I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

At about nine o'clock, Pei Xiang pressed the calling bell on the bedside.

Not long after, the maid Lucy came in with a jug of hot water and a stack of brand new flannel towels.

"Good morning, Miss Doris."

"Good morning, Lucy."

Pei Xiang stood in front of the dressing table wearing a woolen long-sleeved nightdress, observing Lucy's expression through the mirror.

"Why are you here to deliver hot water? Where's Leah?"

"Miss Doris, Leah's skirt was accidentally stained. She needed to go back to her room to deal with the stain, so she told me to come upstairs."

The maid Lucy's tone was brisk and her eyes were bright. Pei Xiang didn't notice any emotion such as surprise or panic from her expression, so she turned her body calmly, imitating the habit of the original body, and stood on the soft surface in front of the dressing table. Sit down on the stool and wait for the maid service.

"How did Leah's dress get stained? Seriously? I don't want the headmaid at Gladstone Manor to be sloppy, it would make me feel ashamed."

"It seems to be because I burned my fingers," Lucy stood behind Pei Xiang, holding up her long golden chestnut hair with both hands, "When I was eating breakfast, I burned it, and then poured the soup on the skirt But I didn't see it myself, it was Mrs. Murray who told me to come upstairs for Leah."

While answering Pei Xiang's question, Lucy dexterously helped her wrap her hair to prevent it from getting wet when washing.

Pei Xiang was actually listening to every word Lucy had to say, but on the surface, she looked a little lazy and even yawned a little.

After a while, she reached for the warm flannel towel, and then followed Lucy's answer, chatting about the plain dress style of Mrs. Murray, the housekeeper, who had not changed for many years.

"She only wears a tortoiseshell barrette when she says Sunday prayers..."

"Miss Doris, it's not Mrs. Murray with the tortoiseshell barrette, but Gina the cook."

"Oh, yes, I forgot. Mrs. Murray had a long pearl necklace, didn't she?"

"Yes, Miss Doris."

So when Pei Xiang put on the corset with the help of the maid, she had already talked about all the servants and servants in Gladstone Manor by talking about it.

The maid Lucy was aroused by Pei Xiang to chat, and she talked a lot of interesting things quickly.

Pei Xiang listened carefully and occasionally responded. Finally, she found that everything was normal at Gladstone Manor in the early morning. No one behaved particularly weirdly, and no one was absent without reason or asked for leave temporarily.Everyone is doing their own things seriously, busy but methodical.

"Oh, no, Lucy, don't make the corset so tight, I'm a little out of breath."

"But, Miss Doris, I can't bring your waist down to seventeen inches without continuing to tighten your belt."

These words made Pei Xiang tremble in her heart. She silently converted the ratio between inches and centimeters, and then said in a very firm tone:

"Nonsense, my waist is already very slim without a belt, how can it be more than 17 inches?"

Lucy was a little embarrassed: "Miss Doris, I think your waist is about 20 inches now, and Leah said..."

"Oh, Lucy, I think I look good now, with a kind of classical Greek beauty. Oh, by the way, do you know what Greek classical beauty is?"

"Miss Doris, I'm not sure."

Pei Xiang giggled: "Actually, I don't know, but gentlemen and ladies in London like this word. You see, the "English Women's Home Magazine" I ordered has a new issue, and the pictures on it are quite interesting , I like the shrinking treatment on the side of the skirt, I really should let Jane and Annie see it too."

"Ah, the side shrinks? Is the shape of the skirt frame also changed?"

"Maybe."

After changing the topic, Lucy stopped worrying about Pei Xiang's waistline.Anyway, this young lady has always had ideas, and she likes to try all kinds of fashionable and novel things. Maybe, is there a new trend coming from London?

Lucy continued to bustle around Pei Xiang, helping her with her hair and makeup.

After Pei Xiang put on an expensive and gorgeous emerald necklace, her morning grooming and grooming was over.

Leaving Lucy to continue tidying up the room, Pei Xiang left the bedroom alone and walked towards the breakfast room.

On the way, she met Mr. Jason, the housekeeper.

"Good morning, Miss Doris."

"Good morning, Jason, is everyone downstairs?"

"Your Excellency the Earl has not arrived yet. Madam is going to have breakfast in the bedroom this morning. The two ladies and Master Edward are already in the dining room."

"I see, thank you, Jason."

Pei Xiang nodded towards the butler, and walked gracefully towards the restaurant.

After arriving at the entrance of the restaurant, she didn't go in directly, but took the opportunity to straighten her skirts and carefully looked at the people in the restaurant.

Jane Gladstone is 17 years old, elegant and beautiful, and looks very similar to Countess Caroline.She was wearing a light blue satin embroidered dress this morning, with a serene smile, and she was talking to the servant Tom sideways.

The little brown-haired girl sitting next to her was Third Miss Anne Gladstone, who had just turned thirteen years old. She looked a little sleepy, and she secretly rubbed her eyes a few times.

Opposite the two Miss Gladstone, Edward Gladstone, 15, was wearing a long black coat. He had been staring at the food on the table. It seemed that he would have a good appetite this morning.

Pei Xiang's eyes slid across the original body's younger siblings one by one, and finally settled on Tom's cheekbone, where there seemed to be some scratches...

"Doris, what are you doing standing here?"

Pei Xiang turned around quickly, and saw Charles Gladstone, the owner of the manor, coming down the spiral staircase, followed by his personal servant Ralph.

"Good morning, father, you look good today."

The count nodded to his eldest daughter, his expression normal.

Pei Xiang withdrew his appreciative gaze, lowered his eyes and seriously answered the earl's question:

"Father, I was just fixing the hem of my skirt. You see, the pattern here is a bit asymmetrical, and I think, um, it doesn't match the jewelry I have today. I'm thinking about going back and changing a suit, and then I'll wear it again." Come upstairs for dinner."

Earl Gladstone hadn't expected to hear any in-depth insights from the eldest daughter, and the question just now was just a casual one.Hearing Pei Xiang's boring answer at this moment, he just nodded perfunctorily.

However, when he was about to pass Pei Xiang into the restaurant, he stopped suddenly.

"Your necklace..."

"It matches the color of my eyes, doesn't it?"

Pei Xiang blinked on purpose, then turned her head slightly and raised her chin slightly, so that the emerald necklace on her neck and her emerald eyes were bathed in the bright morning light, and there was indeed a mutual beauty.

But His Excellency the Earl did not open his mouth to praise his daughter's beauty, but was a little impatient.

"No, Doris, I mean, is this your grandmother's emerald necklace?"

"Of course, my grandfather gave me a lot of jewelry left by Anne's grandmother before, and I like them all."

The earl was silent for a while, and then said lightly:

"Since you like it, cherish it. Your grandmother is a smart and courageous woman, and you should also learn her demeanor and methods. At the very least, read more books to increase your knowledge."

"Okay, Father, I'll try to learn as much as I can."

His Excellency the Earl didn't expect much from his eldest daughter's guarantee.He shook his head, wondering why the old earl was so fond of this child, and gave such a large amount of wealth to the empty-headed Doris.

——It should all be left to Edward, he is the heir of the family.

——If it must be given to the granddaughter, Jane and Anne should also get some.

——Especially Jane, she is like the eldest daughter of a big family.

The count turned around and entered the dining room, Pei Xiang followed behind him.

Suddenly, a figure flashed past her out of the corner of her eye, as if she was about to go downstairs but then suddenly backed away.

This discovery made Pei Xiang stop. While recalling the characteristics of that figure, she lowered her head and looked at the pleated ribbon decoration on the skirt, showing a very distressed expression.

After a while, footsteps came from the stairs.

"Good morning, Miss Gladstone."

Hearing the sound, Pei Xiang turned his head and saw the person coming, with a reserved and proud smile on his face:

"It's Mr. Howard. Nice to meet you. Did you live in the manor last night? I don't even know."

The young and handsome secretary walked down the steps steadily, stopped opposite Pei Xiang, and saluted:

"Miss Gladstone, I arrived last night. I have a document that needs to be shown to His Excellency the Earl as soon as possible."

"Are you driving at night? That's a bit dangerous. Are you here by carriage?"

"No, because I was in a hurry, I came here on horseback."

"What kind of papers make you so anxious? This is not in line with the calm style of gentlemen's business."

"It's about some investment projects, and there have been some changes in the accounts. There was no need to be so urgent, but, considering that Your Excellency the Earl would like to get a detailed report as soon as possible, I sent it myself.

Hearing that it was an investment account, Pei Xiang immediately showed a bored expression:

"Well, Mr. Howard, thank you for your hard work. I hope the guest room at Gladstone Manor will make you feel comfortable."

The two were talking and walked into the restaurant one after the other.

However, when passing by, Pei Xiang smelled a faint smell of jasmine dew on Secretary Howard.

——The soap in the guest room does not smell like this, and there is no jasmine-flavored perfume there. Where did he get it from?

——This man said that he came here on horseback last night, and there is no need to lie.But since it is a temporary decision to travel, and you have to travel overnight, you shouldn't bring perfume or the like with you?

——So, which woman in this manor is he involved with?

After Pei Xiang took his seat, Edward Gladstone, who was opposite, looked at the eldest sister who had arrived late, and secretly rolled his eyes.

"I thought that you finally decided to go back and change a skirt. After all, the pattern is asymmetrical, but it is quite a serious matter."

Pei Xiang "didn't" hear his younger brother's little ridicule, and replied seriously:

"I was wrong just now. This dress is actually very good. I didn't have a good rest last night, so I was a little distracted. But, Edward, have you gained weight recently? When I was checking the pattern just now, I accidentally Looking up, I seem to see your double chin."

Young Master Edward, who was poked into a weight problem, silently closed his mouth.

Anne, the youngest, chuckled.

Jane patted her little sister lightly, then turned her head to care about Pei Xiang:

"Doris, why didn't you rest well? Is it because the weather turned cold? In fact, our bedroom is not small. Even if you sleep with the windows closed, you won't be suffocated by the lack of air circulation."

"Oh, maybe," Pei Xiang nodded indifferently: "But Dr. Rodde said in the health guide that fresh and flowing air is the most beneficial to human health. If you keep this habit for a long time, it will be beneficial Good skin too."

"Miss Winster listened to you and slept with the window wide open at night, which is why she caught a cold. Doris, she has been sick for a week, and it is obvious that sleeping with the window open is not good for her health."

Edward on the opposite side immediately seized the opportunity to refute.

Pei Xiang's heart moved, and he pretended to be nonchalant and said:

"Then she must not be wearing a warm wool pajamas and nightdress. Anne, Miss Winster is sick and can't give you lessons. That's great. Congratulations. You know, one of the things I most wanted to hear when I was a child." , that is, the tutor has asked for leave."

The Count coughed.

Edward and Jane couldn't help laughing.

Annie agrees with the elder sister's words, but because her father is present, she can only skip the topic of asking for leave and reply to Pei Xiang's other sentence:

"Doris, your woolen pajamas and nightdresses are too expensive. Miss Winster would not spend most of her income on a set of pajamas."

"You know this?" Jane looked at her 13-year-old little sister Anne in surprise.

"Mrs. Murray told me."

"But, Anne, we shouldn't discuss Miss Winster's assets openly at the dinner table, even if she isn't there."

"Oh, well, Jane." Annie made a gesture of shutting her mouth.

"Anne, listen to Jane, she is always the most appropriate." Edward added.

Jane smiled slightly at Edward, and gave her little sister an encouraging look.

Pei Xiang watched the interaction between the three siblings silently for a while, feeling very warm.But neither she nor the original body could fully blend in, as if they were separated by some kind of blur.

Either they were deliberately rejected, or they felt a little worse.

"Then she is sick now, what should I do?" Pei Xiang raised an eyebrow: "I remember that there is no fireplace in the tutor's room."

"Fire that kind of small charcoal stove. When I went to visit the doctor last time, I saw her burning that in the room, and opened a transom on the door to ventilate the air. It was still warm. "

"So it's like this. If a person is sick, he should really keep warm." Pei Xiang sighed casually, and then began to concentrate on eating.

——A charcoal stove that has been burning continuously for a week?

——The original body has had the habit of sleeping with the window open for a long time, why did that Miss Winster start to imitate it now?

The conversation at the breakfast table drew Pei Xiang's attention to Miss Winster, Anne's governess.

Of course, she didn't ignore Secretary Howard who smelled of jasmine on her body, and by the way, there was also Tom, a servant with fine scratches on his cheekbones.

After breakfast, just as Pei Xiang was about to get up and leave, the butler Jason walked in with a letter.

Lord Gladstone put down his newspaper and opened the letter to read.

After a while, he raised his head and cleared his throat.

Everyone put down the tableware one after another, and turned their heads to look at His Excellency the Earl who was sitting on the main seat.

"Everyone, several guests will arrive at the manor tomorrow morning."

"Do we know each other?" Edward asked first.

"No, these guests are visiting our Gladstone Manor for the first time."

"We will entertain our guests well, father." Jane promised in a gentle voice.

The earl nodded: "I have always been at ease with you, Jane."

Pei Xiang's expression remained unchanged, as if he didn't realize that his elder sister's position was being replaced.

"Doris, among the guests here this time, there is a young man who is very nice. He...is highly valued by your grandfather. You have to get along well with him. If there are no accidents, he will participate in your property In trusteeship affairs, this is specially designated by your grandfather."

Pei Xiang couldn't help but widen his eyes. Earl Gladstone's words mean that the old Earl Gladstone arranged for her a prospective fiancé?

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

The male protagonist is Maggie, here translated as Mycroft Holmes.