Mary Su Stuart

In 1577, a cool autumn day.The Royal Theater in the Tuileries Palace in Paris is full of seats at the moment.

The crisp and clear voice is echoing in the theater.

"The Salik Code clearly prohibits women from inheriting land and titles."

"Sounds like an abominable law, who made it?"

"An ancient illiterate nation called Salian. Their so-called written law stipulates that in the territory of Salik, women cannot inherit any real property."

"But that was a very long time ago."

"In the past hundreds of years, times have changed, and customs have also changed."

"All legal rules are created from scratch. If human law is developed from folk practice, then the best part of them should be selected, determined, and inherited. The legal provisions should conform to the requirements of accepting the law. the interests of the majority, and not the private interests of those who make the law." [Note [-]]

"Such insights, my honorable mistress, you are simply the dawn of civilization!"

Saying that, on the stage, the brightly dressed court jester knelt down and kissed the corner of his cloak. "You are like Vivienne, the nymph of the lake, you are like Molusina, the nymph of the holy spring, and you are the most beautiful fairy queen, Gloriana..."

The actor's exaggerated and playful performance won applause from the ladies in the audience.They all whispered: ""Rosaline of Verona", this new play is really great."

However, the aristocratic men who accompany their wives or lovers, or are single, are not necessarily immersed in the cheerful atmosphere of the play.First of all, being invited to watch a play at the Royal Theater certainly proves one's status, but the new palace is far from being completed and the environment is not yet comfortable; secondly, the Valois royal family has been away from Poland for the past three years Including the Duke of Anjou, the legal next generation is still only three girls. The rumors of "considering women's inheritance rights" have gradually spread, which seems to be very detrimental to the stability of the country...

The family member, the Duke of Montpensier, thought about it with his not very bright head, and said: "This kind of play is not entirely the leisure of a lady. I heard that the queen sponsored it? That is why the queen has such an idea. Well, anyway, her daughter can still inherit England and Scotland..."

Madame de Montpensier waved her imperial fan, and the tassels on the handle brushed her husband's arm. "Dear Sir, to be neutral and fair, it might not be too bad to have a queen in France, right?"

The lord, who was originally from Bourbon, grinned at his charming wife: "Actually, thinking back to Isabella of Castile, or the Queen of Britain today... it is considered peaceful. However, France No, our tradition is the foundation of our country."

"That's really a pity. I think those lines in the play have a lot of meaning." The Duchess sighed, then turned her head and started chatting with another girlfriend in the box.

The Duke of Montpensier made a haha, raised his eyes and continued to appreciate the beautiful white swan neck of the actress.As for Henry, Duke of Vendôme, who is also a member of the Bourbon family and the head of the main branch, sitting next to him, the mood is much more complicated.

According to the current law, Henry, who should be regarded as the fourth heir of France, is somewhat wary of such signals threatening his inheritance.It is true that under François II, there are still three princes, the Duke of Orleans, the Duke of Anjou, and the Duke of Alençon, who may become the future French monarchs; however, they do not seem to be very strong, nor are they likely to have sons: François was controlled by his wife who was no longer pregnant, Charlie's only illegitimate son died, and Henry and Egur, who had spent many years in their lives, still had nothing to do...

"Cough, cough, cough..." There was a cough not far away, and it was Charles, Duke of Orleans, the current number one heir to the kingdom.Henry looked at the Austrian princess Anna's face gently comforting her husband, and suddenly felt discouraged.

Really, secretly ridiculing the sick child of the Valois family, how could he be any better?Anna of Habsburg is demure and elegant, but her wife is proud of her favor; Charlie has at least one daughter with his first wife, and his mistress has also given birth to a boy; he has been empty in the past three years, and he is still limited in finding women ...

Henry's gaze finally turned to Margo who had sneaked into the queen's side.He felt resentment gushing out of his nostrils, and finally formed a long "hum".

But Margo didn't put her mind on her husband at all.The princess, who loves entertainment, is pulling her sister-in-law Marie, expecting her to tell the touching story: "So, in the next part of "Verona", Romeo, a young knight who originally admired Rosalind, will have another A romance, right?"

Mary, who was pestered by her sister-in-law to spoil the spoiler, said in a leisurely manner: "Yes, the second part of the play mainly shows the love entanglement of a young man and woman from a hostile family... In the end, the female lord of Verona solved their difficulties, Let lovers get married in the end."

Marie's detailed introduction: The second drama in preparation will show how the female lord Rosalind handles the disputes in the territory-the two famous families of Verona, Capulets and Montagues, are a pair of feuds; the daughter of the family, Juliet The appearance is beautiful, and the son of another family, Romeo, is alert and enthusiastic; the young couple met by chance and fell in love, but because of family conflicts, they almost died in love. Completely resolved the two conflicts.

Well, actually, Shakespeare didn't invent that story, and Mary had recently read a similar one.She calculated the writing age of the great British writer, and felt that she couldn't wait, so she ordered the servants to arrange a play according to her "memory" to watch.

Coincidentally, the French writer planned to stuff the story into another series of her high hopes and private goods.

but--

"Hey, the love scene in the second part is so attractive." Mary flipped through the script and said. "In this way, will the guest usurp the host?"

"It is because they were desperate and sad that they almost committed suicide...the situation is so critical that it can be shown that Lord Rosalind is indeed a symbol of wisdom." The court poet flattered.

In the gorgeous hall filled with candelabra, Li Qiao, the secretary with a good voice, was invited to sing loudly.What he sang was a hymn of Romeo: "...you are my master, you are my light of hope... I can't resist, I am bound by desire..."

Mary Beaton looked at Li Qiao affectionately.Over the years, her favorite Italian secretary has always been estranged from her.But now, the new drama funded by His Majesty seems to give her hope—Miss Beaton feels that since Romeo will no longer be obsessed with the high-ranking female lord and start a new relationship, maybe Li Qiao will follow this omen and start looking for The one that really suits him.

It was rare for Li Qiao to perform as a cameo, and the ladies present applauded respectfully.Margot, Duchess of Vendôme was especially enthusiastic. She spread out her silk folding fan, half covered her smiling face, and sighed: "How clever, I really envy the queen who has such a wonderful person by her side."

"Isn't it?" Her best friend and attendant agreed, while enviously peeking at the French princess's brocade all over her body. "Although he is born as a commoner, if His Majesty agrees to marry a rich widow..."

"Hee, such broad shoulders and narrow waist will definitely fascinate people."

Sitting next to them, the Queen Mother Catherine, who was dressed in black, frowned upon hearing this.Li Qiao, a fellow Italian, seems to be romantic and affectionate, as if he really admires the hostess...it's not worth worrying about.However, in recent years, Mary has spent more time in Paris, and she has allowed him to socialize casually; the noble ladies in the Valois court, out of various mentalities, are quite willing to flirt with him...

Tsk, Catherine is mainly worried about her little daughter, lest she cause some scandal.

My own daughter, I know it well.As the youngest and most beautiful princess in the Kingdom of France, Margo was already very much loved by her eldest brother and sister-in-law, and she couldn't let go of her fantasy of being a little girl.Moreover, she got engaged relatively late, and stayed in the palace for an exceptionally long time. She was sought after by women and pursued by men, so she was inevitably tainted with a bit of frivolity...

Catherine knew that over the past few years, Margo and her husband had been in disharmony, and it was difficult to maintain even the superficial respect and love.She also saw her daughter make out with other men, and heard that she favored a certain courtier, as if there were more than one lover.

Because the young Duke of the Bourbon family was ordered by His Majesty to stay in Paris, and was under the care of the Duke of Orleans, Margot was living quite comfortably now.But what about the future?

Thinking about it, Catherine felt sad.

Princess of France.

Her sister-in-law Margaret, who was at ease in the Savoy territory, also gave birth to a son; however, on September 1574, 9, she died suddenly far away from her homeland.Her eldest daughter Elizabeth, beloved by Philip II, died young in the delivery room.Her second daughter, Claude, fell in love with the Duke of Lorraine as a childhood sweetheart, and gave birth to nine children, but was still defeated by fate. On February 15, 1575, she also died prematurely due to dystocia.

What kind of tribulations will her only remaining youngest daughter, Margot, face in the future?

At this time, Mary, the real hostess of the palace, suddenly got up and walked slowly towards Catherine.

The queen mother looked at the queen's slender waist, thinking about her two daughters - Vivienne and Matilda - secretly trying to fight for the succession to the French throne, feeling a little hesitant in her heart.

Catherine was skeptical when François declared that he would no longer have children; unexpectedly, over the years, he has kept his promise.Looking back on her childbirth experience, reminiscing about her two daughters who died on the delivery bed, and thinking of the former Queen of England who ended up with one body and two lives... Catherine actually quite understands the decision of the eldest son.

So what if the Duke of Lorraine lamented the death of his beloved wife Claude and swore never to marry again?The deceased is gone, leaving only endless thoughts and sorrow.

The Queen Mother, who was dressed in black, couldn't help but clutch the cross on her chest.

She is jealous of her eldest daughter-in-law.Her son, unlike her beloved deceased husband, who was obsessed with mistresses and let his daughter {cousin} do politics, was unbelievably clean; her son, in order to ensure contraception, sacrificed the pleasure of the boudoir, and tried every means to ask people to study props—— It was linen, then sheep intestines, and more recently "rubber".

Oh, and maybe not exactly a physician's recommendation.Her eldest daughter-in-law had many strange ideas since she was a child.Mary Stuart, since she was a child, pretended to be a devout saint who was cared by the Lord, saying that everything was done according to the oracle; in fact, she was similar to the Da Vinci who was loved by the former King Francois I. , full of all kinds of whimsical ideas, even deviant—and yet, they were all made.

The contradiction is confusing, but it has a special attraction; perhaps, this is the reason why the eldest son is so affectionate and obedient to her.

In the past, he has repeatedly compromised for her; now, he still wants to change the tradition for her.

He actually expressed to his mother that he hoped that his daughter would also have the opportunity to inherit the French throne.

"Vivienne" and "Matilda" are such uncommon names; just those two delicate little girls, how can you tell what "kingdom qualifications" are?

All because of that woman's will.

Seeing Mary getting closer and closer, the bright yellow skirt fluttered like the most brilliant sunflower petals... Catherine curled her lips in self-deprecating way: Is such a gorgeous and dazzling existence really hard to resist?

The world is really unpredictable.In fact, before she knew it, she had to admit that this girl who had grown up had become the absolute mistress of the palace...

Following Mary's soothing footsteps, the violin by the window also played a burst of melodious and melodious music - it was "Butterfly Transformation" composed by the former princess.The current queen of France recently said that she would match it with a poignant love tragedy, which is really tantalizing.

Catherine's fingers could not help but lightly caressed the new red and green ceramic cup.This amazing and exquisite product does not come from the East, but the local skills of France discovered by Marie.It can be imagined that after the small silver-plated mirror, her "creation" will once again reap the wealth of Spain—no, they will be popular all over Europe, enough to suck up the land and treasury of all nobles.

Oh, Mary's evasion of spices did not prevent her from promoting them and investing in them.As for ceramics, which she is more fond of, she will spare no effort to make it a popular model, and focus on operating production to enrich the national treasury.

At last the queen walked up to her mother-in-law.At such a magnificent and luxurious dinner party, Catherine speculated that she would not talk about government affairs, but would continue to talk about treasures and jewelry, or about entertainment and art.However, the queen mother guessed wrong, and Mary couldn't wait to share with her a piece of "good news" that just came back from abroad:

"Our honorable Majesty the King of Poland has finally found a queen he likes."

The author has something to say: [Note [-]] The description of Salic law in this chapter, as well as the complaints about the law, come from Voltaire’s essay collection.

Let's move "Romeo and Juliet" in ahead of time, count it as the author's bad taste.After all, Shakespeare is still young and hasn't had a chance to appear yet.

And, there will be no more updates around the weekend of next week.At present, the manuscript storage box is as thin as a stick, and it can only guarantee daily updates.