Southern Rose [Gone with the Wind]

She racked her brains to remember how she had missed this most important step: no one ever seemed to mention that Philip was just "missing" without an official death certificate; neither did Stanley, and Ryan probably never considered it. a little.

Philip's estate was handed over to her smoothly. It seems that having a death certificate is not a necessary condition, which is also quite strange. It is said that the lawyer should first confirm the death of the owner of the property, such as Hastings' estate back then——

Josephine regretted not thinking well enough.

John said that he was just a conservative. He was proficient in various pastimes of the upper class in the south. The only investment he was familiar with was buying land. Since all the land around Savannah was divided up by the upper class before the war, he did not have much development. industry opportunities.After the war, he didn't know how to run a business, he didn't know the law, and he didn't know how to deal with such things.

Emile didn't know how to deal with it.

The family lawyer before the war died of illness and they had to go to another lawyer.

"It's very simple. You need to apply for Mr. Philip Talent's death certificate first. He will be dead for five years. By the end of September, he has reached the legally required number of years. I can prepare the documents for you first, and then run a Go to the Boston court and get a death certificate." The lawyer flipped through the documents, "In terms of property, the Tarent family does not seem to have any objections, so it will be much easier. However, in this way, your youngest son Thomas Robillard Wolfe became illegitimate. Where is this Mr. Wolfe? In Savannah?"

"No, I haven't heard from him for a long time, maybe...he's dead too." Josephine said dryly.

The lawyer frowned, "This is not very good. New York and Boston are not that far away, and the people of Savannah will always know about it. At that time, it will be difficult for Thomas Jr. to gain a foothold, and you, miss—madam, your reputation will also be affected." It will be damaged, which is not good."

The lawyer shook his head, seemingly regretful.

"Take care of the Tarent matter first. I'll send someone to find Wolfe."

Rhett may not have been telling the truth when he said he killed or wounded Thomas, but always ask him to be sure.She had a message for Rhett, who was in Savannah a week later.

He brought a lot of high-end European goods, French perfume and British whiskey, Cuban cigars, Chinese silk and tea, all in exquisite paper boxes.Two sailors were holding a large pile of cardboard boxes, which they placed on the table in the living room.The sailors were fierce, with their scarred faces and sharp eyes, which terrified the Robillard servants.

"What? You have to be a sailor as a servant to frighten others?" Josephine walked down the stairs slowly, "You are not a gentleman."

The sailors stood behind Rhett, putting on the grimest expressions they could.

"Are you trying to scare me too?" Josephine frowned displeased: This person has no good intentions.

Rhett gestured, and the sailors stepped back.

"Please believe that I absolutely didn't mean that." He showed his white teeth and kissed the back of her hand.

She is also very gorgeous in the clothes she wears at home, without panniers, and the skirts are still layered, royal blue outer skirt, when she sits down and lifts the skirt, revealing a light blue petticoat, which must be pearl white drawers; royal blue Half of her low-heeled satin shoes were studded with pearls.The war hadn't affected her, and she was still a dainty Southern lady—except for a little more of her shoes, which she never cared about being out of line.

It's strange, Rhett thought, time and war have changed Scarlett, Melanie, even a useless man like Ashley, but it's hardly useful to Josephine, she's still the same girl The hothouse rose is beautiful, elegant, carefree and freewheeling.

If he admits that he likes Scarlett, it is because of the Irish spirit that never admits defeat in her. Scarlett is the same kind of person as him. They never give up and always try to make themselves better. Well, you can deal with the devil for that.And Josephine...she seemed to get it all without trying.

It's really enviable.

He opened the gift box one by one.The beauty of consumables is that they will always be consumed, they are inexpensive (compared to his possessions), and they can make people feel good, making them a very suitable gift.

Josephine is not short of money, so she is not very happy about these material comforts.She glanced at the gift lightly and ordered the maid to put it away.

"Where have you been recently? Tell me, how did you get out of prison safely?"

Rhett lowered his head and smiled, "It's hard to tell you in detail."

"What is there to say? The only explanation is that you used money to open the way, am I right?"

"——sort of."

"How much did you give?" She was curious, "Is tens of thousands enough?"

He laughed at first, and then looked serious, "Tens of thousands is not enough. I can't tell you how much I paid, but don't worry, I am very good at making money, and my ability to make money is not bad. I find that it is better to make money now than in previous years , there are people waving bills everywhere to buy and sell almost anything as long as it can be shipped to the docks. Even in the toughest of times, ladies will want to buy a yard of Paris Ribbon, and gentlemen will want to drink a glass of authentic single Malt whiskey, let alone now!"

Josephine became interested, "How about the profit?"

"It's not good for you to ask about making money like this? A lady shouldn't know how money comes from."

O hypocrisy!

"So, I just need to wait for you with a fan-wait for someone to bring me a gift?"

"I dare say every man longs for such an opportunity." He said frivolously.

It's really rude for him to say that, how can a lady wait for a man to pay tribute like a coquettish woman who has fallen into prostitution?But Josephine didn't seem to care, and she nodded, "That's right, but you're not just any man, are you?"

She gently shakes the silk folding fan, neither to cover her smile nor to fan the cool breeze, but to create a comfortable and relaxed look.

"I'm not just any woman, am I?"

"You're not. Mrs. Talent—" He paused, then went on: "Josephine, please allow me to address you by your Christian name."

Josephine smiled at him like a spring flower blooming.

For a moment, Rhett's mind faltered, and he forgot what he wanted to say and what he wanted to say.

"Red," her lips parted, "what are you doing these days?"

"Busy to make money, make a lot of money, to make up for previous losses."

"How are you doing?"

"Very good! I buy some stuff from here and sell it out there, New Orleans, Charleston, Savannah, Atlanta, even Miami."

"How am I going to profit from your—business? Maybe I should start a business."

Rhett couldn't help laughing, "Maybe you can change your surname so that all my money will be yours."

"That's so boring!"

"Isn't that what you've been doing? Marry a man, and when he dies, inherit all his property."

"Really?" Josephine pretended to be surprised and widened her eyes, "How scary! I think this kind of woman will be called a 'Black Widow', isn't it?"

Rhett had to say, "Maybe."

"Why don't you worry about pissing me off?"

"You won't. You're not an ordinary woman."

"But what you said was insulting to me, how can I not be angry?" Josephine had a false smile on her face, "Are you worried that I will find a way to kill you after marriage? I thought you were not so stupid A man. It seems that my opinion of you is not very accurate, you are actually a coward and a bastard."

"I'm a little worried. But what I'm thinking is that I should make you really love me. Will you love me, Josephine?"

Josephine laughed very unladyily for a while before she said, "You admitted that you killed Thomas. Is he really dead?"

"Really dead."

She shook her head, "Lie! Thomas is a Marquis, his father is a Duke, and the Duke has only one heir. If he really dies, the Duke will not let you go. You are a shrewd businessman, and you should be able to settle the account .”

Rhett's expression remained unchanged, "I heard that your marriage contract with Mr. Wolfe is invalid. For you, he already belongs to the past, and it is useless for you to pursue his life and death. Dear Josephine, I understand you, That's something Wolfe, Talent, or Hastings couldn't do."

Josephine found it amusing. "You know me? Which?"

"I know you can't stand poverty. You've always lived a good life. A beauty like you can live a very comfortable life. You know a lot, but most men in this world, even your father and brother, can't Understand your thoughts, so you show that you only love money."

"Money is everything, after all."

"But money is not everything, it can't make you fall in love with me."

"It's too early to think about this. I want you to go find Thomas, you can't hurt him again. I know he's alive, bring him back, my little Tom can't live without Dad."

Rhett looked embarrassed, but still nodded, "I will try my best."

At the beginning of April, Charles Robillard finally returned from the small island of the Bahamas. He lost a lot of weight and traveled around for the sugar cane plantation.Before the corrupt manager left, he drove away all the workers in the Bahamas.It took little effort to rehire workers, but it was not easy to find another reliable manager. Charles was stuck in the manager's business until he found a suitable manager, so he could not return to Savannah.

Then, Charles went to France again, preparing to take back his wife Agatha and son John Jr.

Before Charles left, the Robillard family held a ball to announce that the Robillard family was still the "high class" in Savannah, but to be honest, there were not many past guests, which was a bit regrettable.Many "upper class" families in those days are now in financial distress, and the Robillard family spent almost all of their time in Europe during the Civil War, which made some people resentfully think that Robillard was a "deserter".

Fortunately, Charles' slightly lame leg honored the Robillard family.

The Robillard family's economy is indeed not very good. Charles did not bring back the money, but spent thousands of dollars on the small island of the Bahamas.Josephine was willing to pay for her parents' living expenses, but John Sr. disagreed. The final solution was that John sold a manor to his daughter.

The author has something to say: Thomas: He is dead, but he doesn't seem to be completely dead.