Reborn in Each Other’s Bodies: A Mother and Daughter’s Deadly Revenge - Chapter 10

The cold weather made Huang Yaning’s limbs stiff from inadequate clothing.

Yet the lashes on her body itched and burned. Lifting her sleeve, she saw red welts crisscrossing her wrist. The urge to scratch was overwhelming, but she resisted.

Minmin’s memories warned her: Never scratch wounds from fire rods—itching worsens, and broken skin invites trouble.

To make matters worse, acid churned in her empty stomach…

Without Minmin’s memories, Huang Yaning wouldn’t have recognized this gnawing agony as hunger and cold. She’d never experienced either before.

Her eyes stung again.

In her past life, upon learning of Minmin’s existence, she’d wanted to beat Taoniang to death. But Sheng Mingzhu had wept at her feet, begging for mercy. Sheng Yong, Sheng Mingjian, and Sheng Mingbo joined the chorus, arguing that a scandal would tarnish the Sheng family’s reputation—especially with the devoted Prince Qi doting on Sheng Mingzhu…

So she’d held back, sending Sheng Mingyi to investigate Minmin’s life in Taohua Village.

Sheng Mingyi returned with lies: The Feng family treated Minmin well, but poverty forced them to send her as a child bride to the Zhangs. The Zhangs were decent—Minmin ran away because she didn’t want to marry.

Now, with Minmin’s memories, Huang Yaning knew the truth: The Fengs lived comfortably. Only her Minmin suffered.

Sheng Mingyi—always him!

How many lies had she believed in her past life?
How much had her Minmin endured?

She fought back tears. Crying would dehydrate her further, and she couldn’t afford to die. She knew Minmin had also been reborn—somehow, she was certain Minmin now inhabited her body.

But did Minmin retain past-life memories?
If so, what had happened to her at the end?
Would Minmin ever forgive her?

No matter what, Huang Yaning had to reach the capital. She would find Minmin, make amends, and shower her with the love she’d been denied.

And she’d take revenge: on Sheng Mingzhu, on the heartless Taoniang, on her “devoted” husband, and her three “filial” sons…

She wouldn’t die here.

Hatred and hope lent her strength. Gritting her teeth, she crawled out of the woodshed.

…

The Feng household was quiet. Per Minmin’s memories:

• Old Man Feng, Feng Eldest, and Feng Second were toiling in the fields.

• Old Madam Li was gossiping at the village entrance.

• Young Madam Li was likely sewing at Widow Jiang’s home.

• The two Feng grandsons were playing outside.

• The three granddaughters were gathering firewood and wild greens on the back hill.

Huang Yaning gulped half a dipper of cold water from the vat. In her past life, she’d never drink unboiled water—but survival left no room for fastidiousness. The liquid soothed her parched throat, yet sharpened her hunger.

After a pause, she headed for the granddaughters’ room.

Taoniang… That viper still served Sheng Mingzhu, earning two taels monthly. As the favored wet nurse, she’d received endless rewards.

In her past life, Taoniang had whined about her “miserable” life—failing to bear a son, suffering under her in-laws. Every New Year, Huang Yaning had gifted her silver, fabric, pastries, and Sheng Mingzhu’s cast-off clothes (high-quality garments that could fetch a pretty penny).

And Sheng Mingzhu—that black-hearted ingrate—had doted on Taoniang, showering her with luxuries.

Despite bearing only daughters, Taoniang held high status in the Feng household. Even hot-tempered Old Madam Li treated her politely; Young Madam Li dared not cross her.

Taoniang always returned with gifts—thoughtful ones for her biological daughters (Feng Sanya, Feng Siya, Feng Wuya).

But for Minmin? Only cruelty.

Because Minmin wasn’t her blood.

The Fengs, obsessed with sons, followed Taoniang’s lead in tormenting Minmin.

Taoniang— Huang Yaning mouthed the name like a curse, as if chewing the woman’s flesh.

After steadying herself, she slipped into the room.

Old Madam Li despised granddaughters, but Taoniang’s wealth meant the girls surely had pocket money. Minmin had once glimpsed the sisters sneaking treats here.

Huang Yaning remembered Feng Sanya—in her past life, Sheng Mingzhu’s connections landed her a marriage to a minor official. She’d even opened a shop in the capital. No simple village girl could achieve that without cunning.

The room held a worn-but-tidy bed, a wardrobe, and a dressing table.

As Sheng household’s former matriarch, Huang Yaning knew where servants hid valuables. Her sharp eyes soon found:

• A pouch with two taels of silver.

• A string of coins in a broken chest.

She pocketed both.

Old Madam Li would confiscate the money if she knew—so Feng Sanya wouldn’t dare report the theft.

Next, Huang Yaning uncovered a carefully wrapped bundle of red bean cakes (only five pieces) in the wardrobe. She devoured them on the spot.

The coarse pastries—barely fit for maids in her past life—tasted divine now. She licked the crumbs from the paper before catching herself.

A memory surfaced: Minmin at twelve, freshly brought home, wolfing down food at their first family meal. Huang Yaning had ached for her… until she noticed the smirks of servants and concubines.

Their mocking eyes had seared her pride like scalding oil.