The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

"Sister Mo Lan!"

The area around the polo field was bustling with noise.

Upon hearing the call, Mo Lan turned around and saw a young woman with round eyes running happily toward her with a bright smile.

A smile involuntarily appeared in Mo Lan's eyes: "Ming Lan!"

When Minglan arrived, she first looked Molan up and down, then blinked and teased, "What day is it today? Sister Molan, you actually put down all your poetry collections and went out? Aren't you afraid they'll grow wings and fly away?"

Mo Lan blushed at her words and gently slapped her.

"You naughty girl!"

Minglan didn't try to dodge; instead, she just smiled and took it.

Mo Lan sighed softly and honestly confessed, "Don't even mention it. My grandmother took away all my poetry collections and kicked my brother and me out of the house. She said we were both incredibly dull, staying at home all day, either reading or writing. If this continued, we'd go crazy."

Upon hearing this, Minglan nodded very seriously: "Grandma Xu is absolutely right. Staying cooped up at home reading every day, wouldn't that make one dull-witted? Books don't run away, we can read them another day. But such a lively polo match today, if we miss it, it'll be gone forever."

Mo Lan glared at her, about to ask how her studies were going, but Ming Lan had already reached out and pushed her towards the pitch-pot game.

"Let's go, let's go! It's a rare opportunity to get out here, so let's have a blast today and stop thinking about poetry collections."

Mo Lan followed her, feeling both amused and exasperated.

Several young women had already gathered around the pitch-pot area, their laughter filling the air.

Just as Minglan pulled Molan over, a young woman in a pomegranate-red short jacket turned around. She had spirited eyes and a radiant demeanor.

She glanced at Mo Lan, very curious: "Xiao Ming'er, who is this?"

"This is my cousin, Mo Lan."

After saying that, he turned to Mo Lan and introduced her: "Sister Mo Lan, this is Zhang Guifen, the fourth daughter of the Duke of Ying.

Mo Lan gave Zhang Guifen a slight bow: "Fourth Madam Zhang".

Zhang Guifen hurriedly returned the greeting, but her gaze couldn't help but linger on her for a moment.

Quiet, elegant, even her smile is gentle.

Zhang Guifen instinctively felt that she wasn't the type to be playful, but since she was Minglan's cousin and beautiful, she still liked her very much and warmly took her hand.

"Since you're here, let's play pitch-pot together."

Unable to refuse, Mo Lan had no choice but to pick up the arrows.

But she was really not a master, not even a beginner. Several times in a row, she couldn't even touch the spout of the kettle, so she lost interest.

Minglan and Zhang Guifen, on the other hand, lived up to their reputation as descendants of military families, never missing a shot, which drew cheers from those around them.

Mo Lan then stepped aside to watch them.

Although she wasn't good at pitch-pot, she didn't spoil the fun. She just stood there smiling, occasionally clapping for Minglan or passing an arrow to Zhang Guifen. Her good temper was so good that no one could find fault with her.

Just as things were getting lively, a voice came from not far away.

"Mo'er".

Changfeng walked out from the crowd. He was now a young man, tall and slender with handsome features.

"elder brother."

"I've looked in several places, but I never expected you to come here."

Minglan also stepped forward to greet him: "Brother Changfeng."

Upon seeing her, Changfeng's smile deepened: "So it's Minglan, my dear sister. How are you, Aunt?"

Minglan nodded: "I'm fine. Mother said yesterday that Uncle has been even busier since he came back from his posting, and it's rare to see him. She told me that if I see Brother Changfeng, I must say hello."

Changfeng said, "Thank you for your concern, Aunt. I will definitely visit you with my father another day."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Mo Lan, a little embarrassed, and said, "Wang Jia Da Lang returned to the capital today and just sent someone to find me, saying he wants to go to Fanlou for dinner later. I'll take you home first, and then I'll take you out for a good time another day, okay?"

Mo Lan blinked, overjoyed.

She was already looking forward to going home, so she nodded repeatedly and comforted Changfeng, "It's nothing serious. Brother, go ahead and take care of your business. I had a lot of fun today too."

The brother and sister then bid farewell to Minglan and Zhang Guifen and walked away side by side.

Watching them leave, Zhang Guifen could barely contain her gossip. Once they were out of sight, she immediately moved closer to Minglan and whispered, "Is this your cousin who took your maternal grandmother's surname and has always lived with your mother at your maternal grandparents' house?"

Minglan glanced at her and nodded, "Mm."

Zhang Guifen's eyes sparkled: "I've always been curious, who exactly is your aunt, and how could she be so bold? I was just telling my mother the other day that if it were possible, I'd like to do the same. Find a son-in-law to live with us, so I'd never have to leave my parents for the rest of my life."

Minglan revealed a hint of dissatisfaction: "My uncle is not a son-in-law who married into the family! My cousins ​​may have taken the surname Xu, but they are still of the Wei family bloodline. Just like the eldest son of the Wang family, although he took the surname Bai, who doesn't recognize him as a member of the Wang family? And who dares to say that he is not the Empress's nephew? The old lady of the Xu family truly saved my aunt's life. Providing her with care in her old age and seeing her off in her final days is a vow my aunt made back then, and of course my uncle must fulfill it."

"Besides, it's just a surname. What difference does it make whose surname we take? As long as we're still family in the end, isn't that all that matters?"

Zhang Guifen quickly grabbed her hand and coaxed, "I know, I know, I was just admiring your family's loyalty and righteousness. Look at your uncle, he's risen through the ranks and is now a highly praised and capable official. Your aunt gave up a ready-made title of Lady of the Imperial Court and was still willing to keep her promise to stay and serve the old lady of the Xu family. It's clear she's a grateful person."

"My mother also said that when making friends, you should look at these underlying qualities. Wealth and glory are one thing, but keeping promises and honors is another."

She blinked, her tone becoming even more sincere: "I'm praising your family's good traditions."

Minglan's expression finally relaxed a little.

Zhang Guifen quickly added, "And your two cousins, they both seem to come from respectable, well-mannered families. You should have introduced me to them a long time ago."

Minglan was finally appeased and even nodded in agreement: "My cousin Molan is wonderful! She's so smart; she can memorize those difficult poems after just one reading. She's a good person, and she never laughs at others just because she's literate."

Did you know? She can also write with her left hand!

Minglan said in surprise.

Zhang Guifen's eyes widened slightly: "Left hand?"

Minglan nodded repeatedly, her chubby cheeks trembling slightly. "Last time I recited the wrong book, the teacher punished me by making me copy it. I copied from afternoon until dark and still hadn't finished. The food was getting cold, and I was so anxious I cried. Luckily, Sister Molan came to my aid, holding a pen in each hand and working with both hands, which allowed me to make it in time for dinner!"

"That day, I almost didn't have anything to eat!"

Even now, she still feels lingering fear when she thinks about it, so she solemnly declared it twice to show her gratitude to Sister Molan.

After she finished speaking, she heard no agreement from her friends. When she looked up, she found Zhang Guifen covering her mouth, her shoulders shaking.

Minglan was stunned for a long time before she realized what embarrassing thing she had said.

"That's not what I meant! Let me explain! Oh, stop laughing! Zhang Si Niang! If you laugh again, I won't be polite!"

The two young women chased each other as they ran into the distance, their skirts fluttering in the wind.

Under the shade of a tree not far away, Bai Ye leaned against the railing, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Suddenly, an arm draped over my shoulder: "What are you looking at, having so much fun?"

Bai Ye turned his head and saw a familiar face.

The newcomer was about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a hint of the noble bearing unique to royalty in his eyes and brows, but at this moment he was laughing carelessly, without a trace of seriousness.

It was Zhao Yu, the heir apparent of the Prince of Yan.

Bai Ye naturally wouldn't admit that she had overheard the girl's joke. She simply looked him up and down, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Not bad, you've changed your clothes."

Zhao Yu glanced down at his riding attire and said smugly, "How is it?"

Bai Ye chuckled: "Now that you've changed, come and have a match with me. Let me see if you've improved over the years."

Zhao Yu raised his hand and smacked him on the back of the head.

"Don't look down on people."

He raised his chin, beaming: "My mother was a recognized expert on the polo field back in the day, and I'm naturally no less skilled."

Bai Ye rubbed the back of his head and said lazily, "Words are useless; let's see who's the real deal."

"Afraid of you?"

The two men headed aggressively toward the horses.