The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

As these debts accumulated generation after generation, they snowballed, growing larger and larger until they became a huge sum of money.

The sheer number is staggering.

Emperor Zhao Zhen was furious and had been discussing the matter with Han Qi and others in recent days.

The opinions of the several young masters were unprecedentedly aligned—

Chase!

We must get it back!

This money belongs to the national treasury, the emperor, and the people. It's one thing for the founding generation of heroes to be complacent, but what right do these纨绔 (spoiled brats) who only know how to eat, drink, and be merry have to squander the national treasury's money with a clear conscience?

Any noble family that has borrowed money and fails to repay it within the specified period will have their title and property confiscated without any leniency!

The decree will be announced on the 15th.

With the arrow already on the bowstring, Zhao Zhen was moved by compassion at this critical moment. In his letter, he asked her if he had pushed those nobles too hard, if he had given them too little time, and if some of them were simply indebted to their ancestors and whose descendants might not be able to repay the debts. He felt that if he were to pursue them relentlessly, the entire family would be ruined, which would be too cruel.

Langhua looked at the letter, remained silent for a long time, then took out a brand new sheet of paper, laid it out, ground the ink, pondered for a moment, and wrote:

"Compassion is certainly valuable, but without the protection of swift and decisive measures, it will eventually become indulgence."

She actually understood why Zhao Zhen hesitated.

He wasn't unaware that this was the right thing to do; he simply wasn't born a ruthless ruler.

He would unconsciously wonder if the lightning would harm innocent people.

Langhua then told him that there are many ordinary people in the world without official positions, salaries, titles, or power. Her decree was that if the debt could not be recovered, their property would be confiscated and their titles would be stripped, not that their entire family would be executed. So how could it be considered an overthrow?

Good young men have hands and feet, why can't they find work to support themselves and their families?

In the end, she wrote: "A loss may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. The sons of noble families, accustomed to a life of luxury, have long forgotten where their titles came from. Losing them and falling to the mortal world may help them wake up, rediscover the indomitable spirit of their ancestors, and restore their family's honor."

After finishing writing, Langhua sealed the letter and handed it to the female official outside the door.

As for whether the letter should be delivered to the palace tonight or tomorrow, she didn't care.

Only after she had done all this did she go to bed.

After lying down, I couldn't fall asleep for a while.

Langhua counted on her fingers.

Today is the second day of the seventh lunar month. Eight days later, on the tenth day of the seventh lunar month, will be the wedding day of Yanwan and Zhao Xu, the heir apparent of the Prince of Yan.

fortunately.

You still have time.

-

July 10th.

Langhua arrived at the Dongchang Marquis's residence early in the morning.

She came today to see Qin Yanwan off on her wedding day.

Her current status is special. Although she has not yet officially entered the palace, she is already the future empress. Therefore, when she arrived, almost everyone in the Dongchang Marquis's mansion was stunned.

Even Qin Yanwan herself was somewhat surprised.

She had already finished dressing and grooming by then.

Dressed in a light green wedding gown, adorned with pearls and jade, and holding a wedding fan in her hand, she sat gracefully by the bed.

When she saw Langhua enter, she was taken aback at first, and then a deep meaning flashed in her eyes.

"I thought that the next time we met, it would be when I was in the crowd shouting 'Long live the Empress! Long live the Empress! Long live the Empress!'"

"Wan-jie'er!"

Hearing this, Qin's mother was startled and quickly spoke up to stop him.

Langhua smiled and shook her head, indicating that Qin's mother didn't need to be nervous. She looked at Qin Yanwan openly and generously, saying, "If you're willing, you can bow now. There are no outsiders around, so I can see your grand ceremony in full."

Qin Yanwan was taken aback for a moment, then couldn't help but chuckle.

Langhua laughed along with her.

Seeing the two girls like this, Qin's mother finally felt relieved and said with a smile, "You two girls can chat for a while. I'll come over again when the auspicious time arrives."

After saying that, she took the matchmaker and the maids who were serving her out.

Only Langhua and Qin Yanwan remained in the room.

Once the door closed, the hustle and bustle outside was somewhat shut out.

Qin Yanwan looked at Lang Hua and spoke first: "I really didn't expect that."

Langhua raised an eyebrow: "Didn't you think of something?"

Qin Yanwan's gaze sharpened: "When did you find out?"

"When and what time?" Langhua's expression remained unchanged: "What do you know?"

Qin Yanwan gave a soft snort: "Stop pretending to be stupid with me. I used to feel sorry for you. Your father is the Minister of Revenue, just one step away from becoming the Grand Secretary. And you yourself are so outstanding, why do you have to enter that deep palace? Even if you become a Noble Consort, what then? You are still not the principal wife."

She stared at Langhua and said, word by word, "When did you know that Empress Guo would definitely be deposed?"

Langhua looked at her quietly.

After a moment, he chuckled softly: "What you're saying makes no sense. Anyone who doesn't know the inside story would think that I ordered the Emperor to depose Empress Guo."

"It's no use denying it," Qin Yanwan said. "It's enough that I know it in my heart."

After she finished speaking, she slightly raised her chin and said, "Don't worry, I'm keeping my mouth shut. Putting everything else aside, just considering your current status, the fact that you personally came to escort me to my wedding has given me a lot of face. I acknowledge this favor."

Langhua couldn't help but laugh when she saw her clearly moved but trying to act like she was doing business.

"You're quite honest."

Qin Yanwan smiled as well.

After laughing, Langhua suddenly asked, "Tell me honestly, if the decree to depose the empress had been issued a few days earlier, what would you have intended to do?"

Qin Yanwan's smile faltered slightly.

The room fell silent.

Qin Yanwan lowered his eyes for a long while.

When he looked up again, his gaze was both frank and sharp: "It's a matter of skill. If I win, I will grant you a lifetime of wealth and honor."

The room fell silent for a while.

Langhua suddenly smiled.

"Well, you're something else." She pointed at the wedding fan in Qin Yanwan's hand: "You're getting married today, and you still can't resist trying to get something from me."

"So, are you going to give it to me or not?"

"Give."

Langhua spoke in a permissive manner.

Qin Yanwan finally smiled.

The smile, bathed in the festive red silk of the room, was indescribably beautiful.

Just then, the matchmaker gently knocked on the door from outside.

"Young lady, the auspicious time has arrived."

The two immediately composed themselves and said, "Come in."

The matchmaker and others came in, but Langhua didn't see Qin's mother.

Only Qin's mother's trusted confidante came in.

The mother smiled, but her expression was somewhat unnatural: "Something has happened that requires your personal attention, Madam. The auspicious time has arrived, so why don't you set off now, young lady, to avoid being late?"

The smile on Qin Yanwan's face faded considerably.

She didn't ask what it was about, but simply lowered her eyes, picked up the fan, and covered her face.

"Let's go."

Jian supported her on her right side.

The matchmaker was about to step forward to help the left side, but Langhua beat her to it.

"I'll do it."

Today, I'm sending you off to your wedding.

Qin Yanwan's eyelashes trembled slightly.

"it is good."

She left her boudoir and walked along the corridor, with only Ji'an by her side.

The sounds of joy and laughter grew closer, and the clamor of the guests inside the mansion could be faintly heard.

Qin Yanwan suddenly whispered, "Yesterday I specifically sent someone to the Ningyuan Marquis's residence to tell her not to come see me off today, and not to bring any gifts. I find it unlucky."

Langhua paused for a moment before realizing that the "she" Qin Yanwan was referring to was probably her own elder sister, the current eldest daughter-in-law of the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion, Madam Qin.

Qin Yanwan continued, "I suppose it was because I was too inconsiderate of sisterly affection and too rude that I frightened her and made her sick again, which is why my mother rushed over to take care of her personally."

Langhua remained silent.

After a moment, he suddenly said, "My sister also intends to find me a very lively marriage. It would be impolite not to reciprocate, so I took the liberty of finding her a perfect match. When she gets married, I will definitely send her a generous gift."

Langhua paused, turned her head to look at her, and said meaningfully, "I only hope that she and my future brother-in-law will stay together for life."