After the conversation between Jerome Bonaparte and Conrobel ended, other generals at Jerome Bonaparte’s banquet were called forward in turn, and he kindly talked with them, giving them some "encouragement." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Every general, upon receiving the "encouragement" from Jerome Bonaparte, displayed a joyful expression, since this "encouragement" represented the Emperor’s recognition of them.

After Jerome Bonaparte finished receiving all the generals, it was unknowingly already dusk, and the sunlight that originally filled most of the room had gradually faded away, creating a scene of half light and half shadow.

Standing on the dim side of the room, Jerome Bonaparte stretched a bit before slowly strolling to the window.

Gazing through the glass at the sunset that painted half the sky red in the distance, he unconsciously recited a famous line from the past life.

"The sunset is infinitely beautiful, yet so close to dusk!"

Immediately, there came another knock on the door, and Jerome Bonaparte turned his body towards the door and said casually, "Come in!"

The door opened slowly, and the Emperor’s aide, Bulbaski, appeared in front of Jerome Bonaparte.

"Has everyone left?" Jerome Bonaparte asked in a calm tone.

"All the guests have already departed!" Bulbaski responded promptly to Jerome Bonaparte.

"That’s good!" Jerome Bonaparte yawned, stretched his body once more, looked again at the sunset and the pocket watch, and continued to instruct, "We should leave as well!"

Subsequently, Jerome Bonaparte ordered Bulbaski to prepare a carriage for his return journey.

Bulbaski informed Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, the carriage for the return journey is already waiting at the villa and can depart at any time."

"Let’s go!"

Jerome Bonaparte and Bulbaski walked out of the villa, one after the other. Sure enough, two carriages were prepared outside the villa.

One of the carriages, adorned lavishly, was Jerome Bonaparte’s vehicle, while the other, completely black and particularly simple, belonged to Bulbaski.

Bulbaski first settled Jerome Bonaparte into the carriage and then boarded his own carriage.

Soon, under the skillful handling of the coachman, the carriage set off. Thanks to the coachman’s proficient skills and the carriage’s shock-absorbing system, Jerome Bonaparte felt no jolts throughout the journey. Additionally, with soft velvet cushions in the carriage, Jerome Bonaparte traveled most comfortably to Fontainebleau Palace.

When the carriage arrived at Fontainebleau Palace, the sun had completely set, and the whole world was shrouded under a sky full of stars.

At this moment, Jerome Bonaparte, who was in the carriage, had accumulated too much fatigue from a morning of parades and an afternoon of continuous meetings, unknowingly dozed off on the cushion.

It wasn’t until Bulbaski opened the carriage door and called Jerome Bonaparte that he groggily awoke from his sleep.

The awakened Jerome Bonaparte looked at the dark night sky outside the carriage and lazily asked Bulbaski, "Have we arrived?"

"Your Majesty, we have arrived at Fontainebleau Palace!" Bulbaski respectfully replied to Jerome Bonaparte, "Allow me to assist you out of the carriage!"

Having said that, Bulbaski extended his hand to Jerome Bonaparte.

Upon learning they had arrived at Fontainebleau Palace, Jerome Bonaparte rubbed his sleepy eyes, then supported himself to rise from the cushion.

"No need!"

Jerome Bonaparte declined Bulbaski’s assistance, then exited the carriage on his own, heading straight into the study of Fontainebleau Palace.

Soon, André von Beichu, who was in the Fontainebleau Palace office, appeared in Jerome Bonaparte’s study.

Sitting in the study, Jerome Bonaparte casually asked André von Beichu, "During my absence from Fontainebleau Palace, has there been any news from Paris?"

"Your Majesty, this morning, Minister of the Seal Mornay sent a message saying that they are preparing a grand welcoming ceremony for you!

They expect it will take about a week to prepare, so please patiently wait a week at Fontainebleau Palace!" André von Beichu reported to Jerome Bonaparte in an orderly manner.

"Ah, considerate of them!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded and responded to André von Beichu, before asking, "Is there any other news?"

"Your Majesty, there isn’t." André von Beichu shook his head and answered Jerome Bonaparte.

"That’s good! Yawn!" Jerome Bonaparte let out another long yawn and waved his hand to order André von Beichu to leave.

André von Beichu obeyed and left Jerome Bonaparte’s study. Just as he was about to push the door to leave, André von Beichu suddenly remembered something and paused.

Sitting on the chair, Jerome Bonaparte looked at André von Beich, who suddenly stopped in his tracks, and curiously asked, "What’s the matter? Is there anything else?"

André von Beich immediately responded to Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, there is indeed one more thing!"

Jerome Bonaparte was momentarily stunned and gestured André von Beich to come over and respond.

André von Beich informed Jerome Bonaparte that Ismail, the nephew of the Governor of Egypt, Said Pasha, and son of the former governor Ibrahim Pasha, was still waiting at the Fontainebleau Palace for Jerome Bonaparte’s summons.

"Didn’t I tell him not to wait for me? Why is he still at Fontainebleau?" Jerome Bonaparte responded with surprise.

To this day, he had never encountered a guest as persistent as Ismail.

Ordinarily, guests would choose to leave upon hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s polite refusal.

Unexpectedly, Ismail seemed to take his refusal at face value.

"Your Majesty, should I ask him to leave?" André von Beich naturally noticed that the Emperor did not wish to meet Ismail and volunteered to take on the role of the "evil person."

Jerome Bonaparte thought for a moment and then shook his head at André von Beich, "We better not do that!

After all, he came all this way to meet us and has waited for so long!

Silently driving him away wouldn’t be very appropriate!

Moreover, France’s interests in Egypt are also inseparable from his assistance!

It’s better to meet him!

So, you go bring Ismail here! I will speak to him personally!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" André von Beich bowed once again to Jerome Bonaparte and then turned and left Jerome Bonaparte’s study.

While Ismail had not yet arrived, Jerome Bonaparte pondered why Ismail was so eager to meet with him.

First, Jerome Bonaparte ruled out the possibility that Ismail was meeting him out of mere admiration, as simple admiration wouldn’t warrant such persistent waiting. Ismail, after all, was a member of the Egyptian elite and had studied in France for a period; he wouldn’t be ignorant of basic etiquette.

Afterward, Jerome Bonaparte considered the possibility that Ismail might want to remove his uncle Said.

Previously, Abbas Pasha, the former Governor of Egypt, the son of Muhammad’s second son, Tusun, and cousin to Ismail, was assassinated by Said with the help of French peripheral forces, allowing Said to assume the position of Governor of Egypt.

During his term as Governor of Egypt, Said rewarded France by granting the Suez Canal operations rights to France and promising that Egypt’s infrastructure would be handed entirely over to French merchants, enjoying privileged status in Egypt.

Now, whether Ismail discovered the truth about the assassination and wanted to imitate Said’s actions against Abbas, gain French approval to assassinate Said, and replace him as Governor of Egypt, remains uncertain.

Of course, this was merely Jerome Bonaparte’s conjecture at the moment. What Ismail truly wanted to do could only be gleaned after Jerome Bonaparte and Ismail met face-to-face.

After waiting for a while in the study, Bourbas entered, followed closely by Ismail.

Ismail entered the room, curiously examining Jerome Bonaparte, while Jerome Bonaparte also scrutinized Ismail closely.

From his appearance alone, Ismail indeed possessed a good physique. Jerome Bonaparte could not see the aura of a nouveau riche traditionally associated with Arabia; instead, there was an elite presence.

If not for Ismail’s traditional beard and some Turkic and Arabian features on his face, Jerome Bonaparte would suspect he was meeting a Parisian nobleman.

As Ismail respectfully called out "Your Majesty," Jerome Bonaparte finally retracted his scrutinizing gaze, smiling slightly as he extended his hand to invite Ismail, "Mr. Ismail, please have a seat!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Ismail first expressed his gratitude to Jerome Bonaparte and then sat down before him.

"Bourbas, you can leave now! I can speak with Mr. Ismail myself!" Jerome Bonaparte dismissed Bourbas.

Bourbas quickly bowed to Jerome Bonaparte and then left the study.

Now the study was left with only Jerome Bonaparte and Ismail.

Jerome Bonaparte clasped his hands together on the table, a faint smile on his lips, and inquired earnestly, "Mr. Ismail, could you truthfully tell me why you are so eager to meet with me?"