I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

Before dinner, Rochester asked Mrs. Fairfax to inform everyone in Thornfield House that Pei Xiang would be Miss "Adele Duran" from now on.

The biological parents of "Adele Duran" are the Durand couple from France.The two of them met Rochester in the West Indies, and later died of illness due to illness.Therefore, out of friendship, Mr. Rochester adopted the orphan of the Durands.

"Because of some formalities, Adele temporarily changed her surname to Valen with the French woman who took care of her. Now, I brought her back to Britain and decided to let her grow up in the beautiful scenery of England and accept the surname of an English lady. Orthodox education, so Adele's identity should be clarified."

Mrs. Fairfax was very satisfied that Pei Xiang had an irreproachable and innocent identity. She pretended that she had never found anything unreasonable, and said happily:

"Okay, Mr. Rochester, I will inform Miss Jane Eyre and all the servants in the manor about this, please rest assured."

Rochester nodded slightly, and didn't say anything more.

Pei Xiang noticed the tiredness hidden between the guardian's brows, and he didn't want to stay and disturb him, so he took advantage of the opportunity when Mrs. Fairfax turned to leave, and also got up to leave.

As soon as she went out, she chased after the housekeeper's wife, chattering about the main course and dessert for dinner.

When the little girl's joyful words and the old lady's kind voice gradually faded away, the room suddenly became quite deserted.Rochester, who was left behind, snorted, rubbed his temples, and took a short rest.

In the middle of the night, Pei Xiang climbed up to the third floor with homemade acupuncture tools and simple medicines, and accurately groped out of the room where Bertha Mason was in charge.

Covering her mouth and nose, she sprayed Grace Poole's room with some anesthetic gas, sending the caretaker into a deep slumber.

After a while, Pei Xiang walked into the guard's bedroom and carefully observed the layout inside.

Single bed, two chairs, a square wooden table, and a double-door wardrobe. At first glance, this is a very ordinary room, but if you look closely, you will find that on the walls of this ordinary room, there are still There was a small door that was shut tightly.

Pei Xiang approached the small door lightly, and there were rustling and walking sounds from inside that door, and a deep and strange laugh once or twice, which seemed particularly strange in the stillness of the night.

After listening for a while, Pei Xiang walked to Grace Poole's side again, took the key to open the door from her bedside, and then she slowly unlocked the small door.

The moment Pei Xiang opened the door, a pair of eyes gleaming coldly and fiercely in the darkness glared at him fiercely.

Internal force allowed Pei Xiang to see night as day, so she could see Bertha Mason's appearance clearly at once.

Tall, strong, her face was blue and swollen, her lips were purple, her eyes were cold and cloudy, her hair was long and black and disheveled, she was lying on the carpet on all fours, and she looked like an aggressive beast.

"Bertha Mason?" Pei Xiang called softly.

The other party didn't have an obvious reaction because of her name, she was panting heavily, and stared at the uninvited guest with cold and ruthless eyes.

Pei Xiang and Bertha looked at each other for about half a minute. In the silence, the other party couldn't help taking a half step back.

Seeing this, Pei Xiang raised his eyebrows slightly, thinking that no matter how crazy this lady is, she is still very sensitive to danger.The other party seems to be able to judge with natural intuition, who can provoke her, and who will not show mercy to her.

"Bertha, let me check on your situation." Pei Xiang took a step forward, explaining his purpose regardless of whether Bertha could understand, "I am a child adopted by Mr. Rochester. In order to repay him Your generosity, I will treat you."

Bertha had little reaction to her own name, but was sensitive to the pronunciation of the surname "Rochester."

As soon as Pei Xiang uttered the familiar syllables, Bertha Mason's dull expression suddenly became fierce and perverse, adding more hostility and hostility to Pei Xiang's gaze.

Pei Xiang laughed lightly: "You couple are really enemies."

As she spoke, she moved closer, and finally came within Bertha Mason's attack range.

So, of course, Pei Xiang got a fierce attack.

With a sound of "bang", Bertha, who rushed over, was pushed away by a strong force, and then hit the wall.

"Be good, Bertha, be quiet, and don't attack me."

"Ho Ho Ho... Hu Chi Hu Chi..."

The pain of her back hitting the wall deepened Bertha's madness. She felt the danger of the approaching person, but her eyes were excited.The urge to destroy everything made Bertha Mason's eyes flush, and deep in her heart was the urge to bite and taste the blood. She immediately attacked with a grinning grin, aiming directly at Pei Xiangbai. slender neck.

Seeing Bertha rushing over again, Pei Xiang didn't dodge. She twisted three small silver needles with her fingertips, and took advantage of the situation to plunge into Bertha's three important acupuncture points.

As a result, the lunatic who was barking his teeth and claws just now became stiff in an instant.There were crackling sounds in her throat, and a pair of slightly protruding eyeballs rolled around, but her vigorous and strong limbs could no longer be controlled, and could only hang powerlessly by her side.

Pei Xiang temporarily deprived Bertha of her mobility, and then began to check her body.

Ten minutes later, Pei Xiang sighed worriedly.

"Your illness, judging from my current medical skills and the medical conditions of this era, cannot be completely cured. I can only try to make you feel less painful and uncomfortable, and prolong your waking time."

While talking, she applied needles on the patient's body, and at the same time used her own superficial internal strength as an aid.

As the treatment time increased, the ferocious expression on Bertha's face gradually calmed down, and the wild beast-like coldness in her eyes also dissipated by three points.However, there is still a pure malice in her eyebrows that makes ordinary people shudder.

Pei Xiang was always paying attention to the changes in the patient's expression. Seeing Bertha's eyes showing surprise and doubt, she said slowly:

"I know that you have been enduring a lot of pain that ordinary people can't understand. For example, you have a splitting headache, irritability and oppression, occasionally you see some phantoms, and you feel that someone is spying on you, hostile to you and laughing at you, which makes you feel uneasy , Restless. After a long time, you gradually fell into a mania, and even started to attack people close to you. However, you should also be sober, like now."

"Who are you?"

Bertha's tone of voice was very strange, and her voice was rough and unpleasant.

"I am a child brought up by Mr. Rochester."

"Kid? Ho ho ho... Kid? You... what did you do to me?"

"This is witchcraft," Pei Xiang deliberately lowered his voice and said gloomyly, "Only mysterious and profound witchcraft can restrain your madness."

Bertha's swollen face twisted, and her eyes were a little dull.

Pei Xiang changed his voice into a sweet little girl's voice again:

"It seems that you already believe my answer."

"I, I believe it?"

"Yes, because you feel the peace and comfort you haven't seen for a long time, right? In the past, even when you were sober, you would feel agitated and confused, right? You remember what you did when you were crazy, remember those things People's insults and taunts at you, right?"

"Ho ho ha ha ha ha..." Bertha Mason laughed bitterly.

Pei Xiang continued calmly:

"So, you cursed Mr. Rochester when you were sober, and cursed everyone who you think is bad for you. Then, you let yourself fall into chaos and anger again, and vented your dissatisfaction and fear to your heart's content, right?"

Anger mixed with fear flashed across Bertha's eyes. She wanted to turn her head to see the witch next to her clearly, but unfortunately the light was too dim, so she could only vaguely feel that the speaker was a thin and small man.

"You're not a child! Who the hell are you?"

"Are you sure you want to know the truth? Bertha, there is a price to pay for knowing the truth."

"The price? The price! Yes, I want that arrogant and cold man to pay the price! That bastard, #@!...&...%￥# A dirty coward who is not as good as a pig or a dog!"

Bertha was sober for a very short time, and soon, she fell into fantasy and madness again, cursing and swearing with hatred for Rochester.

Pei Xiang lowered his eyes and continued to treat Bertha without moving his eyes. After half an hour, she completed the first trial treatment.

At this time, Bertha calmed down again, and her eyes showed a sober light again.

Pei Xiang packed up the silver needles and said:

"Have you already felt it? As long as I treat you, you will be able to avoid those horrible hallucinations that make you uncomfortable, those chaotic and disturbing horrors and depressions, Bertha, do you like this relaxed feeling without illness?"

Bertha Mason stared at Pei Xiang intently, with awe and dependence in her eyes that she didn't realize.

For a person who has been tortured by illness for more than ten years, no, or it can be said that from birth to now, Bertha Mason has been fighting against the innate blood curse, and she has long forgotten what peace of mind is. Taste it.

However, tonight this little witch girl gave her a taste of heaven.

"Can you... save me?"

"I can't cure you completely, I can only make you feel more comfortable when you are awake."

"Why, want, help me?"

"I am for Mr. Rochester."

This answer made Bertha Mason's face twist again:

"That hypocritical and cold bastard... he wants me to die, how can he ask someone to help me?"

"He didn't know that I came to you." Pei Xiang took a deep breath, hugged Bertha horizontally, and put her on the bed. "I came to heal you to repay him. As for me, I hope you can help me. What to do, I won't tell you for now."

Bertha's body was still stiff, but she could clearly feel that a small, soft body with the smell of milk approached her, then picked her up again, and placed her carefully on the soft bed .

A long lost hug.

Bertha slowly closed her eyes. She was naturally clumsy and couldn't figure out many complicated things, but she could feel that she was being treated patiently, without disgust or rejection, ridicule or questioning, disgust or discrimination.

——Since her mother went crazy, she hasn't been treated normally like this for a long time.

——Father was in a hurry to marry her off, as if throwing off a heavy burden.

——The man who was obsessed with her and said he loved him soon regretted it, and there was no more love and warmth in his eyes.

"Witch, will you come again?"

"Yes, you are a patient, since I started treating you, I won't give up halfway."

Bertha smiled when she got what she wanted.She hadn't smiled in years, though, so all she could do was twist her purple lips awkwardly, which made her look even scarier than when she laughed out loud.

While talking, Pei Xiang stuffed a pill that melted in the mouth into Bertha's mouth.

After that, Bertha Mason's consciousness gradually became blurred, and her clear thinking was far away from her again.However, she didn't want to hurt herself and others as she used to go crazy countless times. Under the effect of the medicine, she lay quietly on the bed and entered a bizarre dream.

Pei Xiang checked the sleeping Bertha Mason again, recorded some of her symptoms and reactions, and quietly left the hidden room.

Outside, the caretaker Grace Poole was still asleep.

Pei Xiang re-locked Bertha's room door, returned the key, and put the self-made sober potion under the sleeping man's nose, letting her smell it.

Afterwards, she left silently before Grace came to her senses.

The next morning, Pei Xiang followed the tutor to class.

After Rochester was busy for a while, he happened to hear Jane Eyre teaching Pei Xiang to play the piano.He listened intently for a few minutes, then called out impatiently.

"Okay, Miss Ai, just like what I said last night, your piano skills are just passable, that is, the level of ordinary female students, oh, maybe better, but far from outstanding."

Jane Eyre saluted without being humble, and calmly replied to Mr. Rochester's evaluation.She said that this is the best level she can achieve so far. Naturally, she is not as good as many talented people who can freely wander in the ocean of music.

"So, are you satisfied with your current playing level?"

"It's far from being satisfactory, and I'm still trying to improve. But I think that, at present, I can still be qualified for the post of tutor to Miss Adele Duran."

Rochester's expression suddenly became rich and lively. Obviously, the young girl in front of him who was neither submissive nor self-important caught his attention and made him interested in chatting.

He glanced at the time and said loudly:

"Adele, I've been busy all morning, and you've been busy all morning too. Stop playing the piano first, take a rest, and spare my poor ears by the way."

Pei Xiang stopped practicing according to her words, she jumped off the piano bench and rang the bell.

After a while, Sophie came in: "Miss Adele, what are your orders?"

"Sophie, I want some fruit."

Sophie nodded, and looked at Rochester again.

Rochester ordered softly: "Have some tea, this morning's class is over here. After a while, you ask Mrs. Fairfax to bring the lunch, and we will eat here."

Sophie stepped back.

Rochester asked about Jane Eyre's life in Lowood boarding school, Pei Xiang was distracted after listening for a while.

To tell the truth, she was much more interested in treating Bertha Mason now.

——Actually, I can also choose to stand by and watch, follow the established plot of the original book, wait until Bertha Mason sets fire to Thornfield, and then rescue Mr. Rochester, which is also a kind of repayment.

——However, Bertha Mason is dead. Is such an ending really what Rochester wants?If so, why did he risk his life to save her?

—even... During the many years before, including the "escort" of Bertha Mason from the West Indies to England, he had countless opportunities to kill his mad wife without arousing suspicion, but he never did do that.

——However, he didn't kill her, but he couldn't love her, tolerate her and pity her. He was just enduring her, torturing himself and the other party.

——Are the blind eyes and disabled limbs the salvation in his heart?

Days passed, and by the time Rochester's sprained ankle had recovered, three weeks had passed.

The man was not idle while he was convalescing. He was visited every day by managers, lawyers, bookkeepers, tenants, and gentlemen from the neighborhood. There is no peace and tranquility as before.

That night, Pei Xiang was about to go to bed, but suddenly he was attracted by the faint sound of the piano.She listened attentively, and was immersed in those smooth and beautiful notes without knowing it, so she sneaked out of the room again and followed the sound of the music to find it.

In the study, Rochester, who had drunk some wine, played the piano alone for a while on a whim.His thoughts were surging, and many old things came to his mind, and he was immersed in his own music world for a while.

After he came back to his senses for a while, he suddenly found that a certain little girl who should have gone to bed a long time ago was sitting on the high-back chair with a face full of intoxication, holding her face in her small hands, closing her eyes, and shaking her feet , seems to be very comfortable and enjoyable.

Seeing such a scene, no matter how sentimental Rochester was, those pessimistic and cynical emotions disappeared at this moment.

—— Most of them were frightened by the naughty little devil who suddenly appeared, and the rest were amused by the little girl's intoxicated expression.

"Adele, I don't like to see you running around like this."

"Mr. Rochester, what piece did you play just now? It's so nice. Can I learn it?"

"No, it's too difficult for you. Go back to sleep, where is Sophie, why didn't you keep an eye on you?"

"Oh, don't blame Sophie, I was already going to sleep, but the sound of your piano interrupted my sleepiness."

Rochester raised his eyebrows thickly: "Adele, I remember that your bedroom is on the east side of the second floor at the back, and this is on the west side of the front building. There are three corridors and several large living rooms in between. How did you hear me? playing the piano?"

"I am a music elf with sharp eyes and ears. As long as there is a beautiful piano sound near me, I can always sense it. Especially after night falls, it happens to be the most abundant time for my elf magic, and tonight there will be a moon, You can't hide it from me."

"The curtains are drawn in this room, and the moonlight can't come in at all. I think your magic has failed, so turn into a human child and go back to bed."

"I do not!"

"I can pick you up, Adele, and then, tomorrow morning, I'll tell everyone on the estate that I'll drive you back to the bedroom like a piggy. In that case, Adele Leh, everyone will laugh at you."

"Mr. Rochester, I bet I can escape before you pick me up. Do you want to play hide and seek with me? In the study at night."

Rochester briefly imagined the scene of himself and Adele chasing after each other, and couldn't help turning black.

He looked down at the little girl's sly and smug smile, and couldn't help pinching the bridge of her tall nose.He sighed and compromised:

"Well, well, Adele, what do you want to do? Tell me what tricks are going on in your little head, for the sake of my good mood."

"Teach me to play, Mr. Rochester."

"I think this is Miss Eyre's responsibility. I give her a salary of thirty pounds a year, not charity."

"Oh, I know this. But, Jane's working time is not at night, Mr. Rochester, you can't be a cold-blooded exploiter, you have to let my tutor have enough rest time."

"Then as a student, you should also go to bed early."

"No, Mr. Rochester, I want to learn the piece you just played. I like it."

"That's too hard..."

"You can try to teach me, I'm smart. Besides, you can't sleep now anyway, and you sit here alone worrying and suffering, why don't you let me accompany you to pass the time."

Rochester's eyebrows twitched, and he said stiffly: "What sorrow and pain? I'm in a good mood, you see, I'm still in the mood to play the piano."

Pei Xiang thought, if he is really in a good mood, he should fall asleep soundly under the bright moonlight at this moment, why bother to drink alone and play such an emotional movement alone.

She didn't want Rochester to immerse himself in the past and be bored with himself, so she continued nagging to distract him.

After all, Rochester couldn't bear the child's coquettish entanglement, and he also planned to make Pei Xiang retreat, so he began to teach her to play the piece just now.

To be honest, Rochester's musical talent is indeed very outstanding, and his knowledge reserve is also very rich and extensive. When Pei Xiang studied with him, he always had the feeling of having met a famous teacher and suddenly became enlightened.

Of course, you can't learn much in one night.Therefore, Rochester, who always liked to start and finish things, made an extra study plan with Pei Xiang before sending her back to the children's room.

Warm days are always passing by quickly.

One day, Mrs. Fairfax inadvertently muttered a few words, saying that Mr. Rochester had changed recently. He had stayed in Thornfield for eight weeks, which was not more than two weeks before. Compared with the record of the first week, it is really incredible.

Of course, as the housekeeper of Thornfield House, this responsible wife definitely hopes that the owner, Rochester, can live here all year round.In this way, Thornfield Hall will be restored to its former glory.