The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

Wang Shiping choked up, then shook his head with a bitter smile: "Never."

"Very well, very well indeed." Madam Wang sneered, "You've really grown wings and climbed up the social ladder. You don't even respect your own mother anymore! Fine, very well, then I'll pretend I never gave birth to this daughter!"

She slammed the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand onto the tatami table and turned away.

Wang Shiping opened his mouth, but ultimately swallowed back the words of reconciliation.

My mother is like that; once she sets her mind on something, that's it. She could only be persuaded to change her mind when my father was alive. Now that he's gone, it's unlikely anyone will be able to change her mind.

He let out a long sigh.

He looked up and saw his wife, Zhou, coming towards him.

"Mother, you still can't see things clearly?" Madam Zhou looked at the Buddhist prayer beads on the table, her voice low and her tone flat. "My second sister and third sister, one is vicious and acts impulsively, the other is kind-hearted, filial, and virtuous. One is now just a mediocre wife, while the other is the rightful mistress of the Dongchang Marquis's mansion. Which one is better, which one is inferior? Why can't you understand, Mother?"

"Shut up!" Wang Shiping hissed. "If you have nothing to say, go back to your room and look after You-ge'er and Ning-jie'er. You have no right to speak here!"

Zhou glanced at him, her gaze calm and unwavering, yet it made Wang Shiping feel somewhat guilty.

She didn't argue anymore, but simply bent her knees slightly, turned around and left without the slightest hesitation.

After walking some distance, Madam Zhou whispered to her trusted nanny, Xu, "Go and tell Auntie the date we'll be setting off to escort the coffin back home. Also, prepare a generous gift, something respectable and thoughtful, paid for from my dowry, and sent in my name. Tell her it's a small token of my appreciation as her aunt, to congratulate her on her joyous occasion, and also to express my good wishes to Hua'er and her unborn children."

Granny Xu hesitated slightly: "Madam, the master and madam just said they would never associate with Third Aunt again. Wouldn't our actions...?"

Madam Zhou scoffed, "Some people would rather hold onto worthless mud than discard a pearl; they're blind and foolish. I'm not stupid. My third sister is a Marquis's wife, the legitimate daughter and son of a noble family—what an honorable status! Having such a ready-made, promising cousin is a blessing for my sons, You and Ning, and a great asset for their future. They may not care about kinship, but I do."

Granny Xu understood and respectfully replied, "Yes, this old servant understands. I will take care of it immediately and make sure it is done properly."

-

Holding the letter that indicated the auspicious time of the Wang family's departure, Wang Ruofu felt a heavy weight of grievance and bitterness pressing down on her heart.

The departure of my father's coffin to return to his homeland for burial is such a momentous occasion!

But her mother didn't even bother to inform her of the date. It was clearly because of her older sister that she had completely enraged her and wanted everyone to know that the Wang family had such an unfilial and disrespectful daughter.

Wang Ruofu felt a lump in her throat, her vision blurred instantly, and tears streamed down her face.

"Miss..." Ah Chang, who was watching from the side, felt her heart clench and couldn't help but step forward to hand her a handkerchief.

Wang Ruofu took the handkerchief, wiped her face vigorously, and took a few deep breaths.

She raised her head and instructed, "Prepare all the items for the roadside memorial service. Incense, candles, paper horses, offerings, and food—all must be the best. Also, prepare mourning clothes according to custom… for me, the Marquis, and Hua-jie, all of us."

Ah Chang agreed, but stood still, saying indignantly, "Miss, the old lady is confused. One day she will regret treating you this way."

Seeing Ah Chang standing up for her, Wang Ruofu felt a little better. She smiled through her tears and took Ah Chang's hand, saying, "Silly girl, I know you all genuinely care about me, and that's enough."

These days, she's been staying home to rest and prepare for childbirth. Although her husband is very caring towards her, when she's alone, she can't help but think about what happened at the funeral hall that day over and over again, and she increasingly agrees with what Shilan said.

In this world, even among blood relatives, there is no reason why anyone should be expected to open their heart and soul to another.

Parents have their own biases, and siblings have their own karmic connections.

You can't force it, and you can't change it.

She used to long for her mother to love her like she loved her older sister, and to give her a fair and just recognition. Because of this, she was anxious and cautious, which made her life complicated and uncomfortable.

But they forgot that they were not without love.

When she was little, her uncles, aunts, cousins ​​and siblings always doted on her.

After getting married, her husband cherished her dearly, and her sister-in-law, Shilan, was her pillar of support.

Not to mention her Hua Jie'er, who was so lovely and wholeheartedly dependent on her as her mother.

And there's Ah Chang.

So many people like her and treat her well; she should be content, cherish it, and repay those who treat her with even more sincerity.

Instead of trying to please those who don't like her.

Thinking of this, Wang Ruofu felt the tightness in her chest completely dissipate, and her eyes became clear and firm.

She looked at Ah Chang, who was still angry on her behalf, and smiled, "Alright, I've figured it out, I'm not sad anymore. Good Ah Chang, you've been so devoted to me, I can't let you down. Don't worry, I've always remembered what happened between you and Wang Ping. But firstly, we're in mourning at home, and as your daughter-in-law, and you're my head maid, I can't rush to arrange your wedding; secondly, although Wang Ping is clever and loyal, he still lacks experience and composure. I just want him to achieve something so that your life will be better after you marry him."

"Now that the Wang family is escorting their remains back to their hometown, some of their struggling businesses in Beijing will inevitably have to be sold off. I'm thinking of buying them so that Wang Ping can stay and manage them."

Originally, she was worried that her mother and brother would not allow it, which would delay Ah Chang's future.

But now that her sister-in-law Zhou has shown goodwill first, it is only natural for her to make a request.

Ah Chang was stunned. She never expected that the usually careless girl would consider so much for her: "Miss... I... I don't want to get married anymore. I just want to serve you for the rest of my life..."

Wang Ruofu deliberately put on a stern face: "Really? Well, I'll take that seriously then. That's great, I can't live without you either..."

"Oh dear, young lady!" Ah Chang stamped her foot in exasperation, forgetting all about being shy: "I...I just...I just wanted to be reserved..."

The master and servant started laughing and joking, and the previous gloom was swept away.