His Excellency the Count of Grandet

While Charles was thinking about what happened, the Duke of Orleans quickly looked at the young man in front of him.Then he found that even if he was as picky as he was, he couldn't find anything wrong with Charles in terms of appearance.Not only that, but he could also tell that that fair face looked like everyone else was smiling, but the expression in his eyes was calm.

Shouldn't young people of this age have a kind of arrogance and agility that is not afraid of anything?Is what Victor said true?

The Duke didn't move, so Charles naturally couldn't step forward by himself, and just bowed in salute. "It is an honor to meet you, Your Excellency the Duke."

But when he said that, he was muttering in his heart.This atmosphere is really not right!His father would definitely not like such a nobleman, so why did the Duke of Orleans ask to see his father by name?If it was accidental, it would be too accidental, right?And it is inevitable... Lafitte is not so free!

Charles has the advantage of never being too sentimental, so he doesn't even know that Victor has taken a rare interest in him now.

"You are Guillaume's son?" asked the duke.He usually doesn't like to be surrounded by people when he talks, but today is an exception, because he wants to see how Charles handles the situation.

"Yes, my name is Charles." Charles hesitated for a moment, and chose the most standard answer.Because if there is only the Duke of Orleans, that's all. There are a hundred and eighty pairs of eyes staring at him. Naturally, the more disciplined he is, the better. "My father recently went to the champagne producing area in the east. Considering the weather, he won't be back until three days later. If you have anything, I can convey it for you."

He said this clearly and calmly, and then pointed out the point of wine in a circumstantial way. The Duke narrowed his eyes slightly.Guillaume must know about the special wine supplier, and he even went to other places at this juncture, so one can imagine his attitude. "I heard that the latest wines are the best prices," he said meaningfully, "Champagne sales are not too high."

The surrounding people are all baffled.Could it be that His Excellency the Duke came to Guillaume just to say such a sentence?

But Charles could hear a trace of dissatisfaction hidden underneath, and couldn't help thinking that the duke was really difficult to deal with.With the relationship network of the Grandet family, there is almost no chance to get a share in this matter; and the Duke is used to being surrounded by people, knowing that Guillaume gave up directly, he has a lot of opinions.

Arguing with the Duke is obviously harmless. Charles quickly went through his own inventory in his mind and said: "We still have a lot of unopened oak barrels in the Paris warehouse, all of which are full of wine. In two or three months, after the grapes mature, Burgundy still has a steady stream of new wine. The current wine is a good price, but if you buy too much, then..." He paused, and smiled apologetically at the right time: "I'm sorry , I said too many irrelevant things."

Alphonse squeezed into the crowd, and almost rushed up to shake Charles when he heard the words: What do you mean it doesn't matter!For your own benefit, hurry up and continue talking!

But of course things don't go his way.For the Duke of Orleans, isn't the business of the Grandet family irrelevant?

The Duke now finally knew what Victor meant when he said he was "not at all like a young man".

At this age, it is not easy to clearly understand the family business, but what is even more difficult is that Shire is very smart in promoting himself and knows the scale; in return, he apologized for this, and his position was completely on his side.For Charles, it would be better if things could work out; if not, he would not be able to find fault with Charles.

"What do you mean," the Duke raised his chin slightly, "if they can't be sold by then, the Grandet family will go bankrupt?"

The words were straightforward, and many people gasped, but Charles did not appear to be offended.Instead, he admitted directly: "I don't think it's a good thing for any wine wholesaler to have a lot of oak barrels in storage."

"What if it's sold?" asked the duke again.

"That's exactly what we've been hoping for," said Charles truthfully.

The Duke stared at him for several seconds, then suddenly smiled. "How old are you?"

The topic turned so abruptly that no one came back to their senses.Didn't the gunpowder splash all over the second before?It becomes commonplace in the next second?

"Thank you for your generosity. In one month, it will be my 21st birthday." Charles replied at his usual speed, but he couldn't figure out what the other party was thinking.However, he had a vague feeling that the other party really came for him today.

"If someone wants to give you a big birthday present, would you dare to accept it?" When the Duke said this, the expression on his face almost reached the extreme of a half-smile.In addition, he has deep nasolabial folds, and outsiders look horrified.

Charles met his gaze without hesitation, pursed his lips and smiled: "I have always been willing to accept various challenges."

His Excellency the Duke finally nodded.He raised one hand, and the people around him immediately retreated knowingly, leaving an empty circle for the two of them. "Can you guess what it is?"

"I don't know." Charles replied. "The only thing I know is that before that, I will personally send you an invitation, and I implore you to come."

"Okay, very good!" The Duke laughed.

After a while, this incident caused an uproar at the ball.Although no one understands the riddles that come and go, one thing is obvious: the Duke does not know which aspect of Shire he has taken a fancy to, and it is possible to hand over such a lucrative job as a special wine supplier to the Grandet family.

This came as a surprise to some and sad news to others.But no matter which one, they all want to get more inside information from Shire.It's just that by that time, Charles had already told Mr. Nucingen and left the banquet hall early.

Alphonse naturally followed him.As soon as he stepped out of the gate, he couldn't wait to ask: "Is there anything wrong? I don't understand what you said later! Your Excellency's tone is really..." It's too scary, isn't it!

Charles shook his head inwardly.Alphonse certainly didn't know that there were sometimes crisis management and even personal attacks in the interview process.If he was irritated when the other party said that the Grandet family was going bankrupt, everything would be over. "You also said it, Your Excellency the Duke. With his status, there is no need to make things difficult for us. It would be too cheap."

"It's true..." Alphonse was a little angry just now, but now he suddenly understood. "So he's just scaring you?"

"I think he probably heard some rumors, and that's why he was interested in me." Charles replied, thinking that this matter probably has something to do with Lafitte.The Duke is also really difficult to deal with, and judging from today's situation, the Duke prefers straightforward and honest people, so he made the right bet.

"Then he asked about your birthday later..." Alphonse wanted to ask again, but suddenly understood. "He's going to entrust this to you! But you're not yet of age, so..."

"So it's a birthday present. We'd better be prepared or it could turn into a scare," said Shire.Although the probability of this matter is not very high - the Duke of Orleans is not a person who keeps his promises - but he must not leave a bad impression on his partner and future His Majesty the King.

"So leaving so early?" Alphonse nodded, and then thought of his business that was going nowhere. "You'll be fine, but I'll have to be careful when I go back." He said this purely in self-deprecation, because his father Jacques didn't expect much.If their family is also in the wine business, they can cooperate with Shire, but their family is in the arms business, so they can't win at all!

Seeing his listless look, Charles couldn't help reminding him. "You forgot, there is one more chance."

"What?" Alphonse cheered up immediately.

Seeing no one around, Charles told Alphonse the last conversation he had with the Duke. "You won't talk like this around, right? You'll bring me gifts too, right?" Although Guillaume will definitely invite many people, not everyone knows that His Excellency the Duke will agree invited.If Alphonse had prepared early, he would definitely have an advantage over others.

Alphonse beamed with joy and nodded desperately. "Of course! Charles, I really love you more and more!"

"Shut up!" Charles was angry again. "Don't make it sound like I'm interested in you."

But Alphonse was so excited that he didn't hear the blame at all.

As for this end, everyone's minds at the ball were drawn away. Not to mention, the Duke of Orleans himself also left early.When he returned to his mansion, he ordered his attendants to call his eldest son.

Ferdinand Philip, this year, is just at an age suitable for entering the social circle.His appearance is almost a replica of Louis Philippe when he was young, with a slightly gloomy brow—for any person, if he followed his parents in exile in America and England in childhood, he would not be very cheerful.Moreover, despite the fact that he is only eighteen, as the eldest son, he has already inherited the title of Duke of Chartres, and when he goes out, he will only be kneeled and licked by others, so he is even more reticent.

The Duke of Orleans naturally knew his son's temperament, so he didn't have any special reaction when he saw Ferdinand's expressionless face as before.He briefly talked about today's affairs, and finally explained: "I will leave the wine to you. When the time comes, Charles will send the invitation card. You will receive him and tell him that is what I mean."

Ferdinand nodded.It's not a particularly big deal for them, and there's nothing wrong with letting him do it.It doesn't matter who it is, anyway, it is others who need to get close to him, not him who needs to get close to others.But his only concern is, "You mean, this Charles is underage?" It's not that he despises Charles, but really, with his father's personality, why would he believe such a young lad?

The Duke knew what it meant when he heard it. "Of course I don't look at his age." He tapped the table slightly, "I look at a man who does things. If Charles can do things well this time, then he will be left to you."

Ferdinand understood.Charles said he was young, but if he was kept to help him, he would be just the right age.Start training now, and when he grows up, he will have reliable left and right hands. "Yes, father." He said goodbye, and finally became interested in the rumored Charles.