The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

"Well done, Wang Ruoyu, and Princess Funing."

Shilan's voice was calm, yet carried a chilling undertone: "They oppress the good and treat them as inferiors, even using the name of our Dongchang Marquis's Mansion to commit violence and injure people, attempting to frame the mistress. Do they really think our Qin family is made of clay, to be molded and manipulated by them?"

She looked at Steward Li: "Quickly send someone to Yangzhou to redeem that concubine and settle her properly. You must personally go to the family that was beaten, arrange medical treatment for them, and comfort them. Also, in the name of the Marquis of Dongchang's mansion, give them a sum of silver as compensation—five hundred taels will do. Make sure to explain to them clearly that the Marquis's mansion had no intention of condoning the servants' violence; it was a villain who framed them. To show our stance, the Marquis of Dongchang's mansion is willing to hire the most expensive lawyer for them to seek justice. Afterwards, if they feel that the capital has become a place of sorrow, we can also go all the way and buy them a house in Jiangnan so they can start over."

Her gaze was sharp as a knife: "The only condition is that they not only file a lawsuit, but they have to do it with great fanfare, making it known to everyone!"

"I will make sure that Lady Kang is driven out of the capital!"

Manager Li, who had followed Shilan for many years, immediately understood.

The young lady was planning to use this opportunity to her advantage, not only to clear her name but also to permanently condemn the Kang family's concubine to shame, thus eliminating any future trouble.

He bowed and replied, "Yes, I understand. I will handle this matter properly."

"Go ahead." Shilan nodded.

After Steward Li left, the side hall fell silent for a moment.

Shilan then turned to Wang Ruofu, who had been listening silently with a pale face, her tone softening slightly but still carrying an unyielding directness: "Sister-in-law, what do you think of my approach?"

Wang Ruofu is shallow-minded, easily influenced, and readily believes people, especially her family. This nature makes her particularly vulnerable to being taken advantage of. People often make others feel better by taking advantage of her, which inevitably makes her seem foolish.

In fact, she had managed the household affairs of the Marquis's mansion for many years, handling all the interpersonal relationships with other mansions without ever making a mistake. She had always handled things perfectly and was a qualified matriarch.

It is clear that he is by no means a complete fool who is ignorant of the stakes involved.

At this moment, she had already understood Shilan's entire plan.

Oppressing the good and degrading them is a serious crime.

Once the case is brought to court and the evidence is conclusive, the Kang family will be disgraced. As for the eldest sister, who is the culprit, the best outcome would be to be sent back to her hometown and never be allowed to set foot in the capital again.

She knew that Shilan was forcing her to make a statement and giving her one last chance to choose.

Sending her elder sister's in-laws to their doom and forcing them to send her back to her hometown means completely severing the sisterly bond.

If the father or mother presses for answers...

Wang Ruofu's heart pounded, but facing Shilan's gaze and thinking of her elder sister's actions, she hardened her heart again.

She doesn't care about sisterly affection; she's not the kind of person who would do that.

After a long silence, Wang Ruofu looked at Shilan with complete trust in his eyes and said firmly:

"I'll listen to you!"

-

The flower hall in the backyard of the Prince Pu's Mansion.

Wang Ruo sat to the left of Fu Ning, her back slightly hunched and her body leaning forward, displaying a servile demeanor, yet her face betrayed an undisguised smugness.

"Princess, rest assured, everything is prepared. I personally selected the lawyer; he is exceptionally capable. The witnesses have also been arranged. We're just waiting for those peasants to come to their senses, and then a lawsuit will be submitted to Shuntian Prefecture. At that time, I guarantee that the reputation of the Dongchang Marquis's family for oppressing the good and allowing their servants to commit murder will spread throughout the streets and alleys!"

Princess Fu Ning sat upright on the warm couch in the main seat, toying with a sweet white glazed teacup in her hand. Upon hearing this, she didn't even lift her eyelids.

Wang Ruoyu, observing her expression, quickly moved closer, her tone becoming even more obsequious: "Princess, you see, I've almost finished with this matter. Now, about my husband's job..."

Princess Fu Ning slowly raised her eyes, her gaze falling on Wang Ruoyu's anxious yet humble face, a sarcastic smile curving her lips.

"What, are you afraid I'll renege on my debt?"

She spoke slowly, seemingly casually: "A minor official position of the eighth rank? My younger brother is the only heir of the Emperor, the future Crown Prince. Even a better position is just a matter of a word for him."

Wang Ruo was overjoyed, her face beaming with happiness, and she was about to kowtow in gratitude.

Princess Fu Ning abruptly changed the subject: "But you've handled this task so poorly, and you still have the nerve to claim credit?"

She placed the teacup heavily on the small rosewood table beside her!

"I'm dealing with Qin Shilan, not your sister!" Princess Fu Ning frowned and said coldly, "The disgrace of the Dongchang Marquis's mansion might have some connection to your sister, the mistress of the house, but how much does it really hurt Qin Shilan, a married woman? Her family's reputation is tarnished; at most, she'll be embarrassed in her husband's family for a while. Would the Duke of Ying's mansion divorce her over something like that?"

Wang Ruo's smile froze: "Princess..."

Fu Ning looked at her and scolded, "Back then, I wanted to find a pretext to lure her out of the Dongchang Marquis's mansion before her marriage. Once a young lady leaves her home, whether she's pure or impure is up to us, isn't it? But who knew you couldn't even handle such a small matter. You're truly useless!"

After being subjected to this barrage of insults, Wang Ruoyu's face turned pale and then red, but she didn't dare to utter a single word in rebuttal.

Of course, she wouldn't dare to trick Qin Shilan out of the manor on behalf of Princess Fu Ning, and then have someone smear her reputation.

If she really did that, not only would the Marquis of Dongchang's mansion be offended, but even the Duke of Ying's mansion would probably be severely offended.

At that time, Qin Shilan will certainly have no way out, but how can Wang Ruoyu possibly get away with it?

I'm afraid even the entire Kang family will be buried with them.

Even her father couldn't protect her!

She simply wanted to curry favor with Princess Fu Ning to secure some benefits for her own family and to help the good-for-nothing Kang Haifeng get a better future. If, in the process, she could also bring that little bitch Wang Ruofu down from her pedestal, that would be the best outcome.

Thinking back on his several visits, he noticed that the Dongchang Marquis's mansion was becoming more and more extravagant each day.

All she wanted was some money to tide her over, but that brat put on a troubled look, which made Wang Ruoyu hate her to death.

Who can't see through her terrible acting skills?

Pooh!

They've clearly grown too big for their britches and look down on their down-on-their-luck older sister.

And then there's that little vixen, Xiu Niang. She's just a lowly village girl who, relying on her seductive looks, has already bewitched Kang Haifeng before she even entered the house!

This is a good opportunity to have Princess Fu Ning's people sell her far away; otherwise, once she enters the manor, she will surely become another major threat.

If it weren't for such a great opportunity to kill three birds with one stone, she wouldn't have gotten involved with Fu Ning and gone to such lengths to please him.

But seeing Fu Ning's arrogant demeanor and the extreme ruthlessness he revealed, Wang Ruoyu couldn't help but feel a sense of fear.

I regret getting on this pirate ship.