Reborn in Each Other’s Bodies: A Mother and Daughter’s Deadly Revenge - Chapter 120

Seeing Princess Fuling eagerly promoting her own willingness to help, Huang Yaning felt a little embarrassed.

Today’s events were carefully orchestrated by Huang Yaning.

In her previous life, she knew that Duanmu Rui had a strong sense of justice, pitied the weak, and admired sincere and brave people.

Her story, once it reached Duanmu Rui’s ears, should evoke sympathy from her.

Therefore, as long as her requests weren’t excessive, Duanmu Rui wouldn’t refuse to help, but such assistance would be a one-time thing.

What Huang Yaning wanted was Duanmu Rui’s long-term support, so she had employed a bit of cunning.

Judging by the Princess’s current reaction, she had succeeded.

Although it felt somewhat underhanded, Huang Yaning desperately needed the Princess as a backer.

Now that Sheng Mingzhu had gone to White Horse Temple—a place full of hidden talents and dangers—someone like her would definitely try every means to find powerful supporters.

So, Huang Yaning couldn’t just sit and wait in the capital.

After much thought, aside from the Emperor, the Eldest Princess was the most prestigious figure in the capital.

And the person the Eldest Princess doted on most was none other than Princess Fuling.

Later, when Sheng Mingzhu returned, she would also need to integrate into the capital’s social circles. Therefore, winning the Princess over to her side first became extremely important.

Huang Yaning resolved in her heart that she would help Duanmu Rui avoid some unnecessary troublesome suitors in the future to repay her.

The first of these troublesome suitors was Sheng Mingjian. In this life, she would never let Sheng Mingjian succeed in scheming against the Princess, not even a little.

She smiled and said, “Your Highness, this subject’s daughter truly has no other needs for help.”

These words caused Duanmu Rui’s fondness for Huang Yaning to skyrocket.

In all her years as Princess, countless people had come before her, exaggerating their hardships to seek help.

Initially, Duanmu Rui had been very keen on championing the cause of the underdog, until she later discovered that many people were exploiting her warm-heartedness, using her as a tool.

Duanmu Rui had grown weary of those who came to her weeping and wailing.

This Sheng Xiao Qi had clearly suffered so much, yet she didn’t exaggerate her misery in front of her at all.

Instead, she constantly remembered the villagers who had helped her and was single-minded in wanting to repay them.

It showed that Sheng Xiao Qi was kind-hearted, positive, and optimistic.

She was also very frank, admitting right at the meeting that she had ulterior motives…

Sheng Xiao Qi was a straightforward girl, just like her!

So, Duanmu Rui felt the joy of meeting a kindred spirit.

She patted Huang Yaning on the shoulder and declared with great chivalry,

“Sheng Xiao Qi, from now on, I’ve got your back in the capital!”

“Your Highness…”

Huang Yaning was a bit stunned. She hadn’t even used many of her planned “little schemes” yet, and this backer had just come to her on her own?

Was it going a bit too smoothly?

“Don’t call me ‘Your Highness’ anymore. Call me Sister Rui. May I call you Xiao Qi?”

Huang Yaning: “…”

That would be more than fine!

And just like that, Huang Yaning gained a new backer.

The two chatted for a while, and Duanmu Rui stated she would immediately send someone to handle the two matters Huang Yaning had mentioned.

The tavern side still needed some arrangements; she would send people to collect the items once everything was ready.

Duanmu Rui drank two more cups of tea before leaving.

Huang Yaning personally saw her off to the main gate.

The gatekeeper heard the Princess call the Seventh Young Lady “Xiao Qi,” and the bold Seventh Young Lady call the Princess “Sister Rui”—

Not only did the Princess not reprimand her, but she warmly invited the Seventh Young Lady to visit the Eldest Princess’s residence when she had time…

The servants felt the world had become utterly surreal, each one standing dumbfounded…

——-

Sheng Yong soon received news of Princess Fuling’s visit to the Sheng residence.

He also learned that Huang Yaning intended to donate all the items from the Haitang Courtyard. His face turned ashen, and he rushed home from his official duties.

He went straight to the Haitang Courtyard upon returning, not even having changed out of his official robes.

Soon, the entire estate knew that the Seventh Young Lady and the Master had had a fierce argument.

Though perhaps it couldn’t really be called an argument. The Master was furious enough to nearly have a heart attack the whole time, while the Seventh Young Lady remained calm, her expression composed and her tone even.

The Master said the Seventh Young Lady was unfilial for undertaking such a significant matter without informing the family!

He threatened to punish the Seventh Young Lady and all the servants of the Haitang Courtyard.

The Seventh Young Lady opened her innocent-looking big eyes and stated that the servants had carried the items out through the main gate in broad daylight and had even informed the gatekeeper it was for charity…

She said she had been completely open and hadn’t hidden it from anyone.

The Master was severely stumped by this. He then demanded to know why she was donating everything.

The Seventh Young Lady said that seeing all the items in the courtyard reminded her that someone had stolen her identity and lived in luxury for many years.

While she herself had suffered hunger and cold in the countryside, nearly dying several times.

So she found it all unsettling and had decided to donate all the offensive items in the courtyard—

She said all this with a completely matter-of-fact expression.

Later, the Master gasped for breath several times and told the Seventh Young Lady to find a way to discuss with the Princess whether she could avoid donating or only donate a small portion…

The Seventh Young Lady actually gave a mocking smile and told the Master to go and say that to the Princess himself.

Finally, the Master, trembling with rage, had to be supported by others as he left the Haitang Courtyard.

Upon returning to his own courtyard, the Master sent for the estate physician, who diagnosed him with a severe rage affecting his heart, requiring several days of quiet rest.

Just as Sheng Yong finished his pulse examination, Sheng Mingbo, who had returned early from the academy, also heard the news. Furious, he gritted his teeth and charged straight to the Haitang Courtyard.

“Sheng Mingqiu, what is the meaning of this?”

Sheng Mingbo shouted the moment he entered, as if trying to shatter Huang Yaning’s eardrums with his volume.

The servants of the Haitang Courtyard looked at each other and resignedly dropped to their knees once again with a rustle.

“What are you roaring for? Does having a loud voice make you right? Should others be afraid of you just because of that?”

Huang Yaning, still feeling pleased after infuriating Sheng Yong, instantly lost her good mood upon seeing Sheng Mingbo, replaced by sheer annoyance.

“I’m asking you, are you planning to donate everything from the Haitang Courtyard?”

“You know, yet you still ask?”

Sheng Mingbo was enraged. “I don’t agree!”

“What right do you have to donate all of Mingzhu’s things?”

“These items hold precious memories of the life Mingzhu shared with us! You have no right to touch those things!”

“You don’t even have the right to live in the Haitang Courtyard! I order you to move out!”

Initially, Huang Yaning was merely annoyed, but hearing this immediately made her furious.

“Sheng Mingbo, get this straight!”

“I am the legitimate daughter of the Sheng family! I am your own blood sister! That Sheng Mingzhu, the bastard child of a lowly woman, isn’t even fit to carry my shoes!”

“Shut your mouth—!”

Hearing his beloved sister insulted, Sheng Mingbo raised his hand to strike Huang Yaning. Qingtian, seeing the situation turning bad, tried her best to block in front of her young mistress.

Sheng Mingbo, shorter than Qingtian, gave her a hard shove in anger.

Qingtian, losing her balance, fell backward, and Huang Yaning was forced to become the cushion. Her back hit the floor hard, the impact painful.

Helped up by several nursemaids, Huang Yaning felt she was so angry she might ascend to heaven on the spot.

“Sheng! Ming! Bo!”

“What do you think you are? How dare you raise your hand against me?”

Sheng Mingbo now felt a little afraid. Memories of being tied up and severely beaten last time resurfaced…

He vaguely felt he had been impulsive again today; he should have brought a group of servants with him.

No wonder his eldest and third brothers always said he acted impulsively and never learned his lesson…

Although he felt some regret in his heart, Sheng Mingbo’s mouth remained stubborn.

“Who told you to insult Mingzhu?”

“No matter what, Mingzhu lived with us for seven years! Father and Mother both acknowledged her status as a legitimate daughter! She is also my sister! You cannot insult her—”

For a moment, Huang Yaning’s heart ached intensely, as if a dagger were twisting inside her.

The next moment, she felt utterly chilled, her whole body turning cold.

Why?

She truly didn’t understand.