The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

The morning light is dim.

Shilan slowly woke up in Zhang Yun's arms.

The absurd fatigue from last night has mostly dissipated, and I feel refreshed.

She glanced up and met a pair of smiling eyes.

Zhang Yun, who had been awake for an unknown amount of time, was quietly watching her, his gaze focused and gentle.

Seeing that she was awake, his smile deepened, and he lowered his head to gently kiss her forehead: "Good morning."

Shilan's cheeks flushed slightly, but her heart was filled with sweetness. She returned his bright smile and said, "Good morning."

The two got up to wash and dress, and the atmosphere was more harmonious and natural than ever before.

As Songzhi led her maids to serve her, she saw her young mistress sitting in front of the mirror, occasionally making eye contact with her husband, who was having his hair tied up by a servant behind her.

In the exchange of glances, affection flowed silently.

Seeing this, Songzhi was overjoyed and smiled as well.

Her good girl has finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel.

After dressing up neatly, the two went together to the main courtyard to pay their respects to their elders.

The main hall of the British Duke's Mansion is spacious and has already gathered a lot of people.

Shilan kept her eyes straight ahead, first following Zhang Yun in bowing deeply to the Duke and Duchess of England, who were seated at the head of the table. Then, she took the teacup that had been prepared from the maid and presented it with both hands, her demeanor dignified and her voice clear and bright: "Father, please have some tea."

Duke Zhang Qing of Yingguo was about forty years old. He was tall and strong, and had the air of a seasoned general who had been tempered in battle. He was imposing without being angry.

However, at this moment, looking at his bright and elegant second daughter-in-law, a warm smile appeared on his solemn face, and he nodded repeatedly: "Good, good!"

He took the teacup and drank it all in one gulp. As he put the teacup down, he casually handed over a heavy, red-gold envelope: "From now on, we're family. If Yun'er ever neglects his duty, just tell your mother. When I get home, I'll discipline him for you!"

Shilan smiled upon hearing this, but her eyes welled up with tears, because the Duke of Yingguo's appearance, demeanor, and words all overlapped with the image of her brother Nian Gengyao in her memory.

She said from the bottom of her heart, "My husband is doing well, so you can rest assured."

He then suppressed his emotions and turned to Madam Chen Ning, the Duchess of England: "Mother, please have some tea."

Today, Chen Ning wore a festive crimson robe with a lotus flower design, and her joy was evident in her eyes and brows.

She took the tea, her gaze sweeping over her son and daughter-in-law. Seeing the satisfied and happy look in her son's eyes and brows, she felt even more at ease.

Everyone envied her for the large and prosperous family of the Duke of England, saying that she was very fortunate to have three sons.

Only she knew how much trouble it was to have so many sons, especially when each one was so opinionated!

Especially the second son, Zhang Yun, who has been stubborn since childhood.

Dissatisfied with his father's plan for him to pursue a career as a civil official, he secretly slipped out of the mansion at the age of ten, carrying only a fixed amount of travel expenses, and dared to travel thousands of miles to the Longxi army to seek refuge with his second uncle!

He absolutely refuses to come back!

The family had no choice but to claim that he was unruly and had to be sent to the army to temper his character.

That wasn't entirely untrue; in order to force that brat to come home, the second brother deliberately made him suffer a lot.

He started as a lowly soldier, living, eating, and training alongside the other soldiers. Sometimes, he was even deliberately made to be difficult, given more and more tiring training than others.

Unexpectedly, this kid persevered and later rose through the ranks to become a tenth general and then a captain based on his solid military achievements. Now, he has been promoted to the position of commander of a battalion under the Yunzhou Road Patrol Office, a proper seventh-rank military officer, and is in charge of his own affairs.

He has made something of himself, but he has also become an eagle that has left the nest.

He's never home!

What troubled her even more was that this boy was also stubborn when it came to marriage. After he turned fifteen, no matter how much she urged him, he refused to return to the capital to discuss marriage.

If she hadn't hardened her heart and lied about being seriously ill, she probably wouldn't have been able to fool this stubborn mule.

Heaven have mercy!

Unexpectedly, not long after he returned to Beijing, he met Shilan at the polo field and fell in love at first sight.

From that moment on, he was haunted by her dreams.

Although the marriage was fraught with twists and turns and delayed for many years, the lovers were finally united in marriage.

Chen Ning was filled with emotion. Looking at the perfect couple before him, he felt that nothing could be more perfect.

She smiled and drank her tea, then slipped a thick red envelope and a jade bracelet with a bright green hue onto Shilan's wrist: "Good child, this will be your home from now on. Yun'er is straightforward and sometimes doesn't think things through, so please be understanding and keep an eye on him."

"I will keep my mother's teachings in mind," Shilan replied softly.

Next, Zhang Yun led Shilan to meet her family members one by one.

The eldest brother, Zhang Xian, was in his thirties. His face bore a seven-tenths resemblance to the British Duke. He was physically robust, but his temperament was more reserved and composed.

He nodded to Shilan, saying little but with a gentle gaze.

Just as Zhang Yun had said, his sister-in-law, Shen, was indeed a gentle and beautiful woman.

Her maternal father was originally a fierce general under the Duke of Yingguo, who once saved the Duke's life on the battlefield, and later retired due to injury.

In fact, Shen and Zhang Xian had known each other since childhood and shared a deep bond.

Shen Jingwan smiled serenely, her shallow dimples making her appear approachable: "Second sister-in-law, please come to my courtyard to chat often in the future."

Shilan agreed.

The third brother, Zhang Yan, had just turned ten. He was a lively and active age, with a chubby face. He was very proper when bowing, but his eyes were full of curiosity when he looked at her.

"Second sister-in-law."

After exchanging greetings, he seemed to want to say something, but after glancing at his parents above, he held back.

Shilan felt a little strange, but she didn't want to ask any more questions at this moment.

Two other adorable little boys, led forward by their wet nurse, were Zhang Xian and Shen Jingwan's sons.

The older one is five years old and his name is Zhang Rui, and the younger one is three years old and his name is Zhang Ming.

Hearing the two little ones calling her Second Aunt in their sweet, childish voices, Shilan's heart melted even more.

After meeting the person.

Chen Ning said frankly, "I don't know about other people's lives, and I can't control what they do, but I'm not one to enjoy crowds. They usually eat in their own courtyards, and only on the first and fifteenth of the lunar month do the whole family eat together. You're the same."

Shilan nodded.

"Unless my sister-in-law is also craving the food from Mother's house, she can come."

Zhang Yan suddenly interjected.

Chen Ning immediately glared at him: "What are you saying? Your second sister-in-law wouldn't be such a glutton like you, would she?"

wrong.

Chen Ning then changed her tune, saying, "If you can't speak properly, then shut up. Your mother has a light palate, and we don't eat the same things."

This brat's words made me think that she, as a mother-in-law, was keeping everything to herself behind closed doors!

Chen Ning gave his eldest son a wink, "Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on this brat and not let him spout nonsense?"

Zhang Xian immediately pulled his underling behind him, looking helpless.

If Mother had said less and sent my second brother and sister-in-law back home after she finished speaking, wouldn't this kid have had no chance to talk nonsense?

Chen Ning waved his hand, looking exasperated, telling them to disperse quickly.

Shilan smiled broadly as she watched the family's seemingly complicated situation.

Zhang Yun quickly took the person away.

After leaving the main courtyard, he took Shilan's hand and slowly walked back.

On the way, he whispered to Shilan:

"Our family is small. My father and eldest brother are mostly stationed at a military camp on the outskirts of Beijing, returning only every ten days. My third brother is studying at a school, so he is not often home during the day either."

"You know your mother's temperament; she's very reasonable and kind, and she loves you..."

"My sister-in-law has a good temperament, and in the past two years, my mother has gradually entrusted her with some of the household chores..."

He described each person's personality and preferences in detail, leaving no stone unturned, clearly out of concern that Shilan might be feeling uneasy since she was new to the area.

Shilan heard it and felt warm inside.

This thoughtful and meticulous care touched her more than any sweet words.

Looking at his serious profile, she suddenly felt a mischievous urge: "Judging from what you're saying, everyone in your family is so easy to get along with, you certainly won't let me suffer any injustice. But if I really feel wronged in the future and make a scene, wouldn't it all be my fault?"

Zhang Yun paused, turned around to face her, and asked without hesitation, "Of course not! Nobody's perfect, and even family members sometimes make mistakes or say inappropriate things. If you feel unhappy, you must not keep it to yourself. Holding in your anger is very harmful to your health. If you have a temper, express it; if you have a reason, explain it clearly."

Shilan's initial probing thought instantly turned into deeper ripples, yet she still deliberately pressed on, "What if I lose my temper and they dislike me, thinking I'm troublesome? Won't you be caught in the middle?"

Zhang Yun looked at her, his gaze clear and firm, and said, word by word:

"No problem."

"Now that I have married you, I am one with you. We will share honor and disgrace, advance and retreat with one heart. If that day ever comes, I will certainly stand by your side."

His words resonated deeply.

Shilan heard this, and even though reason told her that life is unpredictable and people's hearts are fickle, her heart was still swelled with immense joy.

She smiled brightly without any attempt to hide it, and shook her hand, which was clasped tightly with his.

"I've remembered! My husband must keep his word!"