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28. Take the initiative

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    Before the sudden change, Charles, who had always been calm, could no longer maintain his composure. He stared at the girl in front of him in stunned silence, unable to accept the reality before him.  ¡°Her Royal Highness the Princess of the Empire, the most beloved daughter of His Majesty the Emperor, who lives in a secluded palace, actually ran into the birthday party of a banker¡¯s daughter without making a sound. This is all unbelievable.  But no matter what, this is reality and we must accept reality.  After a moment of uneasiness, Charles finally regained his composure. He looked at Matilda next to him, and then smiled bitterly.  "Did you bring her here?" In order not to disturb other people, his voice was very low so that only Matilda could hear it.  "Yes, I brought Her Royal Highness here." Matilda's face was still a little red, and her eyes shifted to the side because of embarrassment.  "I told Her Royal Highness the Princess about Miss Tanglar, and she was very interested and asked me to take her to see it together. The result" Charles understood immediately.  Like Fran, Matilda also admires Miss Eug¨¦nie de Danglars' talent and feels unfair that she is excluded by her classmates, so she also wants to build momentum for her.  The difference is that Fran praised Miss Danglars in front of her brother, while Matilda found Her Royal Highness the Princess.  Charles had no way of telling whether Matilda had lured Her Royal Highness here intentionally, or whether Her Royal Highness had done it on her own initiative, but it was obvious from what Her Royal Highness had just said that she indeed admired Miss Tanglar's singing voice.  "You are really brave." He smiled and looked at Matilda with a little teasing.  "Of course we won't come here alone!" Matilda replied awkwardly, "There are some guards among the guests." "Ah" Charles nodded clearly.  That¡¯s right, no matter how bold Matilda is, she won¡¯t bring Her Royal Highness here alone. If something really happens, it¡¯s no joke.  Charles¡¯ eyes couldn¡¯t help but glance at the young people sitting everywhere in the garden, but on the surface there was nothing unusual. Everyone was chatting happily, and no one seemed to be paying attention.  But it is conceivable that if someone wants to do something rude to Her Highness the Princess here, they might be beaten into a sieve in an instant When he thought of this, Ciel couldn't help but shrink his neck.  "Matilda!" At this time, she seemed a little impatient, and Her Royal Highness the Princess called to Matilda in a low voice.  Matilda looked at Charles apologetically.  "I'm sorry, Charles, let's talk about it later when we have time." "Well, it's okay, no need to apologize, it's me who disturbed you." Charles smiled and shook his head, indicating to Matilda not to mind, "Then you are happy  Let's play." Charles kept smiling as he watched Matilda turn around and leave, walking back to Her Royal Highness the Princess.  And an inexplicable cold air also passed from the girl next to Matilda.  This girl, who is twelve or thirteen years old, is not tall and is dressed in casual clothes. She deliberately covered her forehead with her bangs so that others could not recognize her, so she did not look very conspicuous.  However, the indifference and arrogance in her brown-gray eyes were revealed in front of Ciel without any concealment.  This cold look in his eyes made Charles feel a little on pins and needles.  Her Royal Highness Princess Nunnally is His Majesty's only daughter, so she has been deeply loved by His Majesty the Emperor since she was a child. It is of course normal to develop a proud personality, but the situation encountered by Charles is somewhat different - although Her Royal Highness the Princess has an arrogant personality,  But usually he just keeps his eyes high and doesn't like to talk to others, but every time he meets him, he often becomes as cold and indifferent as he did today, and seems to be full of hostility towards him.  As a person who has been cautious since he was a child and has never made enemies in the palace, Charles has no idea when he offended Her Royal Highness the Princess. This is not something he would do at all!  " If it offends ordinary people, it is a trivial matter, but Her Royal Highness, the princess of a country, is deeply loved by His Majesty the Emperor, so she is not someone who can afford to offend.  Facing Her Royal Highness the Princess who looked at him indifferently, Charles forced a smile, but he was very nervous in his heart.  Her Highness the Princess's eyes did not stay on Ciel for long, and immediately looked away, as if she didn't even bother to respond to Ciel's flattering smile.  Ciel was greatly embarrassed and left angrily.  "Your Highness, why do you want toWhy is he so strict?  "After seeing Charles leave, Matilda looked at the princess nervously. Her Royal Highness the Princess did not answer. Matilda has always been a little confused as to why Her Royal Highness the Princess has such a bad attitude towards Charles. All along, although Her Royal Highness the Princess  She has an arrogant and indifferent personality, but her attitude towards other people is okay, but she is as cold as ice to Charles. From her point of view, this is almost incredible, because in the past few years of contact with Charles in the palace, she has already developed some feelings for him.  Understood, she knew that this young man had a personality similar to her own. He was a very cautious person, and it was almost impossible to offend a princess. So Matilda guessed that someone was secretly slandering the princess about Xia.  Because of her bad words about you, Her Royal Highness had such a bad impression of Charles. Out of her cherished talent, Matilda couldn't bear to see such an outstanding talent having his future affected in vain because of a few slanderous words, so she couldn't bear it.  She couldn't help but take risks to speak good words for Charles. Matilda became more and more nervous, and she boldly approached Her Royal Highness. "Charle is actually a very good young man, among the younger generation.  He is a rare leader, and what is rare is that he has a very humble character. He has never been complacent because of this. He is always learning, so he will definitely become a pillar of the empire in the future If someone tells him secretly  If you say bad things, please Please don't listen to the slander, so as not to waste a precious talent" However, she gradually couldn't speak anymore, because she found that Her Royal Highness the Princess was staring at her at this time.  The coldness made her shudder. "Your Highness" "Matilda, you have a good heart and are a very lovely person, so I like you, and so does dad, and so do everyone else.  After a while, Her Royal Highness the Princess spoke, "Why does everyone like you?"  Not only because you are cute, but also because you know how to measure yourself.  It is precisely because you know how to be measured and don't get involved in other kinds of things that people find it so pleasant to get along with you - so you should understand that forming cliques will not make your position more stable, it will only make you appear to be incompetent.  No longer so cute, lost the favor of dad and grandma.  " Her Royal Highness the Princess said to Matilda in a rare scolding tone with a face that was still childish, "You should still remember, you took me out to play today. This is your sense of propriety, don't say more.  There are other things, which will only make everyone more unhappy.  " "Okay, I understand, Your Highness.  "Matilda didn't dare to say any more and quickly interrupted the topic. Although she did have a good impression of Charles, she was not willing to risk her future for him. "By the way, it seems like a lot.  Tian didn't see him in the palace, what was he doing?  "Her Royal Highness the Princess's face softened a little, and then she asked casually. "I'm not too clear about the specific things.  Matilda smiled bitterly, "I heard that he went to make friends with a wealthy foreigner who just came to Paris."  " "Foreign tycoon?  Who?  Do you have such a big face?  "Her Royal Highness the Princess asked curiously. "I don't know who that person is, but he is quite famous recently. I heard he is richer than the richest banker.  Matilda answered truthfully what she knew about the situation, "His name is Count of Monte Cristo. I don't know if it is a real title or a pseudonym."  " "The Count of Monte Cristo?  "Her Royal Highness the Princess repeated it softly, and then pondered slightly. The two people continued to chat, and this time the topic shifted to Miss Tanglar's singing voice. At this time, applause resounded in the garden again, and it was already  After taking a good rest, Miss Danglars had now changed her clothes, and with a mixture of excitement and excitement, she walked back to the center of the garden under the admiration of everyone, and sang happily again.   The clear spring-like singing not only swept through every corner of the garden, but also rode the breeze up the roof beams and came to the mansion next to the garden. At this time, in Baron Tanglar's luxuriously furnished study,  There were two people sitting quietly on their seats, admiring the beautiful scenery in the garden and the singing voice of Miss Danglars. The one sitting on the left was the owner of the mansion, the great banker Baron Danglars.  He shrunk his thin shoulders, then turned to the side and forced out a wizened smile, "How's it going?"  Your Highness, is my daughter okay?  "Although he doesn't have any artistic talent, he can still hear that his only daughter's songs are very good, so he is not without pride at the moment. "You?My daughter is indeed talented.  "The guest sitting next to him replied very politely. "She is more like an artist than the daughter of a big banker.  "This guest is tall and handsome. Although he is nearly forty years old, he still looks energetic and has bright eyes, which makes people feel the infinite ambition contained in his body. Although he is very polite on the surface, he is not that kind of person.  The arrogant and arrogant person naturally exudes from him, which makes people feel more stressed. He is the member of the royal family who has just returned to France from abroad and is about to be reused by His Majesty the Emperor. He is today.  He was specially brought here by Baron Danglars. In addition to establishing a friendship between the two people, the baron naturally had another plan - through the instigation of His Royal Highness the Prince's uncle and the Baron's old friend, His Highness Prince J¨¦r?me.  , this big banker had already burned with ambition and wanted to marry His Royal Highness, and he was quite confident in his daughter and believed that her daughter had enough qualifications and capital to become a prince's wife, and  He invited His Highness the Prince here today just to let him "inspect the goods." No matter what, judging from His Highness the Prince's performance now, he seems to be very satisfied with Miss Tangela's performance, and this makes Tangela.  Baron Er's heart is a little more hopeful. "There are always people who think that those of us who have suddenly become rich are uneducated and will only accumulate and squander money in a crude manner, and are not as good as those who have fallen into decline but still retain their titles.  With a strange sense of pride, the Baron smiled slightly, "But I have to say, these people are wrong."  Although I may not be very literate personally, people like us have never been stingy in investing in raising our children.  My daughter has had the best vocal music teachers and painting teachers to cultivate her talents since she was a child. She will definitely not be any worse than those women from famous families.  I am already old, and money can no longer transform me. I cannot enter the sacred palace of art, but I can use my money to buy tickets and let my daughter enter.  Yes, she is still very young, and she still has a lot of time to make herself a lady that everyone in the upper class envies, and I am willing to give everything I have for this.  " "No matter in any era or in any class, the love of parents for their children is always so touching.  "Of course Louis Bonaparte could hear the hints in the baron's words, but he still avoided it very smoothly without making any expression, "I believe you have achieved your goal - your daughter has not lost anything.  There is no doubt that he will shine in the social world in the future.  "Such a polite but meaningless answer made Baron Tanglar frown slightly. Dealing with His Highness the Prince is indeed a bit too troublesome. As a father, it is difficult for him to challenge the opponent directly face to face.  Ming asked, "Are you willing to marry my daughter?"  ¡± This is not only a matter of face, but also a matter of trading principles - if one party appears to be too eager and too attentive during the transaction, then it is tantamount to losing all bargaining space and initiative, and can only be passively involved.  "You and your father have been living in Italy for these years, and Her Majesty the Queen Mother has prohibited any domestic funding for your family. To be honest, you and your father have been living in Italy."  I think it's a bit excessive.  "In desperation, Baron Danglars had to change the subject slightly, "It is really against the noble status of the royal family to let your family live such a difficult life. Fortunately, your Majesty has finally shown mercy and you have returned to France.  , there is no longer any prohibition that can prevent you from living a life consistent with royal status. I am also very willing to donate some insignificant assets to this end and make due contributions to your family" "Pffthahahaha  " Louis Bonaparte laughed. "Your Highness?  "Baron Danglars was a little puzzled, and looked at His Royal Highness the Prince who suddenly laughed in amazement. "I think our empire has not been so old that people have forgotten where the Bonaparte family came from, right?  "After laughing for a while, His Royal Highness the Prince calmed down again, and then looked at Baron Tanglar, "Yes, everyone knows that our family was just a small island in the Mediterranean in the not-too-distant past.  They are just insignificant landowners, not even a particularly wealthy family on this small island.  What is so noble about such a family?  My grandparents farmed, even my father and his brothers farmed. Didn't they suffer?  No, they almost starved to death, and finally had no choice but to escape from the island in despair!  Our family does not have any noble blood, only noble ambitions. From this point of view, our family's life in Italy is already very good. At least it allows me to experience Napoleon.In some situations, difficulties did not hinder me or destroy me, but made me stronger.  "Good guy! Baron Danglars was secretly awestruck. To be honest, Louis Bonaparte's words were quite to his liking. In the eyes of this big banker, there is nothing sacred about the Bonaparte family.  They just took advantage of the situation and picked up the crown that the Bourbon family had dropped. The so-called noble blood is nothing more than a lie for the self-deification of imperial power. However, not many people in France dare to say this publicly, especially as a person.  It is indeed commendable that the royal family can admit that their grandfather farmed the land. But on the other hand, it is not quite right - His Highness the Prince has always compared himself to his uncle, Emperor Napoleon, but he is not directly related to the royal family.  Judging from the situation of the heir, this kind of ambition is too fierce. "Our family has no noble blood, only noble ambition." It seems that this sentence is really not empty talk.  Even if the emperor helped them to the throne, they were never satisfied. They only thought about their own interests and often caused trouble for the emperor himself. Now it seems that this kind of ambition has become more and more popular in the new generation of the family.  It has not disappeared and has been dominating the members of this family. Perhaps it is this stubborn ambition for power that is why this family has been able to create terrible achievements in just two generations and become the most powerful in Europe.  One of the countries? He could not continue this dangerous topic, but he liked this kind of ambition. Louis Bonaparte was indeed a man who was very suitable for his son-in-law - the ambition of a banker and the ambition of a politician.  Ambition together. "Yes, I appreciate noble ambition. People are not noble because of their blood, but because of their never-ending fighting and unquenchable ambition. Because of this, I rose from a lowly position.  The little man has reached where he is now.  Baron Danglars smiled again, but this time there was no flattery, but a business-like smile. "With such ambition in mind, could it be that you are an enterprising person?"  Your Highness, the Prince, really doesn¡¯t need help from a banker?  With my greatest enthusiasm, I implore you to carefully consider how much help a banker who is dedicated to your service can bring to your career?  Noble ambition cannot refuse noble assistance, can it, Your Highness?  "The smile on Louis Bonaparte's face disappeared. The air was suddenly filled with the smell of tension, and he could no longer hear the beautiful singing. "Need, undoubtedly I need help.  "After a moment, he nodded slightly. "There is no doubt that today is the era of bankers. If Napoleon could not borrow money from the Netherlands in 1800, I would not be qualified to sit in front of you today, and the empire would not be able to borrow money from the Netherlands.  It has long ceased to exist, or should have never existed.  In the past, a monarch needed hundreds of knights to maintain his kingdom, but today's emperor had to need two hundred bankers to maintain his empire.  " "A very wise judgment, I deeply admire your foresight.  Baron Danglars smiled more calmly, "But please allow me to point out a small mistake - if the emperor today wants to maintain the empire, he does not need two hundred bankers, only one is enough, as long as this banker  Equally visionary, determined and ruthless, and also happens to be his father-in-law.  " By discussing his ambitions, Baron Danglars finally took the opportunity to clarify his marriage plan. He turned his attention to the window, waiting for a response from His Royal Highness. He believed that after clarifying the matter to this point, Louis  -His Royal Highness Prince Bonaparte should be able to make a wise decision. However, what he waited for was not what he wanted. His Royal Highness Prince's face showed an arrogant and arrogant smile again.  He smiled very uncomfortablely. "I'm afraid you are used to others taking orders from you, Mr. Danglars.  "Under the gaze, Louis Bonaparte stood up, then walked to the window and looked at Miss Danglars singing loudly downstairs. "But the situation is slightly different now.  " "What's the difference?  "Baron Tanglar asked puzzledly. "Do you know?  Even Emperor Napoleon will grow old. A year before his death, he was already an old guy immersed in his own memories and just wanted to keep everything he had.  But even at that time, his brain was still very useful. At that time, we were still very young. Like everyone who felt that their time was running out, he often told us about his life experiences.  "His Royal Highness the Prince turnedHe turned around and looked at Baron Tanglar again, "Once, I remember clearly, he told me that politics is a very complicated machine, but it is also quite simple. In the final analysis, it can be said in one sentence - Who do you listen to?  There is not always one answer to this question. Whoever is more powerful is the answer. "Baron Tanglar still couldn't understand what His Highness meant. He looked at His Highness blankly, as if he was a schoolchild listening to a teacher's speech.  .  "Yes, I don't mind cooperating with you, I don't mind accepting a gift from a banker, just like my uncle. I need this help. But all this must depend on me, deciding the rhythm and decision based on my needs.  As a result, because I am the one who can decide everything." Louis Bonaparte looked at the banker with a cold look, "If what I said is too complicated and makes it difficult for you to understand, then I will change it to this.  Just a simple word - sir, listen to me! " "What do you mean?" Baron Danglars was a little confused.  "At this time, everyone should stop guessing each other, right?" His Royal Highness sighed softly, and then sat down.  "Mr. Danglars, I admit that you are one of the best and most powerful bankers in our country. No one can doubt your ability, but in the final analysis, you are my uncle's money bag. Without my uncle's constant help and  "With support, you will not be able to reach your current position." "II think" Baron Danglars wanted to explain, but was stopped by Louis Bonaparte's eyes.  "No matter how you hide it, in the final analysis, you see that my uncle's status is unstable and about to be precarious, so you want to find another supporter for yourself - right?" His Highness the Prince's ruthless oppression,  The banker began to sit on pins and needles, "But at the same time, you still can't come to a conclusion about the current situation, so you want to strike a balance first and maintain the relationship with my uncle. Therefore, from your perspective, obey my uncle's  I suggest that marrying your daughter to me is the best way to deal with it. If you are lucky enough and my uncle does not fall, then you will have two princes as your backers. If your luck is not so good, then at least you will be able to survive.  I am worthy of your trust - a very classic banker's technique. But what should I do? " "Actually, I don't" Baron Danglars still wanted to explain, but the prince didn't give him any space.  "Your plan is perfect, but you forgot one thing - I am the one who has the initiative! Yes, you are the one asking for help, so don't try to trap me with your plan, because I myself  I have a plan. The pace of my plan is more important, so even if your daughter is indeed beautiful, talented, and has your huge dowry, I will have to wait until I have made my own decision before making a decision.  An extremely unhappy attitude summed up his attitude.  "Please remember, Napoleon needs bankers, but bankers also need him more." "I think I think you may have some misunderstandings about my proposal." The banker's withered face still had a smile on his face.  A little dry smile, but this smile was half-baked, making him look even more ugly.  "I'm not urging you to make a decision, Your Highness." "Really? That's best. Then I can tell you that I am happy to make friends with you and accept your sponsorship, sir." His Royal Highness smiled again.  stand up.  "I hope our future cooperation will be very pleasant." "Yes, it will definitely be very pleasant, sir." His Royal Highness the Prince extended his hand to the Baron.  The baron hesitated for a moment, then stretched out his hand and shook it.  "Please forgive me for not having lunch here. I have another appointment. I'm sorry, sir." Louis Bonaparte let go of his hand, then stood up again and strode out of the study.  It wasn¡¯t until the prince left that the smile he could barely maintain on his face finally disappeared.  "This bastard!" He cursed bitterly.
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