The conspiracy between Charles and Du Taai went on for a long time, and it was not until near night that he returned to his home.

Luckily, though, he made it to dinner. And his grandfather, the Marquis of Treville, was much more comfortable today, so he sat on the throne and began the family dinner tonight.

However, unlike the usual Treville family, there was an extra person at the table.

His sister was sitting on one side of the table with her female companion, Mademoiselle de Marquis de léoland, also eating quietly.

After Charles nodded in agreement, Fran also used the reason of "worrying about the safety of her friend" to move her grandfather to agree to the proposal.

Fortunately, the Marquis of Treville's mansion was not luxurious, but it was not bad for one or two rooms, and it was not long before Mary moved out of her small apartment with a lot of salutes and moved into a room next to Fran's bedroom, and the two friends stayed together.

Maybe it's because of the relationship of one more person, although during the meal, the Marquis of Treville occasionally says a few words to liven up the atmosphere, but Charles always feels different from usual, even the old Marquis is much more serious when he jokes.

However, of course, Miss Marquis was also keenly aware of this incongruity in the atmosphere, so she had been chatting with the old Marquis without a trace. Slowly, thanks to her efforts, the atmosphere of the restaurant became more relaxed and casual again.

"Miss, you children who grew up in greenhouses can't imagine tens of thousands of people fighting each other on the battlefield, shells and bullets scurrying around, and cavalry charging forward. What a sight that is! At the request of Mademoiselle Marquis, the Marquis of Treville recounted his past experiences in the war, and of the battles in which he had participated.

These things. Charles and Fran had listened to it countless times as children, so they didn't feel anything and continued to eat calmly. Only Mademoiselle Marquis listened with great interest, and from time to time inserted a few questions, which aroused the old man's greater interest.

And the marquis, who finally caught a new audience, was much more energetic than in the past, and the initial decline was also swept away.

"When we retreated from Russia. At that time, I really suffered a lot! As he spoke, he couldn't help but sigh again, and his tone couldn't help but be a little sour. Hey, you all know the river in Ludao, right? That river! We were exhausted to death when we retreated there, and as a result, the Cossacks chased after us from all sides, and many of us died there...... Do you know the truth? At that time, I had to eat horse meat all the way to survive. I killed my mount with my own hands. The horse that has followed me for thousands of miles in the north and south! God knows how much pain I was ......"

["The river" refers to the Berezina River. In the winter of 1812, Napoleon's army, which had invaded Russia, retreated from Moscow, but fell into an extremely disadvantageous situation due to the severe cold and the relationship between the pursuing troops.

When they retreated to the Berezina River, they were constantly harassed by the pursuing troops during the river crossing, and tens of thousands of people died of hunger and cold, or drowned directly in the river, which became a sad place for the French.

About the tragic situation of Napoleon's army at that time. The soldiers who survived and returned home often passed it on by word of mouth, and later works of art such as paintings, plays, and literature were often mentioned. Even historians such as Thiers have spoken about it. As a result, the river became so famous in the eyes of the French that it became almost synonymous with the fall of the empire, and even the noble ladies knew it very well. Balzac also wrote a short essay "Farewell" for this war, the plot is very thrilling and very touching, interested students can take a look at it......]

After hearing this from him, Charles was fine, but Fran and Mademoiselle Marquise both looked so strange that they didn't even seem to be in the mood to eat, and it was clear that the above words were a little too shocking for these girls.

"Grandpa, you're really, you've said the same thing many times, I'm tired of hearing it!" Fortunately, Fran finally had some resistance to her grandfather's words over the years, and whispered a protest in dissatisfaction, "Do you still talk about this kind of thing at the dinner table, without taking our feelings into account at all?" ”

"It's okay, but I think it's quite interesting!" Mary hurriedly smiled reluctantly, saying that she was okay, and then she looked at the old marquis with admiration, "It is really impressive to hear an old man like you who has experienced that era talk about that era, so spectacular, so many heroic deeds!" It's a pity...... His Majesty the Emperor has gone with that era......"

Hearing this, Charles couldn't help but smile, and then nodded at Mademoiselle Marquis in gratitude.

As a descendant of the old nobles, she must have spoken like this because she knew the political tendencies of the Marquis of Treville's family, so she secretly deliberately catered to the nostalgic thoughts of the old marquis.

In any case, even if it is a deliberate greeting, it is worth thanking for this politeness.

"Good boy,!" After listening to her compliment, the old marquis also reciprocated and praised the marquis. Then he waved his hand slightly, "However, you are wrong about one thing, although His Majesty the Emperor has passed away, that era will not be gone forever, because we are still alive, and we can rebuild this country - although it has been a long time." ”

"And, not just us, the Emperor's old ministry, we have our own successors, even better than us, who will take over our unfulfilled vows......" He then raised his hand slightly, gesturing at the Charles. We, one day we will get France back on its feet, so that those Russians, those who were our enemies, look good one by one! ”

Mary's eyes widened slightly, and then she suddenly saw Charles, and she seemed to be genuinely surprised.

She really didn't expect that the Marquis of Treville's family would talk so openly and honestly about their political leanings and political ambitions in front of her.

Moreover, it will be so fast.

Obviously, although the marquis is still smiling very kindly, if he answers carelessly and shows his disgust for his political position, the other party will definitely turn his face immediately. Then you have to be asked to go out.

After a short period of consideration, Mademoiselle de léoland replied softly.

"If that's the case, shouldn't we all find it funny?"

"Shouldn't we all find it interesting? It was a famous quote from Louis XV. 】

She dodged the question of her difficult position. He also wittily showed his approval of the family's political leanings.

It can also be seen from this how great and tricky the positions of the French aristocracy have been in the past few decades! When they first start to interact with each other, they often identify their respective political affiliations at the first time, and then determine whether they can continue to interact.

"Yes, it's a lot of fun." After hearing this rather playful answer, the old marquis couldn't help but laugh again. "You're really a smart kid. Very smart, I'm glad that Fran has a friend like you, and you can help her more in the future. Give her a good idea......"

"Thank you." After hearing the old marquis's words, Mary finally breathed a sigh of relief in her heart and quickly nodded her head in thanks. "It's an honor to have Fran as my friend."

She knew it in her heart. With their own answers. In silence, I was finally recognized by the head of the family here, and I was regarded as a circle of people, and from today on, I could always sit at this table and eat. The aristocrats have always decided that someone belongs to a circle that does not belong to them, and it has always been between such words.

"Seriously, you're much cuter than you were before, Mademoiselle de l'Éorent, if that's what you are......" Charles said suddenly. I've been underestimating you......"

"Really?" Mary blinked. Then he smiled and glanced back at Charles, "So are you qualified to be your assistant?" ”

"Maybe." Charles replied. "If you can prove that you can help me."

"I will." Mademoiselle Marquis nodded, looking determined.

"I hope you succeed."

…………

"Brother, I want to learn something too!" Suddenly, Fran yelled at Charles.

"What do you want to learn?" Charles immediately asked rhetorically.

"I want to know how to manage household spending......

"Huh?" Charles was a little surprised. "For what?"

"My teacher planned to give me his studio and collection after he passed away. I agreed to his request...... So I want to learn how to maintain and manage his studio first, so as not to live up to the teacher's expectations......" Fran said of his considerations, "Besides, I've grown up, so I should learn how to manage the house, right?" ”

That makes sense...... Just as Charles was about to agree, the old marquis suddenly spoke.

"Want to learn how to run a family? That's a good daring, girls should know this craft, I'm afraid you won't learn it because of the trouble. He looked at his granddaughter lovingly, "Well, in the future, you can ask the housekeeper and your brother more, and they will tell you all the expenditure items and details, you study hard, and maybe you will be in charge of the house in the future......"

Then he laughed and joked again.

"In this case, if you get married in the future, you can also hold your husband in the palm of your hand as soon as possible...... I don't have to worry about my granddaughter suffering in the future......"

The joke seemed to provoke an unexpected reaction.

Fran, who was still smiling, suddenly turned red when she heard the joke, and then she looked at her grandfather in exasperation, and then she put the knife back on the plate, causing a dull crisp sound.

Seeing that his granddaughter was thin-skinned and angry, the old marquis hurriedly smiled and apologized again, and returned to the round.

"Oops, don't be angry, don't be angry, grandpa is just joking......"

Just as everyone else was holding back their laughter, the Marquis's valet suddenly walked over and handed the Marquis a note.

After the marquis took the note, although he still remained calm, the smile on his face completely disappeared.

What's wrong?

Charles looked at him suspiciously.

The Marquis gave him a look back, motioning for him to wait for his room.

Charles nodded in clarity.

What could it be? He was speculating in his heart. (To be continued......)