The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

"Qin Nanyan is really getting more and more outrageous!"

In the side hall of the main courtyard, after listening to Shilan's detailed account of what had happened, Qin Zhengyang's eyes were filled with anger. However, he did not erupt violently because of the two elderly people lying side by side on the couch in a coma. But when he mentioned Qin Nanyan's name, he couldn't help but grit his teeth.

Shilan had no doubt that if Qin Nanyan were right in front of her at this moment, Qin Zhengyang would personally take care of her.

But Dr. Liu said that Qin Nanyan's body had been severely damaged by this childbirth. If she could take good care of herself, she might be able to survive for a few more years; otherwise, she might not even make it to the end of the year.

Shilan had read the original novel and knew that Qin Nanyan was already on her deathbed, so there was no need to worry.

After all, as the saying goes—

"Respect for the deceased is paramount. Since the Gu family has made this public announcement, our family will do our best to cooperate."

Shilan looked at Wang Ruofu, who was still dizzy from being hit by the melon: "Sister-in-law, you'll have to put in a lot of effort both at home and outside, especially in her courtyard. Just seal it off completely. Except for a few trusted servants, no one else is allowed to go there."

Wang Ruofu came to her senses and nodded repeatedly: "I understand, don't worry, sister."

As she spoke, Wang Ruofu couldn't help but hold her sister-in-law's hand, her eyes reddening. Her Shilan had had such a hard life. She was originally such an outstanding noblewoman. Needless to say, her appearance was so beautiful that even she, a woman, would like her. She was a first-rate housekeeper and played polo so well. But when she reached marriageable age, no one was interested in her, and she was always the target of gossipy jokes.

Ultimately, it's all the fault of that troublesome older sister-in-law!

Now that things are finally looking up, she knows what's going on at the Duke of England's mansion, though others may not. She's even secretly preparing a dowry for her sister-in-law.

Who would have thought that heartless and despicable woman would commit such a shocking and outrageous crime?

Even her in-laws wanted her to die from illness!

If word gets out, how will Shilan ever face anyone again? What decent family will come knocking on her door to propose marriage?

Even if Shilan is highly capable and blessed, and is not afraid of being implicated, what about her future children?

If others find out that her daughter has such an aunt, her life will be ruined!

Holding Shilan's hand with one hand, Wang Ruofu placed the other on her still-flat stomach, her face resolute as if she had made a tremendous decision: "From today onwards, her courtyard is under my control. If even a fly manages to escape, or a whisper of it gets out, I'll offer you my head!"

The fact that Shilan had made such a pledge made her laugh.

Qin Zhengyang glared at his wife reproachfully, saying, "What nonsense are you spouting? You're pregnant, how dare you speak so recklessly?"

Wang Ruofu ignored him and went to call Achang over, giving him instructions one by one.

Ah Chang immediately took care of it.

After she entered the house, although she refused the housekeeping rights that Shilan was returning, Shilan later gave her some of the housekeeping rights he had.

Having been given a second chance at life and regaining all of Xiao Qinshi's memories, Shilan believes she has improved a lot in her interpersonal skills.

She once resembled Qin Nanyan by a large margin. Because of her good family background, she was pampered at home. After getting married, she was deceived by Yinzhen with his true feelings. Being in a high position, she always felt that she was the most noble and important one, and that others could only bow down and be respectful to her.

Until he fell into the dust and was stabbed hard by Cao Qinmo, whom he had never looked down upon.

She then realized that nothing is taken for granted, and no one is born to be the center of attention.

It's simply because there's something to gain from those people.

Humans are all driven by greed, anger, love, and hatred; in our interactions with others, we can never escape the pursuit of self-interest.

They gather when there is profit, and disperse when there is no profit.

Cao Qinmo joined Wenyi's ranks, offered her advice, and helped her take the lead, all in order to ensure her daughter's safety.

When she tacitly agreed that she could disregard Wen Yi's safety in order to achieve her goals, Cao Qinmo began to harbor resentment. When Zhen Huan extended an olive branch, she couldn't wait to change her mind and even turned around and dealt a fatal blow to her former master.

Admittedly, Wang Ruofu is not Cao Qinmo; the two are very different in both temperament and character.

Wang Ruofu did not befriend Qin Zhengyang in order to marry into the Qin family and become the head of the household.

Ke Shilan still didn't want to make the same mistake again.

Now that Wang Ruofu has entered the family, she has to relinquish the power of managing the household. Otherwise, she will lose her standing in terms of etiquette and law, and it will not help Wang Ruofu's prestige in the family.

Rather than waiting until the future when malicious people try to sow discord, it's better to generously delegate housekeeping authority now.

It saves effort and wins people's hearts.

She used to despise the Empress's kind and benevolent demeanor towards everyone, her virtuous and compassionate nature, and her tendency to win people over with small favors from time to time.

But after seeing Xiao Qinshi's memories, she understood.

This is called doing others a favor, and doing yourself a favor.

After Ah Chang left, the three of them sat down around the round table, and Qin Zhengyang was still furious.

"If we weren't related, I would be happy for the whole capital to see her make a fool of herself. She doesn't care about the shame she's done, but she drags us down with her."

"And the Gu family, they're a shameless bunch. Is Gu Yankai even a man? He was the one who insisted on marrying her, but all these years he's been weak-willed and unable to control Qin Nanyan. Now that the family is short of money, he wants to divorce his wife and marry a merchant's daughter! And he wants to throw all the blame on our family? Damn it, I'm going to find him!"

The more he talked, the angrier he became, and Qin Zhengyang got up and stormed out.

Wang Ruofu was too slow to stop her, and she was even stopped by Shilan herself.

"Let him go. Gu Yankai deserves to be beaten."

Shilan reminded her, "It's only right that you seek justice for your deceased sister."

Since the Gu family has publicly stated that Qin Nanyan died in childbirth, it's understandable that Qin Zhengyang, the brother-in-law, would beat up his brother-in-law out of righteous indignation.

Qin Zhengyang's eyes lit up, he nodded emphatically, and strode away.

Wang Ruofu was still worried and continued to offer advice: "If he dares to fight back, you should loudly question him, 'How can you face your older sister?'"

Qin Zhengyang clapped his hands, "That's a good idea."

"rest assured!"

Let's see if he doesn't beat Gu Yankai until he's crying for his parents!

Qin Zhengyang strode away, but Wang Ruofu thought of something else and felt uneasy: "Does that salt merchant Bai family know that the Gu family is like this? What if they lose a million taels of silver and don't even get their people back?"

Shilan's heart skipped a beat, and she thought to herself, "That's no wonder."

Gu Yan, that bastard, is now righteously divorcing Qin Nanyan for the sake of his family.

But he never forgot Qin Nanyan for the rest of his life.

They welcomed Bai into the house, but she was as cold as ice. She still gave birth to the child without hesitation, and even though her dowry was silver and beautiful, she still complained that Bai had taken Qin Nanyan's place and treated her with disdain.

Poor Lady Bai, her dowry of a million taels of silver was exchanged for the title of a Marquis's wife, a title that was ridiculed by all. What good were the two healthy children she gave birth to? She died in her early twenties.

Even if her son becomes successful in the future and earns her a noble title and official rank, what good will it do?

Once it's gone, it's gone. What good are honors and mourning?

The thought of this made Shilan feel nauseous. How was Gu Yankai's behavior any different from that of Yinzhen?

It seems that when men get sentimental, they can be even more despicable than the most shameless women!