Vol 4 Chapter 22: Aunt, sister-in-law and mistress

Not far from the ancient Caracalla baths, there is a market that has existed since Roman times.
As early as when the Roman Empire was still prosperous, some sporadic small markets had spontaneously appeared in this place in the south of the Roman city. However, at that time, the merchants gathered more than dozens of different people by way of gathering together. Hundreds of large and small bazaars.
With the passage of time, the Roman Empire fell, and dynasties changed in this city, but unexpectedly, the large market in the south of Rome not only did not die, but also gradually became a huge business Area.
Probably no business districts of this size can be found in the whole of Europe. On the narrow streets criss-crossing, the large and small shops are not only dazzling, but also colorful. All kinds of signboards can completely submerge people in an endless sea of ​​signboards.
This is because although the vast majority of people still use the signboards that have been commonly known for many years, it is inevitable that there will be some new icons in any era. They always think of various ways to behave differently, or It is purely to attract others' attention, or to seek more benefits.
The most famous in the Grand Bazaar is Gullman Street. This street, which was always filled with the barbaric style of the early Goths, is full of bare-looking roofs and thick walls. At the end of the street is a large domed house It is the center of Gullman Street and the most attractive place.
This is the biggest auction market in the city of Rome, where you can find almost anything you want to buy, and even precious items from some exotic countries can be easily found.
A skinny man was sitting behind a bead curtain made of strings of glazed beads, looking at the chaotic market outside. His gaze was calm, and there was a smile on his mouth. It seemed that the bazaar that looked messy outside was like His child.
In fact, this person is the master of this market, whether it is ordinary merchandise or those rare treasures that are brought out for auction, he will get a large or small commission from every transaction of the item. It is this seemingly unremarkable wealth that flows like a trickle creek that makes this person one of the most obscure but richest people in the city of Rome.
A person who relies on a home market and eats interest obediently is not always conspicuous. Although someone will sometimes think of him, most of the time, no one will pay attention to such a person.
A servant came over and said a word softly in the ear of the man, and at the same time pointed out slightly outside, the man yelled and looked up.
A group of seemingly striking people appeared in the market. Among the several servants, a young woman stood there. Her face was ordinary and indifferent, although when she passed by it was caused by a servant opening her way. After paying attention to people around, but often because of her ordinary appearance soon no longer pay attention.
"Is that the lady of the Rovere family?" The man asked the servant next to him.
"Yes master, Valenti de la Rovere," the servant nodded. "She came very early today."
Hearing the words of the servant, the man smiled: "She came so early, indicating that she was the least confident among those."
"You mean the statue to be auctioned today," the servant asked cautiously. "That's the most interesting news in Rome today. Many people seem to have to see the statue and who can buy it." "
"It has nothing to do with us," the man sat back in his chair. "We just need to make sure they don't happen in our market."
"Of course master, our people will warn the heads of the thieves so that they do not provoke trouble at this time."
The man nodded in satisfaction, he was still at ease with his servants.
"However, although the young lady of the Lowellé family looks ordinary, it is said that she is the favorite daughter of the archbishop," the man waved slightly to the servant next to him. "Be careful, everyone who tells us, this is Rome . "
"Yes, lord." The servant bowed respectfully and walked out the door.
"When will the other two ladies arrive." The man looked at the door with interest.
The servant next to Balendi quickly laid her carpet and applied some things on the ground, and then a few people retreated outside to stare at the people.
This is a large open space. The stall that was originally full of furniture has already been sent away. The area on the right side of this open space belongs to Barendi.
Valentina de la Rovere, not many people have heard of her before today, but she knows less.
But after today, there will probably be more people who know this lady in Rome, because today she is going to compete with Lucrezia, who is famous in Rome, for her fiance.
Barenti didn't really care much about what happened, or what happened to him, between Lucrezia and Alexander.
For her, the marriage contract with Alexander is more a family need, but even then she still wants to maintain her dignity as Alexander's fiancee.
As for the sudden appearance of Zuosha Kosenza, Barendi felt that she was a little inexplicable.
Speaking of that, the Rovere family is related to the Modillo family. Although this relative is a bit far away, it is precisely because her father, the old Rovere, will not hesitate to use her engagement with Alexandria in exchange for Count Modillo. stand by.
Barendi knew how attached his father was to becoming a cardinal, because only a cardinal would have the opportunity to impact the pope's throne.
Barendi believes that her father will become a pope, because in addition to the support from Genoa, she is also helping her father.
When hearing the rumors about Alexander and Lucrezia, Barenti did not hysterical like other women, but asked people to ask what happened.
Because the time for getting along is too short, Barendi certainly does not think that she knows Alexander completely, but she still thinks that Alexander should not be the kind of person who is confused by women casually.
In other words, in Barendi's mind, Alexander and she are actually the same person.
But because of this, Barendi felt more necessary to figure out what was going on. She was worried that Alexander might have something to do with the Borgia family.
In fact, no one does not think so, whether it is her brother Constantine or the uncle Rovere who has replaced the old Archbishop of Lovere Genoa. In short, the relationship between Alexander and Lucrezia not only alarmed all Rovere, but also in many. People seem to have gone beyond the simple things of love and love.
No one did n’t think it contained a big conspiracy or a deal. Others wondered what special place the little lord from Naples could make Lucrezia add to his blue eyes, especially now that he is everywhere. The key moments about the possible marriage contract between Lucrezia and a duke are spread, and these rumors all tell what.
Everything seemed so unbelievable that Barendi changed from obscurity to a household name overnight, and the Romans knew that the Miss Rovere family was robbed of the man by the "Roman princess", which made Barendi himself Many people outside the Loviley family were very angry.
Maybe that woman wanted everyone to think this way. Barendi sometimes felt that this was the real purpose of Lucrezia. She would not believe that Lucrezia would fall in love with Alexandria, but looking back at those about Lucrezia Rumor has it that she is a bit skeptical whether the woman has this kind of brain conspiracy.
As for Lucrezia's beauty, Barendi never thought it was of great use.
But her self-confidence was only maintained until Ruosha appeared.
Ruo Sha entered Rome on May 5th. Instead of going to Alexander's foothold in Marino Palace in Rome, she visited the Rovere's house directly in the name of Count Modillo.
The beauty of Lao Sha also surprised Barenti, or saw the strange look flashed in her brother's eyes, and she started to look at the Countess of Cosenza with a scrutiny.
In fact, just as Ruosha had heard of her long ago, Barendi had heard a lot about Ruosha before.
For example, how did she seize the title from her half-brother, and how did she use her identity as the Countess of Cosenza to help Alexander transport large quantities of food into the city of Naples while Naples was threatened by famine.
All this made Barendi believe that Ruo Sha should be a person like her, or very smart, and even smarter than most men at this time, but it should not be an amazing beauty.
But the result after the meeting made Barendi take a big hit. This can only be seen from Constantine ’s near-abnormal accident when he saw Zuosha at first glance. The Countess of Cosenza gave Rovere ’s family Brothers and sisters are very surprised.
What made Barendi even more surprised was that although it was not obvious, she quickly realized that Rusha had some kind of unspeakable hostility towards her with her intuition, and she could even be sure that the hostility was not a misunderstanding. , But apparently barely concealed from the beginning.
Balendi is very strange. She doesn't know why the Countess has such emotions. What makes her more worried is that her brother Constantine seems interested in the Countess.
Barendi doesn't think that a countess from Naples can help her brother. What her brother needs is to find a stronger ally for the Rovere family, and an alliance with the Modillo family, as long as she is needed. Marriage with Alexander is enough.
Barendi did so in the same way. Constantine dissuaded her from discouraging the beauty of her family because she was obsessed with beauty, but her dissuasion obviously had no effect.
Constantine seemed to fall in love. As a landlord, he warmly invited Rusha to visit the city of Rome, and then invited Rusha to a dinner hosted by an aristocrat on the second day.
It was at this dinner that Ruo Sha and Barenti saw Lukrezija who also came to the banquet.
Coincidentally, this is the first time Lucrezia has appeared in front of people after returning to Rome.
Barendi still remembers the strange atmosphere when Lucrezia appeared suddenly suddenly around, which made her know that the young and beautiful girl who stood under the porch and attracted a lot of attention without even listening to others. It seemed to be carrying a naive woman up there, namely Lucrezia Borgia.
Beautiful, innocent, with a face like a pure angel and always with a curious look, the clean look made Barendi almost even forget that it was a "Pogia".
Barendi still remembers that his first reaction at the time was actually turning his head to look at Lao Sha.
The same beauty is completely different and dignified. At this moment, Balendi feels that Lusha is no less than Lukrezija.
Then she soon realized that Ruosha looked a little weird, unlike the indifference she showed to her. When she saw Lukrezija, only Luasha's eyes showed interest and curiosity.
Balenti believes that he will not misread it. Obviously, Russa does not seem to have any hostility towards the girl of the Borgia family, which makes Balendi feel both unexpected and faintly uneasy.
What made Barendi even more surprised was that when everyone was holding a lively and unscrupulous view of the drama, and Ruosha was actively walking towards Lukrezija.
"I've been thinking about what kind of woman would make Alexander so fascinated. Now that I know it, it seems that his vision is good."
Lucretia's eyes showed surprise. Although she was not very smart, she was still sure that she did not know the beautiful girl in front of her, but her words made Lucretia nervous.
If it weren't for the beautiful girl in front of him was so beautiful, very different from the legendary Valenti de la Rovere, Lucrezia almost thought that it was Alexander's fiancee who came to find his theory.
"Excuse me ..." Lucrezia told herself to be calm and not panicked at this time.
"I'm Russa Kosenza," Russa smiled and extended her hands to Lucrezia. This action gave Lucrezia an inexplicable feeling. "Alexander is my half-brother."
The hand held by Lucrezia and Luo Sha couldn't help but tremble slightly. She looked at Luo Sha in surprise, not knowing what to say for a while.
And Ruosha turned to look at the other side with a strange expression on the two of them.
"And this one is my brother's fiancee, Genoese Barenti."
Luo Sha's words made Lucrezia's already flushed face suddenly blush like blood dripping. She looked at Luo Sha with incredible eyes and didn't seem to know what she was going to do.
Barendi also looked at Rusha with amazement. Before, she just thought that Miss Cosenza's hostility towards her inexplicable hostility was a bit strange. Now she was already wondering what the girl was thinking about.
The strange atmosphere made everyone around feel a little awkward, but this stimulated their curiosity to want to find out about this strange scene.
The generational contradictions between Lovere and the Pogia family can be said to be well known in Rome, and the grudges that have been settled since the generation of the two uncles are obviously impossible to dissipate as the alliance is temporarily against the common enemy.
But now the daughters of these two families are accidentally entangled with the same man, so busy with the drama, how can it not let those nobles who originally wanted to watch good dramas are not excited and inexplicable.
They want to see the fight between the two women. If they can see that they are fighting for men, then maybe they can talk on this topic for a year.
It was at this time that Michelangelo appeared.
Despite only more than a year, Michelangelo has changed from an unknown who fled to nowhere when he first came to Rome to become a famous sculpture master in the city of Rome, although he is responsible for the construction of the Saint Peter The church has only just begun construction, but it was the advent of the Virgin Mary, completed at the beginning of the year, that has made him famous.
Unlike many masters who have superb skills but are often impersonal, Michelangelo is not the kind of person who can completely indulge himself in art by completely confining himself in the room.
While trying to let more people understand his talents, he also hopes to obtain those protectors and sponsors who can provide him with excellent conditions.
Originally Caesar was a good choice, and Caesar was indeed willing to be his sponsor, but because of the change in the situation, Caesar's energy was completely invested in Wang Tuba's industry he was concerned about, and it was difficult to take care of Michelangelo for a while. Such a thing.
After spending a small amount of money that Caesar gave him before, Michelangelo's otherwise comfortable days became turbulent for some time.
Michelangelo had to find a new supporter for himself, and it was at this time that he created the immortal masterpiece Mercy.
The advent of Our Lady of Mercy brought Michelangelo a great reputation, but also brought trouble.
There were more and more visitors to his residence, and suddenly a lot of more expenses than before made him unbearable.
Michelangelo had to do his utmost to try to circle among those noble and rich people, hoping to find suitable new patrons from them.
Because of this, after hearing that a grand dinner was to be held in a noble family, Michelangelo tried his best to get an invitation from the owner, and then took his latest masterpiece to the banquet hall.
It was just that Michelangelo did not expect that his latest work, which was based on Alexander, actually attracted the competition of the three noble ladies, and even seemed to cause a small disturbance.
The first to recognize the unexpected appearance of the statue was Lucrezia. Almost at first glance, he recognized that the statue was Alexander ’s Lucrezia. He first said nothing and chatted with Michelangelo. Xiaomi's somewhat embarrassing situation now, Lucrezia immediately happily offered to buy the statue he brought, and at the same time can provide him with a fairly generous annuity.
Xiaomi, who was a little bit out of hand, felt that God was shining on him. The kindness and generosity towards Miss Borgia, he could n’t think of any way to express his heartfelt gratitude except for his gratitude. Affection.
But it was precisely because of his excitement that it attracted the attention of Barendi and Ruo Sha, seemingly out of instinct. The other two people from Lukrezija appeared suspicious of the art's unusually enthusiastic manner.
And with just a little attention, they discovered Lucrezia's 'trick'.
"I don't think it would be appropriate to leave the statue of my fiance in the hands of a young lady who might become someone else's wife."
Balendi found a reason for himself without effort, and what Lucrezia did not expect was that Ruosha, who had just shown her some kindness to her, was not weak.
"I believe this should be a very good gift, and I think if he can give it to Alexander when he returns to Rome, he will be very happy."
Lucrezia was very angry, but could not find the reason for the rebuttal. In fact, after returning to Rome, Alexander VI wanted to send her back to the monastery to break her entanglement with Alexander. The pope believed that his daughter was obviously only impulsive. As long as she was sent somewhere awake for a while, she would naturally forget that gombre.
After all, it is now a critical moment about her marriage to Billy Shelley ’s Alfonso, and there is no room for a little slippage.
But Lucrezia ’s pleadings still moved the Pope, and because Alexander was fighting in Romagna at this time, after receiving Lucrezia ’s promise not to write to Alexander or take the initiative to contact him, Alexander VI finally decided Let her daughter stay in Rome.
But who could have thought that he had decided to obey his father's order and gradually forgot that Alexander Lukrezija, after seeing the statue of Alexander, was suddenly suppressed by his inner passion.
Looking at the familiar silhouette on the statue, the texture of the stone lips that once kissed her soft lips, and her familiar nose and chin, Lucrezia completely forgot her promise to her father.
When he saw that Barendi and Zuosha were going to take the statue from their own hands, Lucrezia immediately showed that a Borgia should be combative and possessive.
A fierce quarrel broke out among the three young women, and people saw three people start lobbying Michelangelo one after another, from willing to spend more money to buy statues, to willing to provide sufficient support for his future life and creation.
Then soon the three of them discovered that there was an advantage between them that made others helpless-rich and powerful.
Michelangelo's flattering from the beginning to the dilemma later made him into a difficult position. He didn't know who to promise and who to refuse.
Although it seemed that the Countess of Cosenza was rejected by three of them and was no less worried about revenge, Michelangelo was embarrassed when she knew that the young lady was Alexander's sister.
'Xiaomi' confessed to knowing gratitude, and he always had a hint of gratitude to Alexander. Although he would eventually come to Rome without Alexander, the gold coins that Alexander gave him were very helpful to Michelangelo who was in trouble at the time. Luo.
What to do, just when ‘Xiaomi’ was embarrassed, a monk who appeared to be incompatible with everyone around him appeared in front of him.
This person first showed his respect to Zuo Sha, who was very dog-legged, and then expressed the same respect to the other two ladies, before he said: "As the private pastor of Count Alexandre Juliant Gumbre and him The most reliable friend, I think the fairest way is to auction.
At the mention of this suggestion, everyone seemed to be inexplicably excited.
Auctions, as long as you think about the word, always make people think of spending money and arrogant dry clouds, which makes many nobles can't help but look to the monk who made this proposal ~ EbookFREE.me ~ and many people smiled The look seemed to be obvious: "This guy will incite, I like it."
So according to the agreement or simply saying that there was a fear that someone would go to Xiaomi alone to discuss the deal, the sculpture was sent to the residence of Alexander in Marino Palace, under the care of Alexander ’s loyal servant Uliu, and then, as suggested by someone, in order to show fairness, the next day Public auction in the big market on Gullman Street.
"How could it be like this?"
Barenti, who was sitting on the blanket, was awake from contemplation. She was a little bit unsure why she got up early today, and then came to the big market too anxiously early. Now she is looking at the empty people on her own , Barenti felt as if the auction had fallen before the auction started.
Balenti was slightly annoyed and picked up the green fruit wine prepared by her servant for her. Just before putting the glass on her lips to take a sip, Balenti heard a faint noise from a distance.
"Miss, it's Countess Cosenza." The maid whispered.
Balendi nodded sullenly. She didn't know why Ruosha would be so indifferent to her, but she didn't care. After all, what was more important to Modillo's family was interest.
Ruosha walked quickly, and Mahimo was whispering next to her while she was whispering something. When she saw Barrendi from afar, Ruosha's face smiled rarely.
"Dear sister-in-law," Ruosha said with a smile, her sudden intimacy made Barendi somewhat inexplicable. "I'm not here to fight for the statue with you. I'm here to tell you good news."
"What good news?" Barendi asked curiously.
"My brother Alexander," when Zuosha said the term "my brother" in a way that no one else could learn to muzzle, her eyes gleamed brightly. "He just fought a big victory!"