Catherine and the Black Emperor

74. Offer advice and suggestions

"Sir, we have found out that the Dzogolokovs were traveling between those two places because Dzogolokov was having an affair."

Gema, now a servant, reported to Sergei.

"Who cheated on you?" Sergei was not surprised.

Having been engaged in secret work for so long, his intuition told him that it wouldn't be as simple as Ekaterina said, and sure enough, there was an even bigger secret hidden behind it.

"The Grand Duke's squire, Maria Kosheleva, is not only pregnant, but she is also pregnant with Dzogolokov's child."

This surprised Sergei.

Djogolokov was so careless; such a huge weakness could bring this couple to their doom. They were clearly aware of this, which is why they had been handling the matter in secret all this time.

"Lust is indeed something that men find hardest to resist," Sergei muttered to himself.

Mrs. Djogolokova was instructed by Elizabeth to set an example for Peter and Ekaterina, so she became pregnant. In addition, the couple loved having children and had quite a few.

As Djogolokov's belly grew larger and he lacked his wife's company, Djogolokov eventually set his sights on Peter's maid.

"I remember that servant," Sergei recalled.

The other party was a slightly burly and clumsy girl. If she hadn't been born into nobility, she would never have been able to become a servant. But her stupidity destined her to never become a courtier.

The other woman was likely attracted to Djogolokov by her beautiful blond hair and fair skin.

"Sir, what should I do next?" Gemma asked.

Sergei shook his head: "Nothing needs to be done. Also, tell the Grand Duchess not to think that this will completely bring down the Djogolokovs. Djogolokova is the Empress's cousin."

He believed that with Catherine's intelligence, once he said that, she would understand that even if he used this as leverage to successfully drive away the Dzogolokovs, a new couple would be sent by Elizabeth.

Besides, Djogolokova is now turning a blind eye to Ekaterina's behavior.

Djogolokov is now even more preoccupied with his own problems.

Sergei ultimately chose to wait and see.

11 month.

Mrs. Djogolovova gave birth to her sixth child.

Elizabeth came to visit her.

"How do you plan to treat your husband? If you want him to leave, I will be pleased and approve of your decision."

"Whatever decision you make, I will support you. But from now on, your husband absolutely cannot stay by Peter's side anymore."

Djogolokov was dismissed from his post.

Maria Kosheleva was placed under full surveillance and would soon be taken to a convent by the secret police, beginning the painful second half of her life. The poor child would suffer alongside his mother from birth.

"I really don't know what to do, Chairman. Please help me! Her Majesty the Queen has ordered me to give her an answer by tomorrow!"

Not long after giving birth, Djogolokova, still weak, went to find Sergei.

"You shouldn't have done that, the worst thing you could have done was to so vehemently deny Mr. Djogolokov's affair to Her Majesty the Empress. Did you think you could hide it from Her Majesty? I was kept in the dark about this from the very beginning," Sergei said helplessly.

"You mean... Count Shuvalov!" Madame Djogolovova guessed who was behind it all.

"Madam, none of that matters now. The most important thing is to handle this matter properly. Tell me what outcome you want, and I'll help you find a way."

Mrs. Djogolokova's face was contorted with hatred: "That damned Alexander Shuvalov!"

"Madam!" Sergei called to her again.

"I'm here! I've thought it through, Chairman. The children can't be without their father. I will forgive my husband. I believe that after this incident, he will understand that I am his only true love."

Mrs. Djogolokova knew very well that her husband and her husband's reputation was now completely ruined in St. Petersburg, so she could not afford to lose her husband at this time, otherwise she and her children would be in a very difficult situation.

Sergei nodded: "It's painful, but it's a wise decision."

"What should I do?"

Sergei did not answer, but instead put forward conditions: "I can guarantee that your husband will not leave you, and he will not be relieved of any of his duties except for his position as Grand Duke's steward, but you need to promise two things."

"What?"

"First, you voluntarily resigned from your position as Grand Duchess's steward and recommended that Lady Bruezer return to the position. In fact, you should know that you are also losing your position as steward."

Mrs. Djogolokova was initially reluctant, but as Sergei said, she knew she couldn't keep her position.

She finally nodded in agreement.

"The second thing, I believe you and your husband would be very happy to do, because judging from your anger just now, you really want to get revenge on Shuvalov, you just need an opportunity."

Mrs. Djogolokova looked up: "You have a way?"

Indeed, after this incident, her anger was palpable. She and her husband had a perfect opportunity to secretly deal with the pregnant woman, but Shuvalov ruined everything!

She was very angry.

Sergei then produced an account book: "This is the record of Shuvalov receiving bribes from a former member of parliament. She will give you the pleasure of revenge from the Empress."

"Thank you so much!"

Mrs. Djogolokova was excited and reached for it, but Sergei pulled his hand away.

"If the Empress asks where this account book came from, Madam..."

"I told them I'd noticed something was off with Shuvalov, and that I'd secretly gone to his office and found out!"

Sergei smiled with satisfaction and handed the ledger back to her.

"I look forward to the lady's revenge."

Mrs. Djogolovova hurriedly asked, "Now can you tell me how to save my husband?"

"Of course, first of all, you must go to Her Majesty the Queen tomorrow and beg her. You must kneel on the ground. At this time, you must not care about your status as the older sister. You must beg the Queen to say that you have forgiven your husband and hope to continue to be with him for the sake of the children. Remember, you must emphasize the children's pitiful situation."

"Okay, okay, is that alright?"

"This is nothing. If it were that easy to handle, you wouldn't have come to me, Madam. After you talk to the Queen, I will persuade the Grand Duchess to plead on your behalf."

Lady Djogolokova was overjoyed: "Really? The Grand Duchess is willing to lend a helping hand?"

"This is all thanks to the seeds you planted, Madam, by being willing to grant the Grand Duchess a certain degree of freedom, which has yielded such a bountiful harvest."

"Chairman, I have no way to repay you!"

"This isn't over yet."

"Is it not over yet?" Mrs. Djogologova asked, taken aback.

"After the Grand Duchess pleaded for you, Her Majesty the Queen calmed down, which proved that your husband truly had a chance. At this time, you should take your husband to the Queen, kneel down together before her, and beg her to forgive you. Only in this way can your husband be 'brought back to life' in the palace."

"What if we can't quell the Queen's anger?" Lady Djogolovova still had concerns.

Sergei rose to leave: "Then you should prepare to say goodbye to your husband and pack his bags for leaving St. Petersburg."