Duke Alexander and Duke Mikhail looked at each other, both of them were confused. Their relationship with old Adlerberg was very ordinary. In the past, they would not have said hello to each other. At least they would not come to the door without saying hello.
Come.
"Why is he here?" Prince Michael asked.
Duke Alexander shook his head and said, "I don't know. It doesn't look like His Majesty sent him here. It's a private matter?"
Duke Mikhail was even more surprised. He also thought that it was unlikely that Alexander II had sent old Adlerberg. If he really wanted to announce the news, he could just send his chamberlain. How could he let the dignified minister of palace affairs run errands?
But this was even more puzzling, because as far as he knew, Duke Alexander had no personal relationship with old Adlerberg, so naturally there was no request for payment for personal matters.
Considering old Adlerberg's sensitive conservative status, Duke Mikhail prefers not to deal with this slippery old fox for the time being.
Duke Alexander shook his head and said: "That's inappropriate! Although reform is the general trend, the strength of those conservative guys cannot be underestimated. It doesn't hurt to meet him. It's not a bad thing to blur our position!"
After saying that, without waiting for Duke Mikhail to object, he ordered the butler to invite old Adlerberg in, and then said: "Mikhail, shall we go to see him together?"
To be honest, Duke Mikhail didn't want to deal with old Adlerberg because he had always had a bad impression of this guy who was always sitting on the fence. He always felt that this guy was too good-looking and unreliable.
It's just that Duke Alexander has already made a decision, and he is too lazy to object, but if he is asked to "suffer" along with him, he will be grateful!
He waved his hand and said, "I won't go. I'm too lazy to grind my teeth with him. It's boring!"
Duke Alexander smiled and said nothing. Duke Mikhail had such a temper. Although he was willing to deal with those old foxes most of the time, if he had a choice, he would rather keep his military style straightforward.
"Dear Vladimir, you are such a rare visitor! I have been back for so long and I haven't seen you come to say hello. I thought you had forgotten me as a friend!"
Old Adlerberg was a little surprised and flattered by Duke Alexander's enthusiasm. Although Duke Alexander was only the acting foreign minister for the time being, his status seemed to be just that.
But how could a Hermitage encyclopedia and Hermitage gossip collector like him not know that this was just a measure to temporarily maintain the balance of power.
It's just to save face for Neserrodie. If nothing happens, next year Duke Alexander will at least be a full-fledged foreign minister, and it is very likely that he will even be given the title of prime minister.
In short, this man is a real big shot and will be the second most powerful figure in Russia after Alexander II in the future.
Such a character shows a different kind of enthusiasm towards him who has a mediocre relationship with him, which is enough to give him face.
Old Adlerberg, as a social master and a know-it-all in officialdom, immediately followed the lead and replied with fear: "I'm sorry, dear Duke, it's not that I want to neglect you. It's true that you have so many things to do, and the people who want to see you are always there."
The queue has reached Moscow, how dare I come to disturb you rashly!"
Duke Alexander's heart was full of hehe, and he said in his heart: He said he didn't dare, but that's not what you are doing now!
"You're joking. I just have more friends and social activities, so more people come to visit me... As for keeping busy with everything, that's just a joke. No matter how busy I am, I still have time to receive you. As long as you are willing to chat with me, I will be there at any time.
No matter what, my door is always open to you!"
The two of them exchanged a few false polite words, and then old Adlerberg said in a very "uneasy" voice: "Duke, there is nothing else to do with your rash visit. As you know, my son Sasha is a young man.
Sometimes I am impulsive when doing things and do not think carefully enough, so it is inevitable that I will offend some people..."
Prince Alexander frowned inwardly. Although he did not hang out in St. Petersburg all year round, he could not hide the movements of the leading figures in the aristocratic circle of St. Petersburg.
As far as he knew, little Adlerberg was not the kind of impulsive person. On the contrary, he was a down-to-earth little fox. No matter what he did, he always made plans before taking action, and he was as good at dancing as his father.
It is almost impossible for him to be a young impulsive sinner.
In short, Duke Alexander did not believe what old Adlerberg said because it was too false.
He just hummed twice, as if listening very seriously and waiting for old Adlerberg to get to the point quickly.
Old Adlerberg was not in a hurry. He continued to say with sincerity: "Duke, you should have heard that Sasha offended Archduke Andre two years ago because of his carelessness, which made the Grand Duke very unhappy. Although
At that time, conflicts and disputes were actively resolved, but..."
Duke Alexander knew about this matter. That time, the little fox kicked the iron plate and killed the boss. But as the old fox said, this matter has indeed been resolved. At least he has not heard that Li Xiao holds a grudge against it.
Still holding a grudge.
Based on his understanding of old Adlerberg, this old fox should also know that the matter has been successfully resolved and there are no hidden dangers, so what does he mean by suddenly mentioning this now?
"But what?" asked Prince Alexander, pretending to be curious.
This was what Old Adlerberg was waiting for. He hurriedly said: "But, Archduke Andrei is now in charge of the Third Department of St. Petersburg... You also know how much power the Third Department has. I'm afraid that he will have some influence on Saint Petersburg."
Sasha still has a misunderstanding. If he takes some measures, I'm worried that it will affect Sasha's future!"
When Prince Alexander carefully touched the old fox, he always felt that the old fox was pretending to be stupid. The third part was indeed very powerful, but that was before. Now in the third part, being chased and beaten by Nikolai Milyutin, he could only tuck his tail between his legs.
As a human being, who doesn't know that Li Xiao is hated by Alexander II, and it is impossible to get the support of that supreme leader, and his new official will not have much influence at all.
And although your old Adlerberg has been in a bit of a downturn in recent years, he is still as thin as a camel than a horse. Even if Li Xiao causes trouble for little Adlerberg, your connections and power can resolve it in minutes.
Now that you're saying you're worried about this, aren't you kidding?
Anyway, Duke Alexander didn't believe a word of the old fox's words, but he didn't understand why the old fox used such an excuse to visit him. What did he mean by this? What was his intention?