Early the next morning, Victor Emmanuel II and Empress Augusta left Milan under the escort of the Guard Cavalry dispatched personally by Franz Joseph. After several hours of journey, they finally arrived at the border between the Austrian Empire and the Sardinian Kingdom.

"Your Majesty, please allow us not to accompany you and Her Majesty the Empress any further!" Joseph Jellach responded to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Thank you for your efforts!" Jerome Bonaparte smiled slightly and said to Joseph Jellach.

Afterwards, Joseph Jellach turned around and headed back towards Milan, while Jerome Bonaparte and Augusta continued forward.

Soon, Jerome Bonaparte and Augusta encountered the Sardinian General who had previously escorted them to the border.

Upon seeing Jerome Bonaparte and Augusta, the Sardinian General swiftly dismounted and approached Jerome Bonaparte and Empress Augusta, saying, "Your Majesty, Empress, you have returned!"

"Mm!" Mounted on his horse, Jerome Bonaparte nodded in response to the Sardinian General.

Then, under the escort of the Sardinian General, Jerome Bonaparte and Empress Augusta proceeded towards the nearby train station.

During this time, the Sardinian General subtly inquired of Jerome Bonaparte whether the Austrian Empire would withdraw its troops soon.

Jerome Bonaparte did not directly answer the Sardinian General’s question but chose to tactfully avoid it by changing the subject.

Seeing he could not get an answer from Jerome Bonaparte, the Sardinian General naturally understood his meaning.

Thus, after several fruitless inquiries, the Sardinian General sensibly refrained from asking further about the matter and instead conversed with Jerome Bonaparte on other topics.

The two parties chatted as they walked, quickly arriving at the train station closest to the border region.

Upon entering the train station, the Sardinian General personally ran to purchase train tickets for Jerome Bonaparte and his wife, then dispatched his deputy and several soldiers to follow closely beside Jerome Bonaparte and his wife, protecting their safety until they successfully arrived at the Turin Royal Palace.

Once everything was arranged, the Sardinian General then said to Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, Empress, I need to return to the border to continue my duty!

If you need anything next, you can directly instruct my deputy officer; he will do his utmost to fulfill all your requests!"

"I appreciate it!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded to the Sardinian General, then responded, "When I return to Turin, I will definitely inform Victor of your merits along this journey!"

Upon hearing this, the Sardinian General’s eyes showed a touch of excitement; he had been so diligently attentive in the hope that His Majesty Jerome Bonaparte would speak well of him before Victor Emmanuel II so that his position might be promoted faster.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The Sardinian General replied to Jerome Bonaparte with an excited tone.

Under the protection of the deputy officer and several soldiers, Jerome Bonaparte and Augusta boarded the train, and the whistle sounded ten minutes after Jerome Bonaparte boarded the train.

Sitting in the private compartment, Jerome Bonaparte gazed at the scenery retreating backwards, his eyes revealing an indescribable joy.

After nearly several months, Jerome Bonaparte had finally managed to achieve "light work at the latrine" regarding the Sardinian Kingdom issue.

Now he only needed to inform Victor Emmanuel II of Franz Joseph’s troop withdrawal, and then hold a referendum in Savoy and Nice, and Jerome Bonaparte’s journey in the Sardinian Kingdom would be completely over.

As for the reaction of the Kingdom of Britain after annexing Savoy and Nice, that would be an issue for the next stage.

While Jerome Bonaparte was contemplating, the deputy officer’s voice reached his ears, "Your Majesty, would you like some fruit?"

"No! It’s not necessary!" Jerome Bonaparte shook his head and answered the deputy officer.

"Her Majesty the Empress, what about you?" the deputy officer turned his gaze towards the Empress.

"I don’t need any either! Thank you!" Empress Augusta also replied politely.

"If you wish to eat, feel free to take it!" Jerome Bonaparte remarked, pointing to the fruits on the train platter that were complimentary.

The deputy officer and soldiers likewise shook their heads, refusing Bonaparte’s suggestion.

Thus, the train raced forward for several hours, finally arriving in Turin that evening.

As the steam train slowly approached Turin Railway Station, Jerome Bonaparte and Augusta simultaneously stood up, ready to depart the train at any moment.

When the train completely settled onto the platform, Jerome Bonaparte once again noticed a group of people approaching the compartment where Jerome Bonaparte was seated.

Upon closer inspection, Jerome Bonaparte discovered it was Victor Emmanuel II and Lamamor along with others who were nearing the train.

Jerome Bonaparte immediately understood that they had likely received a telegram from the border general, which informed them of the train’s arrival time at the station, so they specifically came to the train platform to welcome him.

Jerome Bonaparte and Empress Augusta slowly stepped off the train, followed by Jerome Bonaparte exchanging a handshake with Victor Emmanuel II.

"Welcome back to Turin!" Victor Emmanuel II said sincerely to Jerome Bonaparte.

Jerome Bonaparte smiled slightly, nodded, and then introduced Victor Emmanuel II to the adjutant and soldiers guarding them.

Upon seeing Victor Emmanuel II, the adjutant and soldiers all showed a hint of enthusiasm on their faces.

"You’ve done well!" Victor Emmanuel II complimented them.

"Your Majesty, this is what we should do!" the adjutant replied modestly.

The soldiers also modestly replied, saying it was their duty.

Victor Emmanuel II and others then escorted Jerome Bonaparte and Augusta by carriage to the Turin Royal Palace.

Here, Victor Emmanuel II hosted a relatively small yet impressively composed banquet for Jerome Bonaparte and his wife.

At the banquet, servants orderly presented trays of exquisite dishes on the table, and the guests exchanged toasts with joy.

The entire banquet lasted for more than two hours before ending. After most of the Sardinian Kingdom ministers and nobles had left, Victor Emmanuel II, slightly flushed, said to Jerome Bonaparte, "Jerome, could you come with me for a moment?"

"Of course!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded and followed Victor Emmanuel II to one of the palace’s reception rooms.

In the reception room, seated on a sofa, Victor Emmanuel II asked Jerome Bonaparte, "Tea or coffee?"

"I’ll have a cup of tea, please!" Jerome Bonaparte replied to Victor Emmanuel II.

"Then I’ll take a cup of coffee!" Victor Emmanuel II said casually.

The servant in the room promptly prepared tea and coffee for Jerome Bonaparte and Victor Emmanuel II.

After a short while, the tea and coffee were brought to Jerome Bonaparte and Victor Emmanuel II.

Jerome Bonaparte took a sip of the tea and asked Victor Emmanuel II, "Victor, what do you want me to do by asking me here?"

"Jerome, what was Franz Joseph’s reply?" Victor Emmanuel II asked Jerome Bonaparte seriously.

Jerome Bonaparte took another sip of tea and responded to Victor Emmanuel II’s slightly tense gaze, "Franz Joseph has listened to my advice and has canceled the investigation!"

Victor Emmanuel II relaxed instantly upon hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s response, "Good, it’s canceled! Good, it’s canceled!"

Before Victor Emmanuel II could savor his relief for long, Jerome Bonaparte’s next sentence swiftly destroyed the uplifting mood.

"Victor, when are you planning to start the referendum for Savoy and Nice?" Jerome Bonaparte said casually to Victor Emmanuel II.

Victor Emmanuel II’s smile visibly vanished, and his expression became serious once again.

"Well... it should be held soon!" Victor Emmanuel II stammered in response to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Don’t hold it soon!" Jerome Bonaparte responded firmly to Victor Emmanuel II. "I think holding the public referendum tomorrow would be just right! What do you think!"

Victor Emmanuel II diplomatically replied to Jerome Bonaparte, "Holding the public referendum in Savoy and Nice tomorrow... isn’t that a bit too rushed?"

"Rushed? I don’t think it’s rushed!" Jerome Bonaparte shook his head to Victor Emmanuel II.

"Then... let’s go with your suggestion!" Victor Emmanuel II had no choice but to agree to Jerome Bonaparte’s proposal.

After Jerome Bonaparte departed, Victor Emmanuel II secretly summoned Lamamor and Cavour. Under Cavour’s strong persuasion, Victor Emmanuel II eventually relinquished Savoy and Nice.

The next morning, accompanied by a telegram sent from Turin, the referendum in Savoy and Nice proceeded enthusiastically.