I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

After five days of sailing in the blue and magnificent Caribbean Sea, Pei Xiang finally arrived at the lush island of Jamaica.

The climate on the island is pleasant and the scenery is beautiful. Pei Xiang was not in a hurry, so she played while walking. By the time she arrived at the bustling and ancient Spanish city, she had already stayed on the island for fifteen or six days.

After having fun, Pei Xiang started to deal with business.She inquired about the current situation of the members of the Mason family among the various schools and schools, and of course the focus was on Mr. Daniel Mason.

This gentleman has a very good reputation.

He doesn't gamble, doesn't drink too much, doesn't hang out with beautiful and coquettish men and women, his daily hobbies are medicine and astrology, and occasionally he collects bits and pieces of cultural symbols left over from the Arawak Indians.He is interested in tribal culture, totem rituals and medieval witch legends.

In short, this is a wealthy gentleman who loves research, is charitable, gentle, and rarely hostile.

After Pei Xiang collected the local people's evaluation of Daniel Mason, he decided to meet him in person.

Unfortunately, Pei Xiang, who was dressed in disguise, learned from his servants that Daniel Mason was not in Spain at present, but went to Kingston, and it was said that he was going to attend the party at the governor's manor.

"When will he return?"

The gardener, who was happily bribed by Pei Xiang's wine and money, replied with a shake of his head:

"Gentlemen go out to have fun, there is no set return time, maybe they will leave the island by boat as soon as they are happy. But, Mr. Mason should not be away from home for too long, hehe, here... I am reluctant."

Pei Xiang raised his eyebrows slightly, and asked softly:

"What are you reluctant to part with? Could it be that the Governor's luxurious manor is not as comfortable as the house in this city?"

The gardener raised his head and took a sip of strong wine, touched the silver coins in his arms, squinted at Pei Xiang with a smile:

"Boy, you're still too young. You'll know after a few years. No matter how big or luxurious this house is, it can't compare to the beautiful girl in your arms. Hey, here we are... oh, I can't tell, Anyway, I'm thinking, Mr. Mason must have secretly hidden a beautiful woman at home."

Pei Xiang opened his eyes in surprise:

"Beauty? Didn't you say that Mr. Mason is not married yet?"

"You silly boy, you hide beauties secretly only when you are not married. Do you want to put your mistress at home blatantly? If that happens, the future Mrs. Mason will definitely be unhappy."

Pei Xiang squatted on the ground and touched his chin, agreeing:

"Brother, you are right, thank you for reminding me! I was still hesitating how to please Mr. Mason, now that I know he already has a lover, then I will send some exquisite and inexpensive jewelry. Women are always easier Please."

The drunken gardener patted Pei Xiang on the shoulder and rolled his eyes:

"Are you stupid to say you are stupid? No matter whether there is beauty or not, it is my old Tom's secret guess. I don't know if it is accurate, but Mr. Mason certainly doesn't want outsiders to know. You are so straightforward Didn't you tell Mr. Mason blatantly, that...do you know his secret?"

Pei Xiang smiled foolishly and nodded receptively.

The gardener grinned in satisfaction, thinking that this young man who came to find a way to do business was really nice, and he could listen to him and persuade him.The most important thing is that the humble gardener who looked down on him did not join the servants and servants in the room.

"Brother, it's right for you to come to me to inquire about things. You see, the people who come and go in and out of this mansion, except for the front door, are the corner gates in the back garden. Hehe, they are all under my nose, I know it That's too much. Even if you ask those menservants with upturned nostrils, they won't know anything about some things."

Pei Xiang immediately flattered him with a few words, which made the gardener very happy.He took another sip of the fine wine that he had been coveting and couldn't afford before, and whispered a lot of his little discoveries to Pei Xiang.

Of course, most of these small discoveries are useless, and there are elements of exaggeration and fabrication in it.But Pei Xiang still listened carefully, and occasionally guided the topic without any trace, and extracted a lot of useful information from it.

After bidding farewell to the gardener, Pei Xiang walked around the Mason's house, and after noting the location, terrain and access routes, he returned to the temporary residence.

As night fell, Pei Xiang sneaked into Daniel Mason's study.

After a cursory look, she found that, as rumored, this person was particularly keen on medicine and mysticism.In the entire study room, apart from a drawer of business documents and correspondence, the books in several large bookcases are all related to his hobbies.

Pei Xiang glanced across the rows of book spines, and carefully observed the small scratches on the bookshelf, delineating some of the books that the owner of the study often picked to read.

Pei Xiang quickly scanned the contents, his brows gradually frowned.

She found that although the titles of these books are various and the theories involved in the content are quite broad, if summed up carefully, the information carried in these words actually has a core point, which is "human spiritual body".

"Human soul? Spiritual consciousness?" Pei Xiang thought to himself, "Why is this Daniel Mason interested in these?"

In fact, after realizing the focus of Daniel Mason's interest, Pei Xiang immediately thought of Bertha Mason, who suffers from a genetic disease.

But she turned to consider that Bertha's madness was inherited from her mother, and to be honest, it had little to do with the Mason family itself.When Richard Mason died, his estate was taken over by his cousins, who were very healthy and normal Englishmen.

——So, is he purely interested in research, or does he have other secrets?

Pei Xiang suddenly remembered that Daniel Mason had visited Bertha frequently in the past few years, and each time he would stay by Bertha's side for quite a few days before leaving England with regret on his face.

At that time, Pei Xiang had never met Daniel Mason in person, and occasionally heard the name from the maid who took care of Bertha, and he only thought that he was a member of the side branch of the family who was interested in Bertha's property.But now it seems that things are definitely not that simple.

While thinking about various possibilities, Pei Xiang searched the study room, but found no particularly useful clues, so she searched in the direction of the master bedroom.

At the same time, in a Greek-style manor near Kingston, the newly appointed Governor of Jamaica is hosting a banquet for an investigation team from the British Isles.

This is an investigation team with high standards and great powers. It will not only investigate and liquidate certain issues left over by the previous governor, but also comprehensively evaluate the economic development of the British colony.

After the investigation, they will submit a report to the parliament on whether to ban the preferential tax policies for import and export. The conclusions of the report are related to the interests of all parties.

The head of the inquiry was the shrewd and prudent Baron of Portland, who held an important position in the Earl of Walpole's faction.The other members also have their own backgrounds and standpoints. Among them, the most striking one is a young and handsome face.

Well-informed upper echelons knew that this innocent-looking young man was anything but simple.He is the most important confidant of the Earl of Walpole recently, and there are even rumors that the Earl has a tendency to train him as his successor over the eldest son who is in poor health.

"Mr. Grant, how has the past month been? Are you still used to the climate and diet here?"

The plump and tall Governor's wife looked at Theodore Grant with concern, with a kind smile.

Theodore politely praised the picturesque scenery of Jamaica and expressed his gratitude to the Governor's Palace for the hospitality.

The governor's wife immediately said enthusiastically:

"The waterfalls near here are very distinctive, and the climate in the mountains is also very cool. If Mr. Grant wants to go to the mountains for fun, he can ask a servant who is familiar with the mountain roads to lead the way. When the weather is fine, go around the valley to the north of the manor. Along the way Mr Grant will not be disappointed by the elegant scenery."

"If I have free time, I will definitely go for a walk in the mountains according to Madam's suggestion."

"Elegant gentlemen shouldn't be kidnapped by work," the Governor's wife joked. "Young people like you are going through the most energetic stage of your life. You should enjoy life to the fullest and live up to the good times."

A certain gentleman on the side smiled and echoed:

"I totally agree with Madam, Mr. Grant. Young ladies need the attentive company of equally young gentlemen. You can't forget the necessity of socializing just for the boring data. Haha, I overheard some ladies before Said that they wanted to go to see the waterfall in the back mountain, but unfortunately they couldn't do it because of the weather. Let me tell you, it's better to take advantage of the good weather these days, let's go into the mountain together, of course, I'm sure not as good as you welcome."

Several young ladies who had been paying attention to Theodore Grant were delighted by this proposal. Their bright eyes swept across Theodore's seat frequently, and their expressions of anticipation were obvious.

Seeing the eagerness and curiosity in her daughter Elizabeth's eyes, the governor's wife smiled slightly, and she looked at Theodore with a bit of satisfaction and love in her eyes.

Theodore nodded with a light smile, without saying anything, and he tacitly accepted the itinerary to enjoy the waterfall.

The party ended just before midnight, and instead of going straight to the guest suite, Theodore called on Daniel Mason, who was also a guest.

"Mr. Mason, can I speak to you?"

Mason was taken aback: "Now? Will it take a long time?"

"Maybe," Theodore glanced at his pocket watch, "it's not an easy topic, it needs to be kept secret, and it's not suitable during the day."

Mason couldn't help frowning, he looked at Theodore for a moment, and then moved out of the way to invite Theodore to enter.

"Mr. Grant, I'm a little tired, please make a long story short."

Theodore chose a seat by the window and sat down, his gaze fell on a half-read book.

""Mysterious Oriental Witchcraft"? What is the content of this book? Is it the author's personal experience?"

Mason shook his head regretfully: "The story is quite interesting, but after careful reading, you will find that most of the content in it is false, and the author has made many common-sense mistakes."

Theodore smiled gracefully, and said in a calm tone:

"That would be a pity. I thought Mr. Mason would find some useful magical methods from this book. In this way, you can restore your wife to sanity as soon as possible."

These words were like pebbles breaking the calm lake, and instantly shattered Daniel Mason's suave expression.

"Mr. Grant... are you kidding me?"

"Did my words scare you?"

Theodore looked at Mason with a tangled expression in his spare time, and sarcastically said:

"I originally planned to have a few polite greetings with Mr. Mason, but since you want me to make a long story short, then I will directly explain my purpose. Daniel Mason, after I came to the island, I secretly investigated you, and I found out I got a surprise. Heh, how is that crazy woman hiding in your house? Is she going crazy and beating you again?

Mason's cheeks were tense, and he stared at Theodore's complacent brows and eyes.

Theodore smiled, and he said slowly in a storytelling tone:

"Jonas Mason fell in love with a Creole woman and insisted on getting married despite the idiots and lunatics in her family for generations. As a result, in middle age, Jonas' wife went crazy, and his daughter Bertha Not normal, son Richard is not healthy either.

"Every one of you Masons knows about the tragedy of Jonas, and what kind of disaster that Creole man has brought. But reason is one thing, emotion is another.

"Many years later, a man named Daniel Mason fell in love with the woman of that family again, and took risks to be with her again. Maybe, he thought at the time, not everyone would go crazy, just a few, and he himself Not so unfortunate.

"Unfortunately, that woman did not escape the curse of family blood, and gradually became crazy on a certain day. Mr. Daniel Mason, who loved his wife deeply, fell into pain, but what could he do? He concealed his wife The truth of hurting people, secretly hiding people around me, and trying to find a cure for madness..."

"Enough! Don't say it, Mr. Grant," Daniel Mason interrupted Theodore's narration sharply, "Come on, you have proved that you know a lot of things."

"Yes, I have visited a few wounded. Some were blinded by lunatics, and some were missing fingers. Although they received financial subsidies, their lives were ruined. Especially those young maids back then, they are still missing. They're all alone."

Daniel Mason said coldly:

"They were attacked by wild beasts in the mountains, and it has nothing to do with my wife. In addition, I have already made compensation, and I don't owe anyone anything. Please be careful with Mr. Grant."

Theodore snorted and looked at Daniel Mason meaningfully.

After a while, Mason stepped back half a step in compromise, and asked slowly and gloomyly:

"You came to me, what do you want?"

Theodore said leisurely: "I want you to feel the pain and panic, Mr. Mason, because you are trying to hurt my beloved."

Mason was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly realized: "Are you complaining about that illegitimate daughter?"

"Please pay attention to your address, Mr. Mason. I guess you don't want to offend me at the moment."

Mason sneered disdainfully: "It's okay to offend you, this is not England, this is Jamaica across the Atlantic Ocean. Mr. Grant, I also have to remind you to be careful."

Theodore raised his eyebrows indifferently:

"If something happens to me, it must be caused by a lunatic. At that time, let someone help me avenge it. Mr. Mason, guess what they will do to a irrational wounder? Should the special surveillance institute give her severe treatment, or should she be hanged directly?"

"you dare……"

"Whether I dare or not depends on Mr. Mason's attitude of admitting his mistake. You know, I can do it."

Clenching his fists slowly, then loosening them again, Mason took a deep breath.

"Mr. Grant, I am all ears to your advice."

"First, stop any plans or actions to harm Miss Adele Duran, oh, of course including her valued relatives and friends, such as Mr. Rochester and Ms. Bertha Mason."

"You have controlled Selina Warren, and you have made Briggs' soft bone confess everything. I have lost important witness evidence. How can I cause harm to Miss Duran? You are too worried, Mr. Grant. "

Of course, Theodore would not tell Daniel Mason any truth. He acquiesced to the other party's statement, and then said:

"I don't believe in Mr. Mason's promise, but I believe... I have already grasped something that can make you afraid, so let me believe that you will not cause trouble for me and Miss Duran again."

"What other conditions?" Mason asked gloomily.

Theodore spat out one word: "Reparation."

With a sneer, Mason showed such an expression as expected:

"This is the highlight of the night, right? Why, you also want to get the personal letters from the previous governor and the vice admiral of a certain country from me? That's no good. If I lose that amulet, I will lose some guarantee of getting rich , and lost the financial support to find an effective treatment for my wife.

"Mr. Grant, I can only fulfill one of your two conditions today, and you can choose to make a trade-off."

Theodore shook his head. The compensation he wanted was not communication evidence. He had his own way to find those physical evidence.

But before he could explain clearly, Mason on the opposite side quickly said:

"To be honest, the reason I want to disturb Miss Duran's peaceful life is just to get a prescription from her for treating Bertha Mason. Of course, if I can get in touch with the Dongfang who has a close relationship with Miss Duran A miraculous doctor would be even better. All I want is for my wife to return to normal. Regarding this, I believe Mr. Grant, who has his own heart, will understand me."

Theodore was thoughtful: "So...you mean, if your wife can recover from illness, you will hand over the letter and let me make a great contribution in the investigation team?"

Mason returned to his previous gentle and confident appearance, he smiled and nodded:

"That's right, Mr. Grant. In fact, there is no need to be so tense between you and me. As long as you can persuade Miss Duran to explain the detailed treatment plan, and then contact the mysterious oriental man, I will fully assist Mr. Grant's career." .Not only that, I can also give you my sugar cane plantation and winery."

"It's really a tempting condition," Theodore sighed softly, "Unfortunately, this is not the compensation I want."

The smile in Mason's eyes stagnated, and then he looked at Theodore hesitantly.

Theodore said slowly: "I heard that you bought a sapphire of good quality, and also collected a whole set of diamond jewelry that was once treasured in the Tsar's private treasury. They are all highly praised treasures."

"Oh, Mr. Grant is really well-informed." Mason felt a little bit reluctant when he realized Theodore's plan.

Theodore pretended to be humble and said:

"Under normal circumstances, I don't pay much attention to this news. However, the Governor's wife and her daughter always talked about Mr. Mason's jewelry collection in front of me, so I remembered some. It just so happened that I was thinking about customizing two pieces recently For the pair of gemstone rings, I think the sapphire is very suitable, it is big enough, and it is just right when it is divided into two."

Mason didn't say yes right away.

Theodore squinted at the other party: "It's just two collections, and it doesn't prevent Mr. Mason from protecting your wife. Could it be...you don't even have this sincerity?"

"Forget it, since Mr. Grant has fallen in love with you," Mason sighed and compromised, "then I will reluctantly give up."

Theodore smiled with satisfaction, stood up and prepared to leave.

Mason quickly called to him: "Mr. Grant, about my wife..."

"That's your private matter. As long as you stop disturbing Miss Duran, no one will deliberately care about your family life."

"Can't I really ask Miss Duran to inform me about the treatment plan? I have observed Bertha's situation over the years, and Mr. Rochester has almost never intervened, and Miss Duran is responsible for it alone. This shows that she has indeed mastered some magical things. Oriental medicine, I want to ask her for help."

Theodore said coldly: "If you impress Adele with enough sincerity from the beginning, she might help you. But it's too late, we already know your plan, so it's good not to hold grudges. Furthermore...Mr. Mason, frankly speaking, even if we give you the prescription and treatment method now, do you dare to try it? Are you not afraid that we will take the opportunity to take revenge?"

"I trust Mr. Grant's character."

"It's a pity, but I can't give you this promise, and I'm not qualified to make decisions for Miss Duran."

Mason's eyes were dark, he hid in the shadows, and didn't say anything more.

Theodore didn't seem to feel the vaguely depressed danger. He waved his hand easily and said that when he returned to Spanish City, he hoped that Mr. Mason would fulfill his promise as soon as possible and send the compensation to his residence.

——Adele said before that she thought the set of diamond jewelry that once belonged to the Tsarist Russian royal family was very bright and beautiful...

Mason asked with a smirk, "So, we are even?"

Theodore responded happily: "Yes, I'm even with you."

—As for Adele, it's another matter, and I can't decide for her.

Theodore left for a long time, and Daniel Mason slowly lit a cigar in the dark.He looked at the crescent moon outside the window, thinking that some people know too much and are too greedy, so they should be punished.

—Young man, what was taken from me must be given back to me.

—without the protection of Theodore Grant, that Miss Duran was easier to deal with.

——Rochester...that is a paper tiger, nothing to be afraid of.

No matter how Daniel Mason forbears to plot, Theodore fell asleep soon after returning to his room.

In the dream, Sister Adele was still holding his hand as she was when she was a child, but the two of them were wearing a gorgeous and shining sapphire ring on each hand, and they looked like a perfect pair, no matter the ring or the person.

Just when most people were falling asleep, Pei Xiang found a secret room in Daniel Mason's bedroom.

A mad woman was locked in the secret room, and she stared fiercely at the strange intruder like a wild beast.

Pei Xiang carefully observed the environment of the secret room first, and she soon realized that Daniel Mason should be deeply in love with each other.

Because this room is very warm and comfortable, every small detail is as perfect as possible, neither making the room look boring and monotonous, nor making the extra decorations hurt the delirious patient.

After observing the environment of the secret room, Pei Xiang turned his attention to the people inside.This person has been well taken care of. Looking at her appearance alone, she is a great beauty, and, judging from her facial features, she can still find a few shadows of Bertha Mason on her body.

—Bertha's relatives?Relatives from her mother's side?

Relying on martial arts and medical skills, Pei Xiang checked the body of the aggressive woman in front of her. The similar illness made her more convinced of her previous guess.

After that, she searched the bedroom and the secret room carefully, and confirmed that Daniel Mason and the woman in the secret room were indeed a couple.Maybe there is a lack of legal procedures, but in Daniel Mason's heart, this is his wife.

Thinking of the books in Daniel Mason's study, Pei Xiang quickly figured out why the other party came to him.

——It turned out that it was not because of any personal enmity with Mr. Rochester, but because he wanted my treatment plan and prescription.

——Since you want to discuss business, you should come to the door openly, why set a trap first without saying a word?

——Also, what happened to the men in the Mason family?The old Mason married Bertha and Richard's mother as his wife, and now another Mason is marrying a girl from that family. Is this the power of love?