The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

On the day the results were announced, Wei Jing'an stood outside the crowd, not pushing his way to the front, his palms sweaty.

He actually thought he had done a decent job, but when the results were announced, he was still unsure. What if, what if he didn't pass?

"It's a hit! It's a hit!"

Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted something.

Wei Jing'an's heart skipped a beat. Before he could react, someone squeezed out from the front and ran excitedly towards him: "Brother Wei! Brother Wei! You passed! Fifteenth place in the second class!"

He stood there, stunned, as if he hadn't understood.

The man grabbed his arm in a panic and pulled him forward, shouting, "What are you standing there for? Come and see!"

Wei Jing'an was pushed and shoved to the front of the list. He looked up and, sure enough, among the densely packed names, he saw his own name, place of origin, and even his father's name.

15th place in the second tier!

Wei Jing'an's eyes suddenly felt hot, and his heart ached and swelled.

bingo!

I actually won!

He did not let down his parents and sister, nor did he let down Shuang'er!

Wei Jing'an turned to leave. He was going to see Shuang'er and tell her the good news in person.

She longed for his success in the college entrance exam so much, and she cared so much for him. If she knew this, she would be even happier than he was.

He had only taken a few steps when someone blocked his way.

The man was dressed in ordinary servant's clothes, but had a clever look on his face. He bowed respectfully and asked, "May I ask if you are Young Master Wei Jing'an?"

Wei Jing'an paused. "That's right. And you are?"

The man smiled and said, "My surname is Zhou, and I am a servant of Miss Xu. She said that she already knew about the news here and specially sent me to congratulate you, sir. She also said that although the provincial examination has passed, the palace examination is just around the corner. She asked you not to slack off and to make sure you are well-rested so that you can answer fluently before the emperor and advance further."

Wei Jing'an felt a surge of warmth in his heart and almost immediately returned the greeting with a cupped-hand salute, saying solemnly, "Please thank Shuang'er for me and tell her that I will certainly not dare to slack off."

The man then presented the bundle in his hand: "These are a few things that the young lady prepared for her husband. She also said that you don't need to rush to find her; you should focus on your studies before the imperial examination. If you truly care for her, you should cherish your future and not cause her any worry."

Wei Jing'an's ears turned slightly red as he listened, and he quickly took the bundle, saying, "I understand, I understand everything."

The man relayed the message, then, without lingering, bowed to him, turned, and disappeared into the crowd.

Wei Jing'an stood on the bustling street, holding the bundle, feeling both warmth and curiosity about what was inside.

He forced himself to walk back to his temporary room at the Daxiangguo Temple. Only after closing the door did he place the bundle on the table and untie it layer by layer.

At the very top were two brand-new student robes.

The materials used are not extravagant, but they are extremely particular, with fine stitches and colors that are chosen to be dignified and elegant.

One set is blue and white, the other is light ink; both are the most appropriate and respectable styles for scholars when attending banquets or meeting guests.

Underneath her clothes was a hundred-tael silver note.

There was also a letter with neat handwriting on the cover, which read "To Wei Lang personally."

His heart softened, and he quickly opened it to take a look.

The letter began by congratulating him on his academic success, saying that she knew he would succeed.

Then came a heartfelt reminder that there would almost be no more failures in the palace examination; the only difference would be the ranking. After the names were announced, the newly appointed scholars would parade through the streets and gather together.

When one first enters an official career, the worst thing one can do is to be looked down upon. It is truly not worth it if one's shabby clothes cause others to feel condescending towards them.

The hundred taels of silver were meant to put his mind at ease during the banquet, so he wouldn't have to be frugal and wouldn't feel stage fright at the feast.

She knew he wasn't a pleasure-seeking person, which was why she dared to entrust him with this. She only hoped he would understand that this wasn't about extravagance, but about social interactions and how to conduct oneself in the world.

Finally, she advised him not to slack off because of his high school graduation, and not to lose his integrity because he suddenly had money.

She would wait until after his imperial examination to hear the good news from him in person.

Wei Jing'an looked at the letter that detailed everything, then looked down at the two sets of clothes, and then at the silver note, his chest burning.

"Shuang'er..."

Wei Jing'an called out softly, his voice filled with indescribable tenderness and reverence.

He folded the letter, put it back in his pocket, and then carefully put away his clothes.

Finally, he solemnly picked up the book and sat down at the desk.

Shuang'er is right. As the sage said, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. No matter how glorious it is to pass the imperial examination, it is only the starting point of his career. If he wants to truly stand out and become a pillar of support for his loved ones and Shuang'er, every battle afterward is crucial and must not be taken lightly!

-

Inside the Xu residence, Lin Qinshuang stared blankly for a long while at the five-hundred-tael silver note that had been returned.

"Did he really get it?"

She asked in disbelief.

Fang Er, who returned with the news, smiled broadly: "Reporting to Miss, it's true, he really passed. I saw it with my own eyes, he ranked fifteenth in the second class, which isn't a low ranking. Fortunately, Madam gave the order early, and I secretly arranged for someone to keep an eye on him, otherwise, with Wei Langjun's looks and age, he would probably have been dragged off to be married off just a few steps before he even left the list."

Lin Qinshuang had no interest in responding to his witty remark. She stared at the five-hundred-tael silver note for a moment, then nodded: "Go down. Thank you for your hard work today."

As for anything else, she didn't give any further instructions. Fang Er was Fang Mama's second son, one of her own, and she kept her mouth shut.

Fang Er smiled and took his leave.

Once she was alone in the room, Lin Qinshuang reached out and picked up the five-hundred-tael silver note, her expression momentarily complicated.

What initially attracted her to Wei Jing'an was nothing more than his face and his honest and upright nature.

A Jinshi degree isn't something as easy as a radish or cabbage; you can't just become one overnight.

All that talk about passing the imperial examination and having a bright future was just sweet talk she used to coax him.

That's why she prepared two things today.

There are two ways to say goodbye.

It was the same: five hundred taels of silver notes and a letter severing ties.

If Wei Jing'an fails the exam, she will take this opportunity to tell him that their fate is over.

He couldn't help her, and she couldn't be a burden to him. From then on, they would marry and go their separate ways, never to see each other again. Five hundred taels was considered travel expenses and compensation; sending him back to Yangzhou safely would fulfill the last bit of affection in this fleeting affair.

The other item was a hundred taels of silver and two sets of clothes she made herself.

The letter couldn't be too harsh.

After all, those who passed the provincial examination were guaranteed to become officials, a status completely different from ordinary commoners.

Even the legend of a fish leaping over the dragon gate is nothing more than this.

Even if she doesn't intend to marry such a person, she shouldn't offend him too much.

Even if a break is necessary, it must be done after his imperial examination, once his future is settled. We must not embarrass him, lest we turn against him and become enemies.

...But she still didn't think he could actually win.

Lin Qinshuang silently looked out the window.

The courtyard has already started to be decorated; new lanterns have been put up under the eaves, and "double happiness" characters have been prepared on the windows.

She has already made it public that she is engaged and will soon be taking a husband into her family.

Even the date for the wedding banquet had been set for the day of the name-calling parade.

That day, everyone would go to Zhuque Street to watch the excitement. Even if it was a rare case of a man bringing his son-in-law to his home, it probably wouldn't attract much attention.

This was the perfect opportunity for them to deceive everyone.

Lin Qinshuang lowered her head and touched her lower abdomen, her expression slowly becoming firm again.

So what if you win?

The road ahead in officialdom is long and arduous; who knows how many years he will have to endure before he can achieve true respectability?

Even if he served as an official for decades, given his straightforward and honest nature, he probably wouldn't become a greedy and power-hungry person.

If she is honest and upright, the people will naturally praise her, but what will she gain?

It would be better to stay with the Xu family.

As long as the child is born with the surname Xu, all the land, shops, and money will gradually fall into her hands.

Wealth that can be seen and touched is the only real wealth.

What's the point of talking about officials' wives? Nothing beats the silver notes in your hand.

Thinking this, Lin Qinshuang carefully put away the five hundred taels of silver note, then got up and put it in the box and locked it.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he sat back down at the tea table and began to prepare tea.

It was as if that moment of hesitation had never happened.