The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

Wang Ruo was pondering something in the room, unaware that no sooner had she left than Lang Hua instructed Yu Die: "Don't go to the orphanage tomorrow. Have someone keep a close eye on the eldest daughter's movements, and also on the people in our courtyard. You and A Chang should also be extra vigilant. If anyone betrays us..."

Her voice was icy: "No need to show mercy."

"Yes."

In the days that followed, Langhua paid even closer attention to Wang Ruoyu's every move.

It didn't take much effort, because Wang Ruoyu didn't intend to hide anything at all. Instead, she openly and directly changed her style.

It's as if he's become a completely different person.

Instead of constantly clashing with her younger sister and getting angry over the smallest things, he became very attentive to her, sending her pastries one day and handkerchiefs the next, or having servants bring her embroidery lines to discuss new embroidery patterns.

When she went out to a banquet with the Queen Mother, she no longer spoke or acted so recklessly. Instead, she became much more composed than before. Even if she was impatient inside, she could still maintain her composure on the surface.

Occasionally, when someone brings up her past tantrums to her face, she can still lower her head and smile, humbly saying that she was young and ignorant.

He said, "Now that my mother is making me learn manners every day, I realize how frivolous I used to be, and how my aunts must have laughed at me."

Be poised and generous, and turn over a new leaf.

Gradually, people outside started praising her.

It is said that the eldest daughter of the Wang family is the legitimate eldest daughter. She was just a little spoiled when she was young, but now that she is older, she knows how to behave properly.

The Queen Mother heard this and was naturally pleased.

She had said long ago that she and her sister were just young and had been spoiled by her, which was why they were a little immature.

Now that she's reached a certain age, she doesn't need to do much; she's just become enlightened on her own. She truly is worthy of being her daughter.

What reassured her even more was that Wang Ruoyu had been going out frequently lately.

One moment he'd say he'd made plans to go on a spring outing with some girl, the next he'd say he was going to the temple to offer incense and pray for blessings. When he returned, his expression was relaxed, and his speech became increasingly gentle.

The Queen Mother watched and felt that she had truly changed her ways and had even started having close friends.

Langhua scoffed.

It's already quite remarkable that Wang Ruo could maintain a facade with someone like that for even a day or two.

The fact that it has been installed for so long and so meticulously suggests that its purpose is quite ambitious.

She remained calm and simply called Ah Chang over and whispered a few instructions to him.

Ah Chang was the quick-wittedest of them all, and immediately understood. He then recommended someone: "What do you think of Madam Chen's son, Zong Dalang? He's a small shopkeeper now, knows a lot of people, is quick-witted, and has connections."

It wasn't too difficult to secretly follow the young lady's carriage a few times.

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Langhua's eyes. Ah Chang truly lived up to his reputation as Wang Ruofu's most trusted servant.

He is loyal and intelligent.

"Be careful," Langhua instructed. "Don't let her find out. Don't get too close, and don't go too far. No matter who she meets or what she says, report back to me in detail."

Ah Chang replied, "Don't worry, young lady!"

He turned and left.

-

"Your Majesty, the Third Young Lady has left the manor."

Zhang Maoze gently reminded him.

"really?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhen immediately put down the memorial in his hand and said, "Help me change my clothes."

Zhang Maoze suppressed a laugh: "Yes."

After rushing all the way, when he arrived at the entrance of the orphanage, the children's chattering laughter could be heard through the thin wooden door, and occasionally there were two calls of "Third Sister". Zhao Zhen stopped abruptly, awkwardly straightened his clothes and hair, cleared his throat, and then pushed the door open to enter.

A large mat was laid out under the eaves, and several children sat in a circle around it, with bamboo strips, colored paper and paste scattered around them, and they were hurriedly making paper kites.

Yuanbao's face was covered in paste, and Langhua half-squatted down to wipe it off for him. Her white gauze mask covered most of her face, revealing only her eyes, which were wearing a slightly helpless smile.

Zhao Zhen's heart suddenly felt lighter.

The disappointment and lingering longing of the past few days seemed to melt away in that one look.

"Brother Li Liu!"

The children saw him and called out in unison. Yuanbao and Langhua also looked over. The latter nodded to him with a smile in her eyes, as proper as ever.

Yuanbao ran over with the unfinished paper kite in his arms, clamoring for him to see if his eagle looked majestic and powerful when it took to the sky.

Zhao Zhen looked at the dark, indistinct mass and reluctantly agreed. As a result, he was surrounded by the children and forced to sit down to one side, unable to break free.

He could only deal with the children while constantly glancing towards Langhua.

She was teaching her two youngest children how to press the edge of the paper; her hands were fair and her fingers were steady.

When she spoke, her voice was low and gentle, unhurried and calm. The children who were arguing gradually quieted down after she said a few words.

After finally managing to deal with Yuanbao and a few of the most mischievous little ones, Zhao Zhen finally had a moment to observe them properly. He couldn't help but say, "Why are you trying to teach them to make kites yourself? There are so many! When will we ever finish? Why don't I have Maoze go and buy some?"

As soon as he said those words, he wanted to bite off his own tongue.

You idiot, why are you making conversation like this?!

"What I mean is, how come you even know this?"

Langhua glanced at him, her eyes curving slightly at the corners.

"It's no fun to just leave a kite lying around. You have to make your own kite, draw your favorite design on it, and you'll be happy when it flies in the sky."

She answered his first question, then paused, and said with a nostalgic tone:

"I grew up in the countryside with my uncle and aunt. I have two older cousins ​​who loved to play these games with me when I was little. They taught me how to make kites, weave straw, and play with pebbles."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhen became genuinely interested.

"countryside?"

He was slightly startled.

"But judging from your words, actions, and demeanor, you seem more like a daughter from an official's family."

This wasn't said bluntly; it even carried a hint of probing.

Langhua smiled slightly, still bowing her head to hold down the edge of the paper for the child, and said frankly, "Young Master Li has a good eye. That's right, your biological father is an official. However, when I was young, he was assigned to a post in a remote place. I was too young to go with him, so I was raised by my uncle and aunt for a few years."

"I see." Zhao Zhen nodded, then asked, "Where do your uncle and aunt live?"

"Lanxi in Sichuan."

Zhao Zhen paused slightly.

Lanxi in Sichuan.

He remembered that many years ago, Minister Wang had indeed been sent to the Northwest.

The Northwest is remote, but where in Sichuan is it considered close?

He didn't ask any further questions, but simply made a mental note of it.

Upon returning to the palace, the first thing he did was summon Zhang Maoze to his side. He remained silent, simply staring at Zhang with his eyes wide open.

Zhang Maoze, unable to do anything about it, smiled helplessly, but as expected, he opened his mouth and explained Lang Hua's background clearly.

As the emperor's most trusted eunuch, it was his duty to find out the likes, dislikes, and backgrounds of those who appeared by the emperor's side or were about to become close to him.

Moreover, it is common knowledge in the capital that Langhua was raised by her uncle and aunt during her childhood and was only brought back to the capital in recent years, so it is not difficult to find out.

To demonstrate his abilities, Zhang Maoze then picked out some inside information that his master had not asked about and explained it in detail.

For example, the eldest daughter of the Wang family is now of marriageable age. Recently, Madam Wang has been frequently taking her to banquets to meet potential partners. She has also made it clear that there is an order of seniority, and she will not arrange a marriage for her youngest daughter before her older siblings have been married.

Therefore, in the past few days, when the Queen Mother went out, she often took her eldest daughter with her, but kept Langhua at home to learn how to manage the household affairs, and did not allow her to appear in public much.

"The Emperor visited the orphanage a few days ago but did not see the Third Miss. I suppose this is one of the reasons," Zhang Maoze concluded.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhen's brows slowly furrowed.

"What is the character of the eldest daughter of the Wang family?"

Zhang Mao hesitated for a moment, then told the truth: "A few days ago, the Lady of Yongchang Marquis organized a polo match. When she sent out invitations, she skipped the eldest daughter of the Wang family and only sent one to the third daughter. When the eldest daughter heard about it at home, she made a huge fuss, and in the end... the third daughter was unable to go."

After hearing this, Zhao Zhen immediately understood.

He knew Lady Yongchang; she was a woman of the most straightforward temperament, her likes and dislikes always written on her face, and she never judged people based on appearances. If she bypassed the eldest daughter of the Wang family and invited only the second daughter, it was already a clear message to everyone that she only had eyes for that one.

But in the end, Third Sister couldn't make it...

It seems that Minister Wang's wife does not treat her two daughters as equally as she appears on the surface.

When Zhao Zhen recalled the intimacy and vividness that Lang Hua unconsciously revealed when she mentioned her uncle and aunt, he understood most of the situation.

For a moment I didn't know what to say, but I felt a slight pang in my heart.

He sat behind his desk, and his gaze swept over the table, which was covered with memorials.

This was what he was looking through before leaving the palace; it was all petitions asking him to reinstate the empress, and looking at it only made him feel annoyed.

Suddenly, Zhao Zhen's heart stirred, and he murmured aloud:

"Maoze, do you think Third Sister... is capable of becoming Empress?"