The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

On the polo field, the brother and sister are dominating the field.

Qin Zhengyang was initially somewhat absent-minded, but after Shilan's precise cooperation and provocations, the youthful spirit was finally ignited.

He cast aside all his worries and focused solely on galloping on his horse. Each shot he made was accompanied by the sound of wind breaking through the air, as if he wanted to vent all his pent-up frustration and resentment.

Seeing that he was finally committed, Shilan felt a little relieved and focused on playing alongside him.

At the end of the first half, during the halftime break, many of the other players gave the two resentful looks, hating that the brother and sister were not loyal to each other and refused to give up a single point, causing them to lose badly.

Some players were full of fighting spirit, determined to regain some face in the second half, while others threw down their cues in dejection and turned to leave.

However, a few particularly clever individuals began to seek reinforcements.

The incense has burned out, and the second half begins.

A handsome young man rode into the arena.

They headed straight for Shilan.

An expert's skill is immediately apparent. Shilan noticed at first glance that the boy's grip on the pole and the way he squeezed the horse's belly were unusual, and a sense of vigilance immediately arose in her heart.

As expected, the guy easily intercepted the second brother's dribbling twice.

Seeing this, Shilan spurred her horse forward, wanting to lend her brother a hand, but little did she know that this was exactly what the young man wanted. He simply gave up on blocking Qin Zhengyang and focused on competing with Shilan.

After several exchanges, it was difficult to determine a winner.

Shilan narrowed her eyes, her competitive spirit immediately rekindled, and she completely calmed down and focused her attention.

The contest between the three, or more specifically, between Shilan and the unfamiliar young man, became exceptionally exciting.

Horses galloped, cues clashed, sweat poured down, and all sorts of dribbling skills rarely seen in ordinary times emerged one after another, eliciting wave after wave of amazement from the audience!

Cheers erupted one after another.

Even after the last incense stick had burned out, they still couldn't definitively determine who was superior.

Shilan was drenched in sweat, a few strands of hair stuck to her forehead, her chest rose and fell slightly, but her mood was unusually cheerful.

She looked up at the boy, whose breathing was also unsteady and whose cheeks were flushed. Seeing the same admiration and delight in his eyes, the two smiled at each other, and a sense of mutual appreciation arose spontaneously.

Sun Baoqi and Wu Yueyin, who had intended to go home, returned because the commotion outside was too loud and happened to witness this scene.

The two of them were stunned.

"How could it be him?"

"When did he get back?"

A sense of foreboding welled up in Sun Baoqi's heart.

"you……"

Shilan was about to ask the young man whose husband he was. She had been a polo player in Bianjing for years and had never encountered such an evenly matched opponent. He must be from out of town. If they could exchange names, she would like to arrange another match in the future.

But then hurried footsteps came from the sidelines again, and Songzhi looked panicked.

"Young Master! Young Lady! Something terrible has happened! Madam... Madam has fainted!"

Shilan felt a chill run down her spine. She exchanged a glance with Qin Zhengyang, and they both saw the astonishment in each other's eyes.

The brother and sister could no longer care about anything else; they immediately mounted their horses and galloped towards the Marquis's residence.

The main courtyard of the mansion was in complete chaos.

Ying Qiongfang lay on the bed, her face pale and her eyes closed.

Shilan hurriedly asked Liu Mama, who was with her mother, "What exactly happened? Mother was fine when we left this morning."

Madam Liu wiped away her tears: "Madam was worried about the eldest daughter. When she saw the eldest daughter lying on the bed covered in blood, not knowing whether she was alive or dead, she was so frightened that she fell ill herself."

That makes sense.

But Qin Zhengyang quietly tugged at her sleeve.

Shilan understood, and made an excuse to go out to fetch medicine. Doctor Wen, the physician of the prefecture, was waiting there and whispered to Shilan, "Madam is troubled by worries and liver qi stagnation..."

Speak like a human being!

Dr. Wen: "...I was so angry."

Shilan immediately understood.

It was probably because Qin Nanyan had faked a miscarriage and framed her mother-in-law that the incident came to light.

Otherwise, why would Mother have made herself so angry? If it really was the fault of the Ningyuan Marquis's family, she could simply vent her anger on Lady Gu.

Liu's mother would also report it with a clear conscience.

But it was Qin Nanyan, the daughter whom her mother loved most and cherished more than her own life.

She could only keep it to herself, even if it ruined her health, she would never dare to leak out even a single word.

Otherwise, Qin Nanyan would really be finished.

At this moment, Doctor Wen said again, "Young Master, Third Miss, there are some things I would like to say together during this opportunity."

Shilan snapped out of her daze: "You say so."

"Although Madam fainted today due to a great shock, her symptoms did not appear overnight. In the past two years, Madam's health has appeared fine on the surface, but in reality, her body has become increasingly weak. If we cannot resolve Madam's inner conflicts and help her live peacefully... it may affect her lifespan."

Qin Zhengyang looked shocked.

Shilan, however, felt that this was indeed the case.

In the original story, neither of Qin's parents lived long lives.

Following the original trajectory, they would at most hold on until the Qin family was divorced, returned home, and committed suicide, after which they would follow suit due to successive blows and grief.

This is why she poured more of her emotions and investment into her second brother, Qin Zhengyang, rather than her parents.

While their unwavering protection of the Qin family and their stubbornness were certainly reasons, the more fundamental reason was that she knew this Marquis's mansion was destined to be handed over to Qin Zhengyang sooner rather than later.

It was because of this that she became so determined to push Qin Zhengyang to improve himself, because she couldn't wait, and the Marquis's mansion couldn't wait either.

In the eyes of outsiders, Qin Muchuan and Ying Qiongfang are still in their prime, while Qin Zhengyang will take at least twenty or thirty years to take over the Marquis's mansion. Therefore, daughters from good families are unwilling to marry into the family and suffer.

But Shilan knew clearly, where would she find twenty or thirty years?

In as little as five or six years, or as short as three or four years, the Marquis's mansion would belong to Qin Zhengyang.

As long as it can be preserved.

She composed herself, her gaze regaining its composure, and said to Doctor Wen, "I understand. We children will do our best to fulfill our duties. I also trouble Doctor Wen to take good care of Father and Mother's health. I will give the order that you can draw from the treasury any money or medicine you need. If you encounter any difficulties, please feel free to report to me."

His tone was firm and left no room for argument.

Doctor Wen bowed his head in agreement, thanked the Emperor, and took his leave.

Qin Zhengyang's eyes reddened, and he looked moved, wanting to say something, but Shilan persuaded him to go and feed his mother her medicine.

After Qin Zhengyang left, her eyes returned to their cold expression.

As long as it doesn't involve the Qin family, these parents dote on her and Qin Zhengyang, and their love is genuine.

But her desire to prolong their lives as much as possible was largely driven by considerations of the greater good.

Qin Zhengyang will be competing next year; his future cannot be delayed.

If either of his parents were to die, he would have to observe three years of mourning, which would put all his plans on hold.

Her own business strategy is similar.

But she didn't have much time left. In three years at most, the imperial court would begin to settle old scores. Although the Dongchang Marquis's family owed the national treasury less than the Gu family, it was still more than 200,000 taels of silver. She had to prepare this huge sum in advance.

Even if the Marquis's mansion doesn't decline like in the original story, but is merely reduced to an earl's mansion like the Yongchang Marquis's mansion, that won't do.

Anyone with a brain knows how difficult it is to obtain a title during peaceful times, let alone a marquisate.

Even if there are plenty of opportunities to fight in the future, it won't work.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Two hundred thousand taels of silver to keep a marquis's title—what a bargain!

Therefore, no matter what, neither parent can afford to have an accident at this critical juncture.

At least until her second brother has established himself and she has accumulated enough capital, she cannot.