The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

Emperor Hongli unusually drank a few extra cups at the banquet today.

It wasn't that the wine in the palace was exceptionally good, but rather the expressions on the faces of the people at the banquet today that truly pleased him.

Around this time last year, several members of the imperial clan, relying on their seniority, met him but merely nodded indifferently, addressed him as "Fourth Prince," and then turned to chat and laugh with their Third Brother.

Some people saw him but pretended not to, insisting that he come forward to greet them first before they would deign to say a few words.

But everything has changed today.

As soon as he took his seat, people came up to him with smiles and called him Prince Bao. Even his uncles, who used to ignore him, came over with wine cups to ask him about the tasks he had been doing for his father, the Emperor. Their words were full of respect for him.

Some people even patted him on the shoulder, praising him repeatedly for his composure and competence, saying that it was a blessing for the Qing Dynasty to have a son like him under the Emperor's wing.

On the surface, Hongli only feigned humility and said a few polite words that shouldn't be taken seriously, but in his heart, he knew everything perfectly well.

Hongshi, the third brother, was adopted out of the family, but he couldn't even keep his yellow sash. Hongzhou is always fooling around and causing trouble. Now, among the princes under the Emperor's care who have come of age, it seems that only he is left who can truly shoulder the responsibility of the country.

Moreover, Consort Xi, who is now his birth mother on the imperial register, is in actual control of the harem and enjoys the Emperor's favor. Over the years, she has been planning for him in every way. His father, the Emperor, no longer treats him with the indifferent attitude he once had. He not only summons him frequently but also entrusts him with increasingly important tasks.

He also had the powerful and influential Fucha clan as his in-laws, who protected and supported him.

Everything is now clear.

How could these opportunistic members of the royal family not see through it?

Hongli looked at the smiling faces and found them both funny and pleasing.

He never forgot that he grew up in the Yuanmingyuan Garden, and his biological mother was just a palace maid. He didn't start his formal education until he was eight years old. Many people regarded him as an insignificant prince.

Who would have thought he would be where he is today?

No.

That's how it should be.

Regardless of who his birth mother is, he is the son of the Emperor, a prince of the Qing Dynasty, and a member of the imperial family.

Those who previously ignored him were simply blind.

Now that we have seen the wind in his eye, we should fawn over him with utmost humility, try to understand his intentions, and obey his commands.

One day, they will have to grovel at his feet, even more obsequiously.

Thinking of this, Hongli felt a surge of heat in his chest, and he unknowingly drank a few more cups of wine than usual. Fortunately, he still remembered that this was before the emperor, and seeing that the wine was getting stronger, he got up in time to take his leave, so as not to cause any real loss of decorum.

Once inside the carriage, the curtain fell, and Hongli leaned against the cushions, the smugness he had been suppressing gradually surfacing on his face.

He unconsciously recalled the neglect he experienced in his childhood, the disdain of those people, and the flattery he received at the banquet today. The contrast between the two made his lips curl into a higher and higher smile.

The alcohol, combined with his burgeoning ambition, made Hongli feel hot all over, and he couldn't help but raise his hand to tug at his collar.

Just then, the carriage stopped, and Wang Qin's voice came from outside: "Master, we've arrived."

When Hongli got out of the carriage, his steps were slightly unsteady, and Wang Qin quickly reached out to support him.

Wang Qin asked cautiously, "Which courtyard would you like to visit tonight, sir?"

Where to go?

The first person Hongli thought of was actually his primary wife.

Fucha was short-tempered and sharp-tongued, and she didn't know how to be submissive at all. However, her high-born background and confident demeanor suited his taste perfectly.

His legal wife and first wife should naturally have this kind of presence.

In fact, on a day like today, only she is qualified to be by my side.

Unfortunately, she is now pregnant.

This was his first child, and the legitimate son of his principal wife, so he was extremely precious and could not afford to have any mishaps.

The faces of Lady Gao, Qingying, and another Lady Fucha flashed through his mind in turn. They were all rare beauties, but for some reason, Hongli was not in the mood tonight.

A faint fragrance wafted to his nose, and Hongli's heart stirred. He looked around, trying to find the source of the fragrance.

As he looked down, the lanterns hanging high in front of the Prince's Mansion swayed gently in the night breeze, their flickering red light falling precisely on the purse at his waist.

The exquisite embroidery brought out a panicked little face.

Corylette.

The embarrassment and annoyance of being rejected by her in a gentle way a few days ago surged back to my head with the help of alcohol.

She actually rejected him?

Why should she refuse him?!

For a mere embroiderer to gain his favor is already a blessing earned through eight lifetimes of good deeds.

Today he is Prince Bao; in the future, he will become the most honored person in the world.

She dared to refuse the favor that so many noble ladies would beg for.

The faint fragrance emanating from the purse fueled Hongli's growing unease, and he asked coldly, "Where does Lady Keliye reside?"

Wang Qin was stunned.

-

Hailan was in a very good mood today.

Although the Fujin (principal wife) had many rules and managed things meticulously, she did not allow the stewards to beat or scold the servants at will, nor did she allow them to assign tasks based on personal relationships after receiving bribes. As a result, the lives of these young embroiderers were naturally much better.

Moreover, the princess was generous and lavish. During festivals, the household also provided holidays and rewards.

For example, on New Year's Eve today, everyone in the embroidery room received 500 coins and a bag of pastries. In addition to hot dishes and rice, dinner also included a small cup of wine.

Hailan has a low alcohol tolerance; after just a few sips, her face turned red, and her steps became lighter as she returned to her room.

The embroiderer in the same room was on duty tonight, so she was all alone in the room. She closed the door, wrapped up the pastries she couldn't bear to finish, and took out the five hundred coins she had just earned that day, counting them together with the ones she had saved before.

A mere ten taels of silver.

It wasn't much, but it gave me peace of mind.

She didn't actually know where she would go or where she could go after leaving the palace.

Her loved ones were all gone; she had no relatives or home to turn to.

She's going to find a man to marry?

This seemed to be the most common path for a woman in the eyes of the world. But as her uncle traveled south from Khorchin, she realized that her face, given to a woman without any support, might not be a blessing.

Hailan sat on the edge of the bed and suddenly remembered what happened on the covered bridge a few days ago.

The prince blocked her path, asked her name and where she came from, and even tried to touch her... Although the prince's attitude could be described as gentle, she was instinctively afraid.

Because the way the prince looked at her wasn't like he was looking at a person at all.

Instead, they were looking at something they liked and could take it away.

She knew that the prince was young and handsome, and his household was well-fed. Even being a concubine would be more respectable than being an embroiderer.

However, the prince already had many wives and concubines, and his wife came from a high-ranking family. Princess Gao had her father's support, and Consort Qing had a deep relationship with the prince. Even Princess Fucha was the prince's cousin.

But she had nothing.

The prince may like her face today, but once he has someone new, he will forget her completely.

By then, she will have neither the skill nor a way out. Even if she is willing to spend her whole life in the backyard, would others be willing to let her endure it?

Hailan thought for a long time, but still shook her head.

Well, perhaps the prince was just having a passing fancy and has already forgotten about her.

There's always a way out; we'll think about the future later.

The effects of the alcohol kicked in, and she put away her savings, took off her clothes, got into bed, and quickly fell into a deep sleep.

After an unknown amount of time, Hailan suddenly felt a heaviness in her chest, as if a huge rock had been pressed down on it, making it difficult for her to breathe.

She opened her eyes groggily, first smelling a strong odor of alcohol, and then realized with horror that there was a man on top of her, and one of his hands was even inside the blankets!

"ah--!"

Hailan's mind went blank, and before she could scream, the man suddenly leaned down and blocked her scream.

The pungent smell of alcohol hit her face, her stomach churned, and she trembled so badly she almost lost all strength, and could only desperately reach out to push it away.

Can't push.

Fear overwhelmed her instantly.

Just then, the old woman's words suddenly popped into my mind.

What's the panic? What's all the shouting about? Save your energy for fighting!

Corner of the bed.

stick!

Hailan suddenly reached out and indeed touched the life-saving object.

She didn't have time to think it through. She closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, and swung it out with all her might.

"Bang!"

The person pressing down on him groaned, and the weight suddenly eased.

Hailan was so frightened that she couldn't hear anything. She only remembered what the nanny had said: "Strike while the iron is hot and kill him!"

She gripped the stick tightly with both hands and swung it down hard again.

"what!"

"You—how dare you!"

Outside the door, Wang Qin, who had been anxiously waiting, felt his heart sink when he heard the first scream.

Upon hearing two more muffled thuds and his lord's altered cry of pain, his face instantly turned pale.

Without even thinking, they rushed in!

broken!

That stick actually came in handy!