The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

"Let's go find the Prince now!"

Aruo grew increasingly angry as she spoke: "If the Prince knew she was bullying you like this, he would surely come to your aid!"

Qingying, who had been looking down, gently shook her head upon hearing this.

"no."

Under A-Ruo's incredulous gaze, she sighed softly and said, "It's just a small matter, why make a fuss about it with Brother Hongli?"

"How can this be considered a trivial matter? If you don't retaliate after how the Princess Consort treated you today, how will you maintain your standing in this household in the future?"

Qingying remained silent for a moment, a faint sense of helplessness gradually emerging in her eyes: "I can understand why she feels uneasy."

A'Ruo was taken aback. Who...who felt uneasy?

Qingying looked out the window, her voice soft and calm: "When the Jiangxue Pavilion held its selection of consorts, Brother Hongli's original choice was not her. Although she has now obtained the title of primary consort, some things cannot be obtained simply by issuing an imperial decree."

"When she first entered the Prince's residence, she noticed that her brother Hongli treated her differently from others, which inevitably made her feel resentful. So the more she cared, the more she wanted to prove herself through rules and rank."

Qingying continued to sigh, "She was a pitiful person too."

Aruo opened her mouth, but for a moment she couldn't say anything.

Is that correct?

Today, it is I who am kneeling in the corridor, and it is my master who is being slapped. How come Fucha has become the pitiful one?

Qingying, however, did not look at her.

At this moment, a faint pity appeared in her eyes:

"The Fuca clan is a prominent Manchu family, and she must have been competitive in everything since childhood. Now that she has become the primary consort, she naturally cannot tolerate anyone overstepping her boundaries."

"But when it comes to matters of the heart, how can one determine superiority or inferiority based on rank or rules?"

At this point, a very faint smile appeared on Qingying's lips.

"My brother Hongli and I have known each other since childhood. We grew up together and went through many things together. She doesn't understand that kind of bond, and she never will."

"Since she values ​​the dignity of the primary wife, I will yield to her."

A strange sense of irritation arose in A'Ruo's heart.

Again.

Every time the master truly suffered a loss, he would come back, close the door, say a few words, and then win again!

A'Ruo glanced at the lingering handprint on Qingying's face, her resentment ultimately culminating in a single sentence—

"The princess is so kind-hearted."

She forced a smile: "Only someone as insightful as Princess Gege would not stoop to her level."

Qingying shook her head, her smile growing even gentler.

"How am I as good as you describe?"

"I simply don't value these titles and positions."

She lowered her eyes, her voice hesitant and complex: "I'm doing this for Brother Hongli. As long as he has me in his heart, what else matters?"

The setting sun shone through the window screen onto her face, making the redness and swelling on one side even more noticeable.

She looked up again, her eyes revealing a composure as if she had already seen through everything:

"She can control the rules of this palace, but she can't control people's hearts."

Aruo was so overwhelmed by the inexplicable light that she didn't know what to say when a soft cough suddenly came from the outer room.

"Consort, Miss A'Ruo, it's almost lunchtime... The Majesty instructed that you must copy the household rules before eating today. So, do you think... we should have someone prepare pen and ink now?"

The room was deathly silent.

Qingying's expression froze.

Aruo suddenly turned her head and saw a young maid in a light blue dress standing by the screen in the outer room, holding a thick book in her hands.

Aruo was stunned at first, then screamed as if her tail had been stepped on: "Who are you? When did you come in?"

The maidservant replied gracefully, "My name is Suxin. I am the head maidservant assigned to the concubine by the Fujin. Just now in the main courtyard, I paid my respects to the concubine and Miss Aruo. After returning from the main courtyard, I have been following behind."

Qingying's expression changed slightly.

A'Ruo also recalled that when she left the main courtyard, there was indeed a silent maid following behind her.

Both she and Qingying were filled with resentment, and neither of them paid any attention to the other.

But of course she couldn't admit it.

"So you just secretly followed us like this, and then stood outside eavesdropping on your master's conversation?"

Aruo, enraged, retorted, "You were sent by the Imperial Household Department? What about your manners?"

Su Xin took a deep breath, still speaking clearly: "This servant did not secretly follow. This servant is the head maid in the concubine's courtyard, so naturally I had to come back with the concubine. This servant did indeed announce my arrival before entering the room."

"You dare talk back!"

Aruo suddenly stepped forward and raised her hand to push her.

Su Xin reacted quickly and grabbed her wrist.

"Miss Aruo, please allow me to correct you."

Su Xin said calmly, "Talking back is something that happens when a subordinate refuses to obey the authority of a superior and speaks out of turn. But you and I are both head maids serving the concubine, so we are colleagues and there is no distinction between us. If I say a few more words, it is at most a rebuttal, and I really do not deserve such a crime."

Aruo's eyes widened.

She actually got lectured by a new girl who just arrived?

"you--"

Su Xin stopped looking at her, pushed her away forcefully, and then bowed to Qing Ying.

"My lady, please take my words to heart. Lunchtime is approaching, and it's important to eat regularly. Missing your meal would be bad for your health."

"You'd better start writing soon."

After saying that, she placed the booklet she was holding on the table.

A muffled thud.

Qingying's originally calm and composed gaze fell on the booklet, which was as thick as two finger joints, and she finally froze.

Aruo pointed at the table in disbelief: "What's so heavy?"

Su Xin gave a very polite smile: "These are the new rules of the Prince's Mansion established after the Princess Consort entered the family."

Aruo's face gradually turned green.

"You want to copy all of these?"

"What the princess says is right, copy it once."

"Before lunch?"

"Yes."

Su Xin nodded, and then said very considerately, "However, since Consort writes quickly, she should still be able to make it to dinner."

The enigmatic smile on Qingying's face finally cracked slightly.