The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

The next morning, someone from the Imperial Household Department came and said that the Emperor had chosen Consort Xian.

When the news reached Yanxi Palace, Ruyi was first taken aback, but then a hint of undisguised joy appeared in her eyes.

Rong Pei was overjoyed and immediately said with a smile, "In the end, His Majesty still cares about Your Highness. Look, only one day has passed, and he has already chosen you."

The entire Yanxi Palace became lively as well.

The palace maids were busy preparing hot water, clothes, and incense, while the eunuchs ran in and out, all with the same joyful expression on their faces.

These lackeys depend entirely on their masters for their livelihood.

If their master is favored, they can walk with their backs straighter; if they are neglected for a long time, a word or a glance from someone else can make them lower their posture.

Ruyi didn't rush to speak, but her gaze slowly fell on Yuanxin.

After a while, she suddenly beckoned: "Yuanxin, come here."

Yuanxin seemed surprised to be called out so suddenly. She paused for a moment, but quickly went over and said, "Master."

Ruyi took her hand, her expression surprisingly gentle: "Have I been a little cold to you these days?"

Yuanxin hurriedly replied, "This servant wouldn't dare."

Ruyi sighed softly, "I know you feel wronged, but the palace is a complicated place these days, and I'm having a hard time myself, so it's inevitable that I'm a bit suspicious. But you're different from others. You grew up with me since childhood; how can anyone compare to our bond of so many years?"

May my heart bow its head.

Ruyi continued, "If I ever recover, I will naturally not forget you. As long as you wholeheartedly serve me now, I will never mistreat you, no matter where I go in the future."

Yuanxin quickly replied, "This servant understands."

Ruyi patted her hand as if finally relieved, and said, "Be careful with the medicine tonight. Since His Majesty is here today, there are some things we should prepare in advance... Do you still remember about the child?"

Yuan Xin's eyes flickered slightly, and she quickly nodded.

"This servant remembers."

"That's good."

Ruyi released her, a meaningful smile playing on her lips: "Go."

As dinner time approached, Yuanxin indeed went into the small kitchen to brew medicine, but not long after, she hurriedly came to find Rongpei again.

"Granny Rong, something terrible has happened! One of the medicinal herbs has gotten damp and spoiled. Unfortunately, this one is indispensable. I have to rush to the Imperial Hospital to get a new one, otherwise tonight's medicine might not be ready in time."

Rong Pei frowned: "Then what are you still standing there for? Hurry up and go."

Yuan Xin readily agreed and turned to leave.

Rong Pei stood there, watching her figure disappear, waiting for about a quarter of an hour before suddenly turning around and calling over two strong, sturdy old women: "You two come with me. The perfume the master needs for her bath tonight hasn't been retrieved yet, and the Emperor is coming soon, so we can't delay."

The two old women responded and followed.

However, the way the three of them left didn't seem like they were simply going to collect the perfume.

...It carried a somewhat aggressive tone.

Su Xin, who was tidying up her things in the corner, saw all of this and her heart suddenly skipped a beat. She subconsciously looked up and met Ruyi's gaze.

Ruyi sat by the couch, a smile playing on her lips, her expression calm and composed, as if she had everything under control.

Su Xin's unease intensified.

-

At dinner time, the food and wine delivered by the imperial kitchen were laid out on the table, and Emperor Hongli arrived on time.

Two eunuchs followed behind him, carrying a plaque covered with red silk. In front of everyone in Yanxi Palace, they unveiled the silk, revealing four characters: +

Praise be cautious in your praise of the beautiful sound.

Ruyi stared at it for a long time before asking, "What is Your Majesty's meaning?"

Hongli paused slightly, then smiled and said, "You've forgotten all that? There's a line in the Book of Songs: 'Da Si inherited the beautiful sound, and then a hundred sons followed.' Be careful in your words and deeds, be respectful and courteous, and you will naturally gain a good reputation. I think these four words suit you very well."

The smile on Ruyi's lips gradually faded.

"I appreciate Your Majesty's kindness. However, I feel..."

She paused for a moment: "It's a bit boring."

A hint of helplessness flashed across Hongli's face, but remembering the purpose of his visit, he didn't argue with her. He simply took her hand and, as they walked inside, said, "I'd like to tell you something interesting. Didn't our marriage begin with a single sound?"

Ruyi's eyes lit up immediately.

"wall--"

"Over the wall immediately."

Hongli readily accepted.

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Hongli led her into the house, and after they sat down facing each other, he continued, "So this inscription I gave you contains both my affection for you and my expectations for you."

Hearing this, Ruyi's heart finally softened: "Your Majesty's intentions have never been doubted by me."

Hongli nodded and reached out to hold her hand again: "I know that you have indeed suffered a lot of grievances since entering the palace. First, your aunt passed away, then you were punished with confinement, and the other people in the palace are not close to you. Sometimes they even deliberately ignore you. I have seen all of these things."

Ruyi paused for a moment, and her eyes instantly reddened.

Seeing this, Hongli's heart softened: "You've been wronged, Ruyi."

Ruyi's tears fell one after another.

"So even the Emperor knew."

I've kept them all in my heart.

Ruyi felt a mix of emotions, but mostly she was moved. In that instant, she even felt that as long as Hongli had said those words, all the grievances she had suffered in the past few days were nothing.

"But Ruyi, why can't you control your temper and be truly respectful to the Empress?"

Ruyi was taken aback.

Tears welled up in her eyes but remained frozen in place as she stared blankly at Hongli.

Hongli didn't avoid her gaze. Instead, he gripped her hand even tighter and said softly, "The Empress does have a bad temper, and I know that better than anyone. She's quick-tempered and speaks her mind. When she gets really angry, she'll say anything, enough to drive you crazy. But actually, she's more soft-hearted and more magnanimous than anyone else. If you really get along with her, you'll find that she's not hard to appease. Just smooth things over a bit and give in a little, and she won't really make things difficult for you."

Ruyi remained in a daze.

Hongli continued, "During these years in the Prince's residence, have you ever seen her reduce the allowance for someone she dislikes, or mistreat a child because they weren't her own? Didn't she care for Yonghuang and the others just the same? Even if you repeatedly displeased her, the only punishment she ever gave you was according to palace rules. If she truly intended to harm you, why would she go to such lengths?"

"She's the toughest person on the outside, but she's actually the softest-hearted."

Ruyi stared at him blankly.

He kept saying things that were meant to comfort himself, but they were all about how good the Empress was.

Hongli hadn't finished speaking: "And the people around you..."

He pondered for a moment and said, "Is it because they are not serving you well? Actually, I can make the decision for you. Yuanxin and Suxin are not young anymore, so why not prepare a generous dowry for each of them and send them out of the palace? I will personally select two truly loyal and reliable palace maids to keep by your side."

But you must also promise me that from now on, you will not contradict the Empress again, and you must observe the proper etiquette when paying your respects. She is the Empress, my first wife, and the head of the six palaces. If you always confront her in front of everyone, you will only hurt yourself in the end. Also, haven't you always wanted a child? I promise you, as long as you take good care of yourself, you will have one.”

Hongli paused, his tone softening slightly: "Even if it's truly impossible, I promise you, if any of my lower-ranking concubines give birth to a child in the future, regardless of whether it's a boy or a girl, I will give you one to raise, okay? Even a boy and a girl are fine, since they are all my flesh and blood, and equally noble."

Ruyi remained silent for a long time.

My heart grew heavier and heavier.

It felt like a stone was slowly pressing down on her, making it hard for her to breathe.

The disbelief in his eyes deepened little by little.

"Your Majesty... knows all this?"