The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

The imperial examination was to last for nine days. This year, the weather was not cooperating. Starting from the third day, there was a cold snap. I heard that several candidates in the examination hall fell ill that night, all of them with high fever.

Some people couldn't take it anymore and simply gave up the exam, and were carried out.

When the news reached the Qin family, Ying Qiongfang was so worried that she couldn't sleep all night. The next day, her condition worsened, and the entire Qin family was shrouded in gloom. Shilan also lost the will to think about the strange feeling when she and Zhang Erlang locked eyes that day.

After finally making it to the end of the imperial examination, Shilan went with her father to pick up her second brother, Qin Zhengyang, to take him home.

As a result, they were both startled by Qin Zhengyang's unsteady steps and pale face.

Upon further inquiry, it was learned that, fortunately, although Qin Zhengyang had focused on his studies over the years, he had not neglected martial arts, which had given him a strong physique and helped him withstand the sudden cold snap in spring.

Although she was exhausted, thankfully she was alright.

Shilan was relieved. In the original story, Qin Zhengyang had never set foot in this examination hall. Although he had accomplished nothing, his lifespan was not in danger.

If you ruin your health as a result, even if you gain fame and fortune, it will be a loss that outweighs the gain.

In the following days, Qin Zhengyang rested at home, occasionally going out to find his teachers and classmates to check the answers.

The more he proofread, the worse his complexion became.

Qin Muchuan saw this and understood the situation.

On the day the results were announced, the gate of the Dongchang Marquis's residence was unusually quiet.

None of the Qin family members wanted to see the list; they only sent their servants.

An hour later, when the servant returned with his head down, everyone knew the answer without him saying a word.

As expected, Qin Zhengyang failed the exam.

Shilan sighed. The imperial examinations were never easy. Even if one studied diligently from a young age and was exceptionally talented, one might not necessarily pass.

What about someone like Qin Zhengyang, a mediocre person who gave up halfway through?

Qin Muchuan waved his hand to dismiss the butler. He had actually had a premonition that his son's writing wasn't up to par, and this was just a chance to try his luck. However, when the result was exactly as he had hoped, he couldn't help but feel disappointed.

Ying Qiongfang reacted the worst.

That night he tossed and turned, unable to sleep. The next day he coughed so badly that he felt dizzy and faint. He took medicine and had acupuncture, but it didn't help.

Looking at his wife's pale face, Qin Muchuan suddenly realized that he couldn't continue to be so depressed.

He got up and went to his study, where he found several ornate visiting cards, carefully tucked them into his sleeve, and instructed the steward to prepare the carriage.

"My lord, what are you doing...?" the steward asked cautiously.

"I'm going to visit a few old friends." Qin Muchuan straightened his sleeves, his eyes resolute. "Zhengyang's marriage can't be delayed any longer. I have to personally make arrangements with them."

Shilan was unaware of her father's plans. She was still flipping through a booklet that Wang Shinian had secretly compiled, which contained information about eligible young women in Bianjing.

She's also looking for a sister-in-law for herself.

At this moment, Songzhi rushed in, her face showing some anger.

"Miss, the Wang family said that Miss Wang is still ill. Because her illness is strange, they dare not use medicine indiscriminately. Therefore, they dare not accept the things we send, saying that they don't need them."

Shilan tapped her fingers lightly on the table, her eyes slightly cold.

This is the third time this month.

Every time she sent an invitation to Ruofu, the Wang family would either say that Ruofu was ill or that she needed to learn etiquette.

Once or twice is understandable, but if it happens repeatedly, anyone can see that the Wang family is deliberately distancing themselves.

Lord Wang is undoubtedly a man of high moral character and a pillar of the state, but Lady Wang and Wang Ruoyu are both opportunistic at heart. Now that her brother has failed the imperial examination, her marriage prospects are bleak, so naturally, they will distance themselves from her.

However, even though she knew it, she still remembered this grudge.

What kind of trash is this, daring to look down on her?

Outside the courtyard gate, Qin Zhengyang was standing there, still clutching the amulet that Wang Ruofu had given him last time.

But then I heard these words.

Qin Zhengyang turned and left, clutching the peace charm in his hand tightly until his fingers turned white.

Unconsciously, he walked to the pond where Wang Ruofu had tried to retrieve his jade crown that day. Looking at the amulet in his hand, he opened and closed his hand repeatedly. His pride as the heir of the Marquis of Dongchang forced him to want to throw away the amulet. If others didn't care, why should he go after it?

But for some reason, I just can't bear to part with it.

This back and forth made me increasingly frustrated.

Just as I was about to find a drink to drown my sorrows, I suddenly heard a rustling sound coming from the top of the wall.

Qin Zhengyang looked up alertly, only to see a person standing on the wall!

In the backyard of the Qin residence, there is an ancient tree with a long history, its branches and leaves are lush and its canopy is so large that it can connect several courtyards.

People on the wall carefully walk on it, holding onto a branch with both hands.

Qin Zhengyang stared blankly at the familiar little face, forgetting to react, until the person suddenly lost their footing and was about to fall. Qin Zhengyang didn't have time to think, he rushed forward, opened his arms, and caught the person!

"Thump!"

The inertia was too great, and the two of them fell to the ground together.

"Second Brother Qin, it's you?"

A cheerful sound rang out.

Qin Zhengyang looked at the dirty little face in front of him and didn't know what to say.

"I was just about to ask you that, what happened to you?"

Following Qin Zhengyang's gaze, Wang Ruofu looked down and saw her dress, which was so dirty that its original color was no longer recognizable.

"Don't even mention it!" Wang Ruofu got up, still fuming.

"My mother locked me up! She said I had to learn manners and couldn't go out, but secretly she was arranging marriages for me! If Ah Chang hadn't been so loyal in telling me the truth and secretly unlocked the back door for me, I wouldn't have been able to escape!"

Qin Zhengyang felt as if his heart had been pricked by a needle.

Sure enough, her family started arranging marriages for her.

After a long pause, he finally found his voice: "Madam Wang... is doing this for your own good. My family's reputation in the capital is not good now, and it could easily implicate you."

Wang Ruofu looked at him strangely: "Second Brother Qin, what kind of stale and ridiculous nonsense are you spouting? Isn't reputation something you talk about for people who don't know you? I've known you for so many years, do you think I don't know what kind of people you and Sister Shilan are?"

"But then again, isn't it strange? It's only strangers who need to know your reputation, yet everyone values ​​it so much. Isn't this just constantly trying to please a bunch of complete strangers?"

These words were like a thunderclap, shattering the gloom that had been hanging over Qin Zhengyang's heart for days.

He stared blankly at the dirty little girl in front of him—her eyes shone like stars, without a trace of hypocrisy or scheming, only pure sincerity and trust.

Yeah, what does he need that damn reputation for?

Those who truly cared about him never looked down on him because of Qin Nanyan's actions;

Those who distanced themselves from him because of his reputation were not his true friends, so why should they care?

He was shocked and about to say something when Songzhi's exclamation came from behind him:

"Miss Wang, what are you doing here! How did you get into this state?"

"Oh, my dear Songzhi, you've finally arrived! Quick, take me to wash up!"

The two quickly left hand in hand, while Qin Zhengyang remained where he was, watching the slender figure ahead, something quietly sprouting in his heart.

---

Shilan looked at Wang Ruofu, who looked like a dirty cat that had rolled in the mud, and couldn't help but facepalm.

"How did you manage to do all this?"

Wang Ruofu chuckled and explained it in a few words.

When Shilan learned that she had escaped home by climbing through a dog hole, had fallen twice along the way, and was eventually driven away by the servants at the front gate because she was too dirty, and had no choice but to take a detour and climb over the wall from the backyard, she was completely speechless.

"Go wash up and change!"

She urged him on.

Wang Ruofu was pulled away by Songzhi. When Shilan looked away, she inadvertently glanced at Qin Zhengyang and paused.

The second brother seemed to have a strange expression.

A thought flickered in her mind, but she didn't show it on her face: "It's rare to see Second Brother out. It seems he's come to his senses?"

Qin Zhengyang was already feeling guilty, and when he met her gaze, he felt even more uneasy.

He hesitated several times before speaking.

"Second Brother, what's there to hide between us?"

Shilan lost her patience.

Qin Zhengyang took a deep breath. He needed his sister's help to make this decision.

The blush from her ears spread to her cheeks.

"Shilan, what do you think... if I were to ask Father to propose marriage to the Wang family?"

After he finished speaking, the room fell silent.

Shilan was taken aback at first, then a smile slowly appeared in her eyes.

Yes, I couldn't ask for more.