It seems that Jerome Bonaparte’s irresponsible remarks in the restaurant deeply hurt Augusta’s fragile psyche, leading Empress Augusta to maintain a cold war with Jerome Bonaparte in the following days.

Even though Jerome Bonaparte tried his best to ease the relationship, each time Empress Augusta brought up the question from the restaurant, Jerome Bonaparte responded with silence.

Through Jerome Bonaparte’s attitude, Augusta also understood that her husband was determined to perish with the Empire.

So, on the day before their reconciliation, Augusta also made up her mind to tell Jerome Bonaparte.

If one day the Empire was truly doomed to collapse, then she would face death together with Jerome Bonaparte.

Naturally, this stance was met with Jerome Bonaparte’s opposition, and he immediately discouraged Augusta, saying, "Augusta, when such a time comes, you must bear the heavy responsibility of educating Friedrich!

You cannot die, you must live well!"

Augusta sneered and questioned Jerome Bonaparte, "Why! Why must I be the one to bear the responsibility of educating Friedrich alone!

Why must I bear the pain of losing my husband alone! You are not only the Monarch of the Empire but also the father of the child, my husband!

Why can you irresponsibly sacrifice yourself for your Empire!

While I have to responsibly live in this world!"

"Augusta!" Jerome Bonaparte furrowed his brow, and his tone in calling Augusta was more scolding, "How can you say such things! You are an Empress of a nation!"

"I am the Emperor of the French Empire, but I am also your wife!" This was the first time Augusta responded to Jerome Bonaparte with such force, "If one day the French Empire truly faces misfortune, then what meaning does my identity as Empress hold!

When the time comes, I will face everything as your wife!

Jerome, I understand your love for the French Empire, but I also hope you understand that my feelings for you are in no way less than your feelings for the Empire!

No matter what changes the future brings, I will stay with you!"

With emotions running high, Augusta tightly clasped her hand, adorned with pure white silk gloves, with Jerome Bonaparte’s hand, her eyes filled with countless strands of affection.

Jerome Bonaparte gazed at Augusta before him, and from Augusta’s eyes, he saw not only love but also determination.

At this moment, Jerome Bonaparte was certain that if the day truly came, Augusta would certainly fulfill what she had just said.

Forgive me, Augusta!

Jerome Bonaparte silently said "sorry" to Augusta in his heart, and then, showing a helpless expression, he said to Augusta, "Ah! I truly found a good wife!"

After saying this, Jerome Bonaparte gradually drew his face closer to Augusta’s, and Augusta, realizing what Jerome Bonaparte intended to do, closed her eyes shyly.

Just as Jerome Bonaparte was about to kiss Augusta, the tightly closed door suddenly opened.

Soon after, a childlike voice came to Jerome Bonaparte and Augusta’s ears, "Daddy, what are you doing!"

Jerome Bonaparte immediately stopped his nearly completed task, nonchalantly released Augusta’s hand, and then, smiling, ran to Friedrich, picking him up in his arms, and said earnestly to Friedrich, "Just now, Daddy and Mommy were thinking about giving you a little brother!"

Augusta, standing by and hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s far-fetched remark, blushed with embarrassment and playfully poked Jerome Bonaparte twice with her hand.

In Jerome Bonaparte’s arms, Friedrich nodded obediently and said, "I want! I want a younger brother!"

Then, with a tone of innocence, Friedrich curiously asked Jerome Bonaparte, "Daddy, how do you and Mommy give me a brother?

Can a kiss like that give me a brother?"

Listening to Friedrich Bonaparte’s question, Jerome Bonaparte wasn’t sure how to answer his child, who wasn’t even five years old, so he turned his gaze to Augusta.

Augusta showed a helpless expression, clearly not wanting to answer this question either.

"A simple kiss certainly can’t produce a brother; a series of complex operations are necessary!" Jerome Bonaparte said evasively to Friedrich Bonaparte.

"Can Daddy explain in detail!" Friedrich continued probing Jerome Bonaparte with questions.

Jerome Bonaparte showed an embarrassed expression, a situation he never felt even in the face of thousands of troops. Next to him, Augusta had a smile on her lips, as if ready to watch Jerome Bonaparte make a fool of himself.

Just when Jerome Bonaparte was most embarrassed, a second knock on the door came to his rescue.

Jerome Bonaparte quickly called out to the outside of the room, "Come in!"

The door opened, and the figure of the adjutant Bourbas Base appeared before the family of three.

"Your Majesties, Your Highness!" Bourbas Base bowed in salute to Jerome Bonaparte and the others.

Jerome Bonaparte smiled and nodded to Bourbas Base. In Jerome Bonaparte’s arms, Friedrich leaned close to Jerome Bonaparte’s ear and whispered, "Daddy, put me down."

"Mm!" Jerome Bonaparte placed Friedrich Bonaparte down from his arms.

Friedrich Bonaparte trotted up to Bourbas, politely extending his hand to him, "Uncle Bourbas, good morning!"

Seeing the Crown Prince make such a gesture, Bourbas felt flattered.

He first glanced at Jerome Bonaparte and Empress Augusta, and after receiving an approving look from Jerome Bonaparte, he stooped slightly and said to Friedrich, "Your Highness, please just call me Bourbas!

You are the Crown Prince of the Empire, while I am merely a servant to Your Majesty!"

Friedrich shook his head and replied to Bourbas, "Father has said that you are not servants of the House of Bonaparte, but the most loyal friends of the Bonaparte Clan!

Not just you, the entire army is a friend of the Bonaparte Clan!

Since you are all friends of my father, then you are my uncle!"

Friedrich’s logical reply left Jerome Bonaparte surprised; he didn’t recall ever teaching Friedrich such things.

Jerome Bonaparte turned his gaze to Augusta, seemingly asking her if Friedrich’s words came from her teachings.

Empress Augusta naturally understood Jerome Bonaparte’s meaning and subtly shook her head.

Hmm? Then who could it be? 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

A cloud of doubt formed in Jerome Bonaparte’s mind, and a puzzled expression appeared on his face.

Faced with Friedrich’s praise, Bourbas was naturally very pleased, "Your Highness, you flatter me!"

"Uncle Bourbas, can you promise me something?" Friedrich Bonaparte pleaded in his innocent voice to Bourbas.

"Friedrich!" Jerome Bonaparte scolded Friedrich loudly, not wanting to overwhelm his aide.

"Your Majesty, please do not blame His Highness!" Seeing this, Bourbas hurriedly stood up and bowed to Jerome Bonaparte, then turned to Friedrich and asked, "Your Highness, what would you like to ask of me?"

"Uncle Bourbas, I hope you can protect my father well!" Friedrich Bonaparte, sounding like a little adult, said to Bourbas, "Auntie has mentioned that sometimes, father can be too reckless!"

Hearing Friedrich’s reply, a tinge of emotion could be seen in Jerome Bonaparte’s eyes.

At the side, upon hearing the Crown Prince’s request, Bourbas resolutely replied, "Your Highness, I am willing to guarantee it as a soldier!

Before my heart stops beating, I will certainly protect Your Majesty!"

Having said that, Bourbas solemnly saluted Friedrich.

Friedrich, with the same earnest expression, returned the salute to Bourbas.

Although Friedrich’s salute was a bit clumsy, it also showed his respect for Bourbas.

After Friedrich and Bourbas completed their salute, Jerome Bonaparte stepped forward to pat Friedrich’s head, affectionately saying, "Alright! My little general, your study time is about to start!"

Friedrich’s little face immediately fell; compared to his nearly reclusive social personality, his academic performance was utterly unspeakable.

At the age of four, Friedrich could be described as having the knowledge of nine out of ten holes—completely unknowledgeable.

Especially in terms of language skills, possessing German, French, and Italian (more accurately, Lombardy) heritage, he only learned French, and even though Augusta personally created a good German environment for him, his German was still terrible.

As for mathematics, not to mention that it drove teachers and Augusta to exasperation daily.

To avoid falling into the hell of study, Friedrich looked at Jerome Bonaparte with a pitiful gaze and pouted, "Father, can I take a day off? Just one day!"

Friedrich held up one finger, looking at Jerome Bonaparte full of hope.

"Of course!"

Jerome Bonaparte paused for a moment, and Friedrich’s expression immediately became lively.

However, Jerome Bonaparte’s next sentence sent Friedrich back into a state of despondency, "Certainly not!

You are at a critical moment now; how can you slack off!"

Subsequently, Jerome Bonaparte brought Friedrich to Augusta and instructed her to watch over Friedrich closely!

Friedrich left the room holding Augusta’s hand, like a disgraced quiz candidate.

Before leaving, Friedrich didn’t forget to throw a reproachful look at Jerome Bonaparte, as if staring at a heinous criminal.

Watching Friedrich leave Beijing, Jerome Bonaparte couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

After the laughter ended, he asked Bourbas, "Bourbas, what do you have to report to me?"

"Your Majesty, the guests you invited have arrived!"