The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

Looking at him, Langhua felt a slight warmth in her heart and couldn't help but smile.

"If Your Majesty continues to stare like this, there's no need to serve dinner tonight."

Zhao Zhen was taken aback, then smiled and said in a low voice, "Then serve the meal. There are still many days ahead, I will take my time to observe."

Langhua's smile deepened, but she didn't tease him anymore.

The dinner was served quietly and comfortably.

After their meal, the two chatted about their son under the lamplight for a while.

At first, she was a little unfamiliar with the process, but for some reason, Zhao Zhen suddenly started talking about the fine calligraphy he had recently acquired, which piqued Lang Hua's interest.

In her previous life, she had beautiful handwriting, but it was too formal and lacked a touch of freedom.

Zhao Zhen, however, was different. His calligraphy reflected his personality: gentle and refined, yet revealing a subtle resilience within.

Compared to Hongli, it was many times better. Langhua usually liked it, and sometimes she would even secretly copy it.

As they talked, they actually asked someone to bring them paper and pen.

Zhao Zhen wrote the character "安" (peace/safety).

Langhua looked at it for a moment, then picked up her pen and, to avoid copying his handwriting, wrote "Ning" next to it.

Zhao Zhen looked at the two characters side by side on the paper, which were quite similar, and suddenly smiled.

"peaceful."

Langhua also looked at the paper and said softly, "I wish Your Majesty a lifetime of peace."

Zhao Zhen felt a warmth in his heart and looked up at her: "What about Third Sister?"

Langhua tilted her head slightly, a hint of a smile in her clear eyes: "I want half of the Emperor's peace and tranquility."

Zhao Zhen paused for a moment, then chuckled softly.

"No need to divide it."

"We, husband and wife, are one."

Langhua's heart stirred.

The deeper the night, the brighter the red candles shine.

Their eyes met, and their feelings intertwined.

The night breeze rustled through the eaves, creating a tender and affectionate melody.

-

The next morning, when Langhua woke up, it was already broad daylight.

Zhao Zhen also woke up.

The two looked into each other's eyes, and were startled at first, their faces flushing red. But when they saw that the same was true for each other, they smiled in unison.

When the palace maids came in to help the two men with their washing and grooming, they all lowered their heads and looked down, not daring to look around.

Even so, one could sense that the atmosphere in the hall was different from usual.

The Emperor's brows relaxed, and the Empress's expression was gentle.

The two occasionally exchanged glances through the shadows, then lowered their eyes again, but both had a barely suppressed smile on their lips.

Once everything was ready, it was time to meet the women of the harem.

Zhao Zhen instantly came to his senses. He looked at Lang Hua, his expression unusually tinged with unease and a hint of guilt: "If you don't want to see them, you can see them again in a few days."

Langhua glanced at him, then suddenly reached out and grabbed his hand: "Is Your Majesty afraid I'll be jealous?"

Zhao Zhen said in a low voice, "I just don't want you to be unhappy."

Langhua didn't answer immediately, but held his hand and slowly said, "Of course I'm a little jealous."

Zhao Zhen was taken aback.

Langhua smiled gently and said frankly, "That's only natural. The Emperor cares about me, and I care about the Emperor, so naturally I don't want you to be closer to others than to me. But if we're really talking about it, I'm the one who came later. They all served the Emperor first, and I'm sure they were truly devoted to him."

"It is true that the Emperor is my husband, but he is also their only hope for the rest of their lives."

"Since I already want to possess the Emperor's heart entirely, how could I be so stingy as to deny them even a little warmth and joy?"

For a moment, Zhao Zhen was at a loss for words.

I felt something gently bump against my chest, a feeling that was both sore and warm.

"Third Sister..."

Seeing his expression, Langhua laughed instead: "Alright, if Your Majesty keeps looking at me like that, when the other sisters come in later, they might think I'm bullying you."

Zhao Zhen was amused by her.

The two then sat down side by side, waiting for the palace ladies to come and pay their respects.

Emperor Zhao Zhen currently has very few women in his harem, in fact, very few.

Empress Guo was jealous and intolerant of others, and Empress Dowager Liu kept a close watch on him when she was alive. Originally, he only had a few women around him, including Lady Yang, Lady Shang, Lady Miao, Lady Yu, and another Lady Yang.

Later, Empress Guo was deposed, and Lady Shang and Lady Yang, who had played a part in the affair, were also expelled from the palace.

Now, only Miao Xinhe, Lady Yu, and another Lady Yang remain in the harem.

It was even less than when Langhua was in Prince Bao's mansion in her previous life.

The three entered the hall to pay their respects.

Miao Xinhe was gentle and pretty, with a quiet and approachable air about her. Madam Yu was even more reserved and well-mannered. Madam Yang was the youngest, and although she looked a little nervous, she dared not be impolite.

Langhua said gently, "Get up, everyone. From now on, we'll all be in the palace together, so there's no need to be so formal."

She then ordered that things be given to her.

What was given to Miao Xinhe was a box of fine incense and a book on incense.

What was given to the Yu family was a set of simple and exquisite tea utensils.

What was given to Lady Yang were several bolts of brightly colored yet not frivolous silk, and a box of newly made floral hairpins from the palace.

The three of them took it, and their expressions changed.

These items were not excessively valuable, but they all suited their tastes perfectly, which shows that the new empress did not bestow them casually, but rather inquired about their preferences and temperaments before entering the palace.

For a moment, all three of them felt a mix of emotions.

Zhao Zhen sat to the side without saying a word, but it was precisely because of his presence that the three of them couldn't say much more.

Miao Xinhe was the first to come to her senses and said gently, "Your Majesty is newly married and has just entered the palace today. I imagine you still have many things to take care of. We will not disturb Your Majesty and Your Majesty any longer."

After saying this, she and the other two got up to take their leave.

After they left, Langhua looked at Zhao Zhen and said with a smile, "Just from this one meeting, I can tell that Your Majesty has excellent judgment."

Zhao Zhen's eyebrows twitched slightly, his face full of confusion.

Then Langhua said slowly, "Not only are the younger sisters beautiful, but they are also very open-minded. If they were the kind of people who like to cause trouble, they certainly wouldn't be leaving right now."

Zhao Zhen snapped out of his daze and couldn't help but laugh again.

Langhua seemed to remember something and said, "Whenever His Majesty comes in the future, please remember to let me know in advance."

Zhao Zhen blurted out, "Why?"

Langhua said in a serious tone, "I need to spend more time with them when the Emperor is not around, so that I can cultivate a relationship with them."

Zhao Zhen was stunned.

That statement... seems a bit off.

What does it mean for her to cultivate feelings for them?

And you have to pick a time when he's not around?