The Crown Prince and the Illegitimate Son

Mrs. Walsh left her room number at the Tuileries Palace with the Paris Angel's Store. The clerk immediately and respectfully replied that the goods she had purchased might not be delivered there until the next morning.

Unfortunately, even though she bought 300 Livre of Cosmetics, Fashion Week attracted too many customers, and the store's delivery staff were working overtime for 18 hours a day and still couldn't keep up. This was even with the extra speed for her Gold Card membership.

The Walsh couple then went to Carriage House and ordered a brand-new "Royal-Use Replica" Carriage for 800 Livre —600 for the carriage itself and 200 for shipping to the port in the United Kingdom.

Then they headed towards the Louvre Palace Royal Museum.

Inside the Carriage, Mrs. Walsh gazed at the clean and tidy streets of Paris, squinted, took a deep breath, and couldn't help but exclaim, "It's so much cleaner here London! Even the air smells sweet!"

Mr. Walsh nodded in agreement. "Yes, there isn't a single excrement on the street. Sometimes I have to commend the France for their manners in this regard."

Mrs. Walsh soon spotted a peculiar little square building and pointed it out to the guide.

The latter explained somewhat awkwardly, "Ah, madam, that's a Public Toilet, a place for pedestrians to relieve themselves."

Mrs. Walsh immediately felt ashamed of her lack of worldliness and muttered under her breath, "No wonder the streets are so clean. When will United Kingdom learn from them?"

She secretly vowed to herself that she must learn some French when she got back, otherwise she wouldn't even know where the toilet was.

Mr. Walsh leaned back in his chair and yawned. "Ugh—I don't even want to go back to London. Compared to here, London is like a garbage dump..."

Upon hearing this, the guide's eyes lit up with delight. He immediately and considerately pointed towards the Tuileries Palace Gardens, smiling as he said, "Mr. Walsh, perhaps you could buy a Villa in the ' Royal Garden ' and then you could live in Paris more often. Hmm, especially during London's rainy season, a holiday in Paris would be an excellent choice."

The Tuileries Palace Gardens, though called gardens, are actually just a million-square-meter open space next to the palace, a popular spot for Paris Citizens to stroll after dinner.

Walsh blinked and asked, "You mean that large area of houses under construction east of the Tuileries Palace?"

"That's right, Mr. Walsh. It will be finished in another three or four months." The guide was so eager because he would receive a 500- Livre commission for every Villa sold through his introduction. He also received a 30- Livre commission for the Carriage Walsh had previously purchased.

Walsh was very interested because the Villa was very close to the Tuileries Palace, and one could see the details of the facial features of the sculptures outside the palace just by opening the Window Tax.

He then asked, "Do you know the price of the Villa there?"

"Ah, those right next to the Tuileries Palace would probably cost over 50,000 Livre, which is about 2,000 Pound Sterling. Those next to the Public Carriage tracks would be around 1,900 Pound Sterling. And those further out would be around 1,500 Pound Sterling."

Walsh gasped inwardly. Even with his considerable wealth, he couldn't bear to spend £2,000 on a house in France. Villa of the same quality would cost no more than £1,000 in London.

Noticing his expression, the guide immediately explained, "These Villa are absolutely worth the price, sir. It's not just because they're right next to the Old Royal Palace. You see, over there they're building an elite school, where only children living in the ' Royal Garden ' can attend. It's said that members of the French Academy of Sciences will be teaching there."

"And over there is the largest hospital in Paris..."

That's Mall...

There's also a Croquet Court to the south...

Walsh ultimately didn't go to look at those Villa priced at 50,000 Livre —he was afraid he might actually be tempted to buy one, which would put a strain on his finances.

When he and his wife returned to the Tuileries Palace after touring Paris, the afternoon fashion show had already begun.

However, Mrs. Walsh was the only one who enjoyed the fashion show this time. Her husband went straight to the Arcade Hall after returning home and excitedly played the Slot Machine Machines.

Mrs. Walsh glanced at the empty chair to her left and muttered to herself in surprise, "Why isn't Mr. Alvin here either?"

Her United Kingdom journalist friend was in a theater at that moment, watching with bated breath as Hunter Xiao searched for the "Magic Fire Seed" in the lava on stage.

Yes, he didn't have money to go to the amusement park, let alone go shopping. The Newspaper Office sent him to cover Fashion Week, but they wouldn't give him much funding.

However, he could still afford the theater tickets, so he decided to watch a play to pass the time. Little did he know that once he started watching, he wouldn't be able to stop.

That novel, ""Refining the Firmament"," is absolutely captivating! The plot is full of twists and turns, and it gets your blood pumping.

The theater was having a ten-show run, so he bought a pass and spent the whole day there, forgetting all about the stage costume during the interview.

He only remembered that his work was not yet finished when the actors, who were performing in three shifts, were all exhausted and the theater had to close.

On his way back to the fashion show, he secretly resolved to translate that wonderful Drama into English and bring it to London for performance!

In the Tuileries Palace's Arcade Hall, Mr. Walsh, having lost ten consecutive rounds, rubbed his hands in frustration and was about to insert the next Silver Coin when he heard a wild shout from behind him, "Great! Haha! Did you see that?!"

He frowned and turned to look, only to see a young man with Russia features, wearing an exaggerated red coat, monopolizing four Slot Machine Machines. At that moment, three knight figures appeared on one of the Slot Machine!

Walsh knew that was a jackpot with a 30-fold return!

He was so jealous his heart was pounding.

The Russia in red casually collected the Silver Coin spit out by the Machines and continued to excitedly stuff the money into the coin slots of the four Machines one by one. Then he pulled the handle of the Machines repeatedly, his eyes scanning back and forth on the four rotating rollers.

However, after the roller stopped this time, no one won. Undeterred, the Russia stared with bloodshot eyes and continued inserting coins and pulling the lever.

This time, his luck was off the charts again. Two Machines displayed a triple pattern, and the clattering sound of Silver Coin falling made him even more excited.

Just then, Viscount Flesselles, president of the Fashion Week Committee, approached him with several people and kindly advised, "Count Bobrinsky, you've been playing around for a whole day and night without eating. For your health, I suggest you take a rest..."

"Get out of the way! Get out of the way! Don't block my way!"

As soon as the young man finished speaking, several burly men who looked like bodyguards came over and used their bodies to push Flesselles and the others back.

Flesselles sighed, whispered some instructions to the Public Security Inspector who had come with him, and then left.

Then, accompanied by several Police, they stood guard around Count Bobrinsky, ready to call a doctor for him should the latter faint or become unwell.

Joseph walked out of the south gate of the Tuileries Palace, looking somewhat weary.

Queen Mary agreed to be the ambassador for Fashion Week, and she was required to give a speech at Fashion Week every two days, with him naturally accompanying her.

Fortunately, a four- Lieue- long east-west Wooden Railway has now been built in Paris, allowing the Queen to reach the Tuileries Palace in just over twenty minutes after entering the city, saving her a lot of time.

According to the plan, the Wooden Railway will be laid all the way west, connecting Paris and Versailles Palace.

At that time, a horse-drawn Carriage ride from the Versailles Palace will take only about an hour to reach downtown Paris, saving nearly 70% of the time compared to before.

Although this Wooden Railway was expensive, costing 50,000 Livre per Lieue —that is, 4 kilometers—this was after Murdoch hired United Kingdom track-laying technicians who used new techniques to reduce costs. If France Craftsman had laid it, it would have cost an additional 10,000 livres.

However, the mere fact that the Wooden Railway made it easier for the Nobility of the Versailles Palace to travel to Paris was enough to increase Paris's annual commercial revenue by at least a million Livre —the shorter travel time meant the Nobility had more time for shopping and entertainment. In addition, people who previously disliked the distance or the bumpy ride to Paris would also increase their Wooden Railway to Paris to spend money.

Joseph stretched out his arm, and out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the life-size oil painting "The Child of Divine Grace" hanging at the front of the Hall. Queen Mary was extremely pleased with this painting and, thinking that many foreign dignitaries would be attending Fashion Week, had a copy made and hung here so that her son could make an appearance.

Joseph shook his head in embarrassment, wondering whether he should have Fouche send someone to steal the painting in the middle of the night, when he saw Flesselles walking towards him anxiously.

The latter nearly bumped into the Crown Prince before realizing what was happening, hurriedly stopping and bowing in greeting.

Joseph smiled and asked, "Viscount Flesselles, what trouble you've encountered?"

Flesselles hesitated for a moment, then said, "Your Highness, Count Bobrinsky of Russia spent a whole day and night at the Arcade Hall, without even eating a single meal. I've tried to persuade him several times to stop, but to no avail. You know, given his status, if something were to happen to him, I'm afraid it would..."

Count Bobrinsky?

Joseph frowned slightly. Eman immediately leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Your Highness, it's the Russia Empress's Illegitimate Son. He's been loitering in Paris for several years now, and many Nobility know him."

Joseph nodded in realization. "It's Alexei?"

"Yes, Your Highness, that is indeed his name."

Joseph narrowed his eyes. It turned out that Catherine's youngest son, the future Tsar Paul I's younger brother, had also come to attend Fashion Week.

He suddenly remembered that he had watched the Russian TV series "Catherine the Great" before, which said that Alexei seemed to have traveled all over the world since he was a child in order to avoid threatening his brother's position as heir apparent [Note 1]. However, because he was too wild, Catherine could not stand his absurd behavior and would probably recall him to Russia soon and leave him in a remote town to reflect on his actions.

France is currently seeking to ally with Russia to advance its North Africa strategy. Alexei is a favorite of Catherine II, so this is a good opportunity to speak with him; perhaps there will be some unexpected insights.

He gestured to Flesselles, "Please lead the way, I'll go and try to persuade him."

"Oh, thank you so much, Your Highness."

Arcade Hall, Alexei was still excitedly inserting coins and pulling levers when a distinguished-looking young man appeared before him, smiling at him.

His gaze shifted for a moment, but he quickly turned his attention back to the Slot Machine, muttering under his breath, "What are you doing? Please move aside."

Joseph saw him insert a Silver Coin, pulled down the handle for him with force, and laughed, "I remember when I was a child, I went to Château de Meudon to recuperate for a while because I wasn't very healthy."

"You know, there are no tutors or Master of Ceremonies there. You can ride horses and climb trees whenever you want. It's full of freedom and ease."

"Later, whenever I was tormented by various courses, I would pretend to be sick and go there for a few months of 'recuperation'."

"Until one time, I wanted to make the 'happy vacation' last a little longer, so I pretended to have a serious illness, the kind that was about to end. I thought I could stay at Château de Meudon for a whole year this time."

But guess what?

"My mother was frantic and summoned all the imperial physicians to treat me. They bled me several times, and also gave me enemas and such, putting me through a lot of torture."

"In the end, I had to end my illness on my own. Afterwards, my mother told me that in order to keep an eye on my health, I would have to stay in the Versailles Palace from now on and could never go to Château de Meudon again."

"Do you think I was too stupid back then? Haha."

Alexei paused for a moment upon hearing this, then immediately understood the Crown Prince's meaning—he had just seen Joseph and immediately thought of the painting "The Child of Divine Grace"—in order to avoid the political struggles in Saint Petersburg and to allow his brother Paul to inherit the throne more smoothly, he deliberately acted like a playboy, traveling the world indulging in pleasure.

But as the Crown Prince just said, if he overdoes it, it will inevitably worry his mother, who will then keep him firmly by her side to discipline him.

He took a step back, his playful expression vanishing, and bowed respectfully, saying in fluent French, "Thank you for reminding me, Your Crown Prince. I presume you already know my identity. It is an honor to meet you here."

"Yes, Count Bobrinsky," Joseph returned the greeting with a smile. "I think you need a dinner and some rest. If you don't agree, I'll have to close the Arcade Hall for now."

A moment later, on their way to the Dining Hall, Joseph continued the small talk, "I've heard some rumors about you."

Alexei's head was a little foggy after staying up all night. He chuckled and said, "Looks like I'm quite famous, Your Highness."

"What I'm trying to say is that, given your current approach, Empress Majesty the Queen may soon order you to return to Russia."

Alexei tilted his head indifferently. "Perhaps."

In fact, he had already found out the news from Saint Peter's side—his mother had inquired about his situation with the ambassador to France several times and had indicated that she wanted him to return.

But what could he do? His brother's position as heir apparent was never very secure. He loved his brother deeply and didn't want to add to his brother's burden. So, being a playboy was the only thing he could do for his brother.

He muttered to himself, "This is the only way I can go on."

Kexer led his Guard to inspect the private Dining Hall rooms and nodded to Joseph.

The latter led Alexei inside and sat him down, then looked at the Illegitimate Son: "What would you like to eat?"

"Actually, you have many things you can do. I mean, things that are unrelated to politics. And that would actually get you away from Saint Petersburg."

[Note 1] Before Paul I, the succession to the Tsar in Russia was different from that in most Europe countries. The successor was designated by the previous Tsar. Therefore, although Alexei was Illegitimate Son, if he was deeply favored by Catherine II or had great political prestige, it was possible for him to replace Paul as the crown prince.

(End of this chapter)