The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

She had come looking for her second brother, Zhao Xin, but she inadvertently witnessed what had just happened.

At this moment, her gaze was fixed on that moon-white figure, and she couldn't look away.

The boy's composure as he sheathed his bow, his calmness as he hit the bullseye, his hearty laughter as he chatted with his second brother...

It felt like a feather was tied to my heart, constantly pricking and scratching.

It's itchy, yet it brings an irresistible joy.

-

As soon as Fu Ge'er left the training ground, he headed towards the palace gate. Zhao Xin followed behind, chattering incessantly, "You really took the bow? You really didn't leave me any? Fine, then you absolutely have to come next time you go hunting! Take this bow with you! If you stand me up again, I'll wait for you at the Marquis of Jingbian's residence!"

"No, don't come. I really want to study." Fu Ge'er said firmly.

"Reading, reading, all you know is reading!" Zhao Xin feigned anger. "Do you even know what you look like right now?"

Knowing he wouldn't respond, Zhao Xin simply said, "Like a bookworm!"

No matter how much he provoked him, Fu Ge'er ignored him and just quickened his pace.

The palace gates were in sight, and the attendant was already waiting with his horse. Fu Ge'er mounted his horse, then turned around and tossed the bow to him, adding, "And remember to take the military treatise you promised me, Your Highness."

"Go ahead and rebel! You ignore me when I speak, but you're quite adept at ordering me around!"

Zhao Xin hummed softly.

Fu Ge'er smiled, completely unconcerned, and spurred his horse away with an effortlessly elegant and unrestrained movement.

Zhao Xin stood there for a moment, then couldn't help but chuckle. If Zhang Qin didn't act this way, how would he be any different from those vulgar people? His Highness Prince Yu wouldn't even bother with him!

After he had calmed himself down, he slowly turned and headed towards his mother, Consort Miao's, bedroom.

I promised to have dinner with my mother today.

Outside Yanfu Hall, Huirou was waiting early. When she saw Zhao Xin arrive, she greeted him warmly, "Second Brother!"

(The setting is that Huirou is younger than Zhao Xin.)

"Huirou," Zhao Xin said with a smile, ruffling her younger sister's hair, "Have you been waiting long?"

"No." Huirou took his arm, and the two siblings entered the palace together.

Consort Miao had already ordered dinner to be prepared. When she saw her son return, a smile spread across her face: "Xin'er, you're here? Sit down quickly. Today we have your favorite crab meat lion's head meatballs."

"Thank you, Mother." Zhao Xin bowed, and before handing the strong bow to a palace maid, she deliberately showed off: "Look, this is what Father bestowed upon me today."

Consort Miao's eyes lit up: "Is it tribute from Western Xia? Your father still loves you."

Zhao Xin, however, did not take credit: "It's all thanks to Brother Fu. I didn't hit the bullseye in the first round, and he helped me out."

He spoke casually, but Huirou's hand holding the chopsticks paused, and she quietly perked up her ears.

Consort Miao's smile froze slightly, and she sighed, "They're all children of similar age, but look at Fu-ge'er, so accomplished in both literature and martial arts, so calm and sensible; and look at you, all you do all day is play..."

"Mother!" Zhao Xin protested, "What's wrong with your son? I'm skilled in both literature and martial arts! I can recite a few classical poems, and I can ride a horse without falling off. At least on the polo field, I can chase after the ball!"

These words amused the palace servants who were attending to the emperor, who covered their mouths and chuckled.

Consort Miao laughed and scolded, "I think you're better than him in one way: thick skin!"

Unexpectedly, Zhao Xin said seriously, "That's hard to say. Mother, don't be fooled by his honest appearance. When it comes to shamelessness, he might not be inferior to your son."

Consort Miao laughed and said, "You're the best at talking."

Zhao Xin tilted her head and thought for a moment, then smiled nonchalantly: "That's fine too, after all, I'm still better than him."

Huirou listened quietly to the sound, a smile unconsciously curving her lips.

After dinner, the brother and sister chatted with Consort Miao for a while.

Consort Miao now has only one son and one daughter, whom she naturally dotes on. Zhao Xin and Huirou are also filial, always choosing interesting things to tell, which makes their mother smile from ear to ear.

It wasn't until dusk that the two said their goodbyes and left.

Walking under the palace corridor, Huirou hesitated for a long time before finally speaking softly, "Second Brother, is the Second Son of the Zhang family... a little older than you?"

Zhao Xin casually replied, "About a month ago, why?"

"N-nothing," Huirou lowered her eyes, "It's just... I haven't heard anything about him saying he's engaged?"

Zhao Xin disagreed: "He's just like Qin Chengbo. He says he wants to pass the imperial examination and become an official, and he won't get married until he passes the exam."

Huirou gave a soft "oh," paused for a moment, and then asked, "Since you're a scholar, how come your archery skills are so good?"

"His father is the Marquis of Jingbian," Zhao Xin said, "a famous general who almost reclaimed all eight prefectures of Yanyun back then. In a family of military generals, physical training is commonplace. Besides, Fu'er has been learning martial arts from his grandfather, the Duke of Yingguo, since he was a child, so he has a good foundation."

As he was speaking, he suddenly realized something was wrong, abruptly stopped, and turned to stare at his sister: "Huirou, why do you keep asking him?"

Huirou blushed and hurriedly waved her hands, "No, no, I was just asking casually..."

Zhao Xin, however, had already realized what was going on. He raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eyes: "Really not? That's good. Otherwise, you'd be heartbroken to death if he got married in a while—"

"How did you get married?" Huirou exclaimed in surprise. "Didn't you say he wouldn't pass the imperial examination...?"

Seeing her brother's smug, knowing smile, Huirou realized she had been tricked into saying something and quickly shut her mouth, but it was too late.

Embarrassed, she stamped her foot: "Second Brother! You tricked me!"

Zhao Xin laughed heartily: "Alright, alright, I'm not teasing you anymore. But Huirou, Zhang Er is indeed quite good-looking, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and of upright character...tsk, much better than that Li Wei."

When Li Wei was mentioned, Huirou's face stiffened.

Realizing she had misspoke, Zhao Xin lightly patted her mouth and cautiously looked at her sister: "You...you knew all along?"

Huirou bit her lower lip, her voice barely audible: "I heard that he... is terrible."

"Not so bad..." Zhao Xin didn't want to say anything too harsh, otherwise it would be like trampling on her father's face. But after racking her brains, she could only come up with: "He's just a good-for-nothing playboy. Apart from being born into a good family, he's good for nothing."

He couldn't help but feel irritated.

Huirou lowered her head, twisting her fingers around her sash, and remained silent.

Looking at her younger sister's pale profile, Zhao Xin suddenly felt a surge of emotion.

He slapped his thigh: "Huirou, do you dare to fight for yourself this time?"

Huirou suddenly looked up, her eyes flashing with astonishment and confusion, which finally turned into a faint but firm light.

She nodded emphatically: "I dare."

Meanwhile, at the Yongchang Marquis's residence.

Liang Han was still complaining of back pain when he entered the mansion, and the impatient Madam Wu grabbed him by the ear and dragged him back to his room.

"Mom! Be gentle, be gentle!" Liang Han grimaced. "My injury hasn't healed yet!"

Madam Wu released her grip and glared at him angrily: "Serves you right! Who told you to always provoke Rujin? Haven't I told you that you two are both grown up now, and you should stop getting entangled with her?"

Suddenly, Madam Wu seemed to realize something and looked at her son suspiciously: "You don't actually like her, do you?"

Liang Han was so frightened he almost jumped up: "Mother! Don't talk nonsense! I like her? Do you think I'm tired of living? I treat Ru Jin like a brother."

He's still a brother who's always fighting with himself.

Marry Qin Rujin?

The thought of her older brother Qin Chengbo, her cousin Zhang Qin, her fierce-looking cousin Zhang Chaoyu, and her protective aunt Zhang Guifen standing behind her made Liang Han feel terrified.

Impossible, absolutely impossible in this lifetime!

Being childhood sweethearts allows him to occasionally get revenge, but as long as he's quick on his feet and runs away, that silly little girl Rujin will eventually fall into his hands.

If he were to marry her... he shuddered; his life would be over.