The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

When Ruofu returned to the main courtyard, the anger in his heart had actually subsided considerably.

In the end, she was nothing more than a concubine.

No matter how eloquently you describe childhood sweethearts, your most beloved, or any affection that others can't understand, she's still just a concubine.

Being a concubine for a day, in front of the mistress, to put it nicely, is half a mistress in the mansion; to put it bluntly, she is half a servant!

Since she receives a monthly allowance from the household, lives in the household's courtyard, and her food, clothing, and daily necessities are all provided by the household management, there is no reason for her to both take advantage of being a concubine and refuse to abide by the rules of a concubine.

Being sensible, she naturally didn't hesitate to give him extra face.

If they are ignorant, they should be beaten or scolded, and disciplined as needed.

Does she really expect the primary wife to spend every day wondering whether a concubine is comfortable or not, and whether she can sleep at night?

Does she deserve it?

After returning to her room, she removed her hairpins and changed out of her slightly dignified and heavy clothes into a light purple silk casual dress, which was lighter and softer.

Ruo Fu leaned back on the soft couch by the window, took the account book handed to him by Chen Guang, flipped through a few pages, and slowly began to read.

Zhaoying brought over a plate of chilled honeydew melon, while a young maid knelt beside her, gently fanning her with a round fan.

Just as Ruo Fu finished reading a page, Shen Guang came in from outside, walked to the bedside, and said in a low voice, "Madam, the person has been brought."

Ruof's eyes remained fixed on the ledger, and he casually said, "Let them in."

A moment later, the curtain was gently lifted, and two young maids followed Shen Guang into the room. After standing in front of the bed, they knelt down and bowed in unison.

"This servant is Lianxin."

"This servant is Xin."

"Greetings to the Princess Consort, I pay my respects to her."

Ruofu then looked up from the ledger and carefully examined the two men from head to toe.

The one on the left is gentle and pretty, with a slightly round face and soft features. The one on the right is more striking, with thick eyebrows and bright eyes.

Rufus nodded: "Get up."

The two thanked the emperor and stood up, still standing with their hands at their sides.

Ruo Fu closed the account book halfway and said slowly, "Since you were chosen by the Imperial Household Department, you must have learned the rules of the palace, so I don't need to teach you from scratch. However, the palace is the palace, the prince's residence is the prince's residence, and I have my own rules here."

"From today onwards, you will serve in the main courtyard, starting as second-class palace maids. Lianxin will follow Chenguang, and Ruixin will follow Zhaoying. Observe and listen more in your daily lives, and do less to act on your own. First, learn all the rules, customs, and duties of the courtyard. Then we will see if you can each take on more important tasks."

Lianxin and Ruixin quickly replied, "We understand."

Ruof glanced at them, then changed the subject: "However, I always like to be upfront about things. When I use people, intelligence and competence are important, but no matter how good their abilities are, they come after loyalty."

"Now that you've entered my courtyard and taken on my duties, you'll only be able to listen to me from now on. If anything happens, report back to me first. If anyone comes to inquire about news from the main courtyard, no matter who it is, report back to me first. If you feel that any other master outside is more amiable and has a better future, and you want to climb the social ladder, you can say so as soon as possible, and I won't stop you."

"But if she eats my food while relaying messages for others, receives my rewards while betraying my own people and siding with outsiders... then I'll have plenty of ways to deal with her."

Lianxin and Ruixin were startled and knelt down again: "This servant wouldn't dare!"

"That would be best."

Ruo Fu leaned back on the pillow, her tone softening: "Of course, if you do well, I won't treat you unfairly. You'll be promoted when you deserve it, and rewarded with silver when you deserve it. If you want to leave the manor to marry in the future, as long as you've served me diligently, I'll help you find a respectable and reliable family, and I'll also add a dowry."

Only then did the two women truly settle their minds, and they said in unison, "This servant will certainly serve the Princess Consort with all her heart."

Ruo Fu waved his hand: "Go."

Zhaoying led the two away, intending to first show them around the main courtyard before arranging their lodgings and tasks.

After everyone had left, the room became quiet again, but Shen Guang did not follow them out.

Ruof flipped through a couple of pages of the account book and, seeing her still standing there, asked, "Is there anything else?"

Shen Guang stepped forward and said softly, "Su Xin has been sent to the concubine. Just now, word came from there that the concubine seems to have some complaints about how the principal wife treated her today."

Shen Guang paused, and seeing that the Fujin (principal wife) didn't seem angry, he continued with relief, "Su Xin had specifically reminded the Consort and Miss A'Ruo to hurry up and copy the book, but judging from her words, it seemed she felt that the Fujin's punishment today was too lenient..."

Upon hearing this, Ruof finally couldn't help but scoff.

"What's the rush? Ulanara has only been in the household for one day. There's plenty of time. As long as I am the primary consort, I will always have the opportunity to discipline her."

"If she behaves herself from now on, this matter will end here. If she remains stubborn and thinks that because she has some childhood friendship with the prince, she can disregard the mistress, I will not let her off so easily every time."

"Let's see what happens next."

Chen Guang responded in a low voice.

Ruofu added, "As for Suxin, pass on a message to her. Now that it's over, she's one of the concubine's people. I didn't send her to be an inside agent. She doesn't need to watch how much the concubine eats and how many words she says every day before rushing to me to claim credit. Just tell her to serve her in peace."

"If the concubine has committed any serious offense against the household rules, she can naturally report it. Other trivial matters need not be sent to the main courtyard."

Shen Guang lowered her eyes and said, "This servant understands."

Although he verbally promised to remain calm, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

This Su Xin, whose original name was Su Lian.

Her mother was Su Mama, a highly trusted servant of the lady of the house. Because she had some influence in front of the lady, she was determined to place her daughter next to the princess as a confidante.

The moment the person was delivered, they adopted an extremely arrogant attitude.

Her words implied that with her arrival, both Chen Guang and Zhao Ying should step back.

Fortunately, the princess consort had keen eyesight. After only looking at her twice, she determined that she was not a docile person and immediately sent her back.

Later, no one knows what Ruofu said to his wife, but he managed to persuade her to send Sulian out of the mansion.

Shen Guang originally thought that Su Lian had most likely been sent back to her hometown to be married off.

It wasn't until she entered Prince Bao's mansion with the Fujin (Prince's wife) that she learned that Su Lian had been sent to the Imperial Household Department and trained there for several years. Now, she had changed her name to Su Xin and was sent back to Prince Bao's mansion as a newly appointed palace maid from the Imperial Household Department.

He was then personally selected by the Fujin (principal wife) to serve Nara, the secondary Fujin.

It's just like a hidden piece of chess that was planted early on.

It seems that Su Xin thought the same way, which is why she put in so much effort to keep an eye on that couple who spoke strangely and acted without following the rules.

Thinking of this, Shen Guang sighed softly in his heart.

That's it, that's it.

She can't stop people from striving for success.

Since she's so ambitious, let her do what she wants.

All she needs to do is serve the Princess Consort more diligently and secure her current position.

Ruo Fu didn't have as many twists and turns as Shen Guang had imagined. She reopened the account book, and after reading only a couple of lines, her gaze unconsciously swept towards the door.

Among the maids of the Xin generation sent by the Imperial Household Department, Lianxin was the one with a tragic fate.

He was originally loyal to Fucha Langhua, and he was also very capable in his work. He never had any disloyal intentions.

Unfortunately, it was that vixen Jin Yuyan who instigated things, and she tricked Langhua into thinking that her brain was covered in mud. She actually gave such an innocent girl to that turtle Wang Qin as a partner.

What a terrible thing!

Later, Lianxin tacitly approved of others harming Yonglian and Yongcong, and even failed to save Langhua after she fell into the icy water, which was certainly wrong.

But if they hadn't been driven to the brink and suffered so much torment, how could they have developed such deep hatred?

After learning the whole story in the mysterious space, Langhua resented her, but also felt a pang of guilt towards her.

Therefore, knowing that after the two switched places, they would both have the opportunity to see their children again, Langhua ultimately chose to put aside those grudges and instructed her to treat Lianxin well this time and keep her away from Wang Qin's poisonous hands.

In the future, if a suitable person comes along, I will find her a good home and ensure she has a peaceful life.

If Fu agreed.

As for Xin Xin...