"Whoa!"

A screeching sound came from the vault, and Uliu, who was standing outside the door, looked both sides of the aisle to make sure that there was no one, and then he set his eyes on a painting on the wall opposite the door.

The painting is a typical early Giotto work, the melancholy Madonna holds the newborn Jesus in her arms, her face is not happy but only worried about the future, which makes Ulliu's eyes look at a man standing in the lower right corner of the painting, he knows that the man is the nominal husband of the Virgin, looking at the bitter and hateful look on the man's face, Ulliu guesses the mood he should have, and then a strange smile appears on his shiny and swarthy face, because his lips are open, and a mouthful of white teeth looks very conspicuous.

Uliuu stood outside the door, thinking about what was not there, and even speculated about the purpose of the painter's painting, but the only thing he didn't think about was to go into the room and see what was going on.

It is better to stay away from the Countess at this time, this is the thought of everyone in the castle, even the Grand Steward.

In the vault, Barondi looked at the debris on the ground that she had pushed down and smashed into pieces, and then she sat down with her hands on her head.

Busaco knocked Bologna down, and he actually occupied Bologna!

When she heard the news, she was surprised and even a little unconvinced, and it wasn't until Gompati sent someone to prove that it was true, that Barendi knew what kind of trouble she was facing.

The war with the Holy See was an unexpected result, and it was not Busaco, but the intervention she had ordered in Ferrara.

Barendi is a very calm person, she will not blindly put the blame on others because of anger, so although Busako's actions directly led to the unexpected results that no one has imagined, she will not throw all her anger on Busako's head because of this.

And, according to Gompati's report, Barendi immediately realized that if Busaco hadn't captured Bologna, maybe things would have been just as bad.

Montina's army could not openly attack Ferrara occupied by the Papal army, and if that would end up in the same way as Busaco's capture of Bologna, Barentia knew very well that she would not tolerate Ferrara being possessed by Caesar, so if that was the case, the dilemma would be very unfavorable to Montina.

And now Busaco's actions were reckless, but Barondi, after the initial anger calmed down, felt that she was somewhat relieved, at least in this small but extremely important battle in Romagna, Montina has not suffered a big loss now.

It's just the next trouble that annoys Barendi.

It's easy to occupy, but what to do after that?

Let Busaco withdraw from Bologna? The thought was only a blink of a moment before Barondy tossed aside.

No, you can't evacuate Bologna easily, at least not at this time.

Or make a deal with Bologna to force Caesar to give up Ferrara?

Barondi lifted her hand from her forehead and began to wonder if this might not happen.

But before Barendi could sort things out, two visitors who had made her unhappy suddenly arrived at Montina.

The two visits to Montina at such short intervals had made Constantine feel that he was about to become an envoy between the family and Barentia, but for Bishop Tony de la Rovere, returning to Montina had a different mood.

It is a bit of a shame that the bishop was driven out by his cousin and niece, so the bishop preferred to call his departure a routine debriefing to the Vatican, but he could not have imagined that he would return to Montina with such an important task not long after he left.

Bishop Tony knew enough about his niece, but it wasn't until he was ordered to be expelled from the diocese that Bishop realized that he had been too self-righteous.

Barendi undoubtedly inherited her father's cold and ruthless character, and when she felt that someone was not good for her, even if it was her cousin, she would ruthlessly expel him.

So the bishop was not optimistic about the visit, and he had a strong premonition that his cousin and niece might do something that would not be fulfilled by everyone.

The Bishop's guess was accurate, and when they heard that Barendi insisted on receiving them in the main court of the castle, which was still under construction, the Bishop realized that things might really be going bad.

Traditionally, visitors to Château de Montina Neuve have been invited to the vault unless it is very formal.

This is done because it shows the host's kindness to the guests, and because the relatively private room allows the two parties to negotiate topics that are not convenient for public discussion.

But the main court is different, it will appear more formal here, but it is by no means a good place for negotiations, and there is no doubt that there is a certain distancing and indifference to meeting in the main court compared to the vault where the Comte de Montina used to live in the daily life.

However, Konstantin didn't care about this, he originally followed his father's order to convey his opinion on the matter of old Rovere on Montina's dispatch to Ferrara, but the news about Bologna that he heard on the way really frightened him, and after discussing with his uncle, the two envoys could only send people back to the Vatican as soon as possible to report the terrible news to old Rovere, while continuing their trip to Montina, but their purpose has changed, and Ferrara is no longer important, The only thing to do now is to dissuade Barendi to be calm and never do anything that can scare people to death.

Of course, Barendi could think of the origins of her brother and cousin, and even by time she could guess that the two had no idea what had happened in Bologna when they set out from the Vatican.

So when she saw the two guests who had been waiting for a while in the main court, Barendi just looked at the two people in front of her silently after saying hello.

She was wondering what they would say to her.

"Barondi, do you already know about Bologna?" Konstantin broke the silence, he frowned and walked over and said in a reprimanding tone, "You should order the punishment of that officer immediately, I remember his name was Busak, right, it seems that he used to be Alexander's squire, but it doesn't matter, you have to punish him, maybe he himself doesn't know how serious this matter is." ”

Barentine looked at Konstantin silently, she knew that Konstantin was actually bluffing, so she turned her eyes to Bishop Tony on the side.

"It's been a long time since I saw my uncle." Barendi told the Bishop that her expression was cold and looked the same as when she had been at the Rovere House, but Bishop Tony was keenly aware of the slight difference.

It was something different from the previous estrangement of just wanting to distance oneself from others, and perhaps it would be more appropriate to say that it was hostile.

"My dear Barondi, it is true that it is as your brother said, that your people are in great trouble this time," Bishop Tony shook his head, then sat down and smiled and said, "But we are not here for Bologna," seeing Constantine give him a surprised look, the Bishop waved his hand indifferently, "Your father did not tell us to settle this matter when we came, and my nephew, do you think we can solve it?" ”

Hearing his uncle's words, Konstantin sat down helplessly, his previous words were indeed just a bluff, and now he was directly broken by his uncle, and he could only sit aside awkwardly.

"But we did send your father to convey his orders to you," Bishop Tony looked serious, "because the Pope has promised to recall Caesar from Ferrara as well, so your father wants you to leave and withdraw the troops sent to Ferrara." ”

Speaking of this, Bishop Tony took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his bare forehead: "But we all know that it's not Ferrara's business anymore, so I think you should think about what you should do next, kid, your brother is right, you still don't know how serious this matter is." ”

Barondi looked at the two people in front of her silently.

These two men, one her brother and the other her cousin, had once been desperate for the good of the Rovie family with them, but now she had to face intimidation and threats from these two men.

Barondi felt a little tired, something she had never felt before, she leaned back slightly, leaned back slightly, stroked the chair's carved armrests, and her eyes inadvertently swept over the faces of the two opposites.

"Do you think I should give up Ferrara?"

Barendi's words made the two of them stunned, they had thought of various possibilities before they came, although they also hoped that Barendi could take the initiative to give up Ferrara, but they couldn't help but admit that with their own understanding of her, this matter was not so easy to do.

But now that Barendi seems to be compromised, perhaps the events in Bologna really scared her, and at this time she hopes to get out of the bad situation in front of her as soon as possible.

"Of course you should give up," Konstantin was a little excited, he was even a little grateful to the Montina officer who had caused a lot of trouble, it was obvious that what that man did really scared Barente "Everything has been negotiated, Ferrara will become a direct domain of the Pope, but Alexander VI has promised not to hand Ferrara over to Caesar, that's enough, isn't it, as for Bologna......"

"We have sent someone to send the news of Bologna back to the Vatican, I hope your father can help in this matter," Bishop Tony interrupted Constantine, he shook his head with a slightly regretful expression, "This is no way, this time the trouble is too big, I don't know what conditions the Pope will take the opportunity to put forward, but I believe that your father will do his best, so we will stay in Montina during this time, you must know that at this time you can only trust us." ”

Konstantin immediately nodded, he walked over and bent down to wrap his arms around Barondi's shoulder, kissed her forehead, and said to her in a low voice: "Don't worry, we will be by your side, and we will definitely help you through this difficult time at this time." ”

Barondi remained silent, her slightly cold, iron-gray eyes staring at the door opposite, almost motionless, and even the kiss that Konstantin gave her forehead did not change her face in the slightest.

"Uncle, do you think Barendi will accept our suggestion?"

As soon as the servant who cleaned up the room left, Constantine immediately couldn't wait to ask Bishop Tony, he was indeed a little anxious, before the old Rovere sent him in the name of assisting Montina against Caesar, but waiting for him was Barente unceremoniously drove him out of this land, and now although Barentine has shown wavering, Constantine has always felt bottomless.

"Your sister is a very smart person," Bishop Tony smiled at his nephew, and he was tempted to say, 'If you were half as smart as her, you wouldn't let your father worry so much about you,' but then he simply said, "For her, it's in her interest that matters, so if she can find a solution to the crisis at hand, of course she won't listen to us, but now she doesn't have any leverage to get her hands on." ”

"And what will my father do?" Konstantin asked anxiously.

"If I were your father, this would actually be a good opportunity," the bishop walked over and grabbed Constantine's shoulder and shook it, "You know, if it were me, I would negotiate with the Pope, exchange Ferrara for Bologna, and then ask the Pope to compromise and recognize you as the Duke of Ferrara." ”

"Me?!" Konstantin looked at his uncle in a daze, he had never thought of this possibility before, but now Bishop Tony's words made his heart suddenly move.

"Yes, you." Tony was also excited, "I believe that the Pope also does not want to go to war with Montina, then the Montina people take the initiative to withdraw from Bologna is the only way, and the previous agreement between your father and the Pope is about to be nullified, because now he must pay the price if he wants to take back Bologna, it can be said that your sister has helped us a lot." ”

Listening to the bishop's words, Konstantin nodded excitedly, and then he seemed to suddenly remember something and asked with some doubts: "But what about Barondi?" ”

"You don't think she's going to say yes, do you?" Seeing his nephew nodding hesitantly, the corners of the bishop's mouth twitched, "Does she still have a choice now, although maybe Montina's army can indeed easily defeat the Holy See army, but do you think she may choose to officially start a war with the Vatican?" If not, her only option is to accept your father's terms and hand over Bologna. ”

"It would be great if that were the case," said Konstantin, walking around excitedly and then a little impatiently, "I must send someone to tell my father about this idea at once, yes, send someone to deliver him a letter now." ”

Bishop Tony looked at his nephew's hurried appearance, and he smiled and reached out to hold Konstantin, who was about to walk out the door.

"My dear nephew, do you think I've come up with these things now, knowing that I have thought of this since we heard about Bologna on the way," the bishop cocked his finger to stop Constantine, who seemed to be about to ask, "so I have asked the man who sent the letter to your father to bring me these ideas, so by this time your father is probably already busy with you how to become the Duke of Ferrara." ”

Konstantin was a little speechless at first because of his joy, and then he excitedly took Bishop Tony's hand and kissed it: "Dear uncle, thank you for all this you have done for me, I swear that if I can become the Duke of Ferrara, I will repay you, I will propose to my father that you become an archbishop, and if possible, recommend you to become a cardinal." ”

Tony de la Rovere had a satisfied smile on his face, knowing that he would be grateful to Konstantin for doing so, and then reused by his cousin.

After all, his performance in Montina had been terrible before.

This time, though, he saw hope.

"But," Konstantin paused suddenly, and said with a little hesitation, "what will happen to Barondi, she will not agree." ”

"Konstantin, haven't you noticed that your sister is now not at all like a member of the Rovere family, who do you think your father will ultimately support in this matter, you or her?"

Konstantin was silent for a moment, then nodded vigorously.

Barendi sat alone in a large chair in the vault, which was Alexander's favorite.

Alexander often sat here looking out the window at the mountains in the distance, and often sat and suddenly gave an unexpected order.

Barendi felt that if she sat in this chair, she might be able to come up with a solution to the problem at hand.

"If it were Alexander, what would he do?"

Barendi asked herself this more than once in her heart.

The arrival of Konstantin and Uncle Tony completely shattered Barondi's last illusion about the Rovere family.

Obviously, her father was only thinking about his own interests at this time, which was not surprising, she had known a long time ago that her father was a very cold person, but when this ruthlessness befell her, Barendi was still a little sad.

Then she put that sadness aside and pondered how to get out of the predicament in front of her.

Busaco's recklessness clearly put Montina in a great predicament, but after the initial anger, Barenti could not help but admit that in Busaco's position at the time, even others might not be able to resist the temptation to conquer a city.

It's just that this temptation has now turned into a huge trouble and baggage, and if it is not solved as soon as possible, then it will bring unimaginable consequences for Montina.

What would Alexander do if it were?

Barondi forced herself to calm down, and at the same time forced herself to consider how to deal with the troubles in front of her, not as a member of the Rovie family, but purely as Alexander's wife.

Then her fingers followed Alexander and he tapped quickly on the large armrest of the chair, first a few quick times, and then gradually slowed down.

She first took out a few pieces of letter paper from the small bookcase on the table and wrote a few letters, and after sealing them with wax marks and carefully examining them, Barendi picked up the copper bell on the table and shook it.

As soon as the bell rang, Uliu opened the door and walked in.

"Madame, what do you command?" The Moore said with a low brow.

"I have two letters here," said Barentia, handing them to Ulliu, "one to Metropolitan Mahimo in Rome, and the other to Lucrezia of Pisa. ”

Hearing Barondi's words, Uliu secretly licked his tongue.

"I want you to deliver these two letters to the recipient by your own hand," said Barentia, pausing slightly, and then said slowly in a tone that surprised Ulliu, "you tell Lucrezia that I am not asking Alexander as his wife, but as a woman who loves that man as much as she does, and that Montina needs her help." ”