"I’ll leave the negotiations to you!"

Not yet aware of the collusion between France and Austria, Victor Emmanuel II sincerely said to Jerome Bonaparte.

Seeing the sincere expression on Victor Emmanuel II’s face, Jerome Bonaparte felt a slight twinge of guilt.

However, for a competent politician, this bit of guilt was insufficient to relinquish his demands, so he nodded and assured Victor Emmanuel II, "Leave it to me with confidence!"

That evening, Jerome Bonaparte and Victor Emmanuel II’s family had another sumptuous dinner, during which Jerome Bonaparte informed Victor Emmanuel that he had been staying at the Turin Royal Palace for several days and it was time to leave.

Victor Emmanuel II asked Jerome Bonaparte with a surprised expression, "Jerome, why have you suddenly decided to leave the Turin Royal Palace?"

Jerome Bonaparte put down his knife and fork, then slightly wiped his hands with a handkerchief and said, "I just feel that our family staying at the Turin Royal Palace is somewhat too bothersome for you!"

"Family?" Victor Emmanuel II initially showed a look of confusion, then suddenly realized something and asked, "Has your wife Augusta also arrived?"

Jerome Bonaparte sighed helplessly, "That’s right!"

"Since Augusta is here, let her stay with you! There are plenty of rooms in the palace!" Victor Emmanuel II replied generously to Jerome Bonaparte.

"I thank you on behalf of Augusta for your generosity!" Jerome Bonaparte replied to Victor Emmanuel II, "However, I really don’t want to trouble you further! Let Augusta and me find a hotel outside to stay in!"

"Ah!" Victor Emmanuel II sighed, "Since you insist on doing so, I won’t persuade you anymore!

Regarding the hotel, I will have the palace steward find you a suitable one!"

"Thank you!" Jerome Bonaparte said.

"By the way, when will Augusta arrive?" Victor Emmanuel II asked Jerome Bonaparte again.

"Tomorrow afternoon!" Jerome Bonaparte replied, slicing a piece of fish and placing it in his mouth, "Currently, Augusta should still be within the borders of France!"

That night, a telegraph from Chambéry was sent to the Turin Royal Palace.

The military officer who received the telegram copied it into two, handing them to Jerome Bonaparte and Victor Emmanuel II respectively.

Jerome Bonaparte glanced at the contents of the telegram, a smile appearing on his lips, and he looked up to respond to the military officer, "Thank you very much!"

"Your Majesty, it is my duty!" The officer humbly responded, then left Jerome Bonaparte’s room.

The content of the telegram left by the officer was the message that Empress Augusta had arrived in Chambéry.

...

Time flew by, and the time of Empress Augusta’s arrival in the French Empire arrived.

That afternoon, Jerome Bonaparte, in a carriage escorted by Sardinian cavalry, set off toward the Sardinia Railway Station against the setting sun.

When Jerome Bonaparte arrived near Sardinia Railway Station, he once again saw a "graceful" blockade line.

As Jerome Bonaparte’s carriage approached the checkpoint, he shouted to the coachman.

The coachman obeyed Jerome Bonaparte’s command and stopped the carriage, and the Sardinian soldiers at the blockade line and the leading officer were momentarily stunned as well.

Jerome Bonaparte opened the carriage door and asked, "When did you start the blockade?"

"Your Majesty!" The officer hurriedly approached Jerome Bonaparte and respectfully said, "We began blocking the area near the station yesterday evening as per orders!

All day today, aside from your carriage, the station has been exit-only!"

After listening, Jerome Bonaparte nodded slightly and responded, "Hmm! Thank you for your hard work!"

"It’s not hard!" The officer said as he closed the carriage door for Jerome Bonaparte.

The carriage restarted and soon arrived at the station.

Jerome Bonaparte alighted from the carriage and entered the platform alone to wait, not knowing how much time had passed. Under the black starry sky came a piercing whistle, indicating to Jerome Bonaparte that Empress Augusta was near.

Sure enough, a few minutes after the whistle, a steam locomotive slowed and entered the station.

A few minutes later, the steam locomotive came to a standstill at the station, and in the second carriage hanging behind the steam engine, Jerome Bonaparte saw Augusta.

Upon seeing this, Jerome Bonaparte quickly walked to the second carriage, and the Augusta inside also ran down after seeing Jerome Bonaparte on the platform.

Jerome Bonaparte and Augusta embraced each other on the platform, then Jerome Bonaparte took Empress Augusta’s hand and walked out of the station.

The two quickly left the station and then got into the carriage.

Inside the carriage, Jerome Bonaparte softly inquired about the purpose of Augusta’s trip.

Empress Augusta then explained gradually, saying that it was because Princess Sisi from Vienna had sent her a telegram, hoping to meet her in Milan, which was why Augusta came so quickly.

"I initially wanted to bring Friedrich along!" Empress Augusta whispered to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Why bring Friedrich over?" Jerome Bonaparte asked in confusion.

Empress Augusta gave Jerome Bonaparte a sideways glance and said, "Friedrich is already five years old! If Sisi favors him, then he could..."

Jerome Bonaparte looked at Empress Augusta with amusement and disbelief, surprised that Augusta hadn’t forgotten to find a wife for Friedrich. "Friedrich is too young for that!"

"He’s not that young!" Empress Augusta responded to Jerome Bonaparte. "If we don’t hurry now, Friedrich will have far fewer choices in the future!

Do you think it’s easy to marry into the Habsburg family?"

Jerome Bonaparte pondered for a moment, admitting that Augusta’s words did have some truth.

Throughout history, those able to marry into the Habsburg family were either descendants of ancient nobility or people who forced the Habsburgs into submission like Emperor Napoleon.

"However, it’s not necessary to marry into the Habsburg family!" Jerome Bonaparte replied to Empress Augusta.

"I didn’t say we must marry into the family!" Empress Augusta told Jerome Bonaparte, "I’m just saying having another option!"

"Alright!" Jerome Bonaparte shrugged his shoulders.

Since Augusta is willing to worry about these things, Jerome Bonaparte is happy to leave it in her hands.

"By the way, how do you think Sisi convinced her aunt to let her go out?

Especially while she’s pregnant!" Empress Augusta continued to ask Jerome Bonaparte.

"Wait, did you just say Sisi is pregnant?" Jerome Bonaparte was stunned for a moment and then responded with an inquiry.

"That’s right!" Augusta nodded naturally, "Sisi said she’s been pregnant for six months! It’s still uncertain whether it will be the Crown Prince or a Princess!

I assume the entire Habsburg Court is hoping Sisi can give birth to an heir!

If Sisi gives birth to another princess this time, her future situation with the Habsburgs will likely be challenging!

Sisi has given birth to princesses twice in a row!"

Jerome Bonaparte thought for a moment and then confidently said to Empress Augusta, "Rest assured! This time Sisi will surely give birth to a prince!"

"How can you be so certain?" Empress Augusta looked at Jerome Bonaparte with suspicion, her gaze seemingly asking if it was his doing.

Jerome Bonaparte quickly realized that his earlier words were too certain, causing Augusta’s suspicion.

He hurriedly added, "I mean, it’s unlikely for Sisi to have bad luck and have three princesses consecutively!

Besides, Sisi’s luck isn’t too bad!"

Augusta’s gaze returned to normal, she nodded at Jerome Bonaparte and said, "You’re right! It’s unlikely for Sisi’s luck to be so bad that all three are princesses!"

"Augusta!" Jerome Bonaparte came up to Augusta with a cheeky look.

"What’s up?" Augusta looked at Jerome Bonaparte with disdain. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Sisi is pregnant with her third child, shouldn’t we also consider another one! Friedrich is already over five years old, we should give him a little brother or sister!" Jerome Bonaparte suggested to Empress Augusta.

"Let’s not talk about it now, we’ll discuss it tonight!" Empress Augusta whispered to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Alright!" Jerome Bonaparte naturally understood Empress Augusta’s hint.

...

In the following days, Jerome Bonaparte accompanied Augusta during the day while hunting in Turin and its surroundings, and at night tirelessly tended to the fields like a diligent old bull.

Meanwhile, Franz Joseph and Princess Sisi also arrived by carriage in Milan.

Governor Albrecht, Prince Metternich, and a series of military and political figures came to greet them, with Franz Joseph first offering encouragement to Albrecht and others, and then having a private meeting with Governor Albrecht and Prince Metternich.

Franz Joseph immediately ordered them to withdraw the Austrian Imperial Army stationed in the border region a certain distance, while also extending invitations to Jerome Bonaparte and Augusta, who reside in Turin.