[Pride and Prejudice] Lady Makes Money

"Honey, you are finally here!"

As soon as she entered the door of the ballroom, Mrs. Lucas greeted her and hugged her friend.

Then he exclaimed loudly: "God, could it be that the white fungus soup really has such magic? Why do I feel like you look at least ten years younger all of a sudden! My dear baby, don't hide your secrets, you must Tell me, how did you manage to regain the appearance of a girl again?"

Hearing such praise from her good friend, Mrs. Bennet almost grinned to the base of her ears.

While answering humbly: "You are too good at talking, how is it possible?"

"Mom will never stop us from taking a flower bath again."

Seeing this scene, Elizabeth approached Manli and whispered in Manli's ear.

Man Li couldn't help but also smiled.

Soon, Mrs. Lucas' voice came to their ears again.

"Honey, don't you know? Mr. Bingley has also rushed back to attend today's ball. This time, not only Mr. Jean, but also his sister, brother-in-law and another friend Darcy came with him. Sir, do you know that Mr. Darcy is the real rich man, who is said to have an income of ten thousand pounds a year!"

"Ten thousand pounds!"

Mrs. Bennet gasped: "My God! Did you hear me wrong?"

"how come?"

Mrs. Lucas's surprise expression was obviously expected by her friend, and a satisfied smile suddenly appeared on her face.Not even angry at being questioned.

She patiently continued to gossip with her old friend: "This Mr. Darcy is not only rich, but also handsome and personable. Oh, the most important thing is, you know, he is not married yet!"

"what!"

As expected, Mrs. Bennet's exclamation came from beside her again.

Manli and Elizabeth looked at each other, and they both saw deep helplessness in each other's eyes.The two of them shook their heads slightly at the same time, then held hands and walked towards their peers not far away together with the other sisters.

Except that it was the first time for Manli to experience such a ball and she was somewhat unable to blend in, the other sisters could be said to be all at ease.

After all, such a public dance is a rare place for these young girls to have fun together.

They all cherish and enjoy it.

Mr. Bingley had evidently noticed them long ago, and as soon as he stood up, he came over to dance to Jane, and soon the other sisters also found their partners.

After rejecting the invitations of several young men one after another, Man Li leisurely found a corner near the window and sat down, quietly exhaling.

It was really stuffy in the ballroom.

Even though it's October now, it's getting cold.

But because the windows were too small and there were too many people in the room, the whole space was filled with the smell of sweat mixed with strong spices, which made her feel deeply suffocated.

The people present may have been used to this smell for a long time, and they didn't feel it at all, but Manli felt that if she stayed in a crowded place, she might faint.

Dance?

Under such circumstances, with a bunch of people crowded in the middle of the ballroom, face to face, face to face, and keep smiling for two or three 10 minutes?

God, she'd rather just pass out first.

What kind of happiness is there? It's just looking for guilt!

Gene stood quietly in a corner, holding a glass of red wine in his hand, looking sternly at the crowded hall.Except for an occasional sip, there is no other expression.

It was as if he was just a bystander, and everything around him had nothing to do with him.

He watched his cousin come back sweating profusely after dancing, and he didn't forget to fool Darcy to talk to the girl named Elizabeth.

Also overheard the two of them talking about the Bennet girls behind their backs.

That impolite wording made him frowned slightly.

He subconsciously wanted to change places, but Bingley didn't seem to want to let him go, and walked towards him again.

"Jean, don't be like Darcy, he has that kind of character. You are still young, don't stand here like an old antique, and invite girls to dance?! You hide here, don't know if there is How many girls will be disappointed tonight."

"Not interested in."

Jin took a sip of his wine, then seemed to suddenly remember something, the corners of his lips raised slightly, showing a slightly mocking smile: "Besides, it's too late for those ladies to hide from me, if you really invite me, I'm afraid It will make things difficult for others.”

Bingley froze for a moment, then couldn't help laughing.

"Don't be so mean, do you believe what you hear? It's not like we haven't met Miss Manli before. Such a gentle and polite person, how could she say such a thing? I believe it must be a falsehood."

Gene didn't answer, but a trace of disapproval flashed in his eyes.

The appearance of the girl with a sunny smile that he saw that day quickly flashed through his mind.

She looks warm and soft, but her back is straight.

The temperament exuded from all over the body, with an indescribable pride and a faint independence from the world.

Jin felt that such a girl could really say such a thing!

And she probably did think so.

Thinking of this, there was a hint of self-mockery in the smile on the corner of his lips.

The youngest son of the Duke of Campbell, the label that was attached to her tightly, blinding many people's eyes, it seems that she really didn't pay attention to it.

The music on the dance floor gradually stopped, and the dancing people retreated from the dance floor one after another, taking a short rest.

Seeing several young ladies walking towards him, surrounded by his cousin, it was obvious that they came to talk to him.

Gene frowned, and walked out of the ballroom quickly, pretending to be casual, and walked towards the small garden behind.

After not taking a few steps, he couldn't help but stop.

Under the flower tree not far away, Miss Manli was sitting in a white armchair, and the pink gauze skirt seemed to pour around her, surrounding her.

She put one hand on the chair, propped her head slightly, and held a glass of red wine in the other hand, facing the direction of the ballroom lazily, with a dignified and gentle smile on her lips.

Looking from a distance, people can't control their hearts beating wildly, as beautiful as the people in the painting.

But Gene just wanted to sigh.

That's the expression——

It looks gentle and well-behaved, but in fact it is somewhat calm and alienated.

It's like an audience watching a good show from a distance, and the people and things in the play have nothing to do with her.

I don't know why, but Gene just thinks that such a picture is a bit garish, and he doesn't want to see it.

So I walked over without thinking.

"Dear Miss Manley, it's a pleasure to see you again. I wonder if I'll be lucky enough to invite you to a dance?"

Gene walked up to the armchair, bent slightly, and bowed to Manli in the most standard manner.

Man Li was taken aback by his sudden appearance, then shook her head decisively: "I'm sorry, I don't want to jump."

The rejection was straightforward, without even trying to find a more tactful reason.

She finally slipped out, let her go back now?

Hehe, not to mention just an outsider, even if her mother came to call, it would be impossible for her to be happy.

Such an answer was obviously expected by Gene, and there was no disappointed expression on his face.

It seemed that if this young lady agreed to his invitation, it would make him feel unbelievable.

"Then do you mind if I sit here for a while? It's a bit too stuffy inside." He asked the other party's opinion again.

"Please." Manli pointed to the wooden chair next to her and said calmly.

Although she didn't want to have anything to do with the man in front of her at all, his reason made people... so sympathetic!

Make it impossible for her to refuse.

What's more, this is not her home, and she has no reason to refuse.

This was the first time Gene had seen an unfamiliar girl so closely.

She was wearing a light pink muslin plaid skirt with delicate lace trimmings, and patterns he had never seen before were embroidered on the corners of the skirt.Although the texture of the fabric looks average, the workmanship and embroidery are not much worse than the advanced customization worn by those noble ladies in London.

At this moment, facing his undisguised observation, the young lady showed no anxiety or shyness at all.Her eyes were still looking into the room, as if watching the group of people dancing brought her infinite pleasure.

She took a sip of the wine in her hand, and under the light of the candlelight, there was a touch of moist water on her pink lips.Jin's breathing suddenly accelerated inexplicably, so that he subconsciously withdrew his gaze quickly.

"Sit down, I'll go in first."

Manli sighed silently in her heart, then stood up and saluted Gene and said.

Even if she didn't want to go in anymore, it was still a bit inappropriate to sit outside alone with a strange man for so long.

It seems that this person has no intention of leaving, so he can only leave by himself.

"Miss Manli, please wait a moment."

There is no need to think at all, and the words to retain are blurted out.

"Thank you very much for the breakfast you prepared for us that day. The fried dough sticks are delicious, and the soy milk tastes very good."

Gene quickly said the topic he had already thought about before.

"You're welcome, I'm very happy to be liked by you." Manli smiled at him politely and distantly, and wanted to leave again.

"Wait a moment!"

Gene stopped again: "Miss Manli, I want to ask, do you mind telling me where you bought that thermos?"

Speaking of this, he seemed to be afraid of misunderstanding, and he quickly added: "I'm sorry, that bucket was taken by my family. I was not at home at the time, so I didn't have time to stop it. So I need to buy a new one as compensation. .”

Mary stopped in her tracks.

She never thought that the thermos could be returned after sending it out.

But since someone is willing to pay for it, isn't it impossible to sell it? !

After all, she still needs money.

But after thinking about it, she still shook her head: "You don't need to return it, it's just a small item, don't worry about it, Mr. Jean."