The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1306: Chapter 174: Nightingale Mansion’s Business Evaluation

One should praise women, not love them.

– Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord

For an officer constantly living under high-pressure conditions, nothing is more comforting than a lavish foreign reception.

In Leipzig, he didn’t have to worry about suddenly receiving urgent tasks from superior officers, nor did he fear unforeseen calamities springing out of nowhere, nor did he need to guard against those hidden arrows that might come from his colleagues at any moment.

In Leipzig, in a place unseen by the Tsar, he could indulge freely without the fear of political scrutiny for being lost in an enchanted realm or seduced by the British charming overtures.

The front stage presented Turandot, a crystallization of human civilization’s wisdom, while in the backyard, the most primitive and clichéd play of human civilization—money, liquor, and lust—was simultaneously being staged.

Darwin might not have thought that Arthur consistently agreed with the blurred conclusion he arrived at after traveling ten thousand miles—that the human species is ultimately just animals, and no one is superior to monkeys.

Arthur lightly patted Colonel Shubinski’s shoulder, signaling him to settle comfortably in the Leipzig Theater box prepared for him earlier.

The maids, in silk gowns, approached with delicate goblets, gazing flirtatiously at the Russian colonel with inviting smiles.

Colonel Shubinski appeared slightly inebriated, gently swaying his glass of red wine, displaying a satisfied and relaxed expression. His gaze lingered among the beautiful companions, seemingly well-enjoyed by this enthusiastic reception.

Arthur nodded with a smile, confirming everything was appropriately arranged, then softly instructed the maids to take good care of the guest, ensuring he enjoyed the evening’s pleasures.

Forming connections with European cultural icons like Mendelssohn, Heine, and Great Dumas, receiving the same treatment as true nobility, Shubinski first felt that monitoring a few unruly students abroad might not be such a hardship after all.

People won’t bite the hand that feeds them, Shubinski felt a bit guilty recalling his involvement in the Liverpool bombing incident.

Shubinski’s face flushed with a slight intoxicated redness, with genuine gratitude in his eyes: “Old friend, your hospitality today makes me feel honored. Such arrangements and thoughtfulness truly make even a Russian soldier like me admire you. But should you come to Russia one day and need my assistance, feel free to speak, and I will do my utmost to help, without refusal. When you come to Moscow, I will definitely host a banquet for you, and we’ll have a good drink together. I’ll personally pour the wine for you, letting you taste some of our fine Russian spirits!”

Speaking of which, Shubinski warmly conversed with Arthur about his family.

As if wanting to show Arthur that he’s not just an ordinary rough military man, but rather an all-rounded individual who appreciates culture and arts.

“If you ever go to St. Petersburg, you can write me a letter, though I don’t have a house there, my father-in-law lives there. Do you know what a father-in-law is? That’s your sister-in-law’s, my wife’s father, your sister-in-law Catherine Ivanovna is different from a crude person like me; she is from a scholarly Valeramov family background. A person is like a pickled cucumber in a vat, the longer the soak, the richer the flavor.”

“Of course, if soaked too long, it gets spoiled just like some students at Moscow University. However, my lovely Katya (Catherine’s nickname), she’s soaked just right, neither too long nor too short. Her father, a literature professor at St. Petersburg University, has taught her Latin and Greek since childhood. As for my mother-in-law, that old lady is even more remarkable.”

Her family was old nobility in Peterburg, residing in the court before Peter the Great’s reforms, and held considerable societal prestige. Although their family isn’t as magnificent as it was before, the old lady still demands their daughter in the manner of the court. French, German, music, painting, dance, and that bewildering array of court etiquette, were simply subjects that a lifetime wouldn’t suffice to study.”

Shubinski laughed heartily, giving Arthur a hearty slap on the back, almost causing the unsuspecting Arthur to fall face-first and break his nose.

Arthur climbed up from the carpet, barely resisting the urge to glare fiercely at the Russian colonel.

But considering he might indeed need his help when visiting Russia, Arthur, London’s brazen police chief, could only manage a helpless smile: “Is this how the old lady usually educates your wife?”

Shubinski joked: “Of course.”

He rolled up his sleeves to show Arthur his muscles: “Russians are always strong, or how could we defeat the French? Of course, this is an advantage for men, but for women, it’s a disadvantage. However, don’t worry; before marriage, they usually don’t show you their strength. But after marriage, and if their family’s influence is strong, well, you’ll see!”

Upon hearing this, Arthur suddenly saw the light.

This burly Russian constabulary colonel…

Turns out, he’s a son-in-law!

No wonder this guy is climbing so quickly!