[Count of Monte Cristo] Love and hatred

r094

"Haidee..." Plum Tess's amber eyes flickered, "Are you still willing to believe me?"

"I remember my father telling me that you are the princess of Yannina, so you have to rely on yourself," Haidee blinked, "but one day, you have to trust others."

What's more, Plum Tess's frankness made her willing to believe.No one had ever told her what the truth of what had happened in Yannina was, Mae Tess had told her.Anyway, she has nothing to lose now, and she doesn't want to lose another person she can trust.

"Then you went out just now..." Mei Tess asked suspiciously.

Haiidee gently spread out her palm, it was a small bottle of medicine prescribed by a doctor.

"I'm very worried about you," Plum Tess felt a surge of emotion in her heart, she gently held Haiide in her arms, "promise me, next time you won't go out alone."

"Okay. But Mei Tess, you have to promise me that when you are well, you will teach me to use a gun," Haidee begged.

"I promise you," Plum Tess pondered for a while, "but you have to promise me that you can only use it to protect yourself, and never take the initiative to hurt others."

"Don't you want revenge?" Haidee asked suspiciously.

"Yes, once you get blood on your hands, there is no turning back. I don't want you to be the second..." Mei Tess paused, "Be the second me."

"Plum Tess, I just don't want to live every day in fear anymore, it makes me feel...safe...do you understand?" Haiidee's eyes glistened with tears.

"I will teach you whatever you want to learn," Mei Tess fully understood Haidee's thoughts, and she gently stroked her hair, "but as long as I am here, you will not live like that. But now , we have to get out of here quickly."

After finishing speaking, Mei Tess took out a money bag from the unconscious man, then struggled to stand up, and fled the scene with Little Haidai before others found out.

She did not know that Haidee had lied.

Haiidee has never forgotten revenge, and she doesn't want to think that her father will blame her for not taking back his blood when she recalls Governor Ali.No, one day, she will take back everything that belongs to her, not the life of a princess, but the real peace of mind.

After following the doctor's advice and taking the potion Haiide brought, Mei Tess recovered quickly.She therefore resolved to set off for Rome as soon as possible.

In front of them there was a mountain road that could not be passed by horse-drawn carriages, and they could only cross the Ribini Mountain on foot.When they passed by the farm near Palistrina, they met two shepherd boys. The girl looked about the same age as Haidee, and she was dressed in fancy clothes, while the boy's face was a little mature for his age.Sitting side by side on a tree stump and playing, they seemed very close.

The boy was the first to notice them, and he waved to them friendly, "Miss, where are you going?"

"We're going to Rome," Mae Tess replied.

"To Rome?" The boy frowned tightly, "Just the two of you?"

"Yes," said Plum Tess, "it is getting late, and we must get out of the woods before dark."

"But there are a lot of bandits in this generation, haven't you heard of them?" the boy said, clasping his hands.

Mei Tess shook her head. Based on her understanding of the years on the smuggling ship, Rome has always been a very peaceful place.However, Haiidee, who had been silent all this time, spoke up, "I am not afraid of bandits. There is no more powerful bandit than Kasantonis, but my father killed him."

"But where is your father?" the boy asked.

Haiidee's arm hangs limply to her side, and the pride in her words disappeared instantly.Plum Tess quickly changed the topic, "Son, can you take me for a walk?"

"Of course." The boy walked forward quickly, "But I don't call my child, my name is Roger."

"Thank you, Roger," said Haidee.

Luo Ji turned his head and told his partner, "Theresa, help me take care of the flock."

The girl smiled and said, "You have to give me a small gift later."

Then Roger walked in front, and while he was leading the way, he told the story of the bandit Dixishalei and the Gazepyron.Perhaps because of the company of her peers, Haidee also became lively and cheerful.

"You seem to admire those two robbers very much." Haide blinked. "Don't you want to be like them?"

"No, my dream is to be the owner of a big ship," said Roger with a longing tone.

"How big is it?"

Roger couldn't tell because he hadn't been on a real boat. "I changed my mind. It's no big deal to be a ship owner. I want to be a general."

"Really? I am a princess," said Haidee.

"You're not a princess, so a princess won't walk the mountain road by herself," Luo Ji said a little unconvinced.

"No, I'm really a princess." Hai Dai stomped her feet anxiously, tears welling up in her eyes.

Luo Ji was a little anxious now, he hated the girl shed tears the most. "Okay, Your Royal Highness, please forgive my rudeness, this is for you."

Haidee took what was in Roger's hand, a crown carved from wood, she had never seen such an exquisite handicraft.It was originally a gift from Roger to Teresa, but Teresa didn't ask for it. Compared with the earrings, necklaces and golden hairpins that Roger bought for her with the money from selling wood carvings, she really did it to wood. Something cannot be loved, though it is a crown.

But Haidee liked it very much.

She tried to put the crown on her head, but it was too small and kept falling off.At last she put it on her wrist carefully, like a pretty bracelet.

She had nothing to give Roger, however.If only she was still in Yanina, she would give Roger many presents in return.

After walking for a while, the sharp-eyed Roger noticed the gun pinned by Mai Tess.He said enviously, "I wish I could have a gun of my own one day."

"We rely on it for self-defense," Mei Tess did not explain too much, and it made sense for the two women to walk on the mountain road with guns.

At that moment, little Haidai suddenly wanted to open her mouth to give the gun to Roger, but she was a little reluctant, because Mei Tess finally agreed to teach her how to use a gun.

When she finally got through the woods, Mei Tess took out a silver coin and wanted to thank Roger.

But the boy firmly refused, "No, I'm here to help you, not for your money."

"But that crown is very delicate, and it may be worth some money in the market," said Mae Tess.

"Maybe so for a merchant," Roger said with a smile, "but for me, I carved it myself, and it's not worth a Piastre."

"How about this, Luo Ji?" Haiidee seemed to think of something suddenly, and said with a smile, "I am a princess, but you want to be a general, maybe I can make you General Luo Ji?"

"It's a great honor, Your Royal Highness," Luo Ji said with a dignified salute, "General Luo Ji is willing to serve you."

Haidee began to giggle, and she smiled so beautifully, for it was not the smile the slave trader taught her, but a smile from the heart.

They waved goodbye to Luo Ji, looking around, the city of Rome was not far away.After entering the city, Plum Tess planned to book a small room in the hotel first.

She took Haidee into a hotel called "London Hotel".She tried to lower the price, but the boss Pillini said, "Miss, the room is still so cheap now because those festivals haven't come yet. There are four major events in Rome every year, Carnival, Easter, and Eucharist." And St. Peter's Day. For the rest of the year, the whole city is in a gloomy and cold state, but when it comes to these festivals, the city of Rome is full of tourists from all over the world. Double it."

"Okay." Plum Tess paid the deposit with the money left on her body, and took Haiide into the room.This also means that she must immediately find a job in order to maintain the lives of two people.

After a night's rest, Plum Tess settled Haiide and walked out of the hotel.

Because it was Sunday, there were more people gathered around St. Clement's Cathedral.But other places in the city are as deserted as the winter sun.

Without knowing it, she walked to the edge of the Trevi Fountain.At this time, the Baroque fountain was built less than 100 years ago, and no one except her knew that it would become the most famous wishing fountain in later generations.

Plum Tess, however, turned her back to the fountain, and threw the coin in her right hand over her left shoulder into the pool.After hearing the sound of splashing water for the third time, she made a wish and moved on.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, Mei Tess walked around the exquisite Arch of Titus and strolled in the magnificent Roman Forum.In Rome today, the job with the least barriers to entry is that of a tour guide.However, it is not the four festivals that Boss Pillini mentioned, and she is no match for the local snakes.

When she reached a street corner, Mei Tess suddenly stopped.She did not expect that she would meet an old acquaintance in Rome, Danglars.

After a little thought, Plum Tess covered her face with a veil, quietly followed Danglars, and quickly sat on the other side when he got into the carriage.

"Miss, what are you doing..." Danglars asked suspiciously.But when he saw the dagger shown by Mei Tess, he seemed to have completely lost his voice for a full two seconds.

Danglars had heard that there were robbers in the outskirts of Rome, but he did not expect to meet a robber in the city. She was a female robber, "Miss, I am just a poor French traveler..."

"But the clothes and decorations you wear tell me that you are not as poor as you say." Mei Tess lowered her voice and said in a mocking tone.She clearly remembered that they once had a confrontation on the Rue Canabier in Marseilles.Danglars was keenly aware of her suspicion of him at that time, but when she pointed out Danglars' suspicion, the other party told her indifferently that he had never been to Marseilles in those few days.

And now, it's time to prove his words.

"I'm not here to steal your money," said Mei Tess in a hoarse voice.

Danglars opened his mouth, his pale lips continued to fabricate lies, "Miss, I still have a sick wife waiting for me to take care of..."

"And you left her and ran to Rome alone?" Mei Tess asked back.

"No, it's not like that...I just..." When Danglars suddenly found himself at a loss for words, all his shrewdness seemed to disappear in front of the shiny dagger.

"Listen, I'm not here to steal your money," Maisette interrupted him, "I'm here to find something from you."

"What?" asked Danglars at once.

"conscience!"

☆, the second confrontation

r095

The coachman, not noticing the movement in the carriage, rode to the hotel which Danglars spoke in broken Italian.In fact, Danglars couldn't speak Italian at all, he just didn't trust the guide he hired, so he decided to go to the bank where he was going to invest first, and find a French-speaking employee to understand the situation.

He didn't expect to encounter such a situation when he just left the bank.

At this moment, Danglars did not dare to call for help. He lowered his voice and asked in an almost certain tone, "Did my enemy send you here?"

"You guessed right." Plum Tess moved the blade closer, her amber eyes flashed with a cold light, "He was the one who was framed by you and lost everything."

At this time Danglars was breaking out in a cold sweat, and he regretted not using money to impress the other party in the first place.Now that this crazy woman clearly said that she doesn't want money, is that killing him?

No, she seemed to have said a word just now, "conscience".

Danglars just wanted to ask, is it still too late to repent?

He searched carefully in his mind, "It's Raul? I swear I didn't mean to crush his newly opened bank in Paris. It can only be blamed on him being too careless in investment."

"No", plum Tess shook her head.

"Could it be Antonio? Yes, the deal in Madrid a few years ago bankrupted him and made me rich, but business is business and he shouldn't blame me," continued Danglars.

"No, even earlier."

"Earlier..." Danglars tried to search in his mind. If it was before going to Spain, he hadn't worked in that bank yet, and he didn't have the chance to use his dirty tricks. ruin a competitor's business.

Wait, Danglars narrowed his eyes slightly as if he suddenly remembered something.Right in his hometown of Marseille, he does have an enemy.

"It's Edmund..." But as soon as the name was called out, Tenguera immediately began to shake his head, "No, no, this is even more impossible, he has already died in the Chateau d'If..."

"Nothing is impossible," Mei Tess exerted a little force, and the dagger in her hand cut the skin on Danglars' neck. "Tell me, how did you frame Edmund back then?"

"I didn't..." Danglars' voice was almost inaudible.

"Let's talk after you think about it, or I'll kill you now," Mei Tess warned in a stern tone.

Even the most shrewd person would become panicked in this situation, "Edmund is my best friend, how could I frame him intentionally, it's just..."

"Just what?" Plum Tess narrowed her eyes slightly.

"I just want to make a joke on him," Danglars' pale lips squirmed, "I didn't expect..."

"I don't want to listen to your lies," said Mei Tess coldly, "I want to listen to your conscience, if you have any."

"Yes," Danglars closed his eyes, "I framed him. I just want him to go to court for a few days, so that Mr. Morel, the owner of the ship, can directly assign me the position of acting captain. I didn't expect He'll be thrown into the Château d'If, really..."

Plum Tess began to lose control of her trembling right hand, the blade cut the skin on Danglars' neck, and the bright red blood dripped slowly.

"What else?" she asked through gritted teeth.

Once you get started, the rest is much easier. "Nor should I have reported him to the sheriff about his escape."

"Tell me about that incident carefully," Mei Tess ordered.

Danglars suddenly realized that this was a good way to delay time, so he deliberately spoke slowly.When the carriage stopped in front of the hotel, he had just described the quarrel he had had with Caderousse at Reserve's.

At this time, a childish female voice came from outside the window, "Dad, why don't you come down?"

It was Danglars' daughter Eugenie, who clamored to come to Rome, but Herminie let her go, and he had to bring her here.But at this time, Danglars was very grateful that he had made this decision. He hoped that his daughter would be as smart as he hoped, and found that there was a gangster in the car.

Mei Tess leaned in as much as she could, and she said in a low voice, "Tell her that you will go down soon, and let her go back and wait for you first."

Danglars reluctantly complied.

Plum Tess caught a glimpse of the girl's tiny figure as she skipped to the hotel. She looked even smaller than Haidee.

This made Mei Tess a little soft-hearted. She really wanted to kill Danglars, and she wanted to do so now.If it had not been for him, Edmund would not have entered the Château d'If, and old Dantès would not have died.But when she thought of the little girl, she could not help thinking of Valentine who had lost Renée, and Haidee who had lost her parents.

Although Danglars is a villain and a shameless person, for Eugenie, he is an irreplaceable father. How could she let that innocent child suffer such pain?

When Danglars turned his head, he found that the female bandit beside him had disappeared. He just breathed a sigh of relief and touched his pants subconsciously, but found that his body was wet and hot.

"Blood..." He fainted before he finished speaking.

That's not blood.

The coachman discovered that when he dragged Danglars out of the stinking car, but it was not a small blow to Danglars.

After the turmoil, he immediately returned to France with his daughter Eugenie, who hadn't had time to walk around the city, and vowed never to invest in this ghostly place like Rome again.

However, after safely arriving in Paris, he was still in constant anxiety, worrying that Edmund or that woman would come back to him one day, which made his hair gray prematurely.

Until a long time passed, Danglars' life was still without any disturbances.So he began to have another guess.Maybe the female gangster didn't know Edmund at all, after all, all the words about Edmund at that time were deliberately tricked out by her.The woman just wanted to distract him so he could walk away with his wallet.

After realizing this, Danglars finally had less frequent nightmares.

......

Mei Tess did take Danglars' wallet with her when she left.

Doing so made her look more like the real robber, making it difficult for Danglars to guess who she really was.More importantly, she needed money, and Danglars had enough money for her and Haidee to live for a long time.

However, Mei Tess is also very clear that this time is an exception, and she must not make a living by robbers.She was not alone now, and that would only set a bad example for Haidee.

What's more, her noble heart does not allow herself to be so depraved.