I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

The friendship between Pei Xiang and Melanie is gradually deepening.

She always takes care of Melanie as a gentle and sensible little sister, and is willing to listen to her every thought and tell her what she has seen and heard in England.

At the same time, Pei Xiang will not pretend to be a standard elegant lady in the face of friends she has made sincerity. She very frankly talked about her experience of starting from scratch with her brother Edward, and also explained that the financial conditions of the Hoffman family are It's been a couple of years that things really got better.

Miss Melanie Hamilton did not alienate the Hoffman brothers and sisters because of Pei Xiang's truth, but treated them with a more sincere attitude.

"Atlanta is a young and vibrant city. I grew up here, and I like the feeling that the old and the new coexist together. Lucy, hardworking and decent people are always worthy of kindness and respect."

"Melanie, you are such a sweetheart... Hey, you are blushing again, haha... Your family lives on Peach Tree Street, and your face is like a peach blossom."

"Well, Lucy, don't always play tricks on Miss Melanie."

"Oh, Edward, don't bother us. Charles, take my brother away quickly"

Because of the close relationship between the two young girls, the Hoffman and Hammerton families also became more and more frequent.

Edward is a very masculine young and middle-aged man. He has rich experience in going out to make a living, and he took up the important task of supporting his family early on.Therefore, his words and deeds always unconsciously bring decisiveness and calmness, which is exactly what Charles Hamilton, who grew up living with female relatives, lacked and yearned for.

So, unconsciously, Charles trusted Edward more and more.

When Ashley Wilkes proposed to invite Pei Xiang and Edward to Twelve Oaks Manor, the Hamilton brothers and sisters naturally joined the trip, and even planned to live with their cousins ​​for a while.

Speaking of the fact that southerners travel far away as guests, they must spend a lot of time packing a lot of luggage when they travel, because they don't know how long they will stay outside once they go out as guests.

For example, a newlywed couple going to a relative's house for their honeymoon will likely stay there until their second child is babbling.

For another example, someone just wants to go to a friend's house for a dinner at the beginning, but it is very likely that at the invitation of the enthusiastic host, he will spend a Christmas with the trend, and then return home when the spring flowers bloom in the next year.

For the rich and leisurely class in the south, going out as a guest must be calm and leisurely.

Those who are guests are not in a hurry to leave; those who are hosts are always cheerful and not bothered.Anyway, the land here is sparsely populated, and the houses of every household are bright and spacious, and it will not be crowded just because one or two guests move in. (1)

On the way to the Twelve Oaks Manor in Clayton County, Melanie told Pei Xiang everything about the south like a bird, describing this elegant world she has been accustomed to since she was born, and describing the here Orderly and organized.

While listening to Melanie's light, soft and cheerful voice, Pei Xiang looked at the muddy yellow river and red soil outside the carriage, as well as the hard-working people on the vast land.

On the third day after arriving at Twelve Oaks Manor, Ashley took his friends to visit the neighbors, and Pei Xiang also met Scarlett O'Hara, the heroine of the novel "Gone with the Wind". .

She remembered that, as described in the original book, the first time Scarlett fell in love with Ashley was when Ashley came to visit O'Hara on horseback after returning home after a three-year tour of Europe. At home at Tara Manor.

At that time, the little girl with a pair of green eyes was fascinated by the melancholy and elegant Ashley at once, and she fell into the love that she could not ask for for more than ten years.

——Even though the war destroyed her homeland and Atlanta, it failed to destroy Scarlett's pursuit and fascination with Ashley until Melanie died.

Sure enough, after seeing Ashley appearing in Tara Manor, Scarlett was filled with joy.Her bright green eyes suddenly became brighter.

"Ashley!" Scarlett walked quickly, her skirt fluttering and her figure slim and light.

"Scarlett, nice to meet you, you are still so beautiful and energetic. Come, let me introduce my friends to you."

Ashley stepped forward to hold Scarlett's hand, greeted her, and then turned to introduce Pei Xiang and others.

Then, Pei Xiang immediately got the vigilant and guarded eyes of the heroine.

Probably because of Pei Xiang's appearance, Scarlett ignored the petite and quiet Melanie, and regarded Pei Xiang standing next to Ashley as an imaginary enemy.

Of course Ashley was unaware of this veiled rivalry among the young girls.With a faint smile, he looked at the lively Scarlett in admiration, and said gently:

"Scarlett, do you still remember Melanie and Charles? I remember you met before, was it at Twelve Oaks Manor or in Atlanta?"

"Oh, Ashley, Twelve Oaks, of course. We were kids then, and I didn't go to Fayetteville Girls, and you didn't go to Europe to see the paintings, the sculptures, the buildings. What, let's play and have a picnic on the grassy slope leading to the rose garden, don't you forget?"

Ashley suddenly said: "It happened at that time, it feels like time flies so fast."

"Yes, the four Tarleton brothers hadn't dropped out of college at that time. They were still Mrs. Tarleton's darling ponies."

Scarlett held Ashley's arm, smiling a little smugly, she was very happy to attract Ashley's full attention.

"Ashley, do you remember? Let's ride to Fontaine's..."

"Yes, Scarlett, your riding skills were very good back then..."

Pei Xiang took Charles' arm and walked behind them.

After observing the interaction between Scarlett and Ashley for a while, she turned her head to look at the male companion beside her, and asked softly about the entertainment activities that young people in northern Georgia are now keen on.

Charles Hamilton showed a shy smile, and seriously told Pei Xiang about the activities of horse riding and hunting, and also talked about various social activities such as political lectures, picnics, barbecues and dances.

Melanie was with Edward.After getting along these days, the two have gotten to know each other a lot, one is no longer shy and the other is no longer cautious, and the two gradually speak freely.

Pei Xiang would occasionally pay attention to the conversation between the two behind her, and she found that Edward was telling Melanie about his previous experiences at sea.

Of course, his narration style is quite simple, neither exaggerated thrilling heroic actions, nor blindly emphasized the danger and dullness of life at sea.In Edward's story, what is told most is some daily trifles and the unpredictable changes of natural weather.

To be honest, it's not very lively and interesting.

But Melanie listened carefully and asked many questions.She is more concerned about the sailors' living conditions at sea and how to resist natural dangers, and she is also quite pragmatic and caring.

So Edward became even more interested in talking.

Through the long tree-lined avenue and the spacious and beautiful white porch, Pei Xiang met the hostess of the manor, two other Miss O'Hara, and of course, the smart and transparent black mother.

"Miss Hoffman, what did you do every day when you were in England? Did you like riding horses?"

After the guests were seated, Suellen, the second daughter of the O'Hara family, asked curiously.

"Call me Lucy, can I call you Suellen?"

"Of course, Sister Lucy, nice to meet you."

Pei Xiang frowned:

"Most of the time, I help my cousin organize books. He invested in a collection store, which contains many high-quality books written in various languages, which need to be arranged in categories.

"But the clerk can only understand English, and my cousin is not always in the store, so I help the clerk organize the bookshelves, and pick out books that I like to read. As for riding... I can ride a horse, but not Too proficient."

"So," Suellen, who was naturally at odds with her elder sister, raised her voice maliciously, "Ashley, did you and Sister Lucy meet in a bookstore? You like reading so much, and so does Sister Lucy." , no wonder you can become friends."

Ashley turned his head on Suellen's question and sincerely praised Pei Xiang and the second-hand library in "The House of Thorns".

"If that store opened in Atlanta, I would definitely go there every week to select books. Mr. James has a unique vision in selecting books, and Ms. Hoffman's classification of books is also very scientific. And, her The testimonials and reviews are worth referring to, and I have benefited a lot.”

Seeing that Ashley's attention was taken away from her, Scarlett gave the annoying Suellen a sneaky look.

She never liked or understood those unrealistic things like art philosophy. When Ashley used to talk about them, she would endure such dry topics because of her admiration for him.

But when Scarlett heard that there was another beautiful girl who had been praised by Ashley for the same hobby, her dislike of books reached the peak of her life.

At the same time, Scarlett, who took a deep breath and forced a smile on her face, felt that it was impossible for a woman—especially a beautiful girl who was not married to really like those boring things.

——When they say they like it, it's just to cater to men, it's really hypocritical.But her skin is really good, is it because of the British weather?And her dress...

"Ashley loves more than books." Scarlett tried to show the most beautiful curves while softening her voice, "In this area, whether it is Clayton or Jonesboro, Ashley's archery, marksmanship No. 1 in riding and riding. Moreover, when it comes to drinking and gambling, no one can compare to him, he is proficient in everything."

Pei Xiang smiled and said, "I haven't seen Mr. Wilkes' demeanor in this aspect. If I have the opportunity, I really want to open my eyes. Melanie, have you seen Mr. Wilkes' heroic performance?"

Melanie shook her head slightly:

"I used to live in Atlanta, and when my cousin came to visit us, he mostly discussed poetry and literature. I haven't seen Ashley shoot arrows or hunt."

Ashley smiled nonchalantly, not minding mastery of pastimes.

His demeanor always carries a sense of indifference and distance from the sidelines. When he laughs, he doesn't really laugh out loud, but he never loses his temper easily.No one could figure out what was really going on in this man's heart, but he was handsome and calm.This kind of Ashley made Scarlett, who always liked to be straightforward, obsessed.

After dinner at Tara Manor, the group returned to Twelve Oaks Manor.

Before falling asleep, Pei Xiang thought of Scarlett's precautions and vigilance towards her, and couldn't help shaking his head and laughing, knowing that probably because of his appearance, the girl who had always dared to think and act completely ignored the existence of Melanie.

You know, the Wilkes family has always liked to marry their cousins, and the Hamilton family is a well-know southerner. Compared with her, a passer-by from England, Melanie is more likely to marry Ashley of.

It's a pity that for Scarlett, who despises traditions and rules in her heart, the habit of marrying cousins ​​for generations is not worth mentioning.The thin and petite Melanie was far less threatening than the beautiful female guest at Twelve Oaks Manor...

Let's not mention Scarlett's various thoughts for now.

Since being a guest, Pei Xiang and the two young ladies from the Wilkes family have gotten along very well.In just seven or eight days, they will be able to sit together and talk privately between sisters,

On this day, Pei Xiang, Melanie and the two young ladies from the Wilkes family were sitting together chatting and doing needlework.Edward and Ashley went out early to visit other neighbors to discuss the purchase of cotton.

"Where's Charles?" Indiana looked at the lace styles that were popular in England for a while, and suddenly noticed that her sister was distracted, so she asked casually.

"Charles is writing letters to former classmates and professors," Melanie replied, "Lucy asked Charles a few questions before, and Charles felt that there was still a need for more in-depth discussions, so he planned to write letters to people who knew the relevant fields. "

Honey Wilkes took a look at Pei Xiang, and asked tentatively:

"Lucy, isn't it good that you always ask questions that men can't answer and argue with them?"

India quickly said, "Lucy, Honey didn't mean to accuse you, she was really puzzled."

Pei Xiang looked at the smart and capable girls around him, and whispered in a rather intimate and teasing tone:

"I understand what you mean, Honey, don't worry, I didn't think much about it. Cough, speaking of it, there are always some female elders who teach us that the secret to a successful marriage is to pretend to be stupid, pretend to be obedient, and pretend to be weak. If you can't make a fuss in time And proper dizziness, that would be a big deal! It will definitely scare away all decent young men with money and status."

Having said that, Pei Xiang blinked playfully.

"Hey, do British girls have to behave like this?" Honey put her face in surprise and sighed, "I thought it was just Georgia and Virginia, um, plus South Carolina. "

India pretended to be mature and said: "Because men all over the world think so."

Melanie retorted gently: "India is just a part."

"Oh, Melanie, you always have too many beautiful fantasies. None of the four Tarleton brothers hope to marry a girl who knows everything. They like to coax people, but once you tell them It’s like making a big mistake.” India used the boys around him as an example.

"That's it!"

Honey pouted and nodded:

"Of course, the most important thing is that you have to have a pretty face, just like Scarlett O'Hara. Huh, she's not weak, she has a good appetite and runs fast, and she's really good when she fights with Suellen But, those boys seem to be blind, they all think that Scarlett is gentle, sweet and lovable."

Pei Xiang chuckled, and thought, there will be someone who is not blind in the future, but also has a deep-rooted affection for him.

After a while, a tall and fat maid came to India to discuss the dinner menu, and Honey also wanted to go upstairs to talk to Charles, so the two sisters left first.

Only Pei Xiang and Melanie were left in the living room.

"Lucy, you just... didn't actually answer Honey's question. Can I ask you why you did this?" Melanie asked strangely.

"Because I don't want a 'normal' husband, and I don't have to be married. I value the comfort and freedom of life more than having a husband who doesn't fit well. Of course, if you don't have to pretend and please. It is my luck to get a sincere love. Conversely, not being 'lucky' does not mean 'unfortunate', because most of the days in life are ordinary."

Having said that, Pei Xiang paused for a moment, looked at the girl beside her with some seriousness, and solemnly reminded:

"Melanie, I am just stating my own point of view, and this point of view is based on my own character, my family background and personal property situation, and does not have a general reference value.

"So, you can listen to it and expand your thinking a little bit, but don't let my choice affect your basic judgment. Besides, I can't tell where the path I chose will lead to."

Melanie did not advise Pei Xiang to follow the tradition, but she showed an understanding expression:

"Lucy, do you want to have a pure love? There is no compromise and grievance, and there is no compromise. It is... If you can't find someone who truly loves you, a loyal lover, you will never Just go with the flow and walk into the marriage hall, eh?"

Pei Xiang nodded of course:

"I just want a single-minded person, whether physically or mentally, from the day the relationship is confirmed, he has to be loyal to me. Of course, I will give the other party the same return."

"However, who in this world has not hesitated, who has not hidden a cowardice? If it is a dear person, shouldn't it be tolerated? I always believe that the person I love will not really hurt me, even if I commit a crime Wrong, they may suffer more than me."

Pei Xiang tilted his head and looked at the gentle and firm Melanie, thinking of the involuntary kiss between Ashley and Melanie in the original book after they got married, and thinking that although Ashley has been rejecting Scarlett's fiery Feelings and elopement requests, but always indecisive and vague...

She thought for a while, and said in deliberation:

"Dear person? Melanie, does this title include family affection, friendship and love? If you look at it from the perspective of relatives and friends, I can partially agree with your point of view. But when it comes to love, my conditions are strict. A lot.

"Melanie, it must be complete, pure and faithful. If the other party can't give me this kind of commitment, then don't occupy the position of the only lover."

"But sometimes feelings are complicated. A person, he may be both a relative and a lover, or a friend who understands each other's life concepts. Can it really be completely separated?"

Pei Xiang glanced at Melanie in a daze, knowing that she probably thought of Ashley.Although there is no sign of any ambiguity between the two at present, there should be some kind of tacit understanding between the two families to get married, but Melanie is still young and weak, so she has not made it clear for the time being.

However, after so many days of close observation and getting along with her, as smart and careful as Melanie, did she really not see Ashley's yearning for Scarlett's fiery girl?

Pei Xiang pretended not to notice Melanie's hesitation, and continued:

"If you can't give up completely, then take a step back and just be friends and relatives, isn't it good? In that case, I will give the other party a wider tolerance, and the other party will pursue their inner desires with less burden. Mei Lan Ni, sometimes, love that is not wholehearted is a kind of harm to both husband and wife."

Melanie thought about it.

Pei Xiang continued to bow his head and do needlework, while slowly thinking that Melanie could get so much love and care with her personality charm. In the future, even a vicious prodigal like Rhett Butler would respect her. Why not have a wholehearted husband?

Thinking about it, Pei Xiang thought of the letter she received yesterday.

The sender's signature is "James Hoffman".When I opened it, I found that the actual writer was George Rexar in Liverpool.

In Rexxar's letter, Pei Xiang learned that this gentleman went to London after he left.From whom did he find evidence that Lord Pepys had seduced young girls.

He told Pei Xiang in the letter that he had already transferred the evidence to Rhett Butler, so that the captain had a powerful handle to threaten Baron Pepys, so that he could deal with the business better and more quickly The ups and downs on the road are troublesome.

At the end of the letter, Rexxar asked about the date of Pei Xiang's return, and said that the collection of books in the "House of Thorns" was decreasing day by day, and if things went on like this, it might lose some of its customers.

After Pei Xiang read Rexxar's letter, he and Edward received a letter from Captain Rhett Butler this morning.

In the letter, Butler told the siblings that he had found out who was behind the accident.

The mastermind who set fire to the warehouse was one of their competitors. However, the person who took the opportunity to put pressure on the factory has never been clearly identified. Only some vague rumors spread that it seemed that Baron Pepys was behind the scenes.

Just when Captain Butler was hesitating, he was suddenly "lucky" to get a handle that could threaten Pepys, so Captain Butler immediately "ran into" Baron Pepys with the handle.

Since then, the factories we have cooperated with before have all changed their attitudes and are all willing to take orders, and they have also taken the initiative to reduce the cost quotation.

"The goods damaged in the warehouse have already been compensated three times by the arsonist. Since no lives were injured and the other party was willing to give up more customer resources, I didn't send that ghostly thing to the police station."

Captain Butler wrote:

"After you have negotiated the cotton purchase plan, you can return to England. Everything is calm here. In addition, thanks to the unknown helper, although I have not found out the identity of the other party, my dear Lucy may know a thing or two I wouldn't be surprised if someone told me that the unsung hero was the mysterious Mr. G."

After reading the letter, Edward's expression was slightly tangled.

He remembered the letter from George Rexa that Pei Xiang received last night, and felt that some of his guesses had been further confirmed.

Edward also thought of his sister's plan to wander around, no, it was the life ideal of following the ship to go out to sea for trade, and he was a little confused. He really couldn't figure out what the two of them were planning.

Just when the Hoffman brothers and sisters thought that things in England were like this for the time being, Rhett Butler's urgent letter arrived again.

This time, he wrote flamboyantly in his letter:

"It is reported, pay attention, this is the gossip provided by my friend in the north. A certain state in the south bought two ships of guns and ammunition from the United Kingdom and planned to smuggle them back to the south for storage. Unfortunately, some of the crew members of the two ships There was a 'mutiny', they took control of the cockpit, and then sent the ship's supplies directly to Washington.

"What is even more surprising is that the crew members said that the reason why they temporarily changed the shipping route was the instruction of Baron Pepys. Of course, we all know that Pepys can't do such a crazy thing. As for the real reason Why, I will continue to inquire about the situation.

"Okay, my friend, because of Jones' embarrassing faces and the scar on my arm, I decided to have a drink to celebrate."

After Pei Xiang finished reading the letter, he immediately realized that the reason why the two ships carrying weapons changed their course was that Rexxar had done something wrong.

Some days later, Butler's letter once again arrived in the south where life was slow:

"My friends, when will you return? On the days you were away, Liverpool, no, the whole of England was quite lively.

"The reputation of Baron Pepys has been greatly affected, and his career has been completely ruined. The specific reason... Do you remember the content of my last letter? The crew claimed that they were instructed by Pepys to take the The weapons secretly purchased by a southern state were shipped to the north, and Jones and others also had a very unpleasant fight with Pepys.

"Ah, then I don't know who, I guess it was someone in Washington, suddenly announced the real reason. It turned out that the current mistress next to Pepys realized that she had been deceived by Pepys before, and the tragic tragedy suffered by their family It wasn't an accident, but Pepys manipulated it, just to make her grateful.

"So, in a rage, the brave lady fought back with the help of some 'good-hearted people', and accomplished the big thing we mentioned before. Haha, it is said that the lady and her family have been arrested. Sent abroad, I guess somewhere in the northern states of the United States...

"Of course, apart from Pepys himself, at present, not many people should pay attention to the whereabouts of that lady, because after the ins and outs of this incident are made public, it is tantamount to announcing that the British government is secretly supporting the slave owners in the south. black.

"This caused a labor movement in Liverpool and Manchester (it broke out suddenly, I doubt someone organized it in advance.), they were dissatisfied with the British government's attitude towards the abolitionist policy, and wanted to support the north through the international labor movement..."

The author has something to say: today's update, huh!

(1) Regarding the customs and traditions of being a guest in the south, refer to the original work.