[Pride and Prejudice] Rich Lady

Laura shrugged. She still had something to say: the nobles privately speculated that Countess Anne had a secret relationship with Dongfang Ming. The most in-demand and expensive goods in Ming Dynasty.The Countess was born to be close to the East.And this kind of communication is more in a political sense-the nobles guessed that the countess was supported by the Ming Dynasty, just like it was done to Tsarist Russia.

A few years ago, the Ming Kingdom supported and wooed Russia's Potemkin, the most beloved lover of the Tsar Catherine the Great, so that Siberia's minerals continued to flow into the Ming Kingdom.During the reign of Catherine the Great, with the continuous expansion of Russia's territory in Europe, the trade volume between the two countries increased, and the benefits obtained by the Ming Dynasty became greater and greater.European high society often satirizes Russia by saying: The tsar fought on the front line, but the spoils filled the treasure house of the Ming emperor.

Unlike European countries, the Ming Dynasty did not like to occupy land overseas and colonize it. Their emperors and ministers liked to use soft policies to win over and eat away silently.This made Ming's reputation very good. Even though their strong ships and guns were invincible in the sea, many countries were not less beaten.The power of this policy can be fully seen from the fact that Nanyang has become a few provinces of the Ming Dynasty.Laura's father is an aristocrat who is enthusiastic about politics. He often talks about these things. He and a few friends are staunch supporters of the "Ming Dynasty Threat Theory".

The vigilant nobles believed that Countess Anne was another "Potemkin" selected by the Ming Dynasty in England, especially the friendship between the Countess and the Prince of Wales. People have a deep friendship, and it is speculated that the Countess will use the "Public Lady" to make The future king also became a friend of the Ming Dynasty.There are rumors that China hopes that the UK will further reduce tariffs and make the market more prosperous.However, some nobles in the House of Lords resolutely resisted, which made Lady Anne embarrassed on certain occasions, and even Taurus Academy was in a delicate situation.

Seeing that her friends were not interested, Laura pressed all those words.In fact, the women of the upper class naturally had a good impression of the Ming Dynasty. The silk, porcelain and jewelry from the East completely captured the hearts of the women, while the sweet and varied snacks and tea made the taste buds bow down.The same goes for Laura, who is happy not to say the 'bad things'.

"I'm done talking, it's Lily's time to talk." Laura brought the topic back.

Lily spread her hands and said with a smile: "You all have older brothers and sisters who don't have to bear the burden of the family. But in our family, my only brother is still in his infancy, and my father's temples are already gray. He has Great Britain from Baron The title, holds a seat in the House of Commons, and is a respectable gentleman. But you know, the title of baronet cannot be passed on to the heiress, and it is rare for a lady to say it. But the embarrassing thing is that distance can count on my brother The time is still too long, and there are too many variables. Therefore, the Peel family can only strive to improve, hoping to become a nobleman one day..."

"Tauris College is probably the best platform I can choose because of Countess Anne. I have no intention of finding a husband with a good family background, but I urgently need to open up a social circle for the Peel family and find new allies."

Lily's words caused the other three people to be silent for a moment. No one thought that Lily, who seemed the mildest, bore the heaviest responsibility.

"Then why don't you go to a girls' school in London? Most of the girls there are noble, wouldn't it be more effective to associate with them?" Little Daisy Daisy wondered.

Lily shook her head at her, and said to Laura, "You should understand."

Laura really explained for her: "The ladies there are indeed from extraordinary backgrounds, but they are also the most exclusive. They are only willing to make friends with people with similar status and wealth. Moreover, the girls' school itself has a strict hierarchy, and it is no more open and flexible than Tauris College." Although a baron is hereditary, he does not belong to the title of nobility, nor is he worthy of a seat in the House of Lords, so he is the most embarrassing.

"Besides, the social place created by Countess Anne for the students will have many guests who really hold real power. However, it is difficult for the ladies in the London girls' school to bring practical benefits to the Peel family." Lily added, very calm.

After Lily finished speaking, everyone looked at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth knew that this conversation was actually a measure of family background and purpose, and everyone used this to find like-minded companions.

"Maybe my case is the easiest? Kind of lackluster."

"My father is a squire. He has five sisters, probably in..." Elizabeth thought about it, and said, "I have enough food and clothing but a meager dowry?"

"Actually, I was able to come to Taurice thanks to my uncle. He knew from his friends that Taurice College is a progressive and learned place, so he wanted to make his nieces get a good education. Before I came, apart from the school motto, Don't know anything about the academy."

This caused the girls to be amazed, and everyone said, "So you really came to learn knowledge?"

"My God, this is probably the purest goal of all. Even Harriet and Josephine have other goals. I can't believe that I can hear such words in Taurus College!"

Elizabeth nodded: "Yes, learn knowledge and increase knowledge. I answered the same way to Mrs. Pulan."

"If possible." Elizabeth laughed, "At the same time, I also hope to get some opportunities to add some weight to my meager property." She had a good impression of several classmates and felt that she was extremely lucky. Not the kind of arrogant and stubborn people, they are frank and bold, not the kind of arrogant temperament.

So she boldly stated her desire to make money.

Laura was the first to respond: "Except for Miss Daisy, whose guinea is about to overflow her purse, who is not here?"

The ladies laughed.

Daisy said happily: "Then you have come to the right place. My father said that the Countess is the most business-minded nobleman he has ever seen."

"The Countess funded the establishment of the college, but only vacated an idle manor, which brought her an income of at least [-] pounds a year. Gentlemen in the city, who can be as powerful as the Countess?"

"Five thousand pounds?" Elizabeth opened her eyes wide. She could release her nature where no one knew, and made no secret of her desire for pounds.

The eager look made Daisy laugh. "Yes yes! Five thousand pounds!"

Laura put down her haughty mask and helped to explain: "Outsiders commented that Taurice College is not high or low: girls from noble families look down on it, and girls from ordinary people can't get in. But because this place is special, girls from wealthy merchants enroll every year. , in order to build a good relationship, wealthy businessmen will not be stingy with donating hundreds of pounds. Taurus College is not a church-participating, charitable college, and these incomes belong to the legal income of the baroness." Compared with the "political donations" spent by wealthy businessmen every year, that little money is really nothing.

"For example, me." Laura pointed to herself, without any hesitation.

"Students' expenses are actually extremely limited. The nearby land also belongs to Tao Lisi, and the output is enough to supply the entire manor. As for the books or fabrics needed for some courses, God knows how many businessmen in London who want to get involved with Anne's business bring them in. ’” Lily continued.

"So, the biggest expenditure of the college probably lies in the salaries of the teachers?" Elizabeth turned her head and asked.

"That's how much you need." Daisy asked mysteriously, "Did Mrs. Poulant tell you to make some preparations, such as buying dresses?"

Elizabeth quickly said: "Yes, I am worried about this. Is there a public carriage to London in the college? I thought the college would distribute uniforms like gentlemen's public schools, so I only brought two sets of laundry dresses .I don't think my shawl is thick enough, and I need to buy another one."

"Don't worry, my dear, it can be solved without going out of the academy." Daisy blinked, "Actually, the intention of the academy is not to ask girls to go outside to buy things."

But she didn't want to go any further when she said that, and even Laura and Lily had expressions of "just wait and see".

At this moment, "Ladies, it's late at night." Lia, the maid Elizabeth had met before, knocked on the wooden door of the living room and said.

Laura straightened her back, raised her head high, and instantly displayed her "baroness" style.Lily and Daisy also acted like ladies, everyone nodded at each other, and walked out of the small hall one by one with elegant manners.

Elizabeth had no choice but to suppress her doubts in her heart. She thought to herself that nowadays it is very common to look down on merchants, and gentlemen without titles only ask agents to manage their transactions or shops, and refuse to do it themselves.No matter how unique Countess Anne is, she wouldn't be able to open a store in the academy, would she?

Candles were already lit in the small room, and there was a beautiful tall candlestick.The three candles above are enough to illuminate every corner of the room, and Elizabeth has time to look carefully at this place: Although it is not the main building, the walls are still decorated with dark wood panels with reliefs, plain patterned tapestries, and With its light-coloured tartan ceiling, it was more artistically aesthetic than the Bennet house.

Elizabeth put the candlestick on the mahogany table, took out a pen and paper from the suitcase, and began to write to Jane: "Dearest Jane, I have arrived safely at Taurice College. Here..."

Elizabeth did as the Romans did, folded the paper into 'four pages', first wrote her name and address on the last page, then filled the front, and then wrote the reverse - she suddenly missed Longbourn's family very much for some reason, so she had only I was planning to write a brief letter, but as I wrote it, it became longer and longer.It's a shame that sending a letter at this time is charged according to the mileage and the number of papers in the letter. In order to save postage, Elizabeth had to stop after writing all the front and back sides.

After checking carefully, there are no inappropriate words, and then put the letter paper on the chest of drawers, and prepare to go to sleep—people don’t use envelopes when writing letters nowadays, and the confidentiality of letters can’t be counted on.As for sealing with wax paint, this is a way of writing letters that belongs to the nobles or the rich, and only important documents can be enjoyed.Elizabeth's letter home is obviously not included in this list.

The next day, after having breakfast with the other five people, Liya came to invite Elizabeth alone: ​​"Miss, maybe you need to buy some things?"

Elizabeth's eyes lit up, and she immediately asked Lia to wait a moment, and quickly walked back to the room, putting the letter into her pocket: "Liya, do you know where the nearest post office is?"

Liya immediately replied: "Miss, there is no post office nearby. But the carriage of the college goes to London every day. If you need it, you can ask the coachman to post it to the post office for you. If there is a reply, the coachman will bring it back for you." .”

She said: "The address can be written at the Marlton Post Office in London. Please put Taolisi College on the name, so that the coachman can pick up the letter."

Elizabeth touched her pocket subconsciously, realizing that she had made the biggest mistake: still following her previous habit, she directly wrote Taoris College on her address.But I forgot that the postal service has not yet been fully covered-if Longborn is not so close to Meryton, I am afraid that the postal carriage will not provide mail delivery.

Alas, it seems that this letter cannot be mailed today.thought Elizabeth.

Leah led Elizabeth into the large west courtyard, which was dotted with kitchens and other service rooms.

"Miss, please come in." Leah opened a door and said to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth went inside, and found that there were many furniture like shop windows, and there were many styles of long skirts in various colors and fabrics.

"Okay, miss, you can choose. You can choose whatever style you like, and choose whatever material. You must know that this is the privilege of freshmen. Next year, you will have to do it yourself." A voice suddenly said.

Elizabeth was taken aback, only to find a short, dumpy, smiling lady behind her.

"Good day, ma'am."

"Good day, dear lady." The fat lady was very kind.

Elizabeth was a little confused, so she quickly asked her: "Is this a store in the college? Can we buy clothes here in the future?"

The fat lady quickly waved her hand: "Of course not, miss, why do you think so. To find a store, you have to go to London, this is just a place for the ladies who entered the school before you to show their skills! Of course, the ladies are friendly and caring for those who are new to Taurus. Juniors, I am willing to provide some convenience for the freshmen."

"So!" the fat lady emphasized, "you can only choose the one you like from the existing styles, and then I will make a little modification to make it fit your size."

"How many pieces do you need to choose?"

"Whatever! It doesn't matter if you choose to leave!" The fat lady spoke very well.

Out of caution, Elizabeth chose only three generous-looking petticoat dresses. The skirts were made of muslin, which looked a little thick, with soft and graceful drape from the high waist to the floor; Lace gloves; a blended Spencer jacket; and a cashmere shawl in cashmere.

"Oh, Miss who is not greedy." The fat lady clapped her hands, "The taste is also good. Okay, Miss, please come to me, and I will measure your size."

The fat lady not only measured her height and bust, but also recorded Elizabeth's shoe size.

Afterwards, Elizabeth was invited out of the room: "Leah, can you tell me what happened? I don't seem to understand."

Leah respectfully sent Elizabeth back to the annexe, and said with a smile until the bedroom: "The installation fee is 3 pounds, 16 shillings and 4 pence."

"So, you still have to pay, right?" Elizabeth couldn't help but rejoice that she didn't make a lot of choices.

Although it has a good name, the care and love of the seniors still needs to be paid in pounds.Even more expensive than the women's clothing in the store.

"Don't freshmen pick a lot, um, I mean more than they normally need?" and then can't pay their bills.

Leah was noncommittal, just smiled and said: "Before tomorrow, ladies can choose again. So, lady, do you need to make another decision?"

It was only then that Elizabeth realized that maybe this was also a small checkpoint set by the Taolisi Academy?If the college is really picking students.

Give the money to Leah in full.

After dinner, Leah invited Elizabeth again.Elizabeth found her long dress, gloves, and shawl of her choice already in the room, along with socks and two pairs of women's shoes: a pair of small leather shoes with a medium heel, and a pair of woolen pumps with a high heel.

What a surprise!Very affordable.