The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

As for the third one...

She looked at the youngest woman, whose features were the most delicate and whose intelligence was undeniable, and couldn't help but chuckle.

Shouldn't it be Minglan, the most outstanding character in the original story, who also lived the most repressed life, but ultimately married the best?

However, she and Gu Tingye were eight years apart in age. If it weren't for Madam Qin interfering and turning the original Gu Tingye into the most despicable playboy in Bianjing, thus disrupting many of his marriages, how could a legitimate son of a marquis have fallen to the point of marrying the illegitimate daughter of a fifth-rank official?

In this life, with Bai Shi still alive, I have never made a move on Gu Tingye. Gu Tingye has always had a good reputation in Bianjing City, and I think he will marry a woman of equal social standing in two years.

The two of them are going to miss each other.

Shilan thought to herself, but felt no guilt.

She's not here to play matchmaker.

Indeed, in just one day, she had already gathered a clear understanding of the general situation of the Sheng family.

Compared to the original story she knew, the trajectory had changed drastically. After all, Wang Ruofu, who was supposed to marry into the Sheng family, was the eldest daughter-in-law of the Dongchang Marquis's mansion and became her own sister-in-law, giving birth to Hua Jin, Cheng Bai, and Ru Jin.

The Sheng family then turned to the Hai family for marriage.

Even without Hua Lan and Ru Lan, the Sheng family still has Jing Lan and Wei Lan; even without Chang Bai, there is still Chang Lin.

Shilan had to admit that this Lady Hai's methods were far superior to her own sister-in-law's. Despite marrying the same person and experiencing the same things, she managed to turn the situation around and make everything go in her favor.

It is said that when Lin Qinshuang was pregnant and coerced him, she did not make a fuss. Instead, she moved out of her parents' home and quietly asked Sheng Hong whether he wanted the beauty or his future.

After Lin Qinshuang witnessed firsthand how her once romantic lover, with whom she had made vows of eternal love, wavered and hesitated under the temptation of his future prospects, she finally nodded slowly in agreement to take him as a concubine.

The condition she proposed was that all children of the Sheng family, regardless of whether they were born of the principal wife or a concubine, should be brought to the main courtyard after birth and raised by her, their legal mother.

The same result, however, planted a deep thorn between Sheng Hong and Lin Qinshuang, this star-crossed couple whose love was so intense they could hardly contain themselves.

Later, Hai kept her word. Lin Qinshuang's children, Changfeng and Molan, were taken away from their birth mother at birth and raised by Hai herself.

Now, both children are raised to be closer to Hai Shi, calling her "Mother" repeatedly, but only calling Lin Qinshuang "Little Mother".

Recalling the information she had gathered, Shilan couldn't help but feel a deep respect for Madam Hai before her.

This kind of person is the truly intelligent one. No matter when, where, or what the circumstances, she can turn defeat into victory and make herself better than before.

Shilan raised her wine glass and walked towards Hai Shi, her smile becoming more genuine: "Madam Hai, I'd like to offer you a toast."

Hai was clearly taken aback that the Lady of Jingbian, a woman of noble birth and rumored to be quite arrogant, would take the initiative to show her goodwill. She was slightly surprised, but quickly raised her cup in response with composure and humility: "Madam Qin is too kind to you, I am unworthy of such kindness."

-

On the other side, the young women of similar age quickly became acquainted.

After exchanging names, someone suggested playing pitch-pot, which was immediately accepted.

Vilan was the first to be defeated, but she didn't care much and retreated to the side with a laugh.

Mo Lan and An Jie both made it through three rounds, demonstrating excellent accuracy and power, which drew cheers from the crowd.

The most exciting contest unfolds between Bao-jie'er Gui-fen and Sheng-jia's sixth daughter Ming-lan.

The two were the youngest, but their skills were the most exquisite. They scored one goal after another, keeping the score very close. The adults around them held their breath, and more and more people gathered to watch.

Ultimately, Minglan was too young and her strength was slightly lacking. Her last arrow missed by a little bit, and she was unfortunately defeated.

But her composure and superb skills at such a young age still won her widespread praise.

Guifen was genuinely impressed and, holding Minglan's hand, said, "Sixth Sister, in two more years, when your wrists are stronger, I definitely won't be your match!"

Minglan accepted the praise as she lost the competition, her face beaming with joy and her eyes sparkling.

Anjie couldn't help but look at Molan beside her and sincerely praised, "You look so quiet and gentle, I never imagined you were such a master."

Mo Lan smiled subtly and politely, her tone as humble as possible, but she couldn't help but reveal a hint of pride: "I don't have any other strengths, I just have one flaw, I always try my best to do everything to the best of my ability."

Even if she didn't like the thing itself.

She loved books more than pitch-pot, but since her mother had arranged for her to study with her sisters, she was determined to give it her all.

As promised by their mother, the polo they were to learn after returning to Beijing would also be the same.

Vilan, who was eliminated first, didn't care about winning or losing. She was already enjoying the various exquisite pastries on the table.

Thinking to myself: Let's have a competition, I'll eat first as a sign of respect!

The banquet ended with everyone enjoying themselves.

The happiest people were the young ladies, who were reluctant to part and made a promise to go to Yangzhou's famous market together the day after tomorrow.

-

On the return journey in the carriage, Sheng Hong was clearly in a very good mood. His daughters had performed exceptionally well at the banquet, bringing him great honor.

He looked at Madam Hai, who was sitting upright to the side, his face filled with undisguised pride and flattery: "The children are all doing so well today, all thanks to Madam's excellent guidance!"

The children were all in the carriage, and Madam Hai gave him some face: "Sir, you flatter me. It's the children's own merit that made them stand out."

Minglan played with the prize she won in the pitch-pot game today, which was one of the two exquisite gold and kingfisher feather butterfly hairpins worn by Lady Qin, the wife of the Marquis of Jingbian.

They were originally a pair.

She gave one of them to her mother, Ms. Hey, early on.

Holding the other one in her hand, she planned to give it to her mistress when she got back, so that her mistress would know how impressive she had been today!

The little girl was thinking happily when the carriage suddenly jolted and stopped. Caught off guard, the young ladies fell into a heap. Hai quickly grabbed the nearest one, Mo Lanwei, and shielded the youngest, Ming Lan, with her body.

Sheng Hong snapped out of his daze and was about to yell at the coachman outside when he heard the coachman cry out in a panic, "My lord, my mistress! There's someone collapsed in the middle of the road ahead!"

"Who is it?"

Sheng Hong was shocked and somewhat frightened.

After a while, the driver returned from checking the situation:

"It's a young man, and he seems to be injured!"

Sheng Hong hesitated, unsure of what to do, when he heard Hai Shi say, "Bring him up and take him home first."

His tone was calm, yet left no room for argument.

……

Upon hearing that female voice, Gu Tingye's tense nerves relaxed, and he let his consciousness sink into a dark abyss.