The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

Thinking of Uncle Sheng's untrustworthiness, and how such an outstanding woman as Aunt Hai had to deal with such a person for her entire life, An'er felt a chill in her heart.

Shilan saw through her daughter's thoughts, took her hand, and said gently, "Don't worry, no matter who you fall in love with, your father and I will carefully investigate and only let you marry him off when we are sure it's the right person. But even if you get married, it doesn't mean that how you live after marriage is none of our business."

Looking into her daughter's eyes, she spoke solemnly, word by word: "If you encounter the wrong person, remember to turn back in time!"

"You're right that I'm not like other people. I don't care about the family background and dowry that other people value. I just want you to be comfortable and happy."

An'er felt a warmth in her heart, yet a stubbornness also arose within her: "Mother, rest assured, if I were to fall into such a predicament, I would make sure those who harmed me got away with it in the slightest. If I am even slightly unhappy, I will make them shed tears with me; if I suffer even a little, they will suffer ten times more than I do!"

The light in her eyes startled Shilan, who felt a sense of familiarity.

Upon closer reflection, I couldn't help but chuckle.

Isn't that just like her when she was young?

I felt both relieved and heartbroken.

She was gratified that her daughter was indeed worthy of her name; this spirit of not allowing herself to be bullied was exactly what Nian Shilan's daughter should have.

It's heartbreaking that I, who was once so confident and vibrant, ended up with a broken head and a bloody body.

She doesn't regret being so strong-willed.

But he was terrified that his daughter would be just as strong-willed as he was and end up with the same fate.

Therefore, it is said: "Those who harm you certainly deserve a terrible death, but always remember, you yourself are the most important. Never risk your life by touching those broken stones; it's not worth it."

He paused, then added, "You already know all about your aunt Hai's methods, right? Learn them and use them. I've had all her methods for managing the inner quarters and disciplining the illegitimate children recorded over the years. You can study them carefully another day. It can't hurt to learn more."

Anjie nodded in agreement, but a question still lingered in her mind.

What she couldn't understand the most over the years was why her aunt, who was so clear-headed and outstanding, had to stay in the Sheng family and deal with those people for so many years.

Although she was very skilled, she managed to keep both the docile concubines and the most unruly Lin Xiaoniang completely under her control.

All the children born out of wedlock now respect her as their sole authority and recognize her as their mother. The whole family of brothers and sisters is close-knit and supports each other, a sight that is truly enviable.

But in the end, that family still belongs to the Sheng family!

She had heard people praise her uncle's good fortune more than once.

He married a woman from the Hai family, who managed his household affairs and raised his children, ensuring peace in his home, harmony among his wives and concubines, and filial piety among his children. Furthermore, he could rely on the Hai family for his career advancement, guaranteeing him a bright future.

After hesitating for a long time, Anjie finally asked the question that was on her mind.

Finally, she added, "If it were a daughter, I wouldn't have gone to so much trouble, only to have the culprit benefit in the end."

After Anjie finished speaking, she didn't expect her mother to give her an answer.

After all, her temper was inherited from her mother. Over the years, her mother's occasional displays of arrogance and unwillingness to compromise even a little bit were so strong that even she herself would admit that she couldn't match them.

Sometimes, I can't help but think that if my father hadn't been so devoted to my mother, putting her wishes first in everything, both at home and outside, life in this household might not have been so harmonious.

But to my surprise, my mother smiled.

Shilan touched her daughter's face, her eyes gentle yet tinged with emotion: "Silly child, the fact that you could think of this shows that you've grown much more than I did back then."

"I asked your Aunt Hai the same question. Guess what she replied?"

Anjie eagerly pressed, "How did you reply?"

Shilan recalled Hai Mingyu's expression that day, and a look of sincere admiration appeared in her eyes.

She mimicked Hai Mingyu's tone, smiled knowingly, and said, word by word, "The Sheng family can be the Sheng of Sheng Hong. But in the future, it can be the Sheng of Sheng Changlin."

Anjie was taken aback at first, then her eyes suddenly lit up.

Shilan stopped there and said no more.

The room was quiet for a moment, with only the soft crackling of the candlelight.

The moonlight outside the window was bright, casting long shadows of the mother and daughter on the wall.

"So that's how it is..." Anjie murmured, her mind suddenly clear.

But then she frowned: "But... I can't hold out for that long."

Shilan nodded, without bringing up anything about how becoming a mother would change one's thoughts and ideas.

To her, her daughter will always be her daughter. Even if Anjie becomes a mother or a grandmother in the future, she will always be her daughter, Nian Shilan's daughter.

"Your Aunt Hai isn't an ordinary person," she said calmly. "If she's willing and capable, that's fine. But if we're not willing and want a quick and decisive solution, that's also acceptable."

Anjie nodded.

She's learned the skill; how she uses it is up to her.

Some people are willing to play chess, thinking ten steps ahead for every one move they make;

Some people prefer to cut through the mess quickly.

Everyone has their own way of living.

The mother and daughter stopped talking because they heard footsteps outside—Zhang Yun and Fu Ge'er had returned.

"Mother! Sister!"

Before Fu Ge'er arrived, his voice preceded him. When An Jie'er got up with a smile to open the door, the young man still had a smile on his face. This was completely different from his composed demeanor in front of the Emperor and his aloofness in front of Prince Yu, Zhao Xin, during the day.

"It's so late, why are you still whispering with your mother? I overheard her saying you haven't even had dinner yet?"

"Naturally, this is a private conversation between women in our boudoirs. Who said we didn't need dinner? It's just that you haven't returned yet."

Zhang Yun followed behind, watching his children speak, his eyes gentle.

"Alright, you're talking about dinner as soon as you get back. You must be hungry. Go to the dining room."

Shilan walked over with a smile.

The family walked to the dining room, chatting and laughing.

Dinner was already prepared: steaming hot eight-treasure duck, jade shrimp, hibiscus chicken slices, and Anjie'er's favorite almond milk.

During the meal, Fu Ge'er couldn't help but talk about his performance in the palace, and he didn't forget to show off the inkstone he had obtained. An Jie'er simply reached out and asked for it, and the two siblings started bickering again.

Zhang Yun would occasionally take sides or make sarcastic remarks, which Shi Lan would listen to with a smile, occasionally serving food to her children.

Warm candlelight, delicious food, and tender atmosphere—this was a typical day at the Jingbian Marquis's residence.