The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

Zhao Zhen opened his eyes and looked at her with some surprise: "It's really that good?"

Langhua nodded: "Yes."

"Then what are we waiting for? I will draft an edict immediately and issue it tomorrow to secure the position for our Second Prince, so that no one else can beat us to it."

He was about to get up when he said that.

Langhua, both amused and exasperated, quickly pressed him down: "Why is Your Majesty more anxious than I am?"

Zhao Zhen said matter-of-factly, "Isn't this what you said? If he's a good child, then we should settle things sooner rather than later."

Langhua sighed and laughed, "I do think it's a good idea, but there's always a difference between parents choosing a marriage partner for their child and the child choosing one themselves. I'm just afraid that even if I find someone perfect, Erlang might not like them. Wouldn't we end up as a resentful couple?"

Zhao Zhen disagreed: "Those things that parents value but their children don't, ultimately, are due to a growing estrangement between the parents and children, or a lack of understanding or even asking the children what they truly want. Therefore, the more parents value something, the more the children will dislike it."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and grasped Langhua's hand, which was resting on his forehead, and said earnestly, "But Third Sister is different. Third Sister has a mother's heart full of love, which is known to heaven and earth. Second Brother has always been filial and considerate, and he trusts you the most. As long as you like it, Second Brother will definitely like it too."

Langhua was taken aback by what he said.

Upon closer reflection, it does seem to make sense.

Zhao Xuan has been very considerate of her since she was a child. If she says that the young lady of the Zhang family is good, even if Zhao Xuan is not immediately moved, she will definitely look at the good points of the other party first, rather than prejudiced against her.

However, Zhao Zhen thought for a moment and said, "But matters of the heart are indeed not easy to say openly. How about this, you could first hint at your feelings, and then we can find some opportunities to arrange for the two of them to meet?"

Langhua was about to agree, but then she seemed to remember something and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"That young lady from the Zhang family is five years younger than our Second Brother; she's not even old enough yet."

The arranged marriage can be done slowly. The Crown Princess should have been chosen long ago, and the wedding should be prepared slowly. The time should be arranged when the young lady of the Zhang family turns fifteen.

But to talk about a match is really too early.

To everyone's surprise, Zhao Zhen's eyes lit up upon hearing this: "That would be even better."

Langhua was taken aback: "What's so good about it?"

Zhao Zhen spoke with great enthusiasm: "In the future, you should find many excuses to summon people to the palace. Enjoying flowers in spring, escaping the heat in summer, hunting in autumn, and warming oneself by the fire in winter—which one isn't a good option? When they come in, you should tell me that every few days, I will have Erlang come over. Let them meet more often, and it would be best to do what storytellers do: drop a hairpin, lose a handkerchief, win a poetry contest, or become an assistant in the game of pitch-pot. We'll arrange all of that for them. In the next two or three years, I don't believe it won't work."

Langhua listened, completely bewildered.

Is it possible to do it this way?

Zhao Zhen became more and more enthusiastic as he spoke, and when he looked up at her, a hint of boyish slyness appeared in his eyes: "Third Sister, how about we make a bet?"

Langhua asked blankly, "What are we betting on?"

Zhao Zhen grinned mischievously: "If this works out, Erlang will take the initiative to propose marriage. After their wedding, I will abdicate and live a carefree life. Wherever I want to go, San Niang will accompany me."

He took her hand and instinctively placed it on his chest.

Langhua's heart suddenly felt both sour and tender.

She retorted playfully, "Well, no wonder the Emperor was so eager to offer me advice; he had his own motives. What if Erlang didn't ask?"

Zhao Zhen remained completely unperturbed: "Not seeking it? That's easy too. As long as he hasn't been attracted to anyone else these past few years, and hasn't avoided Zhang Xiaoniang like the plague, I will directly issue an edict to grant him marriage and abdicate the throne. Then, Third Sister can decide where to go, and I will be her shadow, accompanying her to the ends of the earth."

Langhua was amused by him.

"So, no matter which path you choose, you'll end up in the same place."

Zhao Zhen took her hand, kissed the back of it, and asked only, "Want to bet?"

Langhua looked at him.

After thinking about it, he finally nodded slightly.

"bet."

-

Time is gentle, and good news keeps coming from all families.

Inside the Gu residence, Gu Tingyu, holding Manniang's hand, approached Old Madam Gu.

When the two knelt down, Old Madam Gu was taken aback at first, then she could hardly contain her smile. Just as she was about to speak, Gu Tingyu spoke first.

"Grandmother, I want to marry Manniang."

Grandma Gu's smile faltered.

Man Niang also looked up abruptly, staring at Gu Tingyu with a shocked expression.

Old Mrs. Gu's prepared words were all stuck in her throat. Of course, she hoped that Man Niang could stay by Yu Ge'er's side, but that would be as a concubine, serving him with warmth and care, and bearing him a son or daughter.

Getting married is another matter.

Just as Old Madam Gu was about to speak, Gu Tingyu, as if he had already anticipated what she was going to say, said in a low voice, "Grandmother, I know what you are worried about. But I know my own body best. Lately, I have been feeling increasingly powerless, and I dare not take the imperial examination again. If I force myself to take the exam, whether I pass or not is another matter, but I am afraid that before the results are announced, I will die in the examination hall."

Grandma Gu's expression changed slightly: "Don't talk nonsense."

Gu Tingyu smiled, his expression calm: "I'm not talking nonsense. Grandmother, I can only lay another thread. But this thread will probably take at least ten years, or even longer, before it shows any signs of success. Even if I really succeed after ten years, what kind of noble lady will I be able to marry then? Being greedy is not advisable; excessive greed will hurt the rare sincerity of those around me. I don't want to do that."

As he spoke, he gripped Manniang's hand tightly.

Man Niang's eyes immediately reddened.

Gu Tingyu continued, "Therefore, I beg Grandmother to grant my request. Either let Manniang be my true wife, or let her marry someone else. I cannot allow her to serve me as a concubine and bear my children."

The room remained quiet for a long time.

Grandma Gu looked at the two children kneeling below her, hesitated for a long time, and finally closed her eyes, as if she had bitten down on something she was unwilling to accept.

"That's enough."

Man Niang suddenly looked up.

Grandma Gu looked at her, her voice still carrying resentment, but also a hint of resignation: "Since you're going to be his wife, you can no longer see yourself as just a servant girl. The Gu family may have fallen, but the rules remain. You must learn what you need to learn, and you must shoulder what you need to shoulder. If one day I find out you've let him down..."

With tears in her eyes, Man Niang kowtowed heavily, saying, "Don't worry, Madam, I will never do that."

Gu Tingyu also bowed his head in greeting.

Grandma Gu looked at him, and finally her eyes reddened.

Get up.

-

Di Mansion.

Wei Shuyi lay on the bed, her face showing some weariness, yet still gentle and serene. The doctor sat by the bed taking her pulse, while Di Yong stood beside her, looking tense.

After a long while, the doctor finally withdrew his hand, a smile appearing on his face. He stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Congratulations, sir and madam, it's a happy pulse."

Di Yong was stunned for a moment.

The next moment, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he was almost overjoyed.

"really?"

The doctor smiled and said, "Of course it's true. But your health is delicate, so you need to take good care of yourself for the first three months and avoid overexertion."

Di Yong readily agreed, then hurriedly ordered someone to escort the doctor out, write a prescription, and collect the reward money. The room suddenly became lively. Minglan, who was outside the door, was stunned when she heard the words "pregnancy pulse," and then jumped up happily.

"I'm going to have a younger brother or sister!"

She ran around the yard like a frolicking deer, unable to contain her joy as she announced the good news to everyone.

"Grandpa, Grandpa, can you hear me? I'm going to be a big sister!"

"Sister Xiaodie, I'm going to be a big sister now! I'm finally a big sister!"

"Little Peach, Little Peach, from now on when we play house, you won't have to be my daughter anymore. I'm going to have younger brothers and sisters! I'm going to have both a son and a daughter!"

Everyone laughed.