The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

"Whom did you all listen to when you were in my yard?"

Wang Ruofu sat on the veranda, gathered all the maids in the courtyard together, and slowly asked.

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Just as a round-faced maid was about to point at someone, Shen Guang was the first to react and quickly said, "Of course, we servants will listen to the princess."

"Excellent!"

Wang Ruofu looked up, a smile still on his lips, his slightly immature face now displaying a unique calmness: "Remember these words, keep them in your heart, and from this day forward, never forget them for a moment."

She raised her chin slightly and spoke slowly and deliberately: "From today onwards, there is only one master in this courtyard, and that is me. Even if my mother, the lady of the Fucha family, comes, if she has any instructions, she should pass them on to me first, and then I will make arrangements for you."

Whoever gives you orders directly, bypassing me, may listen, but after listening, you must report back to me.

"Anyone who dares to act on their own initiative without first consulting me is a traitor! I will not tolerate such a person! Do you all understand?"

Everyone nodded repeatedly and agreed in unison.

Wang Ruofu just lit up the dark light again.

"From now on, you will be in charge of everything in my room. You will remember my clothes, jewelry, tea and snacks, what I need each day, and what I lack. Don't make me ask for anything a second time."

A look of surprise flashed across Shen Guang's eyes, and he quickly knelt down to express his gratitude.

Wang Ruofu then looked at a young maidservant in the corridor who was usually standing in the corner. She was not particularly outstanding in appearance, but her eyes were exceptionally bright. After Wang Ruofu looked at her several times, she felt that she was clever.

In the past, she was always the quickest to act and the most responsive.

"What's your name?"

The maidservant was stunned for a moment, then quickly knelt down and said, "Your Highness, this servant is Zhaoying."

"Photograph."

Wang Ruofu read the name aloud and found it quite pleasant to pronounce.

"From now on, you'll work under Chen Guang. She'll manage the house, and you'll manage the outside. You need to remember who comes, who leaves, who peeks in at the gate, and who gossips behind your back... Can you read?"

Zhao Ying's eyes lit up immediately: "No, but this servant can learn."

Wang Ruofu couldn't help but chuckle, but he was even more pleased with her: "Alright, you'll stay by my side from now on and learn slowly. Once you've learned, you'll register all the people and things in the house."

"yes!"

Wang Ruofu looked at the increasingly obedient person in front of him and nodded in satisfaction.

Having served as the head mistress of the Sheng family for so many years, she may not be skilled in other areas, but she certainly has some experience in managing, observing, and disciplining people within the inner quarters of the household.

In just a few days, Wang Ruofu's courtyard was completely different. Shen Guang was indeed reliable, and within a few days he had everything in the house in perfect order.

Zhaoying is more agile. Although she is young, she is quick on her feet and keeps her mouth shut. She can clearly remember who glanced at her a few times or asked a few questions outside.

The courtyard was well-organized, and Wang Ruofu did not slack off on the daily rules.

Whatever Jue Luo asked her to learn, she learned it perfectly. She learned all the proper etiquette of the time, including greetings, bowing, sitting and lying down, eating, speaking, and receiving guests. Of course, it wasn't difficult. Since ancient times, the etiquette of officials and their families has been largely similar, and the Qing Dynasty only made some minor changes.

She would even do things that Jue Luo Shi didn't ask her to do.

She would have Shen Guang record the daily expenses of the courtyard, and Zhao Ying would keep an eye on whether the servants were skimping on the little maids' food. She would also personally examine the fabrics sent from the sewing room, picking out any imperfections and ordering them to be returned for remaking.

But once she returned to her own courtyard and closed the door, she became a completely different person.

With a kick of her shoe, she slumped onto the couch, set out hot tea and snacks, and no one could get her to stick to her principles anymore.

She didn't forget to corrupt the maids in the room: "For someone of your status as a princess, so-called rules are just empty formalities for outsiders, not for strangling yourself."

Shen Guang and Zhao Ying were stunned.

She remained calm and composed, successfully integrating into her new life and identity, even thriving as if she were in her element. However, ever since Jue Luo fainted from anger that day, she harbored some resentment towards this daughter.

Wang Ruofu didn't care. Not only did she not care, but she also took advantage of the few days that Jue Luo Shi was recuperating in bed, under the pretext of relieving her mother's worries and not letting the servants disturb her mother's peace, to quickly take charge of Jue Luo Shi's courtyard as well.

Of course, she didn't actually touch the account books and keys in Jue Luo's hands; she only managed the rules right under her nose.

For example, who can go into the inner room to serve, and who can only wait outside.

For example, when on duty, one is not allowed to gather under the corridor to gossip, and one is even less allowed to take advantage of being an elder in the wife's household to order around the maids until they are exhausted.

For example, the maids are not allowed to lack any of their daily meals, hot water, cotton clothes, or monthly allowances.

She was generous with her rewards. A little girl who was originally not valued received a pair of silver cloves the next day because she guarded the medicine furnace diligently at night.

A maidservant received a purse full of copper coins for stopping an old woman who was trying to shirk her duties.

These things weren't particularly valuable, but for the people below, they were tangible benefits that actually came into their hands.

Suddenly, the eyes of those previously neglected maids reddened, and they became even more diligent in their work.

But she was ruthless when it came to punishing people.

There was a senior maid who, relying on her parents being old servants in the household, was used to being arrogant. Seeing that Wang Ruofu was young, she made sarcastic remarks in front of the servants, saying that the eldest princess was becoming more and more opinionated, even wanting to interfere in the affairs of the madam's courtyard.

Wang Ruofu listened but did not get angry.

She simply summoned the maid to the corridor and, in front of everyone, asked her, "Since you say I can't control it, then tell me, who can?"

The maid's face turned pale.

Wang Ruofu then asked, "Your mother is ill, and instead of thinking of taking good care of her, you're trying to sow discord between us. Whom are you trying to impress with your loyalty?"

The maid knelt down with a thud.

Wang Ruofu then slowly said, "Drag him away, slap him ten times, fine him three months' wages, and then transfer him to do chores outside."

Everyone fell silent, terrified.

From then on, those in the Jue Luo clan who thought themselves different, who had become arrogant and wild, or who thought they were half masters because their parents had some influence, all became much more restrained.

As time went on, Wang Ruofu's status as the eldest princess became increasingly extraordinary, and when people in the mansion mentioned her, their tone unconsciously carried a hint of awe.

She also successfully won over many people's hearts.

Jue Luo was naturally angry at first. She felt that her daughter was overstepping her bounds, being arrogant, and disrespecting her as her mother. But after she recovered and managed to get up and visit for a few days, she had to admit that the atmosphere in the backyard had indeed improved a lot. The house and the yard were actually cleaner and more refreshing than before she fell ill.

Jue Luo sat on the couch, watching Wang Ruofu standing not far away, whispering instructions to Shen Guang.

Despite his young age, his body had not yet fully developed, and his face still retained a touch of childishness. Yet, he spoke calmly and slowly, with clear eyes, and his rewards and punishments were always measured.

She's clearly already showing some of the air of a matriarch.

As Jue Luo looked at it, a very complex feeling arose in her heart.

Isn't this exactly the kind of daughter she wanted to raise?

Dignified, composed, skillful, able to control servants and uphold rules.

No matter which family she marries into in the future, she will be a worthy wife and uphold the family's honor.

What a pity... they just wouldn't listen!

The thought of this made Jue Luo feel a tightness in her chest again. She was being unreasonable, constantly lecturing her, her own mother!

What's even more infuriating is that whenever Lady Jue Luo tries to adopt her motherly demeanor to discipline her, Wang Ruofu will retort, "Does Mother want to ruin my reputation as her daughter?"

Jue Luo clan: ?

"If my reputation is ruined, I won't be able to get married in the future, which will bring shame to the Fucha family."

Jue Luo clan: ?

"To put it another way, if others mention the daughters of the Fucha family, they'll say that all the legitimate daughters of our family are like this. How much better can the other sisters be? In that case, it will ruin the reputation of the other daughters of the Fucha family, and they will all be unable to get married. Would Mother be happy then?"

Jue Luo clan: ? ? ?

After several bouts of anger, Jue Luo finally lost her temper and said coldly, "What nonsense are you spouting! How can you let me ruin your reputation? Since you know that reputation is important, you should be even more careful with your words and actions, instead of trying to shut me up with these kinds of remarks every day."