The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

Compared to the cozy atmosphere of the main courtyard, the Qingzhi Courtyard was not so relaxed.

When Hailan arrived at the courtyard gate with several burly old women, Qingying had just finished writing a poem.

She gently put down her pen, picked up the paper, and examined it carefully. A soft, sweet smile slowly appeared on her lips.

Then, ignoring Su Xin's utterly dejected expression, she folded the paper herself, put it in an envelope, and gently handed it over.

"My brother Hongli sent someone to tell me yesterday that he would be free tomorrow and would take me out to see a play."

She lowered her eyes, her expression full of tenderness: "I don't have anything to repay him with. I suddenly thought of this poem last night. Please take it to him for me. He will understand once he reads it."

Su Xin finally responded: "Is Your Highness taking your concubine out of the manor?"

Qingying nodded with a smile.

"My first encounter with the prince was in the palace when I was watching a play with my aunt... I still remember that the play being performed was called 'Over the Wall and on Horseback'... Over the Wall and on Horseback, Distant—"

Su Xin's eyelids twitched violently, and she almost lunged forward, taking the letter from her hand: "This servant will deliver it right away!"

Qingying's words were abruptly cut off, and her smile faltered slightly.

However, she quickly regained her composure and simply nodded gently: "Go ahead."

Su Xin took the letter and turned to leave.

The moment the curtain fell, Qingying's composure vanished.

She immediately bent down, lifted her skirt, and stealthily walked to the door like a thief. She first peeked out, then winked at a maid in the courtyard.

The maid understood, and like a thief, she looked around, quickly grabbed a food box from the corner, and ran into the room.

"Secondary Consort".

Qingying lowered her voice: "Is the medicine ready?"

"Alright, it's still warm." The maid hurriedly put down the food box. "The Princess Consort specifically instructed that this medicine should be taken after dinner and before sexual intercourse, not too early or too late. Before long, the Consort might be able to get what she wants."

Qingying blushed slightly upon hearing this, but her eyes lit up with joy: "Hide it carefully, don't let Suxin see it."

"Yes."

Qingying then turned around and took out a porcelain bottle wrapped in soft cloth and a package from the cabinet, handing them to her together: "Take these with you too. They should be enough for the family for a while. Suxin's round trip will take some time, so be quick, but don't let anyone see you."

The maid took the things and was about to agree when she suddenly remembered the words the Princess Consort had repeatedly instructed her to say. She couldn't help but advise, "Second Princess Consort, the Princess Consort also said that we should bring in two more reliable people from the household. Since Su Xin is difficult to win over, we might as well not try. Your situation in this Prince's mansion is so difficult; you should have a few people around you who are truly loyal to you."

After listening, Qingying only sighed softly.

"How could I not understand... Actually, Su Xin doesn't have any bad intentions. She usually sides with me, and she will do her best to do whatever I ask. It's just that... she's terrified by the rules of this mansion, but we can't entirely blame her."

At this point, Qingying smiled softly, but there was a hint of bitterness in her smile.

"It's just that our prince happened to meet the most rule-abiding princess in the world."

The maid's lips moved slightly.

No, she's such a grown woman, isn't she just standing right in front of the concubine?

Having finally managed to infiltrate Qingzhi Courtyard, she not only helps with cover-ups and delivers things, but also secretly brews medicine. Isn't she a trusted confidante?

The maid felt stifled, but she couldn't say it directly, so she could only lower her head and agree.

Qingying continued, "But it's good to have another person. It'll be easier for them to bring things in and out of the house later. Alright, go now, be careful on the road."

"……yes."

The maidservant hugged her bundle tightly with a helpless expression, picked up the food box, and turned to walk out.

The door was only halfway open.

"what!"

A crisp sound rang out; it was the sound of porcelain shattering.

Qingying was stunned and stared blankly at the door.

His eyes met Hailan's gentle, affectionate gaze.

Hailan was dressed in simple clothes, still with that gentle, quiet, and harmless demeanor.

Behind him stood six burly old women in neat rows.

Then the tip of his nose twitched slightly.

Finally, she raised her head and gave Qingying a very polite smile.

"Secondary Consort".

She first gave a proper bow.

"There are a few discrepancies in the recent entry and exit records of Qingzhi Courtyard. I am here on the orders of the Fujin to confirm them with the Consort."

She paused, then her gaze slowly fell on the jewelry scattered on the floor.

"But now it seems like quite a coincidence."

"Are these the things the concubine is preparing to send out of the manor?"

Hailan's voice was as gentle as ever.

"Is it registered?"

Qingying stood there, frozen.

……

In the evening, Hongli finished his errands in the front courtyard and dragged himself back to the mansion, exhausted. He had just heard that Fucha Zhuying was pregnant and was overjoyed, but before he could even rejoice, he heard—

"Stuck in the house again?"

Wang Qinqian smiled and said, "...Yes."

Hongli closed his eyes and raised his hand to pinch his brow.

"What's it about this time?"

Wang Qin sighed inwardly and replied honestly, "A few days ago, when the wife of the Ulanara family came to visit the concubine, she secretly brought in a few packets of fertility-enhancing medicine. The concubine was so happy that she forgot the rules of the household and neither sent them to the pharmacy for testing nor registered them."

Hongli frowned.

"Besides, when Miss Hailan went to Qingzhi Courtyard to check today, she happened to see the maidservant beside Consort Qing delivering things. Several pieces of gold and jade jewelry, as well as the blue and white lotus-patterned jade vase that the master gave to Consort Qing before the New Year, were all not registered..."

Hongli's temple throbbed again.

Hailan, it's Hailan again!