The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

"There are too many ways to prevent a child from growing up," Shilan said quietly. "Incense, diet, medicinal cuisine, sudden frights, and the accumulation of chronic poisons over time, even if it's only a tiny dose each time, can be enough to leave the child with a weak constitution over time."

If a child is physically weak, and has many siblings who have died young, people will assume that the child will eventually not be able to stand on his own.

At that time, any slight disturbance, a minor cold, or an ordinary fall will become a natural trigger in people's minds.

And when it comes to dealing with a child still in the womb, there are even more methods.

Shilan thought about what she saw behind her in the mysterious space.

Only then did I realize that the old empress had taken abortion to an extreme, using methods such as burying musk, red musk beads, and muscle-relaxing pills under the tree to kill people invisibly.

In comparison, the medicine she drank back then to prevent miscarriage was simply terrible.

It's laughable how she was so stubborn back then, believing that Consort Duan, that vile woman, orchestrated everything.

In the inner courtyard of the mansion, what woman with a name would be foolish enough to personally bring abortifacient medicine to the door?

Of course, even now that she knows the truth, she doesn't think Consort Duan is entirely innocent. Otherwise, why would the Emperor and Empress Dowager spare her life and grant her the honor of being a consort?

She did not regret personally forcing Consort Duan to drink that pot of safflower.

Her child died; someone has to pay the price.

Thinking of her son, who was already formed but had no chance to be born, Shilan felt a long-lost stabbing pain in her heart again.

Fortunately, she later read in the book that Yinzhen's offspring eventually dwindled, and of his few sons, some were stupid, some dull, and some useless. The only one he raised with high hopes was the illegitimate child born from Zhen Huan's affair.

This is absolutely gratifying!

Her emotions surged and ebbed as she reminisced, but Zhang Yun beside her remained oblivious, for he was chilled to the bone by the methods Shi Lan had so casually described.

Their British Duke's household has always had a small population; the three brothers were all born of the same mother.

The parents were a loving and harmonious couple. Although they had concubines, none of them bore children. In recent years, the mother secretly sent them to other residences. Those who were willing to remarry were given dowries, and those who were willing to stay were well taken care of.

Although she had long been aware of the power struggles and intrigues, she had never confronted the insidious methods of the inner quarters so directly.

Especially those that affect children.

"These words must not be spoken to outsiders," he solemnly instructed. Although his heart was churning, his first thought was still for his own family's safety. "This matter is of great importance. After some time, when I find an opportunity, I will remind Father of a few things."

If my father can find any clues by leveraging his influence, he will report it to the authorities.

For generations, the British Duke's family motto has been to avoid factional strife and to be loyal only to the government.

When it comes to the offspring of officials, it involves the very foundation of the nation. Even if it is just speculation, they must not let it pass by or treat it as a mere joke.

Shilan responded softly.

-

The main courtyard of the Marquis of Dongchang's residence.

Wang Ruofu stood there looking uneasy and guilty.

She couldn't hide her thoughts any longer and chose to tell her husband, Qin Zhengyang, everything that had happened during the day.

After saying that, he didn't dare to look up, waiting for the expected scolding.

After listening, Qin Zhengyang remained silent for a moment.

It's impossible to say I wasn't angry at all.

If Shilan hadn't discovered it in time, her family would have been in a different predicament in two days.

But seeing the person in front of her with slightly red eyes, yet obediently waiting to be scolded, the anger in her heart turned into helplessness and heartache.

He sighed and pulled her into his arms: "Alright, it's not entirely your fault. After all, she's your own sister, and you're the kind of person who treats others with sincerity and always expects them to treat you the same way. How could you withstand someone's scheming? Consider this a lesson learned. You can't judge a book by its cover. Don't trust strangers so easily in the future. Luckily, Shilan discovered it early this time, and it didn't lead to a major disaster."

Wang Ruofu buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled: "She's my own sister, from the same mother, how could she be an outsider? But after this incident, I also know that from now on, I will never trust her again."

She raised her head, her face stubborn, and said, "You, Shilan, and our Hua'er are the only people in this world who would never harm me. From now on, I will trust you and no one else."

Qin Zhengyang paused slightly upon hearing this.

He wanted to teach her the wisdom that people's hearts are fickle and that one must always be careful, but he swallowed the words back.

Wasn't he initially attracted to her because of her pure and innocent heart?

If she truly becomes suspicious and calculating, is she still his Joffre?

He smiled helplessly and shook his head: "Alright, if anyone tries to befriend you in the future, or asks you for a favor, just tell me, and I'll keep an eye on things for you."

Wang Ruofu nodded vigorously.

Qin Zhengyang then asked his daughter, "How is Hua Jie'er?"

"Fortunately, the injury wasn't serious. Jinshu applied medicine, and the marks have faded by now. However, she was worried about her aunt and fussed for half the night before finally falling asleep."

Speaking of her daughter, Wang Ruofu couldn't help but think of her injuries, and her anger towards Wang Ruoyu flared up again. She couldn't help but say, "This time, we absolutely cannot let her off easily!"

But just as this anger rose, the thought of her mother, who always favored her eldest sister, made her freeze again.

Looking worried, he said, "I'm afraid my mother will find out and come to plead for her... I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it. Perhaps I should take Hua'er to the estate for a while to avoid trouble?"

Actually, she was more afraid of her father than her mother.

Fortunately, my father was ordered to inspect the river works and provide disaster relief, and he had been away from Beijing for several months.

No matter what, once Wang Ruoyu is touched, it's only a matter of time before her father finds out.

The thought of her father's solemn expression filled Wang Ruofu with dread.

Qin Zhengyang reassured her, "It's alright. If your mother-in-law really asks, just blame it all on me and say it was my idea."

Wang Ruofu was still afraid. When facing her mother, she found it difficult to even speak, let alone shirk responsibility.

Qin Zhengyang then said, "Alright, it would be good to go to the estate to relax. It's early spring now, and the fruit trees in the estate outside the city are all in bloom, which is quite charming. Let's take Hua-jie and the whole family stay there for ten days or half a month."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruofu's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly, a genuine smile finally spreading across his face.

at night.

With her worries settled, Wang Ruofu quickly drifted off to sleep.

Qin Zhengyang quietly got up, put on an outer robe, and walked to the porch outside the door.

He summoned his trusted follower Anluo and whispered a few instructions to him.

"Go on, but make sure your hands and feet are clean."

"Yes, my lord, I understand."

After An Luo left, Qin Zhengyang stood alone on the steps and looked up at the clear, cold moon in the sky.

He straightened his clothes, turned around, and went back into the house.

Wang Ruofu slept soundly on the bed, completely unaware that her bedmate had gone out. Qin Zhengyang quietly got onto the bed, and only after the chill in his chest had dissipated did he embrace his wife's soft body again.

My sister and wife are ultimately women confined to the inner quarters; they are soft-hearted and their methods are limited to the small world of the backyard.

What's the point of simply letting Wang Ruoyu leave the capital? The punishment is too lenient, and it's hard to guarantee she won't make a comeback in the future.

Why not try to get involved with Kang Haifeng?

A family can only truly cease to exist when the man who is the head of the household is gone.