Catherine and the Black Emperor

058. The Wedding

"You've worked hard during this time. Your excellence and talent have won everyone's respect. As the Grand Duchess of Russia, your efforts will earn the support and love of the people."

Elizabeth put down her report on the system of noble fiefdoms and was very satisfied with Catherine's performance.

Besdudev and other ministers also smiled at Yekaterina Okinawa.

"As Your Majesty said, I am the Grand Duchess of Russia, so this is all I should do." Catherine bowed.

Elizabeth looked pleased and glanced at Besdov, who understood and led the other ministers away.

Elizabeth rose and approached Ekaterina: "I've heard that you've been spending a lot of time with Saltykov lately."

Catherine remained unfazed: "It's because the Grand Duke is close to Saltykov."

Elizabeth remained noncommittal: "He is the vice-chairman of the secret council and a court minister. Shuvalov would see close ties with him as an attempt to win over courtiers. And your suggestions regarding noble fiefdoms and serfdom are, to put it bluntly, interference in politics."

"I can temporarily sever ties with the Grand Duke while Saltykov and the Grand Duke are present. Furthermore, Your Majesty, if you deem it necessary, you may completely repeal the previous decrees," Ekaterina said calmly.

Elizabeth looked at her, her smile unchanged: "It hasn't been that long, and you've already shown your talent. But that makes me very happy. At least Peter lacks your personality."

Catherine remained silent.

"Do you think Saltykov is good?" Elizabeth asked again.

Ekaterina replied without hesitation: "Excellent."

"So what kind of woman do you think is good enough for him?" Elizabeth continued to ask.

Ekaterina answered directly: "Like me."

Razumovsky listened with trepidation, but to his surprise, Elizabeth burst into laughter and said, half-jokingly, "I thought you were going to say it was me!"

"Your Majesty's excellence is unparalleled," Ekaterina smiled.

Elizabeth nodded. "I am satisfied with your answer, but I do not believe Saltykov is worthy of you. Just as you look up to me, I value you equally. Have you met my lady-in-waiting, Anastasia?"

"I've met you." Ekaterina nodded.

"How is she?"

"Excellent."

"They are both outstanding, so how about we marry her off to Saltykov?" Elizabeth stared intently at Ekaterina.

"Yes." Ekaterina met the other person's gaze frankly.

Elizabeth's smile remained unchanged: "Then please go and tell him."

Ekaterina turned around and looked at Elizabeth.

"I?"

"What? Is that not allowed? Saltykov and Peter are often together, so you should be able to see him easily. I won't show up, otherwise it will seem like I'm forcing him into marriage."

Ekaterina bowed: "I understand."

Watching Ekaterina's departing figure, Elizabeth smiled at Razumovsky and said, "Do you think she genuinely believed that the newlyweds were a good match?"

Before Razumovsky could speak, the young man Ivan Shuvalov said, "Your Majesty, this is your chosen couple. They are a perfect match, as if ordained by heaven."

Razumovsky's eyes flickered, but he remained silent.

Elizabeth looked at the young man who had once shown her his quick wit and smiled.

Ekaterina left Elizabeth's office, somewhat distraught.

Her composure in front of Elizabeth was all an act; she knew that if she revealed even the slightest clue, it would cause trouble for Sergei and erase everything she had done.

Elizabeth was clearly annoyed that she hadn't been caught red-handed.

"Just because I'm not pregnant, they assume I had an affair with Sergei, without even considering what kind of person their own nephew is!"

Ekaterina knew very well that the other party was looking for a wife for Sergei in order to curb his power, and also because news of their frequent meetings had been relayed to Elizabeth.

That person could be Shuvalov, or it could be Besdudev.

Ekaterina stood on the steps, her mind going completely blank for a moment.

Elizabeth sent her to tell Sergei that he was going to marry Anastasia.

He wanted her to tell him herself.

Catherine suddenly squatted down, tears welling in her eyes. Endless regret and resentment filled her heart, like a blizzard falling on an even more irritable pot lid, making a rustling sound.

She cried, she cried silently.

After an unknown amount of time, she wiped away her tears, and looking at her reflection in the glass, her beautiful, flawless face blossomed into a smile once more.

"Ekaterina, what good will your tears do? You chose this all yourself. You abandoned Sergei. Now you know how he felt when you got married!"

"Serves you right! You brought this on yourself!"

"The Empress did the right thing, Catherine. No one was more suitable to tell Sergei than you yourself! You have no right to be sad; you should be happy that he has found someone who truly loves him!"

Ekaterina walked toward the kennel with a smile on her face.

1747 October.

The youngest son of the Saltykov family is getting married.

Prince Sergei Saltykov, formerly a bodyguard to Queen Elizabeth, is now the deputy secretary-general of the secret council and the most promising young man in the court.

The wedding venue was packed, and the scale of the event was comparable to that of a royal wedding.

Because of Elizabeth's high regard for Sergei, she lent him the royal guard of honor, which made the courtiers and nobles realize that the Saltykov family had become a powerful force in the court.

At least, many deeply entrenched nobles did not receive the support of the royal guard of honor when they got married.

After Elizabeth left, the somewhat reserved guests immediately relaxed.

"Everyone, let's drink! We're not leaving until we're drunk tonight!" Peter shouted at the banquet.

Naryshkin raised his glass: "Let us raise a toast to Sergei Saltykov's happy marriage!"

Happy Wedding!

All the guests raised their glasses in unison.

Sergei, dressed in a black satin tuxedo, handsome and tall, with diamonds adorning his cuffs and buttons, raised his glass to thank his friends and family, his wife Anastasia standing beside him.

The bride wore light makeup and a gown made of the same fabric, with exquisite patterns embroidered in silver thread on the collar, cuffs, and skirt. She also wore valuable bracelets, brooches, earrings, rings, and a tiara.

A perfect match.

A talented man and a beautiful woman.

A newlywed couple that everyone envies.

Ekaterina stood beside Peter, looking at Sergei with a smile, but only she knew the depth of her inner suffering.

"This is all you deserve, Ekaterina," she admonished herself.

Once she calmed down a bit, she felt the pain in her palm, caused by her nails digging into her flesh. She clenched her fist tighter to stop the blood from flowing out, but the news that followed completely pushed her to the brink of emotional collapse, and she could no longer control herself.

She ran out of the room in anguish, to the back garden, into the darkness, and wept uncontrollably, the news echoing in her ears and in her mind.

"Your Highness, your father... has passed away."