The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

"Actually, it's easy to deal with her. People like her love to put on airs, which shows how much they value their reputation and how well they put on a show of dignity. When the Chrysanthemum Dew is served later, you personally take a cup over and say a few kind words to her with a smile. Let everyone in the capital know that no matter how outstanding she is, she is still the younger sister and can never surpass you, the older sister."

She paused, then a slight smile played on her lips.

"Her clothes are quite nice today, aren't they? They're made of shimmering brocade, worth a thousand gold pieces, while I only have half a bolt..."

"What a pity, all show and no substance."

After saying that, Qin Yanwan sighed deeply, and then, as if she hadn't said anything at all, she got up and left.

Wang Ruoyu was left sitting there, her eyes flashing with fierceness.

Yes, the priceless shimmering brocade was sent by the second branch of the family in Sichuan. Only a small half-piece was sent, and it was specifically designated for Wang Langhua, with the explanation that it was obtained by the second branch's cousin by chance.

They're afraid she'll steal it!

With both old and new grudges surging in her heart, Wang Ruoyu made a decision as she watched the maidservant present her with the newly prepared chrysanthemum dew.

She picked up one of the cups, slowly rose, forced a smile, and walked to Langhua. In front of everyone, she said softly, "Third sister, on the way here, I was too blunt and said some things that were unpleasant to hear. We are sisters after all, so as the older sister, I'll offer you this cup first. Please don't take it to heart."

Langhua raised her eyes, glanced at Wang Ruoyu, then looked over her shoulder and gave a brief look at Qin Yanwan not far away.

The latter was looking down, fiddling with the chrysanthemum petals in his hand, looking relaxed, as if he knew nothing.

Langhua already had a good idea of ​​what was going on.

She slowly rose and performed a curtsy as required.

"Sister, you flatter me."

The moment she stood up, Wang Ruoyu's eyes hardened, and with a slight tilt of her wrist, she was about to slap the dark chrysanthemum dew onto Langhua's collar.

To her surprise, Langhua got up faster than she expected and yielded even more gracefully.

He even pushed the chrysanthemum dew cup away with his other hand.

Wang Ruoyu wanted to stop, but it was too late. With a splash, the entire cup of deep purple chrysanthemum dew was poured back onto her own chest.

Wang Ruoyu cried out involuntarily, hurriedly trying to wipe the marks on her chest with her sleeve. However, she didn't notice the teacup falling to the ground and hitting her instep. She felt the pain and took two steps back, bumping into someone. The two of them tripped over each other's skirts and fell to the ground.

The flower hall fell silent instantly.

The next moment, gasps of surprise erupted.

"Wang Ruoyu, what are you doing!"

Wang Ruoyu had tripped over the fourth young lady of the manor, who was also quick-tempered, and immediately started yelling:

"Are you trying to harm your own sister again? You tried to steal a chicken but ended up losing the rice instead!"

The hall fell silent once more.

Who among those present wasn't a shrewd and calculating person?

Those who didn't quite understand before, seeing Wang Ruo and Lang Hua standing cleanly to the side, were now able to see through it all.

For a moment, everyone's expressions were different.

Some suppressed a laugh, some shook their heads, and others looked at Wang Ruoyu with a hint of disapproval in their eyes.

Wang Ruoyu sat on the ground, her face turning red and white in turns, almost as if she wanted to faint on the spot.

The Queen Mother stood at a distance, her face pale and unable to utter a single word. Upon seeing this, a lady who had been chatting and laughing with her also obediently shut her mouth.

The maids and servants of the Wang family hurriedly helped Wang Ruoyu up. The latter was trembling all over, whether from anger or shame, it was hard to tell.

Langhua stood aside, her face showing concern, but she felt incredibly happy inside.

-

On the carriage ride back, Qin Yanwan laughed ostentatiously.

Langhua, however, did not laugh along.

She simply watched her quietly, her eyes clear and almost piercing.

Qin Yanwan's smile gradually faded under her gaze. She raised her chin, feigning arrogance, and said:

"What are you doing? Do you think my methods are too harsh?"

"Didn't you say you wanted to be a perfect person? I was thinking, why not use her vulgarity as a stepping stone for you, use her stupidity and rudeness to highlight your intelligence and propriety? What's wrong with that?"

"Or do you think that doing this would be a disgrace to the Wang family women?"

Langhua shook her head.

Qin Yanwan's expression softened slightly: "Are you worried that your father and mother will blame you without even knowing the facts when you get home today? It's alright. Although I was the one who provoked things first, I'm confident that I didn't give myself away. I don't think Wang Ruoyu will be able to figure out that it was you and me who conspired."

"I have no expectations of them."

Langhua finally spoke.

"To say that I am kind-hearted, want to forgive and forget about her, and even hope for her well-being is absolutely impossible. Seeing her humiliated in public today, losing all face, makes me feel quite pleased."

"only--"

"Just what?"

"But was your intervention today truly entirely for my sake?"

Qin Yanwan scoffed, "If I'm not doing this for you, then for whom? Wang Langhua, if you don't want to admit it, then just say so."

Langhua said softly, "My eldest sister is arrogant and foolish, and her heart is not righteous. Every day, all she thinks about is trampling me under her feet and never being able to rise up. From the love of our parents to the family allowance and even my future prospects, she has to keep a firm grip on me before she can feel at ease."

"How similar she is to the one in your family?"

Qin Yanwan's expression changed slightly.

"Although I begged you to help, your quick agreement makes me wonder if it's because you're genuinely indignant on my behalf, concerned for my needs, and angry about what I hate, and that's why you're helping me vent my anger. Or...?"

Langhua gazed at her, her eyes deep and quiet, as if she could see right through people's hearts.

"...You treated her like your older sister, using this as an opportunity to vent your long-suppressed resentment?"

Qin Yanwan instinctively wanted to argue.

But the words stuck in my throat.

Seeing that she remained silent, Langhua lowered her voice even further.

"Now that I've said this, I'm not trying to deny it, nor am I laughing at you. It's just... you didn't want me to suffer, so I want to return the favor and give you a little pointer."

Qin Yanwan frowned slightly.

Langhua said to herself, "It's not that I don't want to compete with her, it's just that what I'm competing for is different from what she's competing for."

"She thought I was trying to steal my parents' attention, but that's not true. She's the one who grew up with her parents and received their unconditional protection. From beginning to end, she's the only daughter they love."

"I don't want to do anything pointless, and there's no need to."

"But I want to fight for a future. A future that she can't let be ruined."

"The Wang family only has two daughters, her and me. If I can't maintain a good reputation, I'll have to let her ruin it."

"This is what I want to fight her for."

"I have never slackened, nor have I ever backed down."

"As for how long to endure before completely breaking ties with her..."

Langhua smiled slightly.

"It all depends on when the world will completely regard her and me as two completely unrelated people."

Qin Yanwan was deeply moved upon hearing this.

Since meeting Langhua, all the oddities I had noticed had come to mind one by one. After peeling back the layers, an answer emerged—

"Could it be that you've been attending every banquet these days, and making a big show of yourself whenever someone throws a branch at you... all to find a suitable marriage partner for yourself?"

"What?" Langhua retorted, "Don't you want to? Or are you afraid?"

Qin Yanwan remained silent.

Langhua continued, "Yanwan, the secret I'm about to tell you isn't really a secret. The Dongchang Marquis's residence..."

"I'm afraid they won't be able to hold on."

Qin Yanwan suddenly looked up.