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

Seasons turned, and time seemed to have hit the fast-forward button.

In the blink of an eye, Huang Yaning had already been in the Sheng residence for five years. Now, “she” was twelve years old.

Over these five years, Huang Yaning first mastered the manners, etiquette, and poise expected of a young lady from a prestigious family, then learned to read and write.

She didn’t neglect needlework, embroidery, cooking, or account-reading either; she also gained a basic proficiency in the four arts of the Chinese literati—qin, qi, calligraphy, and painting—and even showed considerable talent in calligraphy.

Everyone in the residence praised her as a genius.

Commoners outside spoke of her admiringly as a “talented lady,” and her reputation was excellent.

But Huang Yaning knew she wasn’t some exceptionally gifted prodigy. The reason she could learn so much in such a short time was that she had already studied many of these things in her previous life.

Another factor was Minmin’s body’s overall superior quality, which allowed for such “rapid progress.”

As for calligraphy…
In her past life, Huang Yaning’s handwriting was ugly, and she disliked practicing.
But whether it was due to being reborn or this body’s innate affinity for calligraphy, Huang Yaning always felt that only during calligraphy practice could she find a moment of peace.

So, she spent long hours practicing every day.
Over time, her handwriting became better and better.
Last year, Tutor Lin had said there was nothing more he could teach her about calligraphy.

Everyone thought she was honing a presentable skill, but in reality, she just wanted to quiet her mind and contemplate the path ahead.

Especially today—she had been practicing calligraphy at her desk since morning because Sheng Mingzhu was returning to the residence today!

During these years of her own efforts, Sheng Mingzhu hadn’t been idle either!
Of course not. For someone like Sheng Mingzhu, who constantly sought to climb higher, how could she ever be idle?

Now, Sheng Mingzhu had found herself a master—Great Master Dale.
This master was one of the three eminent monks of Baima Temple. It was said he had once expounded scriptures for the late emperor, his Buddhist knowledge was profound, and his status was lofty.

Early in his life, he had taken three disciples. Later, he secluded himself in Baima Temple for many years to contemplate ancient sutras. After emerging from seclusion two years ago, he accepted two new disciples.

One was named Lin Zhijing, a descendant of a family of imperial physicians.
His grandfather had lived at Baima Temple for many years, and his father currently held a position in the Imperial Hospital.

The other was Sheng Mingzhu.

It was said Great Master Dale doted on Sheng Mingzhu and her fellow disciple. After not leaving Baima Temple for so many years, he had actually followed his two disciples to the capital this time.

Sheng Yong received the news half a year ago. He promptly renovated the remaining courtyards in the residence, decorating and furnishing them as elegantly and comfortably as possible, all to curry favor with this great master.

Today, he even took leave from his duties and was waiting at home early, having ordered every family member to greet the master at the residence gates without any neglect!

“Miss…” Qing Tian entered, calling out softly.

“Speak.”

“The Eldest Young Master and the Fifth Young Master grew impatient and went ahead to the city gate…
“The Third Young Master is waiting at the main gate due to his health… The other two young masters and the cousin are also there…”

Huang Yaning sneered. Sheng Minmin was truly using the master’s prestige to intimidate others!

“What about Father and Mother?”

“The Master is in his study, and the Mistress is still in Peony Court—”

A while later, another young maid hurried in to report.

“Miss, I’ve heard the Sixth Young Lady has entered the city—”

Huang Yaning gently set down her brush, wiped her hands with a handkerchief, and said,
“Let’s go. It’s time for our entrance!”

By the time Huang Yaning reached the gate, everyone in the residence except Minmin was present.

Sheng Yong seemed somewhat displeased to see only her, frowning at a servant.
“Why hasn’t the Mistress arrived yet? Go and fetch her quickly—”

Huang Yaning felt certain Minmin wouldn’t come.
Someone like Sheng Mingzhu wasn’t worthy of Minmin’s welcome. She herself hadn’t come to the gate because of Sheng Yong’s order, but to confront Sheng Mingzhu.

Soon, six carriages slowly approached.
Beside the carriages rode two teams of guards on black horses, wearing armor and carrying sabers at their waists.
The guards added a touch of nobility to the otherwise not particularly luxurious carriages.

The carriages stopped at the entrance. Sheng Yong, all smiles, went down personally with a crowd of family members to greet them. Huang Yaning didn’t move.

Standing high on the steps, she saw the curtain of the first carriage opened from within.
Then, Sheng Mingbo, beaming, stepped down first.
He had probably boarded the carriage after meeting them at the city gate.

The smile plastered on Sheng Yong’s face froze for a moment, and he shot his son a glare.

The second person to alight was Sheng Mingjian. At this moment, Sheng Mingjian’s smile was radiant, his joy almost overflowing.
Over the years, Sheng Mingjian had seemed gloomy; today was the first time he looked so happy…
Was seeing Sheng Mingzhu really that delightful?

*Ungrateful son!*
*Blind fool!*

Huang Yaning cursed inwardly, a wave of anger rising despite herself.
But now wasn’t the time to lose her temper, so she forcibly suppressed the emotion.

Next, a youth descended from the carriage, around seventeen or eighteen years old.
He was tall and well-built, with sharp, distinct facial features—quite handsome in a conventional way.
This was presumably Sheng Mingzhu’s senior fellow disciple, Lin Zhijing.

Sheng Yong’s smile finally found its proper target.
Lin Zhijing performed a junior’s bow. His attitude could be described charitably as neither haughty nor humble, or less charitably as somewhat dismissive.

Lin Zhijing’s attitude suggested Sheng Mingzhu usually didn’t spare any criticism for the Sheng family.

If even a mere youth dared act this way, that monk probably wouldn’t be coming to the Sheng residence…
Huang Yaning guessed Sheng Yong was in for disappointment. Sheng Mingzhu wouldn’t let her “dear father” easily curry favor with the eminent monk.

She guessed correctly. Lin Zhijing stated that his master, upon just entering the city, had been invited away by people from the Third Princess’s residence, and he asked Lord Sheng not to take offense…

What could Sheng Yong say? However angry he was, he could only smile and say it was fine.

Huang Yaning took a deep breath, staring fixedly at the carriage curtain.
Finally, the curtain was pulled aside from within, revealing a small face.
It was Sheng Mingzhu.

Sheng Mingzhu’s face was almost identical to how she looked at this point in Huang Yaning’s previous life.
In her past life, Huang Yaning always found Sheng Mingzhu’s appearance peerlessly beautiful and ethereal.
In this life, the mere thought of Sheng Mingzhu’s face made her nauseous.

But at this moment, Huang Yaning forgot even her disgust.
Because she saw Sheng Mingzhu step down from the carriage by herself, using the footstool, one step at a time!

Sheng Mingzhu could—*walk*—?

Huang Yaning felt the blood in her veins instantly run cold—
Her vision grew slightly blurry…

“Little sister’s leg is better! Good things happen to good people! My little sister’s leg is better—”
Faintly, Huang Yaning heard Sheng Mingbo’s proud and excited voice.

——–

Sheng Minmin, in Peony Court, soon received the news.
Over the years, she had maintained a good relationship with Mama Wang and the Princess Consort Jing.
Mama Wang had shared some information about Sheng Mingzhu’s activities at Baima Temple with her.

From what she knew, Sheng Mingzhu had taken a master last year, but at that time, she was still crippled…
Today, many people in the residence saw with their own eyes Sheng Mingzhu walking like a normal person.

Had Sheng Mingzhu’s leg actually recovered?!

She hurriedly called Qing Dai to her side.

“How could someone declared a cripple by imperial physicians walk again like a normal person? Why?”

“Perhaps… she used… Gu…”

Sheng Minmin stared intently at Qing Dai, only now noticing Qing Dai’s extremely pale and complex expression.

“What kind of Gu?”

“Blood Gu. It can reconnect meridians and regenerate broken bones—”

“Is it very rare?”

Qing Dai pressed her pale lips together. “It’s very cruel…
“This kind of Blood Gu must be nurtured inside a living person for three full years. The host suffers agony akin to being devoured by a hundred insects every single day…
“That kind of torture… only one in a hundred people survives…
“And to rebuild the meridians and bones of one leg requires at least ten Blood Gu…”

Sheng Minmin felt a sudden buzz in her head, her mind going blank for a moment.
So, Sheng Mingzhu’s leg was bought with the lives of a thousand people?

She instantly felt a chill in her limbs and a deep coldness in her heart.