With the arrival of sumr, the weather in Paris gradually began to change unpredictably. Just an hour ago, it was still sunny, and an hour later, the sky turned overcast and it started to rain.
The patter of the rain drove away the stifling heat that had lingered over Paris for half the day, bringing a refreshing coolness. Under the continuous wash of the rain, the concrete roads of Paris, which had accumulated dust for a long ti, instantly looked renewed.
At this mont, Jero Bonaparte, who was focused on his office work in the study, also heard the ticking sound coming from the window. He put down his pen, raised his head to look at the window, then went straight to it, opened the tightly closed window, and reached out to feel the raindrops outside.
Before long, the rain had wetted Jero Bonaparte’s palm, and a small pool of rainwater had accumulated in his hand.
"The rain’s not bad!" Jero Bonaparte mumbled quietly and then opened his hand, giving a gentle flick, sending the water droplets flying downwards to the ground.
Jero Bonaparte retracted his hand, closed the window tightly, and turned back to his desk to continue working.
A while later, Bashirio appeared in Jero Bonaparte’s study to report the results of the fourth test of the Chasepo Machine Gun.
After glancing at the results of the fourth test, Jero Bonaparte nodded with satisfaction and said to Bashirio, "Not bad! Send soone to the Northern Industrial Group, tell them the machine gun can open a production line for mass production!"
"Yes!" Bashirio responded.
"Oh, and also! In a while, send a carriage to the Rothschild Mansion and invite Alphonse Rothschild over!" Jero Bonaparte continued to instruct Bashirio.
Bashirio also nodded, indicating his understanding.
Subsequently, Bashirio left the study, and Jero Bonaparte continued working within it.
Two more hours passed, and the rain outside gradually began to diminish.
The sky over Paris also started to beco brighter than before.
Noticing the change in light within the room, Jero Bonaparte raised his head again, glanced at the grandfather clock situated in the corner, and saw that it was already five-twenty in the afternoon.
There was still an hour and forty minutes until dinner.
Next, Jero Bonaparte looked at the few remaining docunts on his desk needing review and revision, then put down his pen and stood up saying to himself, "That’s enough for now."
Leaving his chair, Jero Bonaparte opened the door and entered the corridor of the Tuileries Palace.
A servant happened to pass by and, upon seeing Jero Bonaparte, hastily quickened his pace to ask, "Your Majesty, do you have any orders?"
"No orders at the mont!" Jero Bonaparte shook his head, but in the next second, after a sidelong glance around, he instructed the servant, "It’s getting late, light all the candles in the corridors and halls along the way!
There will be an important guest coming later!"
"Yes!" The servant responded to Jero Bonaparte and then turned to carry out his instructions.
As Jero Bonaparte walked alone down the corridor of the Tuileries Palace, he quickly arrived at the room where Friedrich was located.
Upon entering the room, he found Empress Augusta holding Friedrich on the sofa, surrounded by a group of maids in brown-yellow uniforms.
The maids standing by the sofa, waiting for instructions, quickly paid their respects to Jero Bonaparte upon his arrival.
"You may leave now!" Jero Bonaparte waved them away gently.
The maids left the room one by one, and Jero Bonaparte sat down near Empress Augusta, stretching out his hand to gently tease Friedrich Bonaparte.
Friedrich Bonaparte smiled happily, his chubby little hands trying to grab Jero Bonaparte’s hand, his mouth constantly calling, "Papa!"
Seeing Friedrich Bonaparte, Jero Bonaparte’s slightly weary heart was instantly healed.
What was all his hard work for? Wasn’t it to keep the House of Bonaparte on the emperor’s throne, to ensure that Friedrich Bonaparte’s life wouldn’t be as taxing as his own?
Sitting next to Jero Bonaparte, Augusta handed Friedrich Bonaparte directly into Jero Bonaparte’s arms, then inquired why he had finished work so early.
"I’m making more ti to spend with you and Friedrich!" Jero Bonaparte lied without hesitation.
"Oh, stop it!" Empress Augusta gave Jero Bonaparte a knowing look, but her mouth still curved into a sweet smile.
Although Augusta was well aware that Jero Bonaparte had finished work early to et with Alphonse Rothschild, it was enough that he said so!
"Really!" Jero Bonaparte replied with a very convincing expression.
Empress Augusta’s smile grew wider, and then she asked Jero Bonaparte if he needed her to attend the dinner tonight.
"That depends on Alphonse Rothschild! If he brings his wife to the event, then I’m afraid you’ll need to escort his wife to another dining room," Jero Bonaparte responded to Empress Augusta.
"Very well!" Empress Augusta nodded to Jero Bonaparte and then glanced at her attire, asking Jero Bonaparte, "Should I change into a different outfit?"
"Empress, no matter what you wear, you always exude a graceful and noble aura!" Jero Bonaparte lavishly praised Augusta again.
Empress Augusta smiled, "You’re saying that, so I won’t change!"
"Oh, please!" Jero Bonaparte hurriedly replied to Empress Augusta, then he shifted the conversation, saying, "I think if you change into another outfit, it would better highlight your dignified and elegant aura as the Empress of the Empire!"
"Your Majesty, I gladly accept your criticism!" Empress Augusta also responded to Jero Bonaparte in a teasing tone.
Then, Jero Bonaparte handed Friedrich Bonaparte over to the maid in charge of clothing him, preparing to go to another room with Augusta to change attire.
Watching Jero Bonaparte and Augusta gradually walking away, Friedrich Bonaparte couldn’t help but start crying.
"I..." Hearing Friedrich’s crying, Empress Augusta couldn’t help but want to return to the room.
Jero Bonaparte gently held Augusta’s hand, shaking his head to dissuade her.
Augusta had no choice but to harden her heart and leave Friedrich’s room, heading to the room where the gowns were.
Upon entering the dressing room, Jero Bonaparte and Augusta were imdiately surrounded by maids, who inquired about the clothes Jero Bonaparte wished to change into.
"A military uniform will do for ! As for Augusta..." Jero Bonaparte looked at Empress Augusta, indicating that she could make her own choice.
Empress Augusta inford the maids that she required a classic and elegant long gown.
"Your Majesty, Empress, kindly follow us!"
Under the maids’ guidance, Jero Bonaparte and Augusta entered their respective dressing rooms.
After about half an hour of changing and grooming, Jero Bonaparte, wearing a sky-blue buttoned military uniform, stepped out of the dressing room.
Standing by the dressing room door and waiting quietly for a long ti, Empress Augusta, now adorned in a pure white gown, also erged.
"How beautiful!" Jero Bonaparte couldn’t help but complint Empress Augusta.
Empress Augusta smiled slightly and extended her hand.
Jero Bonaparte gently held Augusta’s hand and kissed it lightly at his lips.
The two, hand in hand, reached a parlor on the first floor, where they were to await Alphonse Rothschild’s arrival.
The ti quickly approached 6:40, and Bashirio also brought the latest update on Alphonse Rothschild to Jero Bonaparte.
Alphonse Rothschild and his wife had already boarded the carriage heading to Tuileries Palace. Jero Bonaparte glanced at Empress Augusta, saying, "Empress, it’s ti for you to make your entrance!"
"Rest assured!" Empress Augusta responded to Jero Bonaparte.
At 6:50, Alphonse Rothschild and his wife entered the Tuileries Palace hall hand in hand.
Bashirio, who had been waiting here for a long ti, quickly approached Alphonse Rothschild, saying, "Mr. Alphonse, His Majesty has ordered your wife to dine in another room!"
Alphonse Rothschild released his wife’s hand and followed Bashirio to the dining room where Jero Bonaparte was.
When Alphonse Rothschild entered the dining room, he saw Jero Bonaparte seated at the main position.
"Have a seat! Mr. Alphonse!" Jero Bonaparte gestured for Alphonse Rothschild to sit down.
Alphonse Rothschild bowed to Jero Bonaparte and then took a seat in Jero Bonaparte’s room.
Soon, the attendants serving Jero Bonaparte and Alphonse Rothschild poured wine for the two of them.
Jero Bonaparte raised his glass to Alphonse Rothschild, saying, "This toast is for France!"
Alphonse Rothschild had no choice but to raise his glass and drink it all.
After finishing his drink, Jero Bonaparte began speaking to Alphonse Rothschild, "Mr. Alphonse, you are a wise man!
I won’t beat around the bush; the reason I’ve summoned you is to hope that you can raise the Rothschild banner again at the Bank of France!"
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