Reborn in Each Other’s Bodies: A Mother and Daughter’s Deadly Revenge - Chapter 65
“My husband thinks that if he learns to read and write, he might find better work in the city someday. We could save more money for our daughter’s dowry…”
“Uncle Zhao is so wise. I once heard Village Chief say that even if you don’t pass the imperial exams, knowing how to read and write can still land you a job as an accountant—much better than digging in the dirt.”
Aunt Zhao chuckled in agreement.
“By the way, Auntie, which households in the capital do your two daughters work for? My mother once told me about some of the prominent families there—maybe I’ve even heard of their employers…”
Huang Yaning asked with feigned innocence.
The question made Aunt Zhao tense up slightly, but Madam had already taught them how to respond. She exhaled and said,
“Oh, nothing too grand—just a minor ninth-rank official’s household. They live near the Shi residence in the southern market, where a sixth-rank official lives…”
“The madam is very kind-hearted, with plenty of dowry shops, and treats her servants well. Many of the clothes my husband and I have were gifts from her…”
Huang Yaning searched her memory and actually recalled a sixth-rank Shi residence in the southern market—later promoted to fifth rank.
The southern district of the capital housed many lower-ranking officials, so the location fit.
Must be the wife of some minor official there, she thought. Having once climbed her way up from the status of a minor official’s wife herself, she knew there were plenty of wealthy, kind-hearted madams in those circles.
This made her trust Uncle and Aunt Zhao even more.
Aunt Zhao worked quickly, soon frying up several green onion pancakes and boiling two bowls of fragrant noodles. She even added an egg to Liuyá’s bowl.
“Liuyá, eat up. You’re too thin—poor thing, you need more…”
Aunt Zhao actually felt a bit of pity for the girl.
They had learned a few things about the Feng family these past few days. The Fengs were truly cruel.
The way they treated this child was all because Taoniáng disliked her.
Tch—of course that heartless Taoniáng wouldn’t care for a child that wasn’t hers.
Liuyá probably doesn’t even know she’s not Taoniáng’s real daughter.
Though she felt some sympathy, Aunt Zhao didn’t forget Madam’s orders.
Madam was their true benefactor. She had instructed them to get close to this girl and report back to the capital if she asked them for anything.
As she slurped down her noodles, Aunt Zhao quickly finished a bowl and two pancakes…
She felt grateful for Madam’s kindness. Without her, they’d never have such good food. She had to work hard to repay Madam’s generosity.
“Auntie… I want to go to the capital to find my mother…”
Huang Yaning let two lines of tears fall as she ate—partly an act, but also because the thought of Minmin’s suffering always brought her to tears lately.
She lifted her tearful eyes to Aunt Zhao and thought she caught a flicker of discomfort in the woman’s expression.
Blinking, she looked again—Aunt Zhao’s face was full of concern. She must have imagined it.
“Auntie, my family hates me. They beat me, starve me, and even sent me away to be a child bride for a family too poor to eat…”
She sobbed pitifully.
Aunt Zhao: “…”
With her husband not here, she wasn’t sure how to respond.
When Aunt Zhao stayed silent, Huang Yaning wasn’t upset or surprised. The Zhaos owed her nothing.
She pressed on, “Auntie, are you going to the capital to visit your daughters? Next time, could you take me with you? I have money—I can give you five taels as thanks…”
“Where would you get that much money?” Aunt Zhao blurted out, then remembered the girl had already paid two taels for food. She’d been too busy to question it earlier.
How does this child have money? And even if she did, two taels should be her limit—where’s she getting more?
“Actually… my mother isn’t as cruel as she seems. Sometimes, she’s kind to me.”
Huang Yaning forced out the lie, sickened by her own words.
“Before she returns to the capital, she secretly gives me money so I won’t starve at home…”
Hearing this, Aunt Zhao felt a twinge of disgust.
Liar. This girl isn’t Taoniáng’s real daughter—why would she treat her well?
Didn’t the Fengs recently report a theft? Was it this girl?
Unknowingly, Aunt Zhao had stumbled upon the truth.
“Auntie, please, take pity on me. Besides the five taels, I’ll repay you in the future…”
Aunt Zhao hesitated. “It’s not about the money. What if your family reports us for kidnapping?”
Huang Yaning swore the Fengs wouldn’t report it, promised to take the blame if caught, and poured on the misery…
By the time her noodle soup went cold, Aunt Zhao still hadn’t agreed, only saying she’d discuss it with her husband first.
Knowing she couldn’t rush things, Huang Yaning finished her meal and left.
In low spirits, she took a mountain path—where she unexpectedly spotted two figures in the distance: Feng Sanya and Li Mingzhi.
Li Mingzhi was the only son of Scholar Li, a fair-skinned, delicate-looking ten-year-old, slightly older than Feng Sanya.
Feng Sanya wore a shy, coy expression—one that reminded Huang Yaning of Sheng Mingzhu in her past life, making her stomach churn with disgust.
Trash begets trash!
“Mingzhi-gege, I embroidered this pouch for you… Thank you for teaching me to read. Without you, I wouldn’t even know how to write my name…”
“Sanya-meimei, teaching you a few words was nothing. You don’t need to give me anything.”
Li Mingzhi scratched his head awkwardly. He studied in the mornings, and his father encouraged him to take walks in the afternoons.
Since the village children rarely played with him, he often wandered near a secluded spot at the foot of the mountain. Half a year ago, he started running into Feng Sanya.
Over time, he grew sympathetic—she worked so hard, cared for her younger sisters, yet still strived to better herself.
When she expressed a desire to learn characters, he occasionally taught her. She was a quick learner.
“No, my mother taught me to repay kindness. You’ve helped me so much, and this is all I can give…”
Li Mingzhi hesitated. His mother had warned him never to accept gifts from girls. But Feng Sanya looked so sincere—as if she only saw him as an older brother.
“Mingzhi-gege… do you think my pouch is ugly?”
“It’s my fault… My hands are rough from work, and I don’t have nice fabric…”
“It’s fine if you don’t want it…”
Her eyes reddened as if holding back tears.
Li Mingzhi panicked. With no siblings and few friends, he stumbled over his words.
But the more he tried to explain, the more Feng Sanya cried—until he felt like a villain.
Before he knew it, the pouch was in his hands.
Hidden in the shadows, Huang Yaning watched the scene with a cold smirk.
Not even ten years old, and already scheming.
The Li family was well-off, with Li Mingzhi as their only son. Rumor had it he was bright—set to study at the county school next year.
If he ever earned an official title, Feng Sanya would cling to him like a bloodsucking leech. After all, she’d already given him a “token of love.”
Even if he failed the exams, she’d still latch onto him unless she found a better target.
What a cunning plan.
But Huang Yaning wouldn’t let her have her way.