Chapter 414: Austria's Most Accomplished Diplomat
Joseph nodded immediately. "All right, as long as it puts your mind at ease, I can go anywhere."
Coincidentally, even without Queen Mary's explicit instructions, he was already preparing for a trip to Vienna.
He then looked at his mother. "Mother, what exactly has happened to make you so worried?"
"Oh," Queen Mary began, dabbing at her tears with a handkerchief, her voice thick with emotion, "Madam Delvaux has cared for me since the moment I was born. She gave me such meticulous care."
According to 18th-century European aristocratic tradition, children were handed over to wet nurses from birth. Queen Mary's mother, the previous Austrian ruler Maria Theresa, had seven children, all raised by wet nurses and tutors.
So, for Queen Mary, Madam Delvaux was practically a mother figure to her in her childhood, and their bond was exceptionally deep.
It was precisely because Queen Mary lacked maternal affection in her own childhood that she didn't want her own children to endure similar suffering. Thus, she strongly admired Rousseau's advocacy for "following nature's way—mothers should personally nurse their children." She was also one of the first mothers in European royalty to practice this idea. After her, mothers personally nursing their children gradually became popular among French women.
On a side note, Rousseau spent his life promoting the idea of "mothers personally raising their children," yet he abandoned all five of his own children to an orphanage (his wife Thérèse was still alive), because he believed himself to be 'absolutely free'...
"Madam Delvaux wrote to me saying her health is failing... and she has a young granddaughter."
Queen Mary prattled on about Madam Delvaux's granddaughter, finally saying, "When the child grew up, she became even more beautiful than her grandmother, attracting many young noble suitors."
"But that beauty has brought her trouble. A year ago, a scoundrel named Walter started harassing her. Even after she rejected him repeatedly, he continued to pester her."
Joseph frowned. "Don't Vienna's officials handle such matters?"
"The officials dare not provoke Baron Walter," Queen Mary explained, glancing at Madam Delvaux's letter. "He is the cousin of Maria Viktorika, the Grand Duchess of Tuscany."
Joseph paused, then connected the name to the corresponding identity. "Leopold II's brother-in-law?"
No wonder no one dared to cross that Baron—Leopold II was on the verge of being crowned Holy Roman Emperor.
Queen Mary continued, "Baron Walter has an utterly terrible reputation. Madam Delvaux is worried that no one in Vienna will dare to rein him in, so she hopes to send Camelia—oh, her granddaughter—to Paris, where I can offer her protection."
"You know, I cannot easily leave Versailles, so I hope you can make a trip to Vienna on my behalf, to convey my blessings to Madam Delvaux, and to bring the poor Camelia back."
"Rest assured," Joseph said, nodding earnestly, "I'll take care of these matters."
...
Half a month later.
Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace.
As the orchestra played a solemn tune, Joseph, accompanied by Leopold II, walked between the honor guards standing at attention on both sides of the road.
"I truly didn't expect you to come in person," Leopold II said, sounding quite enthusiastic as he gestured towards the main entrance of Schönbrunn Palace. "I have prepared a grand banquet for you."
Joseph politely expressed his thanks, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then steered the conversation to business:
"Uncle, is there something urgent that required you to summon Archbishop Talleyrand so suddenly?"
Leopold II offered a polite, ceremonial smile:
"Haha," he chuckled, "over the past six months or so, France has provided immense support to our nation on the battlefields of Silesia and the Southern Netherlands. His Majesty insists that I express our heartfelt gratitude to France."
Joseph mused inwardly, 'If he wants to show gratitude, why not just offer some Florins? Why summon France's Foreign Minister?'
As the banquet progressed, Leopold II suddenly raised his glass and announced loudly to everyone present:
"With the help of our French allies, General Leo has achieved a decisive victory in the Southern Netherlands! I believe it won't be long before the rebels are completely rooted out, and the Southern Netherlands will regain order."
He then smiled and gestured towards Joseph:
"And our valiant French soldiers will soon be able to return to their long-missed homeland."
Amidst the cheers of the Austrian nobles, Joseph also smiled and raised his glass in response, yet a frown creased his brow inwardly. 'Leopold II seemed incredibly certain that the Netherlandish rebels would be defeated. But I've received no reports from the front lines. Other than a recent troop rotation by the Hanoverian forces, no decisive battles had occurred.'
Leopold II continued, his voice impassioned and stirring:
"In Silesia, our armies have thoroughly disciplined the Prussians. In several battles near Liegnitz, Marshal Lacy annihilated nearly ten thousand Prussian invaders. His cannons have practically scorched the enemy's positions to barren earth!"
The Austrian nobles immediately erupted in another round of cheers:
"Long live His Imperial Majesty!"
"Marshal Lacy leads us to victory!"
"To the brave warriors on the Silesian front!"
Joseph grew even more perplexed. 'Austria had clearly made no progress in Silesia. Why was Leopold II speaking as if they were on the verge of a triumphant return?'
Thus, the banquet concluded in an atmosphere of excitement and joy, followed by a ball. It wasn't until eleven o'clock that evening that Joseph finally managed to return to his room.
A short while later, Talleyrand knocked and entered, quickly bowing, his expression solemn as he spoke:
"Your Highness, the situation appears rather grim. Count Kaunitz wishes to see you immediately."
Joseph nodded, signaling Eman to help him change into plain clothes. He then quickly departed Schönbrunn Palace, accompanied by two servants who had been waiting outside.
In the carriage, Talleyrand reported with a frown:
"Your Highness, according to what I've learned in Vienna, Karl II may soon withdraw to Hanover, and the Prussians are expected to announce that they will no longer intervene in the Southern Netherlands."
Joseph exclaimed in surprise, "How is that possible?"
"It's said that Count Frentz masterminded this, persuading Karl II and William II with minimal concessions," Talleyrand explained. "He even received commendation from His Majesty Joseph II not long ago."
Joseph sneered. 'To say that Karl II could be swayed by diplomatic means... Prussia was currently engaged in a national war with Austria. How could they so easily reconcile their positions regarding the Southern Netherlands?'
"What do you think?" He looked at Talleyrand.
"It certainly isn't Count Frentz; someone else must be manipulating things from behind the scenes. But if the rumors are true, our military presence in the Southern Netherlands will become extremely vulnerable."
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