"We must not let this accusation be proven! Otherwise, everything will be over."
As his confidant for many years, Gao Dan naturally understood what the Duke meant.
First of all, given the current situation, he is already at a disadvantage. In this case, he must not be the mastermind of the assassination. If he carries such a name, then the Duke of Orleans is tantamount to becoming a person for the sake of
A careerist who wants to take the throne by any means and by any means - although this is the fact, we must not admit this fact, otherwise the people who have already been shaken and wait and see will immediately take the opportunity to abandon themselves, separate from each other and escape from the broken ship.
Moreover, even if the worst outcome occurs, we must not bear this crime.
There is also a difference between losing and losing. If he is just an ordinary loser, then the worst he can do is to go into exile like the king. He can still retain some dignity. He still has a lot of chips to trade with the King of Rome in exchange for a person who can
But if he is recognized as the "murderer of the King of Rome" by the outside world, the situation will be completely different. Even if the King of Rome wants to make a political deal with himself, he will inevitably take tougher measures for the sake of the outside world's perception.
Attitude, your situation will definitely be more difficult at that time.
In the final analysis, there is a huge difference between a Duke of Orleans and a loser who became a criminal. Even if he is trying to gain the last dignity for himself, he cannot make the accusations solid.
This also shows that when the situation is against the wind, not only the neutral onlookers are beginning to consider how to "abandon ship and escape", but even the Duke of Orleans is subconsciously thinking about the final retreat, although his reason is not willing to admit this.
a little.
Because of this, the Duke and his cronies are so anxious, because others may only be speculating on this, and they really have a "guilty conscience." Only they know best whether this accusation is correct.
"I will solve this problem for you, Your Excellency." Gao Dan promised his benefactor with a solemn and apologetic mood.
"Are you sure that, apart from Bianca, there is no solid evidence to point to us?" the Duke asked uneasily.
"I'm sure that other people won't have any evidence." Gaudan assured, "Even if someone like Prosecutor Villefort comes to investigate, they can't conjure evidence out of thin air. Without evidence, it's just a frame-up.
"
"Since there is only one witness, why does Prosecutor Villefort dare to accuse me with such certainty?" The Duke was puzzled. "Don't he understand that fabricating accusations against me will only ruin his reputation for life?"
"
This question was difficult for Gaudin to answer for a while. "Villefort's father, the Marquis Noirtier, was a staunch supporter of the empire. However, the father and son had always been at odds with each other. Their relationship had long since broken down and they had not interacted with each other for many years.
, this is also something everyone knows. It is difficult for us to accuse him of bending the law for personal gain because of his father... Moreover, it is also difficult for others to believe that he would actually ignore his lifelong reputation for the sake of his father."
"It doesn't matter whether other people believe it or not. What's important is that we can refute it." The Duke of Orleans replied loudly, "He might have colluded with his father a long time ago and surrendered to the King of Rome. Everything he did before was just a disguise.
...He now wants to rely on attacking me in exchange for a future career."
Of course, even though he said so, the Duke himself didn't quite believe it.
After all, the character that Prosecutor Villefort has painstakingly cultivated for more than 20 years is indeed of some use. Even these two people can't help but be a little intimidated by his "selfless" character.
Just because they could not think of any other reason to explain why Villefort dared to risk his life's reputation, they could only believe more and more firmly that "Bianca had indeed rebelled, confessed everything, and was willing to publicly testify against the Duke of Orleans"
”.
Then, there is only one way to solve the problem, let this traitor never be able to speak.
However, this solution also contains endless dangers.
First of all, since Bianca is an important witness, the King of Rome will definitely guard her carefully; secondly, if such an action is unfortunately leaked, it will be tantamount to giving another incriminating evidence to the other party, which will be self-defeating.
This further confirmed the accusation of the King of Rome.
Precisely because they were in such a precarious situation, both the Duke and Gaudin were having a headache at this moment.
And Gao Dan has made up his mind that at this critical juncture, he will protect his benefactor at all costs. Whether it is sacrificing his years of friendship, or sacrificing his personal reputation or life, he will always be there.
No matter what.
"Yes, you are right. We can attack Villefort and shake his will. It is best to scare him so that he dare not speak at the parliamentary inquiry. However, this may not be enough to ensure that you can escape unscathed..."
After being silent for a long time, Gao Dan spoke slowly, "As long as this issue is brought to the table and becomes a public topic, no matter whether it is confirmed or not, it will hurt your reputation."
"Why don't I know this? But what can I do?" The Duke of Orleans sighed anxiously. "Ever since that kid ran in, I only feel that I am being restricted everywhere. The cowards who were too scared to speak, and
Those fools who acted according to the current situation have now been encouraged and dared to call me by my name! Looking back now, if I had not taken that step, but continued to wait and see the situation, allowing the king to continue to stay
It might be better to ruin his own reputation on stage..."
The Duke's emotion shocked Gaudin because this was the first time his benefactor showed regret in front of others after the incident.
Regret means that the will has been shaken. A strong person never regrets, and can remain calm even if he steps onto the guillotine.
After all, it still lacked a bit of the king's bearing... He sighed inwardly, and suddenly felt a little uninterested.
Looking at Gaudin's expression, the Duke also realized that he had lost his composure, and quickly shook his head, "Forget it, now that we have reached this point, there is no point in sighing anymore. Mr. Gaudin... do you think that now?
Besides being beaten passively, is there any better way for me to turn the tide?"
"Yes, there is one, but you have to take some risks." Gaudan was already ashen, but he still managed to cheer up and responded to his benefactor, "Although Lafayette has been shaken now, he is still there after all.
He has not made a public statement that he will no longer support you. You can also give orders to the people around him. If we are properly prepared, we can launch a surprise attack at a certain point in time, enslave him and then order the arrest of dangerous people in his name.
Dangerous elements of the motherland, you can arrest Talleyrand and others directly, and then punish them! As long as these old guys are dead, you will definitely be able to scare Xiaoxiao, and then you can take the opportunity to hold the Parliament hostage and force them to declare you as
King... at least you can still fight to the death." Pi
The Duke of Orleans' expression changed upon hearing this, and his eyes flickered uneasily.
He clearly remembered that it was Gao Dan who persuaded him to do nothing and took the initiative to order the fire on the palace, which put him in the current situation - although he would not blame Gao Dan for this, but when Gao Dan
When Dan once again advised him to take risks, he instinctively wavered.
You have already become a "sinner" for launching an rebellion. Do you want to launch another rebellion now?
It is tempting to hunt down Talleyrand and Soult in one fell swoop, but what if we don't succeed? My life and property, and even the life of my whole family, may not be protected by then.
In addition, the boy cunningly stayed in Fontainebleau, which not only exerted influence on Paris but also maintained a safe distance subtly, so that he could not "catch them all" in a hurry, and could watch the fire from the other side with peace of mind, constantly relying on
Agents put pressure on themselves.
Even if he succeeds with his actions, the boy outside the city will still be unscathed. He can take the opportunity to declare that he is crazy and has become a public enemy of the country and the nation, and then incite the whole country to attack him... Then
Instead, she made him a wedding dress, allowing him to get rid of a few old things blocking his way without a drop of blood on his hands.
How hateful!
If he does this kind of thing once, he will regret it beyond words. If he does it again, he may become the laughing stock of the devils even in hell.
Thinking of this possible consequence, the Duke of Orleans, who had already been shaken, finally hesitated before the limit. "This... I'm afraid I need to think about this again. It's not yet time to make such a determination.
Let’s first find a way to clear ourselves of today’s accusations…”
As soon as he saw the Duke's appearance, Gaudan sighed secretly in his heart. This answer was not unexpected - he knew very well what kind of person his benefactor was.
He is only one step away from greatness, but always stops at the last step, so he still cannot be great after all.
If you hesitate now, you will still hesitate in the future, and in the end you may choose to escape.
Regardless of whether we have escaped the accusation or not, now we are being led by the nose, and the situation has become passive. If we don't dare to overturn the table, we will only become more passive in the future - if we don't dare to take action now, how can the Duke do it then?
Are you still determined to take action?
So... all hopes seem to have come to nothing.
Really, France has changed its political system several times, and the people in charge of the highest power are changing like a revolving lantern. Why can't they find someone who dares to shoot this bastard? He lamented in his heart.
Only this kind of person can always get along like a fish in water, and every time people gnash their teeth with hatred but have to tolerate it, how corrupt the world has become!
After lamenting in his heart for a moment, Gao Dan finally regained his composure and said, "You are right, it is indeed not the time to make up your mind now. I advise you to continue to think about it."
Although he said this, he had no hope in his heart and was just perfunctory.
He knew that everything was hopeless, and now his efforts were no longer to put his benefactor on the throne, but to try his best to give his benefactor as good an opportunity as possible to end his life.
As for himself, he didn't care anymore. When he took all the responsibilities and ordered the opening of fire on the palace, he was mentally prepared to face everything. No matter what the outcome was, it was impossible for him to be shaken or afraid.
Because both of them were already uninterested, the atmosphere that followed became particularly heavy and depressing. Neither of them had the intention to communicate anymore, and they quickly ended the secret conversation.
================================
Unlike the gloomy Palais Royal, the Palace of Fontainebleau at this moment seemed to be full of joy.
After the parliament made the resolution to "launch an investigation into the assassination incident," Aigron was naturally overjoyed when he saw that his carefully planned move had succeeded.
In addition to this incident, other things also made him feel proud - he had conquered Agnes and overcame Theresa's opposition (albeit after some twists and turns), and now he almost had everything he wanted to achieve, as if he wanted to
Having mastered the pivot of fate, he could manipulate it at will - and this feeling made him intoxicated.
He knew that the period of power suspension that troubled almost everyone was coming to an end, and it was time for him to show off his power.
"Agnes!"
After finishing the day's documents, Agron, who was in a good mood, called Agnes' name.
The door opened quickly, and then, with an expression on her face that said, "Although she is reluctant but still faithful to perform her duties," Agnes, wearing a uniform, walked in, and then bowed slightly to him, "
Do you have any orders, Your Majesty?"
Over the past few days, Agnes has become accustomed to this straight, close-fitting uniform, and to her status of being subordinate to His Majesty and protecting his safety.
At first, the slightly strange and scrutinizing looks from the people around her made her feel a little shy and humiliated, but gradually she became immune to this kind of looks. Of course, she also did not let go of the compliments and flattery from others.
In her heart, for her, this is just completing the "homework" that must be done, and there is no glory in it.
However, the more she put on this reluctant cat face, the more Aigron became interested in teasing her.
"Agnes, Prosecutor Villefort has made his report public, and it has also attracted the interest of the Parliament. Now the Parliament has passed a resolution and a committee will be formed to investigate it... Because you signed it, so
If nothing else happens, you will also attend hearings or similar events to testify." Aigron first explained the situation to her.
"Huh?" Agnes was not mentally prepared for this unexpected news.
"Don't be afraid. No matter what happens, it won't be harmful to you. You just need to stand there and answer every question truthfully." Aigron comforted her.
As for Agnes, Agron didn't expect her to help him lie. Fortunately, in the whole incident, she didn't need to cooperate in the acting. She was part of the prop.
"Okay, Your Majesty." Agnes nodded slightly, accepting the reality, "I will testify truthfully."
"Then let's talk about more pleasant topics next -" Agron laughed, "Agnes, your birthday is coming soon, we might as well celebrate it..."