I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

The wedding of Emma and Knightley was warm and romantic. After watching the ceremony, Pei Xiang got into the carriage and left Highbury. She still needed to go to London to attend the wedding of her friend Alice and Norton.

Since parting at Weymouth, the relationship between Alice and Norton has grown.Two months ago, Norton made a successful marriage proposal. Now, he is about to make a lifetime promise with his beloved girl in front of the altar.

After Pei Xiang arrived in London, she didn't stay at the Viscount Rio's mansion as usual. She was "robbed" by the bride-to-be to Van Laer's house as soon as she got off the carriage.Nervous and excited, Alice Van Laier urgently needs Pei Xiang's company. She has a lot of whispers to share with her girlfriends.

"Adele, why didn't you come sooner? God, how I wish you were by my side when I said yes to Norton's proposal. I need your encouragement and blessing so much."

Pei Xiang joked with a smile while helping Alice check the jewelry to be worn on the wedding day:

"Since you needed me so much, why did you agree to Norton's marriage proposal so quickly? I heard Mrs. Van Laer say that you hadn't finished reciting Norton's sonnets yet, and you shouted 'I agree' impatiently. If you had With the clergyman there, you might have dragged Norton to swear at once."

"Oh, my mother, why did you say everything?" Alice complained in a coquettish tone, covering her slightly flushed face, "When I secretly told her the details of the proposal, she clearly promised me to keep it a secret. Adele, you are my best friend, you can't laugh at me like my mother."

Pei Xiang blinked: "That depends on how you bribed me, my memory is good and bad."

Thus, Pei Xiang got a large box of Alice's beloved almond honey biscuits.

When the black tea was served, Pei Xiang opened the box of biscuits. Amidst the wafting tea aroma and the sweet taste of honey caramel, the two girls looked at each other and smiled.They seem to have returned to the days when they were studying at Mrs. Colendell's Girls' School, warm and comfortable.

At the same time, the groom-to-be was spending time with his best friend William Grant.

The two played a game in the billiards room first, and then sat down on the terrace outside the lounge, chatting while drinking.

Norton talked about some post-marital arrangements, and suddenly found that today's William was extraordinarily talkative, and almost responded to every word he said.

"Hey, William, what's the matter with you? You usually don't pay attention to my nagging, but today you are so supportive. Are you nervous for me?"

William froze for a moment, then showed a helpless smile:

"You are not nervous yourself, how could I be nervous for you? Norton, my friend, congratulations on entering a new stage of life, and best wishes to you."

Norton grinned, raised his glass, touched William's, and drank it down.

"Then why are you so wrong?" Norton put down his glass and continued to ask the bottom line, "Is it because you are too happy? Oh, William, I really didn't expect that I am so important to you, hehe."

William shook his head, lowered his head to drink, and remained silent.

As soon as Norton rolled his eyes, he probably guessed the real reason for William's abnormality.

So, he tentatively asked:

"William, why did you stand in the corner when you saw Adele this morning? What were you thinking at that time? I thought you would be the first to greet Adele."

William pondered for a moment, and chose to speak his heart to his good friend Norton.

"Before... Aunt Charlotte talked to me, and she pointed out that in order to support Theodore's career, my father will most likely leave most of his private property to him, which is tantamount to dividing the overall wealth of the Grant family in two , is not very wise. Therefore, she advised me to treat my marriage carefully in order to deal with the less optimistic outlook."

Norton touched his chin and whispered:

"What my mother means is that if your future father-in-law is powerful enough, Lord Grant will naturally have to worry about the other party's opinion. Of course, even if Lord Grant must divide the family property equally, the generous dowry brought by your future wife can make up for it Loss, continue to guarantee the decent and luxurious living conditions of the Viscount Rio Mansion for the next generation."

"This is indeed Aunt Charlotte's idea." William said quietly.

"But you don't quite agree." Norton understood.

William said in a serious tone: "After my father took over the ancestral property of the Grant family, he doubled his assets through his own efforts, and now he has the wealth he has today. I am the heir he taught and grew up, and I have been with him since I was a teenager. Learning, if you can't carry forward the Grant family by your own ability, it's better to let Theodore inherit the family business."

Norton certainly understood his brother's pride, and at the same time, he also knew the pressure in William's heart.

Theodore is the second son in the family, and has never received any special instruction from Lord Viscount Rio, but at the age of not graduating from university, he forced himself to break through the world.

Compared with the two, it is inevitable that some people will mutter in private that William Grant, as the elder brother, is mediocre and not as talented as his younger brother Theodore.

"I don't know how that kid Theodore got the favor of Earl Walpole." Norton muttered.

There was a hint of envy in William's eyes, and he said softly:

"I don't find it strange at all. Theodore has been liked since childhood, and the three of us met Adele almost at the same time, and even earlier. But Adele likes to be with Theodore Play, Adele will help Theodore every time you quarrel with Theodore."

Norton rolled his eyes: "Not only Adele likes to help Theodore, don't you always favor that kid?"

William couldn't help curling his lips when he recalled the anecdotes from his childhood. It was really a carefree time.

"Oh, speaking of it, I've always wanted to ask you a question."

Norton clapped his hands suddenly, and looked at William curiously:

"Since you don't agree with my mother's ideas, why haven't you proposed to Adele? Brother, since Adele attended the first ball, you have been tempted. I have been waiting for good news from you two .However, this year has passed by in a hurry, but you have never said anything."

William sighed and analyzed:

"I didn't think it through before, and I have been hesitant. In fact, without Aunt Charlotte's special emphasis, I know very well that I should treat my marriage with caution. Not only from economic considerations, but also from social status. One or two, if Adele becomes the Viscountess of Rio, there is indeed nothing wrong with it, but...to be honest, it will not bring more benefits. Of course, I mean at the family level, Adele Not the best choice, but from my personal point of view, she is the most suitable wife."

Having said that, there was tenderness in William's eyes. He took a sip of wine and continued:

"I thought about it a lot before, until Theodore suddenly emerged and became a rising star. I suddenly realized that I took myself too seriously. In fact, I don't have to fight the entire Grant family against myself. On his shoulders, he even arrogantly thought that no one but me could take on the responsibility of growing the family.

"Look, my brother Theodore has grown up, he's a Grant too, he can do better. Norton, I feel pressured and at the same time feel incredibly relaxed. It's a contradiction, but I I think you can understand me."

Norton nodded: "Since you have already thought about it, you should take action when you are in Weymouth. The blue sea and blue sky there are so suitable for a passionate and romantic relationship."

William smiled apologetically at Norton, and confessed:

"I misunderstood you at that time. I thought you were also pursuing Adele, so I hesitated again."

This reason made Norton open his mouth. He looked at William in disbelief, and immediately retorted after being surprised:

"Me and Adele? How is this possible? I already knew what you thought about Adele, why would I fight with you? Besides, I have always regarded Adele as my younger sister, and she knows all the embarrassing things about me. , how dare I marry her?"

"I know, Norton, my friend, I apologize to you," William looked at Norton sincerely, "forgive me, forgive me for losing my mind because of love. I should have believed in you more, but I let jealousy and Worrying about gains and losses blinds the eyes.”

Norton felt that he drank too much wine today, he rubbed his throbbing temples, and said after a while:

"William... If I'm not mistaken, the reason why you misunderstood... was because I always surrounded Adele to ask about Alice, so, um, you had a wrong perception. "

William nodded slightly: "After returning to London, I realized it, Norton, I apologize to you for my doubts."

Norton was really angry this time, and he slightly cooled his voice:

"William, let's not mention your misunderstanding of me, because I know that people who fall in love are really confused. I just ask you, after you misunderstood that I like Adele, why didn't you compete openly, but retreated silently? Are you fulfilling the so-called brotherhood?"

William smiled wryly, acquiescing to his friend's guess.

Seeing this, Norton pulled his hair a few times irritably.

"William, you can't do this, really." He stood up suddenly and kicked the leg of the table depressingly, "You will never catch up with Adele like this! God, I always thought... as long as you confessed, you We can be together, and I want to be the godfather of your children. But, but, William, I am almost sure now that if you don't try to make changes, Adele will definitely refuse to accept you. "

William's face was stiff, and he looked at his friend with some doubts, wondering why he would make such a judgment.

Norton quickly explained:

"Adele is very proud. You put too much importance on the interests of the family before. I think Adele can understand you and won't feel repulsive. But if you let her know, ha, let her know your previous With those thoughts and practices, she may not even leave you the position of elder brother."

William did not agree with Norton's judgment. He felt that Norton had misunderstood Adele.

Maybe it's because Adele has always been "bullyed" since she was a child, so Norton thinks that Adele is a savage and domineering woman.

"Norton, Adele has grown into a decent and elegant lady. She is very understanding, smart, gentle and considerate. You can't..."

Norton couldn't help but twitched the corners of his mouth. He turned his head and looked carefully at his friend's serious and sincere expression, and suddenly he had some glimmers of hope.

—Perhaps Adele doesn't need a husband who sees her through.If this is the case, William may succeed.

Thinking of this, Norton skipped the topic under discussion, and directly asked about the one thing he was most concerned about:

"William, since you met Adele today, you've been out of your mind. Are you ready to take action?"

There was a hint of anticipation in William Grant's eyebrows, and he nodded to admit his friend's guess:

"I originally wanted to wait, but seeing your beaming face every day and listening to you imagine your happy family life after marriage, I don't want to fall too far behind. Norton, I am going to propose to Adele."

Norton closed his eyes, not knowing whether to wish his friend success or not.

William hesitated for many years, but once he made up his mind at this time, he was very capable of action.So, as soon as Norton and Alice's wedding ceremony was over, he expressed his heart to Pei Xiang.

Then, Pei Xiang rejected him quickly and neatly.

"Sorry, Adele, may I know the reason for your refusal?"

William was stunned, and suddenly remembered Norton's previous judgment, and subconsciously frowned.

Pei Xiang still doesn't know that he has been "modestly surrendered". Of course, knowing it will not cause too much psychological fluctuation, because he has never been tempted, so he doesn't care about it at all.

It can be seen that, in fact, Norton did not fully understand.

He thought that Pei Xiang would understand William's previous hesitation between the family and the individual, and would have some affection for the heir of the Viscount who had been silent and affectionate for many years, so she would definitely be disappointed and angry because of "being humbled".But the truth is, she doesn't care.

Pei Xiang pinned a strand of hair that was hanging behind her ear, with a calm tone and a firm attitude.

"William, thank you for your great love, but I can't repay you with the same friendship, and I never had the idea of ​​entering into a married life with you."

"Adele, is it because I suddenly expressed my intentions and made you feel overwhelmed? If so, I can wait patiently. My intentions will not change, and I can wait for you to slowly change your mind and no longer just I see it as a brother and a friend."

"Please don't wait any longer, William, it is bound to disappoint you."

William pretended not to notice Pei Xiang's indifferent attitude, he was still lucky:

"Adele, we grew up together. Me, you, Norton and Theodore are all used to each other's presence. Our mutual company is as natural as breathing. You are so innocent and pure, it is likely that you have never considered it. , some new and stronger relationship can be established between us. Adele, may I ask you to reconsider our friendship?"

"William, you need a lady who can help the Grant family improve their social status."

"I know," William said softly, "but I hope to be willful in my choice of marriage, Adele, I don't regret it."

Pei Xiang pursed her lips and decided to speak more bluntly:

"William, as a friend, I have always hoped that you would be more self-willed in your choice of marriage. Marriage has advantages and disadvantages. Sometimes it is better to act according to your own wishes. Maybe you will have unexpected surprises.

"But I have always believed that no matter how you choose, it has little to do with me. Because I have never had a friendship with you beyond friendship, whether it is past, present or future, never."

Rejected firmly again, William Grant backed away in embarrassment under Pei Xiang's clear eyes. He nodded hastily, and left the corner of the garden with a pale face.

The surroundings became quiet again, Pei Xiang looked down at the gorgeous rose bushes, a little lost in thought.

At this time, there was a sound of hurried footsteps from the path, and soon, Theodore rushed over sweating profusely, with an anxious expression on his face.

"Adele!"

"Well, what's the matter?" Pei Xiang hadn't seen Theodore panic like this for a long time, and his expression immediately became serious.

Theodore took the change of Pei Xiang's expression into his eyes, and quickly glanced at the surrounding environment. He was reluctantly relieved when he didn't find William's figure.

Reason told Theodore that if William's marriage proposal was successful, the man in happiness would stand here guarding his beautiful fiancee. How could he leave his lover alone in the garden?

But rationality belongs to rationality, and sometimes it is inevitable to care about chaos, so Theodore still dare not relax completely at this time.

Suppressing the entanglement in his heart, Theodore suppressed the shortness of breath caused by the fast running, and at the same time his mind was racing, trying to find a justification for his anxious running over.

——You can’t just say, I’m here to sabotage William’s marriage proposal, right?

However, even though he was eloquent on weekdays, at this time Theodore suddenly became clumsy in his turbulent emotions.

He looked at Pei Xiang who was standing pretty in front of the rose bushes, his mind went blank.

"I, I came...the reason is...Sister Adele, do you think I'm pretty?"

Pei Xiang was taken aback for a moment, thinking what kind of strange question is this?

She glanced across Theodore's beautiful face, and inadvertently met a pair of moist blue eyes, as if she had been hit slightly in her heart.

Pei Xiang nodded subconsciously, admitting that Theodore is indeed a very good-looking young man.

"Then, then you can marry me. I am young, beautiful and have a good figure. You will not suffer."

Pei Xiang: "..."

——Aren’t I young and beautiful?

——Theodore, do you have any misunderstandings about my mate selection values?

——I allow you to reorganize your thinking, and then speak after thinking about it!