The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

On the horse track, the grass was just beginning to turn green, and a spring breeze caressed our faces.

Qin Zhengyang wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling the burning pain in his inner thighs, and for the 128th time, he considered giving up.

However, his gaze fell upon the carefree figure not far away, and he abruptly stopped himself.

Today is the day he and his third sister were allowed to come and learn to ride horses.

Initially, he wanted to rely on his two superficial experiences with horses to show off his skills to his new sister and satisfy his sense of superiority as the older brother.

Who would have thought that the gentle and delicate third sister, raised in seclusion, would transform into a completely different person the moment she touched the horse's reins?

A natural ease seemed to flow from her, and she didn't even need much guidance from the groom to deftly step into the stirrups, mount the horse, and move with fluid grace.

If it weren't for her initial clumsy and hesitant handling of the horse, he would have thought that his third sister actually kept a horse secretly in her Konglan Courtyard! She would ride it around whenever she had nothing to do.

But that initial awkwardness disappeared after about half an incense stick's time to adjust.

Soon the docile mare beneath her went from a slow walk to a trot, and then to galloping freely across the field.

The wind ruffled the stray hairs at her temples, her clothes fluttered, and the girl's straight back and bright, focused eyes shone brightly in the sunlight, exuding a dazzling and dashing air.

Not only was Qin Zhengyang dumbfounded, but even the martial arts instructor who was teaching riding and archery couldn't help but stroke his beard and exclaim in admiration: "Third Miss is truly... exceptionally talented! In all my years of teaching, I have rarely seen someone so steady and swift on their first time riding a horse."

Qin Zhengyang: ...

What else can we do?

Roll it up!

He couldn't outwit Qin Nanyan in literary contests at home, nor could he outwit the little sister in martial arts contests outside.

He refused to believe that siblings born of the same mother, each with their own unique talents and gifts, were the only ones who were good-for-nothings!

Whether people praised or were surprised, their discussions had nothing to do with Nian Shilan at this moment.

She was completely absorbed in the freedom she had regained.

On horseback, the wind brushes past my ears, carrying the scent of grass and trees—a feeling of unbridled freedom, as if I could roam the world at will.

It was something she had almost completely forgotten in her previous life, living in a secluded mansion or the inner palace.

She silently vowed in her heart: in this life, she would never give up the joy of galloping on horseback, the right to control her own direction, for anyone or anything.

-

Days passed one by one.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye. Summer was coming to an end, and the weather was gradually getting cooler.

Having finally regained her name through another hunger strike, Shilan has now fully integrated into this new chapter of her life.

This time, after returning from playing polo, Shilan went to pay her respects to her mother, Ying Qiongfang, as usual.

He was also carrying the most famous fruit in Bianjing City recently.

Anything she wanted to compete with Qin Nanyan for, from antiques and paintings, clothes and jewelry to pastries and purses, even just a knotted cord her mother made on a whim, she would fight to the bitter end if Qin Nanyan took a liking to it.

As for her methods, she would use anything—acting coquettishly, fighting and arguing, or smashing things. If all else failed, she would go on a hunger strike. She didn't care which method she used; as long as it made a big fuss and could get the Marquis of Dongchang and his wife to compromise, she would use whatever it took.

As a result, the Dongchang Marquis's residence was in complete chaos and commotion during this period.

But Nian Shilan also knew in her heart that no matter how fiercely she argued with Qin Nanyan, she could not truly offend her parents.

Just like in her previous life in the imperial harem, she could be ruthless and heartless to everyone, but not to that one person.

Therefore, Nian Shilan never missed her daily morning and evening greetings to her parents.

As long as Qin Nanyan wasn't involved, the Dongchang Marquis and his wife never showed favoritism towards her; she would still be that energetic, bright, and considerate daughter.

Thinking of how her father, Qin, had been furious a few days ago because she was determined to change her name, and how he had reluctantly accepted her coquettish behavior early in the morning, Shilan couldn't help but laugh.

At the same time, I felt relieved.

Fortunately, in this life, she is fighting for the love of her biological parents.

Blood is thicker than water, after all.

It's much more secure than the fleeting imperial favor.

Upon arriving at the main courtyard gate, the two old women guarding the gate quickly put down their work, stood up, and bowed.

Shilan pretended not to see the wine and fruit the two had secretly hidden under their skirts. "Get up, is Mother here?"

"Reporting to Third Miss, Madam is speaking with several of the housekeepers. Please wait a moment."

As soon as he finished speaking, the inner courtyard gate was opened, and several unfamiliar old women came out hurriedly, carrying several brocade boxes and scrolls.

The one leading the group was none other than Liu Mama, the most trusted servant of the mother, who was whispering instructions to the people around her.

When the old women saw Shilan, they immediately fell silent and bowed their heads in greeting.

As Shilan passed by them, her gaze swept indifferently over the objects in their hands—

The topmost box seems to be from the mother's room, where she usually stores high-quality mutton fat jade jewelry.

The style of the brocade box was that of the one in the father's study, which was specially used to collect calligraphy and paintings by famous artists.

Shilan pursed her lips slightly, understanding dawning on her.

The Dongchang Marquis's Mansion was one of the many noble families established during the founding of the dynasty, and its family business has been passed down to this day, spanning four generations.

By the generation before that, that is, the generation of Xiao Qin's grandfather, because of his skillful management of the household, although he did not rise to a higher level in terms of power, his family business multiplied several times, leaving behind a solid family fortune that benefited his descendants.

Unfortunately, the current head of the family, Qin Muchuan, was mediocre in talent and had a stagnant official career. However, he was extremely fond of indulging in refined pursuits and ostentatious displays. He frequently spent lavishly on antiques and calligraphy, or entertained scholars and literati.

Whenever a banquet is held, money is spent like water.

As for the mistress, Ying Qiongfang, although she also came from an official family, her family had fallen on hard times. She was able to marry into the Marquis's mansion entirely because her family had a past relationship with the old lady, and she had also won over Qin Muchuan's heart. However, her housekeeping skills were truly terrible. Not to mention being good at managing the household, she was even able to avoid being deceived by the old servants, all thanks to Liu Mama, who was a backup plan left to her by the old lady.

If this continues, there will be neither someone in the family who can increase income nor someone who can cut expenses.

Living beyond one's means and constantly borrowing from Peter to pay Paul is the inevitable outcome.

Therefore, the Dongchang Marquis's Mansion was not built for Qin Nanyan's grand wedding with a ten-mile-long red bridal procession.

Everything has a traceable pattern.

Shilan thought a lot, but in reality, only a moment had passed. She stepped over the threshold and entered the main room, where she immediately saw Ying Qiongfang sitting high on the throne, surrounded by many maids and servants.

The brocade robes shimmered with light and color, and the body was adorned with gold and jade ornaments that jingled.

Who would have thought that the noble family that raised such a jewel-adorned mistress had fallen into the state of having to pawn their belongings to make ends meet?

"Your daughter greets her mother. Mother, Yi'an."

Shilan suppressed all her thoughts and revealed a bright smile.

Looking at her vibrant and radiant little daughter, Ying Qiongfang was secretly delighted, but feigned helplessness: "You little rascal, you finally decided to come back?"

Shilan stepped forward with a grin, affectionately took her arm, and said with a smile, "The little monkey is hungry and has come to ask its mother for some food."

The maids and servants all burst into laughter. Ying Qiongfang's eyes also held amusement, but she deliberately kept a straight face and raised her hand high as if to strike: "You've gone too far! Who are you calling a monkey mother!"

Shilan wasn't afraid at all, and even rubbed her face against Madam Ying's shoulder: "Whoever gave birth to this little rascal like me, that's who I am."

Ying Qiongfang was furious, but she secretly enjoyed her daughter's closeness to her.

Finally, he pinched her fair cheek lightly: "Alright, alright, I didn't give birth to a little rascal, I gave birth to a little troublemaker! Quick, where's the crab roe pastry? Bring it up to this troublemaker."

In an instant, all the maids and servants in the room sprang into action, fetching water for Shilan to wash her hands, rinse her mouth, and add tea...

Ke Shilan could see it clearly.

Most of these people are just blindly following along.

The Dongchang Marquis's residence was overcrowded; the main courtyard alone had over a hundred servants.

There were also forty people in her empty orchid courtyard.

The scale and pomp were comparable to when she was Consort Hua in her previous life.

No wonder they are spending more than they earn.

If she were to take charge...

No, she doesn't care.

Shilan banished those thoughts from her mind and focused on eating and drinking her fill. She also managed to win over Madam Ying, who beamed with joy, and she received several bolts of shimmering brocade in return.

Only then did he return to his own courtyard, completely satisfied.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Qin Nanyan will fall in love at first sight with Gu Yankai, the heir of the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion, by the end of the year.

After much reasoning and persuasion, she was finally able to convince her parents to come and propose marriage the following autumn.

At most, Qin Nanyan will get married in two years.

At that time, her father and mother will do everything they can to prepare the most lavish dowry for her, filling it with all the good things they can still use in the house.

If she steps forward now to take care of the family's finances and works hard, wouldn't she end up doing all the work for Qin Nanyan?

She, Nian Shilan, would never do such a foolish thing again!

However, we cannot simply stand by and watch things continue as they always have been.

From that day on, every time Shilan went to pay her respects to Qin Muchuan and Ying Qiongfang, she would bring some gifts with her when she returned.

Today it might be an antique inkstone in her father's study; tomorrow it might be a delicate new hairpin adorning her mother's hair. Occasionally, she'll even whine that she saw a beautiful gilded saddle on another young lady's horse during polo class…

The items she asked for weren't extremely expensive, but they were all good things that her parents could appreciate and use.

Qin Muchuan and Ying Qiongfang gradually got used to their youngest daughter's mood swings, which happened several times a day. They were not people who cared much about material possessions.

In fact, after experiencing their eldest daughter's "playing hard to get" attitude so often, they ended up having to reassure her and make her accept the gifts with a sense of "roundabout" acceptance.

The youngest daughter took a liking to the items they had and immediately asked for them, displaying a straightforward and generous attitude when she received them.

Surprisingly, it made me feel comfortable.

Therefore, they usually grant most requests.

Shilan not only went to great lengths to enrich her secret treasury.

He even dragged Qin Zhengyang into it.

Anyway, the Dongchang Marquis's mansion is so large and powerful, two more squirrels won't make a difference.

If we don't take this opportunity to move everything, are we going to leave it to Qin Nanyan to fill the hole in the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion?