The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

After the conclusion of the new imperial examination, the assignments for the next quarter were also finalized.

The newly appointed scholars still need to return to their hometowns to pay respects to their ancestors, settle down, and take care of various matters before taking up their posts later.

But officials like Wang Shi'an and Wei Jing'an, who had already gained experience outside the region and had been newly appointed, had to start packing their bags early and set a departure date.

In the backyard of the Xu residence, Lin Qinshuang leaned against the couch, still holding an account book in her hand.

Wei Jing'an sat beside her, holding her tightly from the moment they started.

One hand encircled her waist, while the other gently rested on her still-flat stomach. His movements were gentle, yet his tone carried an undeniable stubbornness.

"A letter every ten days, Shuang'er, remember to read it and remember to reply."

"……good."

Wei Jing'an was still worried and added, "Mother is the only daughter of the former Marquis of Yongyi, and many women in the capital give her face. However, the Xu family's title is no longer valid, and you and Mother live alone here. If something urgent happens, it will be inconvenient. The Duchess of Anguo is the Empress's mother, and she is kind-hearted. I have already asked her to look after you. If there is any emergency or trouble that you cannot handle, go and find her."

Lin Qinshuang was taken aback: "You actually went to beg Madam Wang?"

"Um."

"She agreed?"

"I agree," Wei Jing'an said. "Madam Wang is kind-hearted and knows that you are pregnant, so she feels very sorry for you."

Lin Qinshuang's eyes suddenly became somewhat complicated.

She knew in her heart that the Duchess of Anguo was willing to agree mostly because of the close relationship between Wei Jing'an and Wang Shi'an.

Regardless of the reason, this is a real layer of protection.

After Wei Jing'an left the capital, the Xu residence became more secure with the occasional care of the Wang family.

Lin Qinshuang lowered her eyes and softly replied, "I understand."

Wei Jing'an continued, "Three years from now, Feng'er will be old enough to start his formal education. If all goes well, I should be able to return in time to personally begin his studies. But if I can't return, I have already asked my brother, the king, to arrange for Feng'er to attend classes with the eldest son of the main branch of the Wang family."

Lin Qinshuang was completely stunned.

Her life has been quite chaotic lately.

At first, she hoped that Wei Jing'an would leave as soon as possible.

For the past month, aside from necessary official duties at court, banquets he had to attend with his colleagues, and the occasional trips back to the Wei family to pay his respects to his father, arrange tutors for his two younger sisters, and make arrangements for their future marriages, he has been by her side almost every step of the way.

At first, Lin Qinshuang only felt a headache.

She was terrified of his current state.

I didn't question her, I didn't hold a grudge, I didn't bring up past grievances, and I didn't force her to make a choice.

He squeezed himself into her life in the most humble yet most forceful way.

Today I accompany Changfeng to study, tomorrow I help Xu Shi with the accounts, and the day after tomorrow I lead people to repair the courtyard wall.

He kept saying he didn't ask for anything, but little by little he took on all the responsibilities that a man should have had in the family.

With his companionship, Changfeng also gradually changed a lot.

Changfeng used to be a bit spoiled because of her and her mother's careful care, but now that she has gone out with Wei Jing'an a few times, she has become much less temperamental. Although she still acts coquettishly, she has become much more sensible.

What's even more remarkable is that Wei Jing'an still didn't ask anything of her.

He didn't ask her to go to the Wei family to see his father and sister, nor did he ask her to get involved in the Wei family's trivial matters.

I heard that his second younger sister is about to get married, and Wei Jing'an has been very busy these days.

The female tutor, the dowry, the house, the land—every single thing required his decision as the elder brother.

But he never complained to her, nor did he ask her to help him with anything.

It seemed as if things were exactly as she wished, allowing her to be content being Lin Qinshuang, a girl in the Xu household.

But the more he acted this way, the more uncomfortable Lin Qinshuang felt.

It's getting increasingly chaotic.

That's why she thought it would be better if he left.

Only when I'm far away and not around her can she gradually calm down.

Close the door and continue living your own life.

To avoid doing something you'll regret if you have a moment of madness.

But at this moment, as he listened to him think about even Changfeng's enlightenment three years from now, the coldness and hardness that Lin Qinshuang had been forcing in her heart finally melted away silently, like thin ice in spring.

She did not speak.

She slowly turned around, raised her arm, and climbed onto Wei Jing'an's neck.

She tilted her head back and kissed him.

Wei Jing'an froze for a moment, then took the initiative and hugged her tightly.

Outside the window, the spring chill was still in the air, but inside the house it was warm and cozy.

After a long while, Lin Qinshuang stepped back slightly.

Her eyes were a little red, and her breathing was a little erratic, but she still looked at him and said softly, "The children and I are waiting for you to come back."

She paused, then added, "This time it's for real."

Wei Jing'an looked at her.

After a long while, a long-lost smile finally welled up in his eyes.

Clean, bright, and unobstructed.

"In that case," Wei Jing'an said in a low voice, "then Shuang'er, please keep one more thing for me."

Lin Qinshuang looked at him with some confusion.

Wei Jing'an released her, got off the bed, took out something wrapped in layers of soft cloth from a chest next to him, and handed it to Lin Qinshuang.

When Lin Qinshuang took it, she felt a sudden weight in her hand.

Curious, I peeled back the layers of soft cloth, and my eyes lit up when I saw what was inside.

It was a necklace made of pure gold.

The ring is engraved with intricate patterns, and a piece of white jade hangs in the center of the edge, inlaid with several rubies.

Exquisite, beautiful, and very valuable.

Wei Jing'an looked at her with obvious delight and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"If you like it, that's good."

Lin Qinshuang paused, looked up at him, and asked, "Didn't you say you'd keep it for me?"

Wei Jing'an said, "If you don't like it, you can keep it for me. Since you like it, I'll give it to you."

Lin Qinshuang looked at him, remained silent for a moment, then lowered her head again to continue playing with the gold necklace, saying casually, "Then I won't stand on ceremony with you. If the baby in your belly is a girl, this will be her dowry. If it's a boy, there will be plenty of betrothal gifts. I'll keep it for him."

Wei Jing'an looked at her, his eyes overflowing with tenderness.

"That is exactly what I wish for."

-

"You idiot!"

On his way to take up his post in the Northwest, Wang Shi'an rode on his horse, looking at Wei Jing'an with disappointment and frustration.

"The jade your mother left behind, which you finally managed to redeem, was then recast into a gold necklace, and just given away like that?"

Wei Jing'an replied calmly, "Mm."

Wang Shi'an was even angrier: "What are you 'humming' about? You're not going to tell her that it's your mother's keepsake! Aren't you afraid she won't know its value and will melt it down or give it away?"

Wei Jing'an looked at the official road ahead.

As spring breezes rise, the distant mountains appear bluish-gray, while new green shoots emerge from the withered grass along the roadside.

He smiled and said, "She won't."

Wang Shi'an frowned, holding back for a moment, but finally couldn't help but say, "Let me tell you the truth, and don't be upset. This Lin woman claims to have received a great favor from Old Madam Xu and wants to stay under her care to fulfill her filial duties, but judging from her words and actions, she is definitely not a truly grateful person; she seems more like..."

"I know."

Wei Jing'an's gaze remained calm: "But so what?"

"you!"

"A wise man values ​​a person's actions, not their thoughts. This principle was taught to me by my elder brother when I first entered officialdom."

Wang Shi'an was dumbfounded and didn't know what to say for a moment.

Wei Jing'an continued, "I know that Shuang'er wants stability, wealth, and a way out for herself and her child."

"I know she's calculating, weighing her options, and on guard."

"But she saved my life, treated me sincerely, and gave birth to Changfeng for me."

"These are also true."

Wang Shi'an remained silent for a long time.

Wei Jing'an looked ahead and said softly, "If she had never had any sincerity towards me, I naturally wouldn't have done this."

"But since we've been sincere, that's enough."

Wang Shi'an looked at him, his expression extremely complicated.

After a long while, he finally let out a long sigh.

"Beauty can corrupt, and even heroes can lose their spirit!"

Upon hearing this, Wei Jing'an turned and stared at him for a long while before suddenly spurring his horse forward and reaching out to pull up his collar to cover the faint teeth marks on his neck.

A rare hint of mischief flickered in his eyes: "Let's encourage each other, let's encourage each other."

Wang Shi'an: ...