The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

Xia Song was dismissed from his post.

Their home was searched, they were interrogated, executed by slow slicing, and their entire family was implicated.

Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, almost no civil official has met such an end.

It wasn't that no one felt the Emperor's punishment was too harsh this time, but after thinking about what Xia Song had done, everyone felt relieved.

If you use some tricks in the court, such as forming cliques and framing political enemies, people will at most call you ruthless and heartless, but in the end, you are still fighting within the rules of officialdom.

But he actually colluded with the palace tutors, trying to reach into the emperor's bedchamber!

To achieve their goal, they even plotted to murder the imperial heir.

It's truly despicable.

What kind of civil official is this? This guy doesn't even deserve to be called a civil official! Don't even try to associate with him!

Even Xia Song's former students severed ties with him, some even leading the way in writing articles to angrily denounce him for wreaking havoc in the palace and shaking the foundations of the country, nailing him to the pillar of shame as the number one treacherous minister since the founding of the Song Dynasty.

However, after the affair between Xia Song and Jia Yulan was exposed, the one who reacted the most violently was not Zhao Zhen, nor his students, but his first wife, Lady Yang.

On the day Xia Song confessed, she immediately wrote a letter of divorce.

Even though there had never been a woman writing a letter of divorce to her husband since the founding of the Song Dynasty, or even since the beginning of time, Yang did write one.

After finishing writing, she even knelt down on the long street, holding the letter of divorce in her hands, and loudly revealed how Xia Song had secretly been seeing Jia Yulan all these years, how he had taken a mistress outside the marriage, and how he had been taking care of the Yang family while pretending to be husband and wife with Jia Yulan.

She cried bitterly, yet she spoke clearly and logically about how, after marrying into the Xia family, she had upheld the duties of a wife, using her dowry to help Xia Song manage affairs, provide relief to colleagues, and assist his impoverished relatives.

From his brothers and sisters to his parents, and even his uncles and cousins ​​from other branches of the family.

Even distant relatives, if they come to her door, she will help them whenever she can, never refusing to help.

Despite her devoted efforts, all she received in return was her husband's infidelity and the establishment of a separate home outside the marriage.

She committed the heinous crime of implicating three generations of her family. This woman, who had already suffered countless injustices, not only had to suffer along with them, but also had to drag her family down with her to their deaths.

"How can such a thing be true?"

She knelt on the long street, her head stained with blood from her repeated prostrations, and her cries were filled with anguish:

"My entire Yang family is loyal and virtuous, yet because I mistakenly married a beast in human form, my whole family has suffered a terrible fate!"

"I don't care if I die, I only beg Your Majesty to spare the lives of my Yang family!"

The woman's appearance as she pleaded for her family's favor was both sorrowful and resolute.

The onlookers, who had initially come just to watch the spectacle, found themselves with tears welling up in their eyes as they listened.

They weren't the only ones moved.

That night, Zhao Zhen went to the Kunning Palace.

At that time, Langhua was sitting under the lamp looking at the account books. When she saw him arrive, she got up to greet him.

Zhao Zhen did not speak immediately, but dismissed his attendants and habitually embraced Langhua.

This is a gesture he makes whenever he is hesitant and troubled by matters concerning the previous dynasty.

Langhua didn't say much, she just patted his back lightly.

"Third Sister".

After a long pause, Zhao Zhen spoke in a muffled voice: "When I heard about the Yang family's matter today, I felt truly heartbroken."

He paused, then said, "I intend to grant her request and allow her to divorce. At least... spare her family."

As soon as he finished speaking, he felt guilty.

He knew that Langhua hated Xia Song because those people had actually set their sights on the imperial heirs, which had already touched a raw nerve with her.

This action was taken to make an example of someone.

But he still felt that Yang's words were truly heartbreaking.

After listening, Langhua answered very decisively.

"it is good."

Zhao Zhen was taken aback: "You're not angry?"

Langhua released him and gently placed her hand on his chest: "Your Majesty's benevolence is a blessing to all people. Why should I be angry?"

"I am certainly angry that they will stop at nothing to pursue fame and fortune, even going so far as to target our children, which is why I must deal with them according to the law. But what Mr. Yang said also makes sense."

"Xia Song had been secretly seeing Jia Yulan without her knowledge. Over the years, he had received favors from the Yang family, yet he presented himself as Jia Yulan's husband to the outside world. He was a heartless and treacherous man. Otherwise, Yang's words today wouldn't have made so many people feel distressed and indignant on her behalf."

Langhua continued, "Human hearts are unpredictable, yet straightforward. Even if the law deems a crime punishable by death, if it arouses public indignation and reluctance, it is generally considered excusable."

Ultimately, legal principles are no different from human sentiment.

"Since both the common people and the officials find Yang's words unbearable to hear, it is clear that the people have judged her to be in the right. The Emperor's order at this time is not a change of course, nor can it be considered a change of heart; rather, it is in accordance with the principles of Heaven and the will of the people."

Zhao Zhen suddenly understood.

He stared at Langhua for a long time, then suddenly took a step back and solemnly bowed to her.

"Thank you, Third Sister."

Langhua quickly stepped aside, saying, "Sixth Brother, you're making me feel so bad."

Zhao Zhen remained solemn.

"To have San Niang as my wife is my greatest fortune."

He looked at her and said, word by word, "It is the great fortune of the Song Dynasty to have Third Sister as Empress."

Langhua's heart stirred slightly, and unable to hide her shyness, she threw herself back into his arms, silently saying something to herself.

And thankfully it was you.

-

The Yang family ultimately escaped disaster.

When this decree was issued, some officials in the court initially objected.

Zhao Zhen simply repeated Lang Hua's words verbatim, and the crowd gradually quieted down.

Finally, someone stepped forward, cupped their hands, and said, "Your Majesty is benevolent; Heaven and Earth bless you."

This matter can now be considered settled.

March 9th.

The ice and snow are melting, and the weather is gradually warming up.

There are three days left until the results are released.

At the city gate.

"No need to deliver it."

The father spoke first.

He was dressed in casual clothes, and his figure had become much thinner, but his spirits were more relaxed than before.

He first looked at Wang Shiping and instructed him: "Do your job well, be conscientious and responsible, don't let personal feelings interfere with public affairs, and don't have any crooked thoughts. It's better to have no merit than to make a mistake."

At this point, he glanced at Zhou Shi beside him, his expression softening, and added, "Consult your wife more often. She's intelligent; don't underestimate her."

Wang Shiping nodded repeatedly: "Your son understands."

Wang's father then looked at Wang Rucheng, and the two brothers exchanged a glance and both smiled.

Wang Rucheng spoke first: "Brother, you go back first. After spring arrives, get the land ready and take care of your health. Also, have someone clean my yard. Once my third son's marriage is settled, I'll go back and play chess and fish with you."

Wang's father laughed loudly and scolded, "You lousy chess player, who wants to play chess with you? You're more than good at weeding and tidying up the land."

Everyone laughed.

Zhou Wanru stepped forward and handed over a food box: "This was specially made by Third Sister early this morning, to be eaten on the road."