The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

The Xu Residence.

Lin Qinshuang personally made several new snacks, served them on celadon plates, and took them to the study in the front yard, where Changfeng was engrossed in reading.

The young man was so engrossed in his books that he didn't even notice his mother entering the room.

Lin Qinshuang stood by the door for a while, feeling both gratified and a little heartbroken.

She placed the snacks on the table and said softly, "You've been reading for so long, you should take a break. There's no end to reading, and if your eyes get damaged, I'll hold your father accountable."

Changfeng then looked up, saw it was her, and quickly stood up: "Mother."

Lin Qinshuang pressed his shoulder and told him to sit down. She poured him a cup of warm tea and carefully instructed him, "This osmanthus cake is freshly made. There isn't much sugar in it. Eat two pieces and don't cook it on an empty stomach. If you get tired of reading, take a walk in the yard. Your grandmother is feeling better now. If she knew you were working so hard, she would be heartbroken."

Changfeng obediently agreed.

Lin Qinshuang watched him eat a couple of bites of pastry before she felt relieved and turned to go to the backyard.

In the backyard, Mo Lan stood in front of the pitch-pot, holding an arrow, her expression solemn as if she were about to go into battle.

Grandma Xu sat on the veranda, and Mama Fang stood beside her. The two watched as she missed her target for the 108th time, the arrow landing outside the pot with a thud. Both of them showed some reluctance on their faces.

Mo Lan hung her head, looking wilted and listless, like a flower struck by frost.

Grandma Xu finally couldn't help but say, "Stop throwing! Your hands are all red. You child, pitch-pot isn't something you can master in a day. Why are you pushing yourself so hard?"

Mo Lan, with a mournful face, reached out her hand to her mother for a massage.

While gently massaging her wrists, Madam Fang said with concern, "Girl, take a rest. You can try again tomorrow. Look at your hands, they're practically raw."

Mo Lan was pressed down until she grimaced and tears were almost in her eyes, but after Madam Fang finished pressing her down, she picked up an arrow again and her fighting spirit rekindled in her eyes.

"No, we must cast ten more rounds today."

Grandma Xu said helplessly, "Why are you doing this to yourself?"

Mo Lan gritted her teeth and said, "I refuse to believe that there's anything in this world that I, Xu Mo Lan, can't learn!"

Lin Qinshuang stood under the corridor, thinking about her son who used to be playful but now studied every day, and then looking at her daughter who used to read, paint, play the zither and appreciate incense every day, extremely elegant, but now she was turning herself into a little warrior. She suddenly felt a headache.

Wei Jing'an returned in the evening.

He first went to the front yard to see Changfeng, then asked Molan about her studies for the day. After washing up, he went into the house and saw Lin Qinshuang sitting by the couch, holding a handkerchief in her hand, her brows slightly furrowed, looking preoccupied.

Wei Jing'an couldn't help but laugh and ask, "What's wrong?"

Lin Qinshuang glanced at him and sullenly recounted what had happened during the day.

After listening, Wei Jing'an quickly guessed the reason: "They must have been frightened by Wang's visit last time."

Lin Qinshuang looked up at him, her mind even more preoccupied.

Wei Jing'an sat down beside her, his tone gentle: "But this is for the best. Changfeng is a young man, and it's always good that he understands his responsibility to support the family early on. As for Molan, didn't you always worry that she stayed cooped up in the house, didn't like to exercise, and wouldn't be healthy? Now look how well she's doing; I imagine her appetite has increased quite a bit, hasn't it?"

Lin Qinshuang then thought of her daughter's empty rice bowl that evening, and her mood improved somewhat, but she still said, "I am worried about that, but I'm even more afraid that the children will be unhappy because of it. How old are they? They have you as their father, why should they have to shoulder these burdens at such a young age?"

She spoke with conviction, but her eyes were fixed on him, as if she wanted a straight answer from him.

Wei Jing'an couldn't help but smile and said softly, "Of course I'll be there, and I'll definitely do my best. But Shuang'er, life is a long journey, and no one can predict what the future holds. If they can develop a steadfast mindset earlier, they'll be more reliable no matter what they do in the future."

Lin Qinshuang remained noncommittal.

Wei Jing'an smiled and coaxed her softly, "Just like you, everyone says you're weak, but the longer I know you, the clearer I am that you are actually very resilient, unlike ordinary people. You have your own scale in your heart when it comes to many things, and you never change your mind because of a few words from others, nor do you easily change your purpose. With such a mindset, it is most likely to turn the tide in adversity."

No one dislikes hearing kind words, and Lin Qinshuang is no exception. However, when it comes to children, she has a different perspective: "I know in my heart why I was born this way. If it were them, I would rather they didn't have it. I only hope that the two of them will never encounter any adversity in their lives. Even if they don't achieve great things, it doesn't matter. I just want them to live out their lives peacefully, happily, and comfortably."

Wei Jing'an nodded, reached out and pulled her into his arms, and said softly, "I understand what my wife means. From tomorrow on, I will work harder and climb higher, so that I can protect my brother and sister and ensure their smooth life."

Lin Qinshuang leaned against him, a slight smile curving her lips.

"It's good to know."

Wei Jing'an looked down at her and suddenly said, "Then be diligent tomorrow. Today... did you find it encouraging, my lady?"

Lin Qinshuang's cheeks flushed slightly as she looked up at him reproachfully.

She turned to look out the window and saw that the night was getting darker and all was quiet outside. She smiled gently, reached out and took his sash, and led him into the inner room.

-

The next morning, Lin Qinshuang, with a rosy complexion, saw Wei Jing'an off from the courtyard.

After putting on his official robes, Wei Jing'an was still somewhat reluctant to leave: "I'm busy with official duties today, and I'm afraid I'll be back late tonight."

Lin Qinshuang rolled her eyes at him, her voice low: "Knowing you're busy, you still dared to stay up so late last night."

Wei Jing'an's smile deepened.

Lin Qinshuang added, "Take a break whenever you have the chance. There's no end to official business. You're not a young man anymore, so take care of yourself."

Wei Jing'an's smile froze on his face, and he involuntarily narrowed his eyes.

Lin Qinshuang blinked and looked back at him with an innocent expression.

Wei Jing'an chuckled, and seeing that no one was around, he simply leaned down and gently bit her ear, saying through gritted teeth, "A couple of drinks tonight to relieve your fatigue."

Lin Qinshuang covered her ears, glared angrily, but her face was flushed red.

"Your child is so big, don't you know any shame?"

Wei Jing'an chuckled softly before turning and leaving.

After everyone had gone far away, Lin Qinshuang stood there for a while before calming her breathing and heading to Old Madam Xu's main courtyard, intending to pay her respects to her mother as usual and serve her breakfast.

Halfway there, the gatekeeper came rushing towards them in a panic, almost bumping into a pillar.

Lin Qinshuang frowned and called out to him, "What's the rush so early in the morning?"

The gatekeeper looked up and saw her, his expression becoming even more troubled: "Miss, someone has come to the gate, claiming to be the eldest lady's...son, who wants to see the eldest lady."

Lin Qinshuang instantly became alert.

"Son? Did he introduce himself? What's his name?"

The gatekeeper whispered, "He said his surname is Sheng, and that he is afraid he will not live much longer. He begs the lady of the house to see him out of consideration for their mother-son relationship."

Lin Qinshuang remained silent.

Suddenly, an old, calm voice came from the side: "He's gone. Tell him that I have no more feelings for him, or for the Sheng family."

Lin Qinshuang turned her head and saw that Xu Shi was standing under the corridor, being supported by Fang Mama.

After saying this, Xu looked at Lin Qinshuang and said, "What are you standing there for? Come and eat."

Lin Qinshuang looked at her, then suddenly smiled and said, "Yes, Mother."