The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

Zhang Bihua quickly received the news and the reward.

Besides the two new outfits and a set of pearl flowers that Langhua mentioned, there was also a box of pastries.

She looked at those things, her eyes shining so brightly they could hardly be hidden.

What excited her even more was that Ah Chang personally led a group to investigate what happened today.

The tear in the dance costume, the scraps of cloth left beside the rabbit cage, the conversations overheard by several palace maids, and even the marks on Xu Lanqiao's fingers from being accidentally scratched by bamboo strips—all these were discovered little by little.

The truth soon came to light.

Zhang Bihua was not lying; her dance costume and the rabbit were indeed tampered with by Xu Lanchao.

In front of everyone, Ah Chang took back all the rewards that Xu Lanqiao had previously received and returned them to Zhang Bihua, which were rightfully hers.

Then, she looked at Xu Lanqiao: "Send her out of the palace."

Several old women immediately stepped forward and dragged the crying Xu Lanshao away.

The palace maids around were all silent and trembling, and Instructor Jia's expression was also not very good.

Ah Chang, however, did not indulge her: "Your Majesty knows that it is hard for the instructors to manage the palace servants. It's useless to only try to cover up the conflicts between the young palace servants."

"If we don't investigate this today, the wronged will suffer in vain, while those with wicked intentions will reap the benefits, and in the future, it will only lead to greater trouble."

Instructor Jia quickly bowed his head: "It was my fault for failing in my duty."

Ah Chang continued, "Her Majesty likes clear rewards and punishments. Today you all need to see this clearly: when working in the palace, you must follow the rules and, more importantly, keep to your duties."

Her gaze swept over the crowd.

"Anyone who dares to use the means of framing others to profit themselves will suffer the same fate as Xu Lanqiao."

Everyone readily agreed.

Zhang Bihua stood in the crowd, her eyes sparkling as she looked at A Chang.

She clearly recognized Ah Chang.

Ah Chang smiled at her too.

After the matter was settled, Ah Chang walked up to her and personally handed her the rewards: "Her Majesty said that Kunning Palace is not a place that just anyone can go. There is an assessment in the palace every year. If you want to see Her Majesty, you should learn the rules well and improve your skills."

She looked at Zhang Bihua and said in a gentler tone, "I also hope to see you in Kunning Palace after we return to the palace."

Zhang Bihua hugged her clothes and beaded flowers tightly, and nodded earnestly: "I will definitely go."

-

Time flies.

The palace renovations were completed quickly.

Once the stench had dissipated, Zhao Zhen and Langhua took Jingning and returned to the palace to live.

Jingning, who used to be a baby who only ate and slept, gradually learned to lift her head, roll over, and babble.

Perhaps because Zhao Zhen held her and called her name so many times every day, the first word Jingning learned was "father".

The moment the soft, sweet voice rang out, Zhao Zhen froze on the spot. He then hugged her and smiled so hard his eyes disappeared. All day long, he racked his brains to coax Jingning to call out again: "My dear Jingning, you just called me Daddy, didn't you? Call me again, call me again, Daddy, Daddy~"

The "father father father father" sound kept ringing out. Langhua laughed at him, half-jokingly, "Your Majesty, don't be too proud. Perhaps it was just something she made off the cuff."

Zhao Zhen, however, did not listen.

"She was calling me."

All day long, Zhao Zhen had no interest in handling state affairs, and only wanted to coax Jingning to call his name again.

As a result, he went to court the next morning with a hoarse voice.

Jingning later mumbled "Mother" again.

That day, Langhua held her in her arms, her eyes red for a long time.

Later, Jingning began to take her first steps.

The small group, surrounded by palace servants, walked forward unsteadily.

When Zhao Zhen returned from court, he often saw the young princess rushing towards him, calling out "Father!" repeatedly.

He responded enthusiastically.

Because of this little baby, the entire Kunning Palace, and even the entire harem, was filled with laughter.

-

In the twelfth month of that year, Sheng Hong's term of office in Dengzhou ended, and he returned to Bianjing with his family.

As soon as he set foot on the land of Bianjing, Sheng Hong looked at the bustling scene of people coming and going and carriages and couldn't help but sigh softly in his heart.

Bianjing is still the best.

After all, it is under the emperor's nose. How many places in the whole world can compare to the wealth and prosperity of Bianjing?

Just as a sense of returning home began to stir within him, a sharp curse rang out behind him—

"You little slut, do you think you're so high and mighty? You're only looking at the scenery, didn't you see the young master is about to cry?"

Sheng Hong frowned deeply.

He looked back.

Wang Ruoyu, with her pregnant belly and holding the hand of their eldest son, cursed loudly at the maid beside her.

The young maid was only eleven or twelve years old. She was scolded so badly that she didn't dare to lift her head. Passersby kept glancing at her from the side of the road.

Sheng Hong, embarrassed, scolded in a low voice, "That's enough."

He stepped forward and took his son from him: "How old is she? You shouldn't have left her to look after your son alone in the first place. Alright, that's enough. We're here now. Get in the car and go home. Otherwise, people will laugh at us."

After saying that, he picked up his son and went straight to the Sheng family carriage that was waiting to the side.

Wang Ruoyu, standing at the back, instantly turned grim.

"Who are you giving me that look for? I've suffered all these years with you in Dengzhou, and I don't even have a servant I'm used to serving. Am I the one who's embarrassing you?"

"If you're so capable, hurry up and get promoted! Otherwise, I'll have to go back to my family home to pull strings for you!"

As she spoke, she reached out and pinched the maid beside her hard.

"Are you dead? There are so many people here, can't you clear a path for me? Are you waiting for me and my unborn child to die so you, you vixen, can seduce your master?"

The maid was in so much pain that tears were almost in her eyes, but she could only say with a bitter face, "No, Madam, no."

In the car, Sheng Hong could barely contain his anger.

He couldn't understand how his beautiful and charming bride, who had been so radiant on their wedding night, had become like this in just three short years.

He frequently beat and scolded his servants, and kept him under strict surveillance like a prisoner.

He only said a casual remark to the maid, and she would criticize him sarcastically for half a day.

Any woman who dares to approach him within a ten-foot radius, and whose age is between thirteen and fifty, will be verbally humiliated and thoroughly wounded by him.

His speech and behavior became increasingly rude, and he became more calculating about money. When managing the household, he was harsh and showed no human touch whatsoever.

She wasn't entirely ignorant of officialdom, but what she knew was extremely rudimentary: how to flatter the powerful and belittle the weak, and how to treat people differently based on their status. She had offended countless people!

Therefore, although he achieved some political success in Dengzhou, he dared not think about building connections at all.

It's good enough if you don't make any enemies!

Thinking of this, Sheng Hong couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.

He regretted that he had been blinded by lust and failed to control himself before marriage.

if not...

As soon as Wang Ruo got into the car, Sheng Hong immediately and skillfully concealed the hint of disdain and regret in his eyes.

He looked down and teased his son, as if nothing had happened.

"It's been many years since I've been back," he said slowly. "Once we're settled, we should visit your parents."

Wang Ruoyu glanced at him and sneered inwardly.

How could she not know who Sheng Hong really wanted to visit?

Just as she was about to make a sarcastic remark, she suddenly heard the sound of gongs and drums coming from outside.

Their carriage was carefully moved aside by the driver, and the crowd on the street moved to both sides.

A fast horse galloped past.

The man on horseback, while banging a gong, laughed and loudly announced:

"Her Majesty the Empress has given birth to a prince; both mother and child are safe and sound!"

"By imperial decree, the four orphanages in the city will set up soup kitchens for seven days starting tomorrow. Anyone who goes will receive a bag of millet!"

The street was quiet for a moment.

A cheer immediately erupted.

Sheng Hong was taken aback at first, then a look of joy appeared in his eyes.

The Empress has given birth to a legitimate son? This is an incredibly joyous occasion!

With the Empress having a legitimate son, the Emperor's family has a worthy successor, and the Wang family's position naturally becomes more and more secure.

He hurriedly looked at Wang Ruoyu: "My lady, did you hear that? Her Majesty the Empress has given birth to a legitimate son! This is wonderful news! The Wang family will have a bright future... My lady, what's wrong?"

Wang Ruoyu's face was frighteningly ugly.