Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796

Chapter 81 031 The obscure Prince of Württemberg finally feels at ease

These swimsuits are meant for people to see on the beach, so they are made to be particularly long and cover the knees and ankles. They are even more conservative than the last time they saw Juliana in the hot springs. The design is also somewhat special, after all, the materials used are lighter and thinner.

There's just one problem. When it comes to going into the water, it's obviously very heavy because it absorbs water.

The pool in this area is relatively shallow, and they also have to step on dancing shoes to get in. This is a typical entry into the water in 1799.

Mecklenburg knew a little bit about it. It was the British who started putting on clothes when swimming and bathing in hot springs. This was certainly not necessary in public bathhouses in the Roman era, but as time went on With the advancement of civilization after the 17th century, clothes began to become heavier and heavier, making it inconvenient to get into the water.

When they entered the water, they also felt that the captured wild dolphins also came close to them.

Anyway, the dolphins that have been checked and brought to the bay for capture are still female, so there is no need to worry about that strange problem.

Although people still don't fully understand the habits of dolphins, the characteristics of such relatives can be "tested" with ultrasound, and the baby's condition can be found out.

The servants were asked to help Louisa into the shallow water. This section of the beach was originally a beach commonly used by the nobles of the Petersburg palace. Paul had been here before, and the water conditions in this area were very familiar. The servants were required to accompany her. Going down is also for safety.

The dolphins were just on the shore, but now everyone has come to the water and come to join in the fun.

This section of the sea is still very clean, and the four sisters can pet the dolphins in the water at close range. On this beach where they are not stranded, the dolphins are happy to be with people. The two bold sisters also leaned on the back of the dolphin, almost treating the dolphin as a horse. They usually have some courage to ride horses, but this is the female riding method in the water, sideways, and It was not very effective, but instead caused the two of them to lose their center of gravity and fall into the water.

Alexander stood on the low seawall and looked at his wife and sisters who were playing. He felt that this scene was very much like a story from ancient Greek mythology.

However, what he was thinking of was the story of the beautiful young attendant of Hercules who was attracted by the water demon girls and appeared in the painting.

Seeing this scene, he also called his personal servant to invite the court painter who had arrived from the summer palace.

Madame Le Brun was not invited this time, but she went to Prince Golitsyn's house, which was closer to Tsarskoe Selo and far away from the beach to the west of the summer palace.

However, the painting skills of these painters obviously also need to take into account their personal level. Alexander liked Levitsky very much, a full-time professor of portraiture at the Academy of Art. His works could more realistically reflect a person's appearance, unlike Madame Le Brun, whose "beautification" techniques were overdone.

In addition, he doesn't like the Austrian portrait master Martin Ferdinand Quadar who recently visited Petersburg. He actually painted the thirteen-year-old Maria to look particularly older, even older than her two older sisters. Big, like a middle-aged woman, it would be okay if he went to church to do religious paintings, but I don’t know how he did it.

Maria was the faster one among the sisters. She even stood in the water and played with the captured young dolphins. When she saw Ekaterina falling into the water, she did not forget to laugh at her sister's embarrassing appearance after boldly climbing onto the dolphin and then falling into the water.

"This isn't riding a horse, Catherine."

However, the nature of dolphins is that no matter whether it is shallow water or deep water, as long as a dolphin has some experience, it can lift people out of the water. This makes Yeka, who has always been bold and can fall down on land and in water, Telina had even more fun. Such a person is no different from an ordinary girl from a commoner family.

After the painter arrived, they had to follow Alexander's order and paint this scene.

"Mr. Professor, you will handle the portrait part, and your students can do the background painting. I hope to record this moment as a beautiful and sweet memory of this summer."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Louisa was surrounded by dolphins. She relaxed and let the dolphins rub against her body.

She is also thinking about what name to give the child and what kind of room to prepare for the child in the future. The eldest daughter's room is decorated with toys of sea creatures, and this child, whether it is a boy or a girl, It doesn't necessarily have to be decorated with dolphins and auks. This child's room needs to be decorated with bears.

She may not even know that this kind of thinking is more like that of a Russian than that of her hometown in Baden.

As for a girl, naming her Maria was a step to improve the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and to make her less breathless in the palace. In the summer palace and winter palace, she always felt breathless. The depressing feeling comes.

But if there are a bunch of bears in the house, wouldn't that be "Masha and the Bear"? (This is a famous Russian parent-child animation in the 21st century)

If it were a boy, Paul would have already named him. Instead of naming him after his father, Peter III, he would have named him Feodor, which came from his grandfather, Prince of Holstein. Transliteration of Carl Friedrich's name.

After all, Paul didn’t want to mess up the relationship with the courtiers. Although he had previously slapped the ministers in the face over the burial of Peter III and humiliated many veterans of the Queen’s period, he was not a complete fool. .

As for William himself, his current focus is on Alexandra. She is indeed beautiful, and this figure will only get better in the future.

"I think I can't run away this time. I will come on my own and become her prisoner in Petersburg."

"If you really think so, my cousin, then you have to hurry up. I don't want my sisters to marry poorly. I hope that each of them will get their own happiness, even Anna."

"But if Anna gets married, Alexander, I'm afraid your children are already talking about marriage, right?"

As a cousin, William could also talk to Alexander regardless of the level gap, especially in such a private occasion.

"Yes, my sisters, each one is a treasure in this world. William, and you, Ludwig, I hope you can cherish Alexandra and Elena, the two of them are always in the palace. We are inseparable, and I hope you are like brothers. And since you are both so tall, it’s no wonder they all say they like you.”

"Me too?"

"William, when we were driven away just now, the maids heard their whispers in the changing carriage. These girls nowadays just like tall people and those wearing officer uniforms, not to mention the two of you. Bit"

Alexander gestured. The crown prince was not short, but his two brothers-in-law, one of whom was a cousin, were taller and taller than him, and William was also there.

These cousins ​​of Württemberg have always been famous for their large size and military service in various countries.

"Yes, William, you and Alexandra are still very suitable, and they have such a relationship. As for me, when I came here from Mecklenburg, I was worried that Elena would look down on me. The heir of a 'little' duke from a small country like Schwerin."

"Don't say that. What my father values ​​​​is that your family is harmonious, so that you can treat Elena well."

Moreover, the current Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin is also a man with colorful flags flying and red flags that never fall. He arranges family and external affairs very clearly. He not only takes care of his married daughter-in-law, but also takes care of his son-in-law when he arrives. Mecklenburg, they will also provide hospitality as much as possible, they are all very warm and hospitable.

"Yes, Elena is as radiant as our relative Luisa, and she will definitely be like this in the future."

"Are you talking about Her Royal Highness the Queen of Prussia?"

"Yes, His Majesty the King of Prussia, there are only three of us here. What I want to say is that His Majesty King Frederick William III and his Queen do not look so compatible."

Alexander saw that this brother-in-law was really straightforward. Although his cousin William was also simple-minded, he had served in the Austrian court for a period of time and was more cautious in his words.

"But some words will pass after being said once, so don't show it. Dear Friedrich Ludwig, you also know that Berlin is too close to you, and there is such a kinship relationship in it. As for my father, I have always been on good terms with Prussia, so I have to keep some things in my heart. All you have to do here is enjoy your happy time with Elena before you get married."

"Yes, I will accompany her to dance class and painting class tomorrow."

"Ah, this can also enhance the relationship. In addition, Elena is still growing. Even my wife Luisa, her well-proportioned figure, once she has a child, will be worrying during delivery. Chapter 1 One time in particular was like this.”

Alexander doesn't talk like this on weekdays. He truly loves each of his sisters, so when he talks here, he also specifically mentions the issue of the two sisters.

"But this is all after marriage, Alexander."

"We need to nip problems in the bud. There are a lot of quacks in Germany."

Alexander's expression became serious again.

"Quack doctors are also found in France and the lowlands. This is inevitable. Doctors may not be able to learn all the skills."

"But you must at least pay attention to hygiene. You should have learned this when you went to the Little Winter Palace in the morning. Also, if Württemberg or Mecklenburg is in danger, Russia will definitely not sit idly by. "

Alexander actually also knew that this marriage was a guarantee that these German princes would be closer to Russia, and then there would be many relatives.

The third sister, Maria, is next, but the Pauls have not considered her affairs yet.

She should be fine. When the Queen was there, she even called her a "dragoon".

And the painters, now coming to this scene, also have to make a basic composition.

With the approval of the Crown Prince, they chose patterns similar to those in fairy tales.

"My wife and sisters are all fairies. Thank you. You have done a great job. Please be prepared to complete this great work. Although it will take time, don't begrudge your talents!"

This can be regarded as a promotion for the royal aquarium. The girls had a great time.

The time of delivery calculated by Louisa was August 15, 1799. Alexander was not quite sure what would happen on that day. He arranged for the court to carry out these "air treatments" and "animal treatments" as much as possible according to the doctor's instructions.

At least Louisa was in a good mood. She relaxed like this and was not as nervous as last time. Moreover, all the interference factors were not in Petersburg now, which made Alexander feel relieved.

In the court, Queen Maria was also waiting for good news. She had recently focused more and more on the children at home.

William came to Petersburg today, and his behavior satisfied her as an aunt. At least he was not as frivolous as rumored.

As for William's academic problems mentioned by her brother, he could go to Moscow Imperial University or the State Academy in Petersburg. These two places are currently the places with the highest level of cultural and scientific research in Russia.

As a nephew and a future son-in-law, this marriage can also consolidate Württemberg's position.

Of course, she didn't know what would happen in the future between Baden, Württemberg, Russia, Austria and France.

At the same time, in the Alexandria area in northwestern Italy, the Russian-Austrian coalition was taking advantage of the rest period to conduct Suvorov-style military exercises, which was also to test the combat effectiveness of the soldiers and provide demonstrations for each battalion in the coalition.

The old marshal didn't know what was happening in the country now. He only trained his soldiers. In Genoa, if the French dared to come, they would continue to fight and drive the French army out of Italy completely.

But a magical hand order has now reached Archduke Karl.

"Damn, who is here to instigate my brother and issue such a stupid order?"

Karl couldn't believe that when the French were completely suppressed on several battlefields, his dear brother Franz would actually ask his Austrian officers to move to the Rhine.

"Your Highness, please calm down. I am only following His Majesty's orders and coming to the front to convey your message."

"The final victory or defeat in the Italian battlefield has not yet been decided, and we are in Switzerland and can already make the final blow. Why do you do this?"