I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

Pei Xiang sat under a big tree and closed her eyes to meditate. The autumn sunlight shone through the lush branches and leaves on her face like pieces of gold, adding a hazy halo to her graceful outline.

These days, she has been lazy.The family members thought it was because she had just recovered from her injury, but only Pei Xiang knew that she was so tired because she was exhausted in the studio a few days ago.

The sound of Margaret's cheerful trotting broke the tranquility of this space.

"Marian, Marian, thank you for that lovely little painting of my tree house and the little crafts I loved so much. I declare you my favorite for the next three days people."

Pei Xiang raised his eyebrows pretending to be disdainful: "Little girl, there are too many people you love the most, and it's only been three days, so I don't care."

Margaret immediately made an unladylike grimace at Pei Xiang, and then quickly corrected her expression before Elinor could discipline her.

She lightly passed Pei Xiang's position and went around to observe the little bird under another big tree.

Elinor smiled helplessly, and sat down next to Pei Xiang.

"Marguerite should have been given a governess."

Pei Xiang said lightly: "Father should feel embarrassed, because he plans to save more money. Besides, with that little girl's laziness and current study progress, we two are enough to teach her."

Elinor also knew that what she said was unrealistic, so she stopped mentioning the subject of tutors, and picked up the newspaper that Pei Xiang had placed beside her.

"Are you still paying attention to the author of "Breakfast", Mr. George Stern?" Elinor asked in surprise, pointing to the obvious creases on the newspaper.

Pei Xiang shook his head, and while enjoying the coolness in the autumn forest, he said slowly:

"I'm not paying attention to Mr. Stein, but based on his experience, I noticed another gentleman worthy of respect, oh, to be precise, the Earl of Deville."

"What's wrong with this Your Excellency?"

"Eleanor, do you remember the art exhibition we visited together in London the year before last? Aren't there some paintings by Mr. Stein? I heard some gentlemen and wives talking, saying that those works were actually It is the collection of Earl de Vere, and it is only temporarily borrowed in the exhibition hall."

"Yes, I know about it," Elinor smiled slightly, "but I didn't hear it from others, but Dad told us."

Pei Xiang knew that the original body might be immersed in his own emotions at that time, and didn't pay attention to Mr. Dashwood's words, but there was a little surprise on his face:

"My dear Elinor, I don't recall papa ever mentioning it."

Sure enough, I heard Elinor explain: "You were all attracted by the sculptures outside the exhibition hall, so you didn't notice Dad's introduction to the background of the art exhibition."

Pei Xiang spread his hands: "Look, the world is so mysterious. Even though I didn't want to hear it, didn't like to hear it, and missed it two years ago, I have been actively reading these news these days."

Elinor nodded with a smile: "Yes, but I don't understand, why are you suddenly interested in Earl Deville? We have never met that lord."

Pei Xiang pointed to the newspaper report and said:

"It says that he is a famous art collector and connoisseur. Since he stopped participating in political affairs, he has devoted most of his energy to this aspect. He has collected a lot of domestic and foreign art, and his vision is quite unique.

"It is worth mentioning that the respected Earl of de Vere does not like to collect the works of those particularly famous artists, but likes to discover buried works of art and talents by himself. At the beginning, Mr. Stein's talent could be seen by The world discovered and appreciated it because of this Earl."

Hearing Pei Xiang's introduction to Earl de Vere, Elinor bowed her head and carefully read the newspaper reports again. After a long while, she praised:

"If this report is true, Earl de Vere's actions are indeed admirable, and his aesthetic level of artwork is also enviable and convincing."

Pei Xiang smiled and nodded: "The report should be true, because the literary criticism articles you ordered also contained content related to Earl de Vere, well, although there are very few, you may not be able to notice, but... all It was to speak well of him."

Elinor glanced at Pei Xiang strangely: "Marian, are you interested in that Earl because of these reports?"

Pei Xiang nodded frankly: "Yes, to be honest, I'm curious how many buried artistic talents he has discovered over the years, and how did he discover them? Unfortunately, we don't know him at all, and there will be no intersection in the future. , I can only keep these doubts in my heart.”

"It would be great if Lord Deville published an autobiography in this regard," Elinor joked, "In this way, our Marianne can solve the mystery in her heart."

Pei Xiang smiled and picked up a leaf to play with.

Elinor continued:

"However, Earl de Vere has a great reputation, and there must be many young people who want to gain his respect. I guess, in addition to the young talents recommended by relatives and friends to His Excellency the Earl, other young artists will also try to write to His Excellency the Earl. Believe it."

Pei Xiang sighed: "If you write to that Excellency rashly, it may not be taken seriously. Even, I guess, letters of that nature may not reach the hands of the Earl, after all, they are all strangers asking for help and self-recommended , just let the housekeeper handle it."

Elinor agreed with her sister's idea very much. She just regarded it as a casual chat and didn't know what the girl next to her was planning to attract the attention of a rich and generous earl.

London, Berwick Square, the private residence of the Earl of de Vere.

"Mr. Hans, here are all the letters from your house today, oh, there are seven packages, I guess they are the works of those artists again, I hope to be appreciated by the Earl of Deville."

Hans, the steward of the Earl's Mansion, nodded reservedly towards the messenger: "Thank you, John."

After a simple reply, the steward stopped chatting and directed the other servants to move the letters and packages into the mansion.

In the past year, John has become accustomed to the cautious words and deeds of the servants in the Earl's Mansion.He knew that the Earl's Mansion was very well-mannered nowadays, and there was a cold atmosphere and a rigorous style similar to the army from the inside to the outside.

It is said that this change is related to the new heir of Earl de Vere. The young master who was not destined for the title joined the army at a young age.

His return directly affected the extravagant and flashy family tradition of the Earl's Mansion.

Many coquettish and coquettish maids and male servants who sneaked and played tricks have been dismissed; the flock of flatterers in front of the gate has decreased; , this frequency is still the result of Earl Deville's hard work.

The steward Hans walked into the main hall, just in time to meet the old butler Albert.

"Mr. Albert, today's letters and packages have arrived, should they be handled as usual?"

Albert waved his hand: "Yes, Hans, take advantage of the time before lunch to classify the letters. Those unfamiliar letters that look like they are looking for funding, you put them first Don't send it directly to the study. I will present the letter to Mr. de Vere if he is in a good mood at the afternoon tea."

"Those packages?"

"Let's take it apart too, and sort the contents inside."

While the two were talking, a short exclamation suddenly came from the east hall. Hans turned his head unsteadily to look around, but the butler Albert remained motionless.

After a while, the servant who had just carried the package came out quickly and asked Albert and Hans to go and have a look in a low voice.

"Looking at the shape of the package, it should be a painting, but when I placed it, a line of text suddenly appeared on it."

While explaining, the servant pointed out the line of text that suddenly appeared to the housekeeper.

"It's here, and Gerald and I can swear that before the package was brought in, the outer package was clean and there was nothing. But as soon as we turned around, these lines appeared on it, and This content..."

Butler Albert read out the text on the package with a sullen face:

"Warning, some people say that the collection of "Summer by the Stream" in the Earl's Mansion is very likely to be a fake, and the painting in this package is the authentic work of Mr. Steyn."

"This is simply nonsense," Hans reprimanded in a low voice, "Mr. Deville has a very high artistic accomplishment and aesthetic taste. He is well-informed and well-informed. How could he collect fakes, especially those about Mr. Stein?" Works. This is sheer nonsense!"

Albert pondered for a while, and ordered: "Remove the packaging, and be careful not to damage these lines."

The valet immediately followed the butler's orders.

Hans shook his head: "This is a trick to attract attention. It's a pity that Mr. Deville doesn't like such grandstanding young people. Without real talents and learning, it will not work after all."

Albert stared at the servant's movements, and said in a deep voice, "No matter what, it's a skill to hide the handwriting and then reappear at regular intervals. This person deserves our special attention."

Hans raised his eyebrows slightly, and had to admit that Albert's words made sense.

The appearance and content of this line of words are too special for them to treat this package as an ordinary thing.Therefore, among the seven packages that were moved in together, the remaining six were ignored, but this one got the attention of the big housekeeper.

However, what Hans and others did not expect was that what they saw after unpacking was what really surprised them.

"My God, this, this... this is exactly the same!"

"I thought this person was trying to get the earl's attention by relying on this line of writing. I didn't expect, I didn't expect such a painting..."

Suddenly seeing clearly the content of the painting in the package, Albert, the usually calm and calm housekeeper, also showed surprise.

If he hadn't clearly remembered that the painting "Summer by the Stream" on his house was given to the earl by Mr. Steyn himself, he would have believed that the words on the package were true.

Albert was silent for a while, and asked to arrange the newly received works. He took half a step back and re-examined seriously.

After a while, he told Hans: "You continue to process the remaining packages and letters here, and I will report to Mr. Deville."

Half a day later, the entire Earl's Mansion knew a strange thing, that is, someone sent the Earl an indistinguishable "Summer by the Stream".The person who sent the painting claimed that the collection of the same name in the Earl's Court might be a fake, and his painting was the real one.

——However, since this person insisted that his paintings were genuine, why did he send the valuable real paintings to the Earl's Mansion without even leaving his name and address?

——Is he going to give the painting to the earl?

——Or do you plan to come and pick it up in person in a few days?

In short, to everyone, the whole thing looks strange, whether it is the handwriting that suddenly appeared, or the works that are hard to distinguish between true and false.

Amidst the discussions, Pei Xiang's imitation of "Summer by the Stream" immediately entered Earl Deville's sight, unlike other self-recommended applicants, who were lost in a row of dense letter records, waiting for Earl Deville to happen by chance Inquiries on a whim.

It's even possible that she didn't even have the chance to be questioned.

That night, Earl de Vere invited a few old friends to visit him.

Several old gentlemen with high artistic accomplishment stood in front of the two oil paintings of "Summer by the Stream" and were amazed.

"De Vere, my old friend, if I hadn't recognized the frame of this collection of yours, I wouldn't be able to tell which one is the real one."

Earl de Vere is over half a century old, he has a tall and strong figure, and the facial features still retain the handsomeness of his youth, but the frost on his temples and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes all show his age.

He stood in the middle of the two paintings with a cane at this moment, looked left, looked again, and finally said softly:

"I know you're embarrassed to tell the truth, but I don't have any scruples myself. I have to confess that I wouldn't be an old fool if I didn't believe in myself, and this "Summer by the Brook" is a copy I borrowed from George Styre I took it over from Steyn himself, and I really think this new painting on the left is the real one, because it has a little more of the flavor that is characteristic of Stein's later work."

Baron Sissel took out a handkerchief and wiped the corners of his eyes, hesitantly said:

"Deville, it's still too early to draw conclusions. I'm old, and I can see things a little blurry at night. Even the brightest candles can't match the brilliance of the sun. So, let's wait another night , When the sky becomes brighter, come and judge again, and see, um, which one is fake."

Hearing this, Earl Deville nodded slightly:

"Ciselle, you are right. My eyesight is not as good as it was a few years ago. Why don't you wait until tomorrow's daytime to appreciate these two outstanding works."

Lord Morrie is the dean of the Academy of Art. He had been watching the two paintings of "Summer by the Stream" quietly before, when he heard the conversation of his old friend, he added:

"We still have to invite a few young people to come over. They have sharp eyes and observe carefully. Maybe they can find some small flaws and differences."

"Hey, anyway, this unknown painter is still very good, Deville, are you going to accept his self-recommendation? Are you going to fund him?"

Deville pondered for a moment, and finally said: "Wait a little longer, wait and see the results of tomorrow's comparison. Besides, that person didn't leave any useful information except for sending this painting."

"Yes, then let's wait."

After discussing the appointment for the next day, a few old gentlemen with time and money gathered together and stopped in front of the wrapping paper with words written on it.

"According to the person who delivered the package, they didn't find any writing on the package. So, these lines of writing really didn't appear until they arrived at your mansion. How did he do it?"

Earl Deville shook his head: "It didn't show up because it came to my mansion. To be precise, some of the paint covering this line of words naturally dissipated when the time came, which made the following line long gone." The written words are revealed."

"Huh? Is that so?"

"I had someone check the wrapping paper. Professor Berenger said that there was still some paint left on the paper. They took it for testing and it took a while to get the results."

If Pei Xiang were here, he would definitely tell these old gentlemen that this "dissipating paint" is actually a basic material for her disguise, and the effect is somewhat similar to the concealer cream in modern society.Of course, the covering effect should be more natural and lasting.

"Can Berenger check it out? Last time I asked him to help, he made a mess." Lord Maury complained softly.

"Oh, I've heard about that, old chap, and if I ask you, Professor Berenger is really not to blame..."

"Your Excellency, Baron Sissel, do you mean that I am making trouble for no reason?"

"You are now recognized as stubborn. Who else can stand you except the few of us?"

"You... hum!"

Lord Murray suddenly fell silent.

There was a sound of steady and powerful footsteps in the hall, which interrupted the noise that was about to break out in good time.

As the footsteps approached, a tall and straight figure appeared in front of everyone.

The visitor was 26 and seven years old. He had the same black hair and black eyes as Earl de Vere, and his handsome facial features resembled the younger version of Earl De Vere. At first glance, he knew that the two had an extremely close blood relationship.

But if you look closely, you will find that the young man who walked in is very different from Count de Vere.

He has a solemn and solemn demeanor, with deep and indifferent black eyes. Compared with the gentle and elegant Earl Deville, this person is very difficult to get along with at first sight.

Not to mention that there is a conspicuous scar on the upper right side of his forehead, running from the center of his forehead to his right temple. Although the wound has healed, anyone who has seen this scar can imagine the danger at the beginning.

Aldrich Deville was dressed in a straight military uniform, and his cool and deep eyes, like the night, glanced at the gentlemen in the living room, and then gave a formal greeting.

No fault can be found in his behavior, but there is no enthusiasm or friendliness at all, and of course, no hostility or disgust.

It's just that he rarely has obvious emotional fluctuations. On the battlefield, he is a calm and self-reliant commander. In a peaceful country, he is also a young nobleman who doesn't hold back his words and smiles.

The older gentlemen present had watched Aldridge grow up, and knew that he had such a cold personality since he was a child, so they were all used to it.If one day Aldrich walked in with a smile and hugged and greeted them one by one, they would show the expression of hell.

So, Baron Cecil first waved to Aldrich, and let him look at the two paintings in the room:

"Aldrich, you have been busy outside all day, and you probably don't know that something new happened in your house..."

Baron Cecil's narration was full of emotion, but Colonel Aldrich Deville's expression did not change at all. After listening to the whole thing quietly, he looked up at the two oil paintings placed side by side.

After a while, the young nobleman walked to Pei Xiang's work, and his expression finally changed slightly.

He took a step back and looked carefully again, brows frowned unconsciously. Aldrich's keen intuition made him realize what he had overlooked.

"Aldrich, what did you find?"

Aldrich didn't make a sound, he just stared at the left half of the painting, carefully studying the changes of light and shadow on the picture.

—the sky, the trees, the rushing stream upstream, the brown, wet land beside the stream, the splashes of water and the crystal clear drops of water in the sun...

At this time, the candlelight on the nearby lampstand flickered suddenly, and Aldrich had a flash of inspiration. He quickly closed his eyes and raised his hand to touch the work in front of him.

——Since the eyes can be deceived, then... Sure enough!

There was a hint of appreciation between Aldrich's eyebrows. The painter really used the changes of light and shadow to the extreme. His fingers wandered along the subtle unevenness of the picture to investigate.

Earl de Vere's voice of disapproval came from behind him. He felt that Aldrich shouldn't wantonly touch a superb masterpiece with his hands.

Aldridge ignored his chattering father, he closed his eyes and rubbed the edge of the picture frame, picked it with his fingertips, and then with a little force, he tore off a third-sized piece of paper amidst all the exclamations.

"Aldrich! You..."

"what?"

"Look at that painting!"

It turned out that following Aldrich's actions of destroying paintings, instead of being destroyed, the works in front of him underwent extremely astonishing changes.

"God, what did I see?"

Baron Sissel poked Lord Murray: "Did you see that?"

Lord Morrie clapped Baron Sissel's hand away, and replied without taking his eyes off the painting:

"I'm not blind, I see that, although Aldridge tore something off the edge of the frame, he has let us discover a new masterpiece. Oh, this painting can no longer be called "Summer Rixiside", maybe it can be named a mountain waterfall?"

Earl Deville strode to his son, pushed the young man aside by virtue of his age and frailty, and snatched the drawing paper from Aldrich's hand.

"So it is, so it is!"

Count de Vere put the torn piece of drawing paper back on the frame in its original position.

"You see, this painting is originally uneven, but the uneven place happens to be the place where the light and shadow change, which makes my vision misunderstood, and I feel that it should have that feeling. The painter used it in turn. The unevenness of the strokes and the gradation of the tone make these changes in light appear more natural, more natural than painting on a flat canvas, what an outstanding talent!"

At this time, another old gentleman obsessed with art suddenly shouted:

"Deville, you hide, move that half of the paper away, I want to see the complete original painting behind..."

After being reminded by this gentleman, Deville also remembered the glimpse just now, stepped back quickly, and removed the drawing paper in his hand.

It turned out that on the covered third of the picture, the creator used delicate and exquisite brushstrokes to draw the rocky walls and a small white waterfall in between.

The turbulent water pours down, flying beads and jade, the wind blows, like smoke and mist, and finally merges into a clear stream and winds down, and merges with the remaining two-thirds of the picture again to form a picture. new works.

"Wonderful!" Baron Sissel couldn't help admiring.

Aldridge took a step back, giving room to a group of excited old men.

He took out the torn drawing paper from Earl Deville's hand, and walked to the candlestick to check again.

Sure enough, on the back of the drawing paper, he read a real letter of recommendation.

This self-recommendation letter is written sincerely and humbly, frankly and sincerely, and never appears humble and flattering.

This person first apologized in the letter, then briefly explained his financial difficulties, and then talked about his artistic pursuits and painting ideas at length. high.

But anyone who loves art, after reading this letter, nine out of ten will be interested in continuing the conversation with him.

Even Aldrich's usually stern eyebrows became slightly warmer because of the calm and elegant wording in this self-recommendation letter.

It's a pity that the looseness between the man's eyebrows dissipated quickly, not only that, but even more serious.

——Is it moving to read and generate interest in continuing the conversation?Sure enough, he is a shrewd person who knows how to grasp people's hearts.

——Well, this person has played so many tricks, but his ultimate goal is actually to sell paintings to make money.

——For the sake of selling paintings, this person has resorted to so many tricks... If you get to know him in the future, you must be cautious about this person.

At the same time, similar dramas are being staged or will be staged in two other luxury mansions in London.

And far away in the Nolan Manor in Sussex, Pei Xiang, who was used to getting up early and going to bed early, turned over comfortably.In the dream, she had seen gold coins and pounds falling from the sky, soon submerging her knees...