Sheng Minmin had indeed received the news, and she was utterly shocked!
She never imagined Huang Yaning would have the ability to escape—not only that, but she had also rushed straight to the capital’s magistrate office to expose Sheng Mingzhu’s identity as a fake heiress!
Nearly half a year had passed since the princess’s birthday banquet, and Sheng Mingzhu’s leg had almost fully healed.
Zhu Qisheng visited the Sheng residence every few days, and without fail, he always went to Haitang Courtyard. Each time, the entire courtyard would echo with Sheng Mingzhu’s tinkling laughter and endless calls of “Brother Sheng…”
Minmin had been contemplating how to cripple Sheng Mingzhu again when, unexpectedly, Huang Yaning appeared.
As long as Huang Yaning’s true identity as the real Sheng heiress was publicly confirmed, she would become the sharpest, most effective weapon against Sheng Mingzhu.
Once she thought of it this way, Sheng Minmin decided that even though Huang Yaning was detestable, letting her into the Sheng household wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Let the dogs fight and tear each other apart—let Huang Yaning deal with Sheng Mingzhu and Taoniang!
This drama was bound to get even more entertaining!
To prevent Sheng Yong from denying Huang Yaning’s status as the legitimate daughter, Sheng Minmin hurriedly rushed to the magistrate’s office.
She had to acknowledge Huang Yaning before Sheng Yong arrived.
…..
“Madam Huang has arrived—!”
Someone outside the hall shouted, and the crowd of onlookers—packed so tightly they could barely breathe—immediately parted to either side, instinctively clearing a narrow path.
Sheng Minmin strode in briskly. The moment she saw Huang Yaning, she was certain: Huang Yaning was reborn, just like her, and she knew Minmin was reborn too.
Because in Huang Yaning’s eyes, she saw an overwhelming flood of guilt, remorse, and cautious, almost fearful… pleading.
Suppressing the disgust in her heart, Sheng Minmin feigned shock as she looked at the girl.
“You… what’s your name?”
Tears were already streaming down Huang Yaning’s face. She choked back sobs before she could finally speak.
“Liuyu…
“My name is Liuyu. I was the granddaughter of the Feng family’s second branch in Taohua Village. I thought my father was Feng the Second, and my mother was Taoniang.
“But later, I found out that after Taoniang got the job as a wet nurse in the Sheng household, she switched me with Sheng Mingzhu the night I was born.
“She turned me into a peasant girl in Taohua Village while her own daughter was raised in luxury at the Sheng residence.
“Taoniang never liked me. The Feng family beat and abused me constantly. Among the children, I was the youngest but had to do the most work and eat the worst food…”
Everyone inside and outside the hall stared at “Madam Huang” and the young girl, their jaws nearly hitting the floor.
The resemblance between the two was uncanny—if they weren’t mother and daughter, no one would believe it.
But how could a noble household like the Sheng family let a mere wet nurse swap their child? Murmurs of disbelief rippled through the crowd.
Sheng Minmin couldn’t help but recall her own past life, and tears welled up in her eyes.
But she knew better than anyone that right now, she had to confirm Huang Yaning’s identity as quickly as possible—before Sheng Yong could intervene to protect Sheng Mingzhu.
“When I gave birth to you, I wasn’t in the main residence but at a countryside estate—
“The wet nurse we hired had accidentally broken her leg, so we had to find a local replacement. That was how we ended up with that wretched Taoniang—who had just given birth herself!
“After delivering you, I suffered a hemorrhage. The doctors fought all night to save me, and by the time I woke up, I finally saw my child…
“Could that vile Taoniang have taken advantage of the chaos during my crisis to switch you out?”
The crowd gasped in realization.
A rural estate wouldn’t have the same tight security as the main residence. With a hemorrhage causing chaos, it was possible for a wet nurse to pull off such a scheme…
Huang Yaning stepped forward as if to embrace Minmin, but Sheng Minmin subtly dodged her. Instead, Minmin turned to her maids with a furious command.
“No wonder that lowly Taoniang doted on Sheng Mingzhu like her own flesh and blood!
“Go! Find that wretched servant, tie her up, and drag her here! I want to ask her face-to-face why she dared switch my real daughter—!”
….
Sheng Yong, who had been swamped with official duties that day, only received the news belatedly. By the time he rushed over in a panic, he heard those very words.
What did Huang Shi mean by that?!
Wasn’t she outright declaring Mingzhu a fake heiress?!
Sheng Yong felt as if he’d been struck by lightning. Fury surged in his chest, and he nearly spat blood—he wanted to slap Huang Shi right then and there!
But when his gaze landed on Huang Yaning—now “Feng Liuyu”—that blood lodged in his throat, choking him with unbearable frustration.
Sheng Yong knew this girl had to be his and Huang Shi’s biological daughter. The resemblance was undeniable.
But he felt no joy.
Mingzhu was deeply favored by Prince Qi. She would surely marry into the Prince’s household—at the very least as a consort, if not the main wife with the right maneuvering!
A fake daughter who could bring glory to the family versus a real daughter who was a useless country bumpkin?
The choice was obvious.
Huang Yaning also saw Sheng Yong—the man she had loved her entire past life.
Regret consumed her.
If she hadn’t married Sheng Yong, her substantial dowry alone would have ensured a comfortable life, and she could have provided her children with safety and stability.
Her Minmin would have lived a peaceful, happy life—never suffering the humiliation and torment of their past existence.
In their previous life, Sheng Yong had stood by and let her die to save Sheng Mingzhu.
Now, Huang Yaning felt not a shred of love for Sheng Yong—only hatred, deep and unending.
At the same time, she caught the fleeting murderous intent in Sheng Yong’s eyes.
Having been married to him for years in her past life, she knew his tells.
On her way to the capital, Huang Yaning had recalled that in their previous life, Prince Qi had met and fallen for Sheng Mingzhu this very year.
So after arriving, she had discreetly confirmed that in this life, Prince Qi was also visiting the Sheng residence constantly.
Which meant Sheng Yong would never let her ruin Sheng Mingzhu’s path to glory. To protect Mingzhu—and his own wealth and status—he would resort to any underhanded method.
Huang Yaning’s guard went up.
As Sheng Yong exchanged greetings with Magistrate Jiang, his icy stare locked onto her.
“Countless people in this world share similar faces. You dare impersonate my daughter without proof?
“I don’t know who put you up to this, but slandering my daughter’s reputation and deceiving imperial officials is unforgivable!
“Men! Take this troublemaker away—!”
Sheng Yong’s voice dripped with the bloodthirsty authority of a seasoned general, his aura so oppressive it could freeze an ordinary person in terror.
But Huang Yaning was no longer a sheltered noblewoman.
In this life, she had killed.
She wasn’t afraid of Sheng Yong.
With a swift retreat, she shrieked in “terror”—
“Father! Are you trying to kill me?!
“Are you planning to take me away and silence me in secret?!
“Magistrate Jiang, SAVE ME—!”
Small and agile, Huang Yaning darted behind Magistrate Jiang’s seat like a frightened rabbit.
The servants lunging for her froze mid-step.
