An ugly girl starts off, then becomes a beauty

Banquets in the imperial court were really lively, especially since the Taiwei was one of the Three Dukes and his influence could not be underestimated. Although he did not have a hereditary title, his status would be there as long as he served in the court for one day. Therefore, it would be difficult for the family banquets in the Taiwei's mansion to be simple.

At the beginning of the banquet, a group of dancers with long sleeves came on stage. Behind the flowing cloud lacquer screen, a dozen musicians played the pipa. When the dancers stepped back a little, the melodious singing of several actors floated out with the smoke from the incense burner.

The yellow curtains were dim behind the candlelight. Sang Ling took a sip of hot water while looking around with his peripheral vision. Seeing Sang Feng'e's eyes accidentally turned to him, he looked back at her generously with a gentle smile.

She suddenly remembered the argument between Sang Feng'e and Ma before the banquet - the enemy of my enemy is my friend, so why doesn't she try to hold on to this aunt's thigh?

"Aunt, try this. Ah Ling just ate it. It's very sweet."

Among Sang Ling's only memories of Sang Feng'e, the deepest one was that she loved sweet food. In May and June every year, the mansion would prepare baskets of melons. When she occasionally came to the Taiwei Mansion, the servants also knew to prepare sweets for her.

Her voice was clear and her eye contact with her aunt was not too direct.

Sang Feng'e smiled and nodded. She didn't rush to speak. Instead, she stared at Sang Ling's cheekbones - after all, the redness and swelling on his face were really eye-catching.

This probing look actually only lasted for a moment, but because the two were facing each other, the person on the other side could feel it more intuitively.

But does Sang Ling really have an inferiority complex? Not really - she just needs to inadvertently reveal just the right amount of inferiority complex to arouse the sympathy of the female elders.

I followed my aunt's gaze, slightly restrained the smile on my lips, and lowered my head a little awkwardly.

This is neither coy nor embarrassed, but a disguised way of telling the people in front of it: this pure flower that should have grown on a high mountain can only bow its head helplessly because it is stained with mud in the rain, and it does not want the world to see its ugly side.

The niece's lowering of her head immediately made Sang Feng'e's heart tremble. It was hard to say that she was not touched - she must have known the problem on her face and must have heard those discussions.

With a lot of thoughts in his mind at the moment, he patted Sang Ling.

"Silly child, auntie is just happy to see you, why are you lowering your head?"

Sang Ling sniffed quickly, and when he looked up again, he smiled innocently, "Yes, aunt."

This smile reveals the child's true nature completely. Crying and laughing at the same time, doesn't it just show that he has a simple personality?

Sang Feng'e was also a mother. She suddenly thought of her deceased daughter and her eyes revealed deep pity.

While the aunt and niece were talking, the room was bustling with activity. Ma picked up a few pieces of roasted meat and took a bite. She looked at the head of the family, Sang Wu, who was sitting on the main seat, and then looked at the aunt and niece opposite her. She couldn't understand her eldest daughter's sudden behavior, so she could only wait until the banquet was over and then question the people in Qiu Garden.

Compared with his wives, concubines and children, only the head of the family, Sang Wu, did not have so many twists and turns in his mind. Since the banquet started, he basically talked to his nephew.

When Gao Henggang came back, he couldn't help asking a few more questions. The love in the uncle's tone was very obvious. He was already middle-aged and still didn't have a son. The only one who was closest to him was this nephew.

"It's good for my son to endure more hardships. I see you are much more stable than in the first few years. Now that you are back, stay at your uncle's place for a few days and go out for a walk with me." Sang Wu said to his nephew.

Although Sang Feng'e did not pay attention to the uncle and nephew, she kept one ear open. When she heard what Sang Wu said earlier, she was about to interrupt: My son has just returned, how can he live in someone else's house?

But after hearing the last sentence, he calmed down again. What Sang Wu meant by this was that he wanted to take Gao Hengduo to make friends with the dignitaries in the capital.

This is fine. Even though the Gao family still has wealth, who doesn't want to climb up? His son is already a genius. If he can earn the title back in the future, that would be the best.

She didn't say much.

The family dinner ended at 11:00 p.m. The cool breeze from the corridor made the candle in the cage sway, and it was already late at night.

After leaving Langxiang Pavilion, everyone walked through the small path in the courtyard. Sang Ling still didn't leave his aunt Sang Feng'e, but now he has changed his mind and decided to cling to this strong support.

Sang Wu asked Ma to arrange a place to live, and then he went back to exchange a few words with his elder sister, but it was Sang Feng'e who spoke first, "I'd better live in Qingxue Hall, and let A-Man go to the study, so he doesn't have to go to the inner courtyard."

This is also a prudent consideration. Gao Heng is already 26 years old this year. He is no longer like a child who can often run around in the backyard with the women.

Sang Ling followed behind and listened silently. This was a good thing. The study and Qingxue Hall were both on the west side of the Taiwei Mansion, only a corridor away from Qiu Garden where he was. Sang Feng'e lived close to him, so their relationship could be deepened.

Ma responded immediately, "That's fine. There are things of my elder sister in Qingxue Hall, so it's convenient to live in." Then she looked at Gao Heng again, "But the study is in the side courtyard, so it's a bit small. I'm afraid it will be unfair to A-Man. How about I--"

Before he could finish his words, Sang Feng'e interrupted him again, "Don't worry about it, sister-in-law."

When facing Ma, the eldest sister of the Sang family did not give her the slightest face. Even when Sang Wu was still around, she maintained this attitude.

The courtyard suddenly fell silent. The two women in charge were exchanging witticisms. The concubines certainly didn't dare to say a word and tried to avoid them as much as possible. Younger ones like Sang Ling and Sang Mei didn't dare to say anything.

Then the only ones who could smooth things over were my husband and his younger brother Sang Wu.

"It's convenient for A-man to live in the study. I can call him if I have something. My eldest sister can still live in Qingxue Hall. It's getting late and the weather is cold. You all should go back." Sang Wu patted the fallen snow on his shoulder and opened his arms to let everyone go.

Then everyone bowed and dispersed.

Ma didn't continue to act so politely. She lowered her politeness a little. She wanted to stare at Sang Ling again, but she was not prepared to see Sang Feng'e next to her. She could only smile and say, "If you have any problems last night, just tell someone to come to Zhiyuju and tell her."

After all, having been in charge of the family for many years, Ma's face skills are indeed quite good. Even though Sang Feng'e has given her the cold shoulder several times, she can still continue to socialize as if nothing has happened.

Then Sang Feng'e snorted and turned to walk towards the west courtyard. Sang Ling followed closely behind her, not daring to stay any longer.

Gao Heng did stop for a short while, then bowed to Ma and Sang Mei according to etiquette. Ma returned a half bow, and Sang Mei then squatted down and returned a full bow.