aristocratic engagement

"Is it all over London? What do they say about me?" Anne asked curiously.

Liz frowned, shut her mouth and bit the biscuit in her mouth, seemingly lost in thought.She was thinking about how to word it, after all, such things are rare...

"You don't have to hide it, dear, I probably know what people say. I didn't make such a decision on impulse... I used to be afraid of being judged by the world, but after experiencing life and death, I Look away. I don't care what people outside think of me now, maybe the fact that Mr. Richter is a woman will hurt my business, but the only people who can really affect me are the people I care about the most. "

Anne spoke calmly, because she understood Mr. Richter's "irreplaceable".

Just like at the funeral at that time, even if Mr. Schmidt looked down on her, hated her, and was unwilling to cooperate with a woman, the fact gave him a heavy blow.

Seeing that Liz was still frowning and not speaking, Anne smiled: "So, can you tell me, what do you think of me? A woman who can't control herself? An unruly lady? A stupid—— "

"What are you talking about! How could I look at you like that? As I said, I admire your ingenuity and courage! It's just that I didn't realize it for a while, and I was worried for you!" Liz finally recovered her voice .

She took a sip of tea and said decisively: "You also know what some people say about you, but I want to tell you clearly that not everyone is so narrow-minded and extreme. I am on your side , isn’t it? I’m also a lunatic who the world calls deviant.”

"Deviant? I like that comment."

"This is already the mildest criticism." Liz rolled her eyes and said without a ladylike image, "I really can't understand what they said...Why do we conclude that we are empty-headed and have no business just because of your gender? talent? Could it be that Mr. Richter's achievement still doesn't convince them?"

"I think that's not enough." Annie lowered her eyes, recalling the indifferent eyes of those gentlemen who were shocked and questioned, "Even if the facts are put before their eyes, those who don't want to believe will still not believe it. Even—you I must have heard of it. They may say that Mr. Richter is my shady lover, or that I have an ulterior relationship with my partners and friends; milder critics may I will say that my career is inseparable from the help of those men, and I actually have no credit for it..."

Such things are not uncommon even in later generations.

Liz stood up angrily, walked back and forth in front of the sofa angrily, and said loudly: "Men can't do business without the help of friends, relatives, and even lovers, which is taken for granted! But Women have to suffer all kinds of gossip! Even if it didn't happen! Why is that? Why can they look at the same thing in two completely different ways so logically?"

"That's arrogance and prejudice." Annie looked at her firmly, "It makes them unable to use reason to look at other people who are equal."

"... That's right." Liz leaned on the back of the sofa and sighed long, as if he was too weak to support himself to stand up.

She bowed her head and said nothing.

Anne looked out the window, the sun had already risen to a high altitude, scorching the earth, the dazzling sunlight fell in and fell on Elizabeth's back, making her face unclear under the backlight.

After a long time, Liz's trembling and hoarse voice sounded: "I have decided, Annie, I will also expose my identity like you."

Annie was startled: "Don't be impulsive! Your parents..."

"I'm not impulsive, honey, I just want to understand a truth." Liz raised his head, turned and leaned on the back of the sofa chair, facing the sunlight outside the window, and said, "Yes, not everyone looks down on us, I can't just ignore those words of encouragement just because of the insults and taunts. But, no one speaks for us, why?"

"It's because they don't have the guts to stand up? No!" Liz's voice is getting louder, "It's because we can't speak out at all! We don't have the right to speak! I don't believe that those who are talented but hide their names and publish works under the names of men I am the only one! I need to stand up! This will encourage everyone to speak up together, just like you stood up first!"

Annie came to her side and held her hand: "I won't discourage you, my dear, because I think so too. However, I have to remind that this road is not that simple, it is full of thorns."

"I saw it." Liz turned to look at her, "I won't be afraid."

"You saw it, that's right." Annie pursed her lips, "However, I still want to advise you to be cautious. Now those sharp thorns are pointing at me. With all due respect, you can't empathize... No, listen to me , I am going to visit the factory, as Ms. de Bourgh, and as Mr. Richter to inspect. At that time, I will feel the most direct...encouragement or criticism. You If you like-"

"I am willing! I can pretend to be Du Li and follow behind you!" Liz said quickly.

Annie showed a smile: "After that, no matter what decision you make, I will not stop you."

"Annie, there will only be one result." Liz said firmly, "That is, I will still stand up, no matter whether I am frightened by worldly prejudice or not, I will do that."

When Mr. Smith learned of Miss de Bourgh's plan, everything was arranged at once.

On this day, as soon as Liz arrived at Louis Garden, he saw Annie walking out of the door.Anne wore a strange dress, which seemed strange and bold to Liz.

Annie asked Du Li to prepare "culottes".Inside are trousers for easy movement, and outside is covered with a skirt made of lace.The white flowing skirt was only around the waist, and the royal blue lustrous wide-leg trousers were faintly exposed while walking.

Wearing trousers has always been a man's privilege, but Anne put on a beautiful gauze skirt on the outer layer, which not only has the femininity of women, but also declares her boldness and creativity.

"This invention is so ingenious!" Liz exclaimed, "I want to wear it like this!"

"It was invented by Du Li." Annie said, climbing into the carriage, "The inspiration came from the 'apron' worn by the maids. If it is made of ordinary linen, the apron can be worn backwards."

Wearing trousers is too bold. Although Annie is shocking enough, she doesn't want to cause unnecessary trouble for herself.

The suit Du Li made for her was to her liking. It not only showed her own attitude, but was not too radical, so that she could not gain women's approval for a while, and it made men feel strongly violated and ironic.

Even better, it actually looks good.

Maybe this could set the trend?The white smock and royal blue trousers may be ordinary, but Anne never underestimates the whimsy of ladies, there is so much room for this kind of clothing.

Sure enough, Liz said: "My sisters are very knowledgeable about the decoration of clothes. Every time Jane and I go to the ball, Lydia is our best matchmaker. Then you can ask her to think about it for you , there may be more ideas."

Annie thanked her again and again, and promised Du Li to send the simple design drawings of the dress to Mr. Gardner's mansion.

The carriage gradually drove towards the outside of London, and the two chatted from the south of the sky to the north of the earth.This incident made them get to know each other better and get closer.In the past, they often communicated only through letters. Liz only knew that Anne's family property was very rich, and that she would also participate in those decision-making, but she didn't know that she had achieved such achievements alone.

"Even Netherfield is your property?" Liz exclaimed in shock. "Then Miss Lucia—"

"She's the manager, and she's Netherfield's current steward."

"Ah! I remembered, I seem to have heard her mention your surname when she was talking to the servants. At that time, I thought I heard it wrong!" Liz's eyes widened, "No, Jane guessed it was You didn't buy the land, but we don't know what the roses are for, just to—"

"Just for the sake of looking good?" Anne laughed loudly, "That is the rose garden, and it is also the raw material base of the bakery and perfume workshop. Don't you know it for so long? I don't believe it. With your intelligence, you really didn't notice it. ?”

"I have guessed this before, but I'm not sure. Those people are very strict. Even if those flower growers have lived near Longbourn for decades, they still don't reveal the real owner of Netherfield Gardens, so as not to retaliate " Liz scratched her head embarrassingly, "Lydia, Katie, and Mary sometimes go to pick flowers secretly...I'm sorry, I scolded them at the time, but I didn't even pay attention to myself."

"It's okay, there are a lot of flowers there, and it's their honor to please Miss Bennet."

"I'll teach them a lesson so they don't steal flowers from there." Liz was red from head to toe, like a boiled shrimp.

"I'll ask Miss Lucia to send you some flowers to Longbourne for your decorations." Anne blinked, "Don't thank me, did you forget? Netherfield Gardens is going to be sold by Mr. Williams Mr. Bennet told me the news."

"When?!" Liz's eyes widened in surprise.

At this time, the carriage stopped slowly, Anne pushed open the door, turned her head and said to Liz behind her: "On the day Darcy left England, I met you after I saw you off, and you were also sending Mr. Gardner away... …forgot? I was invited to lunch with you, and at the dinner table Mr Bennet brought up the matter."

"I seem to have heard someone mention my name." Darcy's voice suddenly sounded not far away.

Annie turned around and jumped out of the carriage in surprise, and saw Darcy standing at the gate of Phoenix, looking at her.Behind him were the Mr. and Mrs. Brown and Mr. Smith who were waiting respectfully.

"Didn't you go out with Lawrence?" Annie asked in surprise.

Darcy stepped forward and gave Anne a solid kiss.

After letting go of her, he rubbed her hair: "How can I rest assured that you come alone? I hurriedly finished my work and came here."

Liz jumped out of the carriage after Annie, envious: "You two have such a good relationship."

The author has something to say: eat melons and eat them in time for the code words _(:з」∠)_I lost my full attendance, woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

This chapter has a lot of questions!I have always liked the title of the book "Pride and Prejudice", it is so incisive, it seems that all the pain points can be summed up in this word.It is also Austin's work, and the name "Sense and Sensibility" is also wonderful.

ps.尼日斐花园我曾经设定过一个故事，如果看到威廉姆斯先生这个名字比较陌生的话，可以回到31章后半段看一下。感谢在2021-01-2123:57:57~2021-01-2300:42:33期间为我投出霸王票或灌溉营养液的小天使哦~

Thanks to the little angels who threw mines: Rulu Guilin, 421208661;

Thank you very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!