I am a literary giant in Russia

Chapter 48 Serving the Emperor

"Mother, dear Dounia, I am so busy writing all day long, how can I have time to go out and socialize?"

"I've just recently become a member of a literary group, so it's normal to hang out more."

"What young lady would come to my house in person these days? As for Demi, he is a very good friend of mine."

"I………"

.........

After a long effort, Mikhail finally dispelled the doubts in his mother and sister's eyes. While drinking tea to moisten his throat, he couldn't help but glance at Nastasia who was watching the fun from the side, and then said unhappily:
"Nastasya, I think you have too little work. One day I will definitely suggest to Pavlovna that she give you more work. You are at the age where you should be striving."

"You won't, dear Mikhail." Although this was a rather scary statement, Nastasya shook her head with a firm look: "You are a kind-hearted college student, you won't let Pavlovna do this, you even hope that we can do it less!
And the reason I said that just now is just to remind you that you should live a better life."

Mikhail: “…”

Never mind...

But sometimes, it’s not that Mikhail likes to deal with a group of men, it’s simply that there is no one else to deal with.

The social circle is so small. Mikhail can't follow the example of Nekrasov and fall in love with someone else's wife, right?
Ahem…

Waving Nastasia to leave first, Mikhail quickly looked at his mother and sister and asked, "Where are you going to stay tonight?"

"this."

Talking about this issue, thinking about the attitude shown by her Misha in the previous letter, Pulcheria hesitated for a while, but finally said: "Pyotr Petrovich said that he found a house for us to live in temporarily."

"Where is it?" Mikhail continued to ask.

"Not far from here, it seems to be the house of a Mr. Bakaleyev."

"I know where it is, Mother. It's on Voznesensky Street. It's a two-story hotel. They say it's a horrible, disgusting place, dirty, smelly, and suspicious; there's always trouble; and God knows who lives there! But the rent is cheap."

After saying this in silence, Mikhail thought about how his mother and sister had come without informing him. He immediately guessed something and continued:

"Pyotr Petrovich said something bad about me in his letter to you, didn't he? I suppose he made me out to be a lazy rogue and a swindler who hired someone to cheat him."

Thinking about the pretentious gentleman, Mikhail looked into his mother and sister's eyes and said:
"Mom, dear Dunya, after all this has happened, I believe you should have a deeper understanding of this gentleman. And my situation, as you can see, although it will take some time, the future prospects are very good, and I can give you a better life.

Dunya is still young, and some things can be considered in the long run. She will have better choices."

"Brother, I'm still young," the quiet little girl interrupted, "but you're not young anymore."

Mikhail: “.”

I'm only in my early twenties, and I'm so tender that I'm almost wet. I'm not young anymore.
"Don't speak while I'm talking to Mom, Dunya." Mikhail coughed lightly and glanced at his sister, who seemed a little unconvinced. He quickly avoided her gaze and continued to Pulcheria, "So I think it's best to discuss some things again. If you have any questions in the meantime, just tell me. I have some reliable friends in St. Petersburg now. They will help me get this matter resolved reasonably."

"Okay, then I'll listen to you, dear Misha!" After hesitating for a moment, the old woman, who usually seemed to hesitate over and over again when facing various things, finally nodded seriously: "I wasn't so sure at first, but when faced with the beautiful scene he described, I finally swayed towards him.

I will personally talk to him in the coming period, and I will tell you if there is anything, Misha."

Pulcheria is usually indecisive, a cautious character made by her long and hard life, but when it comes to major issues, she shows a kind of strength.

For her, who had to raise two children at an early age, this was the only way life could be.

After temporarily skipping this heavy topic, Pulcheria soon looked at Mikhail and said hopefully: "So, dear Misha, since your condition has improved, when can you return to university?

As long as a college student like you successfully completes his studies, he will soon be able to enter a government agency and become a respected civil servant. Then you will be serving the emperor!"

Mikhail: “.”

Frankly speaking, although this path has almost no room for advancement due to identity issues, it is indeed a very good way for families like Mikhail's.

After all, to put it bluntly, in this era when the Tsar's position was still relatively solid, it was much more comfortable to go along with the institutions represented by the Tsar than to go against them.

But a problem also arises. If the Tsar is really as good as he advertises, Mikhail would be eager to be a loyal minister.

But unfortunately, propaganda is often just lies.

What falls on people's heads is real.

In short, although Mikhail wanted to reply: "Mom! I think I'm a bit radical!"

But in order to prevent his old mother from fainting, Mikhail could only delay it: "Maybe I have to wait a little longer. You know, my career here has just started, and I need to calm down and focus on writing for a while."

"That's right, Misha. You must write well. Your talent in this area is simply unparalleled. And good writing can also attract the emperor's attention, right? I heard that there was a great poet named Pushkin who was favored by the emperor and promoted to a high position."

Mikhail: “.”

It must be said that although Nicholas I gave face to Pushkin on the surface, he did a lot of harm to Pushkin in secret. It is said that the death of Pushkin was also closely related to Nicholas I.

But speaking of it, Pushkin really did not give Nicholas I any face. After the Decembrist incident, although Pushkin did not directly participate in it, when Nicholas I asked: "If you were in St. Petersburg, would you take part in the December 14th uprising?" Pushkin did not hesitate at all and immediately answered:
"Without a doubt, all my friends are attending and I'm not going to not attend."

Although Nicholas I pardoned Pushkin for the sake of his reputation, he did deprive him of his freedom to write, and a series of subsequent events occurred.

So, back to the point, facing a mother's simple wish, Mikhail didn't explain too much, but just smiled and nodded: "I will."

I can't guarantee what kind of method it will be.
(End of this chapter)