While Countess Lacroix and Empress Augusta conversed, Jerome Bonaparte, several kilometers away, was also hosting the Commander of the Imperial Guard, Marshal Conrobel, and generals stationed near Paris.

With Colonel Bulbaski’s assistance, Marshal Conrobel and the generals proceeded to their respective places.

As the Commander of the Imperial Guard, Marshal Conrobel rightfully took the seat to the right of the principal seat, signifying his status at this banquet, second only to the Emperor himself.

From the seating alone, Conrobel was bestowed exceptional favor.

The seat to the Emperor’s left was given to General Edgar Ney of the First Division under the Guard Army. Although he had not inherited his uncle Marshal Ney’s military talent, his training in the Mechanical Command equipped him to serve competently as a division commander.

Considering the Guard Army needed loyal commanders to function seamlessly, Edgar Ney was appointed by Jerome Bonaparte as the commander of the First Division, becoming a significant aide in Jerome Bonaparte’s control of the First Division.

With the seating of Marshal Conrobel and General Edgar Ney, the remaining generals also followed suit and sat down.

Seated, everyone began engaging in aimless chatter, and the banquet hall instantly turned lively.

Until a prolonged call rang from the banquet’s entrance, abruptly halting all conversations.

"His Majesty arrives!"

Everyone, including Conrobel, stood upright from their chairs, turning their gaze toward the entrance.

After a moment, the Emperor of the French Empire, Jerome Bonaparte, hand in hand with Crown Prince Friedrich Bonaparte, appeared at the banquet entrance and then directly approached Conrobel and others.

Marshal Conrobel loudly called to everyone present, "Salute the great Emperor of the French Empire and His Highness the Crown Prince!"

The generals almost simultaneously raised their hands in salute, and with each wearing a notably serious expression, the atmosphere in the banquet hall became especially solemn.

Jerome Bonaparte hastily adopted an equally solemn demeanor, returning the salute to the generals present.

Even Friedrich Bonaparte was affected by the solemn ambiance, mimicking Jerome Bonaparte by placing his hand at his forehead’s temple to return the salute (Friedrich’s salute was not standard, but quite commendable for a five-year-old child.).

"Salute completed!"

Marshal Conrobel spoke loudly once more, and all commanders lowered their hands simultaneously.

Then, Jerome Bonaparte began shaking hands with each general present, starting with Conrobel, while introducing their accomplishments to Friedrich Bonaparte during the handshake.

Each general shook hands with Jerome Bonaparte, showing an expression of gratitude as their achievements were elaborately recounted.

After all, for the Emperor, who manages numerous responsibilities, to remember their contributions consistently is a notably rare occurrence, indicating their standing in the Emperor’s eyes.

Friedrich Bonaparte, too, nodded earnestly, seemingly memorizing the Emperor’s words.

Once Jerome Bonaparte had shaken hands with everyone, he extended his hand with a smile and said to those present, "Everyone, please sit down!"

Upon the Emperor’s permission, everyone sat on their chairs, and Jerome Bonaparte also took his seat at the principal position.

However, Crown Prince Friedrich Bonaparte remained standing beside Jerome Bonaparte.

Observing this, Marshal Conrobel quickly spoke to Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, please allow His Highness to sit in my position! I can stand!"

Edgar Ney also extended an invitation for Crown Prince Friedrich Bonaparte to sit in his seat.

The generals who were seated similarly began inviting the Crown Prince to sit in their seats, willing to stand behind the Emperor like Colonel Bulbaski to serve him.

Confronted with the eagerness of Marshal Conrobel and various generals to express their loyalty, Jerome Bonaparte shook his head in refusal, then turned to Bulbaski behind him, saying, "Bulbaski, could you please bring a chair?"

Adjutant Bulbaski standing behind Jerome Bonaparte promptly sprang into action, quickly bringing a chair.

Just as Bulbaski was about to place the chair beside Jerome Bonaparte, Jerome Bonaparte shook his head once more, then pointed to the spot directly facing him, instructing Bulbaski, "Bulbaski, please place the chair there!"

Bulbaski followed Jerome Bonaparte’s directive, placing the chair across from him.

Subsequently, Jerome Bonaparte pointed to the chair, speaking to Friedrich Bonaparte, "Friedrich, your seat is over there!"

Friedrich stared at the distant chair, then glanced at Jerome Bonaparte, displaying his reluctance in his eyes,

It was clear that Friedrich had not yet adapted to such occasions; he did not wish to separate from Jerome Bonaparte.

"You are the Crown Prince of the French Empire, and you should have your own place!" Jerome Bonaparte gently stroked Friedrich’s head and spoke earnestly to him.

Reluctantly, Friedrich moved away from Jerome Bonaparte’s side and obediently sat directly opposite.

"Not bad! You have a bit of a Crown Prince’s courage!" Jerome Bonaparte gave Friedrich a compliment with a thumbs-up.

Encouraged by his father, Friedrich puffed out his chest, and his lips involuntarily broke into a proud smile.

After a few more minutes, several attendants, dressed in black coats, pushed small carts loaded with delicacies into the room and placed the delicacies before each person.

As the cart attendants departed, another group of attendants appeared in an orderly manner in the banquet hall, each carrying an already opened bottle of wine and a tall goblet.

These attendants were responsible for serving drinks to the guests at the banquet.

The attendants stood sequentially at the right rear of each general, pouring wine for them.

Glasses of wine were placed on the generals’ tables. Marshal Canrobert, as the Imperial Marshal, rose with his glass aimed at Jerome Bonaparte, calling out to everyone present, "Let us toast to the Empire, His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, and His Highness the Crown Prince!"

All the generals stood up simultaneously, also aiming their glasses at Jerome Bonaparte.

Seeing this, Jerome Bonaparte had to stand and raise his glass.

"To the health and longevity of Their Majesties and His Highness the Crown Prince!" Canrobert began, speaking emphatically to Jerome Bonaparte.

The generals similarly echoed, "To the health and longevity of Their Majesties and His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Friedrich and I also wish the generals present smooth sailing in their future paths!" Jerome Bonaparte also sent his wishes to the generals present, "Let us drink this cup together as sovereign and subjects!" (Jerome Bonaparte suddenly noticed Friedrich pretending to hold a wine glass and hurriedly added this sentence)

"Friedrich, you are young and not suitable for drinking! Quickly, replace the Crown Prince’s wine with juice!"

The attendants hurriedly took away the wine from Friedrich’s hand and swapped it for a freshly squeezed juice.

Having done all this, Jerome Bonaparte then drank with the generals, and Friedrich also drank the entire glass of juice.

In the following hour or so, the leaders at the banquet raised their glasses to Jerome Bonaparte for various reasons, and Jerome Bonaparte did not refuse, drinking freely with them.

As drinks were exchanged, his initially pale cheeks gradually turned rosy under the effect of the alcohol, yet Jerome Bonaparte still maintained a clear mind.

After the banquet concluded, Jerome Bonaparte invited everyone present to enjoy themselves freely in the villa.

The generals began to chat in groups, talking about some bawdy jokes from the military.

Jerome Bonaparte also called Marshal Canrobert into a room for a conversation.

"Canrobert, how have you been feeling lately?" Jerome Bonaparte asked Canrobert about his recent well-being with a smile.

"Your Majesty, I’ve been alright!" Canrobert did not know Jerome Bonaparte’s intentions, so he could only respond routinely.

"You don’t seem very interested!" Jerome Bonaparte continued a somewhat aimless chat.

"I..." Canrobert seemed hesitant, as if he had an unspeakable difficulty.

"What’s wrong? Canrobert, have you encountered any difficulties?" Jerome Bonaparte continued to inquire about Canrobert.

"Your Majesty, could...could..." Canrobert hesitated for a moment, finally seeming to make up his mind to respond to Jerome Bonaparte, "Could you allow me to resign from the position of Commander of the Imperial Guard?"

Upon hearing Canrobert’s answer, Jerome Bonaparte couldn’t help but tap the ground twice with his scepter, creating a sense of anger, and he frowned, "Canrobert, what’s wrong with you? Why do you want to resign as Commander of the Imperial Guard!

Do you know how many people in Paris covet this position yet remain unattainable?

"Your Majesty, I understand your trust in me!" Canrobert said bitterly to Jerome Bonaparte, "But I am truly unsuitable for this position. It requires a decisive leader to fully utilize its effectiveness, and I am indecisive!

I fear making mistakes at critical moments!

So, Your Majesty, please allow me to resign from this position!"