Looking at Alexander who was crying, Zhukovsky was speechless and sighed.
He has very complicated feelings for Alexander. The Crown Prince became his student when he was very young. He almost watched Alexander grow up, watched him become a man, get married and have children step by step. He was extremely affectionate for this student who looked so much like him.
In a sense, Alexander is more like his son.
Zhukovsky felt that Alexander was the highest-quality crown prince in history. No tsar in the past had as profound knowledge, elegant sentiments, and delicate emotions as he did.
Zhukovsky had no doubt that Alexander would be a good emperor, the best czar in history, and would usher in a new era. But sometimes this student was too much like him.
Isn't it bad to be like Zhukovsky? That's not the case, but Zhukovsky is just a poet after all. It is not a bad thing for a poet to have abundant emotions, because only the poems he writes will be full of passion. But Alexander is not a poet, but
He is the crown prince and future emperor.
As a prince, it is not a good thing to be too emotional. Zhukovsky increasingly felt that his student was too emotional and too tender, which was not beneficial to being an emperor.
"Your Highness, what you need now is not to cry, but to work hard! Show your will, things are not that bad yet!"
Zhukovsky rarely yelled at his students, but today he was really anxious. He had long known that Nicholas I did not like Alexander's soft personality, but he did not expect that the emperor would suddenly attack. This outburst was too sudden and without warning.
, even he was a little flustered and confused for a while.
Fortunately, old Adlerberg and Baryatinsky arrived at the critical moment. They stabilized Zhukovsky's panicked heart and told the poet how to act.
"Count Adlerberg and Prince Baryatinsky have something to say to you. I think their opinions are very important to you. Now you must calm down and listen to their opinions immediately! Immediately!"
Following Zhukovsky's rebuke, Alexander reluctantly put away his tears and asked with tearful eyes: "I'm sorry, teacher. I'm sorry to both of you. I was confused and I really don't know what to do. What should I do?"
Father, he...he..."
When Alexander was about to cry again, old Adlerberg quickly interrupted: "Your Highness, don't be anxious. Although the situation is not good, according to Mr. Yi, it is far from as bad as you think!"
Alexander wiped his tears and asked: "No? But..."
"Your Highness!" Old Adlerberg said quickly: "Your Majesty is very dissatisfied with you and punished Menshikov, but this does not mean that he is ready to depose you, nor does it mean that the Grand Council of Constantine has been established.
For the new crown prince!”
Alexander stared at old Adlerberg with wide eyes. Although he liked hearing these words, he didn't really believe them.
Old Adlerberg continued: "If His Majesty really wants to do that, today's imperial meeting will definitely not only punish Prince Menshikov, but also reprimand you. But as you see, only Menshikov
The prince was rebuked and said nothing more to your majesty!"
"But, but I can see... my father is very dissatisfied with me..."
Old Adlerberg sighed in his heart: [If I were Your Majesty, I would be dissatisfied when I see you looking like a bear!]
However, it is not appropriate to say this, because old Adlerberg also saw that Alexander is now frightened, and he is quite lacking in confidence and self-confidence. If you still yell at him at this time, not only will it not cheer him up, but it will
Making him more and more depressed.
"Your Highness, His Majesty is not dissatisfied with you, but he has high expectations for you." Old Adlerberg said deceptively, "If you continue to be decadent, then His Majesty will really be dissatisfied with you!"
Alexander looked at old Adlerberg and then at his teacher Zhukovsky. Obviously he didn't particularly believe in the former. This made Zhukovsky really anxious and angry, and he immediately raised his voice and yelled:
"Sanya, why are you still hesitating? At this time, do we still have the leisure to lie to you? Cheer up quickly, otherwise everything will really be over!!"
Alexander was startled. This was the first time he had seen a teacher in such a state. In his impression, Zhukovsky had always been gentle and polite, and he spoke in a soft voice. Just now, he was so anxious that he even lost his voice.
The tone has changed, which shows how anxious he is.
Alexander quickly stopped his tears and asked anxiously: "Then what should I do?"
Zhukovsky looked at old Adlerberg and motioned for him to answer. After all, although he was Alexander's teacher, he was really not good at politics. Such professional matters had to be explained by professionals.
Old Adlerberg quickly said: "Your Highness, let me analyze the situation for you first. If you understand it, you will not be so anxious and flustered. Then we can discuss the next strategy?"
Alexander naturally wanted it. He was so anxious just now that he wished someone could help him analyze it. He nodded and urged: "Earl, please tell me, hurry up..."
However, Crown Princess Maria was not as abrupt and impatient as him. The Crown Princess politely interrupted Alexander's words and apologized to the three Zhukovskys: "Sorry, gentlemen,
Coinciding with the great changes, our husband and wife lost our temper a little and forgot to entertain you all. I’m really sorry!”
"Pronya! Rostya! Hurry and invite the gentlemen to the drawing room. The teacher likes black tea, the count likes coffee, prepare gin for the duke!"
Crown Princess Maria took over the important task of entertaining guests in a reasonable manner. While entertaining the three Zhukovskys, she asked Crown Prince Alexander to quickly rearrange his appearance. He was really out of his mind just now.
All this was seen by the three Zhukovskys. As a teacher, Zhukovsky didn't feel it deeply. He was probably used to the Crown Princess's sophistication. And the old Adlerberg and Baryatin
Ski secretly exchanged glances. It was obvious that they had a high opinion of the Crown Princess and felt that the hostess seemed to be more calm and able to hold the rudder at critical moments than the Crown Prince.
Ten minutes later, Alexander, who had been cleaned up by the Crown Princess, returned to the three of them. At this time, he could no longer see any signs of panic, nervousness or loss of composure. All traces were covered up by the shrewd Crown Princess.
"Gentlemen, I'm very sorry. I lost my composure. As the prince, I should have been more calm and calm. I apologize to you all. Thank you for coming to help me as soon as possible. This is very important to me. Thank you for your generosity! I will always remember this day.