[Count of Monte Cristo] Love and hatred

r017

"The Emperor's Majesty Waterloo lost, the anti-French alliance attacked across the board, France is in danger!"

Newsboys with newspapers in their hands shuttled back and forth between the port and the streets.The Battle of Waterloo happened after all, and in just four days, news spread throughout the city of Marseilles.

Although the flames of war have not spread here, this news seems to have become the first and only topic people are talking about at this time. Perhaps the lower class civilians still have hope for Napoleon. After all, he once performed a miracle and returned from exile on the island of Elba for the second time. Paris became emperor.But the old nobles who supported the Bourbon dynasty couldn't wait for more news of the French army's defeat, so that their beloved Louis XVIII could return in triumph.

After Mr. Morel got the news, he immediately found Mei Tess.

He was amazed by her foresight, and finally realized that the exaggerated commendation letter dictated by Villefort and written by him would not only confirm all the false evidence against Edmund, but might also bring disaster to himself. .

"Perhaps His Majesty's defeat is only temporary. As long as he preserves his strength, he will be able to fight back when he returns to France." Morel comforted himself, "I will ask Villefort again."

"Mr. Morrell, when facing the prosecutor, you must be cautious in what you say, in case your efforts for Edmund will cause you trouble in the future," Mei Tess quickly reminded.No one knows better than her that there are only a dozen days left before the end of the hundred days.

"I see," Morrel nodded, put on his hat again and set off.

However, this time, Villefort no longer lost the "humility" impression he had left on Morel. He regained the arrogance of the great nobles in the past, and coldly refused to meet with Morel on the grounds that he had an important business. .

With Mr. Morel returning disappointed, Mai Tess also fell into confusion.It was obviously impossible to continue to hope in Napoleon or Villefort, as Morel had done, but she could not think of any other way.

What worried her even more was old Dantès. She couldn't imagine how much it would hurt him, because everyone could see that this time Napoleon was really at the end of his life, and his son Edmund was also dead. No matter how hard it is to have a chance to be released from the Château d'If.For this reason, she took strict precautions to prevent the old man from getting close to the source of news.

As usual, they boarded the boat just as the first rays of morning light illuminated the small fishing village.

Mei Tess didn't know where old Dantès got the news, but ever since she went out to sea, she noticed that the old man's expression was a little strange.

The old man sailed to the vicinity of the Chateau d'If as usual, and then stared at the deep fortress dazedly, but this time he lasted too long.Plum Tess contemplated for a while before she decided how to comfort her, but when she really spoke, she found that the old man didn't respond to her words at all.

She repeated it again, but the old man was still unaware.

He needs time, she thought.

But she soon discovered that they were running out of time.In the northern sky, a raging storm suddenly gathered, which was a sign of heavy rain.

"It's windy, father, let's go back." Mei Tess persuaded several times, but every time the old man didn't seem to hear, and kept chanting something silently to the Château d'If.

It wasn't until the wind became stronger and their boat began to float on the top of the waves like a dragonfly on water, that old Dantes finally took his eyes off the Chateau d'If, turned the bow and headed towards the port.

However, it was too late, they had just finished half of the journey when the heavy rain fell from the cloudy sky like a sharp sword, and when they got home, both of them were drenched through.

The old man developed a high fever that night, but the doctor who came to treat him advocated "starvation therapy". Although antibiotics have not been invented in this era, this kind of treatment method is also extremely absurd in the eyes of Meiser Tess from the 21st century. So I "invited" him out and found another doctor.

After the doctor measured the old man with a special mouth-type body temperature agent, he asked Plum Tess to wipe the old man's forehead with a towel dipped in warm water.This is consistent with the physical cooling method she learned in modern times, so she followed it carefully and took old Dantes' body temperature from time to time.

The old man often fell into a coma. Mei Tess listened to the soft whispers of his labored breathing. Although she couldn't hear what he was saying, she guessed that the old man must be calling for his son.When he was awake, the old man grabbed her hand and begged, "My child, this is not going to help me. Go to Akul Church and invite the priest."

Plum Tess knew what he meant, but she would never let that happen.Warm water had little effect, she needed something cooler.

Ice compresses are the best, but it is June and it is hot summer, where can there be ice?By the way, there is alcohol!Although medical alcohol has not been produced in this era, the purity of spirits made by distillation is almost the same as that of alcohol.

So that night, many residents of Ma Tian Street were woken up by a Catalan girl knocking on the door. They complained and even cursed at her, but the girl was unmoved until finally a tavern sold them. Give her a jug of spirits.So people misunderstood her one after another, thinking that she was a woman who was forced out to buy alcohol by her drunken husband, and instead felt a little more sympathy for her.

Plum Tess hurried through the growing night and returned to the small building on Mayland Lane.After entering the house, he immediately poured out the wine and wiped it carefully on the old man's body without any slack.With her efforts, old Dantes' condition finally improved, and he survived the most dangerous night.

But the words of the previous doctor gave the old man a reason to seek death. After the high fever subsided, he refused to eat anything.

This time, even he decided that Napoleon's defeat was inevitable.So he made up his mind to follow his son Edmund and never become a burden to Mei Tess.

Although he also loves Mei Tess like a daughter, if he is still alive, Mei Tess will be accused of being unchaste if she wants to remarry.Plum Tess still has a great youth, so how could he have the heart to drag her down? He, like Edmund, hopes for her happiness!

"It's fate," said old Dantes sadly. "Our Edmund is dead, or he would have returned to us."

After that, no matter how much Mei Tess begged, he never let go.

After spending several months with old Dantès, Mei Tess has established a deep relationship with him.But now, she finally realized that it only takes one big wave, and the little family they have worked so hard for will be smashed to pieces.

Plum Tess walked out of the corridor in a daze, not knowing who to turn to for help.The neighbors have all gone out to work, so there is no one else in this small courtyard surrounded by old brick walls, only her and the lonely shadow behind her...

Even the children who used to play in the yard were nowhere to be found, so there was no laughter, only sighs...

Even the little birds that like to shuttle and play under the flower vines have never appeared, there is no life, only death...

She knew very well that the old man's illness was a heart disease, and only the news that Edmund was still alive could keep him going.

However, they could not wait for Edmund's return at all. Soon after the Battle of Waterloo, the Anti-French Alliance would enter Paris and Louis XVIII would regain the throne.Maybe she should go to Villefort again, but she knew very well that she was not someone with local influence like Morel, and he would not hesitate to lock her up again.

Realizing that she couldn't return Edmund to the old man, Mei Tess clenched the corner of her skirt unwillingly.But she must do something to make the old man feel better, at least she must find a way to see Edmund.

But she also knew that Chateau d'If was not a place for ordinary prisoners. It was heavily guarded and there was no visitation permit. Even if she had money, she would not be able to see Edmund, let alone she had nothing now.

Plum Tess raised her head, her gaze gradually became sharper.

No, if she had enough money, maybe she could think of a way. It was an extremely risky way, but for old Dantès, everything was worth it.

The key is where does the money come from?She counted her remaining property in her mind, hoping to find something missing in her memory, but in the end she found nothing.She had to admit that they had reached the end of their rope.

Or could she turn to Mr. Morel for help?This idea was also denied by Mei Tess, they had caused him too much trouble, she should not go to him again.

"God, please guide me and tell me what to do." Mei Tess walked dejectedly until a piece of greenery blocked her way. She raised her head and found a lush fig tree in front of her.

Thinking of Edmund's oath under the fig tree and the dream he had constructed in his letters, Mei Tess couldn't help feeling a little sad.She couldn't help stretching out her hand, and picked off the only unripe fruit left on the tree, then peeled off the green peel and took a bite, only the endless sourness.

Mei Tess frowned, and a part of her heart faintly felt that something was wrong. This feeling did not come from the fig in her hand, but from all the clues she had found these days.Edmund had said in his letter that they were going to buy a small house after they got married, but the money he left behind had run out after the wedding... No, it doesn't make sense...

The icy dawn flashed in her mind, and Edmund's smile when he said goodbye, "Mai Tess, do you remember the vow we made under the fig tree?"

Mei Tess suddenly realized something, she immediately knelt down, and fiercely dug the soil under the fig tree.Ten minutes later, an iron box buried deep in the soil gradually appeared.

When she dug out the box and opened it, she found a bag full of coins and a letter inside.

All doubts have been lifted, this is what Edmund's oath under the fig tree really refers to!

Plum Tess opened the purse first, and found that it was full of gold coins.Then she opened the letter tremblingly, "Dear Mei Tess, I have saved these 150 gold louis through hard work. I specially leave this money to you, hoping to bring you peace and tranquility. Because the sea is always unpredictable..."

"Love is the most precious treasure... Now I finally understand..." Mei Tess said excitedly holding the box, "This is enough, enough for me to see Edmund!"