The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

"What? You want to learn polo?"

The Queen Mother repeated in surprise.

Even Wang Ruoyu couldn't help but raise her head, her eyes first showing surprise, then turning into deep disdain.

That country bumpkin has a really thick skin.

I just got home yesterday, and today I dare to make such a request.

Polo is certainly elegant.

In Bianjing, young ladies and gentlemen from noble families and wealthy households all learn this skill, but it is an extremely expensive thing. Not to mention anything else, just raising a good horse, preparing horse equipment and riding clothes, and hiring a master will cost at least one hundred strings of cash per month.

Although the Wang family has risen to prominence, they are still a family of modest means with a shallow foundation. They cannot compare to those powerful and wealthy families who have been rich for centuries and spend money without batting an eye.

Even I myself am only learning how to adorn myself with flowers and make tea from my female teacher; I have never even mentioned such expensive and laborious things.

The Queen Mother frowned slightly, almost instinctively wanting to retort and also scold her for being too ambitious.

Before he could finish speaking, Langhua turned to the side and gently raised her hand behind her.

It's just a simple action.

With a slight turn of the wrist and a gentle twitch of the fingertips, the movement exudes an indescribable ease and grace, making it exceptionally beautiful.

The Queen Mother's gaze paused slightly.

She didn't like this daughter, but she had to admit that she was very well-behaved.

It's not that they're rigidly bound by rules and become wooden figures, but rather that their every move is naturally graceful and beautiful.

Could that shrew from the second wife really raise such a girl?

While the Queen Mother was still thinking, Granny Lai stepped forward, holding a box in both hands.

Langhua said calmly, "Mother, please don't be angry. I know that learning this is expensive. I thought about it for a long time before I dared to come to you and ask."

Granny Lai opened the box.

Langhua continued gently:

"Since I was seven years old, I have been helping my aunt with accounting and business. My aunt often said that I had quite a talent for business and did not want to waste it, so she gave me a shop to practice on my eighth birthday. I am not very talented, but in two years, I have managed to turn one shop into two. Before I left for Bianjing, my aunt was very kind and converted both shops into cash, so that I could do something that would make me happy after I returned to the capital."

She paused slightly, a gentle smile playing on her lips:

"My daughter thought it over and over. If she were to rashly go back to business, she feared it would easily cause trouble for the family and tarnish the reputation of her parents. Rather than that, it would be better to spend the money wisely."

"I've heard that the noble ladies of Tokyo are fond of playing polo. I'm not very good at it, but I'd like to give it a try. If I can learn a little, I won't be too impolite when I accompany my mother to banquets in the future."

"Please grant my request, Mother."

Her words were very comprehensive.

The source of the money was explained clearly: it came from the second wife's family, and she earned it herself through practice; it was definitely not some private stash that appeared out of nowhere.

Its purpose is clearly stated: it's not for fooling around or playing around, but to gain a foothold among the noble ladies of Tokyo and not bring shame to the family.

It was as if all the money and effort she spent on this whole ordeal was for the sake of the Wang family's reputation.

The rebuke that the Queen Mother originally wanted to utter was abruptly swallowed back.

She had already seen what was in the box: five banknotes, each with a face value of one hundred taels.

The Queen Mother was not exactly happy.

Since things have come to this point, there's no way I can not go.

She has prepared all the expenses herself, so she can afford to study for three or four years, let alone two.

But if that happens... Ruoyu will be left behind.

The Queen Mother suppressed her displeasure and carefully examined Langhua.

After a long pause, she said calmly:

"In that case, you may go."

Langhua gave a curtsy.

"Thank you, Mother."

As soon as she finished speaking, she gently raised her hand, gesturing for Granny Lai to bring up another small bundle.

"This is a little needlework I made for you, Father and Mother. It's nothing, just a token of my filial piety. Please don't find it offensive."

The bundle was opened, revealing a pair of shoes and socks, and a headband.

The Queen Mother glanced at it.

The shoe uppers were stitched very tightly and cut very neatly. The headband was also made very delicately, with a circle of inconspicuous geometric patterns embroidered around it. It looked simple, but it showed great craftsmanship.

She pursed her lips and finally said:

"You're so thoughtful."

There was no further discussion after that.

Langhua didn't linger and took her leave with a smile.

The Queen Mother raised her hand, signaling the maid beside her to see her out.

Even after the person had gone far away, the Queen Mother still looked down at the thing in her hand and remained silent for a long time.

Wang Ruo had been holding back her anger for a long time, and now she could no longer hold back:

"Why did Mother let her go!"

The Queen Mother then came to her senses and gave a cryptic sneer.

"They came prepared, so I had no choice but to agree."

Wang Ruo looked confused.

Seeing her like this, the Queen Mother sighed inwardly and had no choice but to patiently explain:

"Learning to play polo is extremely expensive. Otherwise, why would those noble ladies enjoy it so much? It's simply because things are valued for their scarcity, as has always been the case."

She gently closed the box.

"But she prepared the money herself and even found the most suitable excuse for it. She said she earned it in a playful way, and the second wife's side had also seen it. In this way, neither the public funds nor I had to arrange the money for her. If I still objected, others would only say that I was deliberately hindering her future..."

"Unkind."

"But she's clearly wary of you!" Upon hearing this, Wang Ruoyu became even angrier. "So, yesterday she indirectly said that you and I are a rotten couple, and today she's treating you like a thief! What does she mean by this? Does she think our Wang family is a den of wolves and tigers, and that it would hinder her future?"

"With my son!"

The Queen Mother spoke in a low voice, a hint of displeasure showing between her brows.

"Look at you, always so impatient. What kind of work can you possibly get done?"

"mother!"

Wang Ruoyu felt extremely wronged.

The Queen Mother looked down at the headband in her hand, and after a long while, softly uttered:

"I'd be at ease if you had even a fraction of her shrewdness."

"mother?!"

Wang Ruoyu couldn't believe it.

The Queen Mother raised her eyes, her tone surprisingly calm.

"She's only ten years old, yet she knows how to manipulate me. Could you do that in my shoes?"

"Mother! You yourself said she's manipulating you... She's so disrespectful to you, and you still praise her?"

"It's not disrespectful," the Queen Mother said, her eyes filled with certainty. "She ultimately remembers that I am her mother. Otherwise, why would she come to ask for permission?"

As the Queen Mother spoke, her expression suddenly deepened.

"She wouldn't dare to be disrespectful."

"No matter how shrewd, intelligent, or capable she is, she cannot overcome the power of filial piety."

"If she dares to be unfilial, I won't need to teach her a lesson; there will be no place for her in this world."

"I praised her because she is truly outstanding and excellent. My son, ask yourself honestly, if you were her, could you have done even better?"

Wang Ruoyu felt a tightness in her chest from these words, but she refused to admit defeat and wanted to argue.

The Queen Mother waved her hand and sighed:

"You should pay more attention to her character and conduct in the future, and think about it more carefully."

Even a small amount of knowledge can be very useful in the future.

To everyone's surprise, Wang Ruoyu replied without hesitation:

"No way!"

She rushed over and hugged the Queen Mother's arm like a spoiled child.

"I have a mother who loves me, so I won't be as cold-hearted and ruthless as her, scheming even against my own flesh and blood."

The Queen Mother listened with a helpless smile, but inwardly she agreed with what she said.

Yes, if your heart isn't cold, why scheme like this?

only……

Thinking of Langhua's impeccable demeanor just now, her eyes deepened.

Polo.

In Bianjing, how many families, except for the wealthy and powerful, or noble families, could afford to do this?

Is her youngest daughter really just looking for fun?