Teresa can actually understand these truths. After all, she was born in the Habsburg royal family. She has been to the palace countless times since she was a child. Naturally, she has also seen how the Emperor and Empress of Austria present her image. She is usually surrounded by stars.
Yue was surrounded by a large group of people, and her speech and behavior had fixed boundaries, even if she smiled a few more times.
It is conceivable that maybe when you become a queen in the future, you will live like this, right?
For most girls, becoming a queen is a dream and good thing, but for Theresa, it can only be regarded as a mixed blessing, with both glamor and a burden that is difficult to get rid of.
She was born in a branch of the royal family, and she lacked everything. She also had a relatively free childhood and didn't have to be bound by so many rules, so she was not keen on being a queen.
When she first set foot on French soil, the thrill of danger and the excitement of doing great things with His Highness left her no time to think about this issue. But now when Alice pointed it out seriously, she felt like she had been splashed with water.
Leng Shui suddenly faced the future that seemed inescapable.
It would be better to live in the countryside with His Highness... She thought to herself.
However, since this is the path His Highness has chosen, I can only go with him.
"If you have to keep a straight face every day, then life will be too tiring." She complained softly.
"To be fair, it is a bit." Alice nodded empathetically, "But being a monarch is never an easy job. Since you are respected by everyone, watched carefully, and obeyed, then naturally you have to do it.
It costs something, doesn’t it?”
"That's not bad. The queen should set an example for the court." Teresa felt sad and couldn't help but sigh, "Especially, as an outsider, Austria has been with us for decades.
If relations with France are not good, people will inevitably have doubts about me. If I can't change people's doubts with my own efforts, then I may never gain people's respect."
This is also what Teresa worries about the most.
The Habsburg family has had many marriages with French monarchs before, the most recent two being Princess Marie-Antoinette who married Louis XVI, and Princess Louisa who married Napoleon.
Their reputations can only be described as tragic. During her time as queen, Marie-Antoinette had already lost her reputation for spending money and frivolity, and was eventually guillotined by the Revolutionary Party; while Louisa was guillotined after her husband's death.
She abandoned him and remarried impatiently. In the end, her son was also left out in the court.
In addition, since the outbreak of the Great Revolution, Austria has been at war with France for almost 20 years. The seven anti-French alliances can almost be said to be France's most steadfast enemy besides Britain, and France has also caused heavy losses to Austria.
Compensation for land cession.
In terms of public opinion, it is natural that the French today have a dislike for the Habsburg family. Princess Teresa thinks that she may not get a good impression among the people now.
He no longer has a good first impression. If he "performs poorly" again, the world's censure may come to him like an overwhelming force. Not only will his reputation be affected, but the restored empire may also be shaken by this.
When she thought that she was trying to control a country that didn't have much favorable impressions of her, and that this country was also known for being unruly, Teresa suddenly felt like she was walking on thin ice.
"Your Majesty, are you worried?" From Theresa's words and demeanor, Alice was keenly aware of her mood at the moment.
"Yes." Because she regarded Alice as a friend, Teresa did not deliberately conceal her worries, "I am worried that I will not be able to win the love of the French people."
"Your Majesty, please relax. Although the people in this country are moody and unruly, they also know right from wrong, and they can see the good and bad in people." Alice immediately comforted her, "As long as you continue to treat your
If you continue to carry forward the virtues of kindness and humility and try your best to help the people, they will definitely forget your origins, accept you with the most generous heart, and recognize you as their mother."
At this point, she paused and said, "However, I have two pieces of advice for you."
"Please tell me." Teresa nodded.
"First of all, you are from a foreign country, so especially don't show that you are only close to the Austrians around you - after Queen Marie de' Medici married in France, she only trusted the Italian courtiers around her. As a result, she was withdrawn from the palace.
When everyone among the people reviled her, and when her favorite Concini was killed by King Louis XIII, everyone applauded her, and finally she herself was exiled;
Secondly, you should participate in more public activities, especially charity activities. People in this country like to watch the excitement and make trouble in private. If you only care about your own happiness and withdraw from public affairs, then God knows what they will do behind the scenes.
And laugh at you? Don’t forget poor Queen Marie-Antoinette. Although she has various shortcomings, she is by no means a cruel person, and she does not spend more money than the previous queens.
Ridiculous, she was even very loyal to her husband... But who cares about this? People privately passed on the most despicable rumors about her, cursed her with all kinds of vicious words, and portrayed her as a combination of all kinds of things.
A woman who was both greedy and vicious...eventually ended up with her head and body missing. This is definitely a lesson you can't forget."
Alice's advice made Teresa feel even more burdened.
She was not afraid of what fate she would encounter, but she was worried about her and Aigron's career, and her son's career. Although she was not keen on the so-called glory of the queen, she would never allow herself to drag down her husband and son.
of hind legs.
So, learn lessons and do what you should do.
"You're right, Alice, I understand." After thinking for a moment, Teresa nodded, "I didn't bring a few Austrians here this time. Except for the guards and maids, they won't
I will not take on any extra work, let alone interfere in future politics. Now that I am here, I am a Frenchman, and so will my descendants... Although I still love Austria even now, but
I will only act from a French standpoint."
After making this confession, she continued, "If I am lucky enough to become a queen, I will try my best to participate in all the things that a queen should participate in, extend kindness, help the poor, and raise orphans and widows. I will not tire of it, so as to
Move this country with your sincerity."
The sincerity behind her words leaves no one doubting her determination at this moment.
"If you can do this, I guarantee that no one will resent you, Your Majesty." Alice was quite moved, and then responded to Theresa with the same sincerity, "As far as I know, the royal family can draw from the national budget every year.
You have received a huge amount of special funds, and you can take care of this special funds yourself... The more you control the palace's purse, the more effective your words will be."
If you want to show mercy, you have to do it in person, Alice hinted to Teresa.
To be honest, her advice just now was really based on Teresa's consideration on the one hand, but also on the other hand she had her own selfish motives - if the Queen took the initiative not to get close to the Austrians around her, then she would have eliminated a large number of competitors invisibly.
In her opinion, this is also a reasonable exchange. I help you accumulate authority and establish your image, and you give me favor and trust, which is natural.