I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

The carriage drove slowly, and soon arrived at a small park near the Cheapside neighborhood.

Pei Xiang got off the carriage: "I'm going for a walk in the park, Jim, find a place to rest."

Jim the coachman grinned: "Okay madam, I'll be waiting around here, as long as you come out, I can see it at a glance."

Pei Xiang nodded, turned and walked into the park.

She had said to Mr. Darcy before that she would meet with her family members in private, tell them about her recent situation, and ask their relatives for forgiveness, so she had to come out today, pretend to attend an appointment, and talk to her fabricated story. Family members meet and discuss.

Pei Xiang believed that with Fitzwilliam Darcy's character, she would not send someone to monitor her specific whereabouts, so she was relatively relaxed about "falsifying".

After walking around in the park, she found a bench and sat down.

"Hello, ma'am, today is a beautiful day, isn't it?"

At the other end of the bench, a young girl in a light green dress was basking in the sun. She heard Pei Xiang's voice talking proactively. She turned her head and a lively and friendly smile appeared on the corners of her lips:

"Hello, ma'am, the sun is really warm today, and it's hard to find such clear weather in London."

Sensing that the other party did not intend to refuse small talk, Pei Xiang smiled and talked to this strange girl.

She had noticed this young lady when she was walking in the park before, she seemed to be a very kind girl, very patient with children and pets who bumped into her rashly, and offered to give A modestly dressed old woman pointed the way.

"I saw that you were always stopping to say hello to acquaintances, so I guessed that you are a London native, right? I just came from Kent and plan to live in London, so I wanted to chat more with people who are familiar with the city .”

"Well, the climate in Kent is much nicer than here in London. I've been there for the summer."

The girl in the green skirt said enviously: "Madam indeed guessed correctly. I have lived here since I was a child, so I am familiar with this city. You have found the right person."

Pei Xiang exchanged names with the other party, and then talked about the nearby Cheapside neighborhood:

"I heard from my family that the jewelry and silks on that street are very famous. I'm just curious. Can you tell me about the shops there? What are the characteristics of the famous shops? Also, How about the price and quality?"

Starting with the topic of jewelry and clothing, which most women are interested in, the conversation immediately opened up. The girl in the green skirt began to talk about her shopping experience over the years with great interest.

Starting from the Cheapside neighborhood, he talked about some lesser-known small streets and alleys in London, talked about old craftsmen and reputable shops that only local people know, and recommended several considerate and thoughtful tailors to Pei Xiang.

"There are not many new patterns in their store, and the style of skirts is not the most fashionable, but if you only order skirts for daily wear, it is still very suitable. At least, you don't have to wait for a long time, and the quality is cheap. , The tailoring is generous and decent.”

Speaking of joy, the green skirt girl's eyes sparkle:

"Madam must also understand that famous tailors and cloth shops are always full of orders and customers, especially those noble and wealthy customers, so they have to wait for a long time every time, which makes people very anxious. It is better to go to some small and It’s a unique old shop.”

Pei Xiang silently wrote down the locations and names of these shops, thanked the enthusiastic girl, and said that he would definitely look for them when he had time.

After that, Pei Xiang inquired about the news about the London theater, and heard the little girl talk about the lace scandal between a certain actress and a certain gentleman for a while.

The two chatted for a long time, and Pei Xiang also told each other about Kent in Doris Gray's memory, and about the Grove Manor she "visited", satisfying the little girl's curiosity about the beautiful scenery outside London.

The sun is gradually shifting, and the little girl in the green skirt is planning to go home. Pei Xiang also feels that she has stayed in the park long enough today, enough to create the illusion that she has a long talk with her family, so she is talking to her new acquaintance After saying goodbye, the little girl also left the park.

Sitting in the carriage again, Pei Xiang was not in a hurry to go back to rest. She gave the driver Jim the addresses of several shops according to the information she had just inquired, and asked him to take her there.

In the remaining half day, Pei Xiang visited three well-reviewed tailor shops, two cheap jewelry shops, one of the most fashionable and popular clothing stores and a pawn shop.

After coming out of these shops, Pei Xiang's plans for the future became much clearer, and she probably knew how to make money to support herself.

Of course, the standard of living will definitely decline. It is absolutely impossible to live in a good house like now, and be taken care of by Mrs. Miller, with good food and clothing.

However, even if the standard of living drops, she is also happy, because what she desires most is self-reliance and freedom.

Only when she has a stable and reliable source of income can she really feel at ease.

In the evening, after Pei Xiang returned to Grosswino Street, he showed a state of joy and gratitude in front of Mrs. Miller, so that people could tell at a glance that something good happened to her when she went out today.

"Mrs. Lucy, the corners of your mouth have been raised all the time. Have you encountered any surprises?"

"Of course, Mrs. Miller, I met long-lost relatives and friends in the park, and it was a pleasant encounter.

We had some misunderstandings in the past, and we even lost contact for a while, but this time we talked about everything, you said, is this a gift from the merciful God? "

"Oh, to be reunited with the old people who parted ways, and to get back together after unraveling the knot in my heart, this is indeed the best thing. Congratulations, Mrs. Lucy."

Mrs. Miller smiled and said congratulations, while discussing the evening menu with Pei Xiang. After a few days of getting along, the housekeeper sincerely believed that this Mrs. Lucy was the most appetizing and worry-free pregnant woman she had ever seen. , I really eat what I give, not picky eaters, nor anorexic.

After deciding on the content of the dinner, Mrs. Miller sighed before leaving:

"Mrs. Lucy, the little guy in your belly must be a strong boy."

Pei Xiang, who stayed in the room to change clothes, suddenly smiled stiffly. She looked down at her stomach, and suddenly felt that dinner was not so exciting...

The next day, Pei Xiang went out again, went to another place to chat with someone, and patiently inquired about the customs and daily necessities of London.

On the third day, Pei Xiang studied the famous publishers and the places where they worked, and went to the theater again, but at this time, the parliament was closed, and many celebrities and dignitaries had already gone to the country manor, and the theater was deserted. .

On the fourth day, Pei Xiang rested in the bedroom all day under Mrs. Miller's nagging.

On the fifth day, Mr. Darcy came to visit her. The two sat together and drank a few cups of tea, and chatted a little about each other's recent situation.

Of course, it was mainly Pei Xiang who "reported" to Darcy on the progress of her meeting with her family.

"Mr. Darcy, I have already met my mother. We chatted in the park for a while. She cared about me and said she would help me intercede with my father."

"How is your father's character?"

"Ah, my father was a rather gentle gentleman, and not too stubborn. He must have sympathized with me when he allowed my mother to come out to see me, so he will forgive me and accept me sooner or later."

"That's good, I hope things can be resolved satisfactorily."

"Who said it wasn't."

Pei Xiang showed a guilty and grateful smile:

"Mr. Darcy, you are a good man, and my parents are tolerant enough to me. I am indeed very lucky.

By the way, I didn't tell my mother that you helped me. I was afraid that they would think too much, and even cause unnecessary misunderstandings about you. Announce it. "

Darcy shook his head: "Don't make it public, Mrs. Lucy, there is no need to publicize what I have done. Don't forget that it was the news you provided that saved my sister from a harm. In this comparison, I am It’s kind of trivial to do that.”

Pei Xiang didn't argue with him, just smiled and continued:

"I told my mother that I am currently renting a house, and she gave me some money to support me first. Mr. Darcy, I think I won't have to live with you soon."

This time, Darcy did not persuade him to stay, because he knew very well that letting Pei Xiang return to his parents is the best choice at present. If she does not return home, she will not be safe. As a friend, he must consider her long term.

Darcy's visit this time was not long. He seemed to be very busy. After staying for a while, he was called away by a servant who came in a hurry. It is said that two factory agents visited him.

After seeing off Mr. Darcy, Pei Xiang greeted Mrs. Miller, and then returned to the bedroom. With a space to be alone, she dug out a flat linen bag from her bag.

This linen bag was brought out by Pei Xiang from the Grove Manor. To be precise, it was specially packed and carried with her on the night she just traveled through time. It was all important belongings of the original Doris Gray. thing.

During the days of hiding, she never threw away the cloth bag.

Pei Xiang opened the package and took out the contents, including some personal letters from Doris Gray's collection, a certificate of her learning from Mrs. Margaret, and some valuable jewelry.

Seeing these exquisite and bright decorative items, Pei Xiang's eyes were in a daze, and she couldn't help thinking of Doris Gray's life experience and relatives.

This young girl is the illegitimate daughter of a nobleman and a commoner, her parents are dead now, her only relative is her elder sister Jennifer Gray, however, the two have not been in touch for a while.

Jennifer Gray is two years older than her younger sister, Doris Gray. The two sisters were fostered by different families. They got together less often and separated more often since childhood. Their relationship was not very deep, and they only exchanged letters occasionally.

Just over two years ago, after the death of the sisters' father, Jennifer Gray wrote Doris a letter saying that she had the honor of becoming the companion of a noble lady and that she was going to live in London The woman is generous and kind, and is very friendly to the people around her. Therefore, she plans to use the lady's social circle to find a good husband for herself.

In that letter, Jennifer Gray ostentatiously promised that when Doris Gray graduated from the girls' school, she would beg the kind hostess to let Doris also come to London and attend the ball with her, Maybe you can meet a beautiful marriage.

Doris Gray was overjoyed by her sister's promise, and she wrote back a thick letter to her sister, expressing her gratitude while asking about her work with the lady, and talking with Jenny Foo inquired about various details about the ball.

Unfortunately, since the letter was sent, the original body has not received a reply from Jennifer Gray for a long time.If Mrs. Margaret hadn't occasionally mentioned that Yuanshen's sister was doing well in London and gained some social fame, Yuanshen would have thought that something had happened to her sister.

Jennifer Gray did not send letters to her sister about the prosperity of London, but Doris Gray still remembered her sister's promise to take her to the London ball and introduce her to young talents.

Two years later, Yuanshen graduated and found out her sister's address from Mrs. Margaret. She really wanted to go to London to join Jennifer Gray, but unfortunately, she didn't have enough travel expenses.

At that time, she had two choices. One was to sell the few pieces of jewelry at hand for a sum of pounds and go directly to London, or the other was to agree to the job introduced by Mrs. Margaret to earn some traveling expenses and living expenses first.

The result was obvious, Yuan Bo chose to work as a tutor at the Grove Manor.

After that, there was the accidental death of Doris Gray and Pei Xiang's time travel.

Pei Xiang fiddled with a few pieces of jewelry, thinking of Jennifer Gray who lived in London, his eyes flashed with thought.

She chose to come to London with Darcy, and planned to stay in this city for a while. Apart from various reasons of the right time and place, it was actually related to a little thought of the original body before his death.

At the end of her life, Doris Gray actually had some slight regrets. She regretted that she did not choose to meet her sister directly. How are you doing?

These intermittent thoughts are not strong, nor will they disturb Pei Xiang's emotions and influence her choices, but this is the last trace of Doris Gray's nostalgia, Pei Xiang thought, before she leaves here, she still needs to pay attention Look at that sister Jennifer's.

——The two haven't seen each other for many years, and I don't know if the other party still misses his own sister?

——Or, the sisterhood has long since disappeared, and they have become strangers since then...