The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

The deaths of Qin's father and mother naturally caused a great uproar in Bianjing.

Although the Dongchang Marquis's family was not a particularly powerful or influential clan, they were still descendants of founding heroes. Now, due to the pursuit of old debts, they squandered their wealth, relinquished their titles, and ultimately, the couple died together under a peach tree in their backyard.

If left to its own devices, it could very well be portrayed as the emperor forcing debts and driving the descendants of meritorious officials to their deaths.

In short, it damages the reputation of the government.

But the civil officials, led by the chief ministers, were unwilling to stand by and watch things go in this direction.

Collecting old debts was something they wholeheartedly supported. In the eyes of these upright officials who had earned their positions through the imperial examinations, those纨绔子弟 (spoiled brats) who relied solely on their ancestors' legacy and were utterly useless except for their extravagance and debauchery deserved to be taught a lesson long ago.

When they are enjoying themselves with the money from the national treasury, why don't they remember the merits of their ancestors?

Now that you want them to repay the money, you're trying to bring up your ancestors?

There's no such logic in the world.

Moreover, the reasons why Qin's father and mother died are not without explanation.

So, almost on the same day, the actions of Qin Yanyun, the eldest daughter, were gradually exposed.

The first thing to spread was what she herself had said—

If you want to use her dowry to tide you over, that's fine.

However, the title she retained had to be left to her son, Gu Tingyu.

If Gu Tingyu can't hold on, Gu Yankai can marry into the Qin family and inherit the family business.

In short, the title she obtained with her dowry must not fall into Qin Zhengyang's hands.

When these words got out, the whole of Bianjing was in an uproar.

Following that, her past actions within the Gu family were also brought up again.

She disrespects her parents-in-law, is bad at managing the household, and has been childless for many years since marrying into the family, yet she forbids her husband from taking a concubine.

Despite her frail health, she constantly used tears and illness to control her husband's family.

Even her reputation has affected her sisters in the family.

Qin Zhengyang, the only brother who could inherit the Dongchang Marquis's mansion, was forced to leave a letter, saying that he would rather go to the frontier and risk his life to make a future than return to this home.

In an instant, Qin Yanyun's reputation plummeted.

As a result, Gu Yankai became increasingly unpopular with the Gu family.

At this moment, Qin Yanwan also stepped forward. In front of her parents' funeral hall, she made a solemn oath that after the funeral arrangements were completed, she, Qin Yanwan, would sever all ties with Qin Yanyun and never have any contact with him again.

If I break this oath, may Heaven despise me, Earth forsake me, and Gods and Buddhas not protect me!

When the crowd heard this, they didn't think she was heartless; instead, they thought it was perfectly reasonable.

With an older sister like that, who wouldn't avoid her like the plague?

In addition, the debts owed by other families were far less outrageous than those of the Marquis of Ningyuan's family, and most of them had already paid back half of their debts. For example, the Marquis of Yongchang's family, although it was also downgraded to an earl's family, was ultimately not raided.

In this way, the storm finally subsided.

Although the official's reputation was somewhat affected, it was ultimately not seriously damaged.

When the news reached the residence where the Gu family now lived, Old Madam Gu was staring blankly at a small porcelain bottle in her hand.

The elderly woman beside her couldn't help but tear up, softly calling out, "Grandma..."

Madam Gu did not respond. Her eyes, which had been like a stagnant pool, slowly revealed a faint trace of helplessness.

After a while, she finally let go and put the porcelain bottle back into the box.

"A bunch of debt collectors."

She said in a low voice.

Then he stood up, holding onto the table.

First, she ordered her men to throw out Gu Si and Gu Wu, who had been clamoring for the past few days to continue living a life of luxury, wanting to keep maids and concubines, and even demanding money from her to support their continued outings.

The two still didn't believe it and started cursing.

"Mother! Mother, what are you doing?"

"We are your own sons!"

Madam Gu sat inside the door, her expression indifferent: "It is precisely because you are my own children that I have allowed you to live to this day."

She then ordered someone to pack up Gu Yankai's belongings and throw them all outside the door.

When the door opened, Gu Yankai had just returned, accompanied by Qin Yanyun and followed by a group of servants. Seeing his clothes and books thrown on the ground, his already unpleasant expression darkened further: "Mother, what are you doing?"

Old Madam Gu glanced at Qin Yanyun, then looked at him coldly, and said calmly, "From now on, you two will have to fend for yourselves."

Her voice was not loud, but extremely cold.

"Whether you live or die, whether you stand tall and live with dignity, or whether you remain on the ground like a lump of mud and are despised by others, it's all up to you."

Gu Yankai's face turned pale: "Mother..."

Madam Gu stopped looking at him and ordered someone to bring Gu Tingyu back.

The child was born so weak, so tiny and light that it seemed weightless. When held in one's arms, even the child's cries were so faint and weak that they were frightening.

Madam Gu then ordered people to retrieve the contracts that she had intended to temporarily entrust to Qin Yanyun a few days ago, and tore them to shreds one by one in front of everyone.

Gu Yankai finally realized what was happening and said urgently, "Mother, didn't you say this was for Yanyun and Yu'er?"

"You misheard me. I've been saying from beginning to end that it's only for Yu-ge'er," Old Madam Gu corrected. "I just asked her to keep it temporarily. But lately I feel that I'm in good spirits and can live for a few more years. In that case, I'd rather keep it myself and give it to him by hand in the future."

After saying that, she closed the door in front of her three sons.

The moment the heavy door closed, both Gu Lao Si and Gu Lao Wu were dumbfounded.

Gu Yankai and Qin Yanyun stood outside the door from afternoon until evening, and only left reluctantly after confirming that their mother had truly hardened her heart and was no longer going to care about them.

Inside the room, Old Madam Gu held the incredibly light Gu Tingyu in her arms and finally shed tears.

"Child, Grandma, hang in there a little longer."

"I'll hold on a little longer for you."

Gu Tingyu had his eyes closed, and even his breathing was weak.

Old Madam Gu hugged him tighter, tears falling onto the swaddling clothes: "For your grandmother's sake, please hold on, okay?"

The turmoil of confiscating property gradually subsided.

The results of the imperial examinations were about to be announced.

This time, Wang Shiping from the eldest branch of the Wang family and Wang Shi'an from the second branch both made the list.

Although their rankings were all in the middle to lower range, and Wang Shi'an was just one place away from becoming a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), he was still a Jinshi.

Wang Shi'an was extremely satisfied, telling everyone he met that the hard times were over and he would no longer have to suffer the hardship of studying so hard!

The Wang family was overjoyed. Zhou Wanru exclaimed that she never expected that her son would actually pass the high school entrance exam. She had forced him to study hard, but who knew that she had gotten him used to pushing him to improve?

The joy of accident!

A truly unexpected and delightful surprise!

Minister Wang was overjoyed.

With his daughter marrying into a wealthy family and his sons and nephews all becoming Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), the Wang family finally had a successor and no longer needed him to struggle alone.

After the Qionglin Banquet, a series of procedures were completed, and the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) were successively assigned their posts.

Wang Shiping was transferred to Tongzhou.

Wang Shi'an was transferred to Qingzhou.

Although these are not particularly desirable or lucrative positions, it is a good thing for young people who have just entered officialdom to go to the local areas to gain experience and solid skills.

It's worth mentioning that Sheng Hong also won.

His ranking was even higher than those two from the Wang family, which made Minister Wang look at him with new respect.

Ultimately, Sheng Hong was assigned to a post in Dengzhou.

As a result, his marriage to Wang Ruoyu was finally put on the agenda.