I Am the Crown Prince in France

Chapter 415 Austria's Best Diplomat

Joseph nodded immediately and said, "Okay, I can go anywhere as long as I can make you feel at ease."

Coincidentally, even without Queen Marie's order, he was preparing to go to Vienna.

He looked at his mother again: "Mother, what happened to make you so worried?"

"Alas, I have been taken care of by Madame Delvaux since the moment I was born." Queen Marie wiped her tears with a handkerchief and choked, "She gave me meticulous care."

According to the tradition of European nobles in the 18th century, children would be given to wet nurses to feed as soon as they were born. Queen Marie's mother, the previous Austrian ruler Maria Theresa, gave birth to seven children who were raised by the wet nurse + tutor model.

So for Queen Marie, Madame Delvaux was almost her mother in her childhood, and the relationship between them was very deep.

It was precisely because Queen Marie lacked maternal care since childhood that she did not want her children to experience such pain. Therefore, she admired Rousseau's advocacy of "following the natural way - mothers should feed their children themselves", and was also the first mother in the European royal family to practice this concept. After her, feeding children by themselves gradually became popular among French women.

By the way, Rousseau promoted the concept of "mothers raising children themselves" throughout his life, but threw all his five children into an orphanage (his wife Theresa was still alive) because he believed that he was "absolutely free"...

"Mrs. Delvaux wrote that her health was very bad... and she had a little granddaughter.

"The poor child's parents died of fever when she was very young, and she grew up with Mrs. Delvaux."

Queen Marie talked about some things about Mrs. Delvaux's granddaughter, and finally said: "When the child grew up, she was even more beautiful than her grandmother, and many young nobles pursued her.

"And that beauty also brought her trouble. A year ago, a scoundrel named Walter began to harass her. Even though she refused many times, she was still harassed by him."

Joseph frowned and said, "Doesn't the sheriff of Vienna care about this?"

"The sheriff dare not provoke that Baron Walter," Queen Marie looked at Mrs. Delvaux's letter, "He is the cousin of the Grand Duchess of Tuscany, Maria Vitoluca."

Joseph was stunned for a moment before he connected this name with the corresponding identity: "Leopold II's brother-in-law?"

No wonder no one dared to provoke that baron - Leopold II was about to be crowned the Holy Roman Emperor.

Queen Marie continued, "Baron Walter has a very bad reputation. Madame Delvaux is worried that no one in Vienna dares to take care of him, so she hopes that Camelia, oh, her little granddaughter, can come to Paris and I will provide her with shelter.

"You know, I can't leave the Palace of Versailles easily, so I hope you can go to Vienna and send my blessings to Madame Delvaux on my behalf, and bring back poor Camelia."

"Well, don't worry, I will take care of these things." Joseph nodded seriously.

...

Half a month later.

Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace.

Accompanied by the solemn music played by the band, Joseph, accompanied by Leopold II, walked between the guards of honor standing on both sides of the road.

"I didn't expect you to come in person." Leopold II seemed quite enthusiastic and gestured in the direction of the main entrance of Schönbrunn Palace, "I have prepared a grand dinner for you. "

Joseph thanked him politely, and after a few more pleasantries, he turned the topic to business:

"Uncle, you urgently summoned Archbishop Talleyrand this time. Is there something important?"

Leopold II smiled politely:

"Haha, over the past six months, France has given great support to our country on the battlefields of Silesia and the Southern Netherlands. Your Majesty asked me to express my sincere gratitude to France."

Joseph muttered to himself, if he wanted to express his gratitude, he could just give some florins, why summon the French Foreign Minister?

As the dinner continued, Leopold II suddenly raised his glass and said loudly to everyone present:

"With the help of French allies, General Leo has won a decisive victory in the Southern Netherlands! I believe that it will not be long before the rebels will be eliminated and the Southern Netherlands will regain order."

He smiled and gestured to Joseph:

"And the brave French soldiers will soon be able to return to their long-missed hometown. "

Joseph smiled and raised his glass in response to the cheers of the Austrian nobles, but frowned in his heart - Leopold II seemed very sure that the rebels in the Southern Netherlands would be defeated. But he didn't get any reports from the front line at all. Except for the Hanover Army's rotation of defense a while ago, no decisive battle had taken place.

Leopold II continued to speak passionately:

"In Silesia, our army severely taught the Prussians a lesson. In several battles in Liegnitz, Marshal Lacy annihilated nearly 10,000 Prussian invaders. His cannons almost turned the enemy's positions into scorched earth!"

The Austrian nobles immediately cheered again:

"Long live His Majesty the Emperor!"

"Marshal Lacy leads us to victory!"

"Cheers to the warriors on the Silesia front!"

Joseph was immediately more confused. Austria clearly did not make any progress in Silesia, so why did Leopold II talk about it as if it was going to triumph?

In this way, the banquet ended in an atmosphere of excitement and joy, followed by a dance. It was not until 11 o'clock in the evening that Joseph was finally able to return to his room.

Not long after, Talleyrand knocked on the door and came in, hurriedly bowed, and said solemnly:

"Your Highness, the situation does not seem good. Count Kaunitz wants to see you immediately."

Joseph nodded, signaled Emman to change into casual clothes for him, and followed the two servants who had been waiting outside the house and left Schönbrunn Palace quickly.

In the carriage, Talleyrand frowned and reported:

"Your Highness, according to the news I heard in Vienna, Karl II may withdraw to Hanover soon, and the Prussians will also announce that they will no longer intervene in the situation in the Southern Netherlands."

Joseph was surprised and said, "How is this possible?"

"It is said that Count Frunz was the leader and persuaded Karl II and William II through very small interests." Talleyrand said, "He was also awarded by His Majesty Joseph II not long ago."

Joseph sneered. If Karl II could be persuaded through diplomatic means, Prussia was in a war with Austria, how could it be possible to easily reconcile with the Southern Netherlands?

"What do you think?" He looked at Talleyrand.

"It's definitely not Count Frunz, there must be someone else behind the scenes. But if it's true as the rumors say, our military presence in the Southern Netherlands will become extremely passive."