The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

Ah Chang and Yu Die, standing to the side, couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Zhou Wanru blushed, but stubbornly retorted, "You think you know everything!"

Out of the corner of her eye, she suddenly caught sight of Zhao Zhen watching them with amusement not far away.

Zhou Wanru's expression changed instantly, and she slapped Wang Rucheng with her crutch: "What nonsense are you spouting? The Emperor is here!"

Everyone quickly bowed in greeting.

Zhao Zhen approached with a smile: "No need for formalities."

He glanced at the half-turned-over ground before him, then at the flustered Wang Rucheng and Zhou Wanru, and asked gently, "What are you doing?"

In his presence, Wang Rucheng and Zhou Wanru could not hide their restraint and were momentarily at a loss for words.

Langhua was holding a handkerchief and wiping Wang Rucheng's sweat from time to time. Seeing this, she quietly explained on behalf of her parents: "Didn't His Majesty say that this courtyard has too much soil and is a bit too empty, and he wanted to plant some flowers and plants? After Father and Mother found out, they thought of doing it for us."

Zhao Zhen's smile deepened: "That would be perfect."

He looked at Zhou Wanru: "Mother-in-law, have you decided what to plant?"

Zhou Wanru was taken aback for once, and stammered, "Gourds, loofahs, or sunflowers, that's what Third Sister loves to eat. If they can be grown successfully, they can both flower and bear fruit, and they're all good things."

Zhao Zhen nodded seriously: "It can both bloom and bear fruit, it is indeed a good thing."

At this moment, Zhang Maoze stepped forward to remind them, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, it's time for dinner."

Zhao Zhen then looked at Wang Rucheng and Zhou Wanru: "Father-in-law and mother-in-law, please stay for dinner as well."

Wang Rucheng and Zhou Wanru were immediately filled with trepidation, yet unable to hide their joy.

"This...how could I possibly accept that?"

Langhua covered her mouth and laughed: "Wasn't Mother just saying she was hungry?"

Zhou Wanru blushed: "That was...."

Langhua added, "Today we have a roast goose, which is Mother's favorite. I also asked the Emperor for a favor, and he agreed to take out a bottle of his treasured wine, so we can have a couple of drinks."

Wang Rucheng's eyes lit up instantly.

He coughed lightly, trying to sound composed, and said, "Then... I shall accept your offer."

Zhou Wanru secretly glared at him.

But she herself did not really refuse.

At first, the two elders were still reserved during the meal, but after a few rounds of drinks, Zhao Zhen became very easygoing, and the atmosphere gradually relaxed.

Wang Rucheng, his face flushed with alcohol, looked at Zhao Zhen and suddenly stood up.

Zhou Wanru's heart skipped a beat.

Before they could stop him, Wang Rucheng, his face flushed, said solemnly, "Son-in-law, we entrust our Third Mistress to your care from now on. She is the best young lady in the world, and you must treat her well for the rest of your life. You are an official, wealthy and powerful, and you can have any kind of beauty at your fingertips. We dare not let you suffer any injustice."

His eyes reddened, and tears streamed down his face as he said, "I only ask that you promise me one thing. If one day you grow tired of her or become annoyed with her, please don't treat her coldly or mistreat her. Just discard her and return her to us."

Everyone in the hall was taken aback.

Zhou Wanru was startled and quickly patted his shoulder: "You drank a few drops of cat pee, look how confident you are! You dare to spit out anything!"

But while she was cursing, her eyes were also fixed on Zhao Zhen.

Zhao Zhen was taken aback at first, then slowly looked at Langhua, picked up his wine cup, and said solemnly, "To have Third Sister as my wife is the greatest fortune of my life."

"Don't worry, I've got it."

"But I will treat her well for the rest of my life."

After saying that, he tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.

Wang Rucheng shed two tears, turned his face away, and repeatedly said, "Good, good, good."

Zhou Wanru laughed along with her.

As she laughed, tears welled up in her eyes.

After the banquet, the two took their leave.

The eunuch helped the drunken Wang Rucheng into the carriage, with Zhou Wanru following behind, still cursing, "How dare you drink and make a fool of yourself on a day like this! Just wait till I get back and take off this imperial robe, I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!"

The carriage slowly drove away.

Once they had completely left Yichun Garden, Zhou Wanru immediately and quietly peeked out from behind the carriage curtain.

Once she could see further away, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Wang Rucheng, who was originally quite drunk, immediately sat up straight.

He chuckled: "How was it? I did a good job pretending just now, didn't I?"

Zhou Wanru gave a thumbs up and said in a low voice, "You're quite good! If you went to a Southern Opera troupe, you would definitely have a place there."

"go!"

Wang Rucheng rolled his eyes at her and muttered under his breath, "Only you could come up with something like this. It's the officials in front of us, and you dare to tell me to get drunk and pretend to be crazy?"

Zhou Wanru glared at him back: "What nonsense are you talking about? You know he's the Emperor. We can't just lay everything out before the engagement like we would with any ordinary boy. But even if he were the Empress, or if he were marrying into a higher social class, he still needs to know that our daughter was someone he actively sought out, not someone he's obligated to marry. Only then will he know to cherish her, and if they ever argue, he'll have some consideration for her!"

Wang Rucheng looked at her and suddenly smiled.

"Okay, okay, I have to say it, I have to say it."

He leaned closer and asked, "So, how was what I said earlier?"

Zhou Wanru finally gave him a satisfied smile.

"Well done."

Wang Rucheng chuckled.

-

Meanwhile, in Sweetwater Lane, outside the Sheng residence.

Under the cover of night, a mother and daughter dressed in ordinary clothes quietly arrived at the gate of the Sheng residence and knocked on the door.

After a while, the gatekeeper poked his head out and saw two such shabby and disheveled women and children standing outside. He immediately frowned and was about to curse them.

The mother hurriedly took out a jade pendant from her bosom and said urgently, "I am a relative of your mistress. I was robbed by bandits on my way to the capital, and all my travel money was taken away. My daughter and I barely managed to save our lives. If you don't believe me, take this jade pendant to show your mistress."

The gatekeeper was filled with suspicion and uncertainty.

But seeing that the jade pendant was indeed not an ordinary object, he hesitated for a moment before taking it.

"You wait."

After saying that, he turned and hurriedly went inside.

Once the door closed, only the mother and daughter remained outside.

The mother immediately grabbed her daughter's hand, her eyes red-rimmed, and her voice very low.

"Shuang'er, this is all I can do for you. Remember what I said: this Madam Xu is tough on the outside but soft on the inside. Just keep crying, keep crying, and say that you have nowhere to go. She will definitely take you in. My poor daughter, you must live."

The girl was still trying to hold back.

Hearing this, she finally couldn't hold back her tears and burst into tears.

"mother……"

But her mother didn't give her a chance to persuade her to stay.

She shoved the package into her daughter's arms, turned abruptly, and ran into the night without looking back.