An ugly girl starts off, then becomes a beauty

On the day Huan Linshan returned to Chang'an, Sang Wu left the mansion first. As soon as he entered the city gate, he was invited to visit the Prime Minister's Mansion.

As soon as her father left, Sang Mei got off the carriage and asked someone to arrange another carriage for her to return to the Taiwei Mansion alone. Sang Ling watched his little daughter leave without saying a word. After the original carriage had traveled for a distance, he asked someone to temporarily change the direction - to go to Gao Mansion.

Unexpectedly, he arrived at an inopportune moment, as he happened to meet the wife of Marquis Dong, who was visiting and talking with Sang Feng'e in the painting hall.

The servants came to report to the female head of the household that Madam Ling had arrived. Sang Feng'e's eyes flickered, but she did not call Sang Ling over to greet him. She still knew how to maintain a proper tone, and said casually, "That's right, the child came to her brother to get medicine. The young master is in the room, so just tell her to go over there."

This means that he doesn't want his niece to pay a visit to the wife of Marquis Dong - after all, it was your Xun Jin who first said he wanted to change someone. Even if he has changed his mind now and wants to take his sister back, the Sang family is a family of noble birth after all, and you can't just do whatever the man's family says.

Although Sang Feng'e had not yet decided to give up on the Xun family, she could no longer just obey. The man had to show some sincerity.

Besides, she also understood that the Xun family had chosen the daughter of the Sang family because they were attracted by Sang Wu's power in the court. In the past, they were a little passive because Sang Ling's appearance was not good, and she knew how to strike a balance. But now it was different. With the stunning beauty that could be seen at a glance, they were the ones who had to hold their heads high.

Mrs. Donghou was also an old hand in the social world, so how could she not read Sang Feng'e's mind? But she didn't expose it openly, after all, she really wanted to marry into the Sang family - she needed to win over Sang Wu's power. So she took a sip of the snow drink and smiled faintly.

Sang Ling was lost in thought as he followed the servants to Yanshuiju, passed the Chuihua Gate, and went straight to Gao Heng's courtyard.

Along the way, I heard Aunt Cheng talking about recent events: she said that the young master went to Longxi two days ago and just came back yesterday. He was supposed to go to the outskirts of Beijing again today, but was delayed by the rain early in the morning, so he postponed the trip.

The old lady was beaming with joy. She was really happy not to have seen Sang Ling for over a month. She continued, "It happened that I didn't make it today. The young lady came back and the whole family is now together. I will go and clean up Hanning Garden later."

Sang Ling's nose suddenly felt sore, and he quickly smiled warmly, "I just came back from Huanlin Mountain and took some time to visit my aunt and cousin. I haven't been to the Sang Mansion yet, so I'm afraid it won't be a good idea to stay overnight today."

It would be fine if Sang Wu didn't come back today. She could just stay here and not worry about what Ma would think. But if Sang Wu came back and saw that she had taken the initiative to come to her aunt's house again, she might feel resentful - people's hearts are complicated. Although she might still be able to live in the Gao family before next year, if neither of the two adults said it clearly, if she said a word that she wanted to stay here, it would seem like she despised her own home.

Although Sang Wu usually doesn't take care of household affairs, it can be seen from the fact that he changed the maid that he was very delicate. Moreover, what she knew about her father was just the tip of the iceberg. After all, this was a man who could control her fate with just one word, so she had to be very careful in dealing with him.

After entering the courtyard of Yanshuiju, he found that Nie Ce was also there. This man was quite active. He had just returned from Huanlin Mountain and rushed to Gao Heng. Sang Ling and he arrived at the same time.

When they stepped into the house, they looked at each other, and for some reason they were a little embarrassed. Sang Ling could actually pretend to be ignorant and exchanged a few words. But this young Marquis Nie seemed to be uncomfortable all over, and stood up immediately. Even Gao Heng was stunned, and the next thing he saw was Sang Ling.

Sang Ling was also complaining in her heart: the matter had not yet happened, and it was so awkward that it would make people suspicious. She took off her shoes and stepped in. After thinking for a moment, she greeted the people in the room generously, "Cousin, Lord Nie."

Nie Ce still had that uncomfortable look on his face, and nodded "hmm". Gao Heng looked at both sides silently, and it was unknown what he was thinking. Then he smiled warmly, "A Ling is here, but did he go back to the Sang Mansion? Or did he come directly here?"

"Not yet. My father went to the palace, and I came to see my aunt. Aunt Cheng said that my aunt was talking with the wife of the Eastern Marquis in the painting hall, so she brought me here." After she finished speaking, she didn't feel anything was wrong, and then she saw Nie Ce looking back at her. So she abruptly withdrew her gaze. ——I just don't know if Nie Ce knew that his mother gave her a pair of green jade bracelets. If he knew, he would probably realize that the adults wanted to finalize the matter.

Nie Ce coughed and said to Gao Heng, "I'll come back to see you later." He glanced at Sang Ling and left the room. Gao Heng then glanced at A Shan, indicating that he should follow him to see him off.

There was a faint sound of charcoal in the room. Sang Ling gradually withdrew his peripheral vision and did not pay much attention to what had just happened. In fact, he came here not only to see his aunt.

"Are you having fun?" Gao Heng ignored the strange atmosphere and poured her a glass of warm water.

"It wasn't so smooth. I caught a cold on the first day." She didn't have much to worry about, so she smiled and started chatting about the trivialities of the past few days in front of her cousin: including recuperation in the palace, Ban Le and Dai Chengjun coming to see her, Sang Mei being bitten by a snake during the picnic, and how the imperial physician later cured her - she talked about all these little things - but she didn't mention that the queen had summoned her and Sang Mei, and that Madam Zhaoyu had given her a pair of bracelets.

Gao Heng listened attentively throughout the whole process, frowning slightly. When he heard something interesting, he would laugh out loud. His deep eyes looked at him, and the doting in them was obvious.

She was stunned for a moment, slowly holding her breath. Suddenly she saw the sunlight from the window projected onto the stove, and the face of the man opposite her was half hidden behind the steam. Although he had been seriously ill, he was still handsome and energetic. She held back the rolling of her throat and slowed down her tone, "Cousin, I will be a 15-year-old next year."

Gao Heng's hand was on the handle of the pot. He paused slightly when he heard the words, but he didn't seem to be stunned by the words. Sang Ling didn't know whether he had seen it wrong or not. He just saw him refill his cup and said "hmm" with a smile.

Wasn't this hint obvious enough? She felt her heart was about to jump out of her throat. Her fingertips holding the ear cup tightened, and while Gao Heng poured the hot water, she lowered her head and gritted her teeth and continued, "Cousin, you-what do you think of me staying in Gao's house?"

She thought that this hint should be a little more obvious. She really couldn't grasp the right balance, so she could only give it a try. If he could understand, that would be the best. If not, she -

"You can come here often in the future." Gao Heng's words interrupted her chaotic thoughts.

He looked calm, his thin lips remained curved, and his tone was gentle, "My uncle's residence is not far from here. If the carriage in the mansion is not convenient, we can send someone here to pick you up."

The cup of hot water was only 70% full, the kettle was put away, and the flame on the stove was extinguished, leaving only a wisp of white smoke rising up. Sang Ling's eyes gradually lost focus along the white smoke, and he couldn't help feeling lost. After a long time, he lowered his eyes and nodded blankly.

Even though I was still somewhat unwilling in my heart, I really didn't know how to continue. Just as I was about to turn my head to look out the window, I suddenly saw a person standing in the corridor.

Ah Shan followed behind Nie Ce, also hesitating for a while before he bowed and made a "please" gesture. On the other side, Nie Jialang seemed to come back to his senses and laughed dryly twice, "The jade ring fell, come back and get it, come back and get it."

Judging from his appearance, he had probably taken Nie Ce's words to heart. Sang Ling lowered his head and said nothing more. Gao Heng's expression was natural. He rummaged around on Nie Ce's mat and then handed the jade ring over.

After taking it, the man ran away without even saying goodbye.