The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Both the First Lady and Consort Gao are pregnant! The First Lady is just over a month pregnant with the imperial heir, while Consort Gao is about a month and a half pregnant."

When Hongli learned of the news, he rushed over and just happened to run into the imperial physician who had finished his diagnosis.

Upon hearing this, her initial worry was instantly replaced by surprise: "Really? You have both?"

The imperial physician quickly replied, "Your Majesty, there is no mistake."

"good!"

Hongli was overjoyed.

The late emperor had just passed away, and in principle, one should not show too much joy. However, the imperial heirs were genuinely overjoyed, and there were two of them at once.

If she were not his primary consort, she would be the Empress in the palace only one step away from being officially appointed. If she were to become pregnant again, she would give birth to another prince or princess.

Gao Xiyue has been with him for so many years, but her health has never been very good. Even the imperial physician said that it would be difficult for her to have children. Now she is pregnant. It is truly a blessing from heaven!

Emperor Hongli grew increasingly pleased with himself and immediately offered a reward: "The entire Imperial Medical Academy will be rewarded for diagnosing a pregnancy today—"

He stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence, and the smile on his face froze.

Hongli slowly turned his head and asked expressionlessly, "Then... what about the Empress Dowager?"

The old doctor's joy froze in an instant, and his expression suddenly became very troubled.

Hongli's heart skipped a beat.

Really? Although Empress Dowager isn't quite seventy or eighty years old, she's not young anymore. Besides, how long has it been since Father Emperor passed away?

If he really was a posthumous child...

If it's a princess, that would be fine, but what if it's a son?

She was just conceived, and it's still a long way off before she even arrives on the throne. Once she's born, she'll be nothing more than a baby in swaddling clothes. I've already secured my throne, so logically, a mere infant shouldn't be a concern for me.

But... what if? This is the Empress Dowager's own son...

The more Hongli thought about it, the more confused he became, and his face turned pale and then flushed. The imperial physician broke out in a cold sweat, stammering, "Your Majesty..."

Hongli snapped back to reality: "Speak!"

The imperial physician trembled with fright, quickly bowed his head, and said clearly and rapidly, "The late Emperor has passed away, and the Empress Dowager is overwhelmed with grief. She has lost her appetite for days and is also exhausted, which has led to stagnation of liver qi and disharmony of the spleen and stomach..."

After mentioning the symptoms more than ten times, the imperial physician, confident that he had been tactful enough, finally revealed the truth: "Just now, in a moment of panic, I also smelled an overly strong odor of meat, which caused my stomach to churn. With a little rest and two doses of stomach-soothing and calming medicine, I will be fine."

The Empress Dowager was so disgusted by the morning sickness of the future Empress and the guaranteed primary wife that she felt nauseous. To be honest, saying this would be too embarrassing for the Empress Dowager.

As expected of him, Qi Ru, the most reliable person in the Imperial Medical Academy.

Hongli: ...

Hongli remained silent for a full three breaths before slowly exhaling from his chest.

She couldn't help but glare at that damned imperial physician.

"What's your name?"

"Your humble servant Qi Ru."

"very good."

I've remembered you.

On the other side, Ruof looked down at his lower abdomen and couldn't help but smile.

This must be her Ru'er!

This little devil was the most charming and adorable of all the children in her past life. Now that she's been reborn, she's even better at choosing the right time to be reincarnated than her older siblings.

It came at just the right time, when she was about to become empress.

Well done! Now she is a legitimate princess.

Ruo Fu thought happily, and her stroking of her belly became even gentler.

My dear child, this time I will take even better care of you, making you beautiful and happy. If anyone dares to let you suffer even the slightest grievance, I will let them know what the might of the emperor is!

Just then, a voice, trembling with sobs, came from beside her: "My Ladyship..."

If you don't turn your head.

Gao Xiyue's usually bright and proud eyes were now bloodshot, and her lips were trembling slightly: "Madam, did you hear that? The imperial physician said I'm pregnant, a month and a half along. I... I really am pregnant, I'm going to be a mother! Is it true? You didn't bribe the imperial physician to make me happy, did you?"

By the end, tears were streaming down my face.

Ruofu, who had initially been annoyed by her nonsense, couldn't help but feel disgusted when he saw her crying like this: "Look at you! Being pregnant is a joyous occasion, why are you crying? If you cry your eyes out, people will think someone is bullying you. Why would I conspire with the imperial physician to lie to you? I'm not afraid of death, and how many heads does he have to use the imperial heir to make you happy?"

He spoke harshly, but his hand had already reached out and patted her shoulder to comfort her.

Upon seeing this, Gao Xiyue almost immediately rushed to her side, but considering her pregnancy, she didn't dare to actually rush at her. She could only grab Ruofu's arm and sob uncontrollably.

Ruofu sighed softly, "Alright, alright, it's true, you're going to have a child. Haven't you been thinking about it every day all these years? Now God has finally heard you, you should be happy. Stop crying, or you'll get a headache."

Gao Xiyue cried while laughing at the same time, making her look even sillier.

Ruof couldn't help but laugh along.

The oppressive and somber atmosphere in the hall, which was originally due to the national mourning, was slightly eased by this unexpected double joy.

Only Qingying remained motionless in the corner. The bowl of ham and chicken soup had already been taken away by the palace maid. Her hands hung at her sides, but her fingertips unconsciously rubbed against each other.

It trembled violently after being touched so lightly.

Qingying seemed to suddenly remember something and slowly lowered her head.

My fingers, which had just been scalded by the boiling soup bowl, were bright red, and blisters had even started to form in the worst spots.

She stared blankly for a long time, then slowly curled her fingers, hiding the slight sting in her sleeve.

Oh well, nobody cares anyway.

She lowered her head, seemingly lost in thought.

Hongli also failed to notice that he was helping Ruofu to cheer up Xiyue, but once Xiyue calmed down, he remembered the important matter.

"Neither of you can stay in the palace and continue your arduous work. The Princess Consort is still young and should avoid strenuous activity. Xiyue's pregnancy is especially precious, so she must be extremely careful in everything she does. Tomorrow—no, today—pack your things and return to your residences to rest. As for the funeral arrangements…"

Hongli's gaze swept over the crowd and finally landed on Qingying in the corner.

"It will be Qing..."

"I am not so old that I cannot move."

Just as Hongli was about to call out names, the Empress Dowager's voice rang out first.

The Empress Dowager slowly emerged from behind the screen. She had changed her clothes and regained her usual dignified elegance: "The imperial heir is of utmost importance. Since both the Fujin and Lady Gao are pregnant, they should naturally return to their residences to rest and recuperate. As for the funeral rites in the palace, I will preside over them."

Hongli frowned. At this juncture, if Qingying could achieve some merit, perhaps... "Empress Dowager has just been unwell, why bother with such trouble? Perhaps—"

"No need."

The Empress Dowager interrupted him calmly, her gaze sharp as if she could see right through him: "The late Emperor's funeral is a matter of state, not something just anyone can handle. I served the late Emperor for many years and have managed affairs large and small in the palace. Now that I am the Empress Dowager, it is perfectly right for me to take care of the late Emperor's affairs after his death."

The last few words were extremely clear and profound.

Hongli ultimately dared not confront the Empress Dowager in front of everyone for Qingying's sake.