Reborn in Each Other’s Bodies: A Mother and Daughter’s Deadly Revenge - Chapter 140

While Concubine Ruan worried about Sheng Mingshu, Concubine Shui was also anxious about her own son.

Shu’er was clever and quick-witted, but her Lier, a year older, lagged who knew how far behind Shu’er in both studies and social graces…

Tonight’s atmosphere seemed harmonious on the surface, but dangers lurked beneath. Just sitting here made Concubine Shui feel intensely uncomfortable.

In short, both Concubine Ruan and Concubine Shui were filled with foreboding.

Concubine Fu remained as inconspicuous as ever, her face revealing no particular emotion.

Concubine Hong’s eyes, however, sparkled brightly, as if she was anticipating something.

As for Concubine Bai, a smile played on her lips. Sometimes it seemed joyful, other times it felt more like a cold sneer.

Just then, maids entered in procession carrying exquisite dishes.

First came six cold appetizers, followed by the main courses.

The main dishes included Bird’s Nest with Shredded Chicken Soup, Dragon and Phoenix Soup (a soup often containing snake and chicken), Shark Fin with Shrimp and Crab Meat Soup, Bear Paw Stewed with Carp Tongues, Fish Maw Simmered with Ham, Chicken Marrow with Bamboo Shoots, Eight-Treasure Duck, Lion’s Head Meatballs, Roasted Squab, Pan-Fried Matsutake Mushrooms…

Sheng Yong, seated at the head of the table, seemed exceptionally pleased and called for someone to bring his treasured reserve of Zhuyeqing liquor…

The three brothers, Sheng Mingjian, Sheng Mingyi, and Sheng Mingbo, were very enthusiastic, offering many celebratory toasts, praising both Sheng Yong and Sheng Mingzh u, making the dining table atmosphere seem very lively.

Sheng Minmin looked at the table full of delicacies and suddenly felt a strong urge to laugh. She drank two cups of wine in quick succession to hide the smile tugging at her lips.

These past few years, Sheng Minmin hadn’t been idle.

She had informed Qing Dai about the dietary preferences of Sheng Mingyi and Sheng Mingbo. Then, based on their eating habits, Qing Dai developed several recipes and snack formulas.

Qiu Ju and Dong Kui, believing they had mastered excellent culinary skills, had unknowingly become tools in Sheng Minmin’s hands.

Those foods, with their conflicting properties, when consumed day after day, would gradually ruin their constitutions. The estate physician, checking their pulses monthly, had yet to detect anything abnormal.

Qing Dai said that Sheng Mingbo’s foundation was now destroyed; his progress in martial arts would become increasingly slow, and his future achievements would be very limited.

Sheng Mingyi seemed to have improved physically, but it was merely a robust exterior masking internal weakness—he was essentially draining his vitality.

Even if Sheng Mingzhu had Lin Zhijing treat Sheng Mingyi, Qing Dai said it would only address the symptoms, not the root cause.

Unless Lin Zhijing used Gu worms. However, Gu worms were expensive, and if Sheng Mingyi couldn’t prove his worth, Lin Zhijing wouldn’t waste them on him.

As for Sheng Mingjian, Sheng Minmin hadn’t forgotten him either.

Over the years, she had pondered the events of her past life repeatedly, and carefully analyzed everything that had happened in this life as well.

And she had indeed noticed something different.

She felt that Sheng Mingjian’s feelings for Sheng Mingzhu didn’t quite seem like typical brotherly affection…

In her previous life, the common people hadn’t known Sheng Mingzhu’s true origins. The Prince of Qi’s intention to marry her was also clear, so even if Sheng Mingjian had ideas, he couldn’t be with Sheng Mingzhu.

But in this life, everyone knew Sheng Mingzhu wasn’t biologically related to the Sheng family.

Sheng Mingzhu’s reputation was also tarnished, and she was disliked by the Princess of Jing.

If Sheng Mingjian wanted to marry Sheng Mingzhu in this lifetime, his chances of winning were actually quite high…

Sheng Minmin thought it would be quite fitting to have Sheng Mingjian compete with the Prince of Qi for Sheng Mingzhu, ultimately making Sheng Mingzhu her “daughter-in-law.”

Having Sheng Mingzhu suffer under her watchful eye for the rest of her life didn’t seem like a bad fate.

However, she would absolutely not allow Sheng Mingjian and Sheng Mingzhu to be a loving couple.

Therefore, for many years, Sheng Minmin had Qing Dai tamper with Qing Xin’s body.

Once Sheng Mingjian touched Qing Xin, he would become addicted—

If he did it frequently, he would eventually lose his ability to have children—

Although this method of revenge was slow-acting, it could be achieved completely unnoticed.

Even if someone discovered some clues in the future, she could absolve herself of blame.

On the other hand, Huang Yaning was not on the same path as her.

If she destroyed those brothers all at once, there was no telling how crazed Huang Yaning might become.

So, given the current circumstances, this method of revenge was her optimal choice.

Speaking of which, the pressure Qing Xin was feeling should be sufficient by now; she should be making her move soon…

She couldn’t help but glance at Qing Xin, who stood behind Sheng Mingjian, and noticed that Qing Xin seemed unusually tense, her whole body rigid compared to usual.

A thrill of anticipation ran through Sheng Minmin; she had a vague feeling that a good show was about to unfold tonight.

“Father, Mother,” Sheng Mingzhu spoke softly, her voice causing the table to quieten slightly.

“My senior brother is quite skilled at treating difficult and complicated illnesses. It was he who cured my leg…

“Back at White Horse Temple, I often thought of Third Brother’s inherent weakness since childhood, and I mentioned it to my senior brother. He said he was somewhat confident he could help…

“Therefore, I would like to invite my senior brother to our home to examine Third Brother…”

Sheng Yong was overjoyed. “That would be excellent! Young Master Lin’s medical skills are superb. If he can cure Third Son’s condition, the entire Sheng household will be grateful to him—

“Also, when your Master has some free time, Zhuer, remember to put in a good word for our family. Ask your Master to check the Feng Shui for the Sheng family—”

He had probably wanted to say this for a long time.

“Don’t worry, Father. I understand.”

“Good, good, good! I’ve raised a fine daughter. You are truly your father’s comforting presence”

This praise made Sheng Mingzhu blush with apparent shyness, which in turn prompted a hearty laugh from Sheng Yong.

“Thank you for thinking of me, Sixth Sister. Regardless of the outcome, your Third Brother is grateful to you, and also thankful to Young Master Lin for his assistance.”

Sheng Mingyi was also smiling, and for the first time, his smile seemed genuinely sincere.

Huang Yaning remained silent throughout this exchange. If it were any other matter, she would surely have made some cutting remarks to Sheng Mingzhu, but this concerned Sheng Mingyi’s health.

After all, Sheng Mingyi was her son, and she still hoped his health would improve…

Thus, at the dining table, Sheng Yong, Sheng Mingjian and his three brothers, and Sheng Mingzhu chatted animatedly, while the others occasionally chimed in with a word or two or simply ate in silence.

The servants and concubines, who had been on tenterhooks, were surprised to find the dinner proceeding very smoothly. After the meal ended, they were almost a little incredulous.

Sheng Yong had drunk a great deal and was supported back to his own courtyard by servants as soon as the gathering disbanded.

The three Sheng brothers were also quite drunk, but they insisted on seeing Sheng Mingzhu back to Furong Courtyard, just like they did when they were children.

“Nonsense! Mingjian, you’re already of an age to marry. How can you still act like a child?” Sheng Minmin scolded.

“Mother, we’ll only see her to the gate—” Sheng Mingbo said quietly.

“That won’t do either! A woman’s reputation is of utmost importance. You’ve studied for years; you should know that!”

Sheng Minmin reprimanded them sharply!

On the surface, she seemed to be protecting Sheng Mingzhu’s reputation. In reality, seeing that Sheng Mingjian was truly quite drunk, his eyes glazed over, she wanted to create an opportunity for Qing Xin.

Although the three brothers were somewhat reluctant, seeing their “mother” on the verge of anger, they had no choice but to give up.

Everyone returned to their respective courtyards.

Qing Xin supported Sheng Mingjian, feeling as though her heart was about to leap out of her chest…

She couldn’t help but think: if this was discovered, and the Young Master decided to have her beaten to death, what should she do?

At the same time, she caught the scent of the elegant incense on the Young Master’s clothes—the smell of wealth and status—

If she managed to climb up, her status would skyrocket overnight!

Torn between fear and exhilaration, they made their way back to his courtyard.