“I don’t know… I didn’t… It wasn’t me…”
Minmin’s sallow little face crumpled in distress as she floundered to defend herself.
The sight tore at Huang Yaning’s heart. She rushed forward to embrace her daughter, but her arms passed right through Minmin’s body.
She knew this was a dream—a memory of her past life, from Minmin’s first days back in the manor.
During her first meal home, Minmin had overeaten rich dishes, upsetting her stomach. That night, she suffered severe diarrhea, yet not a single servant came to inform Huang Yaning.
She only learned of it the next day and prepared to visit Minmin herself. But then Sheng Mingjian and Sheng Mingzhu arrived, volunteering to fetch the physician.
They claimed they’d brought gifts for Minmin and wanted to spend time with her alone to “bond as siblings.”
At the time, Huang Yaning had trusted them. They played the roles of doting elder brother and sister so convincingly. And her own feelings toward Minmin were complicated—guilt, remorse, pity, love, and a deep sense of failure…
Minmin’s existence was proof that she had been a terrible mother, that her life was a disappointment…
Some part of her was afraid to face Minmin, afraid to meet her eyes…
So, she agreed, letting those ungrateful snakes spend time with Minmin alone.
She only instructed the kitchen to prepare lighter, less greasy meals for Minmin during her recovery…
Over the next few days, Sheng Mingzhu “kindly” kept Minmin company. Servants praised how diligently Mingzhu tried to please Minmin, while Minmin remained cold and aloof.
Huang Yaning visited once and saw Mingzhu fawning over Minmin, who seemed less indifferent than simply unsure how to respond.
Sheng Mingjian and his brothers accused Minmin of being petty and spiteful, but Huang Yaning thought her resentment was justified.
Sheng Mingzhu had stolen Minmin’s rightful place as the legitimate daughter for twelve years, living in luxury while Minmin starved in the countryside. Anyone would be furious.
After a few days, the servants reported Minmin had recovered. Then, Sheng Mingzhu took her to drink tea at Haitang Courtyard…
The servants hinted that the sisters were getting along, which pleased Huang Yaning.
Since the family openly favored Mingzhu over Minmin, she worried Minmin would suffer if their relationship soured. But if they were close, perhaps Mingzhu—future Princess of Qi—could help Minmin later.
How foolish she had been, actually believing that viper Sheng Mingzhu would treat Minmin well!
Soon after, a maid rushed in, reporting that Minmin had scalded Mingzhu—
When Huang Yaning hurried over, the room was packed.
Taoniang knelt, kowtowing and pleading, “All the blame is this lowly one’s! If Seventh Young Miss is angry, she should vent at me! Sixth Young Miss is innocent—!”
Back then, Huang Yaning hadn’t punished Taoniang. Mingzhu had begged for mercy, the Sheng family had interceded, and most crucially—the Prince of Qi, knowing Mingzhu’s true origins, still favored her and even defended Taoniang. Helpless, Huang Yaning had swallowed her rage and relented.
Sheng Mingzhu, the picture of victimhood, sobbed in Sheng Mingjian’s arms.
Sheng Yong and Sheng Mingbo gazed at Mingzhu with tenderness, but their eyes turned icy the moment they looked at Minmin.
And her Minmin—terrified, stammering, unable to defend herself.
At the time, Huang Yaning had no idea of Sheng Mingzhu’s true nature. Hearing everyone accuse Minmin of scalding Mingzhu’s hand, she too assumed Minmin had lashed out in jealousy.
She thought Minmin was being willful, failing to understand her struggles, and fury simmered in her chest.
“Mother, it’s all my fault, don’t blame Younger Sister…”
Sheng Mingzhu wept delicately, tears rolling down like broken pearls.
“I enjoyed twelve years of wealth that belonged to her… made her suffer so much…
“It’s only natural she resents me. I’ll give her this courtyard and everything in it—I only beg her not to hate Father and Mother! Punish me instead—
“Mother, my hand is fine, please don’t scold Younger Sister—!”
Taoniang seized the moment to wail: “Madam, this servant will accept any punishment, but please be kind to Sixth Young Miss! In her heart, you’ve always been her only parents—!”
As Sheng Yong, Mingjian, and Mingbo’s expressions grew murderous, Huang Yaning acted first—
SLAP!
Her palm struck Minmin’s cheek.
“Your sister is nothing but kind to you, caring for you daily while you were ill, and this is how you repay her? Such spite! Kneel here and reflect on your behavior!”
That cold, furious voice jolted Huang Yaning awake.
As always, her face and neck were damp with tears.
The memory left her heart in shreds. She buried her face in the “bed” and wept bitterly.
That day, she’d struck Minmin partly to preempt Sheng Yong’s harsher punishment—but also out of genuine anger.
Why had she been so stupid?!
Why had she trusted those two snakes, Sheng Mingzhu and Taoniang, over her own flesh and blood?
Her gruesome death at Sheng Mingzhu’s hands in her past life… she’d deserved it—
Dawn light crept in as Old Li rose, her temper fouler than ever. These days, she resembled a vengeful wraith.
Losing a third of her coffin savings—and discovering her eldest son and daughter-in-law’s secret stash—would enrage anyone.
If not for Old Feng’s reassurance that Taoniang would return after the New Year and repay double what was lost, she might’ve committed murder.
After noisily rattling the kitchen, Little Li and the second branch’s three girls emerged.
“Where are Dabao and Erbao?” Old Li’s glare could freeze blood. Once her darling grandsons, their secret candy purchases with her money had turned her against them.
She still suspected the eldest branch of stealing her savings and staging that farcical “robbery.”
Even if they hadn’t, those ingrate boys had money and didn’t spare a thought for their grandmother. What use were they? Just leeches sucking her dry for their education…
Her loathing for the eldest branch festered, and their former privileges vanished.
“Mother, Dabao and Erbao were just beaten yesterday… Let them rest a few days…”
Little Li, her scalp still tender from Old Li’s hair-yanking and her body aching from the fight with Widow Jiang, dared to protest.
“Horseshit! When their father and uncle were their age, they chopped wood bleeding from cane lashes!
“Those little bastards weren’t born rich—they’ll damn well learn hardship!”
Old Li’s shrill voice likely reached the neighbors. Little Li’s face flushed mottled red, her chest heaving.
The second branch’s three girls trembled—but their eyes sparkled with schadenfreude.
Defeated, Little Li shuffled off to rouse her precious sons. Soon, Feng Dabao and Erbao’s pig-slaughter screeches echoed through the house.
Old Feng, Feng the Eldest, and Feng the Second emerged, all dark-eyed, sallow, and sharp-faced—barely human.
Stepping out of the woodshed, Huang Yaning surveyed the courtyard, now thick with resentment and misery.
Her mood improved slightly.
