The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

Qingying was taken aback.

Aruo's crying also stopped abruptly.

Ruo Fu frowned and said, "She's just a lowly servant girl, yet she dares to violate the rules of the manor time and time again, bribing the old women to spy on her master's movements and eavesdrop on his secrets. And afterwards, she doesn't keep her mouth shut but leaks it to you."

"And you, after listening to her gossip like this, knowing full well that the information came from illegitimate sources, not only did you not bring her to the main courtyard to plead guilty, but you also eagerly came to instruct me on how to deal with Hailan, spreading the same little bit of information she had found out far and wide, as if you were afraid the world wouldn't be in chaos."

"Ulanara Qingying, is that pig's head on your neck? Who is she, her master or your master? She is wrong, but you can't escape either. As a concubine, you have failed to manage your subordinates properly. From today onwards, you are confined to Qingzhi Courtyard for three months, your salary is reduced by half a year, and you are to copy the manor rules fifty times. When you finish copying them, you shall have them sent to the main courtyard so that I can personally inspect them."

Qingying suddenly raised her head: "Madam—"

"If you say one more thing, you'll have to repeat it again."

Qingying's lips trembled.

Aruo was dragged away by two old women, her cries echoing all the way: "Master! Master, save me! Master—"

Just then, the eunuch's announcement came from outside:

"The Prince has arrived!"

Qingying turned her head abruptly, tears still clinging to her eyelashes, but a hint of joy unconsciously appeared on her face.

Aruo struggled and cried out, "Your Highness, save me! Your Highness, save me!"

Ruo Fu raised an eyebrow slightly.

The curtain was quickly lifted, and Hongli walked in from outside. He had specially worn a fur-brimmed hat today to cover his injury completely, but his handsome face was still gloomy.

Gao Xiyue and Fucha Zhuying quickly stood up and bowed.

Ruofu, however, simply stood up, supporting Chen Guang's hand, and lazily flicked his handkerchief.

"On the first day of the Lunar New Year, it was quite lively here at the Fujin's place."

Hongli strode up to Qingying, bent down to help her up, and asked with a hint of displeasure, "What happened?"

Upon suddenly seeing her beloved, Qingying was overwhelmed with pent-up grievances: "Your Majesty—"

"Shut up!"

Ruo Fu suddenly chuckled softly.

Everyone in the room was stunned.

Ruofu asked slowly, "Whom is Your Highness questioning?"

Hongli's temple throbbed slightly: "Naturally, I'm asking about the Princess Consort."

"That's it."

Ruo Fu turned to look at Qing Ying, his meaning quite clear.

Qingying's lips moved, but she didn't dare to speak again.

Ruo Fu then sat down again, picked up his teacup, and calmly recounted the whole story.

This includes her treatment of Qingying and her servant, A'ruo.

No one spoke for a moment.

Hongli frowned, pondered for a moment, and finally said, "A'Ruo is indeed at fault, and if the Princess Consort wants to punish her, then punish her. However, thirty strokes of the cane are too harsh, and there's no need to expel her from the manor. After all, she has served Qingying for many years and has a heart full of loyalty to her mistress. Although her actions were muddled, she did not truly harm anyone. In my opinion, ten strokes of the cane will suffice as a minor punishment to serve as a warning."

Aruo's eyes lit up immediately.

Hongli then said, "As for Qingying, it was merely a momentary lapse in managing her subordinates. She came today out of concern for me and wanted to help me deal with last night's events. Although her intentions were not entirely sound, they were ultimately well-intentioned. Let her copy some of the palace rules; the confinement and salary deduction can be waived."

"Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year, a joyous occasion. There's really no need to make things too ugly."

The room remained quiet for a long time.

Rufu did not speak.

The next instant, she suddenly raised her hand and swept it!

With a series of sharp cracking sounds, the teacups, snack plates, and other porcelain items on the table shattered and fell to the ground, splashing tea everywhere and wetting half of his clothes.

The entire room was filled with people who were completely stunned.

Only Wang Qin closed his eyes.

Emperor Hongli flew into a rage: "Princess Consort, what are you doing?"

Ruofu stood up: "I am not qualified to be your wife!"

Hongli was taken aback.

Ruof turned and ordered, "Chenguang, Zhaoying, bring me the steward's key and all the account books!"

"Then tell people to go back inside and pack my belongings, prepare the carriage, and take stock of my dowry!"

Although Chen Guang and Zhao Ying were also taken aback, they hesitated for only a moment before responding in unison and leaving together.

Emperor Hongli's forehead veins throbbed: "Empress Fucha, what are you doing?"

"Go home!" Ruof answered matter-of-factly. "Or are you suggesting I stay here to wash my hands and act as a housekeeper for you and your concubines?"

"Lady Fuca!"

"What are you yelling about!" Ruofu's voice was even louder than his: "You don't yell when her servants rebelled, you don't yell when she was disobedient, but I'm wrong for following the rules? They broke the rules with good intentions, and you overturned my decision because you care about our relationship. So everyone in this world has their own reasons and feelings, but I, the wife who follows the rules, am the only one who deserves to be bullied!"

Just then, Shen Guang and Zhao Ying arrived carrying a tray of butler's keys and account books.

If you don't pick things up, throw them one by one at Hongli's feet:

"If you forbid me from punishing people, then don't call me housekeeper!"

"You expect me to manage your household affairs, take care of your concubines, appease the servants, and prevent the troubles you cause, yet you forbid me from making any real decisions or handling matters impartially."

"If I'm too lenient, they say I'm neglecting my duty; if I'm too strict, they say I'm cruel."

"You one, two, three, you're always breaking the rules and causing trouble for me. After you've done it, you just dump it in front of my door and expect me to clean it up! If I clean it up to your liking, you praise me for being virtuous; if you don't, you immediately jump out and criticize me, saying I'm unreasonable."

"What a load of rubbish! If reason and emotion were useful, what would be the point of rules?! Do I owe you anything?"

"Fine, since you've developed such a clever and understanding mind, then go and take care of it yourself!"

"Today, if someone steals something, you forgive them because you feel sorry for them; tomorrow, if someone climbs into your bed, you lift them up because you think they're pretty; the day after, if several women are fighting, you stand in the middle and help whoever you're closest to. I'm not putting up with this anymore!"

Zhaoying rushed over with a thick cloak. She unfolded the cloak and draped it over Ruofu, then carefully tied the straps.

Ruofu tucked the hand warmer into his bosom and turned to walk out.

"I'm going to my uncle's house right now and have a good talk with him about what kind of matchmaker he arranged for me! Everyone says men should be in charge of external affairs and women should be in charge of internal affairs. What kind of behavior is this, a grown man constantly meddling in the inner quarters!"

Stunned by the scolding, Hongli suddenly snapped back to reality and strode forward to block her path: "You're not allowed to leave!"

If the wife were to break a few teacups or scold him in the courtyard, it would be considered a family matter behind closed doors. However, once she rode in the Fucha family's carriage and returned to her uncle's house on the first day of the Lunar New Year with her pregnant belly, the Fucha family would never let it go.

...He only received the news last night that Consort Liu in the palace was pregnant.

Although it is still unknown whether it is a boy or a girl, the fact that the Emperor can still get his concubines pregnant at his age shows that he is still in good health.

If Father Emperor truly lives as long as Grandfather Emperor…

One cannot let one's guard down until one has secured that position.

He absolutely could not lose the support of the Fucha clan at this critical juncture, and he could not let people see that he could not even appease his wife's family.

Hongli felt a tightness in his chest, almost causing him pain, but he forced himself to endure it, managing a smile as he reached out to support Ruofu's arm, his tone several times gentler: "Fujin!"

Ruofa shoved him away, yelling, "Stop pulling and tugging! Your smile is awful!"

Hongli's smile nearly burst open, but he still managed to maintain it with all his might: "What are you doing, Consort? I was just joking with you."

Ruof stared at him expressionlessly.

Hongli, steeling himself, continued: "On the first day of the Lunar New Year, a joyous occasion, it's normal for husband and wife to joke around a bit... How could I, the Prince, truly disregard your dignity as the primary consort for the sake of a mere servant? Since A'Ruo has violated the household rules, she should be punished or expelled as appropriate. Thirty strokes it is, not a single stroke less. Qingying has been lax in managing her subordinates; since the primary consort has already punished her, then proceed as the primary consort has said."

The relief on A'Ruo's face froze instantly.

Qingying looked at Hongli in disbelief: "Your Highness..."

Hongli's eyelids twitched violently. He didn't dare turn around at all, but raised his voice and said, "As the Princess Consort, you manage the household affairs of the Prince's Mansion, so naturally you have the right to deal with the servants and concubines! From now on, anyone who dares to disrespect the Princess Consort or disobey the rules of the mansion is going against me!"

Ruofu raised his eyebrows, stared at Hongli for a long time, and finally snorted through his nose.

"That's more like it."

She took Hongli's hand, turned around, and readily sat back down.