Vol 7 Chapter 9: Ambition

In the convent of the Compassionate Mary, Juana is looking at a letter sent by Alexander. The letter is all about trivial things. If someone else reads it, it is at most a noble and a princess. Some polite greetings between them, and if you know Alexander's identity, you may guess that it is sympathy for Juana's current situation.
But in fact, during the last visit, Alexander gave Juana a set of tools for discerning secret letters. The easiest way is to use the Rosary of almost every person in this era as a translation mother.
In the monastery of Mercy, the Rosary is the most indispensable, so Alexander can send the letter with a decent sender without worrying about being discovered.
But even so, the connection between them is still very cautious. At the first meeting, Alexander reminded Juana not to believe anyone, even the maid who has followed her for many years.
And he reminded and emphasized again and again that this made him say that, although he confirmed it in his heart, he couldn't help but express a little anger at Juana, who was somewhat dissatisfied with his stubborn attitude.
Alexander did not deliberately explain that he would not tell Juana that a situation similar to her Corsican ’s later death was a mystery just a few centuries later, and one of the claims was that he was poisoned by his followers for many years. Assassination.
Even the most loyal person may be shaken because of the lack of reward if it is over a long time. If at this time this person is tempted from the outside, no one can guarantee that such a person will be loyal. 'S followers become spies enemies laid around them.
After all, Juana no longer has the opportunity to regain control of power. At this time, staying with her at this time is actually no good. Even if some previous supporters still express sympathy for her, how much truth is in this sympathy. It is difficult to judge.
Alexander cannot take risks, because now he is not alone, but has too much care, he can not stand because of his negligence and failure, so he must be cautious, even if necessary to do anything terrible in order to keep the secret.
In this letter to Juana, Alexander told her something that could be revealed to her temporarily, and some of them surprised him.
After reading the letter, Juana carefully put it away, and at the same time, she put the Rosary back to its original position on the shelf. Although she knew that even if the letter fell in the hands of others, she should find nothing, but she was still careful again. After a glance between the wooden box on the table and the bookshelf, I was relieved.
Alexander once specifically reminded her not to burn the letter. Although this method does seem to be once and for all, it is also the place that most easily causes others to doubt. If there are really Maria spies around Juana, Alexander also believes that this is Sure, then burning the letter would undoubtedly tell Mary what secrets they have in their dealings.
Up until now, even though Mary was in doubt, she had not grasped any evidence, and even Alexander was ready to reveal something to Mary when needed.
"He's crazy," even in her heart, Juana still can't admit his relationship with Alexander's half-brother, although when he saw his obvious red hair, he secretly lamented that if this was not the Count Modillo Carefully arranged, then this young man should indeed be her half-brother. "Does he think that this can make the old woman doubt Gonzalo de Cordoba?"
Juana thinks that Alexander thinks things too simple, and even somewhat naive. She still knows about Gonzalo. That person is Isabella ’s favorite and capable man. It can be said that if these two identities only account for any One, if Gonzalo ’s position in Isabella ’s mind is not so important, when he is both favored and has such a great ability, no one can shake Isabella ’s attention and trust in him.
But Alexander actually advised Juana to cooperate with him in the Portuguese court, or to be precise, to spread rumors about Gonzalo around Queen Maria, which made Juana just start to sink because she seemed to see a trace of hope. Going, she even began to wonder if it was necessary to continue to fool around with Alexander, after all, he even came up with the idea of ​​apparently destined to try to provoke Isabella's trust in Gonzalo.
Juana was a little worried. Of course, she was not worried about Alexander. She had no feelings for this "half-brother" brother, or she knew that this person appeared at this time, not for the sake of her sister, but to use her. identity of.
She was only worried about her own safety. She was afraid that Alexander ’s reckless behavior might cause trouble for her. Although Alexander ’s arrival did indeed make her rekindle the fire of hope that had already been extinguished, she also saw her own life. Very important.
So Alexander ’s suggestion to keep those letters was also in the heart of Juana. She felt that these things might become her life-saving amulet if necessary.
Alexander visited the king's husband and wife again not at the Saint-Jorge Castle, but at the New Palace.
Queen Maria is keen to show her education from the double royal family of Castile and Aragon in the new palace, which gives her a sense of superiority overlooking the Portuguese.
However, she did not know that this was precisely where Manuel was most dissatisfied with her. Every time she saw her nobles looking at her with the same kind of eyes as a barbarian, the king took the arrogance of his wife from the bottom of her heart. Feel bored.
In addition, Maria's attitude towards the Portuguese church is also one of the reasons why many Portuguese are uneasy.
Alexander VI, as the former archbishop of Valencia, undoubtedly made Maria very proud of having a pope for her country, and her parents ’direct intervention in church affairs also deeply affected her. .
So in Maria's view, the Portuguese church should also accept the royal family's suggestions more like Castile and Aragon, and even in many major religious affairs, it should be based on the will of the royal family, and Not alone.
This put the Portuguese church headed by Archbishop Brouzon into a delicate embarrassing situation. On the one hand, Maria ’s piety prevented the Archbishop from criticizing her behavior, and on the other hand, she intervened forcibly. The actions of the church affairs made the archbishop annoyed again.
Although the new palace was not large in size, it was decorated with magnificence and glory. It was not so comfortable before, but after Maria became the queen, because she frequented here, Manuel ordered the palace to be re-decorated, and the completion was also completed. It is only a few months, and many places can still see the traces that are too new.
This time Alexander was treated differently than before because he appeared as the Grand Duke of Romagna-Tuscany.
Mary wears a half-face mask unique to the Iberians. This kind of decorative custom that is inherited from the Gothic customs is too deep-rooted. Even the double kings and their children who are known for their strong beliefs are inevitable. .
The mask on Maria ’s face covered her face above the tip of her nose, with only one mouth and chin exposed. After the mask opened into an oval eye, her eyes looked suspiciously as they walked in from outside the hall Alexander, her staff had reported to her before that Alexander had written a letter to Juana, which made her think again, thinking about the identity of the duke, and thinking about her special relationship with the Vatican, Maria felt that she was so soon The decision to expose his identity was correct.
At least let the duke know that the royal attitude should still be considered in Portugal, Mary thought so secretly.
Alexander stopped not far from the throne, this time because he was not attending the banquet but was officially seen, he was also dressed neatly, a moon-white soft satin half-length coat with a gold medal and gold belt representing the status of the Duke When he walked on the marble floor with steady steps, he could feel the expressions that people around him looked at him.
Alexander bowed to salute, then slowly looked up at the couple sitting opposite.
"It's not easy to get you into this palace in a way that matches your true identity," Manuel I said, not dissatisfied with the arrival of Alexander, especially considering the Duke Perhaps it will not take long before he leaves Portugal, and he feels that there is no need to care too much about this person ’s attitude towards his country.
But you are welcome, Duke, but next time I hope you will be a more public guest.

The obvious dissatisfaction expressed to Manuel Alexander was indifferent. He knew that Manuel was actually a very conceited person. When he became king, he felt that he could wear the crown is the will of God, otherwise how about the Portuguese throne It is impossible to fall into his hands, so Manuel in his bones is a very self-righteous person, but because of this, he is also dissatisfied with his marriage, especially for the marriage with Mary, he Never satisfied.
"Duke, I'm so glad you can visit Portugal."
Maria spoke, and her tone was smooth. The Latin, which has a much clearer accent than Manuel, made her image look dignified and noble, which reminded Alexander of the legend when Maria just married It was once a matter of public satire because no one in the Portuguese court could speak fluent Latin. From that time on, some of the Portuguese nobility had begun to feel irritable to her.
"Please forgive me for the move of anonymizing my name, but I think the two His Majesty should understand why I did this. After all, this is related to my mission and mission here. The Vatican hopes to see a fair Review rather than report that becomes untrue for various reasons. "
Hearing Alexander take the initiative to mention his mission, the eyes behind the eyes of Maria ’s mask instantly lit up, and she still cares about the sacred things, even compared to this, Juana ’s things are not so important. Too.
"Duke, how do you think that those sacred sites are true, or I mean that even if some of the sacred sites seem to be accepted by later generations, it does mean that these sacred sites have existed for a long time, just No one has found it before, or is it because of the confusion and lack of firmness in the faith that it has not been inspired? "
Maria's words instantly caused a low voice in the hall. Although people did not say anything publicly, Alexander still vaguely felt that the atmosphere became slightly more subtle.
Alexandria knew why these Portuguese were so sensitive. Obviously what Maria said was because of the lack of firmness and the confusion of faith was exactly the "bitter road" of the village of Alfrag. Before she became the queen of Portugal, she No one had thought of what the mountain road in Alfrag had to do with the hardship of Jerusalem, but now it has become the proof of the most devout believers of the Portuguese who prove themselves to be the Lord, even though the "cottage of hardship" It has not yet been recognized as a sacred site by the Vatican, but this is enough for Maria to add a striking footnote to prove that she is the most religious queen in Portuguese history.
Only in this way, the life of the Portuguese nobles is not so good. After all, the queen ’s piety reflects their slackness in faith, which is enough to make many of them prestige in front of the people, and this also makes some nobles One of the reasons for Maria's grievances.
Asked Maria, and he paused. He knew how difficult it was to answer this question. Especially when the nobles watched, he could feel that they were also very concerned about the answer to this question.
"Damn it." Alexander secretly scolded in his heart. Maria apparently hoped to become Portugal's "Secular Madonna" like her mother, but this ambition is great. Whether it can be done is another matter.
"Your Majesty, I think you have heard of the purpose of my visit this time. One thing that happened in Castile just needs to be examined to determine whether it is a sacred place."
"Yes ~ EbookFREE.me ~ I have heard about the miracle of a pure virgin girl under a baby," Maria said slightly in a voice that everyone can hear. "This is a miracle, a true holy trace!"
"No, this is exactly what I want to explain. Before confirming it by the Vatican, I can only record all faithfully what I saw and heard, and then the Vatican confirms whether it is a sacred place, so I cannot answer you here. The question just now, "Alexander said to reveal a sorry look to Maria, and then waited for Maria to show dissatisfaction. He then said," But I should still be emotional about what I see here, because This is the most pious example of faith I have ever seen. The air here is full of praise for the great respect for Christ. I think it is precisely because of this that this land occupied by pagans for centuries can only This era, not when is it restored, because it is piety, firmness, and the courage given to the soldiers by the great monarchs moved God. "
"That's right, Duke, everything belongs to God!"
A loud voice came from the door. Alexander turned to look around and saw a tall figure standing under the slightly dim porch.
The Archbishop of Portugal, Archbishop John Brouzon, came. Alexander smiled secretly, and then he could relax.
Just looking at the Portuguese nobles, Alexander couldn't help but get interested.
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