The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

In any case, at least he managed to save face.

Hongli lay on the soft couch, medicine applied to his waist. Although his face was still somewhat dark, he felt a little relieved.

Although Lady Fucha spoke harshly and had a truly detestable temperament, she was, after all, the legitimate daughter of the Fucha family, carefully raised. She reacted quickly to problems and had some skill.

At least he, the head of the family, wasn't allowed to become a laughingstock throughout the capital.

This time, she can be considered to have redeemed herself through merit.

Hongli felt he had done a very fair job of crediting Ruofu, and finally felt at ease to recuperate.

-

In the main hall, the morning light had already filtered through the carved windows and spilled onto the floor.

Ruofu sat at the head of the table, with his shadow and light standing behind him.

Qingying and Gao Xiyue entered one after the other and bowed according to custom.

"This humble servant greets the Princess Consort."

If Ruo Fu looked down at the two concubines before him, he wouldn't be particularly happy.

How many wives in the world can truly live in harmony with their concubines?

However, on the other hand, the way the two men knelt on the ground so obediently and respectfully called her "Fujin" was indeed quite pleasing.

Get up.

She said it casually, then gestured to the chairs on either side: "Sit down and talk."

Qingying and Gao Xiyue thanked her and took their seats.

Ruofu then looked towards the very last corner of the hall, where a woman with delicate features and gentle eyes sat, dressed in a light purple cheongsam that was neither new nor old, and was dressed very simply.

She was Fucha Zhuying, Emperor Hongli's first concubine.

Now that she, as the legitimate wife, has entered the family, she should be treated equally and given a title and allowance.

"You sit down too," said Ruof.

Fucha Zhuying immediately rose and bowed, saying, "This concubine thanks you, Fujin."

She carefully sat down in the last chair, her back only touching half of the seat, her hands neatly folded on her knees, not daring to make a fuss at all.

"Fujin (wife)".

The room had been quiet for a moment when a clear, crisp sound suddenly rang out.

If Ruofu looked up, he saw Gao Xiyue looking at him with bright eyes, her tone filled with undisguised joy: "The bracelet you gave me yesterday is so beautiful. I wore it for quite a while after I got back, and I liked it more and more the more I looked at it. You're so kind to me, so I've prepared a gift for you in return."

Ruo Fu was taken aback, and the polite words he had prepared suddenly got stuck in his throat.

"A return gift?"

"yes!"

Gao Xiyue turned around and waved enthusiastically.

Xingxuan quickly stepped forward, carrying a long, narrow sandalwood box.

Zhao Ying glanced at Ruo Fu, and seeing her nod, she took the box, placed it on the tall table next to her, and opened it.

Ruo Fu's eyes lit up immediately upon seeing it.

If Fu reached out and picked it up, he found it to be quite heavy, and the curve of the staff head was perfectly smooth, which made him smile broadly.

"This is good stuff."

The materials and workmanship are top-notch, making it both handy and beautiful.

Most importantly, this thing looks valuable!

Seeing that she liked it, Gao Xiyue was even happier and said sweetly, "If it weren't a good thing, how could it be worthy of the Fujin? Besides, the bracelet that Fujin gave me is also very valuable. This is a proper return gift, not something I'm taking for free."

Ruofu heard this and glanced at her again. She was honest and straightforward, without any pretense.

Ruofu felt a growing fondness for her, but still said, "You've gone to so much trouble! That was my gift to you when we met, it's only right."

"It won't cost you anything."

Gao Xiyue laughed and said, "I'm not in good health, so I never play those kinds of games. This thing will just gather dust in the box anyway. Giving it to someone who likes and appreciates it is the best way to avoid wasting it. I heard that when you were still young, you were a master of riding, archery, and polo, and you were undefeated in Chuiwan (a type of Chinese ball game)?"

Ruo Fu's lips curled up involuntarily: "It's nothing special. I have many brothers at home, and I don't have many sisters, so I have to run wild with them all day long. I can barely beat them, but when I really encounter those powerful people outside, I'm nothing."

Gao Xiyue immediately replied, "You're too modest, Madam! I've long heard that the Fucha family is prosperous and has both literary and martial talents. My father always envies them when he talks about it! It's a pity that my father only has one daughter, me, and my health is not good enough. I've always been a worry for him since I was a child."

As she spoke, the smile on her face faded slightly, a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes, and her tone gradually lowered.

Ruof couldn't help but glance at her.

It was August, and the weather was very hot and humid. Ice lamps were placed in the four corners of the hall, and everyone was wearing light summer clothes. Only Gao Xiyue was dressed very warmly, and the maid behind her was not fanning her.

Yes, in the original story, Gao Xiyue suffered from a cold-related illness since childhood and her health was never good. In fact, even without the Lingling incense that Langhua secretly sent her, she would have had difficulty conceiving.

Her father, Gao Bin, truly doted on his daughter, devoting almost all his attention to her.

After all, with Gao Xiyue's health, how could she manage the household and serve her parents-in-law if she married into an ordinary wealthy family as their principal wife? If she had no children for a long time, she would inevitably have to arrange for her husband's family to take concubines. Once the concubines gave birth to illegitimate children, she would either have to work hard to suppress them or passively suffer mistreatment. In any case, it would be a hard life, and it would not be conducive to her recovery.

It would be better to send them to the royal family.

Even if she was just a concubine, she would have someone to serve her and wouldn't have to do any housework herself.

As long as he maintained his position in the previous dynasty, she would have the opportunity to be promoted. And that was indeed the case later. Gao Bin made great contributions to flood control, and Gao Xiyue went from being a princess to a secondary consort, and then to a noble consort, thus gaining status, honor, and wealth.

The imperial family, on the other hand, has always had the best imperial physicians and the finest medicinal herbs.

Gao Bin did not take any more concubines or have any more children. He devoted himself entirely to the river management, perhaps because he was determined to use his future and achievements to ensure a lifetime of stability for his only daughter.

Ruofu suddenly found himself speechless.

Parents who love their children will surely plan far ahead for them.

Throughout history, regardless of dynastic changes, whether it was the Qing Dynasty or the Song Dynasty, whether Manchu or Han, whether rich or poor, parents who truly love their children are all the same.

Ruo Fu thought of this, and his gaze towards Gao Xiyue softened.

"It's better to have something to worry about than nothing, and better to worry too much."

She put down the pestle, her tone now filled with genuine comfort: "Raising a child is a lifelong worry. It's not necessarily a bad thing that your father only has to worry about you. There are many brothers in our Fucha family, and we have a lot to worry about. Sometimes I wonder if my father passed away so early because he worried too much."

Ruof sighed softly.

The hall fell silent immediately.

Gao Xiyue was taken aback: ...

Oh no...

She opened her mouth, unsure how to respond.

Then why not have fewer children, or none at all, so that they can live longer?

Just as she was about to say those words, Xingxuan quietly tugged at her sleeve and gave her a wink.

Gao Xiyue suddenly came to her senses; she had originally intended to say something else entirely!

"I've heard that the Princess Consort has many brothers but no sisters, which is just as good as me. Ever since I first met the Princess Consort in the palace, I've felt an instant connection with her, and I've always thought about it, wishing the Princess Consort were my own sister..."

These were the kind words she and Granny Dai had discussed for a long time last night before coming up with them!

This, this...

Can I still say it?

Let's not talk about this anymore.

Ruof quickly composed himself, shook his head, and sat up straight again.

Gao Xiyue sighed softly, "Never mind, I'll definitely do it next time."

Ruo Fu told Zhao Ying to carefully put away the chopping stick before getting down to business: "The Imperial Household Department sent over a few maids this time, saying they were to be assigned to you as head maids. I've had them trained for a few days and made sure they've memorized all the new rules of the household. Yesterday, Mo Xin went to your place, and I gave Rou Xin to Princess Fucha."

The two immediately straightened up, and Gao Xiyue said, "Moxin is very good, I like her very much, thank you, Madam!"

Fucha Zhuying nodded gently: "Reporting to the Madam, Rouxin has explained the rules of the household to me in detail, and I have memorized them all."

"Just write it down."

Ruo Fu slowly said, "There are many rules, but they are all for the sake of peace and tranquility in the manor."

Gao Xiyue and Fucha Zhuying both responded respectfully.

Ruofu then looked at Qingying: "Nara Consort was supposed to serve the Prince yesterday, but I thought you and the Prince had a lot to talk about, so I didn't send anyone to disturb you. Now that you're here, you can take her back."

After he finished speaking, there was no response from inside the house.