The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

From this point on, Qin Zhengyang grew increasingly close to and trusted Shilan.

Especially when it came to dealing with Qin Nanyan, he almost completely followed Shi Lan's lead.

The reactions of the people in the Marquis's mansion to the deep affection between the two siblings varied.

Qin Nanyan was filled with hatred, especially after discovering that her parents seemed quite pleased about it.

They seemed genuinely eager to see such sibling affection, so much so that they subtly suggested several times that, as the eldest sister, she should also take this opportunity to enjoy time with her younger siblings.

This set off alarm bells in Qin Nanyan's mind.

The fever started that very night.

After that, she would fall ill every few days, which frightened Ying Qiongfang so much that she simply delegated all the responsibilities of housekeeping to her subordinates and devoted herself to taking care of her in her courtyard, even forgetting about her husband.

Qin's father was not to be outdone; almost every day, the first thing the two of them would ask about their eldest daughter as soon as they opened their eyes.

They naturally neglected their remaining son and daughter.

As a result, Shilan and Qin Zhengyang grew closer and closer.

-

Spring goes and autumn comes, and two years have passed in the blink of an eye.

August 19th is an auspicious day.

On this day, the Dongchang Marquis's residence was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful ribbons.

The sound of gongs and drums filled the air, and guests filled the house.

After all, it was the wedding day of Qin Nanyan, the eldest daughter of the legitimate wife, and Gu Yankai, the heir of the Marquis of Ningyuan.

The entire Hou family, numbering in the hundreds, had been preparing for this day for nearly half a year.

Shilan calculated the time and slowly got up to wash and dress.

Today, she specially chose a crimson red silk dress with gold trim, styled her hair in an elaborate and gorgeous updo, and adorned it with a red gold and kingfisher feather hairpin, making her look exceptionally refined and grand.

Baoqin couldn't help but exclaim, "The girl is so beautiful!"

Looking at the increasingly radiant young woman in the mirror, Shilan couldn't help but smile.

Perhaps it's true that one's appearance reflects one's inner state? Madam Qin wasn't bad-looking; after all, her parents were both quite the ladies' men. Even if her features weren't as refined as Qin Nanyan's, she was still a rare beauty. However, having been neglected by her family since childhood, she had become accustomed to hiding all her emotions, so others perceived her as either indifferent or kind.

But she wasn't like that.

Even if you've been deeply hurt, betrayed, or even died a heroic death.

She still has the same flamboyant personality.

They hold their heads high, look straight at people, and express their thoughts and ideas without any hesitation.

As a result, even her appearance became increasingly striking.

Although their facial features are completely different, they resemble five-tenths of each other from their past life.

Shilan nodded in satisfaction, the hair ornament swaying in a beautiful arc.

After a quick breakfast, Shilan led her entourage to her elder sister Qin Nanyan's boudoir. She had not forgotten her primary duty for the day—to escort her beloved elder sister to her wedding.

Before even entering the house, one could hear the mother's soft sobs and admonitions coming from inside.

Shilan paused slightly, lifted the curtain to look, and saw her mother, Ying Qiongfang, holding Qin Nanyan's hand tightly, her eyes full of reluctance and worry, yet forcing a smile, as she repeatedly tidied her daughter's already meticulously made wedding dress and hair.

"When you get there, you must follow the rules in everything, and never act on your own whims... But then again, your father and I raised you with all our love and care, not to send you there to suffer. If you are truly wronged, you must not hide it. Your father and I are here for you, understand?"

Upon hearing this, Shilan felt a sudden pang of sorrow in her heart.

In a daze, she seemed to see herself in her previous life, dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, about to marry into the Yong Prince's mansion, her mother holding her hand with the same earnestness and reluctance:

"You asked for this marriage yourself, and you chose this person yourself. Since things have come to this, I won't say anything useless. Just remember this: no matter what grievances you suffer in the future, you must not hide them from me. Your father is useless, but you have brothers, more than one. They are all flesh and blood of me, just like you. Therefore, I'm telling you this: as long as I'm alive, they will all be your support!"

Shilan's eyes welled up with tears, but she quickly regained her composure.

She stepped forward slowly, and instead of saying the somewhat sarcastic blessings she had prepared, she spoke with unusual calmness: "Elder sister, today is your joyous occasion. I wish you and your husband a harmonious and long-lasting marriage."

Sensing the sincerity in her words, Qin Nanyan glanced at her with some surprise, nodded gently, and thanked her.

Ying Qiongfang patted Shilan's hand with satisfaction.

Before long, the matchmaker said with a beaming smile that the auspicious time was almost up and the wedding procession had arrived at the main gate.

Qin Nanyan quickly picked up the wedding fan.

The wedding procession proceeded in a grand procession to the Ningyuan Marquis's residence.

As the bride's sister who was not yet married, Shilan naturally accompanied her to the banquet. However, she was getting older and could not show her face in the front courtyard. Instead, she was led to the flower hall in the back courtyard with the young ladies she knew.

As the group chatted idly, Wu Yueyin covered her lips with a round fan, leaned close to Shilan, and whispered with a hint of mockery in her eyes, "Your eldest sister has finally succeeded in marrying Prince Gu. It was truly no easy feat. If it had dragged on any longer, who knows what earth-shattering methods Prince Gu would have used!"

Sun Baoqi chimed in, "That's right! In the past two years, Young Master Gu has caused quite a stir in the city by trying to marry Sister Nanyan. Even my reclusive sister has heard about it quite a few times."

Shilan listened with only a faint smile.

The Marquis of Ningyuan and his wife looked down on the sickly Qin Nanyan, believing she was unfit for the role of a matriarch.

Gu Yankai was determined, using every trick in the book, even arguing with his parents several times, causing unrest at home, and almost losing his job in the camp.

Perhaps because it went too far, or perhaps because someone deliberately stirred things up, the story eventually got out and became a well-known scandal in Bianjing, attracting much discussion.

Ultimately, due to public opinion, Lord Gu and his wife reluctantly accepted the marriage.

At this point, Shilan herself hadn't expected her plan to be so effective.

You should know that at the very beginning, she just didn't want Qin Nanyan to marry into the Gu family with her "pure" reputation. Of course, it would be even better if Qin Nanyan could take less dowry with her.

In the original novel, Qin Nanyan first made a name for herself in the aristocratic circle with her talent and reputation, showing that although she was physically weak, she still had the demeanor of a noble lady. Gu Yankai gradually developed feelings for her in this "normal" interaction. When the Marquis of Ningyuan and his wife saw that their son liked her and that Qin Nanyan's reputation and talent were also acceptable, they went along with it.

But in this life, because she no longer lives a secluded life, and instead befriends a group of noble ladies from prominent families, such as Wu Yueyin, due to her skill in polo, Qin Nanyan has a preconceived notion that she will ruin her reputation in public, and is increasingly unwilling to go out and socialize.

To outsiders, she appeared even more frail and weak compared to the cheerful and active Shilan.

Furthermore, Gu Yankai had only met her once in his life, yet he developed an urgent desire to marry her. The more his family opposed it, the more drastic his methods became, leading Gu's parents to believe that their son was simply infatuated with lust and had lost his mind.

How could they not try every possible way to obstruct it?

In the ensuing struggle, a side branch seized the opportunity, escalating the situation and making it uncontrollable.

If this situation continues...

Shilan found it amusing.

In the original novel, the power struggles between Madam Qin and her mother-in-law will soon unfold after Madam Qin's marriage.

A mother-in-law who already harbors prejudice, and a daughter-in-law who is accused of being a "vixen" seducing her son and forcing him into marriage through rumors... this drama is bound to be even more exciting.

She could hardly wait to see the show.

Just as I was lost in thought, I suddenly heard a slightly noisy sound coming from the courtyard outside the window.

The youngest member, Sun Baoqi, couldn't sit still any longer and went to the window to open it.

A little girl in a pale yellow dress was angrily pointing at the tree: "Come down right now! How can you climb a tree when you're a guest in someone else's house? It's so improper!"

Climbing a tree?

Everyone's curiosity was piqued by these words, and even Shilan came to her senses and looked in the direction of the voice.

Just then, they saw a young woman, dressed in a light green shirt, perched on a tree branch outside the house.

She was carefully cradling a baby bird in her hands, and said softly, "Big sister, this little bird fell out of its nest. I'll put it back in quickly!"

The little girl in the pale yellow dress became even more down-to-earth upon hearing this.

At this moment, several other young women walked over and said to the young woman in the pale yellow dress with a hint of sarcasm, "Ruoyu, is this your younger sister who you just brought from your hometown? Indeed... well, lively and clever, and unconventional."

But his tone and expression clearly revealed his disdain.

Sure enough, another person said, "Is it just being fussy or lacking in manners? If so, you, as the older sister, should pay more attention."

The young woman in the pale yellow dress trembled with rage. She took a step forward and pointed at the little girl in the tree, shouting, "Wang Ruofu, get down here right now!"