Flowers, Swords and France

Charles came to the concierge and took the letter sent to him. He knew that his sister might want to find an excuse to get rid of him, but he also felt that it was a good way to get rid of the embarrassment to Charlotte. He quickly returned to the study and opened the letters he received.

First, Albert sent it from Calais. His handwriting was a bit sloppy, and it was written by someone who was used to doing whatever he wanted.

"My friend, everything is going well. We have lived here for a few days without any disturbance. It seems that Count Dillion has not sent people to hunt everywhere - of course, this may also be my illusion, I will always be careful.

We have been living a very leisurely life recently. We rented a small villa here. Because we were bored, Lucien and I went hunting together, and even went fishing at the seaside. I am not surprised that Lucien has good shooting skills and can accurately hunt prey, but I didn't expect that his fishing skills are also very good. I feel that I appreciate this guy more and more... There is another thing that surprised me. Miss Julie also went hunting with us, and her shooting skills were actually decent! Haha, I always thought she was just a delicate lady, but think about it, if you don't have a little courage, you can't do such a thing.

They decided to follow Miss Matilda's instructions and stay here for a few months to see if Matilda can really convince her father and grandfather. The master acknowledges this marriage. Even if he doesn't say it, we can see that Miss Julie really wants to get her father's approval and blessing - but girls are always like this, it's not surprising.

I also joked with Lucien that I should work harder and have a baby earlier during this period, so that I can make the most convincing reason. You should really see the expression on his face when he heard me say this! Hahahahahahaha, I didn't expect such a man to blush like that!

Well, from these words of mine, I'm afraid you can see their current state, leisurely and harmonious, but there are also some expectations and tensions deep in their hearts. This is not difficult to understand, right?

Okay, I think this letter of mine may also make you feel more relaxed? I wish you all the best.

By the way, every time we have dinner, we will cook the game we get from hunting, and then we will toast to you and Matilda before the meal!

Your loyal friend"

Looking at the joy in the letter, Charles couldn't help laughing. Albert, a natural optimist, always makes him laugh.

"Very good, and I wish you all the best." He said softly, and then put the letter into his small drawer.

Then he picked up the letter sent from the Perriette Mansion to see if the lady in blue stockings could meet his expectations.

After opening the envelope, Charles found that the letter inside was not the high-grade scented letter paper that the lady in blue stockings usually used, but a page of bamboo strips, which was obviously written by the owner in a busy schedule. However, the handwriting was still clear and beautiful as always.

"Dear friend

The information you passed on to me before is very useful, enough to be a reward for the information I revealed to you before. In addition, I seem to have heard that the Duke of Treville's family has canceled the engagement with the Marquis of Leoran, and Miss Leoran has returned to Paris. It seems that you have achieved your goal? Congratulations on your victory!

Since you and I have always cooperated quite happily, your request this time is more difficult, but I still tried my best to do it. However, please remember the hard work of your poor loyal friend when the time comes!

About the recent sudden death of the Duchess of Praslin, surprisingly, there is not much information available for inquiry. We tried our best to inquire and learned some of the circumstances. I hope you can understand.

Now we basically understand the following:

The Duchess married the current Duke of Praslin in 1824 and had two sons after marriage. However, the relationship between the couple was not particularly harmonious. There were often rumors from the servants in the Duke's mansion that the Duke and his wife often quarreled over economic or life issues. Obviously, the relationship between the Duke and Duchess has been very bad over the years.

Of course, to be fair, this is actually very common. How many couples can maintain a good relationship in today's era?

However, this is by no means to say that there is no doubt about the Duchess's death. In fact, after learning many facts, I am full of doubts: the official information is that the Duchess died on July 16, and the cause of death was suicide due to depression for many years. But according to the information I have investigated, just two days before her death, the Duchess went to the opera house to watch the latest play, and had a good chat with the people next to her. She even made an appointment to attend a banquet at a friend's house in a few days... It doesn't look like she is about to die because of excessive depression.

Of course, this is also difficult to say, after all, some people will commit suicide on a whim. But this itself is a suspicious point, isn't it? In addition, there is another thing. After the Duchess' suicide, many servants who had been employed in the Duke's mansion were suddenly fired and left the Duke's mansion...

Moreover, the official handling of this incident was also very simple. It seemed that they only read it hastily, and directly issued a notice the next day, concluding that the Duchess's death was suicide. There was not even general suspicion, and they just dealt with it hastily. Imagine that the discord between the Duke and Duchess was no secret at all. Now the Duchess died suddenly without any prior signs. If you were a policeman, would you not doubt anything and just conclude that the lady committed suicide? Based on this inference, I think the police's handling of it may indicate that there are some problems... I guess you won't object, right?

After the investigation was hastily concluded, the Duchess was quickly buried in the family cemetery of the Duke of Praslin. There was not even time to wait for her father to come to the funeral - the Duchess's father, I believe you know who it is? It was the Count de La Porta, the old marshal, who was recuperating in the south because of rheumatism and arthritis at the time. The Duke's reason was that it was difficult to preserve the body in summer, but in my opinion, there may be other reasons.

In addition, I can tell you directly the biggest doubt: the investigation of this matter is much more difficult than I originally thought. Many clues cannot be traced. The investigation files and materials of the case and the interrogation files are all kept confidential to the extreme and cannot be found. I feel that there seems to be an official behind-the-scenes force helping to cover up this matter.

The above is the situation I have already grasped, and I hope it can help you.

As a friend, I especially advise you: If it is not a particularly important matter, I personally suggest that you should not get too involved in this matter!

Of course, maybe you have your considerations, so I am just suggesting it. If you must participate, I sincerely suggest that you be more careful.

Please burn after reading

Good luck!

Your loyal friend"

After reading it, Charles faithfully fulfilled the other party's instructions and burned the letter. Then he sat back in his chair and fell into deep thought.

With a good memory, those words kept circling in his mind, and then he kept combining and analyzing them.

It seems that it is completely understandable that the old marshal felt that his daughter's death was very strange. Anyone who heard that his daughter, who had been at odds with her husband for a long time, suddenly died without any signs, and her husband hastily buried her before her own funeral, would probably have great doubts in his heart, right?

No wonder he came to his grandfather for help, because the government seemed to be deliberately helping the Duke cover up the matter. I'm afraid the old marshal tried to ask the police for help, and finally failed, so he turned to other people for help...

But there is still a doubt.

Why? Why did the official cover up for the Duke?

Original text in six # 9 @Read the book!

Charles couldn't figure this out.

Although the Duke was born of noble family, had a good reputation, and was involved in politics, the Duchess was not born of humble family either - well, her ancestors might be humble, but the Marshal was a powerful and influential person. Although he has been retired for several years, he should still have some influence, right? Anyway, it's impossible for her only daughter to be killed by anyone, right?

But, it looks like she was killed...

Charles was a little confused.

If the Duchess was really murdered, then the authorities would not be able to see any flaws, at least they would not conduct such a perfunctory investigation and help cover it up.

Unless...

Unless they got help from someone, and the person who helped was definitely among the top people.

Why would they help?

Could it be the old marshal's former political enemy? Or did someone secretly accept bribes from the Duke? Even if they accepted bribes, Bribery, would anyone help to cover it up like this? What kind of bribe would someone who could do such a thing need? How much bribe would be needed?

The more Charles thought about it, the deeper the conspiracy inside.

However, because of this, the courage and passion in his heart were aroused, and he felt that his blood was boiling and burning. He did not think of retreating, nor did he think of stopping as Blue Stockings advised.

If this matter can be investigated, it would be great if we can grasp something, right? Various considerations.

However, if we want to continue to investigate, where should we start?

Charles closed his eyes. The passion of young people and the calmness of middle-aged people merged into one in his mind at this moment, and they were inseparable.

After a moment, a sentence in the letter reminded him of his memory again.

"In addition, there is another thing. After the Duchess committed suicide, many servants who had been employed in the Duke's mansion were suddenly fired and sent away from the Duke's mansion. No one knows where they are going..."

"Let's try here first." He opened his eyes again and stared out the window.