The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

Langhua listened quietly, but a thought involuntarily arose in her mind.

Could it be that in her past life, Qin Yanwan became Gu Yankai's second wife because she had never figured it out before and could never let go of that bit of pride in her heart?

So after going around in circles, he ended up trapping himself in the same place.

She thought about it, but didn't ask any further questions, only saying:

"It's good that you've thought it through yourself."

After saying that, as if remembering something, she added casually:

"In short, as long as you don't withdraw your shares from my shop, I will always share the profits with you at the end of each year."

Qin Yanwan was taken aback at first, then smiled.

In that laugh, there was finally a hint of genuine lightness.

"Don't worry, I'm waiting for your eldest cousin to come back from Jiangnan so we can share an even bigger bonus."

Langhua laughed along with her.

As usual, the carriage first took Qin Yanwan to the entrance of the Dongchang Marquis's residence.

She got off the bike, holding onto the frame, but before leaving, she turned back and said to the inside of the bike:

"After my marriage, I will grant you permission to act in the name of the Prince of Yan's Mansion."

Upon hearing this, Langhua raised an eyebrow and was genuinely amused.

"OK."

She should have agreed readily.

Qin Yanwan turned and left with satisfaction, but did not quickly go inside.

She stopped in front of the Marquis's mansion, turned back to watch the carriage gradually disappear into the distance, and murmured to herself:

"So you really don't like someone like Zhao Xu..."

However, there were very few princes and dukes in the imperial clan who had never married.

If you were to take another step up, even Minister Wang might not be willing.

After all, no matter how wealthy he was, he was still... not the original wife.

-

On the carriage back, Yu Die gently lifted the curtain a crack, making sure no one was around, before whispering:

"Miss, just now outside the orphanage, someone did come and inquire about the carriage."

Langhua nodded, her expression remaining largely unchanged.

"understood."

As she spoke, she looked down at the newly arrived letter from home in her hand.

This is from Sichuan, and it arrives every half month as usual.

The letter was still written in her aunt's nagging tone, talking about the weather and the food, telling her not to be greedy for cold food or to be reckless, and that if anyone dared to wrong her, she should definitely write back.

Everything was normal up ahead.

It wasn't until she saw the last sentence that Langhua's lips slowly curved into a smile.

Hard work pays off, and my younger cousin finally passed the imperial examination and became a scholar.

My uncle and aunt were overjoyed.

But her joy lasted only a few words before her tone shifted, and her aunt began to berate her again in the letter.

This brat finally achieved fame and success, and immediately became arrogant and conceited, even thinking of following his older brother's example and running away to study in Yangzhou.

The four large characters on the letter were written hastily and forcefully, almost showing through the paper:

"Bullshit!"

As Langhua looked at that sentence, she vaguely saw Zhou Wanru standing with her hands on her hips, scolding someone, and her expression softened instantly.

The letter also said that she had figured out that Wang Shi'an, that little bastard, wasn't really going to study at all. He was clearly envious of Wang Shinian, who was doing business while studying in Yangzhou, and wanted to imitate him.

But how can that be?

She's already caught one, so she has to keep an eye on the second one no matter what.

Having passed the county-level imperial examination, one should continue studying and taking further exams.

A successful candidate in the imperial examinations, a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest level of the imperial examinations), and a name on the golden list!

Otherwise, who will support you in the future?

When her gaze fell on the last sentence, the smile on Langhua's lips suddenly froze.

The carriage was quiet.

Langhua held the letter tightly, remaining motionless for a long time. Finally, she very lightly raised her hand and wiped her eyes imperceptibly.

really weird.

During the Qing Dynasty, whenever she was exhausted and no longer wanted to be a good empress, Su Lian would remind her in her mother's ear how many years the Fucha family had raised and taught her, and how much effort and money they had spent.

Her words implied that she couldn't be so useless, that she couldn't just focus on being tired without contributing anything to the family.

Only she knew that hearing these things did not inspire her at all; it only made her more tired.

It's also more painful.

But now, her aunt tells her again and again that she doesn't need to fight, she doesn't need to snatch, and she doesn't need to scheme or plot anything on her own.

They will do everything in their power to be her support and reliance.

On the contrary, it will inspire her with boundless fighting spirit.

Langhua carefully folded the letter and put it into the box.

The movement was extremely light, as if they were putting away something extremely precious.

When I looked up again, the softness in my eyes had slowly subsided, leaving only something deeper and brighter.

-

Inside the palace, Zhao Zhen's mood grew increasingly depressed.

The closer it gets to the Empress's birthday, the more pronounced this becomes.

There was a stack of memorials on the table.

Zhang Maoze was serving by his side. Seeing that the emperor hadn't turned a single page in half a day, he knew that the emperor's mind had wandered again.

I couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Consort Li was her biological mother.

But the Empress Dowager had raised him for nearly twenty years.

The bond between mothers and children in this world cannot be separated by blood ties alone.

Because of the distinction between ruler and subject, he dared not offer any advice rashly, and only dared to pick up a seemingly insignificant matter to reply to.

"When the Empress Dowager was alive, she would always send cakes and rice to several orphanages in the city on her birthday, saying it was to share the joy with the people. May I ask Your Majesty, will you continue to do so this year?"

Zhao Zhen slowly raised his eyes.

"As usual."

He answered very quickly.

"This is a good thing."

After saying this, he did not immediately look at the folding book again.

Many things that happened when the Empress Dowager was alive suddenly surfaced, like the shadows of willows on the water in spring, layer by layer.

She was strict with him, yet also attentive. She would watch him write and read, and personally prepare gifts for him on every birthday when he was young. Others said she was domineering, that her methods were too harsh, but for him, those nearly twenty years were ultimately real.

Zhao Zhen let out a soft breath, then suddenly asked:

Where are these orphanages located?

Zhang Maoze was slightly taken aback, then quickly bowed and answered.

A moment later, Zhao Zhen changed into ordinary clothes and left the palace discreetly.