The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

Langhua took Qin Yanwan to a shop that she had just acquired.

The shop was located on a street in the southern part of the East Market. The storefront was not very large, and the location was not particularly good, but most of the people who came and went here were women and maids who went shopping.

The plaque hasn't been officially hung yet, but the interior has already been almost completely tidied up. The counters, display shelves, and interior and exterior partitions have all been replaced, making it look clean and elegant.

After entering the house, Langhua immediately ordered someone to bring out a locked box.

When the lid of the box was lifted, several items were quietly placed inside.

Qin Yanwan's expression changed after just one glance.

There was a white jade paperweight, slightly chipped at the edges, but it was genuine fine jade, exactly the same as the one on the antique shelf in my mother's room.

Those cloisonné enamel ornaments were taken from her house just before the Lunar New Year.

There was also a rosewood pen holder, with landscapes and figures carved on the body. The carving was exquisite and clearly belonged to my father's study.

Her fingers clenched tightly, her voice hoarse: "Where...where did this come from?"

Langhua looked at her and silently took out a contract from her bosom.

When Qin Yanwan saw the red seal on it, the last glimmer of hope in her heart vanished.

...This shop was indeed part of my mother's dowry.

"As you know, my uncle and aunt are in business, and I learned to use an abacus from them since I was a child. After coming to Bianjing, I didn't want to lose these skills."

Langhua spoke softly, and as she spoke, she recalled her aunt's teachings, and a warm feeling washed over her again.

My aunt said that if a woman has no private property, or doesn't know how to manage it, she will always be left with her palm facing up.

"You receive as much kindness as your maternal family gives you, and you suffer as much resentment as your in-laws give you. Don't underestimate the ways of business; having money in your own hands is a person's greatest source of confidence."

If she were still the Empress Fucha Langhua from her previous life, living a life of luxury and ease, she might not have taken these words to heart.

But after merging with Wang Ruofu's memories, she knew that these words couldn't be more true.

Wang Ruofu is kind-hearted but short-tempered, and easily influenced. She has no intention of harming others, and is very trusting of her closest relatives. As a result, she suffers mistreatment in both the Wang family and the Sheng family, and there are always people who want to manipulate and humiliate her.

But how was she able to remain the eldest daughter-in-law of the Sheng family for so many years? Even when she was later sent back to her hometown, she didn't suffer much hardship.

It was because she did what her aunt taught her.

With money, one can establish oneself.

Having money means you won't be driven to the brink of despair.

Therefore, after arriving in Bianjing and spending some time figuring out how things worked in the city, Langhua decided to open a shop again and use the remaining money to return to her old business.

Unexpectedly, they stumbled upon the dire straits of the Dongchang Marquis's household.

Seeing that Qin Yanwan had understood, she stopped beating around the bush.

"If they were just ordinary little items, one could say that the servants stole them and pawned them. But these things were clearly in the shop, and along with the shop, they were transferred to my name."

"It's impossible to do without the approval of those above."

Qin Yanwan bit her lower lip tightly.

Langhua didn't go into too much detail; there's no need to say too much to a smart person.

She only said one sentence softly:

"Parents naturally hope for their children's future and don't really want us to fall behind others. But with their most beloved child shining brightly ahead of them, no matter how high their expectations are for us, we can never surpass that person."

Qin Yanwan did not respond.

Her mind was in a mess.

The chaos continued until we left the shop, got into our own carriage, and returned to the Marquis's residence, yet things remained a mess.

That day, she did not go to the main courtyard to pay her respects.

It doesn't matter anyway.

My eldest sister recently caught a cold again, and as usual, my mother stayed in her courtyard, with my father also staying with her.

As for the second brother, he was still nowhere to be found, probably still out there having fun with people, playing cockfighting and dog racing.

Throughout the vast Marquis's mansion, amidst the anxious and absurd antics, not a single place truly concerned her.

Qin Yan went to the back garden alone that evening.

The garden was very well maintained, with lush flowers and trees, and complete with artificial hills and flowing water.

The neater it is, the more empty it seems.

She sat alone on the veranda from the early afternoon until night fell, her mind replaying Langhua's words over and over.

It's impossible to do without the intention of those in power.

With their most beloved child setting an example, parents' expectations for us can never surpass those of the child who came before them.

She didn't sleep well all night.

But early the next morning, he arrived at the Prince's Mansion carrying a bundle and went straight to Zhaoshui Pavilion.

Langhua wasn't surprised to see her arrive. She simply asked Yudie to refill her teacup, then sat down at the small table and looked up at her: "Have you figured it out?"

Qin Yanwan put the bundle in her hand on the table.

"This is all the wealth I have."

After saying that, her ears felt a little hot. It was the first time in her life she had ever asked someone for help. But thinking that one should act like one is asking for help, she added stiffly:

"Look at what you're going to do, consider it an investment from me."

Langhua didn't rush to touch the bundle; she just looked at her with a smile on her lips.

Qin Yanwan felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze, so she simply continued speaking herself:

"Furthermore, since you want to gain a reputation for virtue, isn't it inappropriate to openly engage in business like this?"

In Xun Gui's eyes, merchants have never been considered worthy of a position of power.

Upon hearing this, Langhua simply asked her in return:

Do you know how many orphanages there are in Beijing?

Qin Yanwan was stunned.

Although she had never paid special attention to these things, she was, after all, a girl from a noble family. After a moment's thought, she said, "There must be two or three places, right? Everyone knows how benevolent the First Lady is."

Langhua nodded.

"From now on, you and I will go twice a month."

"We give clothes in winter and food in summer. If a child is sick, we also give extra money for medicine."

Qin Yanwan's eyes lit up slightly.

"Okay."

She sat down at the table, crossed her arms, and thought about it more and more, finding the idea brilliant.

They can get things done without jeopardizing their reputation.

In that case, who would dare to casually use the term "trading merchant" to pressure them?

She was happy for a while, then suddenly remembered something, looked up and asked Langhua, a rare hint of awkwardness in her voice:

"I also wanted to ask, what kind of family are you looking for?"

Instead of answering, Langhua asked, "And you?"

Qin Yanwan immediately curled her lip.

"If I knew, why would I be asking you?"

She had never even considered this possibility before.

She was only ten years old. If Langhua hadn't reminded her yesterday, she wouldn't have even thought about finding someone for herself.

After all, marriage is a major life event, and since ancient times, it has been based on the wishes of parents and the words of matchmakers.

When a proper noblewoman reaches a certain age, suitors will naturally come to her door. The more suitors there are, the more noble the woman is considered.

There's no reason to fight for it or choose it yourself.

Losing one's identity and becoming more unconventional?

But Langhua is right. The more important the marriage is, the earlier you should make plans.

Since her parents believed that no one could surpass her older sister, she couldn't just wait for them to find her a good marriage.

She didn't want to live under her older sister's thumb for long, so if she didn't fight for her own marriage, who else could she rely on?

As for simply waiting for others to come to you...

She shook her head inwardly.

Which of the matriarchs of those truly prosperous families in the capital is actually muddle-headed?

When choosing a daughter-in-law, they either look for a woman from a good family background who can be helpful, or they look for a woman who is responsible and can manage the household.

However, when such families arrange marriages, they will definitely look upwards, making it difficult for her and Langhua to be chosen.

As for those families where the matriarch is muddle-headed, they look down on them too.

In this world where filial piety is paramount, even if one marries into such a family, how many good days can one expect?

That's why she wanted to come and discuss it with Langhua.

Langhua listened quietly as she finished speaking, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

"I always knew you would understand."

She looked at Qin Yanwan and said, "I just didn't expect you to understand so quickly. You've grasped the meaning in such a short time."

It's amazing that they could think of things this way.

He should know that he has lived an extra life and knows the whole situation in advance, but Qin Yanwan is now a real ten-year-old girl.

Qin Yanwan suddenly raised her chin again.

"I just never thought of it that way before."

Her tone carried that familiar air of arrogance once again.

"I learn everything very quickly, okay? Riding, archery, polo, butlership, etiquette—if I want to learn, there's nothing I can't learn!"

Langhua listened without refuting, only letting out a soft laugh.

She actually agreed with that statement.

In the original story, Qin Yanwan almost won every single time she plotted.

If fate hadn't intervened, she might not have lost.

With that in mind, Langhua stopped hiding it.

"Marrying up."

Qin Yanwan was taken aback.

Langhua added another sentence:

"The higher the better."

Qin Yanwan frowned.

The prince's father is now the Vice Minister of Revenue, a very respectable position among the upright officials in the capital. Above him are the Ministers and the Grand Secretaries of the Two Offices.

But the sons of noble families still had to rely on the imperial examinations to enter officialdom. Even the most prestigious top scholar only started from a low rank and worked his way up step by step, accumulating experience, gaining imperial favor, and building a reputation.

This road is too slow.

That's too unstable.

If Langhua's statement about marrying into a higher social class is taken literally, then she is not referring to these respectable young men.

Rather, they belonged to noble families.

That's not necessarily a bad thing.

Qin Yanwan herself came from the Dongchang Marquis's mansion. Until yesterday, she always felt that her family was a truly noble and prestigious family. Even if they were having some financial difficulties at the moment, she was sure that they would not really go bankrupt.

But the truth is cruel.

Qin Yanwan couldn't help but wonder if the noble families over there were also just outwardly glittering but inwardly dilapidated.

Moreover...

She thought of the group of cronies who spent all their time with her second brother, many of whom were sons of nobles and high-ranking officials.

Those from lower social classes weren't even worthy of hanging around with them.

This group of spoiled brats, including her own second brother, are all unworthy of Langhua.

A good family background can make up for one's shortcomings, provided that one's own shortcomings are not too great and one's family background is genuinely good!

Therefore, above dukes and marquises...

They were members of the imperial family.

Prince.

Prince.

even--

Qin Yanwan's heart skipped a beat, and for a moment she dared not think any further.