The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

Lin Qinshuang resignedly closed her eyes and waited for him to have an attack.

Wei Jing'an continued to wring the handkerchief dry as if nothing had happened, then turned around and handed it to her: "Shuang'er, wipe yourself too."

Lin Qinshuang could no longer hold back: "Anlang!"

Her eyes were filled with tears, making her look even more pitiful.

"I know you resent me. Resent me for leaving without saying goodbye time and time again... But I had no choice. I am the descendant of a disgraced official. My family was raided and their property confiscated. A weak woman, all alone in this world, without any support, like a piece of duckweed, finally... finally found a place to stay. Anlang, it's not that I don't want to be with you forever, I just... just..."

She couldn't continue, turned her face away, and her shoulders trembled slightly.

Wei Jingan watched her quietly, without rushing to comfort her or questioning her. He patiently waited for her to cry for a while before raising his hand to wipe away her tears.

I don't blame you.

Lin Qinshuang's crying paused slightly.

"I only have one question for Shuang'er."

Was Shuang'er's treatment of me genuine back then?

"It's truly my heart!"

Lin Qinshuang immediately raised her head, trying to open her tearful eyes so that he could see her sincerity.

"If it weren't for my true feelings, why would I be with you... Anlang, do you really think I'm such a fickle person?"

Wei Jing'an, however, seemed to only care about her initial answer.

"Sincerity is enough."

"Nothing else matters."

Wei Jing'an gently embraced her, patting her back softly with one hand, patiently waiting for her to stop crying.

Lin Qinshuang nestled in his arms, stiff for a moment, but finally reluctantly stopped crying.

Wei Jing'an wrung out a handkerchief and gently wiped her face, his movements and tone even gentler: "Alright, it's late, we should go to bed. The end of the year is approaching, how about I take you and the two of you to buy some things tomorrow? Changfeng's winter clothes are a bit short, I saw them when I washed his feet just now, and his shoes and socks should be replaced. You've always loved to dress up, you should get a couple of bright new outfits made."

Lin Qinshuang forced a smile and said, "Isn't that inappropriate?"

"What's wrong with it?"

Lin Qinshuang's mind raced: "There are too many people and too many eyes in the village. If someone sees us and starts gossiping... I'd be fine with it, but I'm afraid it will implicate you."

Wei An seemed to have heard something extremely ridiculous, and the smile in his eyes deepened.

"What are you afraid of?"

"We have long ago pledged our lives to each other, and we are husband and wife who have solemnly declared our vows to Heaven and Earth. As husband and wife, it is only natural for us to live together under one roof."

Lin Qinshuang was stunned.

This sounds so familiar...

She opened her mouth, instinctively wanting to retort, "But..."

Wei Jing'an lowered his head and kissed her.

The kiss was anything but gentle; in fact, it was somewhat rougher than ever before. It was only when she showed a hint of panic and involuntarily placed her hands against his chest that he calmed down and regained his usual tenderness.

When Wei Jing'an finally released her, Lin Qinshuang's eyes were already glistening with tears.

He leaned down slightly, whispering in her ear, his voice so low that only the two of them could hear.

"Shuang'er, just say what you want to say."

Lin Qinshuang stiffened, and a glimmer of clarity returned to her eyes.

Wei Jing'an raised his hand and gently stroked a stray strand of hair that had fallen by her temple.

"Take your time, there's no rush."

"I believe whatever Shuang'er says."

-

On the second day of the second lunar month, the dragon looked up.

Although the chill of spring had not yet dissipated in Bianjing, the Wang family's gate was already adorned with red silk and lanterns. Guests came and went in an endless stream, and carriages lined up from one end of the alley to the other.

Today is the wedding day of Wang Shi'an and Zhang Bihua.

Zhang Bihua was estranged from her main family, but in the years she had been in the palace, she had made many friends among her sisters because of her straightforward nature. Today, she invited them all over. The Wang family had become increasingly prominent in recent years, and relatives and friends from both sides gathered together. Even though men and women were separated, the banquet was still held from the front courtyard to the side hall and the flower hall.

Langhua and Zhao Zhen also disguised themselves and secretly left the palace to drink this wedding wine.

Langhua smiled as she watched the newlyweds bowing to heaven and earth in front of the hall.

Zhang Bihua was supported by the matchmaker, holding a fan that covered most of her face, revealing only her pair of bright, watery eyes, as beautiful as a poem or a painting.

My second brother, Wang Shi'an, was dressed in wedding attire today, his face beaming with undisguised joy.

These people, who have become increasingly steady and reliable in officialdom over the years, are now grinning from ear to ear, exuding an air of foolishness.

Langhua couldn't help but chuckle as she looked at him, and whispered, "We really should have a painter paint his likeness. You have no idea how he made my older brother laugh back then."

Zhao Zhen smiled and said, "Since Third Sister has said so, I will go back and paint it."

Langhua pursed her lips: "That would be great."

After bowing to heaven and earth and taking his seat to offer toasts, Wang Shi'an was practically floating on air.

The crowd couldn't stand to see him like this, so they all raised their glasses and rushed to offer him a toast.

Unexpectedly, Wang Shi'an's eyes darted around, and he suddenly pulled over Wei Jing'an, who was watching the commotion with a smile.

"Come on, come on!" Wang Shi'an patted Wei Jing'an on the shoulder, grinning wickedly. "This is my best friend. If he drinks, it's the same as me drinking."

Upon hearing this, the room fell silent for a moment, then erupted in laughter and jeers.

"Wang Lao Er, that's not very fair of you!"

"Who doesn't know the legendary Wei Langjun's reputation for being able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk? You're not just finding someone to drink for you, you're clearly bringing a wine jar to take the blame!"

"You're cheating! The groom is cheating!"

Wang Shi'an was pointed at by the crowd, but he was not angry. Instead, he straightened his chest and laughed even more confidently.

"So what if I cheat? Today is my wedding day, I'm the boss."

"Shameless!"

"You despicable person!"

"What a shameless groom!"

"You're already being so cunning before even marrying into the family. What will become of you in the future?"

Wang Shi'an, however, was self-righteous and pushed Wei Jing'an forward, whispering in his ear, "Good brother, please help me out, I'll definitely repay you in the future!"

Wei Jing'an wasn't annoyed. He nodded slightly, raised his wine cup, and drank it all in one gulp: "Please, everyone!"

Wang Shi'an chuckled, turned his head, and rushed to the bridal chamber.

Red candles are lit high, and the wedding curtains are lowered.

A large red "double happiness" character was pasted on the window, and the candlelight filled the room with a warm red glow.

As soon as Wang Shi'an entered the room, all the cleverness he had shown outside vanished.

He stood at the doorway, looking at Zhang Bihua sitting upright by the bed, and for a moment he didn't dare to go forward.

Zhang Bihua remained persistent in waving the fan.

The fan is embroidered with twin lotus flowers, covering half of her face, revealing only her eyes. Reflected in the candlelight, they shimmer and sparkle, so bright and beautiful that one cannot look away.

Wang Shi'an was stunned.

He knew Zhang Bihua was beautiful, but today, dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, adorned with pearls and jade, sitting under the red candles, she was completely different from usual.

She resembles a goddess in a painting, or a celestial fairy.

His throat moved slightly, and he even forgot what he was supposed to say.

The room remained quiet for a long while.

Zhang Bihua rolled her eyes and said irritably through the fan, "How long do you want me to keep holding this fan? My arm is getting sore."

Wang Shi'an then suddenly came to his senses.

"oh oh!"

He stepped forward quickly and carefully, as if afraid of startling her, and reached out to take the fan.

As soon as the fan fell, Zhang Bihua's entire face was revealed.

Her eyebrows and eyes were like a painting, her lips were adorned with rouge, and her cheeks were flushed with a beautiful blush, whether from the candlelight or from being stared at by him.

Wang Shi'an was stunned for a moment.

Zhang Bihua glared at him: "Still looking?"

Wang Shi'an immediately lowered his head, his ears turning bright red.

"I... I just think... my wife looks very beautiful today."

Zhang Bihua was about to continue scolding him, but upon hearing this, her momentum suddenly diminished, and she could only look away, muttering softly, "Only beautiful today?"

Wang Shi'an hurriedly replied, "It's beautiful every day, but today is especially beautiful."

Zhang Bihua couldn't help but curl her lips slightly, but quickly suppressed it, feigning disgust as she said, "You're so glib."

Seeing that she was still rubbing her wrist, Wang Shi'an quickly said, "Are you tired from holding the fan? Let me rub it for you."

As he spoke, he reached out his hand.

When he touched the back of Zhang Bihua's hand, she immediately pulled her hand back as if she had been burned, and her face turned even redder.

"Where should I touch it?"

Wang Shi'an was taken aback and quickly apologized, "I was being presumptuous, please don't be angry, my wife."

But as soon as he finished speaking, Wang Shi'an lowered his eyes, reflected seriously for a moment, then raised his head and said solemnly, "But my wife, if I remember correctly, we should have bowed to heaven and earth just now."

Zhang Bihua was taken aback.

The blush on her face instantly spread from her cheeks to her ears.

"Then what's wrong?" she retorted defiantly. "You've studied the classics, haven't you heard the saying, 'Feelings should be expressed, but restrained by propriety'?"

Wang Shi'an nodded: "I've heard of it."

Just as Zhang Bihua was about to breathe a sigh of relief, she saw him suddenly stand up, solemnly straighten his sleeves, and then bow to her.

"In that case, please, my lady, join me in following the ancient customs."

Zhang Bihua was intimidated by his appearance.

She was just retorting subconsciously, never expecting there to be a real reason behind it.

"What gift?"

"The Rites of the Duke of Zhou"

Zhang Bihua: ?

The next moment, a low moan of embarrassment and annoyance came from inside the room.

-

On the carriage back to the palace, Langhua leaned against the soft cushions, recalling the refined gentleman at the banquet earlier that day who could single-handedly command a thousand troops, and couldn't help but turn her head to look at Zhao Zhen.

"Is that Wei Jing'an, the one His Majesty couldn't forget three years ago because of his handsome appearance and inability to drink heavily?"