The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

Why her last night?

Hailan felt cold all over.

Why was it she who was remembered by the prince?

Why was Wang Qin able to accurately lead the prince to his doorstep after he got drunk last night?

Why did Consort Qing rush to get her the title of Princess without asking anything this morning?

What if—she meant what if—the Princess Consort hadn't arrived in time last night?

Why couldn't she grab the short stick?

What if she was too scared to resist and the prince actually succeeded?

As soon as it gets light today, everyone will know that the prince has taken the embroiderer's bed.

She might not even be an innocent and blameless embroiderer.

According to the rules set by the Princess Consort, all the embroiderers, barring any unforeseen circumstances, would never see the Prince even once in their lives.

But she not only saw him several times, but also showed off her embroidery skills to him more than once.

If everyone did the same, she could say she had a clear conscience and no other intentions.

However, if everyone strictly follows the rules of the manor, they will wait outside when they see Chief Steward Wang Qin.

But she repeatedly disregarded the rules of the household and walked in frivolously...

If she were to say that it was the two mistresses, Qingce and her servant, one playing the good cop and the other the bad cop, who would believe her after they tricked and coaxed her into going in?

No, people won't. They'll probably say she was scheming, greedy for wealth, and deliberately seduced the prince first.

When that time comes, she will receive a favor from Consort Qing, who will plead with the Fujin (the Fujin's wife) to grant her a title and some protection.

Will I be grateful to her?

Yes, of course.

Hailan knew what she was capable of, and from then on, she would always follow Qingce Fujin's lead.

Like a dying dog pulled from the mud, it will only ever recognize the hand that first reached out to it.

Hailan closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then slowly exhaled.

She opened her eyes, her gaze deep and unfocused.

-

The days passed by at their own unhurried pace.

After the incident at Qingzhi Courtyard, the Prince's Mansion remained quiet for quite some time.

If Fu were pregnant now, besides looking at the account books and listening to the reports from the various managers, she would spend the rest of her time eating or sleeping. When she was free, she would find someone to read to her or call Gao Xiyue to play music and chat. She lived a very comfortable life.

About ten days later, news of Aruo also came.

Her father has taken her home, and her injuries are healing well. I heard that she has become much more well-behaved since returning home, and even her previous temper of wanting to compete with everyone has subsided.

Her family had already arranged a marriage for her. Although the man's family was not in the capital and his family was of ordinary means, he was her father's subordinate. Because of this, she wouldn't be wronged.

If he didn't listen to the whole thing, he would just nod and then forget about it.

As for Qingying, after being confined to her quarters, she quietly copied the rules of the manor every day. However, even though she couldn't leave the courtyard, her mind was never idle.

Today I'll offer a cup of fragrant soup, tomorrow I'll personally write a poem and tuck it into a book I've read in the past, and the day after tomorrow I'll embroider a purse.

Have Su Xin take it to the study in the front courtyard.

Su Xin was very obedient.

For every item Qingying gave, she would give back something in return.

However, before sending it to the front yard, it must first be sent to the main yard.

...Ruo Fu looked at the handkerchief in his hand with a look of disgust.

The handkerchief was made of the finest moon-white satin, but the stitching was barely acceptable.

But right in the very center, there was a pair of perfectly round...

Hmm, one is red, and the other is even redder.

Ruofu stared at it for a long time, swallowing back the words "monkey's butt," before finally managing to ask, "What do you think she's embroidering?"

Shen Guang pursed his lips: "It should be lychee."

Why embroider lychees?

A hint of a smile appeared in Shen Guang's eyes: "This servant guesses it's probably related to Your Highness's name."

Ruof: ...

I glanced at the handkerchief again, but no, my eyes hurt even more!

"What the hell?"

She tossed the handkerchief aside and stepped back, saying, "Is this what you call a noble lady? A learned and virtuous woman? It's one thing if the embroidery is bad, but how can you be so unoriginal even when embroidering something? Hongli, Hongli, is this all you're going to embroider—two big red lychees?"

Ruofu became increasingly dissatisfied with what he said.

And this is what they dare to use to compete for favor?

Why can't her amazing embroidery skills be exposed to the light?

"Alright, send it out. If it's still these kinds of soups, poems, purses, and handkerchiefs in the future, you don't need to bring them to me for special inspection. Have someone check them carefully, and if there's nothing else mixed in, let her deliver them."

"I'm pregnant now, so my eyes are precious. I need to see more beautiful things so my baby girl can grow up to be beautiful."

As she spoke, she lovingly touched her belly.

Shen Guang finally couldn't help but smile and said, "Yes, this servant has remembered."

After Shen Guang left, Ruo Fu looked around and suddenly ordered someone to bring the embroidered basket.

Su Xin: "Madam, we don't have any embroidered baskets in our room."

Ruof: ...

"Give me yours! You're such a blockhead!"

"oh!"

Su Xin looked bewildered but obediently went. She had almost learned the rules, and when Zhao Ying was not nearby, she would often follow along to serve her.

She knew that the Fujin was an impatient person, but very kind to the servants, so she didn't take her words to heart at all.

She went directly to her room, retrieved her embroidery basket, and presented it to Ruofu, asking quite naturally, "What would you like to embroider, Madam?"

Ruo Fu thought about it.

She was afraid that she wouldn't be able to finish embroidering anything too complicated in a short time.

"A handkerchief, that's the simplest."

Xin Xin nodded: "And what about the patterns?"

Ruofu thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up: "Orchids, perhaps?"

Xin nodded again, thinking that orchids were indeed simple and elegant. She then bent down and rummaged through the embroidery basket, first picking out a few light blue and tender green silk threads, and then preparing to find a piece of plain satin.

Turning around, he saw that Ruof had already reached out and taken the crimson and golden ones himself.

Xin's movements froze.

"Fujin (wife)".

"Um?"

"Didn't you say... you wanted to embroider orchids?"

"yes."

Ruof replied matter-of-factly, "I want to embroider a magnificent and opulent orchid!"

Only in this way can one be worthy of her, Sister Hua!

Xin Xin: ...

Alright, the Princess Consort is right.

She obediently began selecting fabrics, but Ruofu suddenly remembered that when she tallied the revenue of the dowry shops at the end of last year, one of the jewelry shops had sent back a box of loose pearls and gemstones. They weren't very big, but they were colorful and had all sorts of things.

He immediately ordered Su Xin to go to the storeroom, find it, and bring it over.

Looking at the bright red and purple silk threads in front of her, symbolizing wealth and prosperity, and then imagining an orchid adorned with pearls and jewels...

He remained silent for a long while.

Nothing more...

As long as the Princess Consort is happy.

"Yes, this servant will go right away."

With a smile, Su Xin led the two maids to the storeroom.