aristocratic engagement

Anne was drowsy in the half-dream and half-awake state, and her consciousness wandered between gathering and dispersing.

Vaguely, Annie felt as if she was being stuffed in a fish tank, and the sound came from all directions, hitting the eardrum dullly, making her dizzy for a while.

"Viscount Richter's health is fine, she's just too tired and can't hold on under the stimulation." This is the doctor Rosings has hired all year round.

"Then when will she wake up?" Lady Catherine asked worriedly.

"To be honest, I can't tell you the exact time. Either when she rests well, her body will consciously wake up from hibernation, or she will wake up early because of worry."

Mrs. Catherine sighed: "Since the trial date of the train project was set, she has been so busy that she has hardly slept a day in a month. I wanted to persuade her, but the date set by the Prince himself cannot be changed. There's nothing to be done about urging her to go to bed early. And now, even Darcy... I'm really overwhelmed."

"Ma'am, you don't need to worry. If you want me to tell you, Viscount Richter should take a good rest first, and then worry about the front line." The doctor's voice was gentle and powerful, "The battlefield is far away in the continent of Europe. All we can do is sit down on your knees. Pray silently in front of the Holy Mother, that the heroes can come back safe and sound...The French have always been cunning and treacherous, but they have to admit that the tactics and weapons used by their army are truly extraordinary."

"However, I heard that the coalition forces have already brought the best weapons."

"The number is far from enough, Mrs. Catherine. Of course, this is just my guess and inference. After all, the alliance is just an alliance. How should the most advanced weapons be allocated, whether the military expenditure and medicine are sufficient, and who should be given priority... Besides, Mr. Darcy's prestige in the army is also limited, after all, he is not a lord, nor does he have outstanding achievements, his real reliance is actually—"

"—It's me." Annie opened her eyes, her throat hoarse.

Madam Catherine hurriedly stepped forward and held down Anne who was about to get up: "Lie down! Look, what am I talking about, you're going to get into trouble sooner or later!" Madam Catherine's tone was full of complaints and anger , "To put it bluntly, Darcy was attacked and seriously injured, but he has also been rescued by Rommel. There are doctors and medicines on the front line. It is useless for you and me to worry! But you, Anne, you If I want to watch you grind yourself like this with my own eyes, isn’t it cutting my heart with a blunt knife? I don’t care about Darcy, can’t I still look at you?!”

Mrs. Catherine was rarely so angry and lost her composure. The doctor winked at Anne and quietly withdrew, leaving Anne to face the furious lioness alone.

Anne leaned against the head of the bed, only looking at Lady Catherine until she sat down on the edge of the bed with a cold face.

A figure in the middle of the night appeared in Annie's mind.These days, it was already late at night when she returned to Louise Garden every day, but every time there was a spark in the fireplace in the living room, Lady Catherine was dozing by the sofa, waiting for her return.

Annie's throat moved slightly, swallowing a choked sob that almost gushed out.

"Mom, I'm going to sleep for a while." Annie closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

Lady Catherine took her hand under the quilt, and she kissed Anne's forehead.Madam Catherine wanted to say something more, but when she saw the deep black eyes under her eyes, she felt that there was nothing to say, so she said good night.

Annie's fists were clenched under the quilt, and she almost had a deep blood mark on her palm.

A good night's sleep like never before.

When Annie woke up again, it was already the next night.

When she turned her gaze to the clock in front of the window, she found that it was only 10 minutes later than when she closed her eyes, almost thinking that she had only taken a nap for 10 minutes.But the aches all over her body and a slight headache told her that she had slept for more than a whole day.

Annie sent someone overnight to grab Mr. Bergram from the main store in Phoenix.

"Mr. Bergram, didn't you still complain a few days ago? After this project is over, you don't know what to do for a while?" Annie handed over the plan written while waiting for him to come, and said, "I have a new project here. I can't promise how much money it will bring you, but it is enough to shake the whole world."

"Viscount Richter, there is no need to be so polite between you and me. No matter what you ask me to do, I will trust you and obey you." Mr. Bergram's expression was never serious.

"Weapons, Mr. Bergram." Annie tapped the table, "There is no budget for this research."

"Viscount Richter, with all due respect, you should think of another way. The prince... said he is not here today." Anne just rode to the prince's mansion when she heard the oncoming butler say, "Although I I don't know why you are looking for the prince, but after so many days of worrying and leaving, you know that he must not have agreed to your request. He has never been a difficult person to talk, so if he refuses you several times, he must be powerless."

"He's there, isn't he?" Anne looked over his shoulder.

"Viscount Richter, please don't embarrass me." The butler showed embarrassment, frowned and lowered his voice: "Yes, he is here. But His Royal Highness told me to call him when I see you again." Not at the house. Viscount Richter, you are a smart person, you must understand what he means. I only tell you the truth for your sake."

Annie led the horse, looked straight into the butler's eyes, and explored the authenticity of his words.The butler helplessly spread his hand and took a step back. Annie looked at the locked door and could only accept this fact helplessly.

She came to "harass" the prince several times for the allocation of funds for the coalition forces.

Although Anne boasted a lot from Mr. Bergram, there is no budget limit for this research and development, but it is reasonable, and this matter cannot allow Anne to bypass the prince and stand alone.So, she came to visit, hoping that the prince could apply for funding from the king and the parliament to provide more supplies and money to the coalition forces.

But it backfired.

Anne sighed, said goodbye to the housekeeper, and rode alone towards Louis Garden.

The prince agreed at first, and went to the parliament and the king to apply for more funding for her.He did go, but the result he brought back made Annie extremely disappointed.

"After all, the coalition forces are just coalition forces. Viscount Richter, I understand how you feel. However, once the money in the national treasury is allocated to the coalition forces, no one can guarantee how many will be allocated to Mr. Darcy's formation."

"His Royal Highness, I did not contribute alone, but in the name of the king, you and the parliament, because I don't just want to support Darcy, but the entire coalition."

"However, I have made it very clear. In this matter, it is not we who are most responsible, but Prussia. It is for this reason that the crown and parliament are 'fit' to allocate limited funds. To be honest, I also feel heartbroken for the soldiers on the front line, but..."

The words and expressions of the prince's repeated rejections appeared in Anne's mind.

Being rejected again and again, Anne was not very discouraged.She made a plan early on. If the parliament is unwilling to approve more military expenditures, she can donate materials in her own name and directly designate the donations to Darcy's team.She came here again and again, just to make the donation more justifiable and not let Darcy fall into the trap.

Annie asked Mr. Smith to count all the money she could use. The harvest year had just passed, and the rent on the land under the name of Rosings Manor was being collected. The Phoenix Textile Factory and Rosalie Garden had also been liquidated. annual income.The money was only passed through Annie's account book once, and she allocated all of it to Mr. Bergram's studio.

Mr. Bergram did not have much experience in the manufacture of weapons, but he was familiar with geniuses who mastered inventions.He assembled a large number of craftsmen and devoted himself wholeheartedly to the research and development of more powerful weapons.

The laboratory was spending money like water, even though Anne had invested all the working capital in it, according to Mr. Bergram's plan, the working capital would not be able to last this winter.

Anne set her sights on her "real estate".

She locked herself in her study every day, taking stock of her property.Her fingertips slid across the land on the map, and finally settled on the land of roses - Netherfield Gardens.

Lewis Gardens received a distinguished guest—Mr. Darcy's friend, Mr. Charles Bingley.

When Anne returned to Lewis Garden, she happened to meet Mr. Bingley riding a horse.

"Mr. Bingley!" Anne waved at him from afar, "I thought you wouldn't be in London until at least tomorrow, and you were planning to call on me tomorrow morning."

"Miss de Bourgh—no, Mr. Richter! Good day," greeted Bingley loudly, with a gentle smile on his face.

The two dismounted at the gate of Louis Garden. Dawson cleverly took the rope from the two, and led the two horses to the stable.

"I received your letter, so I packed my luggage and came here immediately." Mr. Bingley bowed to her, and Anne immediately returned the salute, making an invitation gesture, and the two walked towards the house talking and laughing.

Georgiana showed a pair of eyes at the end of the corridor, but quickly retracted them dodgingly.

Anne pretended not to see it, and invited Mr. Bingley to the study on the second floor.

"Are you really going to sell Netherfield to me? Viscount Richter, as far as I know, it is a very exquisite manor. The most wonderful thing is that the fertile land is full of beautiful roses. My friends who passed through Haverfordshire all admired the beauty of the scenery and the beauty of the estate.”

"Oh, there are no roses this season, Mr. Bingley, and don't blame me for not explaining when you see the bareness."

"Of course, of course, it's winter."

"However, I'm sure your sisters will love it there--wait until spring." Anne rang the bell, and the maid came in quickly, brought hot tea, and lit the fireplace at Anne's urging.

After the maid left, Bingley asked, "If my memory is correct, isn't it Du Li who is by your side?"

"Your memory is really good. Du Li is now Mrs. Bergram."

"Oh! So that's the case." Bingley smiled slightly, and Anne sighed in her heart. Mr. Bingley was indeed as Darcy said, with a gentle and delicate mind, and he even had an impression of the maid beside her.

"Speaking of Netherfield—if I didn't need money urgently, I wouldn't be willing to sell it. No, you misunderstood, I am not reluctant to part with those exquisite and expensive furniture and ornaments. Don't worry, I will sell The most important thing is the whole Netherfield Garden, including all the objects in it. What I don’t want to part with is the rose garden... It took me a lot of thought to build a rose garden, where the annual rose production is enough for the entire London high society to appreciate perfume and perfume. The demand for soap."

"You mean..." Mr. Bingley's eyes lit up, and he couldn't believe what he heard.

"That's right, I will transfer the current operation of the Rose Garden, it just depends on whether you are willing to take over." Annie raised her teacup.

"You've made me panic, Viscount Richter!" Bingley's eyes widened and he was very embarrassed, "As far as I know, your property has always been rich, and I have never heard that your property has encountered a crisis or suffered a financial breakdown. You even led the research and development of the train project. I didn’t go that day, but the amazing scene has already been spread throughout the UK through the mouth of gentlemen. Viscount Richter, if you can, please Tell me, why did you sell Netherfield?"

Annie shook her head: "The train project is certainly eye-catching, but it really hasn't brought me any income. Even... If I didn't invest in it, I wouldn't be in a dilemma now."

Mr. Bingley frowned: "Is it... Darcy who can make you 'dilemma'?"

Anne didn't answer.

But her silence had already confirmed Bingley's guess.

"What happened to Darcy?"

"He has been attacked... It's been a few days, but I haven't received any more news. I think he should be out of danger." Anne tried not to let herself imagine that Darcy was covered in blood and dying "I hope no news is the best news."

"Since this is the case, how can I take advantage of you for nothing? Darcy is my best friend and has helped me countless times. It is necessary and reasonable for me to pay the money!" Bentley said. The gentleman stood up and said loudly.

"No, you misunderstood!" Anne also stood up, and she pressed Mr. Bingley's excitedly waving hand to let him continue to sit down. "To tell you the truth, it's not just for Darcy that I want to raise money. Some Things are much more important to me than that manor. The only manor I can sell now is Netherfield Gardens. Mr. Bingley, if you really want to help me and Darcy, please Think about it."

"I'm clearly..." Bingley couldn't speak, how could this be helping her and Darcy?It is clear that she transferred the huge profits and the low price of the property to herself, Darcy's friend.

Bingley's thoughts were turbulent, and seeing his expression, Anne knew that he was not indifferent to Netherfield, but was concerned about her relationship with Darcy.

Anne took out an envelope from the drawer and pushed it in front of Bingley.

Bentley took it with both hands and opened it for no apparent reason.Just looking through the envelope, Bingley took a breath, closed the envelope subconsciously, and threw it in front of Anne: "Viscount Richter, what do you mean, please accept this title deed. good!"

"Mr. Bingley, I am showing you the land deed of Netherfield Gardens. I just want to tell you that I am not kidding you, nor am I impulsive. You need to buy a manor, and I need working capital. This is a win-win deal. "

Bentley's lips trembled slightly.

Annie was sure that he would be moved, otherwise why did he hurry and arrive here a day earlier than he expected?

Annie raised her eyebrows, sighed pretending to be sad, and put the envelope back in the drawer.She noticed that Mr. Bingley's eyes were fixed on the envelope unconsciously, but when she coughed lightly, he blinked and looked away in a panic.

Mr. Bingley's father, shortly after his death, had left a large sum of money, but had not had time to acquire an estate, and Anne had heard that he was looking about for suitable estates and land.However, now, more and more factory owners have a lot of money in their hands, and they are eager to buy land. When they reach a certain scale, they can be called "gentlemen" anyway and improve their class status.

But Mr. Bingley is not yet married, his assets and status will directly determine his future wife's opinion of him.

For various reasons, Bentley had no choice but to fall in love with Netherfield Gardens, which was urgently sold at a low price.

"Think about it, it's late, please stay for dinner and rest." Anne stood up, "Miss Darcy is living with us here, and you can meet her at the dinner table later yes, you—”

"I've thought it over, Viscount Richter." Mr. Bingley stood up abruptly, "Thank you, I've decided to buy this land."

Annie was silent for a moment, lowered her voice, and asked in confusion, "I thought you were going to Netherfield to take a look before making a decision?"

"I believe in your vision, and I also believe in the evaluation of my friends." Bingley stretched out his hand. "More importantly, I believe in Darcy, and hope to help him."

After raising a large sum of money, Anne sent letters to everyone in the Sword Knight Club and held a club event.

Anne's generosity moved them, but what really caught the club members' attention was Viscount Richter's casual words.

"The prince has tried his best to fight for it, but the royal family and the parliament have always been scruples about Prussia and the coalition forces, and the funding is limited, but the heroes on the battlefield are facing real artillery fire. If we contribute a little force, they will be less injured and less Sacrifice some soldiers, I think, the gentlemen on the battlefield who fought valiantly for the country will not fail to see our sacrifice.

More importantly, we will break down that unbridgeable divide - Parliament. "

This is an opportunity not to be missed!

Everyone shouted in their hearts.

Only war can bring class turmoil.

Due to their business status, they are not eligible to join the parliament, so they can only find another way.And the olive branch offered by Viscount Richter actually hinted to them that this is an excellent opportunity!The future king has put them in his eyes. Even if the big men in London still look down on them, what about the gentlemen who really benefited from them on the battlefield?

That's life-saving help!

There are many gentlemen of noble birth in the battlefield and in the army. They also use the merits of war to win their own future.However, no one wants to leave their lives on the battlefield.

One of the initiators of the Knights of the Sword Club, Mr. Darcy is their representative.

The club members suddenly boiled over!

They must not miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They have invested and produced goods one after another. With their own connections, they have woven a network, gathered together and purchased a large amount of medicines and food at the lowest price, and through the shipyard, " In the name of "Sword Knight Club", it was sent to the continent of Europa, directly to the front line.

As a bridge between the club members and the prince, Anne immediately registered their actions in front of the prince.Considering that he didn't open the door to Annie earlier, the prince felt a little embarrassed. Now that they had solved the funding problem, he let go of the formalities in due course.

Under the urging of Anne, Mr. Bergram's laboratory stepped up the development of new firearms.Annie just relied on the few memories of her previous life to provide some similar ideas about the "machine gun", but it made the experimental madmen feel like a treasure.In just one year, more elite weapons were transported to the battlefield of Europa in large quantities.

Anne never took the initiative to ask about Darcy's situation again - as Darcy, as long as there is no news, it is the best news.

Georgiana spent two Christmases with the two de Bourgh in the Louis Gardens.

Anne didn't expect that she would only spend one Christmas with Darcy, which was also the first Christmas, after having known Darcy for so many years.

For the next seven years, the three of them gathered in front of the fireplace at Rosings Manor, singing and playing the piano, thinking of Darcy.In the past two years of Christmas, they still sang, played the piano, and missed Darcy in Louise Garden.

"I wish my brother could spend the next Christmas with us." Georgiana hugged Anne, looked at the little fire in the fireplace, and said melancholy.

Annie's eyes were slightly hot, and Georgiana in her arms had grown from a little girl to a slim girl like she is now, but...

"Yes, Georgiana, he will be with us next Christmas."

Georgiana raised her head and asked expectantly, "In Pemberley?"

At the beginning of the new year, everything is revived, and it's the social season again.

Since the Louise Garden has become a place where ladies and ladies often meet, Anne's ears are often filled with words such as "prom", "gentleman so and so", "lady so and so"... The ladies booed and asked Mrs. Catherine to hold a party for Anne Balls, but the ladies understand why they never host balls.

Although she didn't host the ball, Mrs. Catherine didn't miss a single one of the liveliness in London.

Annie did not refuse the invitation with a cold face. Instead, she pulled Liz together and treated the social ball as an alternative "business place" to manage contacts; and unlike her who kept those gentlemen at a respectful distance, Liz's lively and friendly approach made the gentlemen unable to resist. , although her personality is enough for them to eat a pot.

But when she received the invitation letter from the palace, she was also taken aback, wondering if she had read the wrong word.

"Masquerade?!" Liz glanced at the invitation letter in her hand, seeing that the signer was Queen Charlotte, she couldn't help exclaiming.

She looked around and lowered her voice: "Queen Charlotte is not young anymore, and the king's health is also getting worse... How did you think of holding a masquerade ball? Anne, do you know who else has received an invitation letter?"

Annie frowned and shook her head.She also felt strange.She and Mrs. Catherine have special identities, and they avoid royal activities if they can, and this is also the tacit understanding between the king and them.

However, on the heavy gold-plated invitation letter in his hand, his own name shone brightly, almost stinging people's eyes.

Liz took the invitation letter from her hand, read it three times from beginning to end, and suddenly said, "Annie, I have a guess."

Annie raised her eyebrows and looked at her suspiciously.

Liz waved the prom invitation letter in his hand, with a serious face: "Did they intend to arrange for you...Of course, this is just my guess. You and Darcy have a deep relationship, which is known at the prom. But There has been no news from Darcy for more than two years, but you are quite famous and status now, it is inevitable that people... are yearning for you."

Annie was stunned.

The author has something to say: Kaka at the end (〃'▽'〃)