The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

Rong Pei?

Could it be that palace maid who suddenly appeared after Ruyi became the Imperial Noble Consort?

Yes, that's her.

Ruo Fu actually had a pretty deep impression of this person. He was said to be straightforward and intolerant of any wrongdoing. He couldn't stand the palace's corrupt practice that anyone who wanted an easier job, anyone who wanted to curry favor with a respectable master, or anyone who wanted to rise from a lowly palace maid to a higher rank had to pay bribes first.

Ruyi also took her into her fold and gave her important responsibilities after she witnessed Ruyi's outspokenness in exposing the eunuch's acceptance of money for favors in public. Ruyi felt that Ruyi was not afraid of power, acted uprightly, and had a chivalrous heart, which suited her very well.

At the time, it seemed to make a lot of sense.

But now, looking back on it again, Ruofa felt that something was amiss.

Those practices of buying and selling jobs and exchanging money for positions in the palace were naturally considered corrupt and unethical.

But Rong Pei still managed to squeeze past those senior palace maids and rise to the top as soon as she arrived at Ruyi's side, becoming the head maid.

Just like the Qingzhi Courtyard right now, whether it's Yuanxin or Suxin, aren't they all old-timers who have followed Ruyi for many years? But as soon as Rongpei arrived, they were all pushed to the back.

Is that fair?

Moreover, it's still unknown how capable Rong Pei is at managing affairs, but he certainly has the air of authority!

He's like a bodyguard specially trained by Ruyi, always ready to strike wherever he's told, swift and efficient.

"oops!"

Ruo Fu suddenly slapped her forehead, startling Hua Lan so much that she almost dropped the fruit in her hand: "Empress Mother, what's wrong with you again?"

"It's alright, it's alright." Ruofu looked annoyed.

She suddenly remembered!

The night Hailan hit Hongli with a stick, she wondered if she should keep someone like that who could fight by her side!

If you encounter someone who doesn't understand human language and keeps trying to move forward even after you've explained the rules three times, just knock them back with a stick. It's much easier that way!

Who knew she'd forget about it after taking a nap? What was she busy with again?

Oh, I remember now, I'm busy tidying up Qingying and A'ruo who came to my door looking for help!

That's fine.

She also gained Hailan, a ruthless and decisive civil official who could manage even those who couldn't understand human language with just a set of palace rules.

It's both satisfying and morally damaging, and you don't have to worry about giving others leverage against you later.

Ruo Fu immediately felt relieved and comfortably leaned back on the cushion. She thought to herself that she wouldn't be afraid if she had to take action someday. Now that she was the empress, she could easily apprehend anyone with a single order.

Thinking of this, her slight regret for Rong Pei vanished instantly, and the more she thought about it, the more she felt that this person and Ruyi were truly a match made in heaven, mistress and servant.

They disapproved of the corrupt practices in the palace, where people fawned on the powerful and bullied the weak, and where money was required to pave the way for everything. Yet, they never saw the powerful women, after rising to power, turn around and try to rectify these practices.

Whether it's Ruyi or Rongpei, once the latter becomes the Empress and the other becomes the Empress's most trusted confidante, they can certainly begin to deal with each other!

Those who deserve punishment should be punished, those who need reform should be reformed, and then those oppressed palace maids and eunuchs should be given a proper path to advancement.

Over time, won't the social atmosphere improve?

They, on the other hand, do nothing and just let things drift!

Ruo Fu suddenly said, "Now that your Lady Qing has such a capable person by her side, it's time to keep a close eye on her manners. Your Aunt Hailan has helped me manage so many things, big and small, in the manor over the years. Even if she hasn't made any great contributions, she has certainly worked hard. Once she enters the palace, it's time to raise her monthly salary and promotion."

Hua Lan immediately understood: once Aunt Hai Lan was promoted, her responsibilities would naturally expand to more extensive areas.

A look of intense amusement flashed in her eyes.

The carriage also slowly came to a stop at this moment.

After Hongli ascended the throne, the six palaces naturally needed to be relocated, and Ruofu still chose Changchun Palace for herself.

Hua Lan is nine years old this year, still very young. Ruo Fu is reluctant to let her move too far away all at once, so he still asks her to live with him in the side hall of Changchun Palace.

As for that brat Changbai... despite his young age, he moved to the front yard to live alone from the time he started school, saying it was to concentrate on his studies.

The same applies now that she's moved into the palace. A few days ago, he came to her in a serious tone and told her that he wanted to move to the Xiefang Palace.

Ruofu was helpless; the child had always been someone with her own ideas, and all she could do was arrange for several suitable people to take care of her.

The servants of the Imperial Household Department have always had a bad reputation, but on the other hand, if these people really want to curry favor with someone and get things done with their hearts, their speed is indeed impeccable.

When she brought Hualan into Changchun Palace, everything inside and out had been tidied up and was ready to be put in by Zhaoying and the others.

This was the first time Hua Lan had moved since she was born, and she was incredibly excited. She specifically told Ruo Fu that she wanted to tidy up her house herself from start to finish.

If she didn't agree, she became even more excited. As soon as she entered, she busied herself directing people to move this and that, saying that she wanted to put a small couch by the window, and then complaining that the screen was too dark in color, making all the palace maids in the room run around in circles with her.

But before the house was even half-finished, Hengti arrived impatiently.

The aunt and niece, who have always had a good relationship, immediately gathered together, chattering and sharing their new finds.

Before long, most of the bracelets and rings on Hualan's arm had been given away.

Ruo Fu watched the two little girls waving their arms, listening to the tinkling of gold, silver and jade ornaments, laughing innocently. He found it amusing, but he was also genuinely happy.

Her daughter was meant to be like this.

I wouldn't be reluctant to part with a bracelet, nor would I overthink a piece of jade.

No matter how fine gold and jade jewelry may be, in the end it is nothing more than inanimate objects used to make people happy. It is useful if your daughter is happy wearing it, and it is also useful if you are happy when you give it away or see others happy.

In this lifetime, she never wanted to see her Hua Jie'er again, who, in order to manage the family's livelihood, meticulously calculated every penny in front of her, yet still had a furrowed brow and could not find a happy expression.

On one side, she was thinking about how to save up a large dowry and provide her daughter with financial security, while on the other side, the aunt and niece were discussing going out for a stroll. Neither of them lived in the palace. Although they often went to the palace, they usually went to the Empress Dowager's Yongshou Palace, or the Imperial Garden and Yangxin Hall. They had not yet explored Changchun Palace in detail.

Ruo Fu waved them off, only instructing them to take a few more people with them and not to wander off.

She herself wasn't in much interest. Since becoming pregnant, she had been unusually sleepy, and after only half a day in the palace, her eyelids were already feeling heavy.

Seeing this, Zhaoying quickly helped her back to the inner room.

Ruofu slept soundly, and when he woke up, he found someone sitting in front of his bed.

She squinted and looked at it twice.

This time they learned their lesson and knew to turn on the lamp.

Hongli was sitting by the couch watching her. When he saw her open her eyes, his eyebrows rose, and he said with a smile, "The Empress is awake?"

The word "Empress" was drawn out rather long, clearly implying a joke.

Ruo Fu had just woken up and was too lazy to argue with him. She simply stretched comfortably and then naturally stretched out a hand to him.

Hongli was taken aback, but helplessly reached out and gently helped her up, then casually tucked a pillow behind her back: "You're getting more and more demanding of me."

"Between husband and wife, there's no such thing as ordering someone around." Ruofu showed no restraint, adjusting his sleeves as he asked, "What time is it?"

"It's almost time to serve dinner."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Ruofu's stomach suddenly rumbled.

Hongli chuckled softly: "It seems my third princess is quite the little glutton. She's even more accurate with the timing than the imperial kitchen. She knows to wake her mother up right when it's mealtime."

"go!"

Ruofu shoved him irritably: "What do you know? A child who loves to eat is a blessed child. A little food can make her happy, which shows that she is grateful and easily satisfied. Such a child will be the most grateful and filial when she grows up."

Hongli hadn't expected his casual joke to elicit such a strong reaction from her. While surprised by her emphasis on the child in her womb, he was also somewhat amused and exasperated: "Yes, yes, my third princess is clearly a good child. As for food, once she's born, I'll have the imperial chefs prepare whatever she wants. She is my legitimate princess; would I possibly deprive her of even a single bite to eat?"

Only then was Ruofu satisfied.