The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

Zhenshu frowned, "What does the princess plan to do?"

"Of course it's to create momentum."

Zhenshu didn't understand, but that didn't stop her heart from skipping a beat.

Jin Yuyan said slowly, "My child can neither be the eldest son nor the legitimate heir, so let's give him a title that no one else has! Didn't the Crown Prince leave some people for us in the capital? Think of a way to find some knowledgeable people to create some unusual phenomena. Whether it's auspicious omens or celestial signs, the point is to make people gradually believe that the most fortunate and noble prince in the palace in the future will definitely come from my womb."

Zhenshu looked troubled.

This is easier said than done.

But faced with her master's request and thinking of her mother's demands, Zhenshu remained silent for a long time before finally forcing herself to say, "Yes, this servant will find a way."

-

The Imperial City, Yongshou Palace.

The Empress Dowager leaned against the couch, closing her eyes to rest. Fu Jia entered from outside, dismissed the servants, and leaned down to whisper a report in her ear.

The Empress Dowager slowly opened her half-closed eyes, a fleeting look of surprise crossing her face: "Did she really say that?"

Fu Jia nodded: "Wang Qin heard it with his own ears, so it can't be false. That servant is extremely greedy. Now that he has finally become the chief eunuch in the imperial court, his appetite has grown even larger as he sees His Majesty ascend the throne. I went to great lengths to finally get him to talk."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager smiled gently: "He is indeed greedy, but if you only see him as greedy, you are underestimating him."

Fuga was taken aback.

"He's been by the Emperor's side for quite some time now, how could he not know what can and cannot be said? If he truly doesn't want to spit it out, no matter how much silver you offer, he won't dare to speak up easily." The Empress Dowager slowly fiddled with the beads in her hand: "He dared to tell you because he calculated that if I heard it, I wouldn't cause trouble for Lady Fucha, but would instead remember her kindness."

Fogg quickly realized what was happening.

The Empress Dowager's smile deepened: "Fucha was originally the primary consort, and she has rendered meritorious service in bearing children. Over the years, she has managed the household affairs without ever making a mistake. It's only a matter of time before she becomes the Empress. Wang Qin delivered these words to my ears today, doing me a favor on one hand and speaking well of the future Empress on the other. Even if Fucha finds out one day, she will only think that he, the chief eunuch, is sensible. In short, he has played the good guy on both sides and even got a sum of money for free."

She chuckled softly, "He's a cunning old fox; we can't underestimate him."

Fu Jia smiled as well: "The Empress Dowager sees things very clearly."

The Empress Dowager did not speak of Wang Qin again, but lowered her eyes and gently stroked the prayer beads with her fingertips: "However, in any case, this time, I appreciate Fucha's kindness."

Seeing through the situation, Fu Jia quickly smiled and said, "If you ask me, it was the Empress Dowager who had the best judgment back then, choosing such a consort for His Majesty. When His Majesty first bestowed the marriage, he seemed rather unwilling. But now, as these years have passed, I've observed that when things really come to a head, it's actually the consort who is more likely to be listened to by His Majesty than the other one."

The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow slightly, clearly pleased: "Who says otherwise?"

When she chose Fucha, she valued family background, social standing, the support the Fucha clan could provide for Hongli, and the girl's steady and capable demeanor from a young age.

Who knew that he had such a temper in private?

Lady Fucha had been married to Emperor Hongli for many years and was indeed ruthless. She managed the entire Prince Bao's mansion like an iron barrel. News from the various master courtyards, especially from her own main courtyard, was kept tightly under wraps. Anything that could get out was good news and praise for her virtue.

If it weren't for the covert operation, there would be some things that even she would have difficulty discovering the truth about.

Thinking of how Ruo Fu dared to point his finger at Hongli and curse him, and the sharp words that came out of Zhang Li's mouth, the Empress Dowager couldn't help but laugh.

But this is good too. Last night, Fucha's words to Hongli were quite pleasing to her ears.

It seems that all the pent-up dissatisfaction with Hongli over the years was finally released through those words.

She also began to look at Lady Fucha with increasing admiration.

As expected of a noble lady raised in a prestigious family, she may argue and quarrel, but when it comes to important matters, she is clear-headed more than anyone else.

At this moment, Fu Jia said again, "Now that the matter of Jingren Palace has been settled, you will be the rightful and unique Empress Dowager. As for Cining Palace, I heard that His Majesty has already sent people to urge its repair. It should be ready in a few days, and then Your Majesty can officially move to the palace."

The Empress Dowager's eyes showed even greater satisfaction.

Fu Jia hesitated for a moment, then remembered something else: "But... regarding the Imperial Observatory, there's something about the 'noble son' theory..."

The Empress Dowager's smile faltered, and before she could speak, a palace servant suddenly came to report: "Your Majesty, Princess Hengti has arrived, accompanied by Princess Hualan and Prince Yongheng."

The Empress Dowager hurriedly said, "Please come in quickly."

The curtain was quickly drawn back up.

Hengti walked at the front, followed by Hualan and Changbai.

All three children were dressed in mourning clothes, and each held a food box in their hands.

The Empress Dowager smiled upon seeing this: "What are you doing? How come you two are so well-behaved today, even knowing to come together to show your respect to me?"

Hua Lan opened the food box first and took out a bowl of soft and sticky vegetarian porridge. Heng Ti also took out her portion, which was a bowl of light and refreshing vegetarian noodles, garnished only with a few tender green vegetables.

Changbai stood to the side, respectfully setting out the chopsticks and utensils for the Empress Dowager.

Hengti smiled and said, "I heard that Empress Dowager has not had a good appetite these past two days and has been eating very little. So, Brother Bai thought of having us go and pick out some fresh vegetables and rice ourselves, and then watch the small kitchen make them. My elder sister was watching over the fire to make the porridge, and I even picked the greens for the noodles. I just hope that Empress Dowager will take pity on our meager filial piety and eat more."

The Empress Dowager's gaze involuntarily fell on Changbai.

The latter felt her gaze and respectfully offered her gold-inlaid jade chopsticks: "Grandma, since I was little, I've often heard my mother say something like this: even if the sky is about to fall, you must eat first. If you're well-fed and have enough energy, life will get better day by day."

Hengti sat down next to the Empress Dowager, took her arm, and softened her voice: "Empress Mother, Father is gone, but you still have me, your elder sister and brother, Hualan and Baige'er. We are all with you."

Hua Lan pushed the porridge forward, saying, "Yes, Grandma, please take good care of yourself. We little rascals are counting on your protection!"

The Empress Dowager looked at the three young and innocent faces before her and was speechless for a moment.

"Alright." The Empress Dowager gently patted Hengti's hand, then looked at Hualan and Changbai, her voice slightly hoarse: "I'll eat. Even if I have no appetite, I have to give you face since you made this yourself."

Hua Lan immediately smiled.

The three children took turns handing over spoons and serving noodles, with Changbai even testing the bowl to see if it was too hot.

Fu Jia stood by and watched, unable to help but laugh.

The Empress Dowager used most of it in one go.

After the meal, the children stayed and talked for a while longer until the Empress Dowager finally showed obvious signs of fatigue on her face, at which point the three children got up to take their leave.

The Empress Dowager watched them leave.

The curtains fell, and the room fell silent again, but the warmth left by the family bliss from just moments before had not dissipated.

Fu Jia stepped forward to clear the bowls and cups, and was about to bring up the matter he hadn't finished speaking when he heard the Empress Dowager suddenly call out, "Fu Jia."

"This servant is here."

The Empress Dowager leaned back on the soft pillows, her expression calm: "Tell the Imperial Observatory that they must never mention the matter of a son of noble birth again."

Fu Jia was slightly taken aback.

The Empress Dowager's gaze fell on the curtain, and after a moment, she said, word by word, "My eldest grandson will always be the most precious."

Fu Jia immediately understood, lowered his head and smiled, "Yes."