Catherine and the Black Emperor

Chapter 94. Elizabeth's New Male Concubine

Chapter 94. Elizabeth's New Male Concubine

9 month.

Peter had helped preserve the Duchy of Holstein, so Peter had been spending the last month in close contact with Sergei.

Whenever Sergei finished his official duties, Peter would invite him for drinks.

Sergei had no choice but to listen to the other party talk about impractical and even naive designs.

"I plan to build a villa near Oranimbam Palace, modeled after the Capuchin monastery. My servants and I will wear the brown robes of Capuchin monks, and each of us will have our own donkey, taking turns leading a caravan to fetch water and deliver supplies to the 'monastery' —"

The more Peter conceived the idea, the more excited he became.

Sergei rubbed his head.

He found listening to Peter speak more troublesome than handling official business.

Catherine, who was reading nearby, couldn't help but chuckle when she saw Sergei being annoyed by Peter.

She did try to save Sergei, but each time she was loudly rebuked by Peter.

"I've only just developed a liking for you because of your help, so please don't bother us, or don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Peter wasn't joking at all when he said that.

To be precise, his irritable and easily angered personality makes him prone to turning his back on anyone.

"Duke, it seems you have found temporary relief."

Ekaterina looked at Sergei, who was walking over, and then at Peter, who had suddenly run off to feed the dogs.

"I brought you a gift."

Sergei handed her the two books.

"A French book!" Ekaterina exclaimed with delight.

"I know you've read every Russian book you could find in order to master Russian, but actually you prefer French, so I imagine you'll be open to anything related to it," Sergei said with a smile.

"Father Barnault's (a renowned preacher and educator) ten-volume 'History of Germany'! Pierre Bell's (a French philosopher) 'Dictionary of Historical Critique'! I not only accept them all, I absolutely adore them!"

Ekaterina looked at the two books and was overjoyed.

She especially loved the second book, written by Bell, a 17th-century liberal thinker and a predecessor of Montesquieu and Voltaire.

"Duke, I will definitely read them carefully!"

Sergei looked at the beautiful Catherine, and as she radiated knowledge, his attraction to the opposite sex became even stronger.

10 month.

The Royal Theatre.

Elizabeth and her courtiers were watching several Russian and French plays, including Sergei.

"No wonder the Empress attaches such importance to this; it turns out it was Prince Yusupov who arranged it." Naryshkin sat down next to Sergei.

After this period of experience in officialdom, Naryshkin has clearly become wiser and more composed. Of course, behind this growth, there are also unspeakable grievances and hardships.

Sergei had dealings with Prince Yusupov.

Whether the other party is a member of parliament or also serves as the commander of military academy students, these performances were rehearsed by his students, but the results were not good, and the students' lines were full of mistakes.

"It seems the senator is destined to disappoint the Queen," Naryshkin concluded.

Sergei glanced at him and smiled, "No one is happier than the Queen today."

"How is that possible? The mistakes those people made were so obvious, and the play was so ridiculous!" Naryshkin exclaimed in bewilderment.

Sergei didn't explain it to him, just said he'd find out in a few days.

After he finished speaking, his gaze followed Elizabeth's line of sight and landed on one of the young men on the stage.

The other party was nearly nineteen years old, a handsome young man, and he was dressed in a dazzling manner, wearing the most ornaments.

After the performance, when he saw that the other person was still wearing diamond clasps, rings, and watches, and was adorned with exquisite lace, Sergei became even more certain of his guess.

Sure enough, a few days later, Naryshkin told Sergei.

"My goodness! The Empress has taken a liking to Bykotov! Do you know Bykotov? He's one of those trainees from the performance Prince Yusupov arranged the other day! He's the Empress's new male favorite!"

"Sergei, you have a really sharp eye. No wonder you do secret work. I'm afraid to be around you now, because I always feel like I'm naked when I'm with you."

Sergei raised an eyebrow: "Then what are you still doing here?"

Naryshkin immediately gave an awkward yet polite smile: "I still have a favor to ask of you. I've torn up all the little gifts you gave me last time. Could you give me some more?"

After Sergei dismissed Naryshkin, another visitor arrived, much to Sergei's surprise.

"Count, what brings you here?"

The visitor was none other than Count Alexei Razumovsky.

Razumovsky looked around and, seeing that it was just the two of them, said, "I won't beat around the bush. After the time when the Empress was critically ill, I think we should have a very close relationship."

Sergei nodded: "Of course."

"Bykov has recently gained Her Majesty's favor, but I don't really mind that, because the Empress can't possibly have only one male favorite, and no matter who the Empress falls for, I will always be number one in her heart."

Sergei had no doubt about Razumovsky's words.

Leaving aside the fact that the other party was a good person with a kind heart, even when Ivan Shuvalov was chosen by Elizabeth, Razumovsky did not object, but the result was predictable.

Ivan's enormous appetite gave Razumovsky quite a headache.

"The reason I'm looking for you is because Ivan Shuvalov met with Bykotov. The purpose of these two young men getting together is obvious: to deal with me."

After hearing Razumovsky's words, Sergei knew that was the case.

Elizabeth's two youngest male lovers, who are each other's biggest rivals, are meeting at this moment, which means they have only one purpose: to join forces to bring down their biggest enemy, Razumovsky.

"Count, do you want me to help you?" Sergei understood Razumovsky's purpose in coming.

Such matters were clearly not suitable for Deputy Prime Minister Mikhail to handle; rather, it was the deputy chairman of the secret committee who was more capable of helping him deal with the enemy.

"That's right!" Razumovsky nodded.

In fact, he came here full of worries, because Bykotov was now favored by Elizabeth, and Ivan Shuvalov's uncle Alexander Shuvalov had even reprimanded Sergei, almost accusing him of treason.

Therefore, he didn't think Sergei would agree to his request.

But he still came with a glimmer of hope, because Sergei, after all, hated the Shuvalov family.

"I agree, Earl."

"Really? Thank you so much!" Razumovsky exclaimed in surprise.

Sure enough, Sergei agreed!

"I will make Bekotov disappear from the Empress's sight as quickly as possible and teach Ivan Shuvalov a lesson. As for completely eliminating Ivan Shuvalov, I am not yet able to contend with Count Shuvalov," Sergei frankly stated.

"No problem, that's enough! It's unbelievable how capable you've become. Thinking back to many years ago, when you were just a courtier of the Queen, I never imagined you would achieve such success. I truly didn't misjudge you!"

Sergei shakes hands with Razumovsky.

"Count, as you said, we are the closest of friends, and I would never stand idly by for the sake of my friends."

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