The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

Ruyi was taken aback: "What cabinet?"

Jin Yuyan smiled and said, "The so-called noble child, to put it simply, is the first child born after the emperor ascends the throne. There is a saying among the people that when a new emperor ascends the throne, everything is renewed, and this first imperial heir naturally benefits from the fortune of the new dynasty. Such a child has a noble destiny and is a child of great nobility. If you really want to make Yuanxin restless, you might as well use this saying."

Jin Yuyan continued, "Continue using the medicine as usual for a while. When the time is right, announce that you are pregnant. Also, have people spread the word about this precious child. If she truly has another master, she will surely try to send a message out once she finds out. At that time, you only need to arrange for people to keep an eye on her, and once she makes a move, you can follow the clues."

Ruyi's eyes immediately lit up: "This method is excellent. But I've never heard of this 'precious child' before. Is there really such a custom?"

Jin Yuyan rolled her eyes inwardly.

Does it really matter whether there are such superstitions? Are all those so-called auspicious omens and strange phenomena in the world truly acknowledged by God himself?

She smiled patiently and said, "Sister, are you confused? This is just a saying. There are so many old stories in and out of the palace, how many can be traced back to their ancestral origins? But you must have heard the saying, 'Three men can make a tiger.' When a piece of news spreads to everyone, even a falsehood becomes the truth."

Ruyi seemed lost in thought, but her expression clearly hadn't fully recovered yet.

Jin Yuyan, growing anxious, decided to be even more explicit: "Of course, if such words are only passed around privately by palace maids and eunuchs, their weight is relatively light. But if they come from the mouth of someone of high rank and influence, someone who is always respectable, then it's a different story. It's a pity that your aunt..."

Ruyi's expression changed slightly. She seemed to suddenly realize that she had spoken out of turn, and quickly showed a look of annoyance: "Look at me, why did I bring this up of all things? Please don't be angry, sister."

Ruyi didn't react, but said softly, "It's alright, it's all in the past."

Jin Yuyan continued cautiously, "Actually, it doesn't matter if there aren't any elders like that. In the palace, these kinds of things ultimately come down to fate. If you could find a way to get someone from the Imperial Observatory to mention it, wouldn't that be more effective than anyone else saying it?"

Ruyi was indeed somewhat tempted, but after thinking for a moment, she said, "The people of the Imperial Observatory are not easy to bribe. If we go to them rashly, we might just leave ourselves open to criticism."

Jin Yuyan almost couldn't catch her breath.

She really wanted to crack open Ruyi's head to see what was inside.

My aunt was once an empress, and Ulanara was not a poor woman who suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Could it be that after all these years of managing things in the palace, she hasn't even left behind a single capable person?

It's truly infuriating to think about it. If Jin Yuyan had an aunt who had been an empress, how could Ruyi have been sitting in front of her every day, putting on airs? What is the eldest son? What is the Consort? What is the Empress? They were all defeated by her long ago!

But of course, these words could not be uttered.

Jin Yuyan had no choice but to suppress her anger and coax her gently, "Sister is right. It's indeed difficult to directly contact the people from the Imperial Observatory. But it's not necessarily something you have to do yourself. If only I had someone outside the palace who could do it for me... Alas, it's a pity I came alone from the Yu family, my family is thousands of miles away, and I really have nothing to rely on in the capital. Otherwise, what harm would there be in me doing this for you?"

These words truly warmed Ruyi's heart, and her gaze towards Jin Yuyan softened: "I am already very grateful for your kindness, sister. As for the Imperial Observatory... I'll go back and think of a solution."

Jin Yuyan breathed a sigh of relief.

Finally, you understand human speech! Go back and find your family!

Just as Ruyi had figured this out, she suddenly frowned: "But there's still one more problem."

Jin Yuyan strained with all her might to keep her expression straight: "What?"

"Now that the Empress and Consort Hui are both pregnant," Ruyi said slowly. "Even if I were to spread the word about having a son, and... become pregnant myself, I would still fall behind them. How could my child possibly be the one to receive the title of 'Noble Child'?"

A glint suddenly flashed in Jin Yuyan's eyes.

She almost wanted to slam her fist on the table.

That's why I told you to be bolder and do it!

An empress and a concubine, both pregnant, stood in front of them like two heavy rocks.

Since you're convinced the Empress has harmed you for so many years, why not sacrifice yourself and drag those two down with you? Then everyone will be childless, and whoever has the first child will be the most precious—wouldn't that be clean and efficient?

But she didn't show it on her face at all, and quickly said with a smile, "Why are you getting so hung up on this, sister? Didn't the whole palace say that the Empress is definitely carrying a princess? I heard that even her little clothes and shoes are made in the style of girls. Even the Emperor said it in public. Since the Empress is so sure, then it must be a princess."

Ruyi thought about it and realized that it was indeed true.

Jin Yuyan added, "Since she's a princess, she naturally won't bother you, sister. As for the one in the Imperial Concubine's womb..."

She paused deliberately, her smile deepening: "Whether it's a boy or a girl is ultimately up to fate. There's no sign of a baby yet, so who can say for sure it's a prince? Besides, it's not like I'm really going to get pregnant."

Ruyi paused for a moment.

Jin Yuyan laughed, "We're just using the pretext of the precious child to lure Yuanxin and the person behind her out. Once they're caught and the matter is cleared up, your pregnancy will naturally be over. Why bother competing with the Empress and the Imperial Concubine for who gets pregnant first?"

After hearing this, Ruyi nodded, unable to hide her melancholy.

Yes, she just wants to find out who's behind it all.

She's not actually pregnant.

Thinking of this, she unconsciously placed her hand gently on her lower abdomen, and a feeling of indescribable bitterness welled up in her heart.

If it weren't for those years of contraceptives, if it weren't for those shady methods, wouldn't she already have her own child by now? Perhaps she would already be walking, talking, and nestled softly in her arms calling her "Mother."

Jin Yuyan took in her expression but did not disturb her. She simply lowered her eyes and took a sip of tea.

After Ruyi left Qixiang Palace, Zhenshu personally escorted her to the palace gate before quickly returning.

As soon as she entered the hall, she could no longer suppress her smile: "Your Highness is truly wise! I was worried that the news of the noble son wouldn't spread easily. If we let our own people spread it around, it could easily be discovered by the Empress. Now, it's perfect that it's being spread through Consort Xian's mouth!"

Jin Yuyan leaned back on the couch, a slow smile spreading across her lips: "If it weren't for everyone in the palace being as docile as clay idols, I wouldn't bother using her. I wonder if she's capable enough to get things done for me... No, I can't rely on her entirely. You should keep an eye on things from the sidelines and lend a hand when needed, lest she drag things out and ruin everything."

Zhenshu immediately nodded: "This servant understands! The talk of a noble son must have originated from Yanxi Palace; it has nothing to do with us!"

Jin Yuyan nodded in satisfaction.

Zhenshu hesitated for a moment, then said, "But Your Highness, the Empress and the Imperial Concubine are pregnant with…"

Not everyone can be a princess.