The beauty of the Potiko Palace is intoxicating. Although it is incomparable to many palaces known for its large scale and magnificent momentum, the Potiko Palace has some enviable comfort and comfort, literature and elegance.

Although it is also made of marble, the Potico Palace does not give people the cold feeling. On the contrary, even on this day when it is already early winter, the palace is always filled with a warm atmosphere like spring.

The Potico Palace is not very large. Alexander VI chose this place as his daughter's residence, although it was because it was very close to the Vatican Palace where he lived, the more important reason was that the intoxicating environment of this palace conquered the pope who was quite picky about life.

Alexander VI loved and was somewhat obsessed with art, especially in ancient Greece and Roman cultures. Although these cultures are strictly pagan cultures, because of their irresistible charm, Alexander VI was irresistible indulged in it.

So when choosing a house for his daughter, this persistence in beautiful art dominated his emotions, and in the end this retro-like palace became his most satisfying place.

And it was not just a palace, but when Alexander walked into the Potico Palace, he was surprised. This palace was not so much a residence of the Pope's daughter, but rather a rich collection of museums. Many of them were collected by contemporary collectors who regarded themselves as wealthy people.

Especially when he saw Joanna's living room, he saw the picture of "The Seventh Day of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ" that almost covered the front wall, even though he knew that the painting was impossible, Raphael, who was still just a ignorant boy, was still shocked by the delicate and extremely artistic effect of the picture.

"This is the work of Perugia's Petro," Julia Farne came over and stood beside him and looked up at the huge oil painting in front of him. "You probably know that this master is very famous, he is..."

"Lessons of Leonardo da Vinci and Botticelli, and students of Andre del Verocchio."

Alexander casually continued, although he was not very familiar with these contemporary art masters, he still knew some more key figures, and he did not say anything. This person was the teacher of Raphael, who was one of the three masters in the future, along with Leonardo and Michelangelo.

He at least knew such a person, not to mention that as long as he looked at the oil painting in front of him, he could not help but think of Raphael.

After all, Raphael's reputation began with copying Pietro's "The Resurrection of Jesus Christ on the Seventh Day", and because it was copied too realistically, it was impossible to tell which was written by the master and the disciple, so it became famous.

Julia Farne showed an unexpected and surprised look. Although Caesar introduced the young man before, he said that he had defeated the French, in the mind of this young lady, this man was at most a reckless soldier from the countryside. He might fight but must be rude. At least from his appearance, it can be seen that in Rome, he rarely saw such a ungrateful person who was even a little pollen on his head.

But suddenly this man talked about art, and he seemed to have a good look at the names of many masters, but these were nothing. After all, these masters were all famous masters. What surprised Julia Farne was that this man was quite familiar with the painting "The Resurrection of Jesus" in front of him, which made the young lady unexpected. After all, this painting was not very famous, and when Perugia's Petro was asked to create this oil painting, he had not yet ascended to the throne of the pope, so naturally it was not so eye-catching.

Only some people who are really concerned about art have heard the news and went to Pietro's studio to observe this masterpiece, and then these people spread the magnificent beauty of the painting.

In other words, if this "soldier" knew nothing about art or was indifferent, he would probably not know that such a masterpiece existed, not to mention appreciation.

Julia Farne certainly didn't know that the reason why Alexander was so familiar with the author of this painting was because its copyist was too famous, not the painter himself.

"It seems that I'm going to look at you differently. I originally regarded you as a soldier who only knows how to fight."

Julia Farne did not hide her previous contempt at all. Her calm attitude surprised Alexander. In his impression, he could deal with the Borgia family and was always capable of some means. So now this young woman's straightforwardness made him feel unthinkable.

"Agri's Gombre is not only good at fighting," Joanna, who had recovered her calmness and had re-adjusted her makeup, walked out of the inner room with Lucrezia's company. It can be seen that the queen has completely calmed down, at least she will not make embarrassing actions because of excitement. "He is a businessman."

When he heard Joanna talk about the businessman, Alexander always felt that there was a little sarcastic in her tone, but he didn't care. For him, there was indeed only a pure deal with Joanna. As for the robbery before, Alexander was not ashamed. After all, he did not rob her of money from Joanna.

"You still do business? What are you doing? Selling all kinds of goods or specializing in wool business like the Metic family?" Lucrezia also looked at Alexander with a little curiosity, but her expression always had naive sarcasm, as if she didn't care at all that she might hurt someone.

"It should be considered a kind of trade, but it is just a means of survival." Alexander responded, and then he looked at Julia Farne. "As you said, I am just a rude soldier. Maybe it's a little useful in the battlefield, but I'm really useless elsewhere."

Alexander didn't care about the disdain that the beloved of the Borgia family showed. Of course he knew that she had the capital to show contempt for him. And in Lucrezia's eyes, probably no one in this world can arouse her real interest except her father and a few brothers.

"I don't think so," Caesar, who had been standing next to him and talked to Julia's mother-in-law Alexandra de Mira, suddenly interrupted. As soon as he opened his mouth, he became the center of the room, and everyone looked at him. "As far as I know, when you sponsored Bonarotti's travel expenses from Sicily to Rome with 30 Florin, you will never have more money left on you than you gave him, and you were just a small library treasurer in the Bishops of Palermo, right?"

Alexander was slightly surprised. He knew that Caesar could not not investigate him, and he was sure of asking Michelangelo about his experience in Sicily. However, he did not expect that Caesar would be so clear. Although these news were somewhat different from his original situation, he would understand the news of a person who seemed unimportant in detail, which shows that this person is indeed a hero.

"In fact, I still had about 30 Florins in my pocket at the time," Alexander laughed. "Although art is noble, it must at least be filled before we can talk about these great things."

"But you took out almost half of your property to sponsor a not-famous person?" Alexandra de Mira walked over slowly and looked at him with a bit of suspicion. "Or are you not afraid that he is just a liar, maybe your money will be squandered in a tavern or a woman."

Alexander still smiled slightly. Of course, he would not tell this woman who had the same lover as his daughter-in-law that Michelangelo would spend his long life alone and had nothing to do with any woman.

"It turns out that I did not read it wrong," Alexander could only say this. Although it sounds a bit self-righteous, it feels good to pretend to be unique in front of these people. "It was still in Sicily that I found that he had the persistence and belief that other people did not have. Although I don't understand art, I was really moved by him. If you treat this as the impulse of a young man, but I never regret paying that money for him."

Alexander's words made several people in the Bogia family look curious, and even Joanna looks at him with some surprise.

"I don't know that you have such a persistent belief in art," Joanna said with a little joke. At this time, she had completely restored her majesty as the Queen of Naples. When she remembered the behavior of losing her identity due to excitement when she saw Alexander, she made her attitude look even colder. "I think I have to stay here for the time being, you can stay with your people in the Palace of Marino waiting for my notice."

After hearing what Joanna said, Alexander looked at Caesar next to him, and he knew that it was Caesar who really made the decision.

Joanna was a little annoyed when she saw this, but she could only look at Caesar beside her.

"Your people can go back to the Palace of Marino," Caesar nodded and walked over. He nodded to several women first, then made a gesture to Alexander, and then took him out of the door and walked slowly along the oval corridor. "You know that the situation in Rome is a bit complicated now, and the queen has just been assassinated. It is best to let her not appear in front of people for the time being."

Alexander nodded. He knew that Caesar's words should be the beginning and that what he really wanted to say was behind.

Sure enough, Caesar then seemed to ponder how to speak, and then lowered his voice and asked, "I heard that Giovanni had found you?"

Alexander glanced at Caesar and nodded silently.

This kind of thing can't be hidden from others, let alone Caesar now.

Alexander is sure that after a few days ago, by capturing the murderer Joanna, Caesar must have let his people take the opportunity to control the Vatican. Even though he had not done so before, it is not an exaggeration to say that Caesar is the most powerful person in the Vatican and even the entire Roman city.

From this point of view, the French may not have lived a comfortable life in Rome. After all, no matter inside and outside the city, they are losing control of the city little by little.

"Did Giovanni ask you what conditions?"

Caesar showed the conflict with his brother without any concealment, which made Alexander feel the difference between this man once again.

Even people who often do evil often don’t want others to see that they are ruthless and kind to their family. Some are even more keen to play themselves as a person who is cruel to outsiders but close to their family members. It seems that in this way, they actually have a kind side that others cannot detect under their terrible appearance.

But Caesar Porgia was obviously not such a person. He didn't seem to care about being seen by people. Even if he was to his brother, he would not pretend to be tolerant and give charity. This kind of kindness that seemed too extravagant to him.

"The Duke thinks I should express allegiance to him," Alexander said carelessly, as if he was disregarded by Giovanni's temptation, and then he suddenly asked, "And your brother's wife, respected Xiasan of Naples, also thinks this proposal is good. What do you think, how should I reply to the Duke's suggestion?"

Caesar looked at Alexander and shook his head directly.

"If you want to hear other people's ideas, I would recommend that you keep the status quo, because it may be more useful for your loyalty to the Queen." Caesar said, pausing, his eyes staring at Alexander with angel-like peace. "I know you've done a good job, whether in the Bruini Valley, or the robbery and this attack that the Queen had encountered before, so I want to know how to trust you now?"

"Of course, Lord Bishop, you can trust me."

Alexander smiled and nodded. He was indeed a little curious about what Caesar would say so seriously.

Although everyone knows that this so-called trust is actually nothing.

"The French will not have long occupied Rome," Caesar signaled Alexander to accompany him to continue walking slowly in the palace. "The coalition commanded by Gonzalo may not have to wait until next year to completely defeat the French army in Lombardy, and by then the French in Rome will collapse without fighting."

Alexander couldn't help but nodded slightly. He couldn't help but admit that Caesar had extraordinary vision and had very accurate predictions.

In fact, the French who occupied Rome did indeed surrender to the coalition forces besieging Rome in the spring of 1497 after the main French forces were defeated again.

"So what do you want me to do?" Alexander asked.

"I just hope you can be honest with me," Caesar whispered to Alexander halfway through his body. "I don't know if you know what the queen has brought to the pope, but this news should be useful to your uncle, Earl Modillo," Caesar said, "Someone reported that the Count was trying to collude with the French, and you were sent to do this for him."
Chapter completed!