The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

Although Bai Ye was a scoundrel, he wasn't entirely without restraint when it came to fighting. At most, he just wanted to teach Li Wei a lesson so that he wouldn't dare to bring up his sister's marriage again.

But Li Wei refused to behave after being punched a few times. While struggling to resist, he slipped and fell backward, hitting his forehead on the stone wall. He immediately got a gash, and blood streamed down his face, which looked extremely frightening.

Not to mention the Li family, even Bai Ye himself was stunned, and the children who were watching the commotion were crying loudly in fear.

When Yang saw her son's state, she went completely mad on the spot, wailing and demanding that Bai Ye pay with his life.

Even when the children later came forward and said that they had also contributed a punch or a kick, and some of the younger ones even cried and said that they were the ones who hit the hardest, fearing that Bai Ye would take the blame alone, it couldn't stop the Li family's determination to make the government severely punish Bai Ye.

Fortunately, Li Wei was later rescued. The imperial physician said that although the wound was frightening, it had not damaged any vital organs.

The old master of the Bai family personally went to apologize and gave away most of his family fortune. The Li family was greedy for money, and with Langhua's mediation, the matter was barely resolved.

As a result, Bai Ye was taken away from Bianjing by his grandfather to travel outside, both to avoid the limelight and to temper his domineering nature.

Bai Ye, who has clearly improved a lot, has actually benefited from this misfortune.

As Langhua was thinking about these old stories, Zhang Maoze suddenly arrived.

He stopped at the entrance to the back garden, first bowing respectfully to everyone present, before looking up at Langhua with a strange expression and saying, "Your Majesty, may I ask if Ye-ge'er is here? His Majesty requests your presence."

Langhua was taken aback.

-

"Your Majesty, please be wise!"

Inside the Wende Hall, Li Yonghe and Lady Yang knelt before the Emperor. Lady Yang wept bitterly, pleading, "It must be that Bai Ye harboring resentment because of what happened four years ago. He has returned this time with the intention of taking revenge on my son! Wei'er already had an old injury on his head, and he deliberately kicked him there. Wasn't he trying to kill him? Your Majesty, this child is not just unruly, he is utterly vicious, vindictive, and beyond redemption! I beg Your Majesty to do us justice and punish him severely. This time, he must not be let off lightly, otherwise—"

"What else?"

When Langhua led Baiye into the hall, that was exactly what she heard.

Everyone in the hall looked over at once.

Upon seeing Langhua, Lady Yang trembled at first. But the next moment, when she saw Bai Ye behind Langhua, sparks flew in her eyes, and even her fear was suppressed: "Your Majesty the Empress, as the mother of the nation, are you going to show favoritism again and again?"

Langhua did not answer her.

She led Bai Ye forward and first bowed to Zhao Zhen.

Zhao Zhen, seated at the head of the table, softened noticeably upon seeing her and said, "Your Majesty, you may rise. Bring a seat."

Langhua thanked her and sat down slowly.

Her movements remained dignified and elegant, composed and unhurried. Only after she was seated did she slowly look at Madam Yang.

Before Yang could react, Li Yonghe pulled her forcefully.

Li Yonghe whispered a reminder: "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."

Lady Yang's expression changed several times, but she dared not be disrespectful to Zhao Zhen in the end, and could only lower her head reluctantly.

Li Yonghe had already kowtowed first: "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."

Langhua straightened her cuffs and said calmly, "No need for formalities."

Yang's previous momentum was immediately suppressed. She felt frustrated but dared not lash out, so she could only clench her handkerchief tightly.

Langhua then turned to Zhao Zhen and said gently, "I was just in the back garden with my sister-in-law and mother, playing and grilling meat with the children, when I suddenly heard about this and rushed over. I only heard that Li Erlang was injured, but I don't know the extent of his injuries or who did it?"

Yang's eyes suddenly filled with anger, and she opened her mouth to speak, but Li Yonghe once again grabbed her sleeve.

Zhao Zhen glanced at Lady Yang before saying to Langhua, "The imperial physician has already examined her. Apart from a slightly more serious injury on her head, the rest are just abrasions. After applying medicine, she will recover in a few days."

Langhua breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good."

After speaking, she looked at Bai Ye, seemingly puzzled: "But I wonder why the Emperor asked me to bring Ye-ge'er here?"

Zhao Zhen's gaze also fell on Bai Ye.

This kid has been incredibly mischievous since he was little, causing him no end of headaches and making him so angry he felt a tightness in his chest. But no matter what, he's the child he watched grow up, calling him "uncle" again and again, so he can't help but hope that he can do better.

Others may not know how Bai Ye has fared since leaving Beijing, but he knows the truth in his heart.

He beckoned to Bai Ye and said softly, "Brother Ye, come here."

Bai Ye walked into the hall and respectfully cupped his hands in greeting.

Zhao Zhen asked, "Was it you who did it?"

Bai Ye raised his head, his expression calm: "Uncle, it really wasn't me. I was busy roasting meat in the back garden. Three chickens, four rabbits, and Cong-ge'er was even clamoring for venison. My hands are almost sore from roasting, how could I have had time to run off and beat someone up?"

Yang finally couldn't hold back any longer.

She abruptly stood up, pointed at Bai Ye, and angrily shouted, "You little brat, you're full of lies! Aren't you afraid of going to hell and having your tongue ripped out?! Daring to commit such a heinous act in public within the inner palace, and using such a lowly and shameful method as putting someone in a sack—who else could it be but you?"

Bai Ye glanced at her sideways, showing no fear whatsoever, and said slowly, "Who knows? Maybe your son is just too hateful, or maybe he didn't do anything, but he's just repulsive, and people can't help but want to punch him when he walks down the street. And that person just happens to be a Taoist, who values ​​clarity of mind, so he just hit him."

"You! You!"

Yang was so angry at his shameless behavior that she almost fell backward.

A smile flashed across Langhua's eyes, but she quickly suppressed it, gently pulling Bai Ye's hand and playfully scolding him, "Answer only what your elders ask, and don't say anything else."

Bai Ye immediately complied: "Yes, Aunt."

But he still had a smirking look on his face, which almost made Yang so angry that she vomited blood.

Langhua then said, "What Ye-ge'er said is all true. I am also in the back garden and can testify for him."

Yang's face clearly showed her dissatisfaction.

Langhua looked at her and said, "If you don't believe me, you can summon all the palace servants and maids serving in the rear garden to confront them one by one. If you still don't believe me and think that I am intentionally protecting them or even instructing them to lie, you can also summon the children under the age of five to answer. They are all still young; surely not all of them can lie?"