Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 278 Can you still control what the people of Paris like to watch?

News of a duel between a top Parisian socialite and a Russian noblewoman quickly spread throughout Paris.

"Lady Rothschild and Miss Shcherbatova will fight for honor!"

This news did not cause ripples, but rather a colossal wave that engulfed the entire city of Paris.

Overnight, all the newspapers in Paris, regardless of size or stance, were abuzz with this unprecedented "spectacle."

The conservative newspaper *Le Galliola* and the church-affiliated *La Croix* used every possible word to express their grief and condemnation:
Moral decay!

The world is going to the dogs!

[The ladies' frenzied duel is a disgrace to French civilization!]

When women abandon their reserve and gentleness and take up the violence that traditionally belongs to men, the foundation of social order is crumbling!

The article is filled with nostalgia for the old Parisian elegance and deep sorrow for the current "immoral" behavior.

Republican and liberal newspapers, such as Le Figaro and Le Republic, presented a more nuanced attitude.

On the one hand, they had to criticize the barbaric act of dueling itself, but on the other hand, they could not help but reveal a kind of excitement.

Many commentators interpret this as an extreme manifestation of the awakening of female consciousness:

This is a rebellion against outdated social rules!

When words failed to defend their dignity, they chose the most direct approach!

[Lady Rothschild proved through her actions that women's sense of honor and courage are no less than any man's!]

Although the wording was relatively restrained, the words were full of the kind of "the more the merrier" mentality.

Those who truly indulged in the revelry were the cheap tabloids, such as Le Jodie, Le Lantern, and even popular newspapers like Le Petit Parisien.

Reporters used extremely sensational and exaggerated language to describe this upcoming "duel of the century," even bringing up events from last year's Sorbonne oral exam:

[Clothes removed! Laying bare bodies! Two peerless beauties are about to wield their swords for "the conscience of the Sorbonne"!]

[Details Revealed! The duel rules are surprisingly "thoughtful"! Who will witness the ladies' beautiful bodies?]

[Was the catalyst behind the scenes Lionel Sorel, "the conscience of the Sorbonne"? What passionate clashes did his *A Study in Scarlet* ignite among women?]

[This newspaper will exclusively follow up on this story, revealing the untold tale between Madame Rothschild and the Russian Rose!]

These headlines greatly boosted sales, and the newspapers sold out as soon as they hit the shelves.

Parisians, workers, shop assistants, and even market vendors are all discussing it with great interest.

"Will the two ladies really take off their tops?"

"I've heard they're all exceptionally beautiful women!"

"Who will win?"

"I don't care who wins, I care about whether I can go and see it."

Where does the 'first blood' appear?

"The most likely explanation is their most 'prominent' part..."

"Hey Hey……"

It was as if this was not a potentially deadly duel, but a thrilling theatrical or circus performance.

The news spread like wildfire, quickly crossing borders.

The Times of London, while conservative, is relatively moderate in its stance.

[A new wave of controversy has erupted in Parisian social circles as a duel between two prominent women has caused a stir in mainland Chinese public opinion.]

Berlin newspapers, however, were far less polite in their coverage of French news:
The French always manage to make everything, including violence, so 'interesting'.

This became the hottest topic in salons in Vienna, Rome, and Madrid.

The upper class of Europe was waiting for the outcome of the duel, eager to see what new tricks the French ladies would come up with.

Intriguingly, the Paris police turned a blind eye to this "duel".

When the reporter found Director Gigo, he only gave a vague response: "That's just a rumor. We haven't received any complaint letters from any party..." At the center of the storm, besides the two noble ladies, was of course Lionel.

Despite Lionel's reluctance, all reports indicate that he was one of the witnesses appointed by Mrs. Rothschild.

The duel was sparked by a controversy surrounding his work, "A Study in Scarlet."

As a result, 117 Boulevard Saint-Germain suffered the most intense siege since its construction, even more brutal than the Bastille on July 14, 1789.

From dawn till late at night, hundreds of reporters and busybodies always gather downstairs, not only blocking the entrance but also completely cutting off traffic.

Like sharks that have smelled blood, they held notebooks and pencils, their eyes fixed on the exit.

Whenever a young man resembling Lionel appears, they swarm around him.

"Mr. Sorel! What are your thoughts on the duel between the two ladies?"

Do you think your "A Study in Scarlet" should be held responsible for this?

Does Mrs. Rothschild's choice of you as a witness imply a special relationship between you?

"Will you watch the entire duel? What are your thoughts on the 'topless' rule?"

All sorts of questions, from serious to gossipy, from literary to erotic, rained down on the tightly closed apartment door like hail.

The administrator turned pale with fright and pleaded with Lionel several times, "Mr. Sorel, please, go out and say something to them."

Or suggest, "Let's just slip out the back door; the other guests are complaining."

Lionel, of course, refused, because reporters were also waiting at the back door.

He hid behind the living room curtains, looking at the dark mass of people downstairs, and felt a wave of dizziness.

He recalled the celebrities in his past life who were chased by paparazzi, and finally understood what the troubles of being a "top star" were.

"A sin!"

Lionel couldn't help but look up to the sky and let out a low growl in Chinese.

This is truly an undeserved disaster!
He just wanted to write his novel in peace and quiet, so how did he get caught up in a war between two women, and in such an unbelievable way?

What bothered him even more was that "A Study in Scarlet" did indeed receive unprecedented attention as a result.

The London-based Good Words magazine and the French newspaper Le Petit Parisien sent him telegrams, excitedly informing him of the soaring sales.

Lionel angrily threw the letter on the table; all he wanted now was to resolve this farce as soon as possible and return to a normal life.

On the evening of the third day of the siege, Lionel finally found an opportunity.

The restaurant owner on the ground floor was willing to help him slip away through the back door of the restaurant's kitchen.

It leads to a narrow, garbage-filled alley that is rarely noticed.

The restaurant owner was also in dire straits, as the large crowds had kept his business at the restaurant for several days.

As midnight approached, the hustle and bustle of Paris gradually subsided, with only the occasional sound of horse-drawn carriages and the barking of wild dogs in the distance.

Lionel, dressed in a dark coat and wearing a hat pulled low, slipped out of the room silently and went down the stairs to the first floor.

The restaurant was already closed, except for the kitchen, where the lights were still on and the sounds of washing dishes and the grumbling of the waiters could be heard.

He held his breath and quickly made his way through the greasy kitchen; the head chef, a fat man, nodded to him and pointed to the half-open wooden door.

Lionel glanced at him gratefully, then quickly opened the door and slipped out.

Just as Lionel breathed a sigh of relief and prepared to flee, a voice suddenly rang in his ear:

"Mr. Sorel, will Mrs. Rothschild and Miss Shcherbatova really take off their tops?"

Lionel was so frightened he almost died on the spot, but when he looked closely, he realized it was a reporter with dark circles under his eyes that looked like a hot water bottle, holding a small notebook in his hand.

He was truly enraged: "Can't you reporters report something positive? All you do is worry about whether women take their clothes off or not, what kind of behavior is this!"

The reporter immediately objected: "You can control me, but can you control what the people of Paris like to watch?"

Seeing that the reporter's voice was getting louder, Lionel quickly stepped forward and covered his mouth: "What do you want to ask? Ask quickly!"

(End of this chapter)