After Ismail left Fontainebleau Palace full of joy, the weary Jerome Bonaparte arrived at Empress Augusta’s chamber under the guidance of the attendant.

When Jerome Bonaparte pushed open the door to enter Empress Augusta’s chamber, Augusta and Countess Lacroix, who were originally chatting on the sofa, had already received the attendant’s notification half a minute ago and stood up to await Jerome Bonaparte’s arrival.

"Your Majesty!" Countess Lacroix respectfully said to the Emperor before her.

"Madam, hello!" Jerome Bonaparte responded lightly to Countess Lacroix.

Realizing she could not stay here too long, Countess Lacroix perceptively bid farewell to Jerome Bonaparte and Empress Augusta. Naturally, Jerome Bonaparte and Empress Augusta did not have any intention of stopping Countess Lacroix and agreed to her departure.

Just as Countess Lacroix’s steps reached the door, Jerome Bonaparte suddenly called out to her.

"Your Majesty, do you have any further instructions!" Countess Lacroix slightly bowed to Jerome Bonaparte and politely inquired.

"Madam, regarding the appointment of General MacMahon as the Commander of the Imperial Guard, please make sure to inform General MacMahon promptly!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Countess Lacroix.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After once again saluting Jerome Bonaparte, Countess Lacroix left the room quietly.

After Countess Lacroix left, Empress Augusta, who had been silent, immediately inquired of Jerome Bonaparte.

"You are planning to promote MacMahon to be the Commander of the Imperial Guard?"

"Exactly!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded in response to Empress Augusta, "I think MacMahon is more suitable than Conrobel to be the Commander of the Imperial Guard; Conrobel’s character is really not suited for such an important position!"

"But!" Augusta frowned slightly and said with a hint of worry, "I heard that General MacMahon was recommended by Prince Juaneville, hastily appointing him to such a position might be lacking in consideration!"

"Augusta, you’re worried that MacMahon will betray us at a crucial moment, aren’t you!" Jerome Bonaparte straightforwardly voiced Empress Augusta’s concerns.

"Yes!" Empress Augusta admitted frankly, "If MacMahon stands aside at a crucial moment, then we are in danger!

Jerome, we must consider his relationship with Juaneville!"

If Jerome Bonaparte were not someone knowledgeable about MacMahon’s "future," he might be persuaded by Augusta’s words to choose a more trustworthy general.

However, MacMahon’s historical bloodshed in Paris had already fully shown that he was a general who inherently desired monarchy and obedience.

As long as Jerome Bonaparte could demonstrate determination, like the late Thiers during the suppression of Paris, he would be able to direct MacMahon to suppress Paris.

As for Augusta’s concern about his relationship with Orleans Juaneville, Jerome Bonaparte did not see it as a major issue.

"Augusta!" Jerome Bonaparte spoke to Empress Augusta with intense seriousness, "Your concerns are indeed reasonable!

But have you thought about what Juaneville can offer MacMahon!

Even if MacMahon assists Juaneville in overthrowing the Empire, what could MacMahon gain from it!

Apart from positions like Prime Minister and a few ministerial posts, what position is more important than Commander of the Paris Guard!"

Saying this, Jerome Bonaparte chuckled slightly, then continued, "Moreover, Juaneville is not the legitimate heir to the Orleans Kingdom!

The legitimate heir to the Orleans Kingdom is always that Count of Paris far in London.

Even if Juaneville can overthrow the Empire’s rule, he would merely be a transitional figure temporarily guarding the throne for the King.

That also means even if MacMahon becomes Juaneville’s direct lineage, he won’t have significant development space in Orleans Kingdom.

The factional imprint of Prince Juaneville has destined him to be suppressed by the Count of Paris in the Orléans Dynasty.

After all, the Count of Paris’ grandfather Louis Philippe successfully turned the tables by overthrowing the legitimate dynasty and establishing the Orleans Kingdom.

With such a "role model," the Count of Paris will surely be vigilant against Prince Juaneville, and a general like MacMahon, who holds military power, will naturally also become an object of the Count of Paris’s vigilance.

If I were MacMahon, I would rather serve as Imperial Guard Commander in the Second Empire than choose the path of overthrowing the Empire and establishing the Orleans Kingdom."

After hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s analysis, the resistance in Empress Augusta’s heart about General MacMahon’s appointment as Commander of the Imperial Guard dissipated.

"Moreover, Countess Lacroix maintains a close relationship with you!

Even if MacMahon wants to defect to the Orleans Kingdom, he must consider his wife and children in the court!" Jerome Bonaparte continued to answer Empress Augusta, "From what I know about MacMahon, he is quite willing to heed his wife’s advice!"

"So you would have Lacroix persuade MacMahon!" Augusta casually said to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Yes!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded in response to Empress Augusta.

"But, wouldn’t Conrobel have objections!" Empress Augusta once again voiced her concerns, "Isn’t it a bit abrupt to transfer him!"

Jerome Bonaparte explained to Empress Augusta about Conrobel’s resignation.

"I plan to send Conrobel to Algeria as Governor!" Jerome Bonaparte further told Augusta.

"What about Montauban?" Empress Augusta asked.

"I intend to send him to the Far East to oversee the situation there!" Jerome Bonaparte replied, "Montauban has earned enough in Algeria; let him have some experience in the Far East!

My subordinates can’t all be generals only interested in making money!"

"Hmm!" Empress Augusta responded.

After that, Jerome Bonaparte discussed Friedrich’s performance in the military camp with Empress Augusta.

Hearing about Friedrich’s achievements, Empress Augusta also showed a loving smile.

Every mother feels joy deep in her heart upon hearing of her child’s excellent deeds.

...

In the following period, Jerome Bonaparte quietly awaited the arrival of the welcoming delegation.

Soon, a telegram from Paris appeared in the office of the Fontainebleau Palace a week and a half later.

André von Beichu, upon receiving the telegram, quickly ran to Jerome Bonaparte’s study and handed the telegram to him.

Jerome Bonaparte skimmed through the telegram, a smile immediately appearing on his lips.

The telegram contained news about the welcoming party.

From far-off Paris, Mornay informed Jerome Bonaparte through a telegram from the Elysee Palace that Vice Speaker Bijou of the French Legislative Corps had led half of the representatives of the Legislative Corps, departing by train from Paris at 8 a.m. They were expected to arrive at the Fontainebleau Town in a little over an hour.

Jerome Bonaparte first glanced at the time; there was still an hour before the Paris delegation would arrive at the Town of Fontainebleau Palace.

Jerome Bonaparte ordered André von Beichu to bring Bulbaski to him, and André von Beichu left to fulfill his instructions.

A while later, Bulbaski appeared before Jerome Bonaparte.

Jerome Bonaparte immediately instructed Bulbaski to deploy all the carriages in Fontainebleau Palace to the train station, and also to dispatch a battalion stationed nearby for escort.

"Remember, you must ensure the safety of the Legislative Corps representatives!" Jerome Bonaparte specially instructed Bulbaski.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Bulbaski saluted Jerome Bonaparte before leaving.

After Bulbaski left, Jerome Bonaparte stood up, stretched, and then proceeded to Friedrich’s study room.

At this time, Empress Augusta was still tutoring Friedrich, and Jerome Bonaparte’s appearance brought a hint of surprise to her eyes.

At this usual time, the Emperor was still working in the study.

Jerome Bonaparte approached Empress Augusta and Friedrich, saying, "Both of you should get ready; the Paris delegation will arrive soon!"

Augusta and Friedrich immediately understood that the day to return to Paris had come.

"Father, will we come back?" Friedrich asked with a hint of reluctance in his eyes.

After months of living in Fontainebleau, Friedrich had fallen in love with the Palace and the friendly people of the town.

"Of course!" Jerome Bonaparte replied affirmatively, "I promise you, we will visit often!"

"Hmm!" Friedrich nodded with a smile.

Subsequently, under Jerome Bonaparte’s urging, Friedrich and Augusta changed into formal attire for receiving guests.

Jerome Bonaparte also put on Lev’s formal suit, which he hadn’t worn in a long time, to show respect for the arriving Legislative Corps representatives.

Then, the family of three sat in the Throne Hall, quietly waiting for the Legislative Corps representatives to arrive. The ladies-in-waiting, advisors, and secretaries stood orderly on both sides of the Throne Hall.

The originally spacious Throne Hall became particularly solemn with everyone’s presence.

Soon, 8 o’clock arrived, and with the sound of hooves outside Fontainebleau Palace, the Legislative Corps representatives reached the gates of the Fontainebleau Palace.