Chapter 28 Chapter Twenty Eight

September 8, 1893 New York City makes Jiaqi's stomach cramp. Although she had read in newspapers and magazines that New York was trying to become the new Paris, she hadn't expected that even the landscape was so similar.The buildings in some areas adopt the neo-classic style, and the capitals and eaves are full of plants or mythical carvings, giving people the illusion of being on the right bank of the Seine.On the way to the hotel she saw a church that was a replica of Notre Dame. She walked very slowly, comparable to the speed of the House of Representatives dragging its reform bills, but she was still out of breath.The avenue is full of traffic, horseshoes are stepping on the stone floor, and the wheels are rolling to transport heavy goods.The roar of an elevated train was heard nearby.The air pollution isn't as bad as London's, but it still has the familiar smell of horse manure and factories, with an undertone of exotic sausage and mustard.

Walking on the south section of Fifth Avenue, she deliberately carefully observed all the restaurants, window displays and wealthy mansions.But this road is still too short, and it will be over in one go.Before she knew it, she had arrived at the correct street intersection and the correct address.She clutched desperately at the whalebone handle of her parasol, trying to avert her gaze from the house across the street. No, she must be mistaken.Condon's upbringing was perfect, and he had always been modest and moderate in everything.The mansion on the opposite side is not humble at all, as if the mansion of a nobleman in Europe was uprooted and moved here.She'll need to demonstrate her wealth and status to take the fortress down, and convince the skeptical steward that she's really Mrs. Tremais, and not a thief trying to slip in and steal silver.

However, as soon as the door opened, Jiaqi knew that the manager recognized her immediately, because his jaw almost fell on the black marble floor tiles in the foyer.But he quickly regained his composure, took a step back and bowed.Mrs Tremes. Jiaqi stared straight at him, this person looked familiar.She wasn't quite sure if she had seen him, but Bezit!Her heart was full of strangeness and guilt.When her plot was exposed, she was not the only one who was punished. Bezit's sudden departure from St. Pillar was definitely because Condon discovered his part in it, she was as sure as she was that the Queen of India was German-British.Forget about others, how could he become the head of the Congdon family?

What should you say to him?Had he guessed over the years that she was the mastermind?you are in new york. yes ma'am.Bezit replied respectfully, took her parasol without further explanation.While we unpack, would you like a cup of good Assamese tea first. The front is very luxurious, and the reception room is extravagant.She has visited several royal palaces, and the furniture and artwork here are definitely better than some royal families.The works of art are even more astonishing, almost like relocating exhibits from the Louvre Grand Gallery into a private home.Although it suits her taste, how has Congdon changed.Doesn't he like low-key houses and impressionist paintings?

I have no luggage.The next question is the most important.Is Lord Tremais at home? Lord Tremais and his friends are sailing out to sea, Bezit said.Before going out, Sir Alex said that he would be back before five o'clock. The Lord Tremais he was talking about was probably not the one she knew.For starters, the house is so opulent that even Queen Mary, who loves cake, would be comfortable.And now that hard-working entrepreneur went out to play, today is not Sunday! Since he's not here, I'll come back later. It's impossible for her to wait five or six hours in the reception room for tea.That was so weird.

She told anyone in England who knew Condon's New York address to keep it secret, and now she regretted it that she had crossed the Atlantic to find him.It seems that he should be notified first. Lord Tremais will host a dinner in the evening.Do you need me to send a carriage to the hotel where Madam is staying? Jiaqi shook her head.She didn't want to stage a reunion scene in front of a group of strangers.I think about it, if I want to come, I will arrange the transportation by myself.You needn't say any more to Lord Tremaus. By order, madam. You should have children of your own, Saudora said.

She was wearing a beautiful powder blue dress, leaning on the railing of the bow deck.The forty-foot ship, the Ruffin, was now sailed by Condon in his leisure time, and the Mistress was mainly used for business purposes.The ribbon on her hat fluttered with the wind, and in the distance, countless tricky poles could be seen swaying up and down with the waves, which made people feel very calm. There were at least a thousand ships moored in front of the tall buildings in the financial district. Condon and Marsha were sharing a plate of lemon biscuits when he looked up and said, how do you know I don't?

Xiudora froze for a moment, then blushed.oh. Of course he didn't.He has always been very careful.But he didn't seem to be teasing her casually.Xiudora has never understood jokes very well.The way she interpreted the meaning seriously always made him feel very cute, but he was only fifteen years old at the time. Excuse me for being so indecorous, he said.You are right.I should have kids.I would love to have a few more, I would love them a lot. how?Marsha asked.Mom said you were about to get divorced.How do people who are not married have children? Marsha!Xiuduo scolded sharply, and her face became even redder.

That's all right, Condon said.He looked at Marsha, who had inherited his father's sad eyes and long nose. Although she had the melancholy temperament of a Russian aristocrat, she had a lively and joyful personality, and was more energetic than a sailor on shore vacation.dear mariaElesiva, you are so clever.To be honest, I'm struggling with this problem.What do you think I should do? You should marry someone else, Marsha said flatly. But no one wants to marry me, little Marcia.I am very old, as old as the earth. Marsha Gege lowered her voice with a smile.Mom is older than you, so she is older than the earth.

Condon whispered, yes.Don't tell her. What are you whispering about?Xiudora was slightly annoyed. I told Uncle Condon he should marry you, Mom.Marsha replied cheerfully.That way you won't have time to miss me. Xiudora was too stunned to speak for a while, when Sasha shouted from the rear deck: Marsha, come here quickly!I caught a super big fish. Masha immediately rushed over to help her younger brother take up the line. Oh, that girl, Saudora muttered.Sooner or later I will be mad at her. Don't worry too much, Condon said.She is absolutely capable of protecting herself. Xiudora didn't speak, she put away the parasol, held it in front of her abdomen with both hands, and then put the tip on the deck.Her forefinger was drawing on the handle, which at first glance seemed like a meaningless pattern, but he knew that she had inadvertently written what was on her mind: God, God, God.

She felt awkward and uncomfortable, and she hadn't changed in that regard.Condon picked up another biscuit. I hope you don't think I came to New York because you're about to become single again. isn't it?He didn't mention the divorce, but judging from what Marsha said just now, Xiudora should know about it. Xiudora clasped her hands shyly.She wasn't used to talking directly to him like this.She watched him silently, those big blue eyes begging him to read her words, guess what she thought and let him propose it, so that she didn't have to say it herself, as before. he sighed.The timing of her arrival was really unfortunate, and now he wanted very much to go to sea or stay in the studio by himself.He couldn't bear to let the children down, so he took them sightseeing around for three weeks, but he didn't have the energy to play guessing games with Xiudora.If she wants something from him, it's best to say it directly, he knows there must be. Are you really going to divorce Mrs. Tremais?she asked timidly. She is the one who wants a divorce.So we're on it.His tone was quite angry, because this morning he received a letter from his lawyer, informing him that the engagement ring that Jia Qi had to return was about to arrive in New York. He doesn't want the goddamn ring.Isn't it miserable enough that he's facing that damn piano every day?He wanted her to come with the ring.But his plot failed.She was to marry Frederick.And him, what should he do? You need to find a new wife, right?Xiudora's volume was so low that he could barely hear the last few words. He doesn't need a new wife.He wants the current one.I will discuss this issue later. Her fingers write, God help me.Alas, we all need God's help. The awkward silence was broken by two children's shouts of glee.Look at the fish we caught!Look at the fish we caught! Sasha yelled loudly and ran over.The crocodile in the hand weighs at least two or three kilograms. awesome!Condon stood up yelling.The fish I caught at your age were half the size of this one at most. He unhooked the struggling fish and threw it into the bucket beside him.Would you like to have this fish with a lemon cream sauce for dinner? good!Sasha readily agreed. bring it on!Condon lifted Sasha high into the air and circled. I also want!I have help!Marsha raised her arm to Condon. He also picked her up and circled her, enjoying her high-pitched laughter.Can the two young anglers find a way to catch another fish before heading back home? They run away, leaving him and Shudora alone again.He opened the picnic basket and put back the leftovers.Half a cold chicken pie, a few slices of roast beef, a few bites of potato salad, a few lemon biscuits. As he put the lemonade bottle in, Sudora came to him.I've always missed my days in St. Petersburg, she whispered.Remember what you used to say to me back then? I haven't forgotten.He closed the picnic basket and looked down.The problem is, the divorce made it hard for me to let go. Even if I remarried, I couldn't love and consider my new wife. I love you very much, and I can't let you suffer like that. He finally admitted that the divorce would leave him so devastated that he was only close to a complete breakdown.He was afraid of receiving letters, all letters from lawyers from England terrified him, and he didn't want to receive a telegram from Mrs. Roland, for fear that she would announce that Jiaqi had finally made an irreparable mistake. I understand. Her voice was disappointed, like a child hearing that Christmas has been cancelled.He pulled her into his arms.But I will always take care of you. If you need anything, send a telegram and I will be there immediately.In case something unfortunate happens to you, I will raise the twins as my own. He kisses the top of her straw hat.I will take care of all your needs and that promise remains valid. That's all my woman wants.She said slowly, the haze on her face dissipated.She smiled timidly and kissed his cheek.Thank you︱You are my best friend. They just stood still, he put his arms around her waist, and she snuggled into his arms.he sighed.It's ironic that he hugged Shudora on this ship.It can be said that the ship was named after Jiaqi. La Femme means both woman and wife in French. The sun is warm and the breeze is refreshing. Even if I lose my wife, today is still a good day.He kisses Sudora on the cheek. Ready to go? At five o'clock in the evening, as soon as Jiaqi walked out of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, she immediately saw the car.It is a very beautiful machine, based on a convertible carriage, with a pure black background and red trim, and it marches majestically amidst the sound of rumbling engines.A well-proportioned driver in uniform is even more beautiful than driving the queen's royal carriage. The two young passengers in the car were very proud. When a large crowd of people passed by, they turned to look at them. Those envious and curious eyes made the two children immersed in joy.The reaction of the third passenger was more difficult to read because she was wearing a long veil that only showed her chin. Whose car is that?Jiaqi asked the concierge. An English aristocrat, his house is very close to here, ten intersections to the south, madam.answered the porter.I heard he was a viscount. It is the count, said the porter beside him.That was his lover, the Grand Princess of Russia.Every day at this time she would return in his horseless carriage. Jiaqi felt like she had turned into a stone statue.Condon's home is ten blocks south of the hotel.She counted well this morning.Didn't Miss Schebenberg just marry a Russian Grand Duke? The car gradually approached and finally stopped in front of the hotel, and she hurriedly pulled down her veil.The three passengers got out of the car. The driver opened the back of the car and took out a bucket that seemed heavy. The two children rushed to get it, and their mother gave a series of reminders in French. The driver bows.I'll pick you up around eleven o'clock, Your Highness. Thank you, Her Royal Highness replied. It was indeed her, Miss Schebenberg back then.She was going to Condon's house at eleven o'clock tonight, and the dinner party should have ended by then. As for what she was going to do, it goes without saying. The driver handed the bucket to the concierge and told him to send it to the kitchen.Grand Princess Xiudora took the child into the hotel and on the elevator. Jiaqi walked slowly to the corner of the hall and sat down.Too much time to think on the transatlantic voyage, she expected to have to get him back from other women, because he probably already had a mistress, maybe more than one, and she was ready to drive those wild women away from him bed, drive him out of his life. But she didn't expect it to be Xiudora. What should I do now.