The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

"Hurry, hurry!"

"Oh dear, my little darling, the carriage is bouncing around so much, what are you doing reading? You'll hurt your eyes!"

On New Year's Eve of the tenth year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, the Prince Bao's mansion was bustling with activity.

Wearing a thick cloak, Ruofu stood outside the second gate, arranging for the children to get into the carriage. She first helped Hualan into the carriage, and then watched as the wet nurse settled Yonghuang in. Only when she turned around did she see her own son, Changbai, still standing under the eaves, holding a book in his hands, not even lifting his eyelids.

Ruof rushed forward and snatched the book from his hands.

Changbai's hands suddenly went empty, and he slowly raised his face to look at Ruofu quietly.

Ruo Fu felt a pang of guilt, but then he thought, "I'll never let that brat get ahead of me again!"

So, steeling herself, she reached out and gently pinched his cheek: "It's the New Year, cheer up!"

Changbai's cheek was pinched so hard it tilted slightly, but he still didn't show any expression.

Inside the carriage, Yonghuang peeked out from behind Hualan and asked softly, "Sister, how did Mother tell that Brother Bai was unhappy?"

Hua Lan also looked her younger brother over and answered confidently, "Probably just a guess!"

"Everyone, sit down. It's cold outside, be careful not to catch a chill." Ruofu shoved the book into Zhaoying's hand and patted Changbai on the back. "You should go up too. Today is a banquet at the palace, not an exam. Stop putting on that old scholar's face."

Changbai silently boarded the carriage.

After settling in, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a nine-linked ring. He lowered his head and began to solve it by himself.

Hua Lan and Yong Huang exchanged a glance and couldn't wait to start playing cat's cradle. The three of them played their own games and were quite relaxed.

Ruofu was outside instructing Hailan, who was staying behind to look after the house: "Today is a big day. The Prince and I are not in the manor, so the courtyards are bound to be lax. You must keep a close eye on the main kitchen. Nothing that goes into the food can be handled carelessly. Add two more teams of people to patrol the front and back courtyards, especially the storeroom, pharmacy, and kitchen. Be careful of any suspicious people approaching."

Hailan lowered her head and replied, "Don't worry, Madam, I've already made the arrangements. The wine and beverages dispensed today have been recorded separately, and it's clear who received how much."

"That's good." Ruofu thought for a moment and added, "On New Year's Eve, after a year of hard work, it's not a big deal to have a few drinks, but we still have to be careful. If anyone gets drunk and causes trouble, gets into fights, or steals chickens or dogs while drunk, they should all be tied up and expelled from the mansion when they sober up tomorrow."

"Yes, I understand."

Ruofu was relieved and helped Shen Guang into the carriage.

She had barely settled into her seat when the carriage curtain was lifted from the outside, and Hongli arrived late.

Ruof couldn't help but frown: "So many people are waiting for you! You're so slow and inefficient; even the kids are faster than you!"

Hongli paused in his ascent to the carriage, then casually said, "There was an urgent official matter in the front courtyard. I only came over after I finished dealing with it. It wasn't intentional delay."

In the corner, Changbai's fingers, which were unraveling the nine-linked rings, suddenly stopped. He looked up at Hongli but said nothing, then lowered his head again and continued to fiddle with the nine-linked rings.

Hongli seemed to sense something and looked over. Seeing that his son hadn't noticed them, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Ruofu was too lazy to argue any further, and said irritably, "Alright, let's go. I still need to take Hualan to pay her respects to Mother. You'll be taking care of the two boys by yourself, so please be careful."

"That's alright, that's alright."

The coachman cracked his whip, and the carriage slowly drove out of the palace.

Today, as he was about to enter the palace for a banquet, Hongli did not want to argue with Ruofu any longer, so he simply turned the conversation to his children.

He cleared his throat: "Have you all memorized the congratulatory message I asked you to prepare for the Emperor yesterday?"

Yonghuang immediately sat up straight and replied loudly, "Father, I have remembered! Your grandson wishes Your Majesty a long and healthy New Year!"

Although her voice still had a touch of childishness, she pronounced every word correctly.

Hongli smiled and said, "Not bad!"

He then looked at Hualan.

The latter then counted on her fingers and said in a serious tone, "Hua Lan wishes Grandma good health, a good appetite, sweet sleep, and happiness every day. She also wishes Grandma to become more and more beautiful!"

Hongli: "...That works too!"

Ruof was quite satisfied: "What our Hua'er said is true."

Encouraged, Hualan immediately added, "Then I wish Grandfather a happy new year without getting angry!"

Ruof nodded: "That's more practical."

Hongli pressed his temples, deciding to set aside his anger for the moment and turn to Changbai, who had been keeping his head down: "Where is Brother Bai?"

Changbai remained silent; he had already solved half of the nine-linked rings.

Hongli couldn't help but remind him, "Father knows the sentence I gave you was a bit long, but you have the best memory, so you should remember it. There are many people in the Qianqing Palace today, and your Grandfather is also watching from above, so you can't afford to make any mistakes."

Changbai then said, "I've memorized it."

Hongli breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile returned to his face: "It's good that you've remembered it. You are your father's eldest son, so even though there are many people at the banquet today, there's no need to be afraid. Just say what your father taught you, and your imperial grandfather will be pleased to hear it."

Changbai nodded.

Hua Lan was nestled in Ruo Fu's arms, pestering her to ask if there would be almond shortbread and milk cake at the palace banquet, and did not notice what was happening here.

Yonghuang lowered his head.

The carriage drove all the way into the palace gate.

Upon arriving at the palace, Hongli first led Yonghuang and Yongheng to the front to pay their respects to the emperor, while Ruofuzhe led Hualan to Yongshou Palace.

Yongshou Palace was exceptionally lively today.

As soon as Ruo Fu entered the room, he saw that besides Fu Jia, Consort Xi was sitting two elegantly dressed young ladies.