Chapter 68 Sophia: Sorry, I was nervous for the first time
Peter originally planned to arrange the duel in St. Petersburg, but something happened that disrupted his plan.
While greeting his aunt one night, her aunt told him that he was going to Moscow with her.
Peter was stunned for a moment.
Then I thought about the time now, and it suddenly dawned on me.
It has become a habit for my aunt, the Tsarina, and her court ministers to go to Moscow to live at the end of the year or the beginning of the year.
After all, although St. Petersburg is the new capital, most officials and nobles still yearn for Moscow.
Because their ancestors had lived in Moscow for generations, they cherished the palaces and homes in the old capital. This led to a very strange phenomenon that even later generations could not understand.
On their return from Moscow, many officials hurriedly begged their aunt to be allowed to take a break from official duties for a year, or six months, just to be left behind in the large group returning to St. Petersburg.
Because they are worried that they will not be able to obtain permission, there will be a large number of people who pretend to be ill.
Then a whole host of legal and economic chores will arise, all of which must be resolved without delay in Moscow.
Therefore, it is fast to go and very slow to return.
In this kind of matter, he had no choice, and Peter didn't think there was anything wrong with it, just follow his aunt.
In addition, his aunt also told him a piece of news:
"The princesses are coming soon, including Princess Sophia."
After Peter left his aunt's palace, he decided to improvise.
Among so many princesses, he only paid attention to Sophia.
After all, marrying Sophia means that he is fully aware of the future situation, and if he marries a princess from another country, no matter how small the chance, the marriage may lead to the country forming an alliance or entering a non-hostile state.
The changes brought about were not what he wanted to see.
Thinking that the two parties in this duel were Sophia's top two lovers in the previous life, Peter decided to arrange a show.
There is no other reason for doing this, but just to make sure that Sophia is just an innocent little princess now.
If she was, then she wouldn't have any objections to this duel, otherwise... he would think twice.
…
As night fell, Peter called Mirkovsky and asked him to send a message to Matrona, asking her to find a way to follow him to Moscow.
As for what method to use, he didn't care.
Moscow is the old capital that all nobles yearn for, and he believes that Sergei must also yearn for it.
If Matrona can't even do this, then she is only qualified to be a vase.
"Your Highness, that Adelaide..."
While going to bed, she heard Peter say that he was going to Moscow. Vorontsova was overjoyed and couldn't help but remind her.
Peter smiled and said:
"Let her pretend to be a maid and follow."
Those princesses are coming soon, and Louisa can't hide anymore. She will definitely show up to run for the crown princess.
But he won't choose this woman.
After Luisa lost the election, she had no reason to kill Adelaide. Instead, she had to be grateful that Adelaide was still alive.
Otherwise, it would be difficult for Louis XV to explain the death of his favorite little daughter.
Once the concubine selection was over, Peter hoped that Adelaide would go back and get close to Madame Pompadour.
Whether it will be useful in the future, only the future will know.
"Zova, go to sleep."
Peter looked at Vorontsova with a smile.
Vorontsova lowered her head shyly. She now understood the reason why His Highness stopped last time, so she tried to improve.
When His Highness takes a break recently, he always likes to have her lying next to him, and she is filled with joy.
Vorontsova quickly took off her clothes, while Peter just watched all this with a smile.
Little maid, Chervin, eh?
Why would he think of Chervin at this time?
…
Elizabeth did not care about the coming princesses and acted completely according to her own wishes. She had just talked to Peter for a day.
We started setting out the next day, showing off our vigor and determination.
And this time, the palace ministers were as ready as they could be, and their efficiency was surprisingly high.
Peter was sitting in the luxurious carriage, marveling at the luxury of his aunt's carriage while chatting with his aunt.
The eloquent Peter tried his best to please his aunt, and her aunt's laughter didn't stop all the way, which surprised Duchess Polya outside.
She knew very well the relationship between His Majesty and His Highness, but she didn't expect that in just one week, there would be no barrier between them.
If she hadn't been with His Majesty the whole time, it would have been unbelievable. Is this the same Peter who troubled His Majesty before?
'Your Highness has changed so much...'
Mrs. Polya couldn't help but sigh in her heart and felt happy for His Majesty.
And when Peter and the Queen were riding in the same car to Moscow, Sofia and her daughter, who had just arrived in St. Petersburg, were stunned.
Only one day left, and they missed Her Majesty the Queen and His Highness?
But even so, as the "first" princess to arrive, the two also received a grand reception.
The people receiving the reception were the officials who stayed behind and some foreign envoys from various countries.
After welcoming the princesses from various countries, they also rushed to Moscow.
After all, the Queen's location represents the political center.
Regarding Sophia's arrival, envoys from various countries paid inquiring glances.
Some well-informed people know that this is Princess Sophia, but some are not sure.
They reflected each other in their minds with the people who came to run for the Crown Princess, but to no avail. They couldn't help but wonder which beautiful little girl this was?
But the welcome ceremony was not slackened by all kinds of looks.
Russian officials received personal instructions from the empress to receive the arriving princesses with royal hospitality.
Then, on the banks of the frozen Neva River, an earth-shattering salute sounded.
Outside the palace, a guard of honor saluted Johanna and Sofia.
In the palace, people dressed in bright military uniforms, silk satin, or gold velvet dresses smiled broadly at them and bowed.
Sofia was very nervous. This was the place in Russia where she would stay for the rest of her life if she became the Crown Princess.
Her face turned as red as blood.
But the poor girl from a poor little principality still pretended to be calm.
Although she tripped over her right foot from time to time, Sofia insisted that it was someone else's foot.
She walks normally!
She's a lady.
As for Johanna, her expression was erratic, as if she was in the clouds.
If she hadn't spent many years traveling among prominent relatives and the royal family, she would have lost her composure.
But her strong vanity does not allow her to make a fool of herself.
As for my daughter, I can’t take care of her. Sophia can do that.
She shuttled among the guests like a fluttering butterfly, greeting her with a smile from time to time, chatting for a few more words, covering her mouth with a smile, letting out a series of laughter like silver bells, and then left.
Show off the social style of a lady.
Sophia followed her mother and suddenly turned into a green leaf.
With Sophia being taciturn and mostly smiling, Johanna is even more eye-catching.
The officials and envoys who saw this scene shook their heads secretly. It was not the mother who was running for the crown prince, but the daughter.
However, this daughter's behavior, coupled with the fact that her shoulders are not broad and her waist is not thick, may not please the Queen.
After all, it would be difficult to give birth to a child with such a figure.
The envoys looked at each other and couldn't help but feel relieved.