“Qingying, also, go ask Second Young Master and Fourth Young Master. They’ve reached the age to begin their studies. If they’ve recovered from their illnesses, have them join Xianjie in Teacher Lin’s beginner classes.”
“By next spring, I’ll send them to Yuelu Academy…”
Qingying paused for a moment before bowing respectfully. “Yes, Madam.”
Perhaps from speaking too much, Sheng Minmin’s face showed a trace of exhaustion. Noticing this, Xianjie immediately suggested helping her back to the main bedroom, and Sheng Minmin nodded in agreement.
Once they returned, Xianjie took her leave. Watching the small figure retreat, Sheng Minmin felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
It was as if she had traveled back in time to her past life, comforting and doting on her former self—the one who had been utterly alone and helpless…
Her past life had been even more miserable than Huang Xianjing’s.
She remembered her first day in the mansion. Having eaten too much rich food, her stomach couldn’t handle it, and she spent the entire night suffering from diarrhea.
At the time, she had overheard the servants whispering deliberately misleading words. Fearing she might displease her new family and not wanting to trouble anyone by calling for a doctor in the middle of the night, she endured in silence.
Days later, Sheng Mingzhu accidentally scalded her own hand and framed Sheng Minmin for it. Her “dear mother” rushed over, slapped her, and then urgently summoned the mansion’s physician.
Only then did Sheng Minmin realize—there had been a doctor in the mansion all along.
For the masters of the household, a physician was always on call, ready at a moment’s notice.
At that moment, her heart ached as if pierced by needles…
Later, she could only deceive herself, repeating that perhaps her family hadn’t known about her condition.
She told herself this over and over, clinging to the illusion that they cared.
But deep down, she knew the truth—the Sheng family had never truly regarded her as one of their own.
If they had truly cared, why hadn’t they called the physician to examine her frail, malnourished body and prescribe tonics?
Thinking of her past life, Sheng Minmin felt the dull ache return to her heart—a heart she had thought could no longer feel pain.
Along with the pain came hatred, and a bloodthirsty urge to kill.
Suddenly, she longed to smell the blood of her enemies.
Beside her, Qingying sensed the shift in her mistress’s mood. Her heartbeat quickened, but she dared not look up, keeping her head slightly bowed and her breath quiet.
“Where is Taoniang?” she heard the madam ask.
“Madam, she is still recuperating in the laundry room and has not stepped out since.”
When Taoniang had been punished last time, the lower half of her skirt had been soaked in blood—a horrifying sight.
Out of mercy, the madam had specifically ordered the mansion’s physician to treat her. Qingying knew the madam was “concerned” about Taoniang, so she had kept a close watch on her.
According to the physician, Taoniang’s knees would heal completely if she rested for another half-month.
But if she didn’t recover properly, the damage could become permanent, leaving her with lifelong ailments…
Qingying had a strong intuition—the madam would not let Taoniang off so easily.
Holding her breath, she heard the madam’s cold, measured voice.
“Her punishment isn’t over yet. Let it resume today.”
…..
Within half an hour of Physician Liu’s arrival, the entire mansion knew that the madam had spent a fortune to summon a renowned doctor from Renxin Hall to examine Sixth Young Lady.
Not only that, but she had also ordered expensive tonics for her. Despite being ill herself, the madam had insisted the physician prioritize Sixth Young Lady—truly spoiling her beyond measure!
In the past, the servants of Haitang Courtyard would have been overjoyed, bragging to everyone about their mistress’s favor.
But now, these servants had long since turned their backs on Sheng Mingzhu. They no longer cared about the “glory” or “status” of Haitang Courtyard—only about immediate gains.
As far as they were concerned, no matter how much the madam doted on Sixth Young Lady, they hadn’t received any extra rewards.
And Sixth Young Lady had grown increasingly stingy. Once, she had rewarded them daily with tea, snacks, and meat dishes.
But lately, not even a single plate of pastries had been handed out. Their lives had become dull and flavorless—how could they possibly be happy?
So, while other courtyards seethed with envy, the servants of Haitang Courtyard were quietly discontent.
Yunjin, one of Sheng Mingzhu’s personal maids, didn’t dare report the servants’ grievances to her already irritable mistress.
The other maid, Qingtian, was too busy scheming her own escape from Haitang Courtyard to bother advising Sheng Mingzhu.
Thus, while Haitang Courtyard appeared prosperous on the surface, it was slowly crumbling from within.
At just six years old, Sheng Mingzhu had no idea what awaited her.
But Taoniang in the laundry room knew all too well.
Right now, Taoniang was frantic—yet utterly powerless.
The madam had suddenly changed, targeting her at every turn. After much thought, Taoniang could only conclude that the madam was jealous.
Jealous of her close relationship with Mingzhu—and likely influenced by troublemakers whispering in her ear.
How petty and foolish! Taoniang cursed inwardly.
If the madam hadn’t cooled in her affections toward Mingzhu, would those vile people have dared to make Mingzhu “trip” and then pin the blame on her?
Even if the madam resented Mingzhu’s closeness to Taoniang, she shouldn’t have neglected Mingzhu so openly!
Now, Mingzhu had suffered, and Taoniang had been forced to kneel on broken porcelain for hours.
Though the mansion’s physician had treated her, and Mingzhu had secretly sent Yunjin with expensive medicine and a pouch of silver, her knees still ached with every step.
Exposure to cold or wind sent sharp, stabbing pains through them.
Taoniang knew she needed more rest to avoid permanent damage, but misfortune struck—the silver Mingzhu had given her was nearly gone.
Without bribes, the laundry supervisor would never let her rest.
It’s all that stupid madam’s fault! And these greedy old hags!
They’ve already squeezed so much silver out of me in such a short time…
Just as she was fuming, a plump washerwoman entered, carrying a food box with a sour expression.
She slammed the box onto the table.
“Sister Tao, you’ve rested long enough. We’re all servants here—you can’t expect me to wait on you forever, can you?
“Running all the way to the kitchen in this freezing weather is no small ordeal…”
Taoniang’s mind screamed “You wretched bitch!”
Laundry servants weren’t allowed to leave freely. Each month, a different person was assigned to fetch meals from the kitchen.
This month, it was this woman’s turn—a shameless, greedy creature. To secure hot meals, Taoniang had already given her two taels of silver.
And now she wants more?! The audacity!
But for the sake of her knees, Taoniang forced a smile.
“Little sister, you know my situation—I’m truly short on funds right now…”
The plump woman eyed Taoniang up and down. Seeing her plain clothes, lack of jewelry, and sallow complexion, she indeed looked penniless.
With a sneer, the woman’s gaze landed on Taoniang’s slender, fair hands—and her beady eyes lit up.
“Sister Tao, I heard you have a jar of Snow Skin Cream. Look at my hands—covered in chilblains. If I had some of that cream…”
She stretched out her swollen, rough, red hands…
