Chapter 34 Chapter 34 Bella/Spencer family is still good people...
Inside the castle, there was singing and dancing.
After Louisa and Philip finished talking, they found that there were many fewer people around them.
Miss Norman and Heinrich have been missing since the beginning, and now Edmund doesn't know where he is either.
Louisa made an excuse of being drunk and went to the lounge to look for someone. As soon as she turned the corner of the stairs, she heard a sound coming from somewhere.
"Everything that happened today is enough to prove that this woman is unusual. To avoid any accidents, please make her disappear before the wedding."
"I understand." This came from Edmund.
Louisa's eyes paused slightly, and the sound of her high heels hitting the ground startled the person she was talking to.
As she climbed the last step, she only saw a pale, slender hand with a crescent-shaped red mark handing a porcelain vase to Edmund, and then her skirt fluttered away.
Obviously a woman.
"Louisa?" Edmund turned around sharply and clasped his hands calmly.
Louisa glanced at him and asked, "Her again?"
Edmund's eyes dodged: "Yes."
"Are you going to hide it from me too, Edmund?" Louisa stared at him.
Edmund frowned, walked forward, hugged Louisa, and kissed the top of her head: "No, dear. I know you hate these things, so..."
"Yes, I hate using blunt means to resolve disputes, which is why I disagreed with your use of force last time." Louisa pushed him away, her tone serious. "More importantly, collaborating with her is like courting disaster. I'm afraid that in the end, you'll just become her stepping stone."
Edmund lowered his eyes: "Don't worry, Louisa, I know what I'm doing."
"No! You don't understand!" She paused, stroked Edmund's face, and sighed, "Ed, have you forgotten what you promised me when you proposed to me? Let the sins of the past blow away with the wind. Don't fight with Hein. Let's live a good life from now on."
Edmund's face suddenly darkened and he pushed Louisa's hand away.
"Shut up! Unless Heinrich kneels at my feet and begs for mercy! Otherwise... I will never get over that day in my life!"
Louisa was shocked by the rage in his eyes.
Edmund took several breaths before suppressing his emotions. He held Louisa's hand tightly and kissed her again: "I'm sorry, dear, I shouldn't have lost my temper with you. I know you've helped me a lot along the way. You don't have to interfere in what happens next. Once I get my revenge, we'll live a good life..."
Louisa was held in his arms, listening to the chatter in her ears, but the light in her eyes had disappeared.
She didn't know when it started, but the humorous and handsome man was gradually tortured by hatred and became a monster. Even she couldn't pull him out of the quagmire and could only watch him sink deeper and deeper.
Louisa closed her eyes, tears sliding silently into his collar.
-
The Spencer family's social activities in Mellenvik finally came to an end.
On the day they returned to Charvis Manor, old Lady Violet asked the butler Andrew to prepare a sumptuous dinner.
"Oh, there aren't many good cooks in Philip's house. That's what I expected. Come on, kids, eat. Cook Patty vows to show off her skills, fearing that you'll forget the benefits of Charvis if you play outside for too long." Violet raised her eyebrows and raised her glass.
Isabel smiled and raised her glass: "To Cook Patty."
Louisa and Edmund: "To Charvez."
Everyone's eyes were focused on Heinrich, who remained motionless.
Violet: "Hein?"
Under the table, Isabel stretched out her left hand and pinched it hard.
Heinrich, who was eating, suddenly sat up straight, and the cups and plates clattered against each other.
“…”
Heinrich glared at Isabel, who didn't shy away and even smiled at him.
"Lady Violet is speaking to you."
Heinrich took a deep breath, rolled his eyes, and casually raised his glass. "To Grandma."
Violet then took a sip of wine with satisfaction.
As the dinner chat was about to end, the old lady asked casually, "How was Philip's wedding this time?"
Everyone was silent.
Violet has always hated her illegitimate daughter Sophia. This question seems to be asked to Philip, but in fact, the real intention is not so.
Of course, Isabel didn't want to be the first to speak out.
Heinrich hated chatting and was too lazy to respond.
Only Edmund and Louisa were left.
Edmund wanted to follow the old lady's lead and criticize the Brunswick family. Unexpectedly, Louisa spoke first: "It was a grand ceremony. The Queen was in person, the Archbishop officiated, and the bride and groom were a perfect match."
Edmund frowned and stared at his wife in confusion.
Isabel glanced at the couple silently.
Violet was indeed displeased. She snorted, "Oh, that's quite a spectacle. I hope the bride's jewels aren't too shabby, especially the tiara. I hear the Brunswick family didn't inherit anything good."
"Grandma, the tiara Becky wore that day was newly made and very expensive." Louisa ate her food without any regard for the old lady's feelings as usual, and even more so, she ignored her husband's expression. "Aunt Sophia put a lot of effort into this wedding."
"Newly made?" Violet rolled her eyes as if she had heard something funny. "I'm afraid everyone here will laugh their heads off. Any respectable noble has a few worthwhile antiques passed down from their ancestors. A dignified Duchess actually needs a new tiara for her wedding, ha!"
She laughed, then sighed and raised her eyebrows. "Well, it's not Sophia's fault. Being able to get along with a low-ranking earl of old Brunswick is already her greatest achievement."
As usual, Louisa would come to Sophia's aid and criticize her at this time.
But she smiled and said, "Grandma, contrary to your expectation, many of the ladies present are asking Aunt Sophia about the new crown. In this day and age, who would want to use an old one when a new one is available?"
Violet's face fell.
Louisa seemed unaware and looked at Isabel: "Are you right? The bride-to-be?"
Isabel nodded gracefully: "Whether new or old, as long as it is full of blessings from loved ones, it is good."
Louisa didn't care about her answer and stood up and bowed to Violet.
Edmund was a little slow and quickly chased after him.
Violet stared at the two people walking away. After a long moment, she uttered an incredulous "Ha!" and instructed Eleanor, "Remember to ask the family doctor to come and see Louisa tomorrow. Don't let the trip to Mellenwick damage her brain!"
Eleanor: “…”
She glanced at Isabel subtly, and was glad that the old lady didn't know about the famous scene her other granddaughter-in-law had contributed in the capital.
The meal fell into an eerie silence. Isabel pretended not to hear anything, and Heinrich continued to eat calmly.
Violet looked at Isabel and raised her chin. "Audrey, tell me, you don't want new jewelry for your wedding, do you?"
Isabel's eyes flickered slightly, and she was about to answer, but was interrupted by Heinrich: "Send the preparations to her room, and take a look at them before making a decision."
Violet snorted coldly: "That's what I wore when I got married. The Leicester emerald on it is not better in all of Ceylon!"
Heinrich said without looking up, "But it's not you who's marrying me. It doesn't matter how satisfied you are, Grandma."
"Oh! You're such a bastard! I'm so glad you didn't forget I'm your grandmother!" Violet complained, but then she turned and ordered, "Eleanor, when the jewels arrive, remember to show them to the future Duchess."
She emphasized the pronunciation of "Duchess".
Eleanor nodded: "Yes, old lady."
Violet looked at the two young men with displeasure: "I hope your noble aesthetic taste still exists."
Having said that, she stood up and left.
Isabel and Heinrich also stood up and watched.
After the old lady left, Heinrich glanced at Isabel and said, "Aren't you leaving yet? The show is over."
"Don't worry, Mr. Partner." Isabel raised an eyebrow. "I heard that Lady Violet also arranged Louisa's wedding. Since this is a matter of the Spencer family's reputation, I don't think they would treat me unfairly. Why bother refuting the old lady and making her unhappy?"
"I didn't realize you're such a considerate granddaughter-in-law?" Heinrich rolled his eyes. "Stop pretending. You know better than anyone that if you grit your teeth and endure hardship, you'll suffer endlessly, just like Louisa did."
Isabel indeed smiled, with no surprise on her face.
Louisa used to appear docile, which had the advantage of being liked by most people, but the disadvantage of being unable to contradict her dignified grandmother.
The servants obeyed her, but there was always a big Buddha hanging over her head, which was one of the reasons why Louisa never took control of the manor.
Once the mask is put on, it is not easy to take it off.
Human nature is always like this. When a bad guy shows kindness occasionally, people will be grateful, but once a good guy turns his face away, it is a serious crime.
Isabel had already anticipated that in order to control the manor, she had to become the master who had the final say.
Although Violet said she was willing to let go, she was used to being strong. It would take time to change, and she could only start slowly from the small details.
Louisa's path of being a good person is not feasible, but this does not mean that Isabel is determined to be a bad person.
There are smart people among the good guys and the bad guys.
People's understanding of each other is built on small encounters. It may seem like a simple decision about wedding jewelry, but compromise often leads to compromises at every step. The preciousness of the jewelry isn't important; what matters is who chooses it.
If Heinrich didn't speak, Isabel would have politely declined the old lady's wishes in an appropriate manner.
Now, it’s better for her fiancé to take the initiative to be the bad guy, and Isabel is happy and relaxed.
After all, dealing with such a trivial matter as the old lady was not worth her spending too much energy.
"Mr. Partner, you're truly a partner. You've learned to share my worries." Isabel said frankly. "Thank you."
Heinrich snorted coldly, showing disdain for her compliment. "Don't thank me too soon, it's just because this wedding belongs to me too. Other than that, don't expect me to interfere too much in other matters."
"Anything?"
"Of course, anything," Heinrich said grimly.
"Okay." Isabel nodded nonchalantly, seemingly unconcerned. Then, looking in the direction Louisa left, she seemed to be lost in thought: "Did you notice just now? There seems to be a crack in the loving couple's alliance."
"?"
The topic changed unexpectedly.
Heinrich, who thought he was about to have a debate, frowned and stared at her strangely.
He was tall enough to look down at her even when he bent down.
On the wall was the shadow cast by the crystal candlestick, and the slender woman was completely overshadowed by the tall man's back.
Isabelle didn't shy away from his approach. "What are you looking at me for?"
Her ice-blue eyes stared at him, so close that he could smell the rose water on her body mixed with the fragrance of the wine she had just drunk, as if she was intoxicated but not drunk.
"Nothing." Heinrich straightened up first, tilted his head, and sneered, "Ladies always look forward to their weddings and attach great importance to them. I thought you would be more concerned about your own wedding, but it turns out you're so concerned about other people's affairs."
"Is a formal wedding important?" Isabel raised an eyebrow and paused, "Or do you need me to act more immersively?"
Heinrich snorted coldly and walked away with long legs. "No need. This is fine. Although we are partners, I still hope to maintain a certain distance."
"What a coincidence! I thought so too."
Watching his leaving back, Isabel shrugged and went straight upstairs.
-
After many days, Isabel finally had time to read the letter from Kent.
Just as I saw Audrey wrote that she wanted to hire a wedding painter and invited me to wear a sapphire crown together, there was a knock on the door.
The maids, Edith and Emily, worked together to push in the dress rack.
"Miss, these are the clothes that the old lady ordered. The main veil for the wedding day is not yet ready, but the evening gown and everyday wear are already here."
"Well, thank you for your hard work Edith, just leave it for now, I'll try again later."
"Yes... Ha Qiu! Ha Qiu!" Edith suddenly sneezed several times, nodded and left, "Sorry..."
Emily was left adjusting her dress. Looking at the delicate lace on the skirt, she was amazed. "Miss, this purple satin dress is so well made! You will look stunning in it! Ha Qiu! Ha Qiu!"
She also sneezed a few times and touched her nose awkwardly: "It's just that the incense is a bit pungent. It will be fine after two days."
Isabel didn't pay attention. She was reading Audrey's letter when she suddenly read about hiring a painter and making a sapphire crown.
She lowered her eyes and smiled softly, thinking, it is better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early.
Heinrich had just helped her block the old lady's words and refused to agree to use the old tiara. Violet agreed to let her choose, but it might be just to give her grandson a way out, and he might not be willing to change his mind.
In reality, there was nothing wrong with using an old tiara for a wedding. For aristocrats, jewelry with heritage significance actually showed their heritage. If it came down to personal preference, Isabel didn't mind at all.
However, she could see that the choice of jewelry for this wedding was probably a test of Lady Violet herself.
If you can't even decide on your own wedding, how can you manage an estate?
Heinrich can block it for a while, but not forever.
At this moment, this letter from Kent happened to be the reason for Isabel to refuse the arrangement.
Audrey hopes to wear the same jewelry as her sister for her wedding and have an artist record it as a souvenir. This is very meaningful for the two sisters who are separated by a long distance and don't know when they will reunite.
Taking this opportunity, Isabel could not only satisfy her sister's wish, but also indirectly express her own opinion to the old lady, and refuse in a proper and measured way.
Thinking of this, Isabel's fingers were still unconsciously stroking the paper without stopping.
In fact, it is not difficult to overturn the old plan. The difficult part is how to implement the new plan.
Lady Violet is no pushover.
The granddaughter-in-law rejected her arrangement and still wanted the old lady to obey her every command and help her customize a new crown? That would only happen if the sun of Chalvey's house rose from the west.
If you think about it carefully, this is probably what Lady Violet wants to see most.
Isabel has no power to manage household affairs now, and it is difficult for her to even hire a few more servants. In addition, she has just arrived in Hank County and is unfamiliar with the place. The process of customizing wedding jewelry is complicated. How can she make it in time?
Violet anticipated this, so she was not afraid of Heinrich's rebuttal.
She applied the same method she had used on Louisa to Isabel, expressing it subtly but clearly: You kids either listen to me and be my second-in-command. Or, you solve your own problems. If you solve them well, I may not think highly of you, but if you don't, you still have to come back and listen to me.
After figuring out what the old lady meant, Isabel curled the corners of her lips slightly.
She is not an obedient person.
She is rich, but lacks connections and face in the top aristocratic circle. However, with the title of future Duchess, it is not difficult to spend some money and expedite the process.
But...Isabel doesn't like to solve problems in a brute-force way.
It's such a small matter, but you still have to put in so much effort. You are really... too honest and naive.
If a match can start a raging fire, why bother cutting down trees all over the mountains? That would only make you look tired and embarrassed, and make the old lady sitting on the Diaoyutai laugh at you.
Thinking of this, Isabel's eyes moved slightly, and she looked at the "Charvez Gossip Encyclopedia" on the table.
Let the hard work be done by people who are capable.
Her partner was full of fighting spirit and energy when arguing, so it was perfect for him to go. She wanted to combine work and rest.
Emily leaned against Isabel and read Audrey's letter, wondering, "Miss, how are you going to change your tiara?"
Isabel: "I have a great idea."
Emily was all ears.
Isabel smiled and said, "Just like last time, go to the tree and pray to God."
Emily's eyes widened. "Are you kidding me?!"
Isabel said nothing and just looked at her with a smile.
Emily's expression gradually changed from shock to disbelief.
But out of her unconditional trust in Isabel, Emily still carried out this outrageous order and also told her about hiring a painter.
Of course, she didn't really go to the tree to pray to the gods, but she symbolically asked around like she did last time, and finally went to the big tree by the lake and bowed devoutly three times.
I thought there was no result, but the next day, a familiar man stopped Emily.
The man was tall and long-legged, wearing a well-ironed three-piece suit and gold-rimmed glasses, looking like a middle-class elite.
"Miss Emily, by order of old Lady Violet, the sapphire tiara is being custom-made and will be completed before the wedding. Also, the court painter will arrive in Chalvey this afternoon. Please tell Miss Norman."
Emily couldn't believe it. Seeing the man was about to leave after he finished speaking, she quickly asked, "Mr. Snail! What's your name? ...Uh, no, I mean, sir..."
The man frowned, dodged Emily's hand like a mysophobe, and said politely and distantly, "Victor, the Duke's assistant. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
After that, he left without waiting for Emily's answer.
It seemed that Mr. Victor was very impatient with running such errands for the Duke.
Emily was so surprised that she was dizzy. She excitedly told Isabel, but she was also a little confused after she finished speaking: "Mr. Victor said he was the Duke's assistant and that the old lady sent him here. Is the old lady so kind? Will she agree to it directly?"
Isabel lowered her eyes to read, raised her eyebrows and smiled: "Who knows, the Spencer family is still full of good people."
She would not expose Mr. Tianluo's stubbornness. Men always have some inexplicable persistence and disguise.
Isabel leisurely turned a page.
There is no need to guess what they are thinking, as long as you can use them for your own benefit.
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