Reborn in Each Other’s Bodies: A Mother and Daughter’s Deadly Revenge - Chapter 26

“Nanny Du, why has Xian’er’s health always been so poor? Is there something wrong?”

Sheng Minmin’s gaze rested on Nanny Du and Du Juan’s faces. Du Juan’s lips remained tightly pressed together.

Nanny Du forced a strained smile and replied in a low voice, “Madam, the young miss has always been frail…”

Seeing their reactions, Sheng Minmin sighed inwardly. She guessed that these two likely suspected Sheng Yong’s sinister intentions and didn’t trust “Huang Yaning” enough to confide in her.

If they said too much and aroused Sheng Yong’s suspicion, their young mistress might lose her life.

Sheng Minmin didn’t press them further. Instead, she glanced around the room and noticed only a small brazier of charcoal for warmth.

Servants were quick to gauge their masters’ favor—Huang Xianjing, an unloved cousin, was surely being shortchanged in daily necessities.

“Xian’er, would you like to attend school?” Sheng Minmin asked softly, her heart aching as she looked at the frail girl.

“There’s a tutor in the estate, Master Lin, who excels in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. He’s kind and especially fond of well-behaved girls like you. Would you like to study under him?”

Xian’er’s heart leaped at the offer.

Nanny Du had once mentioned that her aunt had hired two renowned tutors for her cousin—one for dance and another for the arts. She had always longed to learn, to play the qin, to paint—it all sounded so wonderful.

She also yearned to venture beyond these walls, but her spirits quickly dampened…

Her cousin disliked her. If they studied together, she might only invite more disdain, making her life even harder.

Yet, she desperately wanted to learn…

Torn, Huang Xianjing didn’t know how to respond.

Beside her, Nanny Du understood the girl’s longing. But the estate was full of wolves and vipers—if anything happened to her, her mistress’s only bloodline would be lost…

If the young mistress came to harm, how could Nanny Du ever face her own mistress in the afterlife?

She had no choice but to keep Xian’er confined to this tiny courtyard. Her poor, unfortunate mistress and young miss…

Nanny Du wiped her tears with a handkerchief, and Du Juan’s eyes reddened too. A heavy sense of grief filled the room.

Amidst this sorrow, Sheng Minmin suddenly remembered the child she had lost in her past life.

She had died without ever knowing whether her baby was a boy or a girl…

If she had given birth to a daughter, would she have been as sweet and gentle as Xian’er?

“Xian’er, I am your aunt. You are my brother’s only legacy in this world—I will take good care of you.”

“Aunt—” Xian’er could no longer hold back her tears. She threw herself into Sheng Minmin’s arms and sobbed.

The child’s small, soft body carried a faint milky scent. Sheng Minmin held her tightly, as if embracing the child she had lost in her past life—or even her past self.

For days, she had suppressed her pain and hatred, never letting a hint of it show. But now, in this moment, she finally had an excuse to release it.

Sheng Minmin wept bitterly.

After the tears, her heart felt slightly lighter.

Xiangxiang helped her mistress freshen up before stepping out again. Earlier, when she had brought the estate physician to the courtyard, she had heard the crying. Not wanting the physician to witness the scene, she had entered alone to comfort her mistress.

Once everyone had composed themselves, she ushered the physician in.

The physician, a man in his forties, was a quiet and reserved man. After checking Xian’er’s pulse, he only said she was frail and needed careful nurturing. He also mentioned that some medicines were currently in short supply in the estate…

Sheng Minmin instructed him to procure the necessary herbs from her dowry pharmacy and have them delivered. The physician nodded and left.

Thinking of how Xian’er had died young in her past life, Sheng Minmin grew anxious. Unfortunately, her pharmacy only had ample stock—the resident physician’s skills were mediocre at best…

Well, for now, she would let Xian’er take the prescribed medicine. Once the household knew she was under treatment, Sheng Minmin could discreetly hire a better physician from outside.

As for schooling, there was no rush.

Sheng Minmin understood that in her current position, she couldn’t afford to slip up.

She couldn’t reveal even a shred of hostility toward the Sheng family.

With only Qingying as a reliable ally and few resources at her disposal, her options were limited.

For instance, she could afford to act slightly colder toward Sheng Yong—but never openly hateful.

Given his long-standing favoritism toward his concubine, it wouldn’t be unusual for her to “resent” him and gradually shift from her once-devoted demeanor.

To avoid suspicion, she needed to redirect her focus toward Sheng Mingzhu and her siblings.

She would mimic Huang Yaning’s past behavior—appearing to dote on the children, but subtly transitioning into a stricter maternal role.

This way, if she later disciplined them as a mother should, no one would question it.

As for her attitude toward Huang Xianjing, Sheng Minmin decided to play the role of a “doting aunt” convincingly.

If her guess was right, Sheng Yong was a shrewd man with eyes and ears all over the household.

Nothing here escaped his notice, so she might as well interact with Xian’er openly to avoid raising suspicions.

However, since Sheng Mingzhu disliked Xian’er, as her “loving mother,” she couldn’t openly favor Xian’er too much without upsetting Mingzhu.

Any gifts would have to be delivered discreetly at night—this way, she could fulfill her auntly duties while keeping up appearances for Mingzhu’s sake.

Sheng Minmin patted Xian’er’s head, told her not to bother seeing her off, and gave Nanny Du and Du Juan a few instructions before leaving with Xiangxiang.

Du Juan insisted on escorting them to the gate.

“Take good care of your mistress. If you ever face difficulties or need anything, come to me directly. I’ll also send some things over tonight,” Sheng Minmin said.

Du Juan blinked in surprise before her face lit up. She bowed eagerly.

“Th-thank you, Madam!”

Only when Sheng Minmin was out of sight did Du Juan hurry back inside, her steps light.

“Xiangxiang, tonight, secretly deliver 200 taels of loose silver and another 300 taels in small bills to Xian’er.”

“Tell her to spend it on whatever she needs—good food, warm clothes—she mustn’t deprive herself. If she runs out, she can always ask me for more…”

Then Sheng Minmin reconsidered. Xian’er was too timid to ask even if she was in need. With a sigh, she added,

“Never mind. She’d never speak up. You’ll deliver a monthly allowance from now on. Her health is delicate—she must be cared for meticulously.”

“Also, her clothes look worn. Bring her a few warm but inconspicuous furs, some soft fabric…”

“A dark blue bolt for Nanny Du, something brighter for Du Juan, three quilts, five catties of loose cotton…”

As Sheng Minmin rattled off her orders, the maids in the room watched her with warm smiles.

Qingying stepped forward to adjust her mistress’s cloak and said cheerfully,

“Madam, with an aunt like you, the young miss is truly blessed. And with Nanny Du’s loyalty and competence, her life will only get better.”