I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

The relaxed and happy holiday time passed by, bid farewell to the reluctant child Theodore, and Pei Xiang returned to school again in the carriage of the Viscount Rio Mansion.

A little later, Alice Van Laier came to chat with Pei Xiang with a basket of freshly baked snacks. Amid the faint creamy aroma and sweet caramel aroma, the two talked about the things they had met in the past few days. fun.

Alice was very excited, kept talking about the new piano she got, and vowed that she would take piano lessons seriously in the future, not distracted or lazy, and worked hard to complete all the practice repertoires.In this way, she will be able to play the melodious and smooth sound on the beloved gift.

"Adele, help me, you have to supervise me well."

"I'll try my best, Alice. You know, every time you want to avoid piano practice, you become very clever. You can think of many plausible excuses in the blink of an eye. I don't have the ability to debunk them one by one. .”

"Adele..." Alice begged coquettishly.

"Okay, okay, I'll give it a try." Pei Xiang nodded helplessly.

"Thank you, my friend, I sometimes envy you for being so disciplined."

Pei Xiang smiled.

In the days that followed, Pei Xiang lived every day in an orderly manner, studying, making friends, thinking, writing letters, occasionally going to Rio Viscount's Mansion or a friend's house for a few days, and then wandering the streets and alleys of London.

This kind of life is comfortable and fulfilling. She builds her foundation and belonging in this world without haste, grows silently, and moves forward firmly. In the blink of an eye, she spent three years in Mrs. Colendell's school. .

On this day, Pei Xiang suddenly received an urgent letter from Mr. Rochester. After opening it, he found that it was really big news.

——The guardian, Mr. Rochester, made a successful marriage proposal yesterday, and is planning to settle in that place called Highbury.

"Mr. Rochester and Miss Jane Eyre are finally together." Pei Xiang happily said to Sophie after reading the letter.

"Miss Jane Eyre?" Sophie paused, "Is that the tutor that Miss Adele used to be?"

Pei Xiang nodded: "That's Miss Ai. After leaving Thornfield, Miss Ai went to Highbury and successfully became the tutor of the Woodhouse family. Not long after that, Miss Ai got another She became a wealthy single woman through the inheritance of her relatives. But she did not resign her position as a governess, and she still taught and took care of the two young ladies of the Woodhouse family seriously and responsibly, thus gaining the respect and love of many people.”

"Miss Ai is really lucky. Of course, she is also very special. Many people don't want to continue working after they get rich."

"It's really special, that's why it attracted Mr. Rochester. They are already engaged, and the wedding will be held in two months. At that time, Mr. Rochester will send someone to pick us up."

Sophie was quiet for a while before sighing in a low voice:

"It's good that the future Mrs. Rochester is Miss Eyre. My Miss Adele, I was actually worried that the future Mrs. Rochester would make things difficult for you, or, um, persuade Mr. Rochester to deduct your Dowry. But... if it was Miss Eyre, I don't think she would have done that."

Pei Xiang patted Sophie's hand lightly:

"It turns out that you were worried about these issues before, Sophie, thank you. However, the woman that Mr. Rochester can truly fall in love with must be kind and intelligent. He has experienced a failed marriage, and when he enters the palace of marriage again , will definitely be cautious."

"However, people will always change," Sophie muttered unconvinced, "If Mrs. Rochester had a child, she might care about some issues. As a mother, I always hope that my child can get more property."

Pei Xiang smiled slightly, how could she not have considered related issues?

"Sophie, I've never worried that Mr. Rochester would defraud me in terms of money, and I especially believe in Miss Jane Eyre's character. But to be honest, from my heart, I don't really want to accept Mr. Rochester's promise The dowry from him. It is already a great kindness for him to raise me up and let me enjoy good living conditions, and I don’t want to divide his heir’s property any more.”

These words made Sophie extremely anxious: "Miss, without a dowry, don't tell me you will have to work in the future? In that case, you will have to leave high society, and Mr. Rochester will definitely be angry."

"Who said I would have no dowry?"

"You just said..."

With a smile on the corner of Pei Xiang's mouth, he said leisurely: "Sophie, you will understand soon, don't worry."

Sophie frowned when she met the little master's sparkling and excited eyes.

"Miss Adele, what are you going to do? The last time you looked at me like this, you pretended to be a boy and ran out to play. What's your idea this time? God bless, Adele Miss Le, don't make things difficult for your Sophie."

Pei Xiang smiled very softly and kindly: "Sophie, don't worry, I won't make you feel really embarrassed."

This answer did not play a consoling role, but instead made the always open-minded Sophie lose sleep for half the night.

Two months later, Pei Xiang attended the wedding of Edward Rochester and Jane Eyre.

Everything is going well, the bride and groom are in love with each other, they have a lovely new house and expect to add new family members within a year or two.Their neighbors and friends all thought that this marriage was decent and appropriate, and beneficial to both parties, and they sent sincere blessings one after another.

At this wedding, Pei Xiang met Emma Woodhouse and met the Knightley family.

After learning that the new tutor of the Woodhouse family was Miss Taylor, Pei Xiang was in a trance for a moment, feeling that everything seemed to be back to the track of the original book.

However, when she saw Rochester's cheerful smile and bright eyes, she felt relieved.The people she values ​​already have a better and more fulfilling future, and the rest of the people and things are arranged by God.

——In this real world, nothing is static.

—For example, I seem to have replaced Miss Jane Fairfax as "other people's child" in Emma's eyes.

——Oh, it must be the reason why Mr. Rochester often praises me, although he will certainly not admit such a thing, but I just believe it.

After the wedding, Pei Xiang returned to London.

Near Mrs. Colendell's Girls' School, the carriage that was moving steadily stopped abruptly. Following the driver's loud shouts, Sophie was almost knocked out of her seat. It was Pei Xiang who made a timely move to avoid the accidental bump.

After Pei Xiang helped Sophie, he opened the car window and looked out, only seeing the back of a luxurious four-horse carriage.

"John, what happened?"

The coachman complained very dissatisfied:

"Miss Dulan, it's all due to the carriage in front of us rushing in. If I hadn't reacted quickly, we might all have been injured."

Sophie yelled in shock, "Is that coachman crazy? He might hurt the passengers in his own car by doing so."

John snorted coldly: "Sophie, that carriage is big and strong, and it's just cutting the way. They are fast. If there is a scratch and collision, it will be our small light carriage that is unlucky. Besides, the driver's action of cutting the way He is very proficient, and he must often go on a rampage like this, hum, without the permission of the owner, ordinary coachmen would not dare to do this."

While listening to the driver describe the thrilling situation that happened just now, Pei Xiang tried to identify the emblem pattern on the back of the carriage until the back of the carriage disappeared around the corner.

"Go on, John, take your time, we're in no hurry."

"At your command, Miss Duran."

The carriage started again and drove towards the gate of the girls' school.

After arriving at the destination, Pei Xiang helped Sophie get off the carriage. As soon as she stood still, she noticed a black carriage parked under the shade of a tree at first sight.

"John, is that the one that grabbed the road just now?"

John has dealt with carriages and horses all year round, and he recognized them at a glance.

"Miss Duran, that's it."

Pei Xiang nodded, and his eyes lingered for a moment on the emblem pattern on the carriage:

"It's the car of Baron Middleton's house, which fits their family's always arrogant and domineering character."

"Lord Baron Middleton?" Sophie asked in surprise, "Isn't that Miss Daisy Middleton's grandfather?"

Pei Xiang raised his eyebrows: "It is indeed Daisy's carriage. You see, when she was in school, she liked to compete with Alice for the limelight. Outside of school, his family's carriage also liked to fight for the road. This family is all short-tempered. "

Sophie chuckled: "Miss Adele, Miss Middleton has long stopped competing with Miss Van Laer for the limelight. She has always regarded you as a goal that needs to be surpassed."

"That's why I said that she has a quick temper. If you don't calm down and think about what you are good at, you will just keep your head and compete with others. Use your own weaknesses to compete with others' strengths, and you will suffer a lot."

"Miss Adele, I didn't realize that you are not good at anything." Sophie has a kind of obsession with Pei Xiang, always thinking that her lady will succeed in everything, "Hey, miss, the ribbon on your hat is a bit crooked Alright, let me fix it."

Pei Xiang lowered his head to ask Sophie to help her tidy up the decorations on her hat, and suddenly remembered some gossip she had heard before, and asked:

"By the way, Sophie, is Grandpa Daisy's health not very good?"

"Yes," Sophie lowered her voice, "Miss Daisy's personal maid secretly gossips with me about her employer's family. Daisy Middleton's father is the baron's youngest son, and he is also the most favored. Baron Your Excellency will give their family a large subsidy every year, but when His Excellency the Baron is gone, this subsidy will definitely disappear. Therefore, Miss Daisy's family especially hopes that Lord Baron Middleton can live a long and healthy life forever."

"There is a sick person at home..." Pei Xiang's eyebrows twitched, and some plans gradually took shape.

While the two were talking, the door of the carriage under the green shade across the street slowly opened, and Daisy Middleton stepped out of the carriage.

After turning around and seeing Pei Xiang, she paused for a moment, and then she took the initiative to walk towards Pei Xiang:

"Adele, you are back. Have you had a good trip?"

Pei Xiang smiled and nodded, and briefly chatted with Daisy Middleton about the scenery along the way.

This is Pei Xiang's ability to behave in the world. During the three years at school, no matter what the background of the teachers and classmates, no matter what their truest attitude is, as long as Pei Xiang is present, everyone "learned very smartly" to respect she.

Perhaps, after leaving the small environment of the school, some people will once again feel superior to others by relying on their background and wealth, but at this time and here, they are not capable of destroying Pei Xiang's peaceful and peaceful school life.

At this time, another person came down from the carriage of the Middleton family. Pei Xiang glanced at it out of the corner of his eye, and found that it was a jeweled lady.

"Daisy, is this lady your classmate?"

"Mom, this is Adele Duran, who entered school a year after me."

After Madam Gui heard Pei Xiang's name, her expression immediately turned cold.

"Miss Duran... What is your relationship with Mr. Rochester?"

Pei Xiang noticed that Daisy was a little nervous, and also a little gloating.

As soon as she turned her thoughts, she guessed that the noble lady in front of her should look down on Rochester, and the other party would probably say something unpleasant next.In the past few years, Pei Xiang has encountered similar scenes more or less several times.

"Mr. Rochester is my guardian, madam."

"That's how it is. Then, Miss Duran, you should be cautious in your words and deeds, and respect traditions. Don't be influenced by your guardian, and then bring down the atmosphere of this school."

Mrs. Andrew Middleton gave Pei Xiang a condescending look, her tone was reserved and indifferent, full of preaching.

Pei Xiang raised her eyebrows, she took out a handkerchief, unfolded it, wiped her hands, and then asked slowly:

"In Britain, several British kings also fought against their unsatisfactory marriages. According to Madam's logic, wouldn't they want to bring down the atmosphere of the entire English aristocracy? Or, do you have objections to the private law of the Parliament? Well, presumptuously Let me ask, is this your personal attitude or the Middleton family's position?"

"Miss Duran is making too much of a fuss," Mrs. Andrew Middleton sharpened her eyes, and immediately retorted, "My personal likes and dislikes and the family's position are not honorable. You are young, so don't scare me."

"Personal attitude? That's it, it turns out that I was thinking too much."

Pei Xiang's tone was flat, and his attitude was modest and retreating, but there was some kind of unexplained mockery in his gaze back.

This fluttering glance suddenly made Mrs. Andrew Middleton, who was full of "fighting spirit", suffocate in her chest, feeling inexplicably oppressed.

"Madame, Mr. Rochester is fine now. Thanks to the judgment made by the Court of Parliament, it has given him the possibility to seek happiness again. Whether you hate it or not, his relatives and friends still love and respect him very much, and he is still a A gentleman of wealth and status."

After Pei Xiang finished speaking, he gave a farewell ceremony to Mrs. Andrew Middleton, and showed a gentle and compassionate smile to his classmate Daisy Middleton. After that, she held up a delicate parasol, gracefully turned and left.

Those who left didn't say anything more, but Middleton and her daughter seemed to hear Pei Xiang's silent complaint at the same time.

--none of your business?

——This person is so boring and vexatious!

—Forget it, don’t waste time with such people, Daisy’s mother, oh, Daisy is pretty pitiful too...

"Daisy," Mrs. Andrew Middleton stared at Pei Xiang's back and took a deep breath, "Did you just lose to this arrogant Miss Duran? For three years, since she entered school, everything You can't compare to her in the subjects she chooses, can you?"

"Yes, Mom, I'm sorry, I tried my best."

Daisy lowered her head, she knew why her mother would suddenly speak out to teach Pei Xiang, partly because of Mr. Rochester who dared to divorce, and partly because she had not been the best one in recent years.

Lady Andrew Middleton had long been displeased with this.

Looking impatiently at her downcast daughter, Mrs. Andrew Middleton ordered:

"Then try harder and extinguish the arrogance of this Miss Duran. You are the granddaughter of a noble baron. Are you no better than a French orphan whose parents died?"

"Okay, Mom." Daisy obediently agreed, but avoided her mother's scrutiny.

Looking at her daughter who still had no fighting spirit, Mrs. Andrew Middleton shook her head.

She thought coldly, she was indeed a formidable little girl, let Daisy grind her temper.After leaving the school environment, no matter how powerful it is, what can it do?Are those governesses less learned than some squeamish aristocratic ladies?However, inferior people are inferior people after all, and no matter how well they learn, it is difficult to cross the gap brought about by status and wealth.

Mrs. Andrew Middleton regained her pride and self-confidence through some self-persuasion. She maintained her noble status and decided to forgive Pei Xiang for her depression.

At night, Pei Xiang looked at himself in the mirror, and told Sophie to find a teacher to help her get a doctor.

"My God, Miss Adele, your face?"

"Oh, there are some pimples, it should be caused by travel, or eat something allergic, it doesn't matter, just rest for a few days and it will be fine."

"But, but, you were fine before taking a bath, and you didn't eat anything during this period..."

"Sophie, go to the doctor and don't talk too much."

Sophie glanced at Pei Xiang in confusion, always feeling that something was wrong, but she didn't dare to waste time, and immediately left the room to call someone.

The doctor arrived soon, and after an examination, he gave the same analysis as Pei Xiang, only saying that there was nothing serious, but these days it is best to avoid the light and rest for a few days, don't blow the wind, don't touch your face Put something else on it.

Pei Xiang was convinced by the doctor's words, so he asked the teaching assistant on duty for three days off on the spot, saying that he would stay in the room to recuperate.

Because of the doctor's diagnosis and the girl's face involved, the teacher on duty immediately granted leave.

After all the outsiders left, Pei Xiang jumped up under Sophie's worried eyes.

"Miss Adele?"

"Sophie, I'm going out to do some errands, and you stay and take good care of the 'patient'. If anyone comes to visit me, just say that Miss Adele doesn't want everyone to remember her ugly appearance, and just wants to recuperate quietly. "

Sophie watched Pei Xiang put on a men's outfit neatly, opened her mouth, and was speechless for a while.

She knew that she couldn't stop the little master's decision, so she asked fearfully:

"Then, what if someone breaks in?"

"Then you lock the door and go to Mrs. Greens who teaches painting. She owes me a favor and will help you lie."

"Okay, it's just...Miss Adele, do you have to go out at night? It's too unsafe. What if, what if something happens to you?"

"Sophie, I've been out several times before, isn't it all good? You have to keep it a secret for me. If Mr. Rochester finds out, he will definitely fire you. At that time, you will lose your cuteness and beauty." Can you bear me?"

Pei Xiang had already put on his boots at this time, and was about to jump out of the window to leave.

Sophie wanted to persuade again, Pei Xiang said with a smile:

"Anyway, I have the powder in my hand. Even if you stop me, I can make you faint, so you definitely can't stop me. Sophie, be bold, have you forgotten that I am good at fighting? Then They are all miraculous oriental kung fu, taught by that man."

"Oh, that's an unreliable man," Sophie complained angrily. "Although I shouldn't speak ill of Miss Adele's biological father, it's all because of that unreliable man that you are so adventurous now." Responsible elder."

Pei Xiang pinched Sophie's cheek:

"Okay, don't be angry, didn't I tell you before? We can't take more money from Mr. Rochester, so I have to find a way to make money."

"Make money?" Sophie opened her eyes wide. "How to make money? Miss Adele, don't do dangerous things."

Pei Xiang glanced at the time, not in the mood to continue answering Sophie's question, she waved her hand with a smile, and then jumped out of the bedroom window.

Not to mention how worried and curious Sophie was, Pei Xiang left Mrs. Colendell Girls' School under the cover of night and ran out of the city.

When he met Mrs. Andrew Middleton before, Pei Xiang left some prank medicine powder on the lady with a handkerchief. In about six hours, the effect of those powders should take effect.