I actually did not know about Marie Antoinette vs. Dubarry (I knew about both of those figures, but had not heard about both of them together -- my French history of this time is better than most of my abysmal history, but actually lower on the gossipy sensationalism, lol)

MA: *caves and says exactly seven words to Dubarry, in public* "There are many people tonight at Versailles."
Louis XV: Dear MT, we're good and staying allies.

This totally made me laugh out loud and I can't even fully articulate why, I think because it's so anticlimactic and yet, well, solves the problem!

(You know I'm going to ask you about MT and talking to Franz' mistress now, right? :P I mean, you did mention that she gave her a pension as Franz had requested, but that seems easier in some ways than actually talking to her...?)

MT: For God's sake. "I don't wish to hear from you about Dubarry again unless you write words of compassion." (Literal quote.) She's just lost everything, given she's been a mistress she's facing hellfire when she dies unless she repents, so you can show her some kindness now as a good Christian should.
MA: I don't get you, Mom. I really don't get you.

This is sooooo fascinating. Go MT! (although MA has a point! if you're going to sex police everyone then you can't be surprised when your kid learns some things from it!)

I gotta admit all of this (except for his second wife, oh man, mildred is right, all of history is just everyone having PTSD at each other :( ) is making me even more kind of wanting to pat the head of Woobie Rational Fanboy Joseph. He's so clueless, awwwww!

(also yay Zauberflöte, gotta admit that puts me on your side, Joseph)