Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 471 Whoever dares to change the ancestral rules must step down!

Lionel's determination did not sway Sophie.

Sophie squeezed his hand: "Listen to me. Mr. De La Ruwak is right. We're fine as we are now."

I'll manage your business as Sophie Deneuve, and you can focus on your writing; if we get married, everything will become complicated. Think about it—

The play "Café" is about to begin its nationwide tour, the bicycle factory needs to follow up on new orders, the typing cooperative is expanding, and the electrical company is promoting alternating current...

"With so many things to handle personally, how will you find the time to write new novels and screenplays?"

Lionel looked at her: "But that's not fair to you. We've been together for three years, and I want to give you a formal status, a family."

Sophie smiled, a bittersweet smile, but very gently: "Leon, I don't care about that 'official status.' What I care about is being able to work together and help you."

If marriage would prevent me from helping you, then I'd rather not get married.

"But……"

Sophie interrupted him: "No buts. Isn't it good the way things are now? We eat together, work together, and take walks together every day."

Aside from not having a marriage certificate, what difference is there between us and a married couple? How many 'couples' in Paris are worse off than us?

Lionel was speechless; he knew Sophie was right.

In Paris, and in the arts and culture scene, this kind of long-term cohabitation without marriage is not uncommon.

Zola and Alexandrine lived together for ten years before getting married, the Goncourt brothers remained unmarried their entire lives, and Maupassant had countless mistresses.

Society has a certain degree of tolerance for this kind of relationship, especially towards artists and writers.

But the problem is, he is not Maupassant, and Sophie is not one of those mistresses.

But now, the law has become the biggest obstacle.

Lionel suddenly found it absurd.

He wrote sensational novels and plays, promoted the popularization of public education in France, participated in the invention of the bicycle and the typewriter, and even worked with Tesla to promote alternating current...

He changed many things, but he couldn't change this damn law.

The fire crackled in the fireplace, and the room was so warm it felt almost stuffy.

Finally, Lionel raised his head and looked at De La Ruwak: "You called us here today just to tell us this?"

Mr. De La Ruwak nodded: “Yes. As your notary and friend, I feel obligated to remind you of the legal risks.”

Marriage is a major life event; it involves not only feelings but also property, rights, and social status. You need to think it through carefully.

Lionel nodded. "I understand. Thank you for reminding me."

He stood up, and Sophie stood up as well.

De La Ruwak also stood up, walked around the desk, and came to them: "Lional, Sophie, I'm not against you being together."

On the contrary, I think you two are in a great relationship right now—your relationship is stable, and you help each other in your careers.

A marriage certificate is just a piece of paper; what truly matters is how you get along with each other, and that will happen when the time is right.

"Or the laws might change, or the business might change—it's not too late to get married then."

Lionel didn't say anything, but simply extended his hand and shook hands with De La Ruvak.

Sophie also bowed: "Thank you, Mr. De La Ruwak."

De La Ruwak saw them to the door: "You're welcome. Go back and discuss it properly. Whatever decision you make, I will support you."

Before leaving, Lionel suddenly asked, "Mr. De La Ruwak, how long can Gambitha remain prime minister?"

De la Ruvak was taken aback, not expecting Lionel to ask such a question.

However, as a notary, understanding major political events is a required course for him, so he quickly gave the exact time: "The 30th of this month."

The 26th is the last day for parliament to vote on the list of ministers. If it fails to pass, he will have to step down—his list will certainly not pass.

The new presidential nominee will be voted on on the 30th, and Parliament will not obstruct it.

After listening, Lionel asked again, "And who is the most likely candidate for the next prime minister?"

De la Ruyvak was clearly confident about the matter: "It must be Charles de Fressine; we've already heard about it."

President Grevi will nominate him as Chairman of the Council of Ministers after Gambit, as he does not have Gambit's ambitions and is able to pass through Parliament.

However, we shouldn't be too optimistic about his term. Mr. Ferry will return sooner or later; it's just a matter of when.

Lionel nodded: "Yes, after all, he still needs to be taught a lesson by that General 'Feng' again..."

De La Ruwak was startled: "You mean he'll make us fight the Germans again? That's impossible, he's on very good terms with Bismarck..."

Lionel, of course, offered no explanation and returned to the main point: "The next prime minister is Charles de Frésiné, isn't he? I'll find time to visit him."

"Since you're going to be prime minister, you have to leave some mark on history, right? And Jules Ferry, if he wants to come back as prime minister, he has to offer something too, right?"

De La Ruvak shivered, wanting to say something, but ultimately said nothing, and could only watch Lionel's figure leave the agency.

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On the carriage home, Sophie looked at Lionel, unsure of what to say.

She knew Lionel often had some wildly imaginative ideas, but this one was just too outrageous.

Influence the Premier, and then amend the Civil Code?
How could that be? You have to understand that among the legacies Napoleon left to France, the Civil Code was the one that all factions agreed was the most untouchable.

Because the Civil Code is considered the "fundamental constitution of French society," even ordinary citizens with no political awareness know it cannot be changed. Anyone who dares to alter the ancestral laws must step down!

But seeing Lionel's serious expression, she didn't want to discourage him.

Maybe, just maybe, he really can do it? After all, he has already accomplished so many impossible things.

Finally, Sophie sighed and smiled: "Fine, whatever you want. Do whatever you want, but before that, we still have to face reality."

We can't get married in the short term. You have to accept that!

Lionel nodded, but his eyes still gleamed with a defiant light.

He had originally planned to let things happen naturally, but since this problem had arisen, he wanted to give it a try...

Let a certain premier clash with the Civil Code and see who is stronger, the premier or the Civil Code.

Lionel raised his chin: "I will accept. But I will not give up. One day, I will make you my wife—"

Not at the cost of your career, but in a way we both agree on.

Sophie squeezed his hand: "I believe you."

A short while later, the carriage stopped in front of 117 Boulevard Saint-Germain.

The two got out of the car and returned to the apartment.

Patty was doing her homework in the living room when she heard the noise. She poked her head out and said, "Young Master, Miss Sophie, you're back."

The postman just delivered a letter; it's for the young master.

Lionel and Sophie looked at the cabinet in the foyer and sure enough, there was a letter on it.

After hanging up his coat, Lionel picked up the letter: "Hmm? From Garp, Father?"

As he entered the house, he opened the letter and was stunned at first glance. Following a simple greeting was a straightforward request:

Leon, please come back soon!

Sophie also caught a glimpse of the sentence and asked in surprise, "Has something happened at home?"

Lionel quickly looked down—

The matter concerns your sister Ivana. Do you remember the young man I mentioned in my last letter? His name is Marcel Dubois, the heir to the Dubois general store near our house.

This young man is a nice guy, hardworking and polite. He started pursuing Ivana last fall, and he would come over to her house every Sunday after Mass, bringing some new candy or coffee from the shop.

Your mother likes him a lot, saying he speaks honestly, unlike some young people who are all talk and no action.

Ivana also had feelings for him.

As you know, ever since that scammer incident, she's been reluctant to talk about marriage. We cherish the fact that she's finally found someone who can make her smile.

Last month, Marcel formally came to our home to propose marriage. His father and mother also came, and they were very sincere.

We discussed the dowry, and it went quite well. Marcel said he didn't care about money; he would be satisfied as long as Ivana was willing.

We've decided that our engagement ceremony will be held on the 20th of this month, right in our living room.

But recently, things have started to go wrong.

First, Mr. Lafon, the clerk of the Gap District Court, came to me and warned me to be careful of Marcel, saying that his shop owed the bank a lot of money, and that he was marrying Ivana for the reputation and money of the Sorel family.

I didn't pay much attention at the time, but the next day, Mr. Du Lang, a clerk from the tax bureau, passed by my house and stopped to chat with me for a few minutes.

He said that his status was different now, that his son was a celebrity in Paris and had connections with counts and ministers, so Ivana should marry someone worthy of her, and that Marcel was not suitable.

Then Mr. Brisson, the principal of the Gap School, ran into me on the street, came over to shake my hand, and said he wanted to introduce Ivana to a few good young men who came from wealthy families and had studied in Paris.

To make matters worse, something also happened to Marcel.

The night before last, two people who claimed to be from the "Gap Business Association" warned him to "know his place" and not to try to climb the social ladder.

Those two people said some very unpleasant things, saying that if he didn't know what was good for him, he would have trouble getting supplies and loans for the store in the future.

Marcel was terrified. He was an honest boy and had never experienced anything like this before. He asked me if he was not good enough for Ivana.
I didn't know how to answer him.

That wasn't the end of it. During this period, a number of young people came to visit our home.

Some were the notary's youngest sons, some were the textile factory owner's nephews, and one was a medical student studying in Lyon...

They brought flowers and candy, spoke in a refined manner, but their eyes kept glancing at Ivana.

Your mother was exhausted from receiving guests, and Ivana hid in her room and refused to come out.

Now, Marcel's family is hesitant about the engagement ceremony that was originally planned. His mother sent word yesterday that they "want to think about it some more."

But our living room is full of unrelated people.

Leon, I'm old. I've spent my whole life as a clerk in Montiel, doing nothing but copying, writing, and running errands.

I can't handle this situation. Your mother just cries, and Ivana doesn't say a word all day. The house is a complete mess.

You need to come back. Only you can handle this now.

Come back soon!
Your loving father, Yu Jiapu

Lionel put down the letter and said to Sophie, "Help me pack my bags right away, I have to go back to the Alps."

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(End of this chapter)