I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

—A precise prediction?What nonsense is this Sherlock Holmes talking about?Doris has fainted, and Doris doesn't know anything!

When Pei Xiang "Youyou" woke up, she had already been placed on the big bed in the bedroom, and the maid Lucy had been guarding the bedside.

"Miss Doris, you're awake!"

"Well, Lucy, what's the matter with me, what happened, by the way, how is Edward, is he all right?"

"Miss Doris, you fainted before. Mr. Holmes caught you and sent you back. Doctor Norton said that you were frightened and your mood fluctuated too much in a short period of time, so you fell into a coma. Take a rest." That's enough. Also, Master Edward is fine, he just came to see you."

"Well, it's good that nothing happened to Edward, hey, I'm really terrified." Pei Xiang shrank under the quilt, his tone weak.

"Lucy, what time is it?"

"Miss Doris, dinner is over, do you need some food brought up?"

Pei Xiang pondered, never heard that people who fainted from fright would definitely not be able to eat after waking up, especially if they were hungry.

So she nodded eagerly.

While she was waiting for the hot and delicious dinner, Lady Caroline came to visit her daughter.

"Doris, how are you feeling now?"

"Not bad, Mom."

"Doris, do you have a question?"

Pei Xiang thought about it carefully, and then said hesitantly:

"Mom, can you tell me the ins and outs? I only know that Howard once murdered me, and then Leah and Miss Winster should have been involved, but I'm confused about what exactly happened."

Lady Caroline sighed softly, and then carefully recounted the murder story.

After hearing this, Pei Xiang didn't show a particularly angry expression, because she had already vented before "passing out".

Instead, she focused on another question: "Mom, is that horse trainer Albert in poor health? Did Leah agree to cooperate with Howard just to save her fiancé?"

Mrs. Caroline didn't expect her daughter to pay attention to this matter. She hesitated, then shook her head and commented according to her own understanding:

"Part of it is because of the cost. However, if she has good intentions for you, she will not choose to cooperate with Howard. She can ask me for help. Our family donates some money to the church and the poorhouse every year. Something, someone wrote a letter asking for help, and I will let Mrs. Murray handle it at her discretion. As the head maid, Leah is very clear about these situations, but she didn't say a word."

"Why is that? Is asking for help more terrifying than killing someone?"

"This shows that she never trusted us."

The Countess' words made Pei Xiang show a lonely and hurt expression.

After a while, she said to the Countess: "Anyway, that Albert is really miserable. Mom, I plan to help him pay for the rest of his treatment."

"I agree with your idea very much, Doris, you have grown up."

"But I lost a friend, Mom. I know I shouldn't make friends with servants, but Leah and I have been together for almost ten years, and sometimes I can't help but tell her what's on my mind. Get along like good friends. And, and I think, in the future, after I get married, Leah will always be by my side like Mrs. Morrie is with you..."

Pei Xiang whispered Doris Gladstone's true thoughts with a melancholy expression on her face.

Mrs. Caroline did not reprimand her daughter for thinking of maids as friends, because sometimes, the cold divisions between classes cannot determine the closeness of people's hearts.

"Doris, I think Lucy is pretty good. I'll transfer her to your side to take care of you. How about it?"

Pei Xiang nodded listlessly, but didn't say much.

She was not very interested, but Mrs. Caroline wanted to take this opportunity to speak clearly. She didn't want the daughter who was almost lost to continue to live in a muddle.

"Doris, apart from Leah's matter, don't you want to ask your father's attitude? Did you really not take what Howard said?"

Pei Xiang recalled the scene where Doris Gladstone got along with the earl's father, and puffed his cheeks in dissatisfaction:

"I won't take it to heart, because I believe that my father will not want to see me hurt, but that's all, that's all. Mom, my grandfather said that the most important thing is to live happily, as for others It doesn't matter if you like me or not, and if you don't value me? Should I volunteer to contribute a dowry to help him raise his mistress and illegitimate child in order to please him? A handsome young artist and college student."

These words made Mrs. Caroline dumbfounded. She didn't know whether she should lament that her eldest daughter had a clear mind and was cold enough for herself, or she should reprimand her for some immodest thoughts.

She patted Pei Xiang lightly: "It's good to fund artists, but you should value their works and talents, not their faces. Also, Doris, don't say such things carelessly."

Such a tone and attitude showed that Mrs. Caroline was obviously not really angry.Therefore, the very clever young lady immediately nodded frequently, repeatedly assuring that she is not a superficial girl who only looks at the appearance, and occasionally sees some shining souls under the ordinary appearance, but the frequency is not too many.

Lady Caroline was remarkably good-natured to-night.

After being frightened during the day, she has now completely given up the fantasy of making Doris a perfect model lady. Instead, she believes from the bottom of her heart that Doris only needs to be alive and kicking.Even if you can't learn any elegant talents in a lifetime of rampage, so what?

——Anyway, Doris is rich, and she saved her younger brother Edward today, so her future life must be guaranteed.

——In addition to her character of never letting herself be wronged, in fact, there is really nothing to worry about.

——It's Jane's temper...

Mrs. Caroline was slightly distracted, but she immediately refocused. The most important topic of tonight has not yet started, and she has to solve Doris's problem first.

"What do you think of Mr. Holmes, Doris?"

Pei Xiang thought to himself, this gentleman is sensitive and intelligent, but he has not learned the virtue of seeing through but not revealing.

"He's a good man, Mom. It's thanks to Mr. Holmes' help that I was able to catch Howard and the others this time. I'm very grateful to him."

"Then do you still object to marrying him?"

Pei Xiang's eyes widened: "It's two different things, Mom. Besides, Mr. Holmes probably didn't intend to do this. Really, I've never seen any emotion of love and infatuation in his eyes."

Mrs. Caroline frowned slightly. She thought that Mr. Holmes was the first to notice her daughter's physical condition, and rushed forward to catch her immediately.

If it weren't for the deep affection, who could care so much all the time?After all, such things as fainting cannot be predicted in advance.

"Doris, don't fool me, I want to hear the truth." Mrs. Caroline looked at her daughter suspiciously.

"Really, I swear, think about it, I don't even have a common interest with Mr. Holmes, and we've only been together for a few days. How could there be love? Mom, don't always think about matching Mr. Holmes and me. , He is my benefactor, you always want to push me to him, it will make him feel uncomfortable, this is not the way our Gladstone family treats guests."

Mrs. Caroline felt that her daughter's words made sense, so she sighed helplessly:

"It would be great if you can get married, and I won't worry about you. Doris, after this incident... Based on what I know about your father, he will definitely marry you off as soon as possible."

"Why? I'm the only one. Could it be...does he think it's my fault this time?"

Mrs. Caroline shook her head: "In your father's opinion, whose mistake is not important, what matters is the impact and result. In order to prevent some rumors that damage his reputation from spreading around, he will definitely let you marry earlier , let you marry off with a dowry in its entirety. It is used to prove to the entire upper class that he is not the kind of despicable person who covets his daughter’s dowry, let alone harming his legitimate wife and children for mistresses and illegitimate children.”

"Oh, my father has a lot of thoughts in his heart, but if I don't have someone I like all the time, he can't just marry me off just because he doesn't know if there are rumors or not?"

"Breaking rumors is only one aspect. What I am most worried about is another issue. Doris, according to your father's character, he may secretly suspect in his heart."

"Suspect what?"

"Suspicion... Do you hold grudges against him? He will feel that a daughter who complains about the family should not be too casual in choosing marriage. He should use your marriage to seek greater benefits, And, instead of focusing on the long-term future, only focus on the present.”

Pei Xiang naturally expected such a consequence, but she did not expect that Mrs. Caroline would speak out so bluntly, directly tearing off Earl Gladstone's fig leaf.

"Mom, why are you starting to blatantly speak ill of my father? Didn't you always tell me not to talk nonsense before?" Pei Xiang said what was in his heart very "bluntly".

Mrs. Caroline raised her eyebrows slightly, pretending that she didn't hear the eldest daughter's question, and continued on her own:

"Doris, I know you have your own ideas, but if your father insists on arranging your marriage, you have no way to refuse. Unless you want to be completely expelled from the upper class or go to a foreign country to escape."

"Then I will accept other young people's marriage proposals before my father chooses a candidate." Pei Xiang replied innocently, with anticipation in his eyes.

"He won't agree with the person you choose, and no one else will get his permission except what he likes."

"Why? I think he doesn't like Mr. Holmes very much, and he is even a little afraid of him, but he also acquiesced that he is a guest at our house, and agreed to you to match Mr. Holmes and me."

"That's because Mr. Holmes is the candidate arranged by your grandfather, and he is also the trustee of your property. He has no good reason to refuse. In addition, Mr. Holmes' own ability and status make him dare not completely turn against him, so he chose If it were someone else, even a noble young man with a promising future, as long as your father thinks it is inappropriate, he will not allow you to marry."

This explanation silenced Pei Xiang for a moment.

She knew that she had the illusion of disguise, and she knew that she had arrangements for the future, and the future was not as pessimistic as the countess said.

Moreover, she is not a soft persimmon that can be kneaded by anyone.She has many ways to prevent His Excellency the Earl from interfering too much in her life, and she can even use careful calculations to make some people steal chickens and lose money.

However, she still felt suffocated at the moment, and didn't like this passive beating situation.As long as Pei Xiang thinks that he has to spend a lot of energy dealing with boring people, he feels that he is wasting his precious life and wasting a good time.

——I need an unrestricted and free identity. This era is not friendly to women, so why not just go out and make a living as a man.

——However, running away like this seemed a bit unpleasant.

——In this family, both Mrs. Caroline and the younger siblings of the original body are good people. If they no longer contact or become strangers, they will feel a little bit reluctant.

——Besides, if I leave, whether it is in the name of death of illness or an excuse of accident, the person who will benefit in the end will be the Earl.

——Also, if you give up your identity as Miss Gladstone, you will definitely disappoint the original grandfather.

Pei Xiang closed his eyes, pulled up the quilt on his body, and said unhappily:

"The situation is not necessarily as serious as you say, mother. However, in order to prevent my father from marrying me to an old and fat ugly guy, I will try to get on well with Mr. Holmes. At least he is still in shape. Not bad. Don't worry about it."

Lady Caroline smiled; she had been waiting for this word.

She did speak a little more seriously about certain possibilities in the future. The purpose was to give the eldest daughter, who only cared about eating, drinking, and having fun, a sense of urgency.

Besides, she always believed that Mr. Holmes' attention to Doris was not unkind.

It's just that a gentleman like him has always been reserved and prudent, and likes to hide his emotions. He won't show a three-point friendship to nine points like some unreliable and slippery young people, so as to deceive a young girl who is not deeply involved in the world. As a result, the heart is wrongly paid.

Therefore, in Mrs. Caroline's view, as long as Doris softened her attitude and did not face Mr. Holmes with resistance and negative emotions, this marriage is very likely to be facilitated.

—At that time, Charles Gladstone's plans would be of no avail.

At this time, the servants brought Pei Xiang a sumptuous dinner.

Mrs. Caroline looked at her daughter's cheerful eyes without haze, and thought of all the bad things she had encountered today, so she finally resisted the advice to persuade her to eat less, got up and left the eldest daughter's room.

In the early morning of the next day, Pei Xiang got up early and blocked Mycroft, who was taking a morning walk, on the path in the garden.

"Morning, what a coincidence, Mr. Holmes."

Mycroft glanced at the dew and grass clippings on Pei Xiang's skirt, and spoke softly:

"It would indeed be a coincidence if Miss Gladstone hadn't lingered about the bushes for three or five minutes. Well, let me say a belated greeting, good morning, it was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Gladstone. "

Pei Xiang bent his eyebrows and said, "If Mr. Holmes hadn't revealed the schedule in front of Lucy, I would not have guessed that you still have the pleasure of getting up early for a walk. Then, let me ask politely, honorable sir, would you like to accompany me?" Do you want to walk for a while with the lady you met by chance?"

Holmes stretched out his arm, and Pei Xiang gently took it.

"What are you worrying about, Miss?"

"Mr. Holmes, as the settlor and prospective fiancé, how much right do you have to interfere with my marriage?"

Mycroft pondered for a while: "From a legal point of view, unless I personally propose to you, otherwise, I have no way to deprive Your Excellency the Earl of his right to be a father."

"In terms of law?" Pei Xiang looked at the budding rose in his hand, "If everything followed the law, then we wouldn't see so many beautiful flowers in the winter morning, the green plants here should be bleak and monotonous of."

"Therefore, sometimes it is inevitable to add the likes and dislikes of the human heart to the laws of nature, and try to make some changes that please everyone. We are not exempt, Miss Gladstone."

Pei Xiang chuckled lightly, and brushed the green leaves with his fingers: "As you wish, the word is too perfect, Mr. Holmes. In fact, as long as people's hearts are properly biased, it will be fine for both parties to cooperate. As for other aspects, there is no need to take everything into consideration." .”

Mycroft reconfirmed the young lady's weak feelings for Earl Gladstone, and fine-tuned the plan in his mind.

"Miss Gladstone is always able to express her insights. Compared with the dowry of 15 pounds, I think the lady herself deserves more attention from the Earl. Unfortunately, the Earl seems to lack some observation skills."

"So, for Mr. Holmes, who is not lacking in observation skills, what should you do to make your mind biased and willing to make some efforts to promote certain changes."

"Miss, I have already made a change, otherwise, you and I wouldn't 'meet' at this time and place."

Pei Xiang paused, thinking that it was really not easy for this person to get up early for a walk.

——I suddenly felt a strange sense of pride...

Mycroft said no more.

Pei Xiang knew that the man beside her was waiting for her to show her cards.

"You are not a gentleman enough to be so preoccupied with a lady's request for help."

Mycroft defended himself sincerely:

"Under normal circumstances, I am willing to act in accordance with the code of conduct advocated by gentlemen, because it will save a lot of unnecessary trouble. But facing you, Miss, I have to be cautious. After all, what you want from me , has never been treated like an ordinary lady."

"The treatment of ordinary ladies... Am I lucky enough to hear the specific treatment standards? Is it because you helped me in time when I fainted, and then I was frightened?"

"No, I called the housekeeper and servants to come forward to help. After all, there are many people and strength."

"Sounds good, very thoughtful treatment, much better than what I have ever suffered."

"Miss, this is a bit hurtful."

Pei Xiang smiled, and Mycroft also shook his head with a smile.

The two walked up the green grassy gentle slope and stopped under a huge yew tree. Pei Xiang tilted his head and glanced at Mycroft's profile, and suddenly said:

"Mr. Holmes, do you know that according to your face and figure, I can change your face into a gorgeous and flamboyant Jamaican girl."

Mycroft's eyebrows jumped, he didn't expect Pei Xiang to hit a straight ball.

"Mr. Claus?"

"Yes, Mr. Holmes, would you mind accompanying me to smoke a cigarette outside the hospital?"

Hearing the clear male voice belonging to Klaus again, Mycroft's eyes widened slightly. Rao had already guessed in his heart, so he couldn't help being surprised at this moment.

"Miss, the value of your hole card is a bit high, and I'm a little worried that I can't afford it."

"It doesn't matter. You can pay on credit first. I believe in the reputation of a Sherlock Holmes."

Mycroft immediately adjusted some follow-up plans slightly in his mind, and increased the bargaining chips of this transaction without hesitation.