The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

But this back and forth actually dissolved most of the lingering, unspoken estrangement between the two of them over the years.

The tenth prince left the palace with a smile, carrying many rewards with him.

His face was adorned with a long-lost, joyful smile.

Two days later, the tenth prince was granted permission to visit the ninth prince's residence.

The next day, before dawn, he actually dragged along a reluctant ninth prince to the palace to express his gratitude.

Ninth Master was always dignified and particular, but that day his clothes were disheveled from being dragged around, and his face was so gloomy it could drip water.

The two brothers stood before the emperor and awkwardly expressed their gratitude.

But no matter how much Lao Shi tugged at his sleeve, he couldn't utter another soft word.

Seeing this, Yinwu did not insist, but simply walked between the two and stretched out his arms.

Under the bewildered gaze of the Ninth Brother, he said, "We are all brothers, and we can't hold grudges overnight. Here's what we'll do: Ninth Brother, you and Tenth Brother will build a sedan chair for me and carry me from one end to the other. I will forgive and forget all the times you and Tenth Brother bullied me because of your seniority and age."

Ninth Brother: ...

What was the crime of assassinating the emperor?

……

But in any case, the Ninth Prince left the palace feeling completely at ease.

Before we knew it, it was New Year's Eve. The palace was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. A family banquet was held in the Qianqing Palace. Red silk palace lanterns were spread out along the corridors, reflecting a touch of warmth into the snow-covered palace.

The Emperor also specially granted permission for the Ninth and Tenth Princes to attend the banquet at their residences.

When the news spread, a ripple had already quietly spread within the imperial clan. When the two actually appeared in the hall, many eyes were cast at them, both openly and secretly, as people speculated that the political situation would likely change again next spring.

Yan Zhi sat beside Yin Wu, and with a quick glance, he took in the expressions of everyone at the table.

Not far away, the seventeenth brother was the most enthusiastic.

He was exceptionally happy today, even raising his glass more frequently than usual, shuttling back and forth to smooth things over and liven up the atmosphere for his brothers, like a natural peacemaker.

He should naturally be happy.

Zhen Huan has been betrothed to him as his seventeenth wife, and they are just waiting to choose an auspicious day to get married next year.

With his beloved about to enter his arms, even if Yinwu had arranged enough work for him to do from the beginning of spring to the autumn harvest, he would still be happy and willing.

In stark contrast to his triumphant demeanor was Yinzhen standing to the side.

He remained seated upright, his face revealing no emotion, as if the unrequited love had never stirred any ripples in his heart.

When the seventeenth brother came to offer a toast with a smile, he could even raise his glass to accept, with a perfectly timed smile on his lips.

It was as if he wasn't the one who smashed the most valuable teapot in the study to pieces after the imperial decree of marriage was issued.

Sitting beside him, Yixiu's expression was exceptionally peaceful, even radiant.

She lowered her eyes and teased Hongzhou, who was growing up and becoming closer to her, with a gentle smile on her lips, as if she had a very open mind about everything around her.

However, in those occasional glances at Yinzhen, there was still a faint hint of mockery, so fleeting that it was almost impossible to catch.

She's just a woman, though she does resemble her sister somewhat.

Why would he risk everything and create discord with his own brothers?

Music began to play in the hall, wine cups were clinked, and laughter gradually spread.

This is the first Lunar New Year's Eve after the new emperor's ascension to the throne, and also the first year after many people have been drawn back into this grand game of chess.

The snowstorm still lingers outside the palace walls; old grievances remain unresolved, and a new chapter begins.

But at least for this one night, everyone has to put on an act of family reunion and happiness.

Yanzhi picked up his wine cup and glanced at Yinwu.

Yinwu happened to be looking at her too, his eyes still holding a lingering gleam that he only showed to her.

She suddenly laughed.

This time, it wasn't the dignified and proper demeanor expected of an empress, nor the gentle smile that the empress usually used to appease everyone.

Instead, it's about knowing your own laughter.

Yinwu was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and raised his cup to lightly clink with hers.

The clinking of cups seemed to express the unspoken understanding between two hearts.

-

While the palace banquet was grand and lively, Shen Meizhuang had also spent money early on to prepare a table of food and wine in the inner palace.

Then someone was sent to invite An Lingrong.

When Caiyue came over with a smile to invite her, An Lingrong was still looking at the letter from Songyang.

It was written by someone on behalf of Aunt Xiao. In the letter, she said that she had received the money that she had asked someone to send back earlier. She bought new cotton before the New Year, made a thick and warm winter coat, and replaced the old quilt. She no longer had to suffer from the cold at night.

She also said that everything was fine at home and that she didn't need to worry. She should just do her job peacefully and steadily in the palace, be cautious in everything she did, and not be competitive or show any weakness, since she was working for the royal family after all.

After reading the last line, An Lingrong couldn't help but smile.

She was genuinely happy.

Back when she was at home, holidays were nothing more than a chance to hear the commotion outside while she and her mother huddled together in that humble room, barely daring to use more than a few pieces of charcoal.

Now, she can finally provide her mother with a warm New Year, all thanks to her own efforts.

Although she didn't become a concubine by the emperor's side and rise to the top overnight, the empress was very kind to her subordinates.

She was efficient in her work, which the Empress noticed, and she was never stingy with her rewards.

Especially recently, because of her meticulousness, she found clues in several registers and account books. Following the clues, she uncovered several corrupt officials in the Imperial Household Department. When their homes were searched, a large amount of gold and silver treasures were found.

Of all those things, the vast majority naturally ended up in the central palace.

However, there was a small box of jewels, which the Empress specifically ordered to be kept and divided among the women.

She received a gold hairpin and two pairs of jade bracelets of excellent quality, but she couldn't bear to keep any of them. She immediately converted them into silver notes and had someone send them back to Songyang.

Thinking of this, An Lingrong felt even more at ease, and readily agreed when Caiyue came.

After thinking for a moment, she took out a double-sided embroidered purse that she had made herself from the box before getting up.

Since entering the palace, Sister Mei has taken good care of her.

Even the idea of ​​having her official seal rubbing attached to the letter she sent home this time was suggested by Shen Meizhuang.

This seemingly quiet tactic is far more effective than a thousand words.

Her father, who had bought his way into officialdom and was usually very concerned with appearances and self-interest, became much more obedient after seeing the rubbing. This time, he even wrote her a letter, which was still placed in her mother's envelope.

Surprisingly, his words revealed a degree of caution and politeness, and he even inquired about her recent situation in the palace.

An Lingrong understood in her heart that it was not some belated fatherly love, but a weight she had earned herself that no one dared to disregard.

Even so, she was already very content.

At least from now on, my mother will no longer be someone anyone can trample on in Anjia.

Thinking of this, An Lingrong felt even more grateful to Shen Meizhuang, and her steps became lighter.

She followed Caiyue all the way to the main hall of Suiyu Pavilion.

This place was originally quiet and secluded, and it was far enough away from the Eastern and Western Six Palaces.

Since the three of them were not imperial concubines, they could not reside in the proper palaces of the Eastern and Western Six Palaces.

However, she was different from the female officials who were promoted from the palace maids. Especially Sister Mei, the daughter of a third-rank official, it would be improper for her to live with ordinary palace maids.

Suiyu Pavilion was just right.

The place wasn't large, but it was divided into a main hall and two side halls. Shen Meizhuang lived in the main hall, while An Lingrong and Xia Dongchun each lived in one of the side halls. They were not far from each other, so it was convenient for them to help each other out when needed. If they wanted to be alone, they each had their own space, so they wouldn't bump into each other every day and cause a lot of arguments.

This perfect balance of distance is just right for surviving in the palace.

When An Lingrong entered the room, a warm feeling wafted over her, carrying the aroma of soup and roasted meat.

Shen Meizhuang had changed out of the official robes she wore during the day and was now dressed in an ordinary light purple qipao, sitting under the lamp warming wine for her.

Seeing her arrive, he smiled and looked up, saying, "You've finally come. I was thinking that if you hadn't come soon, the wine would have gone too warm."

An Lingrong quickly smiled, stepped forward, and called out, "Sister Mei."

She carried an attachment that she herself was unaware of.