The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

The next day, Songzhi, accompanied by two absolutely trustworthy old women, disguised herself and rushed over before dawn.

The three of them quickly prepared hot water, helped Shilan into the inner room to bathe and change, and quietly tidied up the mess on the carriage.

Shilan was sore all over and let them do as they pleased. There was deep exhaustion between her brows, but her eyes were filled with a layer of ice.

Zhang Yun, now fully conscious and with the effects of the drug worn off, waited outside the door, his face terribly grim.

He dared to use such despicable means against him at the palace banquet, almost ruining his reputation and nearly causing him to hurt his beloved wife. If he doesn't avenge this, he will write his name Zhang Yun backwards!

However, this matter is ultimately dishonorable, and even if it is eventually resolved between husband and wife, it is not advisable to publicize it.

After getting ready, Shilan and Zhang Yun rested for a while before dressing neatly and boarding a brand-new carriage to return to the Duke of England's mansion.

When facing his parents, Zhang Yun only vaguely mentioned that he felt slightly unwell after the palace banquet the previous night and had stayed at the newly bestowed Marquis's residence by the emperor, without revealing the whole story.

After Shilan arrived home, she immediately asked a trusted physician from the prefecture to carefully examine both her and Zhang Yun's pulses.

"Please rest assured, Lord Marquis and Madam, the potent nature of this medicine is that it only produces an aphrodisiac effect for a short period of time. After the effects wear off, there will be no serious harm, and it will not damage the body's foundation."

Upon hearing this, Shilan and Zhang Yun exchanged a glance, and their hearts, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down.

However, the matter could never end there.

That audacious palace maid, and the person behind her, must be brought to justice!

However, Consort Zhang in the palace was even more concerned about this matter than they were.

Consort Zhang was originally from a branch of the Duke of Ying's family, and was a close relative of the Zhang family, with blood ties that were not broken.

She owes her gratitude to Shilan for saving her at the palace banquet, which enabled her to safely give birth to the current eldest prince and later smoothly rise to the rank of concubine.

She will always remember this favor.

Moreover, Zhang Yun has made outstanding military achievements and enjoys the favor of the British Duke's family. Both in terms of public and private matters, he is the most solid support for her and her child's future.

She naturally wanted to uphold justice for the couple.

The palace maid was delicate and, though ambitious, she was even more afraid of what would happen to her after the incident. She didn't last long before spitting out her own words.

"The Marquis of Fu'an's residence? The Xue family?" Upon hearing the news, Shilan narrowed her eyes in confusion, still unable to recall who it was.

Songzhi: "But what about that Xue family... whose maternal family has a younger sister who was saved by Deputy General Han, yet they repaid kindness with enmity, demanding that he divorce his wife and relinquish his position as the principal wife?"

Shilan also remembered, and immediately sneered: "So it was her. What a fine Madam Xue, indeed virtuous and generous. What a fine Xue family, the daughters of the family are indeed all very well-mannered. The youngest daughter likes to be a second wife to a married man, and the eldest daughter is also quite warm-hearted, thinking about taking a beautiful concubine for another man. Very good, truly very good."

She spoke slowly.

Songzhi felt a chill run down her spine. She looked at her daughter with fear, as if she were seeing another person.

Unfortunately, she wasn't the real "Songzhi" and didn't recognize that at this moment, Shilan was completely overlapping with the former Consort Hua, who was known for her beauty and ruthlessness in the harem, and whose presence was so striking that even a female mosquito wouldn't dare to give the emperor a flirtatious glance.

-

A few days later, the fourth daughter of the Xue family encountered another accident on her way back from offering incense.

Both incidents involved horses being pulled and startled, and both involved a passing man bravely rescuing a beautiful woman. However, the rescue was far more dangerous, to the point that, in full view of everyone, Miss Xue was embraced by the man.

But the problem is...

The man was no longer a young, promising, and handsome deputy general, but a wealthy middle-aged businessman from Jiangnan who had just lost his wife six months prior.

Rumors spread like wildfire throughout the streets and alleys of Bianjing.

Although the wealthy merchant was rich, he was also a widower with both a son and a daughter.

The Xue family was so angry they nearly vomited blood, but in order to protect the reputation of their other unmarried daughters, they had no choice but to reluctantly agree to the marriage when the wealthy merchant came to propose.

Despite her endless crying and fussing, Miss Xue could not bear the heaviest burden of the era—the pressure of reputation—and could only accept her fate.

While Madam Xue was already overwhelmed with worry about her sister's situation, trouble was brewing in her own backyard as well.

After a banquet with his colleagues, Marquis Fu'an brought back two beautiful concubines. They were alluring and skillful, and they bewitched him so much that he spent all his time indulging in their company and neglected his duties.

Madam Xue used her methods as the principal wife to finally get rid of one, but less than half a month later, the Marquis brought back an even younger and fresher one from somewhere, and he was extremely wary of her.

One day, among her husband's newly favored concubines, Madam Xue suddenly spotted a somewhat familiar face—

Back in the palace, the palace maid who was swayed by her money and empty promises, and who was bewitched into climbing into Zhang Yun's bed!

Such a precise and ruthless act of tit-for-tat.

Madam Xue understood everything instantly.

A chill ran down her spine, and she finally realized that she had not provoked a good-natured woman who was kind but not ruthless, who devoted herself entirely to men and lived off their favor.

Instead, he was an opponent whose heart was far from magnanimous, who was even more unscrupulous and ruthless than her.

Once such a person is provoked, they will not hesitate to retaliate in the most humiliating and painful way, doubly so.

She will not be given any chance to catch her breath or even beg for mercy.

She was so angry she almost ground her teeth to powder, cursing Qin Shilan a thousand times in her heart, but she dared not have the slightest thought of revenge or provocation.

They even became reclusive and law-abiding citizens.

-

Inside the British Duke's Mansion, Shilan was leisurely pruning a pot of newly blooming winter plum blossoms, her movements elegant and composed.

Hearing Songzhi's report that Madam Xue had become much more docile, a cold and mocking smile curled at the corner of his lips.

As expected, one shouldn't be too kind or amiable.

In previous years, life was too smooth. Her husband loved her, her son was well-behaved, and her family was harmonious. Even if she didn't deliberately restrain herself, there was really no reason for her bad temper to resurface.

In fact, if she hadn't been betrayed by Yinzhen in her previous life and lost her beloved son, why would her personality have changed so drastically?

Born into the Nian family, she was pampered by her parents and brothers from a young age, getting whatever she wanted. She admitted to being spoiled and domineering, but how could she be born vicious?

Now that she is calm and at peace, it is simply a continuation of the fulfillment she was meant to have in her previous life.

But there are always those who are blind to her kindness and think she is a clay idol who is easy to bully.

If you refuse a toast offered in kind, then you'll be punished with a few more drinks.

Unfortunately, those in power these days value benevolence and virtue. Even in the palace, servants who have committed offenses cannot be easily executed. As for that ambitious palace servant who personally poisoned someone in an attempt to climb the social ladder, Consort Zhang tried every means possible, but could only expel the person from the palace.

It took her a great deal of money and effort to send that beautiful and charming maid, who was also skilled in seduction, back to the Marquis of Fu'an's residence.

I hope Madam Xue will accept this return gift with care.