Struggle in Russia

Li Xiao didn't know about the resentment towards the brothers Alexander and Constantine. After tasting the delicacies at the ball until his belly bulged, he patted his butt and left in a smart way. Now he just wants to go home and have a good sleep. After a whole night of tossing around, he is exhausted. No matter what Nicholas I is, no matter what conspiracy he has for revenge, the sky will fall and wait for it to fall. Sleep is the first priority now.

Li Xiao's residence in St. Petersburg is located on the edge of the Haymarket, which belongs to the slums of St. Petersburg. Naturally, the land price is very cheap, and the space is not large. It is just a small two-story building. This small building originally belonged to a certain serf servant of his father. After Nicholas I took over all his father's property, he generously allocated this dilapidated and dilapidated small building to him to live in, allowing him to have A place that can barely shelter from the wind and rain.

The meager income given to Li Xiao by Nicholas I is naturally unable to repair the house, nor can it afford to support groups of servants. There is only one old servant following him, so after more than ten years, the dilapidated house has been destroyed. It became even more unsightly. Anyway, it doesn't look like the mansion of the emperor's nephew, the grand duke of the empire. Some people believe that it is a ghost house, okay?

When Li Xiao arrived home, the room was quiet, and the old servant Igor didn't come to welcome him as soon as he used to, which made him a little strange. Because this is not in line with the old man's personality. As the only person in St. Petersburg who treats Li Xiao well, no matter what the situation is, the old man will wait for him to go home and offer him hot water for washing and delicious meals. All old men will never rest early.

And today, where did the old man go?

"Daddy? Daddy?"

Li Xiao's heart skipped a beat. After all, the old man was getting old, and his health was getting worse day by day over the years. He was really worried that the old man would suddenly go away because of a sudden illness. He rushed into the house in a panic and began to search for the old man, really afraid of seeing the scene that broke his heart.

But that terrible scene did not appear, Li Xiao just rushed into the living room and saw the old man standing there, as if he was receiving guests. It's just that the lamps and candles in the living room are flickering, and it's impossible to see the guest's face clearly. Who is this?

Li Xiao was still wondering when Igor heard the movement behind him and turned around to welcome him: "Master, are you back? I'm sorry, I should go to meet you. But I'm really sorry for the sudden arrival of a distinguished guest. Have you had dinner yet?" ?”

Seeing that Igor was fine, Li Xiao immediately breathed a sigh of relief, and quickly replied: "Father, don't worry about it, I ate outside. By the way, who's here?"

"Your Majesty the Grand Duke, I take the liberty to come to visit, please forgive the abruptness."

Before Igor could make an introduction, the honored guest who couldn't see his face stood up from the sofa and introduced himself, "I am Count Yakov Rostovtsev."

This self-introduction was very abrupt, because Li Xiao couldn't find any impression of Rostovtsev in the memory of his predecessor, and he didn't know the earl at all, so the earl suddenly came late at night uninvited to do what?

"Sorry," Li Xiao replied with vigilance, "Please forgive my ignorance, Your Excellency, it seems that we don't know each other?"

The earl, who couldn't see clearly, replied calmly: "Yes, Your Excellency. We really don't know each other."

Li Xiao asked strangely: "Then what advice do you have for coming here this time?"

The earl looked at old Igor, who immediately bowed slightly and apologized to Li Xiao, and immediately left the living room. This surprised Li Xiao very much. It was obvious that his old servant knew or was very familiar with the earl, otherwise he would not have left so simply and neatly. This made him even more curious about the earl and his reason for coming!

The mysterious Count Rostovtsev did not immediately answer Li Xiao's question, but instead strolled leisurely in the living room, as if this was his home. He commented slowly as he walked: "Very unique decoration style,

Is not it? "

Li Xiao looked at the mottled walls, rickety sofas, incomplete tea sets, and frayed-edged carpets, and replied angrily: "It's not unique at all. The surrounding areas of the Haymarket, or the residences of ordinary people in St. It’s this style, it’s just poor!”

Count Rostovtsev's face was covered by shadows and a stand-up collar, and there seemed to be a hint of a smile, but it was so fleeting that it was hard to see clearly. He said calmly: "But for a grand duke of an empire, such an environment is...well, impressive?"

Li Xiao was getting impatient. This guy in front of him was just wasting his time if he didn't get to the point. Tomorrow he has to go to the gate of the Winter Palace to stand guard and drink the northwest wind, and he also has to deal with the revenge of the old villain Nicholas I and his son, so he is really not in the mood to grind his teeth and play riddles with him.

"Are you here to mock me? If so, then your goal has been achieved now. Please forgive me for being very busy and tired today, so I won't keep you sitting for long!"

As he spoke, Li Xiao made a gesture of invitation towards the door, which meant that tea was served to see off the guests.

But Count Rostovtsev didn't have the slightest intention of leaving. He walked back to the rickety sofa and sat down, and said calmly, "Young man, don't be so impatient. Talk to me. There is only good for you and no harm."

Li Xiao pursed his lips and said angrily: "Really, forgive me for my shallow knowledge, I really didn't see the so-called benefits."

Count Rostovtsev still acted calmly and didn't care about someone's sarcasm at all. He replied calmly: "You will know the benefits. But this is not the point, because The help I give you is also what you deserve. I always give rewards to young people who perform well."

Li Xiao is getting more and more puzzled by the second monk. He has already given him a reward, that is, the so-called benefits, according to what the Count Rostovtsev said, but he didn't realize it at all. ?

Li Xiao was a little undecided. The earl made him feel very troublesome. After thinking for a while, he decided not to speak, and to see what the other party wanted to do first.

"Knowing how to keep your mouth shut is a good thing. If you speak too much, you will lose and misfortune will come out of your mouth. Only a reckless man will take advantage of his tongue for a while. A real wise man must be cautious in his words and actions before making a decision. You have to learn more about this !"

The tone of this lesson made Li Xiao a little unhappy, but it seemed to mean something. Could it be that he was too impulsive tonight against Nicholas I and his son?

"It seems that you have already realized the problem. This is very good, it shows that your thinking is still quick, and you are not the kind of fool who doesn't know how to die when a catastrophe is imminent."