The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

Cheng Bai felt a pang of unease, but still said, "Don't worry too much. Your uncle is brave and skilled in battle, and with the help of new firearms, he will surely achieve a resounding victory and return in triumph!"

Fu Ge'er twitched the corner of his mouth.

"I hope so."

As evening approached, many people went home, and the liveliness at the polo field gradually faded away.

The two cousins ​​walked back side by side, neither of them uttering a sound along the way.

Wang Ruofu was saying goodbye to a familiar lady when he saw them return. A smile spread across his face, and he beckoned Fuge'er forward, affectionately patting his head: "Good boy, when did you arrive? Where is your mother?"

Fu Ge'er replied obediently, "Aunt, Mother went to the Daxiangguo Temple to offer incense."

Wang Ruofu was taken aback at first, but quickly realized the chaotic situation at the border. He patted Fuge'er's hand and comforted him gently, "Good child, don't worry too much. Your uncle said this morning that all the news coming from the border is good news; the Liao people haven't gained any advantage. Your father is very capable; he will definitely return safely."

Fu Ge'er raised his little face, forced a smile, and replied, "Yes, Aunt, I understand."

-

The atmosphere was somewhat somber on the carriage back to the Marquis of Dongchang's residence.

Hua Jie glanced at her worried younger brother and mother, and suggested, "Mother, shall we go see Aunt tomorrow? It's been a while since we last saw her."

Wang Ruofu had the same idea and immediately nodded: "Okay, we should go and take a look."

The carriage rumbled and pulled into the Marquis's residence.

As soon as the mother and her two children got out of the car, they saw Qin Zhengyang waiting at the second gate, as was customary.

"You're back?" He stepped forward to help Wang Ruofu up, his gaze sweeping over his two children. "Did you have a good time?"

Hua Jie'er disliked spoilspots the most, so as she followed them inside, she vividly described in her clear voice how her mother had argued with Madam Xue at the polo field that day, leaving the other woman speechless.

Knowing that the saying about mice having ten or more offspring came from her father, she praised him and then emphasized the dandelion metaphor that her mother had mentioned later.

Upon hearing this, Qin Zhengyang burst into laughter, praising repeatedly, "Exactly! My lady's knowledge has improved again."

Although it was common for the father and daughter to flatter her like this, Wang Ruofu was still a little embarrassed and said reproachfully, "Alright, alright, you two stop trying to sweet-talk me. I was just forced into it and blurted it out."

The family entered the main hall chatting and laughing. Servants brought warm water, and as soon as the conversation subsided, everyone washed their hands and faces.

Cheng Bai had been silent since getting out of the car. Seeing that his family had stopped talking, he looked at his father and couldn't help but ask the question that had been lingering in his mind for a long time:

"Father, is there any new news from Uncle?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Ruofu and Hua Jie'er couldn't help but look over.

The smile on Qin Zhengyang's face gradually faded. He looked around and waved for the maids and servants serving him to leave.

Once only his own family remained, he lowered his voice and slowly spoke:

"There's news, and it's good news."

He looked at the sudden brightness in the eyes of the mother and her two children, and continued, "Actually, Yunzhou City was never truly in dire straits. Although the Liao vanguard was fierce, they were utterly powerless against the Hongyi cannons. But you know your uncle; he's been waiting for this opportunity for years. With superior firearms at his disposal, simply repelling the invading enemy wasn't enough. He immediately organized his troops, pressed his advantage, and launched a counterattack. Now, he has even captured several cities, reclaiming five prefectures of the lost Yan-Yun territory!"

"Really?!" Cheng Bai was both surprised and delighted, almost jumping for joy: "Uncle is so incredibly brave!"

The Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun—that is the homeland that generations have dreamed of reclaiming!

"What a pity." Qin Zhengyang sighed at this moment, saying with disappointment, "When the news came back, the first reaction of those old stubborns was to accuse your uncle of being ambitious, provoking border conflicts, and even killing too much, which is detrimental to the benevolence of the Celestial Empire! They said that his actions would only exacerbate the conflict between the two countries, causing them to never have a peaceful day again."

"What?!" Cheng Bai could hardly believe his ears, his youthful passion surging to his head: "How could they distort the truth like this! The Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun have been a century-long shame for our Han people since Shi Jingtang ceded them! Now, my uncle has fought valiantly to reclaim the lost territory. This is to wash away the national shame and to enhance our national prestige! How come in their mouths it has become a crime?!"

Qin Zhengyang looked at his son's face, which was flushed with anger, raised his hand and patted his shoulder, signaling him to calm down. He wanted to say something, but in the end, he didn't say anything.

The court's preference for civil officials over military ones is growing stronger, partly because the higher-ups fear that these nobles might use their military achievements to advance their careers.

However, the country was prosperous and the people lived in peace and contentment. Many high-ranking officials were captivated by the stable and prosperous scene, and they were oblivious to the dangers that lay ahead. They forgot that thousands of miles away, there were also wolves and tigers eyeing this rich land and coveting it for a long time.

But he refused to say anything more.

After all, some of these words were more pointed, concerned the conflict between civil and military officials in the court, and were his own personal opinions, so it was not appropriate to say them in front of the children.

Cheng Bai, however, had his own feelings.

His chest heaved violently.

An unnamed fire sprouted in the tender chest of a young boy.

Without saying a word, he turned and ran outside.

"Chengbai!" Wang Ruofu was startled and hurriedly called out, "Where are you going? It's almost time to light the lamps!"

Cheng Bai continued walking, leaving behind only two resolute words:

"read!"

His figure quickly disappeared in the direction leading to the study.

Wang Ruofu looked helpless and complained to her husband, "This child! Who did he take after to be so fond of showing off his knowledge all the time?"

Honestly, it wasn't her or her husband.

Understanding his wife's unspoken meaning, Qin Zhengyang rubbed his nose, feeling too embarrassed to take credit: "Perhaps it's because of my father-in-law?"

Wang Ruofu was taken aback, and the image of her father's imposing face, though not angry, involuntarily appeared in her mind.

My heart skipped a beat.

You know what, it really does look like it!

Even his usual serious and unsmiling demeanor is similar!

Wang Ruofu was completely taken aback.

At the crucial moment, it was Hua Jie'er's thoughtful remark that pulled her back to reality:

"Mother, my younger brother wants to serve his country."

Inside the study, Cheng Bai sat upright at his desk, engrossed in his studies.

A clear and firm idea took root in his heart and could no longer be shaken.

He wanted to study, take the imperial examinations, and become an official in the imperial court.

He wants to rise to a position in the imperial court where he can make a loud voice and influence the decisions of thousands.

If someone holds a position but fails to perform their duties, why not replace them?

(I actually really like Changbai. Ever since that handsome, upright, and even somewhat old-fashioned young man in the TV series told Gu Tingye, "This is the map of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun. I will take them back sooner or later," I've liked him. It's just a pity that after he embarked on his official career, he became more of a stepping stone in the power struggles within the household, a brick used between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and between sisters, moved wherever needed. That spirited young man who promised Gu Tingye to work hard together to take back the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun disappeared without a trace.)

I always felt that he shouldn't have entered officialdom solely for the sake of his family and his own future.