Chapter 36 Chapter 34 Hiko returned to the Louvre Palace and met King Henry III

The entire Louvre Palace was asleep, because it was just eleven o'clock in the morning.The sentinels in the palace seem to be walking on tiptoe, and the cavalry changing guard also walks on horseback. The tired King, returning from his pilgrimage, was put to sleep. At this moment, two men appeared outside the main entrance of the Louvre Palace: one rode a vigorous Berber horse; the other rode an exhausted Andalusian horse that was foaming at the mouth. They stopped at the door facing each other, and looked at each other, because they came from opposite directions and only met here. The younger of the two saluted politely and called, "Mr. Xiko, how are you?"

Xico replied: "Ah! Isn't this Lord Bissi? I'm fine, sir." His expression was natural, gentle and elegant, without losing his aristocratic status, no less than the integrity and nobleness Bissie showed when he saluted just now. Aristocratic demeanor. Bisi asked: "Sir, are you here to attend the king's waking ceremony?" "I think you are too?" Bisi smiled and said, "No, I'm here to greet the Duke of Anjou. Mr. Xico, you know that I don't have the good fortune to be your majesty's favorite." "I have to blame the king for that, not you, sir."

Bixi bowed and asked again: "Did you come from a long way? It is said that you went on a trip." Xico replied: "Yes, sir, I went hunting. But, sir, didn't you also travel once?" Bixi said: "Yes, I went to other provinces for a trip. Sir, I have something to ask for right now. I wonder if you would like to help?" Xico said: "Where is it, every time Mr. Bissi asks me to help, no matter what it is, it is a great honor to me." "Okay! You have the privilege of freely entering and leaving the palace, but I can only stay in the waiting hall. Please go to the palace and tell someone to inform the Duke of Anjou that I am waiting for him."

Xico said: "Since the Duke of Anjou is in the palace, he will probably attend His Majesty's waking ceremony. Why don't you go in with me, sir?" "I'm afraid to see the king's unlucky face." "Well!" "My God! Until now, I have never been used to his kind smile." "Don't worry, it won't be long. That will change." "Ah! Mr. Xiko, do you also know fortune-telling and divination?" "Sometimes it's fortune-telling. Come on, be brave, and follow me, Mr. Bissie." They entered the palace, and Bissy went straight to the residence of the Duke of Anjou. As we have mentioned above, the place where he lived was once used by Queen Margot.Hiko went straight to the king's bedroom.

Henry III had just woken up and rang the bell. A group of servants and concubines swarmed in. Breakfast was ready: chicken soup, spiced wine and meatloaf.At this time, Xiko walked into his honorable master's house with brisk steps. Before he said good morning, he immediately started eating and drinking to those cups, plates and bowls. Although the king pretended to be angry, he shouted happily: "Damn! It must be the troublemaker Xiko! You fugitive, vagabond, you really deserve to be hanged!" Shiko's feet were covered with mud, and he sat unrestrained on the large armchair decorated with golden lilies that the king usually sat on, and said, "What! My child, what are you doing? We forgot about this. From Poland When we fled back, we were like a frightened deer, and those Polish nobles were chasing after us like pigs and dogs, and the sound of yelling and hunting dogs was everywhere..."

Henry said: "Look, I'm going to be unlucky again. My ears have just been quiet for three weeks, and now I have to listen to those depressing words again." Xico said: "Come on! Come on! You are always complaining, I bet you will be treated as an ordinary person if you continue like this. Tell me, my Henry Kay, when I am not in the palace, you will What did you do? Governance of state affairs, nothing went wrong, right?" "Mr. Chico!" "Did the common people laugh at you?" "asshole!" "Did you hang a pretty boy with curly hair? Ah! Monsieur de Caylus, forgive me for not being able to see you."

"Xiko, we will fall out." "Okay, is there any money in our cash box? Or is there any money in the Jew's cash box? If there is money, we just need to have fun. Damn, it's such a boring day!" As he spoke, he swept away the browned meat sauce on the gilded silver plate. The King laughed, as he always did.He said: "Hey, you have been missing for so long, what did you do?" "I envisage a small-scale atonement procession in three stages," Chico said. "Phase one - the penitents in shorts and shirts, pulling each other's hair, fighting, from the Louvre to Montmartre.

"The second stage—the same crowd of penitents, barebacked, beating each other with thorny brambles, from Montmartre to the Abbey of Saint-Geneviève. "At the end of the third stage, the penitents, completely naked, were returning from the abbey of Saint-Geneviève to the Louvre, beating each other vigorously with whips and belts. "At first, I really wanted to add an unexpected climax, let them pass by the beach square, and the executioner burned them all in the square, leaving no one behind. However, I thought again, God left behind in the upper world A bit of brimstone and pitch that burned Sodom and Gomorrah, let the old man roast them himself, I don't want to spoil his pleasure-Gentlemen, disaster is coming, let us have fun."

The king asked: "Tell me first, what have you been doing? Do you know? I sent people to all the dirty corners of Paris to look for you, and I searched for you." "Have you searched the Louvre carefully?" "Probably some frivolous kid seduced you." "Henry, how is this possible? Didn't all the frivolous children let you get up alone." "Could it be that I made a mistake again?" "My God! Of course, you are always very wrong." "Just wait and see, you're going to pay for your sins with penance." "It's true. I converted to religion to make it clear, but, to be honest, I quit. I hate those monks. Bah! A bunch of filthy brutes."

At this time, Mr. Monsolo came in and bowed deeply to the king. Henry said: "Ah! It's you, Mr. Hound Captain, when will you let us go hunting?" "Your Majesty can do it whenever he likes. I have news that Saint-Germain-en-Laye has found many wild boars." Xiko said: "Wild boar, this is too dangerous. I remember that King Charles IX almost killed himself when he beat a wild boar. Besides, the spear is very hard, and our delicate hands will blister. Right, my child?" Mr. De Monsolo glanced sideways at Hiko. Again the Gascon said to the king: "Look, your hound captain has just retreated to a wolf."

"What does it mean?" "Because, just as the poet Aristophanes described in the novel, this gentleman preserved the wolf's face, especially the eyes, and learned it so vividly that it left a deep impression on people." Mr. De Monsolo's face turned pale, and he turned around and said to Hiko: "Mr. Chico, I'm not used to dealing with clowns, because I rarely live in the palace, and I remind you that I don't want to be insulted like this before the king, especially when I talk to him about my duties. .” Xiko said: "Okay! Sir. You are the exact opposite of those of us who live in the palace, so the funny thing that happened recently made us laugh a lot." Monsolo asked: "What's funny?" "The king named you Captain of the Hounds; you see he's not as funny as I am, but he's wilder than I am, my dear Henry Kay." Monsolo gave the Gascons a fierce look. The king saw that there was going to be a quarrel, and said, "Well, let's talk about something else, gentlemen." Xico said: "Yes. Let's talk about the magic power of Our Lady of Chatelet Cathedral." The king said in a stern tone: "Xiko, don't blaspheme." Xico said: "What! Am I blasphemy? Forget it, you regard me as a priest, but I am a warrior. On the contrary, I want to tell you something, my child." "What's up?" "You don't use the shirt of Our Lady of Chatelet, Henry, you can't use it more badly." "What's the matter?" "It doesn't make sense. The Virgin's two shirts are usually put together, but you separated them. If I were you, I'd put them together. Only then, Henry, will miracles happen." These somewhat reckless words, alluding to the separation of the king and queen, made the king's wives laugh. The king stretched out his arms, rubbed his eyes, smiled too, and said: "This time, hell! Let the clown be right." Then he talked about something else. Monsolo said to Hiko in a low voice: "Sir, can you pretend to be nonchalant and wait for me at that window." Xiko said: "What's the matter, sir! I am very willing to accompany you." "Okay! Let's go to the side then." "We can go into the woods if it's convenient for you, sir." Monsolo walked to the window, and Hiko was already waiting there, and Monsolo said: "Stop joking, it's useless, no one here will laugh. Let's make it clear in person now, Mr. Hiko, Mr. Clown, Mr. Fool; a nobleman won't let you, do you hear me, laugh at him; you want to invite him to the woods, he asks you to consider the consequences, because in the woods, he waved Sticks and other things, no less than those of Mr. Mayen's men who beat you up." A gloomy light shot out of Xiko's black eyes, but he said calmly: "Ah! Sir, you remind me of my debt to Mr. Ma Yan, so you also want me to be your debtor, Credit both you and Herr Mayen, and be equally grateful to you." "It seems to me, sir, that you have forgotten the chief among your creditors." "That surprises me, Monsieur, because I have always used my own amazing memory; tell me, who is this creditor?" "Attorney Nicola David." Xico smiled sullenly and said, "Oh! It's that one, you made a mistake, I don't owe him anything, I have already paid off his debt." At this time, a third person came and joined the conversation. This person is Bixi. Chico said: "Ah! Mr. Bissie, please come and help me. You see, he drove me here, trying to chase me like a fawn or a yellow stag. Mr. Bissie , please tell him that he has misjudged the man, and he is dealing with a wild boar, and the wild boar will fight back against the hunter." Bissi said: "Mr. Hiko, you think Mr. Hound Captain doesn't treat you as a decent nobleman. I think you are wrong to blame him." Then Bissy said to the count: "Sir, I am honored to come here To inform you that Monsieur the Duke of Anjou would like to speak to you." Mr. Monsolo asked: "Talk to me?" He was a little embarrassed. Bissy said: "And yourself, sir." Monsolo stared at Bissi, as if he wanted to see into the depths of his heart, but Bissie's eyes were calm, and there was a serene smile on the corner of his mouth, Monsolo had to be satisfied with the superficial phenomenon. The Hound Captain asked Bissie, "Will you come with me, sir?" "No, sir. You go and take your farewell to the king, and I will inform His Royal Highness that you will be there immediately." After finishing speaking, Bixi walked gently into the courtier team with his usual agility just like when he came. The Duke of Anjou was waiting in his study, rereading the letter already familiar to his readers.Hearing the sound of the door curtain, he thought it was Monsolo, and hid the letter. Bissie walked in. "How is it?" asked the Duke. "Well! My lord, he will be here in a moment." "Did he have no doubts?" Bixi said: "When he has doubts, he has already been on guard! Didn't you promote him? Since you can promote him, can't you get rid of him?" "Of course," the duke replied anxiously, and he always looked like this when something came up and he needed courage. "Do you think he is less guilty than he was yesterday?" "There is more than that, but nothing less. The more I think about his sins, the more I feel that he is unforgivable." Chuxi said: "Besides, in the final analysis, he broke his promise, snatched a noble girl, and forced her to marry by fraudulent means. His actions were despicable and completely incompatible with his noble status. Either he asked for the dissolution of this marriage, or else You destroy him." "It's a deal." "For the sake of the poor father and daughter, for the sake of Meridor Castle, and for Anna, you must keep your word." "do not worry." "You think, they have learned that you are going to help them, and are anxiously waiting for the result of your meeting with Monsolo." "Miss must be free, Bissie, I swear to you." Bixi said: "Ah! If you can do this, you are worthy of being a noble prince, my lord." After speaking, he grabbed the Duke's hand and kissed it respectfully.How many times has this hand signed deceitful promises, how many times has it broken its oaths. At this time, footsteps came from the front hall. Bixi said, "He's here." Francois yelled sharply: "Please come in, Mr. de Monsolo." Judging by his expression, Bissi thought it was an auspicious omen. This time, the young Bissi was almost confident, and felt that the result of his dream would always come true in the end. Therefore, when he saluted Monsolo, his eyes could not help showing a hint of pride and sarcasm.And when the hound captain returned the salute, his eyes were glazed over, like an impenetrable fortress, hiding his deepest thoughts. Bussy is waiting for the news in the aisle, which we are already familiar with, where Charles IX, Henry III, the Dukes of Alençon and the Dukes of Guise once nearly strangled to death with the girdle left by the Queen Mother Larmor.At this moment, the aisle and the landings connected to it were crowded with nobles who came to curry favor with the duke. When they saw Bixi, everyone scrambled to make room for him.One is to respect him personally, and the other is because he is Anru's favored figure.Bixi remained calm, and his anxiety was not visible at all.He awaited the outcome of this conversation, in which his future happiness depended. The conversation must have been very intense, and Bixi had already seen that Monsolo was not a person who gave in.However, for the Duke of Anjou, it is only necessary to put pressure on Monsolo, and if he refuses to obey, he will forcibly dissolve his marriage with Diana. Suddenly, the prince's loud voice came out, as if to reprimand. Bixi was shocked all over, extremely pleasantly surprised, thinking: "Ah! The Duke has not broken his word." However, the voice did not continue.So all the courtiers in the aisle were silent and looked at each other uneasily, and there was a dead silence around them. Good dreams don't last long, and Bixi is anxious and confused at the moment, full of hope for a while, and full of fear for a while, as if there are fifteen buckets in his heart to fetch water - ups and downs.He endured minute by minute for a quarter of an hour. The door of the Duke's bedroom opened suddenly, and through the door inspection, there was the sound of laughter inside. Bissi knew that there were only the Duke and the captain of the dog hunting team in the room. According to his speculation, if the conversation went well, there should be no talking and laughing at this moment. This peaceful ending made him shudder. Immediately afterwards, the conversation approached, the door curtain was lifted, and Monsolo saluted and retreated.The duke showed him to the door and said: "Good-bye! That's it, old friend." Bissi said to himself: "Old friend, my God! What does this mean?" Monsolo has been facing the prince and said: "So, my lord, in the opinion of His Highness, the most appropriate way at present is to make it public." The Duke said: "Yes, yes. It's like a child's game to make it so mysterious." "Then, from tonight," said the Hound Captain, "I will send her to the King." "Just do it, don't be afraid, I'll get everything ready." The Duke approached Monsolo.Whispered a few more words in his ear. Monsolo replied: "OK, my lord." Monsolo finally bowed to the Duke.The Duke was looking at the people present, but he didn't see Bussy.Bixi was hiding in the fold of the door curtain at this time, and he held on to the door curtain tightly to prevent fainting. The aristocrats who were waiting for an audience were impressed by Monsolo's deep favor, and Bissi seemed eclipsed by comparison.Monsolo turned around and said to everyone: "Gentlemen, please allow me to announce a message: Your Excellency approved me to announce my marriage to Miss Diana de Meridor. More than a month ago, she had Become my wife, and with your lord's sponsorship, I will lead her into the palace tonight." Bixi shook his body, although the blow was not completely unexpected, but it was too strong after all, and he felt that the thunder was coming and he couldn't bear it anymore. So, he leaned his head forward and met the Duke of Anjou's eyes. Both of them were pale with emotion, but their thoughts were completely opposite. Bissy's eyes were full of contempt. The Duke of Anjou full of terror. Amidst the flattery and congratulations of the nobles, Monsolo passed through the crowd and walked away. And Bissi moved a little, trying to walk towards the Duke.The Duke saw it, and put down the curtain first. Then, the door behind the curtain closed, and there was the sound of a key turning in the lock. Bixi felt hot blood rushing to his temples and heart. His hand touched the short sword hanging on his belt, and he unconsciously drew half of the sword.Because, in this man, passion is irresistible when it is impulsive.Love had set him on fire; now, it was love that quenched his impulse.A bitter, deep, needle-like pain suppressed his anger.Now he was not outraged, but heartbroken. Two complex emotions were wrestling in his heart, reaching the peak, and Bixi was exhausted, as if two huge waves soaring into the sky collided at the highest point and fell down. Bixi understood that if he stayed any longer, the pain of losing his mind would be revealed.He followed the aisle, came to the secret staircase, passed through the dark passage to the courtyard of the Louvre Palace, jumped on his horse, and rode straight to the Rue Saint-Antoine. The baron and Difanna were waiting for Bissy's reply. They saw the young man who walked in pale and in pain, with bloodshot eyes. Bisi cried: "Madam, despise me, hate me! I think I am a big man, but I am insignificant; I think I can do something for you, but in fact I can't even show you my heart. Madam, you You are indeed the wife of M. de Monsolo, the legal wife recognized by all, and you will be taken to court tonight. And I am but a poor lunatic, an unfortunate wretch who has lost his reason. Monsieur Baron, as You say that the Duke of Anjou is indeed a coward and a rascal." Dejected and furious, Bixi left the terrified father and daughter, rushed out of the house, ran downstairs, flew on the horse, stabbed the horse's belly with spurs, squeezed the beating heart with one hand, let go of the reins, and wandered aimlessly The ground got on the road, disturbing the pedestrians dizzy and terrified.