I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

Pei Xiang won a more comfortable independent room for himself, but it can only be used for one night.

When she was moving, she overheard the chatter between the servant Albert and several waiters, and learned that the group of them would arrive at the destination of the voyage early tomorrow morning.

"Actually, we should have arrived at noon today, but the wind has been against the wind for the past two days, and the sea has been rough. The captain ordered to slow down the sailing speed, so it was delayed until now."

A waiter said to Albert while moving the heavy book case.

Albert showed a frightened expression: "The wind and waves were really big a few days ago. Every night before I go to bed, I have to pray for 10 minutes more, hoping to see the sun the next day."

Another red-faced waiter grinned:

"Haha, in fact, it can't all be blamed on the wind and waves. Henry, you forgot that we stayed for a little longer at the last port."

"Oh, yes, the wind and waves are too strong, the weather is unpredictable, and the passenger ship cannot leave the port on time for a while."

Henry said quickly, and winked at his companion.

It's a pity that the red-faced waiter didn't notice Henry's hint. He chatted gossipingly:

"Haha, that level of wind and waves will not delay sailing again. Hey, isn't it just the things about the Viscount Rio's family? The eldest son heir and the new Viscountess who just gave birth to a son... The captain just wanted to please..."

"Hush, Eric, don't talk casually about those distinguished first-class guests. Have you forgotten how the captain lost his temper and taught you a lesson last time?"

Henry's warning made the carefree Eric shrink his neck. He seemed to recall the painful lesson before, and immediately shut his mouth tightly.

Albert smiled and smoothed things out in a considerate manner:

"Delays in sailing time due to wind and waves are unavoidable. We all understand the captain's approach. After all, reaching the destination safely is the most important thing."

Eric breathed a sigh of relief.

After a while, Albert and the waiter named Henry chatted about something else.Just chatting, the topic slowly came back to the Viscount Rio's family...

Pei Xiang sat on a soft stool in the outer room, seemingly concentrating on admiring the illustrations in a popular science book, but he was actually paying attention to the conversations of several people inside.

After listening carefully for a while, she gained some understanding of Albert's character.

This is a shrewd man, well versed in conversational skills.In such a short while, he had gotten some real and effective gossip from the more stable Henry, while he himself had been uttering empty words without substance.

After the waiters finished moving some bulky objects, Albert gave them some tips, and then sent someone to leave.

Sophie walked into the newly tidied small room with a basin and a rag, and began to clean and make the bed.

After Albert told Sophie a few words, he came to the living room next door. When he looked up, he saw Pei Xiang sitting on a low stool and flipping through a book.

He looked at the seven-year-old girl with complicated eyes, reconfirmed that she did not have the slightest resemblance to the master, Mr. Rochester, and couldn't help feeling sorry for the master in his heart.

Albert still clearly remembers how the original Mr. Rochester doted on Celina Valen, and how he placed his enthusiastic expectations on that loose French woman.

In the eyes of Albert, the valet, the owner, Mr. Rochester, regards Celina as a kind and gentle woman, as a salvation from a failed and painful marriage in this life.

It is a pity that everything is false, and Mr. Rochester's chance of seeking happiness is still ruined by that vain and dissolute courtesan.

And a month ago, the woman who made Mr. Rochester feel pain and disappointment appeared again, and even kept her illegitimate daughter.This made Albert who had been by Rochester's side feel angry and absurd.

——Selina Warren, that woman was found out by Mr. Rochester himself.While she was dating Mr. Rochester, she was also entangled with other men, how many times did she betray her?Who would believe that Adele Warren was Mr. Rochester's daughter now?

Albert's eyes stayed on Pei Xiang for a long time.

Pei Xiang looked up at him, his heart moved slightly, and he deliberately showed a smile that resembled Celina Varun.Sure enough, she saw a look of contempt and disgust on Albert's face. Although it was fleeting, she was caught by Pei Xiang.

——Well, I guessed it, Adele's accident... probably a scene where a loyal servant vents his anger on behalf of his master...

At this time, Rochester came back from the outside, still smelling of the aroma and wine from the banquet. After entering the door, he glanced at the scene in the room, ignored Pei Xiang, and asked Albert in English.

"What happened to the Viscount's Mansion in Rio? Why did he wait so long at the last port? Is it true that he had a secret conversation with the president of Naris Bank for more than two hours as rumored?"

Albert immediately informed Rochester of the gossip he had just inquired about.

"Sir, according to the waiter on the ship, some accidents happened at the residence of the Viscount Rio. It seems that the eldest son of the Viscount accidentally ate some unclean seafood, and his body and face were swollen. He also invited Dr. Philip on the ship for this." Go to see a doctor. Then, the Viscount dismissed a chef in the house and the current Viscountess' personal maid."

Rochester was taken aback for a moment, and then laughed mockingly, as if he was deeply bored by such things.

"Okay, I see," the black-haired man took a sip of ice water, then raised his chin towards Pei Xiang, "how is this little one today? Isn't he sick again?"

Albert immediately replied: "Miss Warren has been sitting here reading books, very quiet, Sophie has taken good care of her. I will always pay attention to Miss Warren's situation, you don't have to worry at all."

Rochester nodded, and said not too concerned:

"The French nanny was all right, and nothing wrong with taking care of a sick child by herself. Thank God she didn't get sick from seasickness or eat bad food, otherwise it would have been a hell of a trip."

Albert took a quick look at Pei Xiang, and was relieved to find that she was bewildered.

—Yes, the child can't understand English.

Pei Xiang closed the book in his hand and asked Rochester in French:

"Sir, are you speaking the dialect of your hometown just now? I can't understand a word. Will all the places where we will live in the future speak this kind of language? Then what should I do? From now on, I can only talk to Sophie and Albert. Did you speak your mind?"

Rochester was obviously also aware of this, he glanced at Albert, and ordered:

"You set aside some time every day to teach her to speak English. When you arrive at Thornfield, no one can speak French there. Adele must learn to adapt to the new environment as soon as possible."

"Yes, I will teach Miss Warren to speak some simple sentences first."

Pei Xiang glanced at Albert with a smile, seemed very happy with this arrangement, and immediately said cheerfully:

"Let Sophie learn with me too. Mr. Rochester, I was sick before, and Sophie was sick. When I get well, Sophie will be well. Now I'm going to learn a new language, and Sophie should too." Work with me. See how fun we are doing the same thing all the time."

Rochester just listened casually at first, but suddenly frowned at this moment. He put down the ice water in his hand, stared deeply at Pei Xiang and asked seriously:

"Adele, you say Sophie the nurse is ill? On board?"

"Yeah, don't you know? That's weird. I thought you were like a king and knew everything."

Pei Xiang moved to Rochester's side obediently, holding a pair of small hands in front of his chest, imitating adults to make a devout and grateful expression:

"Thanks to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and to the merciful Lord, that Sophie and I have overcome the disease. Oh, and thanks also to Mr. Albert and Dr. Phillips, who always visit us and see us.

"Mr. Rochester, although I don't like Dr. Philip's potion, Sophie said that he is a very good gentleman, and I can't dislike him. So, I added his name to my daily prayers...

"Ah, by the way, Mr. Rochester, Mr. Albert said that you were sick too. Was it Dr. Philip who saved you? In other words, the three of us all had exactly the same experience. It's a pity that you can already speak English. Otherwise, we will learn together..."

"Quiet, Adele!"

Rochester yelled, he resisted the childish movement of covering his ears with his hands, and glanced coldly at the pale-faced personal servant.

"Albert," he asked in English, "I hope to hear your reasonable explanation."

"Mr. Rochester, it was my negligence."

Albert stabilized his mind a little at this time. He bowed and explained sincerely in English:

"Because you and Miss Warren are both sick, I was in a hurry, so I didn't take care of Miss Warren. I asked a waiter to contact the guests on the ship, and see if anyone can borrow a careful and experienced Maid, taking care of Miss Warren temporarily instead of Sophie.

"Mr. Rochester, because I trusted the waiter too much, I didn't pay attention to the maid's affairs. After your health improved, I was surprised to find that the waiter didn't do what I told you to do. Sorry, this is my relapse."

After listening to Albert's explanation, Rochester's face softened a little.

Pei Xiang rolled his eyes, and immediately tugged at Rochester's lapel in a daze, then pointed to his own mouth.

Rochester looked down at the little one sitting beside his lap, took a deep breath, and said as calmly as possible:

"What are you going to say, Adele? Keep it as short as possible, or I don't promise I will have the patience to listen."

"Mr. Rochester, I can't understand what you are saying, but I can feel that you are angry just now. Is it because I said something wrong? Then you reprimand me, don't say Mr. Albert, he is a good man .”

"I'm not angry." Rochester argued dryly.

Pei Xiang said "You're lying".

Rochester sneered, and decided not to argue with the little devil, he changed the question:

"Adele, do you think Albert is very nice?"

"Of course, sir!" Pei Xiang nodded seriously.

Seeing that Rochester was deep in thought, she immediately explained enthusiastically:

"It's hard to be sick. I don't want to leave Sophie, but Sophie said no, because she is also sick and can't take care of me. Then, um, I begged Mr. Albert. I used to think he didn't like me. , but unexpectedly, as soon as I asked Sophie to stay, Mr. Albert immediately agreed. He promised me that Sophie would take care of me all the time, and he would not let the strange, stern-faced maid force me to take medicine , really, I am very grateful to Mr. Albert."

"Miss Warren, you misunderstood."

Albert couldn't help but raised his hand to wipe the cold sweat off his brow.Only now did he realize that this kind of chattering and silly child was actually quite scary. If he hadn't confirmed that she couldn't understand English, he would have thought that this child was deliberately exposing him.

"What did Adele misunderstand?"

"Mr. Rochester, that's what I said to coax Miss Warren. In fact, after I left the room, I immediately contacted the waiter on the ship and asked him to find a suitable maid."

The conversation this time was in French, so Pei Xiang immediately pouted and complained:

"Ah, so you are lying to me? Mr. Albert, you are too bad, I decided not to like you for the time being, hum! Mr. Rochester, I don't want to learn English from Mr. Albert, you teach me, I Guaranteed to learn well and quickly. Really, there is no smarter and more studious genius kid in all Paris."

Rochester had just taken over this little girl for less than a month, and he hadn't had much serious communication with her because of his irritability, so he didn't know what her learning ability was.

Therefore, Pei Xiang was very calm when he made this guarantee.

"You are so immodest!"

Rochester raised his eyebrows and commented mockingly, but he didn't give a clear answer to Pei Xiang's suggestion of changing the teaching staff.

Immediately afterwards, he said in a deep voice in English:

"Albert, do you hate this child? Don't lie to me, you know, I hate deception, concealment and betrayal the most."

Albert's cheeks were tense. He understood the temper of his master Rochester and knew that he was really angry this time.

"Mr. Rochester!"

Albert raised his eyelids and glanced at Pei Xiang quickly, then said hoarsely:

"Look at Miss Warren's appearance, how much she looks like her frivolous and indulgent mother. No, it should be said that her facial features are more refined. Also, her eyes are hazel, while yours are black. She must have nothing to do with you. But... well, I know it's wrong to blame a child, but I really can't take good care of her and treat her like a little master. I'm sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Rochester. "

Rochester pondered for a while, and asked:

"What else have you done, Albert, besides letting the sick nanny take care of Adele?"

Albert considered the sentence for a while, trying to avoid the important ones.

But Rochester didn't give him a chance to speak, but analyzed sharply on his own:

"I think you don't need to do anything more, Albert, as long as you don't care too much about her. I entrusted you with taking care of Adele, and I didn't ask any more questions after that. You dare not completely violate My order, but it will definitely be negligent and slow for three minutes.

"Adele complained before that her room was dark and cramped. I thought it was because she was too delicate. But now that I think about it, maybe it's not because she's picky and willful, but because the room you arranged is really uncomfortable."

Albert lowered his head, acquiescing to his previous small thoughts.

Pei Xiang looked left and right, looked at Rochester for a while, and Albert for a while, as if guessing what the two were talking about.

But in fact, she has already understood the content of the conversation between the two people.

At this moment, what Pei Xiang is most concerned about is how Rochester will handle this matter?Is it to be handled lightly or severely punished?

——It is estimated that it will not be severe.After all, one is a loyal subordinate who has been with him for many years, and the other is a little girl whose father is unknown who has taken over for less than a month.

——And, in the eyes of others, these things Albert did were just to make Adele Warren suffer a little bit, and they didn't cause much bad influence.

——No one else in this world knows that that fragile child has passed away.

Just when Pei Xiang was thinking about how she could use her own means to get some justice for the original body, Rochester suddenly stood up from the sofa.

He paced back and forth in the room aggressively, like a lion ready to get angry at any time, with a pair of big black eyes flashing gloom and gloom from time to time.

"Albert, do you know how many children die every year? Do you know that even among the descendants of the royal family and nobles who are carefully cared for, many of them do not grow up smoothly?

"Albert, this child is neither stupid nor stupid. Doesn't she know her situation? Her mother disappeared, and she suddenly left her hometown with someone I haven't seen for a long time. It's her first time on a boat... Fear and panic Sickness comes together! If you don't receive careful care...

"Albert, let me ask you, if the worst thing happens, are you going to be tortured by self-blame and guilt for the rest of your life? Ha, then our master and servant are really a perfect match, and we are both tortured and destroyed by fate. poor detestable man!"

Albert's lips twitched, he wanted to say, how could things develop in the worst direction?There are so many children who are suffering and suffering in this world, don’t they all struggle to grow up?

However, when he looked at the little girl sitting on the low stool, some kind of lucky thoughts disappeared so suddenly.

— This child is spoiled, slender and pale, like a weak flower, unable to withstand any wind and rain.

"Mr. Rochester, allow me to apologize to Miss Warren."

Rochester looked down at Pei Xiang, and Pei Xiang immediately showed him a sweet smile, his bright light brown eyes were full of innocence and trust.

Rochester switched to French and said: "Adele, Mr. Albert has something to say to you, you have to listen to him carefully, okay?"

Pei Xiang turned his head and glanced at Albert, then sat upright:

"Yes, I promise."

"Miss Warren," Albert cleared his throat, "I want to extend my sincerest apologies to you."

"Apologize to me? Why?"

"Well, when you are sick, I should have arranged your daily life, and I shouldn't have Sophie take care of you when you are sick. And, as for your accommodation on the ship, it shouldn't be so far away from the first-class cabin, I should Arrange a more comfortable and spacious room for you."

After listening to Albert's words, Pei Xiang showed a thoughtful expression, as if trying to understand some meanings.After a while, she acted like a grown-up, and said reservedly:

"Mr. Albert, a good room must be very expensive. I shouldn't have cost Mr. Rochester too much money. I know that Mrs. Freddie told me that a good boy can't always ask his benefactor, To, have to learn to be functional and likable.

"Also, Mr. Albert, I think you should apologize to Sophie. She has been very tired and hard these days. One night, I don't remember what happened. I only know that it was very painful. Later Su Fei said, I kept crying, had a high fever, and fell into a coma, and she took care of me all the time. But in the end, Sophie was so tired that she fell asleep, you see, Sophie worked so hard."

Albert's heart trembled, he couldn't help but glanced at Rochester's face, it really became darker and colder.He couldn't help complaining in his heart, how could this seven-year-old child speak so well?

In order to prevent Pei Xiang from saying more disguised complaints, Albert quickly nodded in agreement, promising that he would apologize to Sophie.

After that, he glanced at Rochester cautiously, waiting for the other party's instructions.

Rochester ignored Albert, but frowned and asked Pei Xiang:

"Adele, do you really understand why Albert apologized to you?"

Pei Xiang tilted his head and looked at his guardian, with a trace of pride and joy in his delicate and delicate eyebrows:

"Isn't it because I lived in a bad place and then tired Sophie? Of course I understand. I said that I am very smart. I can learn everything my mother taught me. "

As soon as Celina Varen was mentioned, Rochester couldn't help mocking:

"What sensible knowledge can a shallow woman like her teach you?"

"Oh, my mother taught me to sing the opera. She said it was the art of life. If you don't believe me, I'll sing it to you right now."

"Need not……"

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

"Now, stop, Adele, stop, don't sing."

Rochester grabbed the apple on the table and stuffed it into Pei Xiang's open mouth.

"Flowers..." Pei Xiang puffed her cheeks innocently.

After this interruption, the tense atmosphere in the room relaxed slightly.

Rochester felt a tight pain in his chest from a series of "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" in a childish voice, he raised his hand a little tiredly, and said in English again:

"Albert, since Adele said so, you go and apologize to Sophie. After you get ashore, you go and call John and let him follow me. If you want to stay, go to Kent , I still have a farm property there that needs to be taken care of."

Albert suddenly raised his head, with disbelief in his eyes:

"Sir, Mr. Rochester, please give me another chance..."

Rochester shook his head:

"Albert, you should know that I hate deception and concealment the most in my life. This incident has touched my bottom line. Even though I don't have much affection for this child, since I am her guardian, I hope Let her have enough food and clothing instead of torturing her and abusing her. Even that woman... that lunatic... Forget it, Albert, you and John will make a deal, and wait a few years until this child is really After you understand what happened to her, if she can forgive you, you can come back."

Seeing that Rochester had made up his mind, Albert nodded with an ugly expression.

After Sophie and Albert left the suite, Rochester looked at Pei Xiang who was sitting on a low stool and gnawed an apple leisurely, and sighed helplessly.

He sat down slowly, his tall and muscular body occupied most of the couch, the line of his jaw was tense, and there was a deep crease between his eyebrows.

Pei Xiang glanced at Rochester curiously, and had a better understanding of the guardian's character.

After being quiet for a while, Rochester suddenly asked in a low voice:

"Adele, you didn't make it clear just now whether you forgave Albert. Did you refuse his apology unintentionally, or did you realize something?"

Pei Xiang bent his eyebrows towards Rochester, innocent as usual.

Rochester secretly laughed at himself being suspicious.

But in the next moment, the innocent girl got up and walked to the sofa, and looked at Rochester who was sitting on the sofa silently. After a while, she said in stumbling English:

"I almost died and I will never forgive Albert."

—Adele is dead, and Albert cannot live in comfort.

Rochester sat up straight the moment Pei Xiang spoke:

"You are indeed an overly clever kid...why do you have to confess?"

"You just said that you hate deception and concealment the most."

"If you don't speak up, I'll never find out."

"Mr. Rochester, if you treat me well, I will treat you well."

——The world is very complicated, and everyone has their own position.But if you give me shelter and food and clothing, I will join your camp and try my best to repay your kindness.