Reborn in Each Other’s Bodies: A Mother and Daughter’s Deadly Revenge - Chapter 117

“Father, you must have heard the rumors circulating outside.”

That day, Sheng Mingjian went to Sheng Yong’s study.

His injuries were now about seventy to eighty percent healed, allowing him to walk again.

Sheng Yong took a sip of tea and gave a noncommittal “Hmm.”

Seeing his father’s attitude, Sheng Mingjian felt somewhat uneasy, but he still mustered the courage to speak. “In my opinion, Seventh Sister might… truly be unsuitable to remain in the mansion.”

“Just think about it, how could there be so many coincidences in this world?”

“Seventh Sister had just served as a child bride for a single day in one family, and not long after, that entire household committed suicide, perishing in a fire.”

“Later, when she was sold into a remote mountain village to live with a father and son—I sent someone to investigate, and they were also raising Seventh Sister as a child bride—”

“And as a result, both the father and son also died in a fire—”

Noting that his father still showed no intention of speaking, Sheng Mingjian continued, “Father, I fear Seventh Sister staying at home will bring disaster upon the family. In my humble opinion, it would be better to send her to a nunnery for a period of quiet cultivation…”

“If there truly is something unlucky about her, it could also—”

Before he could finish, he saw his father look up, gazing deeply at him.

His father’s eyes seemed to see right through to his innermost thoughts.

This made Sheng Mingjian’s heart skip a beat, and he couldn’t bring himself to say another word.

In truth, he had already found a suitable place for Sheng Mingqiu. It was a nunnery that appeared proper on the surface but was actually a den of iniquity. Many families sent disobedient concubines or daughters there; within just a few months, they would become utterly docile.

This wasn’t because those sent there had seen the light, but because they were brutally tortured by the old nuns inside and had no choice but to obey.

He could guarantee that if Sheng Mingqiu were sent to such a place, she would lose her mind within three months. Arranging for the old nuns to kill the girl wouldn’t be difficult either.

“I am aware of this matter. You may leave now,” Sheng Yong finally spoke.

Though reluctant, Sheng Mingjian had no choice but to leave.

Sheng Yong had indeed heard the rumors early on and suspected his eldest son was somewhat involved. He had always hoped his son would resemble him—ruthless when necessary, stopping at nothing to achieve his goals!

But his son seemed to have “surpassed his master.” Sheng Yong hadn’t expected the eldest to be so vicious towards the young daughter who had just returned home.

However, he didn’t plan to intervene for now. He wanted to see how this “young daughter” would handle the situation. He didn’t believe the “jinx” rumors, but he suspected the “young daughter” had some tricks up her sleeve.

He also wondered how his “good wife” would react. Many things had happened at home recently, and Sheng Yong had a vague feeling it all seemed connected to “Huang Shi.”

“Huang Shi” was acting strangely. First, she reclaimed her dowry and cultivated her own people. Yet after doing so, she didn’t target the concubines or flaunt her authority as the official wife. Nor did she focus on nurturing her own biological children; instead, she grew distant from them and began cultivating two sons born of concubines.

Then, after Little Seventh’s return, “Huang Shi” appeared to dote on her but actually avoided seeing her. It seemed “Huang Shi” no longer cared about her children, and that included him.

This woman’s behavior had become difficult to understand, unpredictable, as if she were a completely different person. Sheng Yong wanted to know what “Huang Shi” was really after and which side she would take if her biological children clashed.

This incident involving the “Lucky Star” and the “Jinx” was a perfect opportunity to test “Huang Shi’s” stance. Therefore, Sheng Yong decided not to get involved.

———–

Haitang Courtyard

Haitang Courtyard was now Huang Yaning’s residence.

“Miss, all the items in Haitang Courtyard have been inventoried. Sixth Young Miss only took her personal belongings; she didn’t remove anything that wasn’t hers—”

After completing the inventory, Qingtian hurried to report to her young mistress. She couldn’t understand why her miss was in such a rush to account for all the assets.

The items were indeed valuable and precious! Normally, just looking at them would make her smile and eat an extra bowl of rice. But these things weren’t going anywhere; they could be inventoried later…

Right now, rumors were spreading everywhere that the young mistress was a jinx. She had reported it several times, but her miss seemed utterly unperturbed. Qingtian couldn’t comprehend why her miss remained so calm, why she didn’t try to clear her name…

If the young mistress were truly labeled a “jinx,” she would never have the chance to marry into a good family. Wouldn’t Qingtian then have to suffer a life of hardship alongside her? Furthermore, if the stain of being a jinx couldn’t be washed away, even if Sixth Young Miss were crippled in both legs, she would still eventually appear before them, looking down on them and taunting them…

The mere thought of that scene made Qingtian feel like she would die of frustration. Her eyes instantly reddened.

“Have they all been registered and recorded?” her miss asked.

“Young Mistress, the items in the storehouse have been registered, but the rest haven’t yet. Miss, is this really urgent? Perhaps we should—”

“It is urgent! Finish it as quickly as possible!”

Qingtian could no longer hold back. Tears streamed down her face as she knelt and cried, “Young Mistress, the rumors are flying everywhere outside! If you don’t think of a solution soon, we’ll be doomed! That kind of disgraceful label isn’t something to be taken lightly! Why don’t you go beg the Master—”

Seeing Qingtian’s tear-streaked, pitiful face, Huang Yaning found it somewhat amusing.

“I know. That’s precisely why I want you to inventory all the assets in Haitang Courtyard.”

Qingtian was stunned. Wiping her messy face, she asked, “What are you planning to do?”

“Donate them.”

“Do… donate?” Qingtian felt as if she had been struck hard on the head. Her mind went blank, and she stared blankly.

It took her a long moment to stammer, “Y-young… Young Mistress… You’re going to donate… everything in Haitang Courtyard?”

“Yes.”

“Without taking any money?” Qingtian’s voice shot up at least two octaves.

“Without. Stop asking questions and get it done quickly. I’m going now to pay my respects to Mother—”

Watching her young mistress depart, Qingtian felt the world had become unreal.

Haitang Courtyard was one of the best in the mansion. All its furnishings, decorations, wall hangings, screens, plants—everything was extremely valuable. And that wasn’t even mentioning Sheng Mingzhu’s personal storehouse…

So many precious things, and her young mistress wanted to donate them all?

The realization hit Qingtian. She clenched her fists and beat them against her chest.

It hurt!

It hurt so much!

The pain—the sheer agony of the loss—was suffocating!