Previously, rumors about "three pieces" had already caused many to whisper privately, but since there was no "solid evidence," they could still be considered mere speculation.
However, the "detailed and vivid" report in Le Gaulois, especially the specific title "Father Milon," greatly enhanced the credibility of the rumors.
People preferred to believe that there must be some dirty dealings behind it, otherwise, there was no way to explain how a fledgling young man could receive such a "special honor."
More reporters than in previous days gathered outside Count Rohan's mansion and the Ministry of Education.
When the Count went out in his carriage, he could even hear people booing from the roadside.
He tried to emphasize to reporters:
"Whether it's three or four pieces selected, it's utterly absurd and baseless speculation! The work of the compilation committee is serious and prudent, and will absolutely not be influenced by any non-literary factors!"
However, his defense appeared so weak and ineffective in the face of surging public opinion.
No one was willing to believe him.
Le Gaulois's report had already created a preconceived notion; people only wanted to believe what they wanted to believe – that a scandal indeed existed.
Conservative newspapers seized the opportunity to fiercely attack the Republican government's education reforms, claiming they harbored ulterior motives, and even implied that Count Rohan had betrayed France's cultural dignity for political gain.
Even some centrist newspapers began to express "deep concern."
Count Rohan felt unprecedented pressure – despite his noble birth and having encountered some political turmoil, had he ever been so universally denounced?
His reputation, his family's prestige, and even his political future seemed to be teetering on the brink in this escalating storm.
Finally, under immense pressure, he made a decision.
"Albert, you should have a private talk with Lionel tomorrow..."
------
"So, isn't all this a trick orchestrated by your father, Count Rohan?"
As he spoke, Lionel leisurely took a sip of coffee.
He and Albert were sitting in "L'Amour" Cafe next to the Sorbonne – Albert had practically dragged him there after class.
Albert almost jumped out of his chair when he heard Lionel's words:
"Lion, I swear on the honor of the Rohan family! My father absolutely did not manipulate anything!
Those absurd rumors definitely did not come from his instruction! His current situation is extremely difficult; public opinion is completely out of control..."
Lionel listened quietly.
Only after Albert finished speaking did he slowly raise his head, his voice surprisingly calm:
"Albert, think carefully—
If I were to issue a statement withdrawing now, as your father wishes. How would the outside world interpret it?"
Albert was stunned.
Lionel spoke as if discussing something unrelated to himself:
"They'll say, 'Look, the insider dealings have been exposed! Lionel Sorel has a guilty conscience!'
'Count Rohan couldn't withstand the pressure and was forced to abandon his 'protégé'! Any previous denials from us would turn into weak and ineffective lies, even becoming a laughing stock.
This isn't a concession at all, but a surrender, which would only make our opponents even more rabid and plunge us into an irrecoverable situation."
Albert's face gradually turned pale; he realized he hadn't considered this aspect at all.
He had only thought of his father's predicament, but hadn't realized that Lionel's concession would actually confirm everything.
Albert was somewhat bewildered and helpless:
"Then... what should we do?"
Lionel stood up and placed a 12-sou coin on the table:
"Tell your father to please endure for a few more days. Don't do anything, don't say anything, especially don't issue any more clarification statements to reporters."
"But public opinion..."
Lionel turned around:
"Leave public opinion to me; I can handle this. He just needs to remain silent and patient."
...
The message Albert brought back plunged the vexed Count Rohan into deeper hesitation.
Lionel's refusal to withdraw was within his expectations, but what did the young man mean by "handle it himself"?
He really couldn't imagine any way to break the deadlock, apart from bowing his head and admitting fault or confronting defiantly—both of which seemed to have unpredictable consequences at the moment.
Albert tried to comfort his father:
"Father, Lion... he always has some unexpected ideas. Perhaps this time is the same?"
The Count sighed and waved his son out.
Now, he seemed to have no choice but to bide his time and see what tricks "the Conscience of Sorbonne" could pull.
------
However, the storm of public opinion did not abate slightly due to Count Rohan's silence; instead, it intensified.
The success of Le Gaulois made other newspapers incredibly envious, and they all began to dig for more "inside stories" about Lionel Sorel.
The very next afternoon after Le Gaulois's report came out, the editorial department of Le Figaro also received an anonymous submission, signed "An Honest Parisian."
The content of this letter was even more bizarre, claiming that, according to "authoritative sources," Lionel's "Letter from an Unknown Woman" would also be included in the "French Reader" in excerpted form.
The purpose was "to teach young children what is a truly pure, noble, and self-sacrificing view of love."
The editor-in-chief of Le Figaro hesitated.
This novel was indeed deeply moving and highly acclaimed by ladies in the salons, but linking it with "children's education" was too far-fetched, even absurd.
But considering the popularity of the topic, he still decided to cautiously publish it on a less conspicuous page.
However, this seemed to open a Pandora's Box.
Immediately afterward, the Journal des Débats received a letter from "a deeply worried educator."
The letter claimed that chapters from Lionel's long novel, "The Affairs of Benjamin Bouton," which was being serialized in Le Petit Parisien and La Vie Moderne, would also be selected for the "French Reader."
The purpose was "to educate children to treat people with physical disabilities or those who have suffered misfortune equally."
Some newspaper editors even received letters stating that Lionel's play, "The Choir," had already been tacitly designated as a "mandatory repertoire for all public primary schools in France to rehearse."
Its interludes would also become "fixed pieces in French primary school music textbooks."
These bizarre submissions and rumors were selectively published by some relatively cautious major newspapers, placed on inconspicuous pages.
But most were gladly accepted by sales-driven, unscrupulous tabloids and published with prominent, eye-catching headlines.
Rumors about Lionel's works being selected for the "French Reader" rapidly became absurd and grotesque.
"Have you heard? That Sorel kid is going to monopolize the entire reader!"
"Not just the reader! Even music and drama classes are going to be taken over by him!"
"Did he give Minister Ferry and Count Rohan some kind of love potion?"
"I don't think it's that simple; maybe he's the real mastermind behind the Republicans!"
In taverns, salons, and public carriages, people discussed these increasingly outrageous rumors with great relish, adding their own embellishments.
Some laughed heartily, some were indignant, and some were deeply worried.
Lionel Sorel's fame reached an unprecedented height in a different way.
He seemed to have become a symbol, a monster combining genius, conspirator, lucky fellow, and degenerate all in one.
There even began to be anonymous articles seriously analyzing how Lionel Sorel, through his literary works and "special relationships" with key figures, secretly influenced and even manipulated the Republican government's decisions.
He had clearly become France's "shadow prime minister."
Lionel, in the eye of the storm, seemed to have disappeared.
He no longer made public appearances and refused all interview requests.
This silence, to outsiders, seemed more like a tacit admission or a silent arrogance.
Count Rohan looked at these increasingly frenzied reports, dumbfounded and disheartened.
He felt that both he and Lionel were finished, that this tangled mess could no longer be sorted out, and he almost regretted following Lionel's advice to remain silent.
He was already thinking about how to cut ties with Lionel and protect himself.
(End of Chapter)
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