The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

Outside the palace gates.

An ordinary blue cloth carriage was parked steadily, with two mature and reliable female servants and several imperial guards escorting them. Inside the carriage were several boxes of clothing, medicine, and silver.

Looking at such thoughtful and meticulous preparations, Yang Huining was even more moved.

Her eyes were red as she looked at Langhua, wanting to speak several times, but the words stuck in her throat.

Langhua pulled her cloak tighter, her face gentle: "Once you're out of the palace, take good care of yourself. Once you're fully recovered, don't just stay cooped up in your room all the time. I've thought it over and over, and I can't let you become a carefree hermit like this. I think it's better to give you a job."

Yang Huining didn't react for a moment: "An errand?"

Langhua nodded: "I remember you love collecting travelogues. Since you like them, why not take this opportunity to write one yourself? Mountains, rivers, lakes, seas, local customs, even if it's just a few flowers blooming by a country road, or a few words of gossip overheard in a teahouse, you can write them down."

"If I have the chance, I'll have someone bring it back for me to see in the future. That way, I'll know how many beautiful sights there are in this world."

Yang Huining burst into tears.

She understood perfectly well that this so-called task was merely a way for the Empress to give her a reason to live after her wish was fulfilled.

Yang Huining's knees buckled, and she was about to kneel down.

Langhua quickly caught her, saying, "What are you doing? It's getting cold, and the ground is even colder. You're still weak, you can't do this."

"Your Majesty..."

Yang Huining wept uncontrollably, and after a long while, she managed to steady her voice: "Your Majesty, I, this humble woman, will pray for Your Majesty's well-being for the rest of my life. May Your Majesty have a fulfilling life, be safe and healthy, have many children and grandchildren, and live a loving and harmonious life with Your Majesty until the end. May all your encounters be kind and may everything go smoothly for you..."

She wished she could beg all the blessings in the world to come to her.

Langhua's heart softened slightly, but she stopped her: "Alright, alright, I know you're eloquent. Don't plead for me anymore. Water overflows when it's full. I'll just be like this for now... Go ahead."

She patted Yang Huining's hand.

Yang Huining was extremely reluctant to leave, turning back every few steps before finally getting into the carriage with the help of a servant.

The wheels rolled slowly, and the blue cloth curtain swayed. After taking a few steps, Yang Huining couldn't help but lift the curtain again, peeking out half her face and waving vigorously at Langhua.

She was both crying and laughing.

There was not a trace of dignity about her.

Yet it was indescribably vibrant.

Langhua couldn't help but laugh as she watched.

But as she laughed, she suddenly thought of Lianxin from her past life.

...If she had seen things clearly earlier and reached out sooner, would Lianxin have also had such a day, sitting in a simple carriage that leads to freedom, and turning back to smile at her?

The smile in Langhua's eyes gradually faded.

"It's rare to see her so relaxed."

Langhua snapped out of her daze, turned her head and saw that Zhao Zhen had walked up to her side at some point.

Langhua looked at him and suddenly chuckled, "It's rare to see an emperor who isn't likable."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhen was not annoyed. Instead, he nodded solemnly: "Who says otherwise? It's clear that I am merely the Son of Heaven, not the Lord of Heaven. In the end, I am still just a mortal being; how can I please everyone?"

Langhua was amused by his serious expression.

She reached out and affectionately straightened his hat, her tone both teasing and sincere: "I know Your Majesty is magnanimous and humble, unlike other emperors, which is why I dared to tell you everything about Lady Yang. I wouldn't dare to say anything to anyone else."

Zhao Zhen felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing this.

If someone else had said this, he might have been more suspicious, but since it was said by Third Sister, it was the truth.

Therefore, he couldn't help but say a few more words: "Actually, no matter how good a place is, if you stay there day after day for ten or twenty years, you will eventually get bored. Besides, her heart is not with me."

Zhao Zhen watched the carriage gradually disappear into the distance, his voice very soft.

"It's good that you're gone. Go see more of the world... Life is short, just a few decades, so enjoy life while you can."

"In any case..."

He turned to look at Langhua, his eyes filled with a gentle smile.

"Having a confidante like Third Sister by my side is already better than seventy percent of the people in the world."

Langhua's heart softened, and she couldn't help but smile, placing her other hand on the back of his hand.

"I had the same thought."

She looked at him, her voice gentle yet firm.

"No matter how beautiful the scenery outside is, in my heart, it can't compare to a moment with Tong Liulang and our children."

Zhao Zhen's gaze softened even more.

The two looked at each other and smiled. The wind outside the palace gates was gentle, and the sounds of carriages and horses in the distance gradually faded away, as if even the majestic palace had softened at this moment.

Zhao Zhen took her hand and said, "It's getting late, let's go back. Our little Jingse should be awake by now, and I still need to teach her to speak."

Langhua was taken aback at first, then couldn't help but purse her lips, recalling an old story.

About a year ago, Zhao Zhen held Huirou, who couldn't speak yet, and patiently taught her to call him "Daddy" again and again.

Unfortunately, Bai Ye happened to be present that day. After listening for a while, he suddenly looked up, his face full of confusion, and said:

"Auntie, why does Uncle always call Huirou 'Daddy'? Is that appropriate?"

The hall fell silent instantly.

The servants around them all lowered their heads, their shoulders trembling violently.

Langhua was stunned at first, then covered her face with a handkerchief, almost laughing so hard she fell off the couch.

Zhao Zhen's face turned red and then purple. Finally, he couldn't hold back any longer. He put Huirou down, stepped forward and gave Bai Ye a flick on the forehead. He even lost his temper for once and immediately took away the small wooden sword that he had just given him.

For a long time after that, Zhao Zhen didn't dare to repeatedly say "father" while holding the child.

Even when you are teaching, you must say the whole sentence.

"Call me Father, good child, call me Father."

Thinking of this, Langhua finally couldn't help but smile and reply, "Yes, yes, yes, Father Jingse."

Zhao Zhen paused in his steps.

He clearly remembered the embarrassment of that day, his ears turning slightly red. He glanced down at her and gently stroked the tip of her nose.

"naughty."

Langhua smiled but remained silent.

The two walked back hand in hand, neither of them walking fast.

The sunlight cast long shadows of the two figures. From a distance, it truly resembled a beautiful painting.

After walking for a while, Zhao Zhen suddenly said, "In a few more years, when our second son is older and able to participate in politics, I would like to take the third daughter out for a walk as well."

Langhua paused slightly and looked at him.

"Let's not just wander outside the palace, or just stay in Bianjing. Let's go further out. To the northwest, to Jiangnan, or to the coast of the East China Sea."

Zhao Zhen spoke with a look of longing.

Langhua's heart also stirred.

But after gazing at him for a moment, she said softly, "How old is Erlang? Your Majesty is already so eager to conscript men. How shameless! But it's fine if you go. If possible, I'd like to take Your Majesty to Sichuan. After all, that's where I grew up."

Zhao Zhen's eyes lit up.

"That's good too. We can bring my parents-in-law along, and the whole family can revisit this place. You can also take me to see that tree where you almost broke your head back then. I want to see just how tall it is."

He spoke with great enthusiasm, as if he could already see that day.

After saying that, she added confidently, "As for Erlang, what's there to be embarrassed about? He's our eldest son, it's only a matter of time."

Langhua was pleased to hear this, but she didn't show it on her face. She just gave him a reproachful look and said, "He's still just a child."

She paused, her gaze falling on the distant palace eaves, her voice gradually lowering.

"It's just that the chaos in the western border is still a long way off. If the whole country is at peace, what harm would it do if Your Majesty temporarily put aside state affairs and went out with me for ten or fifteen days? With the ministers around, I don't think there will be any problems with the usual trivial matters."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhen slowed his pace slightly.

"It should be soon."

"Do you still remember Di Qing, the man recommended by your father, Prime Minister Wang?"

Langhua's eyelashes fluttered slightly.

"Of course I remember."

"This man is indeed exceptionally brave and skilled in training troops. I intend to give him an important position."