The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

After successfully obtaining the steward's key, Shilan immediately stirred up a storm within the Dongchang Marquis's residence.

Those old, slick, and greedy stewardesses and managers of the outer courtyard, who used to rely on their seniority, are now exposed like withered leaves swept away by the autumn wind under Shilan's ruthless investigation.

The old stock in the warehouse doesn't match the description? Investigate!

The quoted price on the purchase order is much higher than the supermarket price? Check it out!

The farm's harvests have been reported as losses every year, yet the farm manager has built a new mansion? Investigate!

Shilan's methods were swift and ruthless, showing no mercy.

She led the servants she had quietly recruited over the past two years, and, following the list she had prepared that morning, searched each house and each household.

The results were shocking.

Nearly 100,000 taels of gold, silver and valuables, antiques and treasures were found in the rooms and private residences of these "household servants" and "veterans"!

When those things were carried to the main courtyard box by box and laid out in front of Qin Muchuan and Ying Qiongfang, the heart of Marquis Dongchang, Qin Muchuan, which had been slightly relieved by the old servant's tearful complaint, was instantly burned to ashes by anger.

"This tiger-head jade thumb ring..." He picked up a jade thumb ring from a brocade box, his face ashen. "It was a cherished gift from my grandfather. Two years ago, when the household was short of funds, I secretly had it pawned. The pawnshop said it was in poor condition and only gave me eighty taels! How did it end up here?!"

He then pointed to a set of rosewood writing implements: "And this! I was wondering why a set of old items was missing from the study; I thought I had misremembered! Turns out, you unruly servants have embezzled them!"

Zhang's mother and the others were ashen-faced, kowtowing repeatedly, only able to cry out, "Your Excellency, spare our lives!"

Qin Muchuan's chest heaved violently, feeling both the agonizing pain of betrayal and the utter humiliation of being tricked and fooled by a lackey who had turned against the Heavenly Gang.

He spends money like water, but the money he gets from pawning is also used to cover the deficit in his household.

What deficit?

Give these bastards a monthly salary!

The things he pawned went into the pockets of these scoundrels, and then he took the money they "rewarded" him and gave them his monthly allowance.

Qin Muchuan felt a sweet taste in his throat.

"Very well, very well indeed!" He slammed his hand on the table, making the teacups rattle. "My Dongchang Marquis's mansion has actually raised a bunch of rats like you! You eat my food, drink my water, and then try to rob me when I'm in dire need! You're truly heartless!"

He turned to Shilan, his eyes now devoid of any hesitation, only resolute determination: "Lan'er, since this matter is entrusted to you, you shall be fully responsible! Those who should be sold off shall be sold off, those who should be handed over to the authorities shall be handed over to the authorities! My Dongchang Marquis's mansion will not tolerate such treacherous and ungrateful wretches!"

He initially thought Shilan's methods were too cruel and tarnished the Marquis's reputation for benevolence, but now it seems...

Ah!

With her father's words, Shilan acted without any further scruples.

Those involved in serious cases were directly tied up and handed over to the authorities.

In less serious cases, the child and his family are sold off together, with the seller instructed to sell the child as far away and in hardship as possible, ideally never to return to the capital, thus eliminating any future trouble.

Just as she said when she was organizing palace affairs in her previous life.

Iron fist, iron wrist, iron heart!

This purge not only thoroughly eradicated the deep-seated problems within the Marquis's mansion, but also brought in a staggering sum of money. Shilan herself took the opportunity to place her own people within the mansion, quietly enriching herself as well.

However, it is worth mentioning that when cleaning up the staff in the main kitchen, Shilan noticed a little girl huddled in a corner, trembling with fear.

That face left a deep impression on her.

She was the most capable mother Xiang by Xiao Qinshi's side in her previous life.

Intelligent and capable, loyal to the death.

...Just like her Songzhi.

Shilan's heart stirred slightly.

Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, she stopped everyone from moving and slowly walked towards a corner.

Yes, Xiang Mama, who used to be the most glamorous housekeeper in the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion and followed Madam Qin, is now just a lowly maid named "Er Ya," helping out in the kitchen with her honest and simple-minded parents.

In her memory, she would have to wait until the Marquis's mansion declined further before her maids, such as Baoqin, were sent back to their families to marry. The "second sister-in-law" who married into the family would personally select new personal maids for her.

That's when it was 'Xiang Mama's' turn to appear.

But such a loyal girl should come to her side to help as soon as possible.

For the first time ever, Shilan gave a bright smile and asked softly, "What's your name? How old are you?"

The little maid timidly looked up, and when she saw the Third Miss, who now held absolute power and commanded respect in the mansion, she became even more frightened. Her voice was barely audible: "Replying to Miss, I don't have a formal name. Everyone at home calls me Er Ya. I'm thirteen years old this year."

Looking into her clear yet frightened eyes, Shilan softened her tone: "Don't be afraid. I see you're clever; from now on, you'll serve me. I'll call you Songzhi. I hope you'll be like orchids and magnolias, of noble character and unwavering loyalty."

The little girl, no, Songzhi, could hardly believe her ears; going from hell to heaven was nothing more than this.

She was stunned for a moment before suddenly kneeling down and kowtowing heavily, her voice trembling with tears: "This servant thanks you for your kindness, Miss! This servant will do my utmost to serve you well!"

Shilan smiled slightly and personally helped her up.

"Xiang Mama is Xiao Qinshi's Xiang Mama."

The person beside Nian Shilan was Songzhi.

-

After the turmoil within the mansion subsided, Madam Wang arrived as promised.

Shilan informed her mother, Ying Qiongfang, and arranged an exquisite small banquet in the waterside pavilion of the Hou Mansion garden to entertain her.

To Ying Qiongfang's surprise, although this lady came from an ordinary background and was said to be the daughter of a mere scholar and the mentor of Grand Tutor Wang, she was quite adept at social interaction. Her speech and behavior were neither humble nor arrogant, and she maintained proper etiquette without making people feel distant.

After several exchanges, the lady of the house opened up and started talking.

Wang Ruofu, who accompanied her, was filled with admiration and affection for Shilan.

She sat down close to Shilan, calling her "Sister Shilan" affectionately, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Shilan, making no attempt to hide her admiration.