The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

He used to think that too many rules were restrictive, dull, oppressive, and suffocating.

She was the first to make him understand that sometimes rules are a form of protection.

With it, one no longer needs to constantly ponder the goodness or evil of people's hearts, nor can one place one's safety entirely on the conscience of any one person.

It can constrain everyone's words and actions to the same standard.

On the contrary, it is a safer approach.

What moved him even more was not the door to her heart that Langhua had opened for him, but her thoughtfulness and care, which made him truly realize how much she valued the child.

Not just the one in her womb, but also all the children who will be born in this palace in the future.

She genuinely wanted them to be safe and sound.

Zhao Zhen couldn't help but put down the booklet and hold Langhua's hand.

"You are the Empress," he said solemnly. "You are in charge of this harem."

Langhua looked at him and finally showed a genuine smile.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

-

When Zhou Wanru learned that Langhua was pregnant, she was so happy that she almost didn't know what to do.

She had someone pack her things overnight, and the next day she excitedly arrived at Yichun Garden with a large amount of tonics, fabric for small clothes, and food she had made herself.

After Langhua put aside her palace duties and focused on her pregnancy without any worries, her excessive sleepiness became more and more pronounced. Zhou Wanru came three times, but didn't see her twice.

Ah Chang was worried that she would be disappointed, but Zhou Wanru was even happier after hearing it.

"That's good, that's perfect! If the baby can eat and sleep well and doesn't cause any trouble, that's the best."

As she spoke, she pulled Ah Chang aside and instructed him, "I came here to tell you that when this woman is pregnant, she will have a particularly strong craving for strange things. You must not stop her when that happens."

"Let her eat whatever she wants. If she wants something I cook, no matter what time it is, even if it's the middle of the night, you all have to come and call me, understand?"

Ah Chang quickly agreed.

When Langhua woke up and heard Ah Chang recount these words, she felt both heartbroken and moved.

She couldn't help but say to her still-flat stomach, "Ning'er, grow up well and don't rush. In this life, many, many people will love you, especially your maternal grandmother. She will definitely spoil you rotten..."

Thinking of the favoritism she received as a child, she slowly curled the corners of her lips into a smile.

-

The days passed by.

When Langhua was five months pregnant, it was already the first month of the following year.

Not long after the Lantern Festival, Langhua woke up from her afternoon nap and suddenly craved the glutinous rice balls made by Zhou Wanru.

The imperial chef tried to make it, but it didn't work.

I changed the filling and made it again, but it still didn't work.

After several attempts, she shook her head at the smell. As it grew later and later, she still had no appetite and could only think about the dumplings.

Zhao Zhen was extremely anxious and at his wits' end.

Finally, he suddenly remembered Zhou Wanru's words and hurriedly ordered someone to invite the Duchess of Anguo.

It was already late at night, but Zhou Wanru and Wang Rucheng, upon hearing the news, did not hesitate at all and rushed over after putting on their clothes.

As soon as Zhou Wanru entered the room, she checked Lang Hua's complexion and saw that she was just craving something and not feeling unwell, so she was relieved and immediately rolled up her sleeves and went to the small kitchen.

The dumplings she made weren't particularly exquisite, at least not compared to the elaborate pastries made by the imperial chefs in the palace.

But as soon as the glutinous rice ball entered her mouth, Langhua's eyes lit up.

One bite after another, and it was soon empty.

After finishing one bowl, Langhua asked for another half bowl.

Zhao Zhen, watching from the side, breathed a long sigh of relief.

From that day on, Langhua's mouth was like a switch that had been turned on; she would want to eat this one day and that the next.

When the mood strikes, even the fish mint, which I used to hate the most as a child, suddenly makes me want to have a bite.

They couldn't do without Zhou Wanru.

Seeing this, Zhao Zhen simply waved his hand and allowed Wang Rucheng and Zhou Wanru to also stay at Yichun Garden.

However, Wang Shinian and Bai Qing's wedding date was set for the end of March, and Wang Rucheng and Zhou Wanru, as parents, had a lot to do.

Zhao Zhen decided to go all the way and ordered the Imperial Ceremonial Affairs Bureau to send people to help with the wedding ceremony.

This immense favor, bestowed upon the Bai family, delighted Old Master Bai! That very day, he personally went to the Great Xiangguo Temple, donated a large sum of money for incense offerings, and solemnly erected a longevity tablet for Langhua.

May God bless Empress Wang with health and longevity, may this pregnancy, the next, and the one after that be smooth sailing, may she have both sons and daughters, a house full of children and grandchildren, and a life of great wealth and honor, living in harmony with the Emperor.

To live a stable and secure life as Empress, Empress Dowager, and Grand Empress Dowager!

At the end of March, Wang Shinian and Bai Qing's wedding was held in a grand and lively manner.

The Bai family's dowry for their daughter was so generous that it almost alarmed half of Bianjing, and the Wang family did not show any disrespect to the Bai family because of their merchant background.

The Duke of Anguo and his wife personally came to propose marriage, and Wang Shinian smiled like a fool.

On the day of Bai Qing's wedding, she saw his joy through the bridal fan, and couldn't help but smile slightly.

The marriage was finally settled.

Meanwhile, the child in Langhua's womb was growing day by day.

June 1st is an auspicious day.

Yichun Garden was bustling with activity from before dawn.

Langhua's pregnancy started suddenly, but it wasn't dangerous, as the midwife, imperial physician, and female officials were all prepared in advance.

Zhao Zhen was stopped outside the delivery room, his face deathly pale.

Suppressed cries of pain could be heard from inside the room from time to time; each one felt like a knife stabbing into his heart.

Zhou Wanru went into the delivery room. Holding Langhua's hand, her eyes red, she encouraged her, "My child, just bear with it a little longer, it'll be over soon."

"Mother is here, Mother is here."

Langhua was in so much pain that she almost lost all her strength, but hearing Zhou Wanru's voice brought her a strange sense of peace.

Fortunately, the child was sensible, and soon, a loud baby cry echoed throughout the villa.

Outside the delivery room, Zhao Zhen froze.

The next moment, the female official ran out with a joyful expression.

"It's a baby! It's a baby! Congratulations, Your Majesty, it's a little princess!"

Zhao Zhen's legs buckled, and he almost lost his footing.

Zhang Maoze quickly helped him up, saying, "Your Majesty!"

Zhao Zhen seemed not to hear, and his eyes immediately reddened.

Miao Xinhe stood beside her, tears of joy streaming down her face.

Yu Qingran clasped her hands together and repeatedly said, "Thank you, thank you God for protecting me."

Inside the room, Langhua leaned against the soft pillows, utterly exhausted.

Zhou Wanru carefully placed the swaddled baby in her arms, saying, "Luckily, you didn't waste your mouth. Look how well this child is growing."

Langhua forced herself to look at the baby's pink and tender face in the swaddling clothes, and listened to her loud cries, and tears instantly streamed down her face.

She's back, her child, her Jin Ning, has returned safely.