The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

The family banquet at the Duke of Anguo's mansion was held in the flower hall, with men and women seated separately, separated only by a half-open landscape screen.

Wei Shuyi originally thought that she would be a little reserved since it was her first time attending a banquet at such a family's home. However, she was surprised to find that Zhou Wanru, the wife of the Duke of Anguo, treated her very warmly. As soon as she sat down, she smiled and took her hand, asking her carefully if she was cold on the journey and if her family needed anything. Her tone was gentle and kind, as if she really treated her as her own junior.

"Your brother came back in a hurry, so he might not have been able to take care of everything." Zhou Wanru placed a piece of fish on her plate and said with a smile, "If you need anything, just tell me and I'll have Aunt Lai bring it to you."

Wei Shuyi quickly got up to thank him.

"Madam has already taken such good care of me; I would be so sorry to trouble you further."

"What kind of trouble is this?" Zhou Wanru glared at her. "Your brother saved my Erlang. To put it bluntly, I consider him half a son, and you are also my daughters. If you think so too, then you are not allowed to say such superstitious things."

Unable to refuse such a kind offer, Wei Shuyi had no choice but to accept.

Wei Yule, standing to the side, was not as composed as her sister.

She was young and lively by nature. Even though she was a little reserved at first, once the dishes were served, she became completely absorbed in the food.

Unfortunately, she was small and had short arms. She saw a piece of honey-roasted mutton but couldn't reach it, so she kept looking at her older sister.

Wei Shuyi could only helplessly pick up a spoonful of food for her and put it in her bowl: "Eat less, be careful not to get an upset stomach tonight."

Wei Yule immediately smiled, her eyes crinkling, "Thank you, sister."

Zhou Wanru was pleased and said with a smile, "No, don't worry, she can eat as much as she wants. She's at the age where she can eat a lot. At worst, you can take two pills home after the meal. I have two gluttons at home who often eat until they're stuffed. These pills are always on hand, and they work very well."

Upon hearing this, Wei Yule repeatedly praised, "Madam is truly thoughtful. This is what the old folks often say: you've eaten more salt than I've eaten rice."

After a moment of silence, everyone couldn't help but laugh.

As Wei Shuyi pulled his outspoken sister away, he couldn't help but smile.

Just then, Wang Rucheng's cheerful voice came from the other side of the screen:

"Erlang is actually General Di Qing's second son? Good! General Di is currently very famous in the army, and you, as his son, must be quite good as well."

"My father's military achievements belong to him; I merely followed along to gain experience and dare not claim credit for them."

"Look at you, you're at it again with your usual self-deprecating modesty, aren't you?" Wang Shi'an's voice followed closely: "Who in the court doesn't know the illustrious name of General Di Qing these days? In the past two years, he has truly distinguished himself in the war against Western Xia. You are indeed a worthy son of a tiger father."

Di Qing.

Wei Shuyi's heart stirred slightly.

She had heard of that name before.

Over the past two years, the Song Dynasty and the Western Xia Dynasty have been at war. Even a girl like her, who always lives a secluded life, can only catch a few whispers of news from the border in the rare opportunities she has to go out.

Among them, the name Di Qing is the most familiar.

Despite his humble origins, he was brave and skilled in battle, achieving numerous remarkable feats.

Some have already asserted that with a valiant general like Di Qing, a triumphant return is just around the corner.

It turns out that Di Yong was his second son.

No wonder. Wei Shuyi lowered his eyes and put another piece of food on Wei Yule's plate. That kind of person must have really seen blood.

No wonder those eyes were so frightening.

The banquet was in full swing when a steward suddenly entered and whispered, "Your Highness, someone from the palace has arrived."

The hall was quiet.

Wang Rucheng was taken aback at first, then laughed: "At this hour?"

Before long, the eunuch came in carrying a food box and a wine pot, and bowed with a smile.

"Her Majesty the Empress heard that the Imperial Uncle was returning to the capital today and was hosting a banquet at the Duke of Anguo's residence. She specially ordered me to bring a few dishes of imperial cuisine to add to the feast. There is also this pot of wine, saying that the Imperial Uncle has been traveling hard and can have a few drinks today."

Wang Shi'an was delighted upon hearing this. After rising to express his gratitude, he couldn't help but say, "Indeed, only Third Sister cares about me the most."

The eunuch laughed along, then took out the last small porcelain dish from the food box and personally placed it in front of Wang Shi'an.

The plate contained several plum blossom-shaped pastries, which were exquisitely made.

The eunuch smiled and said, "Her Majesty also said that this dish was prepared exclusively for the Imperial Uncle. It took a lot of effort, and no one else has it. The Imperial Uncle must savor it more carefully."

As soon as he finished speaking, the smug look on Wang Shi'an's face suddenly froze.

The next moment, his ears turned red.

The people in the hall were taken aback at first, but then they all understood.

Wang Shinian laughed first, and then a good-natured laugh rang out from both the men's and women's seats.

"Since it's a wonderful gift from Her Majesty the Empress, I, as your elder brother, should also try it for you."

Wang Shinian suddenly said.

"No!"

Wang Shi'an reacted quickly, pulling the plate closer and protecting it with his hand.

The more he acted like that, the more the crowd laughed.

Zhou Wanru laughed and scolded, "How pathetic! It's just a few pastries, but you act like someone's trying to steal your manhood."

Wang Shi'an's face turned even redder from the laughter, and he retorted angrily, "What do you know!"

"We don't understand," Wang Shinian put down his chopsticks and said leisurely, "This is nothing yet. Just wait and see on our wedding night."

This remark elicited even louder laughter from the audience.

Wei Yule laughed along, then quietly asked Wei Shuyi, "Sister, is Second Brother Wang getting married?"

Wei Shuyi nodded.

This was nothing new. Wang Erge had been engaged for many years. His fiancée was a lady-in-waiting to the Empress. She was said to be beautiful, gentle, and intelligent. The two had long been in love, but for some reason, it had been delayed until now.

But it's not too late. The wedding is in two months. Just now, during the banquet, it was mentioned that Di Yong came to Bianjing specifically to drink this wedding wine.

As she was thinking, a small head suddenly peeked out from beside her.

"Second Aunt, why aren't you eating?"

Wei Shuyi came to her senses and saw that Bai Ye had slipped over from Bai Qing's side at some point, holding a piece of pastry in his hand and looking at her with bright eyes.

He was born with a robust and chubby face, and his features resembled Bai Qing's more, but he was not at all shy when he spoke.

Wei Shuyi said gently, "I'm eating. But what brings you here?"

Bai Ye said matter-of-factly, "I think Auntie isn't eating because she's scared off by our food."

Wei Shuyi found it amusing: "Food can be scary?"

"Yes, I do." Bai Ye said seriously, "The first time I ate this braised goose feet, it was so sour I almost cried."

Wei Shuyi laughed.

Bai Ye tilted his head to look at her: "Second Aunt is so beautiful."

Wei Shuyi was taken aback, her face slightly embarrassed: "You're so young, yet you know how to coax people."

Bai Ye said smugly, "Father said, a sweet tongue never hurts."

Bai Qing, who was taking care of two-year-old Wang Ruo, looked up and scolded with a smile when she heard this: "When did your father teach you these things? You're always using your father as a scapegoat."

Bai Ye stuck out his tongue.

Wei Shuyi shook his head with a chuckle, but when he glanced at Wang Ruo in Bai Qing's arms and thought about Bai Ye's surname, his heart stirred.

He was clearly the eldest grandson of the Wang family, yet he took his mother's surname.

Such a thing would probably cause a huge uproar in other families, but in the Wang family, it seems quite ordinary.

The Duchess treated Bai Niangzi with the same sincerity and treated her two grandsons equally.

It's really rare.

Bai Qing then said to her, "This child has no sense of propriety when it comes to her words, Second Mother, please don't take it to heart."

Wei Shuyi quickly replied, "Not at all, the young master is innocent and charming, very likable."

Zhou Wanru smiled and tapped Bai Ye's forehead: "You little rascal, you've run into a generous and kind elder again. Hurry up and eat. After you finish, take your third aunt to play in the yard. Don't make a scene at the table."

Bai Ye immediately agreed: "Okay!"

After seeing Bai Ye off, Zhou Wanru leaned slightly towards Wei Shuyi, lowering her voice: "Shuyi, give your aunt some honest advice. Look at your brother, he's not young anymore, he can't stay like this forever. Look at him, has he let go of the past?"

Wei Shuyi was taken aback and subconsciously looked towards the men's section. Through the screen, she couldn't see her brother's expression, but she could see him putting one glass of wine into his mouth after another.

Wei Shuyi gently shook her head.

Zhou Wanru frowned immediately, sighing with disappointment, "Why is this child so stubborn?"

Wei Shuyi said in a low voice, "If you don't want to bring it up, then I won't force you."

"Marriage is a major life event; how can we just let him have his way?"

Wei Shuyi was silent for a moment, then said softly, "But if he still has someone else in his heart, even if he marries her reluctantly, it will be unfair to her."

Zhou Wanru was taken aback, then her gaze softened.

"You two siblings are both incredibly honest and kind-hearted."

Unfortunately, the more people like this are, the more likely they are to suffer losses.

Zhou Wanru shook her head inwardly, but that didn't stop her from valuing the brother and sister even more.

"And what about you?"

Wei Shuyi was taken aback: "Me?"

Zhou Wanru looked at her with a smile: "Let's put your brother's matter aside for now. You're of age now. If you trust me, I'll help you find a suitable match, okay?"