I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

Aldridge wasn't interested in predicting fate.

Therefore, even if the coin fell under his feet by accident, he just picked it up and put it on the table, and did not intend to get up to accept the strange look of an unknown person.

The colonel's expression was cold, reserved and serious, which was incompatible with the lively and lively atmosphere in the rest hall.Pei Xiang, who played the role of the Eastern witch, was muttering prayers, but in fact, he "disliked" this "lucky one" in his heart.

The target of her deception this time is of course Edward Ferrars, adding one more person is just to deceive people.

In order to save trouble, she deliberately chose Lester Sissel as a pen pal when tossing a coin, because she knew more about the personal situation of the heir to the baron.

But Pei Xiang didn't expect that Leicester was so weak at the critical moment that he couldn't catch the coins delivered to him, and Aldrich Deville was also involved.

——This colonel is simply the king of silence!

Pei Xiang knew that Aldrich would definitely not take the initiative to join in the fun, so he simply jumped off the table, hummed a strange tune from a foreign land, and groped to Aldrich's seat with his eyes closed.

"This gentleman... has an extraordinary background and a great future."

Lester raised his eyebrows and said with a smile: "The gentlemen here all have decent family backgrounds and bright futures."

The Eastern Goddess took a deep breath, and suddenly raised her wide sleeves, revealing her skinny hands.

The hands looked dark and stiff, but they showed several strange gestures in an instant, the fingers fluttered and intertwined, and the wrists were abnormally agile, making people dazzled.

"This gentleman has a noble background, there is no doubt about it. But his achievements and future are not entirely dependent on blood and surname. I saw, I saw the spread of blood and fire, there was crying, there was glory, ah, I saw tenacity, resistance, unwillingness and firmness..."

Aldridge frowned slightly, and put down the teacup in his hand.

"It's no secret that I'm from the Deville family and I'm an army officer."

The implication is that Pei Xiang's specious words are suitable for every imperial officer of noble origin.

Lester chimed in: "Madam Fantastic, you have to say something specific to prove your ability. My friend has always been prudent and advocating science. He has never been keen on mysteries and mysteries."

The old woman in a black robe seemed not to have heard what the two men said, she was still muttering words, her eyes were half open and hidden under the disheveled hair, occasionally a gleam of light flashed through her mouth, making the innocent and timid People are inexplicably apprehensive and respectful.

Under the crowd, the hoarse voice sounded again:

"This gentleman has no intention of spying on the trajectory of fate, and I don't want to waste my efforts. However, since the coin tossed has chosen you, I have to follow the divine will in the dark and predict something for you."

"What did you predict?" Lester asked enthusiastically.

Pei Xiang still kept his eyes on Aldrich, and said slowly

"Dear sir, I just noticed from your destiny that you should have been rejected by someone recently. Or, a deal you wanted to reach could not be completed, oh, I see, your friend You did what you didn't, and for this you..."

These words finally made Aldrich's eyebrows look strange, and he looked at Pei Xiang with surprise and confusion.

Lester on the side also showed a thoughtful expression.

"What kind of deal is that?" Aldridge interrupted Pei Xiang.

It was rare for the gentleman with a cold attitude to take the initiative to ask questions, but the sorceress who had always been very active suddenly fell silent.

She glanced at Aldridge silently, then slowly moved to an empty seat aside, and sat down cross-legged again.

Seeing this, Aldridge was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly realized.

He took out a handful of change and handed it to the witch in black, and asked again:

"What kind of deal was that?"

The sorceress let out a mysterious and vicissitudes of laughter, and there was no hesitation in collecting the money.

"Mr. Generosity, I can't see clearly. It seems to be related to some paints, picture frames, banquets... Oh, and an old man. Huh? This old man seems to be very important, and his fate is closely related to you."

This answer surprised Aldrich enough, because the only rejection he had encountered recently was when the painter Brown Paddington declined a request for a custom painting from the Deville family.

--elder?Does it mean my father, the Count de Vere?

——The theme of the custom work was indeed decided by my father, and I just wrote a letter for it.No one else knew about this matter except me and Earl de Vere.

- Is it a coincidence?Or... does this person have some real skills?

——Or, this witch has something to do with Paddington?

——No, even Paddington didn't know that the artistic theme ideas I wrote down in the letters were actually conveying my father's ideas.

At this time, Lester Sissel on the side also reacted.The expression on his face immediately became richer, complacent for a while, unbelievable for a while, and finally fixed on a smile and sympathy.

"So—" he asked his friend in a low voice, "Have you written to Mr. Paddington too? What kind of work did you order for him, and how much did you bid for it? With the ostentation of your Deville family, you have always You are generous, you will not be one of the few pursuers who bid more than me?"

Aldrich's eyes were slightly turbulent, but his tone was still indifferent:

"I wrote a letter on behalf of my father, the Earl of Deville, asking Mr. Paddington to draw a picture of a family drinking and feasting, but unfortunately he was rejected."

Leicester was dissatisfied with Aldridge's "avoiding the important and paying light", and asked: "How much do you bid?"

Aldrich felt a little helpless in his heart, he raised his hand and made a gesture:

"I did offer a high price, but that money would be paid from my father's private account."

Seeing the meaning of Aldridge's gesture, Lester smacked his mouth:

"It's really a high price, at least it's more generous than me."

Seeing the two talking in a low voice, Pei Xiang didn't urge her, but just waited quietly at the side. Her expression was erratic like a hermit outside the ordinary world, but her mind was not at all peaceful and stable.

Because in Aldrich de Vere's letters, he really doesn't mention whose idea the custom theme is.He was just placing the order on behalf of the Deville family.

The reason why Pei Xiang guessed that it was related to the elder Earl Deville was also inferred from Aldrich's character.She deduced and analyzed that if this man wanted to customize a painting, he would definitely not choose content such as banquets and carnivals in the prosperous age.

—So, Aldrich Dwyer was acting on behalf of others.

Among the people who made Aldrich signify, only the elder Earl de Vere was the most qualified.

The spectators who watched this matter around did not know what was going on, but they all knew what to say.

Witnessing with his own eyes that the cold Colonel de Vere has changed from being dismissive to offering money, the curiosity in everyone's hearts has been aroused.

At this moment, they found that Colonel de Vere was surprised, and he was talking softly with his friend Mr. Sissel, so they all started whispering.

——This oriental witch must have hit on some hidden things, which made Colonel Deville change his attitude.

Now, the expectations in the eyes of everyone are even greater.

Aldrich avoided his friend's complacent gaze, looked up at the mysterious oriental witch, and asked softly:

"Then can you predict whether my money was spent in the end? When was it spent?"

Pei Xiang thought, there is no need to predict, because it all depends on my own mood.

"It's very difficult," the Eastern Goddess slowly shook her head, "Xingchen told me that this transaction did not meet the expectations of one of the parties, and radical changes must be made before it can proceed smoothly. Otherwise, the rejected person will never accepted."

Lester laughed and said: "It seems that the customized theme you provided does not meet Mr. Paddington's artistic aesthetic pursuit, so even if your bid is high, he still refuses. Hey, Aldrich, try another art theme."

The stern colonel with black hair and dark eyes asked softly, "Did Xingchen tell you what the other party's expectations are?"

Pei Xiang calculated his schedule and daily expenses for the second half of the year in his mind, and decided to take on a big job, so he said mysteriously:

"I only read the word 'magnificent', which is majestic and magnificent, and will guide you to achieve your wish."

Aldrich lowered his eyes and did not speak again.

Pei Xiang waited for a while, and seeing that Aldrich had no new questions, he stood up again, and walked unsteadily in front of Edward Ferrars.

This time, she directly threw out a shocking sentence.

"Sir, I see hesitation and hesitation in you. Do you want to break the marriage promise you made to a woman?"

Edward Ferrars' face paled suddenly, and his first reaction was to turn his head to look at Elinor beside him.

Not far away, Fanny asked in surprise, "Edward, are you engaged to Elinor?"

Edward's eyes were a little flustered, he hesitated to speak, and he didn't answer his sister Fanny's question immediately, and it seemed that he was about to confirm the news of his engagement to Elinor.

Elinor's reaction was quick, and she quickly denied loudly:

"Fanny, please don't talk nonsense. There is no relationship between me and Mr. Ferrars beyond friendship, let alone engagement. I love Mr. Ferrars like a brother."

Hearing Elinor's rebuttal and clarification so simply, Fanny's face became ugly.A pair of slender shrewd eyes fixed on Enori and Edward, as if to expose some despicable trick.

Edward Ferrars also reacted at this time, he shook his head again and again:

"No, no, I am not engaged to Miss Dashwood. It is a complete misunderstanding."

Pei Xiang added without haste: "This gentleman's marriage is not here, but that lady seems to be enduring some difficulties..."

Hearing Pei Xiang's words, Fanny immediately found someone to vent her anger on:

"You crazy woman, you evil wizard of a foreign race! I won't allow you to damage my brother's reputation for nothing like this. He is a good responsible single man, there is no doubt about it. As his close My family, I've never heard... my brother Edward was engaged to a woman! Oh, my God, it's ridiculous."

The Oriental Goddess who was being reprimanded gave out a "hehe" weird laugh, her eyes shone with an inexplicable light, both arrogant and contemptuous, which made Fanny's face turn blue.

Disregarding her graceful manners, she immediately yelled loudly and asked the waiter to drive the old witch out.

However, without waiting for the waiters to move, the Eastern Goddess shouted in a sharp and piercing voice:

"My fortune-telling has never been wrong. When I say that this gentleman is engaged, he has made a similar promise. You know, that doesn't mean it hasn't happened. If you, my mean lady, If you insist on driving me away because of a guilty conscience, I have nothing to say."

"Why should I be guilty? You blabbering liar. Edward, my brother, tell the old hag that you have no engagement at all."

Edward hesitated for a moment, but did not immediately deny it.

At this time, everyone else had a clue, and Fanny's face showed a look of shock.

Fanny took a deep breath, and commanded the waiters and servants who were standing by in a deep voice to drive the Eastern Goddess out.

This time, the Eastern Goddess didn't argue any more, but snorted coldly, and walked out voluntarily while saying solemnly:

"Poor wretch who doesn't want to face reality, you are half-hearted here, and your lover is suffering. She misses you, worries about your future, and she is in great pain at this moment. She may be in love and dying. Soon, The messenger in black will send sad news, those anxious words are the cry of your lover, she is calling you to go to her side..."

This prophecy was clearly transmitted to the ears of everyone in the rest hall. With the gradual disappearance of the Eastern Goddess, this voice still echoed in the minds of many people.

Fanny sneered, and firmly claimed that the oriental witch had a guilty conscience and could not continue to deceive.

"She's frightened," asserted Fanny sharply, "and that's why she's leaving these alarming words and running away in such a panic, oh, look at her in such a mess!"

After a while, she said firmly again:

"My mother has been trying to find a good wife for Edward. Edward also loves our family deeply. He couldn't have been engaged without telling us. This is completely nonsense."

However, not long after Fanny finished speaking, things changed again.As if to confirm the prophecy of the oriental witch, a messenger in a black coat hurried in from the outside.

"Mr. Fellers, here is an urgent letter for you."

"you are?"

"I am usually responsible for delivering letters and newspapers to Nolan Manor. The gatekeeper of the manor told me that you are not in the manor today, so I chased you all the way."

Edward Ferras accepted the letter handed over by the man in black, with a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

At this time, someone who likes to join in the fun asked the sender:

"Why have I never heard that people who send letters to the manor have become so conscientious? They have to deliver the letter to the recipient in person, and even chased him into the city. Hey, shouldn't you send the letter to the manor?" Should the letter be handed over to the butler of Nolan Manor, and then let the butler deliver it on his behalf? Why, isn’t the butler of Nolan Manor willing to pay the postage for receiving the letter in advance?”

The messenger in black quickly shook his head and explained:

"It's not like that, it's just that this letter is special. In addition to the name and address of the recipient, there is a paragraph on the outer envelope of this letter, which says that the young girl who sent the letter is in great pain. Please pay for the letter." Mr Ruth must hurry to see him. Fearing that this is a letter from a dying patient, I rode up without delay."

This explanation made the hall quiet, and all kinds of unclear eyes fell on Fanny and Edward.

Everyone present still clearly remembered the prophecy of the oriental witch.At this moment, when I saw the messenger in a black coat again, I felt that everything was understood.

Fanny smiled very reluctantly. She walked up to Edward who was reading the letter, and said in a rough tone:

"Edward, this is a letter from an ordinary friend of yours, right? An ordinary friend!"

Edward did not answer Fanny's question, instead he stuffed the letter into his arms and was about to leave the lounge.

"Edward, where are you going?"

"Fanny . . . I must visit her. It is my duty."

"I sympathize with what happened to your ordinary friend, and I would even like to visit her with you. But we are all staying out at the moment, and there are so many guests here, we can't leave halfway, can we? Edward, you Be a steady gentleman, don't spoil the fun."

Edward pursed his lips and shook his head. After saluting to the surprised crowd, he strode out.

Seeing this, Fanny quickly followed after her.She thought she must find out who Edward was secretly betrothed to.

——A poor girl full of scheming must not be allowed to hook up with the eldest son of the Ferrars family!

Everyone in the rest hall looked at each other in blank dismay. At this time, everyone had almost decided that Mr. Edward Ferrars had a fiancée who was secretly engaged.

In normal times, under Fanny's strong denial and Ferrars' vague words, everyone might have some other guesses, thinking whether this is just a misunderstanding or something.

But today is a bit different, the impression of the Eastern Goddess is too deep.She predicted some things for the four people, and the first three were all right. This has proved her mystery and proved that the oriental goddess is very powerful in prophecy.

Therefore, it is natural for everyone to think that it is extremely unlikely that the Eastern Goddess will make a mistake in Mr. Ferrars' matter.

At least, the black-clothed postman that she predicted before she left has actually happened, which is very amazing.

Leicester stood beside Aldrich and sighed:

"Unexpectedly, Miss Marianne's previous guesses and assumptions turned out to be true, and this Mr. Ferrars was secretly engaged."

Aldrich was thoughtful, and always felt that things were a bit too coincidental, but he couldn't find anything wrong.

Elinor was full of disappointment.

Even though she had had a faint guess before, but at the moment when the truth was confirmed, her heart suddenly became blank for a while.

Elinor didn't want to stay in the lively hall anymore, she wanted to go upstairs to find Marianne, and wanted to slowly calm down the loss and complexity in her heart by her sister's side.

"Hey, Miss Dashwood, where are you going?" Lester called Elinor cheerfully.

"I went upstairs to see Marianne. She said she had a headache before. Let me see how she is resting now."

Hearing this, Lester suggested without seeing anything:

"Aldridge and I are also concerned about Miss Marianne's physical condition. Let's visit her together."

Elinor couldn't refuse directly, so she looked at Aldrich, hoping that the indifferent colonel would raise objections.

Unexpectedly, Aldrich Dwyer nodded without even the slightest hesitation, and walked towards the stairs first.

Seeing this, Elinor could only maintain a polite smile and quickly followed.