"Oh my god, it's terrible. Why did this happen?"
"Yes, a person who looked so healthy and sunny yesterday actually..."
"The young master discovered the scar on his calf, which was caused by a snake bite."
"But why did it take so long for the attack to occur?"
"Then I don't know. Maybe the toxicity is very weak and induces heart disease?"
"I really can't imagine that yesterday I saw him getting along so well with the lady, and I thought they could become a couple."
"God, may your mercy be upon that poor child."
...
There are no secrets in the castle. Early in the morning, there was a commotion downstairs. The servants were discussing the matter while they were working.
Of course, the noble gentlemen who stayed in the castle yesterday were not much better. During breakfast, they were all shocked by this.
Robert was particularly surprised. As the master, this kind of thing happened in his castle.
During breakfast, he would apologize to every guest who came in.
When Gao Bin came in, he hurriedly asked:
"Have you seen the body?"
"Yes, father."
"How is it?"
"It was so miserable. I felt like I died suddenly. I didn't even close my eyes until I died."
"Oh~ God bless him, why did this happen?"
Gao Bin was half the instigator, but in the face of everyone's curious eyes, he acted very calmly.
"Father, have you informed his family?"
"Yes, I have already asked Carson to send a telegram."
"I'm afraid nothing in that room can be kept, and it will have to be closed for a period of time."
Robert is convinced:
"Let Carson handle it. It's really unfortunate."
Cora doesn't have to go downstairs for breakfast, so she naturally doesn't have to face many curious looks.
Mary had to bear it and pretend to be extremely shocked but helpless.
It's a pity that her acting skills were not up to par, and she was wiping tears while talking. Fortunately, Gao Bin showed up in time to prevent anyone from noticing that she was acting weird.
"You have to adjust your emotions, do you understand what I mean?"
Mary's room, Gao Bin warned her.
"I know, but I just can't control it. How could such a beautiful person..."
"If he doesn't die, you will be the unlucky one."
"What do you mean?"
Gao Bin took out a telegram:
"I asked Mo Li to investigate Patnuk. As the telegram said, he is a playboy who likes to trick aristocratic girls who have not yet left the government to have sex. He is never responsible."
Mary couldn't believe it, grabbed the telegram and looked:
"How could this happen?"
"So, put away your stupid love brain, not for yourself, but for the reputation of this family, stop looking at the skin, that thing doesn't work!"
Mary didn't dare to complain at all, because Gao Bin was right, she was indeed a little obsessed with love.
"What should I do?"
"Be a heartless person. You are born to fight for the reputation of your family. Everyone thinks so anyway."
"So I have to be at your mercy like a puppet?"
"At least you don't have to worry about food or work."
"No, that's different."
"Of course it's different. You are the eldest lady of the Earl of Grantham's family. That's why you deserve this title."
"I..."
"I don't want to hear any nonsense from you. Listen, I'll give you three days to pick yourself up and go on a date with Matthew, otherwise he will be snatched away by Edith."
Mary sneered:
"It's not that I'm proud, Edith is no match for me."
"Then prove it to me."
Mary raised her head, stared at Gao Bin and said:
"I will!"
...
The world will turn the same without anyone. It’s just a person who dies, and people will forget it soon.
After seeing off all the guests, Gao Bin and Robert continued to work hard in the factory. Robert also set off for London a few days later, along with the first batch of goods leaving the factory.
Watching the long train leaving the platform with the hope of Downton people, the white smoke billowing like a long queue, Gao Bin's work can come to an end for the time being.
The workers are already proficient in production, so naturally they don’t need to work in the factory every day. They have more important things to do.
Picking up a princess, this is the first time in history.
Violet, Gao Bin's grandmother, was finally willing to put aside her prejudices for the sake of the family's reputation, and took the initiative to write a letter to Mrs. Bagshaw and put forward her request.
Mrs. Bagshaw also seemed to want to ease her relationship with Downton. In her reply, she stated that she would look for an opportunity to suggest that Princess Mary visit Downton as a guest.
Traveling for the princess is much more troublesome than expected, so she can only look for opportunities.
For example, if the princess goes to York to participate in an event, you can suggest that she stay in Downton for one night to create an opportunity for Gao Bin and the princess to meet.
Whether it can succeed or not depends on Gao Bin's charm.
Such an opportunity is hard to come by, so Gao Bin can only temporarily suppress his temper and live a shameless life with Anna in a country villa outside.
Both she and Gwen took typing classes, but the results were completely different.
Gwen does have the talent to be a secretary. In comparison, Anna has an advantage in taking care of people, and she knows nothing about typing.
Others can almost get started after two lessons, and then practice makes perfect, making the speed faster and faster.
But it took Anna four classes to barely get started. She didn't have much opportunity to train, so her progress was slow.
In the end, Gao Bin gave up and let her stay in the manor.
Besides, he also needs someone to pass information between servants.
...
In mid-July, summer arrives, and countries with a maritime climate can feel the beauty of summer.
Especially the air that has not been blown by the air conditioner contains humidity and is very comfortable against the skin.
However, with the arrival of the rainy season, the dilapidated roof once again showed its vulnerability. Every time it rained, water would seep from the roof, and the washbasin was no longer enough.
Robert was away, and Gao Bin was the first manager of the manor. Considering that the recent income was enough to spend part of it to repair the roof, he called Carson over.
"What are your orders, my young master?"
"Please ask a craftsman to calculate how much it will cost to repair the roof."
"Are we going to repair the roof, Master?"
"Yes, I don't want to fall asleep one day and rain falls from the sky."
"It shouldn't be that far yet, my young master."
"It's always good to take precautions before they happen. Let's arrange for someone to come and take a look."
"As you wish, young master."
"By the way, why haven't you seen Anna in the past two days?"
"Unfortunately, the poor girl is sick."
"Oh? What disease? Is it serious?"
"It's probably a common fever and cold. Mrs. Hughes has prescribed medicine for her, but she hasn't gotten better yet."
Gao Bin couldn't help but worry:
"I would like to visit, is it convenient?"
Carson was stunned for a moment:
"Of course my young master, I will take you there."
"Well, help her prepare some nutritious things, and ask me to reimburse the excess of the budget."
"Don't worry, young master, we won't treat Anna badly."
Masters will not easily go to the place where the servants live. This is against the rules.
Of course, they dare not make irresponsible remarks, after all, the entire manor is the territory of the Crowley family.
Anna has been on bed rest because of her illness.
Carson was carrying a tray. There were tea, snacks, and of course fruits on the tray. They were all prepared according to Gao Bin's requirements.
Knocking on the door, Anna was surprised:
"Mr. Carson?"
"And young master, Anna."
"Master?"
Anna was surprised and moved.
Gao Bin winked at Anna through Carson:
"Are you okay? I heard you were sick and asked Carson to take me here to see you."
"It's much better. I've taken medicine and now my fever is gone, but my nose keeps running."
"This is what the young master asked me to prepare. If you don't have enough, please tell me." Carson put down the tray.
"Thank you, Master. Thank you, Mr. Carson."
"You're welcome, you are a member of the Crowley family, please don't let anyone out." Gao Bin obviously meant something, and Anna understood.
Carson still had things to do, so he hesitated:
"Master, I need to go downstairs."
"Of course, you go and do your work. I'll talk to Anna and I'll be back in a while."
"Okay, young master."
Carson didn't think much about it and just thought it was Gao Bin who was in a good mood and expressed his goodwill to the servant.
After he left, Gao Bin closed the door, hugged Anna, and blamed him in the gentlest tone:
"Why didn't anyone tell me when I was sick?"
Anna felt Gao Bin's love and hugged him tightly:
"How should I say it? For what reason? That would make people suspicious."
Yes, she's just a maid, and she went out of her way to tell the young master when she was sick. A fool would think too much about it.
"Sorry." Gao Bin apologized.
"No, don't say that, I did all this willingly."
Anna suddenly withdrew from his arms:
"Master, you should go back. If anyone sees you staying in my room for so long, I won't be able to see anyone in the future."
Gao Bin said helplessly:
"Okay, you still need to get more rest. I'll help you and Carson take leave until you recover and go back to work."
"I know."
"If you don't have enough food, just tell Carson, don't worry about money, I will arrange it."
Anna smiled sweetly:
"I will."
Gao Bin had nothing more to say, so he looked at Anna affectionately and slowly exited the room.
...
Gao Bin had always had something to do before and felt that his life was very fulfilling. Now that he was suddenly free, he suddenly found that the life of a noble was really boring.
Perhaps it has something to do with his dislike of social interaction. Other young people of the same age are looking for noble ladies all over the world to marry, but he is the only one who guards a dilapidated castle and kills time calculating numbers below 5 digits every day.
"Gao, you are here." Cora came over holding a corner of her skirt.
"Mother." Gao Bin turned around.
"I was looking for you. I just received a telegram. Sir Anthony Strand will be a guest at Downton this Friday."
"Oh?"
"For Mary's sake, after the previous incident, there were many rumors in London, which were very unfavorable to Mary, so your father and I wanted to arrange a blind date for Mary as soon as possible and marry her off."
Gao Bin smiled bitterly:
"Actually, Matthew is the best choice."
"Although I think so too, Mary just doesn't like him, so she can only find someone else."
"So whose family is this Sir Anthony Strang descended from?"
"Just an old and boring old man." Cora joked.
"Old man? Mary won't agree." Gao Bin knew his sister very well.
"You have to give it a try, right?"
"Okay, so what do you want from me?"
"Your father is still in London, so when Sir comes this time, you need to come out to receive him."
"No problem, it looks like I need a new suit."
"I asked Carson to help you prepare it. Okay, I still have to go to the kitchen."
"What's wrong?"
"I heard that Anthony Strand likes to eat a new type of pudding called French apple pudding. I have to ask Mrs. Patmore if she can make it. Your aunt told me the recipe."
Gao Bin shrugged:
"Let me guess, Mrs. Patmore must insist on following her own menu."
"Why?"
"She is a stubborn woman, just like Mary."
"Oh~~~Don't let Mary hear this, she will definitely not be happy." The common hobby of Cora and Gao Bin is to make fun of Mary.
About 10 minutes later, Korra came back with a look of helplessness:
"You are right, Mrs. Patmore is unwilling to try new products."
"She is just worried that she is not qualified for the job, just like her grandmother, who is full of resistance to everything new."
"Well, poor Anthony Strain, he can only try Mrs. Patmore's signature raspberry buttercream."
Gao Bin laughed and said:
"As the French say, a meal without dessert is like a beauty without an eye. And in my opinion, if you can't eat your favorite dessert, it's like not eating at all, so leave this matter to me.
Bar."
"Do you have any idea?"
"My solution is to block the roads and take small roads. To be honest, when I heard the name of this apple pudding, I knew it was too sweet. I had no interest in eating it at all, but I also didn't want to eat the raspberry butter puff pastry."
Cora hugged her shoulders:
"So?"
"So, I decided to invent a brand new dessert."
"You? Invented dessert?"
"Mother, don't look at me suspiciously."
"No, it's not doubt, it's just that I don't believe you can make desserts."
"Then we'll see. I'll go to the kitchen and finish it. Mother, are you interested in being my first diner?"
"It just so happens that your grandmother will come over for afternoon tea today. Can we try it together?"
"It couldn't be better."
...
"Master, please spare me. Madam asked me to make apple pudding just now, but I still insist on raspberry cream puff pastry."
At this time, Gao Bin was confronting Mrs. Patmore in the kitchen.
"Actually, I made a bet with my mother. She doesn't believe that I can make desserts, so I have to impress her. Mrs. Patmore, are you willing to help me?"
Gao Bin infected Mrs. Patmore with his charm.
"Of course ~ Of course, Master, I am willing to help you."
"That's good. Who has paper and pen?" Gao Bin asked around.
Still Anna reacted:
"Wait a moment, young master, I'll get it."
After getting paper and pen, Gao Bin wrote down the required ingredients and handed them to Mrs. Patmore:
"Arrange someone to purchase it, and I will make it myself in an hour, with Mrs. Patmore assisting."
The little nympho Daisy said shyly:
"Master, can I help too?"
"Of course, if you're not tired."
"No, no, I'm not tired!"
"Haha, then I count you as one."
Mrs. Patmore took the ingredient list and couldn't help but murmured:
"Opera cake?"
"Yes, how about it? Isn't this name very romantic?"
Anna couldn't help but said:
"Why is it called this name?"
"You'll know when the shape comes out. It looks like an opera house."
The traditional opera house cake has a total of 7 layers, in order: almond cake-chocolate sauce-almond cake-coffee sauce-almond cake-chocolate sauce-coffee sauce, and the top layer is covered with chocolate mirror.
There is also a credible saying that Opera has six layers, including three layers of almond sponge cake soaked in coffee syrup, coffee cream and chocolate cream fillings. The entrance should be loose enough, not too dry, and the taste of both coffee and chocolate
It also needs balance.
According to legend, the Opera cake was first created by a dessert shop that opened in 1890. Because of its square shape and a thin layer of chocolate on the surface, it looks like the stage in an opera house.
The surface of the cake is decorated with a piece of gold foil, which symbolizes Garnier in the Opera House (originally the name of the famous Paris Opera House), hence the name.
There is another version about the origin of Opera:
The opera cake was invented by a famous French baker. Many opera houses in France have restaurants attached. However, when the first bell rings for admission, the guests may not be able to eat the last dish - dessert in time.
.
Guests will ask the restaurant to reserve desserts for the intermission.
Traditionally, "OPERA" is written on the surface of French opera cakes with chocolate cream, and some chefs will draw musical symbols on the surface of the cake covered with chocolate glaze.
No matter which design it is, it is full of the color of the opera house.
Generally, large cakes will have the word "Opera" written on them, and the symbols cut into small pieces will make them more delicate and beautiful~
After the ingredients were ready, Gao Bin started working in the kitchen.
As a young master, he shows off his talents in the kitchen. This is definitely not something you often see in aristocratic families.
Almost all the servants who were not busy gathered in the kitchen to watch his live performance, just like watching monkeys in a circus.
Gao Bin didn't have any stage fright, and gave Mrs. Patmore instructions while doing it.
The main purpose is to let her learn. He is not going to be in the kitchen making pastries every day. If he wants to eat them in the future, he can just let Mrs. Patmore make them.
I learned how to make this dessert from Lao Zhuo in my previous life.
When Huahua deleted her memory, she made certain reservations.
For example, these ‘cold knowledge’ of life that can be used at any time are all preserved.
The dessert is delicious, but it’s troublesome to make. First mix and sift almond flour, cake flour, and powdered sugar;
Then beat the egg whites with a whisk, add the sugar in three batches, and beat until dry;
Beat the whole egg liquid with a whisk over warm water until the egg paste is very thick and expands in volume. Pick up the whisk and the egg paste will not fall for 2-3 seconds, and the traces will not disappear immediately after falling;
Then mix the two together, stir well and add the melted butter. The temperature should be about 45 degrees.
Then pour the batter into the baking pan, put it in the oven, and bake for about 25 minutes.
The cake embryo is finished!
The process of making just one cake embryo opened everyone's eyes.
The young master actually knows how to make desserts, and his movements are quite skillful. When did he learn how to make desserts? Why hasn't he shown it before?