The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

When people are happy, time seems to fly by.

Before they knew it, it was time for the three-day homecoming ceremony, and the weather was perfect.

After bidding farewell to her generous and gentle mother-in-law, Shilan and Zhang Yun returned to the Qin family with a whole carriage full of lavish gifts.

As soon as the carriage came to a stop in front of the Qin residence, Shilan saw her second brother, Qin Zhengyang, waiting at the main gate, with Hua Jie'er in his arms.

She helped Zhang Yun down from the carriage, greeting him with a beaming smile: "Second Brother, Sister Hua."

"aunt!"

As soon as Hua Jie saw her, she broke free from her father's embrace and rushed over like a sparrow returning to its nest.

The little one hugged her leg tightly, buried his face in her skirt, and started to sob. His thin shoulders trembled, and tears streamed down his face, quickly soaking a small patch of fabric.

"Auntie, where did you go?"

Shilan's heart softened, and she bent down to pick her up, but Hua Jie'er twisted her body, suddenly raised her tear-blurred little face, clenched her little fists, and used all her strength to punch Zhang Yun's leg, who was watching with a smile.

"Bad guy!"

The child's voice was tender and full of accusation.

Zhang Yun was taken aback, then couldn't help but chuckle. He squatted down to be at eye level with Hua Jie'er and said gently, "Hua Jie'er, I'm your uncle, not a bad person. Hua Jie'er, have you forgotten? I even made you a beautiful rabbit lantern."

"You're a bad person! You stole Auntie!" Hua Jie'er pouted, tears still clinging to her eyelashes, her face stubborn.

She threw the lamp away as soon as she got home!

Bad people's lights are all broken!

Qin Zhengyang watched from the side, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

He was reluctant to let his sister leave home, but seeing her rosy complexion and relaxed demeanor, and the atmosphere surrounding her as she stood side by side with Zhang Yun, he knew that this marriage was excellent.

It can be extremely good, no matter how good it is.

I still can't bear to part with it.

Qin Zhengyang looked at his beloved daughter, who had spoken his mind, with great satisfaction, and couldn't help but think:

How about we hire a martial arts instructor for Sister Hua?

If she had been a little stronger, those two blows she delivered would have been even more satisfying.

Qin Zhengyang imagined the scene for a moment and felt much better. He then stepped forward and said, "It's good that you're back. Don't just stand at the door, come inside and talk."

As soon as the group entered the second gate, they saw Wang Ruofu already waiting by the screen wall, craning his neck to look around.

Upon seeing Shilan, her eyes instantly reddened. She quickly took a few steps, grabbed Shilan's hand, and looked her up and down, tears streaming down her face before she could even speak.

Just like Sister Hua.

Watching this scene unfold, Zhang Yun couldn't help but touch his nose.

He felt like a villain who had stolen someone's treasure.

Fortunately, Shilan was in high spirits, and the ease and joy in her eyes were genuine. Wang Ruofu looked at her again and again, and finally she stopped crying and smiled. The sadness of parting was replaced by a real sense of peace.

"Look at me, I've lost my composure."

Like Hua Jie'er, she had been thinking about Shi Lan a lot these days, and she also felt some resentment towards Zhang Yun. However, she was not a child like Hua Jie'er, but the mistress of the Dongchang Marquis's mansion.

Wang Ruofu pulled herself together, wiped away her tears, and looked at Zhang Yun: "My brother-in-law is here too. Has my Shilan caused you any trouble?"

That's what she said, but the look in her eyes as she gazed at Zhang Yun clearly conveyed one meaning:

If you dare to say yes, I'll take Shilan back.

Zhang Yun quickly waved his hands and shook his head: "No, no, absolutely not. Shilan would be perfect."

Wang Ruofu nodded in satisfaction and took Shilan's arm as they walked towards the backyard.

Zhang Yun stared at Shi Lan's retreating figure, who didn't turn back, for a long time before reluctantly following Qin Zhengyang to the study.

Meanwhile, in the flower hall, Shilan and Wang Ruofu took their seats, and the maids served tea in an orderly manner.

Looking at the table in front of me, I saw my favorite tea and pastries, with crab roe pastries prominently displayed.

Shilan picked up a piece, and the familiar taste melted in her mouth, making her feel even warmer.

Sure enough, it's still more comfortable to go back to my parents' home.

Ever since Hua Jie'er saw Shi Lan, she clung to her like a little rice cake, refusing to get down no matter how Wang Ruofu coaxed her.

Shilan smiled and hugged her tightly: "Let her be. I miss our Hua-jie too."

Wang Ruofu then stopped, but couldn't help asking, "How are the Zhang family members? Are you comfortable staying with them?"

"Everything is fine." Shilan nodded, a genuine smile on her lips. "My parents-in-law are open-minded and kind people, and they don't want me to set any rules. My sister-in-law is also easy to get along with, very courteous to me, and even allows me to manage things in my own yard. My third brother is young and lively, and my two nephews are well-behaved."

As for Zhang Yun… she paused, a soft light flashing in her eyes, and simply said, “He is very good too.”

Seeing is one thing, but it wasn't until Wang Ruofu heard Shilan's affirmative words with his own ears that he truly felt relieved: "Thank God, I knew that God would give our Shilan the best."

Shilan beamed with joy at the heartfelt words.

The two women, an aunt and sister-in-law, drank tea and chatted idly in a warm atmosphere.

After catching up on everyday matters, the two huddled together for a while to settle their accounts.

When Shilan got married, although her dowry was generous, it did not exceed the standards of the eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhang family, Shen.

Her businesses—the weaving workshops in Jiangnan, the restaurants in Bianjing, and the fleet she co-owned with maritime merchants—were naturally under her name, but were still managed by the Wang brothers.

The eldest son of the Wang family produced a Grand Tutor, so the sons of the second son's family had to avoid suspicion and could neither take the imperial examinations nor openly engage in business.

Managing Shilan's businesses became a win-win solution.

Of course, Shilan never treated them unfairly. In the early years, she generously gave each of the two brothers a 15% share.

She has always believed that only by spending real money will subordinates be truly willing to work for you.

Sure enough, industries across Jiangnan are now booming, and it's no exaggeration to say they're making a fortune every day.

As the two were engrossed in their conversation, a young maidservant suddenly entered and announced, "Madam, Madam Kang has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruofu smiled and said, "Please invite my sister in quickly."

Shilan hadn't figured out which Kang family it was or which sister it was, but Achang, who was standing to the side, suddenly changed his expression.

Nestled in Shilan's arms, Hua'er suddenly raised her head, hugged Shilan's neck tightly, and started to cry out, "Don't let bad auntie come! Don't let bad auntie come! Auntie, please chase her away for me!"

"Hua Jie'er!" Wang Ruofu felt embarrassed, not only because she was her own sister, but also because of the child's bold and impolite behavior.

Shilan's expression turned slightly serious.

Only your own child knows.

Hua Jie'er was the only child of the Qin family in this generation. She was born during the mourning period, and the whole family stayed at home to observe the mourning. As a result, all the love of the family was inevitably poured into this little darling.

Despite being pampered, she did not become unruly or unreasonable.

This child inherited her mother's temperament; she was kind and gentle. Even though all the elders in the family doted on her and loved her dearly, she remained kind and gentle to the servants and never threw a tantrum or deliberately made things difficult for anyone.

For her to blurt out the words to drive someone away, you can imagine what that person must have done.

Moreover, Shilan also came to her senses and wondered who this Madam Kang was.

Wang Ruofu's own sister is also the character in the original work who repeatedly stirs up trouble in the Sheng family and instigates Wang Ruofu to do all sorts of foolish things.

For example, he instructed Wang Ruofu to give his mother-in-law medicine, but secretly replaced it with poison.

It almost destroyed all the glory and stability of Wang Ruofu's later life.

Thinking of this, Shilan's eyes turned slightly cold.

Wang Ruofu, however, remained oblivious to social cues and went out of her way to explain to Shilan, "Perhaps it was because my eldest sister brought her son Jin'er over to play last time, and the child was spoiled and didn't know his place, which made Hua'er cry. It was just children playing around."

Shilan remained noncommittal, but simply looked up at Achang, who was standing to the side, and asked directly, "Achang, is that so?"

Ah Chang was taken aback at first, then glanced at Wang Ruofu, before making up his mind as if he were going to risk everything and said, "Auntie, you have to stand up for our mistress!"