The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

She sat down next to Madam Xu and took her hand in hers. "If he were truly a lecherous woman, I wouldn't like him at all. I'd be even more afraid of being entangled with him and unable to shake him off. If he were truly a gentleman, self-respecting and proud, even if things were brought up later, I don't think he would pester me like that."

After a long silence, Xu finally nodded.

"Since you've already decided it's him, then it's him."

"I've already bought this house, and I've spoken to all the neighbors. They all know your surname is Xu, and your mother's surname is Ma; you're a mother and daughter. You two can stay here until..."

She simply couldn't bring herself to say the rest.

Fang's mother lowered her head.

Lin Qinshuang also felt a little embarrassed.

Madam Xu blushed and said only, "I wish you all your dreams come true."

……

As evening approached, the sky darkened again.

Wei Jing'an was sitting at the table copying a book.

This job was taken from a bookstore by a scholar next door. Because the Liu family was domineering and cut off his livelihood, he could no longer get copying jobs and could only secretly copy books for others, but the person would take almost half of his payment.

After a whole night of hard work, all I earned was barely enough to buy a few hard biscuits.

But he couldn't think of a way out of the predicament. If he didn't want to beg on the streets and starve to death, he had no choice but to accept his fate.

He wrapped himself in the quilt left by Granny Ma and copied the words very carefully, word by word. But it was too cold in the room, and after writing for a short while, his fingers became so cold that he could barely hold the pen.

He had no choice but to stop and tuck his hands under the covers to warm them.

Once I regain some feeling in my fingertips, I will continue writing.

There was a soft knock on the door.

Wei Jing'an paused for a moment, then quickly put down his pen and got up to open the door.

He froze when the door opened.

Standing at the door was the young woman who had come with Granny Ma that morning.

She was still wearing the same white cloak she wore that morning, with a soft fur trim around the brim of her hat, which made her face look even more beautiful.

Wei Jing'an was immediately at a loss: "Miss, what brings you here?"

Lin Qinshuang looked up at him, her voice soft and gentle: "Young Master Wei, my mother asked me to bring you food."

Wei Jing'an then came to his senses and hurriedly said, "This, this is too much trouble. I already received great kindness from Mother-in-law and Miss this morning, I really can't..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lin Qinshuang had already spotted the gap beside him, picked up the food box, and slipped into the room.

Wei Jing'an: ?!

Lin Qinshuang entered the room, first glancing at the paper and pen spread out on the table, then at the cold and deserted brazier, and her brows immediately furrowed.

"Why is it so cold inside again? Aren't you going to light the stove?"

Wei Jing'an opened his mouth, wanting to explain that charcoal was scarce and he was planning to save it for the coldest and most unbearable time to boil some hot water to help him get through it. He couldn't just use it now for warmth.

But the words stuck in his throat.

These charcoal were given to him by someone else. As a beneficiary, what right does he have to comment on how the other party uses them?

Lin Qinshuang, however, was already busy with her own affairs. She put down the food box, found a tinderbox, and although her movements were not very skilled, she carefully rekindled the brazier. The charcoal fire slowly burned, and the room soon became warm.

Wei Jing'an stood to the side, reaching out his hand to help, but fearing he might be impolite, he could only say dryly, "Miss, please leave these matters to me."

Lin Qinshuang didn't turn her head: "My lord is still ill, please sit down."

Wei Jing'an felt increasingly uneasy and could only silently retreat to the table, not even daring to sit properly.

Lin Qinshuang opened the food box again and took out the items one by one.

A bowl of rice, a pot of hot soup, two side dishes, and a plate of thinly sliced ​​meat.

Wei Jing'an's throat bobbed, then he immediately looked away, took a deep breath, and solemnly said, "Miss!"

Lin Qinshuang turned around: "Is there something you need, my lord?"

Wei Jing'an bowed solemnly: "I cannot accept gifts without having done so. You and Granny Ma have already saved my life, and I really dare not accept these things. Please take them back."

Lin Qinshuang neither refused nor answered immediately. She simply lowered her eyes, looked at the bowl and chopsticks, and after a long while, let out a soft sigh.

"Is my lord afraid that we women might have ulterior motives?"

Wei Jing'an quickly replied, "Of course not!"

A smile flashed across Lin Qinshuang's eyes. She slowly turned around, her eyelashes drooping slightly, revealing a hint of panic and pitifulness.

"To be honest, my mother and I do have something to ask of you."

Wei Jing'an was taken aback.

"My mother had mentioned before that there was an older brother in the family who passed away recently. That's the truth. My father died early, and now that my brother is gone, although the family has some assets, there is no male heir to carry on the family line."

She raised her hand and gently pressed the corner of her eye with a handkerchief.

"But some greedy clansmen are eyeing my family's property and want to force me into marriage. My mother is old, and I am a weak woman with no one to rely on. I really don't know what to do."

Wei Jing'an's expression changed slightly.

Seeing that he was moved, Lin Qinshuang continued, "It was at this time that we heard about the young master's matter."

"I've heard that the young master was not afraid of powerful figures and refused the wealthy merchant's offer to take him as a son-in-law. Even when he was beaten and his livelihood was cut off, he refused to bow down. I've also heard that the young master is kind and honest, and although he is poor, he still cares about his father and sister at home."

Wei Jing'an felt embarrassed by her gaze and subconsciously whispered, "I only did what I was supposed to do, it's nothing."

"But in our eyes, this is already very good."

Lin Qinshuang said softly.

"If you do not despise me, my mother and I would like to make a deal with you."

Wei Jing'an was stunned: "A deal?"

"Yes."

Lin Qinshuang nodded, her expression much more serious than before.

"The imperial examination will be held in a little over a month. During this time, my daughter and I will take care of all your needs, including food, clothing, and lodging. You just need to focus on taking care of your health and preparing for the exam. You don't need to worry about these external matters anymore."

"To outsiders, you can also be called my sworn brother. When the day comes that you pass the imperial examination with flying colors and achieve great success, I ask you to stand up for my mother and me and drive away those wicked relatives."

She looked at him, her voice so soft it sounded like she was pleading with him.

"Would you be willing, my lord?"

Wei Jing'an remained silent for a moment, his expression conflicted. After a long pause, he finally said, "I am deeply grateful for your kindness, young lady. However, I am currently in dire need of my own safety, and dare not presume to speak of the future. If you and your wife place your hopes on me, I'm afraid..."

"What are you afraid of?"

Lin Qinshuang suddenly interrupted him.

She stepped forward, her eyes slightly red, but she didn't seem aggressive. Instead, she had a stubbornness that came from being forced into a corner.

"Is it that you, my lord, are not good enough? Or that you will not be able to help us in the future? Or are you just afraid that you will be ungrateful and that all our plans will be in vain?"

Wei Jing'an immediately replied, "Of course not!"

He dared not say that he would definitely pass the imperial examination with flying colors, but he would repay the kindness of the mother and daughter a hundredfold or a thousandfold in the future.

"Then what are you still worried about, young master?"

Wei Jing'an stared at her blankly.

He was never good at dealing with such words.

If someone tries to entice him with benefits, he can still firmly refuse.

Even if you try to intimidate him, he will grit his teeth and refuse to yield.

But the young woman in front of him neither forced nor tempted him; she simply laid out her predicament, with no way out, before him, and gently entrusted him with what little dignity and conscience he had left.

It was not charity, but a transaction.

This also carries a sense of anticipation and certainty.

I hope that one day he will be able to support them, mother and daughter.

They were also certain that one day he would be able to support them, mother and daughter.

That left Wei Jing'an with no choice but to agree.

Seeing that his expression relaxed, Lin Qinshuang picked up the bowl and chopsticks and gently handed them to him.

"My lord, please eat first. Cold food will upset your stomach."

Wei Jing'an's hands, hanging by his sides, slowly clenched.

He remained silent for a long time, and finally, as if he had made a great decision, he reached out and took the bowl.

"I will remember the great kindness shown to you, young lady and madam."

"If I am fortunate enough to pass the imperial examination in the future, I will serve you and your wife with utmost loyalty. If I break this vow, may Heaven and Earth not forgive me."

Lin Qinshuang's eyelashes trembled slightly.

Looking at his face, which still looked sickly but was still exceptionally handsome and now full of seriousness, she suddenly felt a slight, strange feeling.

That idiot.