I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

The atmosphere was deadlocked, Pei Xiang took Rochester's hand.

"Sir, I want to talk to you alone about something. You need to hear what I have to say."

Richard Mason's eyes lit up, and he immediately agreed:

"Rochester, you should ask this child for advice. Although she is still young, I can tell that she is a child with her own ideas. Besides, she has a very good relationship with Bertha, and she may be willing to take care of a sick friend. Woolen cloth."

Rochester glared at Richard Mason angrily, a pair of black pupils seemed to be burning with scorching flames.Such intense emotions made Richard Mason shrink back, and he didn't dare to speak any more.

Pei Xiang didn't seem to feel Rochester's anger, she blinked at the guardian, with a shrewd and light smile on her lips.

Rochester looked down at her, pursed his lips, turned and walked out without saying a word.

Seeing this, Pei Xiang quickly told Bertha: "I'll go talk to Mr. Rochester about your affairs, don't make trouble, otherwise I will be unhappy."

Bertha snorted, and lowered her head to fiddle with the tassels on her shawl.

Richard Mason seemed to want to speak to persuade him, but Pei Xiang didn't give him a chance to speak, and ran out after Rochester's back...

In Rochester's study, Pei Xiang sat down on the high-backed chair opposite the desk, and looked at Rochester's subtle expressions by the light of the candle.

"Adele, have you thought about your argument? Come, let me hear what you think of the thirty thousand pounds."

"Mr. Rochester, are you nervous and worried?"

"Nonsense, I just have to assume the responsibility of a guardian, and I have to find ways to guide you to make a rational and sober judgment."

"I sincerely thank you for your kindness and kindness, Mr. Rochester." Pei Xiang frowned, "So, before talking about the ownership of the [-] pounds, I have to confess something to you."

"Confession?" Rochester repeated inexplicably, "this is really a word that makes people wonder. However, Adele, after discovering that you and Bertha have become 'invincible friends', I don't think What else is worth telling me so solemnly, since you have already learned my deepest secret."

"Oh, who doesn't have a few secrets?" Pei Xiang shrugged pretending to be relaxed, and then said in a casual tone as if talking about the weather, "I have to confess to you, Mr. Rochester, I have seen my biological father."

With a "bang", Rochester knocked over a small ornament on the desk.

"Your biological father?" The man raised his voice slightly.

Pei Xiang nodded obediently.

Rochester took a deep breath, lowered his head and slowly straightened the small ornaments on the table.

After a while, he suddenly sighed with a smile:

"Adele, you always make my life full of surprises. Tell me about that man."

"After we arrived in Thornfield, you went to London on business, and he appeared. He said that he knew of my existence all along, but because of his identity, he couldn't recognize me, so he was just taking care of me in secret, hoping that Celina Raised me. But what he didn't expect was that he just went back to the East, and when he came back, he learned that Celina had abandoned me. So he chased after Thornfield, wanting to see my environment for future growth.”

Rochester felt that this passage contained a lot of information. He first grasped one of the key words, and asked in a deep voice:

"Back to the East? Is that man not European? Or, is he an outposted officer, diplomat, or clergyman?"

Pei Xiang shook his head: "He said that he is from the East, his family is very big, and the rules are very strict. The family rules do not allow the children of the family to have children with foreign women of different races. They are very xenophobic. Therefore, he can only keep me in Europe, and he cannot To the responsibility of a father, even...he said that it is best not to let people know that I am his child."

"Dongfang... Did he say which country he is from? What's his last name?"

"No, he didn't say anything," Pei Xiang replied flatly, "He said that my birth was just an accident, and it was his oversight. Therefore, I don't need to know too many things, and I don't need to recognize my ancestors. Guizong, as long as he grows up in Europe, it will be fine."

Rochester snorted, feeling somewhat contemptuous of that man who kept his head and tail hidden, and felt that that man shouldn't say such cruel words to a child.

"Does Celina know about this?"

Pei Xiang adhered to the principle of saying less and revealing less, pretending to be sad:

"He didn't say anything, and I didn't ask. Anyway, we have lost contact."

Rochester was silent for a while, he felt that he should comfort the child on the opposite side, but for a moment he didn't know how to speak.

Pei Xiang didn't expect this "sarcasm expert" to say warm and comforting words, she held her chin and continued to pretend to be in memory:

"It was he who discovered Bertha's existence, found out Bertha's identity, and then...he said Bertha was dangerous, and he was worried about letting a lunatic live by my side."

Rochester mocked the comment: "It's really a meticulous father's love!"

Pei Xiang was happy in his heart, and his face was serious:

"He, he is like the eastern sultan or prince or noble in the story, um, the kind of person who can decide the life and death of servants and slaves at will. He told me at the time that he was going to kill Bertha. In this way, not only I am safe, and you will be very happy, anyway, I am just a crazy woman."

These words made Rochester's expression slightly dark.

Pei Xiang said softly:

"I stopped him. I think you don't want Bertha to be killed. You are so kind to a child like me who has no relatives and no reason. How can you be happy because a person died? Then, that person Began to help Bertha cure.

"Mr. Rochester, do you know that he treated Bertha with a very wonderful oriental technique. Just like the stories in the books, he gave her a strangely colored bitter concoction and pricked her with many needles. Bertha was knocking on her body. Slowly, Bertha became what she is now.

"Then one day, he told me that Bertha couldn't hurt me anymore, and he was leaving too. I asked him what should I do? He let me stay in England and listen to your arrangements. Well, just be I myself am an orphan without father and mother, don't think about looking for him, and then, he never appeared again."

Rochester slowly digested Pei Xiang's words, with sadness and joy in his eyes.

He never thought that he would get such a "thank you gift" just because he helped a little girl because of a momentary soft-heartedness.No matter why the mysterious oriental man rescued Bertha, he gave him hope of new life and gave him the key to release the shackles.

"You were watching while he was treating Bertha?"

Pei Xiang nodded: "While he was treating Bertha, he taught me some oriental medical skills. I couldn't understand some of them, so he asked me to memorize them by rote, saying that I could understand as much as I could in the future. Anecdotes. By the way, he said that this is his family inheritance, which has always been passed on from male to female. He made an exception for me because he will not come to see me again, and Bertha still needs to take medicine regularly, so he taught me I have some fur."

While talking, Pei Xiang jumped off the chair, ran to a low cabinet in the study, opened the door, and took out a pink iron box with a combination lock.

"Sir, I also learned some oriental culture from him. Here are some key points of knowledge I recorded, as well as my exercise book. I have kept it well so that no one else can find it."

"Hiding in my study?" Rochester raised his eyebrows.

"It's the safest place here," Pei Xiang said calmly, "servants won't touch your things, and you won't peek at children's password boxes, so I quietly borrowed your cabinet."

While talking, Pei Xiang opened the tin box and took out a series of very oriental things. She unfolded a few long and thin folded papers, pointed to the densely packed square characters on them and introduced:

"That person taught me how to read, no matter whether I could remember or not, he only taught me a few times, and then said how much I could remember, and his attitude was very impatient."

Hearing this, Rochester sighed. He looked at Pei Xiang worriedly, and tried to comfort him:

"Oriental people, um, some Eastern people, they pay great attention to inheritance, and they have family rules and family rules, which are different from us. Adele, your father... is willing to pass on the skills of passing on males and not females in the family You, this is not easy. It is similar to, um, our manor here distributes the land that should be inherited by the eldest son to his daughter. This requires a lot of determination.

"However, since he is willing to do this, it means that he loves you, even though...he gave up raising you for some reason...Adele, you are a loved child, there is no doubt about it."

Pei Xiang showed a sweet smile towards Rochester:

"I know, Mr. Rochester, don't worry about my emotions. I know that I am already luckier than many people."

Rochester carefully looked at Pei Xiang's expression, and found that the little girl's eyes really did not hide melancholy, so he breathed a sigh of relief.

Immediately afterwards, his attention returned to Bertha Mason.

"Adele, you deliberately told me your secret at this time because Bertha still needs follow-up consolidation treatment, and she can't do without you, right?"

Pei Xiang didn't nod or shake her head, she explained to Rochester:

"According to the doctor's order left by my father, Bertha does need to drink medicine regularly, but she doesn't have to be with me all the time, just more than ten days a year is enough."

"More than ten days? What to do?"

"He taught me a method of regulating the body, um, it's very strange, I remember it firmly, and said it is very effective. I have tried it on Bertha, and there is no mistake."

This answer made Rochester frowned and thought for a moment.

"Adele, I always knew you were a little girl with ideas. I was worried that you would be tricked by Richard Mason, but I ignored your cleverness. Whether you took revenge on Albert on the boat, or kept Keeping your composure and hiding the matter from your father proves that you are more mature than your peers. That being the case, Adele, tell me about your plans for Bertha."

Pei Xiang didn't hide her true thoughts, she immediately said:

"Mr. Rochester, I don't want to lose my 'freedom' because of [-] pounds. Bertha can live for decades. Do I have to accompany her to coax her? I don't want to. Sir, I can treat Bertha's illness , but I will not bear the rest of her life, especially... the kind of legally binding transaction conditions."

Rochester breathed a sigh of relief subconsciously.He was really worried that Pei Xiang would be blinded by huge benefits and accept this deal.

Of course, some people may think that Richard Mason's conditions are very attractive, but in any case, he cannot agree with certain practices, such as letting a seven-year-old child hastily assume a responsibility that can affect his life.

"Adele, one day in the future, you may blame me, because thirty thousand pounds is indeed a huge wealth, but I did not support you to own it early. But if I really promise you I'm afraid I won't be able to pass the test of my conscience.

"So, even if you will resent me in the future, I have to say it clearly. I would rather you be a 'poor girl' with a dowry of [-] pounds in the future than spend half your life entangled with a madman because of [-] pounds.

"Once you agree to the deal, you can't marry as you like, you have to bear a lot of gossip and strange eyes, and you have to spend time with a person who can't resonate with you every day, and you will always be in your life." There is a shadow of danger. What I said is a little deep, but I think with your intelligence, you should be able to understand my opposition."

Pei Xiang understood Rochester's entanglement, and she said briskly:

"Sir, are you afraid that I will become like your father when I grow up? Are you afraid that what I value in the future will be different from what you value, and I will resent you?"

Rochester sneered very dishonestly:

"So what about resentment, do I care about it sadly? I'm just reminding you a thing or two based on the guardian's responsibility."

Pei Xiang ignored this person's arrogance from time to time, and said sincerely:

"I grew up under your care and education. How could I go against you? When I grow up in the future, I will definitely agree with your approach."

Rochester looked away uncomfortably:

"I hope so. Well, Adele, now that we're out of the £[-] question, let's go back and tell Richard not to try to involve a child in all this nonsense. "

Seeing that Rochester was about to leave the study, Pei Xiang hurriedly called him:

"Wait, Mr. Rochester, even if we reject Mr. Mason's conditions, we have to talk about other things."

"Talk about what?"

"My father said that the prescriptions he prescribed were very valuable. He said he didn't plan to give you child support, and asked you to exchange the prescriptions with Mason's family. He said that genetic diseases can be relieved by drinking the medicine. Anyway... it's enough to support me."

"What else? What else did your father 'teach' you?"

"Oh, he also said that you might get a divorce in the future, and then Bertha was very annoying to her relatives... He said that you have a big heart, and you can even raise an illegitimate daughter of an unknown father from your ex-lover, maybe Even his ex-wife raised him together.

"He asked me to remind you, um, it probably means that if you are soft-hearted, you can be soft-hearted, but after you divorce, Bertha has nothing to do with me. Therefore, when I see Bertha every year, I must let The Mason family paid for it, so the hard work can't be in vain."

Rochester paused, he felt that he had been ridiculed by a man who had never shown up and had no sense of responsibility.At the same time, a trance came to his heart, he finally figured out who this child Adele was like.

——Sure enough, with a brain like Celina Varun, it is impossible to give birth to such a miraculous child.

——Adele's appearance is almost inherited from her biological mother, so her IQ is inherited from her father's. She is quite a lucky little girl.

——It’s just that both of these parents have terrible personalities, no one cares about the children they give birth to, and in the end it became my responsibility, tsk!

"Adele, if your father has any other wise words, I will listen to them with all my heart."

"He chattered a lot, as if he was giving his last words, but I didn't know where to start. Mr. Rochester, let's go and negotiate with Mr. Mason first, and we'll talk about that man later."

Rochester raised his eyebrows, and didn't continue to ask, thinking that the future will be long.

After returning to the secret room on the third floor, the two parties fell into negotiations again.

This time, Rochester's attitude became tough, and he no longer sympathized with Richard Mason's various weaknesses and helplessness.

Of course, in some moments, he did soften his heart, but Pei Xiang always made some movements "in time", making Rochester involuntarily think of the ridicule of the oriental man he had never met before, so his attitude was unconscious. Feel firm.

Richard Mason is not blindly trying to take advantage and shirk his responsibilities. In the final analysis, he has a certain dependence on Rochester, an energetic and tenacious brother-in-law.

Back then in Spanish City, Rochester really cared for the weak Richard Mason as a little brother, taught him earnestly, and protected him from many winds and rains.Therefore, even though more than ten years have passed, Richard Mason is still used to asking Rochester to help him solve some troubles.

However, once Rochester firmly rejected him, the cowardly Richard Mason did not dare to force anything.

"Then, while I'm suing for divorce, I will continue to take care of Ms. Bertha, and pay attention to her condition and treatment effects. Of course, Richard, you can also stay in Thornfield as a guest and supervise everything."

"I, I will stay for a while to see if the oriental medicine you mentioned is useful."

"Very good. Then, after Bertha and I complete the divorce procedures, I will return her dowry to the Mason family. But I have one request, that is, during Bertha's lifetime, this dowry will always belong to Bertha herself. No one can occupy or transfer, sell or mortgage. And Bertha herself has the right to personally designate an heir. Of course, this heir must be surnamed Mason, who must be a member of the Mason family. In the future, whoever can get Bertha's favor will be able to inherit Her property. Do you agree with that? Can you decide?"

Richard Mason hesitated for a moment, then nodded and agreed to the condition.

"As regards the care of Bertha, since Bertha does not want to return to Spanish Town, and my ward needs to see her from time to time, I propose that the patient should remain in England to convalesce. After the divorce, Bertha's new The residence and new servants are arranged by you personally, and I will not interfere."

"Rochester, I'm only worried that I won't survive Bertha. Once I die, the rest of the Mason family will avoid my sister. Who will treat her sincerely?"

"So, I ask you to give Bertha the right to designate an heir to the property. In the future, whoever treats her sincerely, she will give the property to him. This is very fair. Of course, if I am lucky enough to live longer than you and still have a clear mind , I will visit your sister regularly every year after your death, and try my best to ensure that she has a comfortable old age."

This promise made Richard Mason breathe a sigh of relief. Although he was not satisfied, it was better than nothing.

He pointed at Pei Xiang and asked in a low voice:

"Then, that little girl named Adele..."

"Don't draw her attention, she has nothing to do with our business." Rochester reprimanded impatiently.

"I know, I know, but this matter is not completely useless. Rochester, let me persuade you one last time. It is thirty thousand pounds. Will she really not regret it in the future? Won't she blame you? "

"I don't care, but I know that as long as I am her guardian, she must do what I want."

"Hey, she will definitely blame you..."

"Stop moaning, Richard, don't you want to congratulate me? I'm about to start a new life."

"Fairfax, I know you are very happy, but sorry, I really can't share your joy. And, I have to remind you that if you really file divorce proceedings in the Parliamentary Court, you will definitely have to bear a lot of gossip. .At the same time, you have to guarantee that during this period, my sister's condition has not relapsed. Once an accident occurs, your reputation will be ruined."

After experiencing a night of great sorrow and joy, Rochester's emotions have calmed down at this time, or it is a kind of extreme calmness.He glanced lightly at Richard Mason, whose attitude was [-]% true and [-]% false, and said calmly:

"It doesn't matter. When I was young, I may have paid more attention to other people's opinions, but after so many years of inner torture, I prefer to live a leisurely and secluded life. Richard, a colorful social life is no longer meaningful to me. big."

"You want to live in seclusion? How lonely it must be, Rochester, you are so talented, you shouldn't stay away from the crowd."

For Richard Mason's persuasion, Rochester just smiled and did not answer.He has made up his mind that even if Thornfield is sold, he will be single again.

So, amid Bertha's protests, Rochester and Richard Mason reached a preliminary agreement.

Of course, even if Richard Mason disagreed with all the above conditions, he could not prevent Rochester from suing for divorce.

—unless he was desperate to announce to the world that his sister Bertha was mad.

But in that case, the reputation of the Mason family would be ruined.

So, after begging, showing weakness and luring were all in vain, Richard Mason could only follow Rochester's pace.