Reborn in Each Other’s Bodies: A Mother and Daughter’s Deadly Revenge - Chapter 68

“Madam—” Qingying stepped forward to steady her mistress.

The thought of what might have happened if that beggar hadn’t been caught in time—whose room he might have ended up in—sent a chill down her spine.

“Qingying, if I ordered you to report this to the authorities right now, would you be afraid?”

Sheng Minmin gripped Qingying’s hand, her gaze sharp as a blade.

Qingying broke out in goosebumps, a mix of shock and fear coursing through her. She bit her tongue, forcing herself to stay calm.

The master had never truly cherished his wife, and he cared deeply about reputation. If he found out about this, he’d likely hush it up with a quiet investigation—ending with nothing resolved.

By bypassing him and going straight to the authorities, Madam was making a public stand, demanding justice for herself.

But once the master learned the government had gotten involved, he’d be furious. He’d rage at her for airing the family’s dirty laundry.

Madam’s future would be uncertain, and as for the servants? They’d be in grave danger.

Yet if that beggar had actually made it into Madam’s chambers, none of them would live to see the next sunrise.

Whoever was targeting Madam was targeting them too!

Qingying clenched her teeth. “I’m afraid. But I’ll do it.”

“Good. Take some silver, gather a few strong men, and leave through the side gate. Go now.”

Qingying obeyed without hesitation.

Sheng Minmin then turned to the other servants in the courtyard.

“Tie that man up and bind him to a tree—”

“Qingchi, take ten matrons and search every corner of my courtyard.”

“Qingzhu, lead ten matrons and ten menservants to notify every household—no one leaves their courtyard without my order. Anyone who disobeys is to be beaten to death on the spot!”

“Qingxiang, take ten matrons and ten menservants to interrogate the guards at the main gate and every side gate. Find out who’s left the estate recently and why.”

“Once you have the list, question every person who went out.”

“Every searcher tonight gets ten taels of silver as a reward. Anyone who finds something gets a hundred!”

Not long ago, Huang Yaning had sent over twenty sturdy matrons and twenty obedient menservants from the labor agency.

Sheng Minmin had kept all the matrons in Peony Courtyard. Now, her courtyard alone had over thirty robust women—and at the promise of such a hefty reward, they were practically foaming at the mouth.

Qingying and several menservants rushed to the gates of the Capital Prefecture Office.

“Open up! I need to report a crime—”

“I’m a servant of the Sheng household! Our estate was attacked tonight—we’re here to report it—”

They pounded on the gates with all their might. Inside, two night-duty guards had been hugging a pillar, snoring away, until the noise jolted them awake, cursing.

Only when they heard “the Sheng household” did they rein in their irritation, fearing something major had happened. They opened the gate.

Qingying faced the two young men in official uniforms, swords at their waists, and spoke urgently.

“Honorable officers, I’m a servant of the Sheng family. Our estate was invaded tonight—one intruder escaped, but we captured another.”

“The whole household is terrified. Madam fears criminals might still be hiding inside. We beg you to inform the Prefect and bring men to search the premises…”

She kept it concise, deliberately framing it as a criminal matter to ensure the guards took it seriously.

As she spoke, she discreetly slipped two banknotes from her sleeve—each worth a hundred taels—into their hands.

The guards were no fools. One glance at the sum, and their expressions softened.

Even though the Prefect was likely enjoying himself in some concubine’s bed right now, the man was lenient, and a hundred taels was nothing to scoff at. They’d risk waking him.

…..

Capital Prefect Jiang had just finished “three hundred rounds” with his concubine, washed up, and was about to sleep when his subordinates summoned him.

After hearing their report, he resignedly changed into his official robes and led a team to the Sheng residence.

By then, Sheng Yong had already gotten wind of the situation—including the fact that Sheng Minmin had reported it to the authorities.

“Huang Shi, have you lost your mind? If you’d told me, I would’ve investigated! Why involve the authorities and make this public?”

Sheng Yong’s face was stormy. Lately, every move Huang Shi made infuriated him.

At first, when she’d purged the household of corrupt servants over Taoniang’s embezzlement, he hadn’t thought much of it.

Then she’d grown distant with their daughter and sons. He’d found it odd but assumed she was upset that their daughter favored the servants over her, or that the boys didn’t appreciate her.

But when she cut off his access to the shops’ funds, it rankled.

Servants whispered that he’d spoiled his concubines too much, making Huang Shi jealous. He’d even tried reconciling—only for her to nearly vomit on him.

Now, rumors swirled about their daughter’s extravagance, and he was swamped with damage control.

And tonight? Huang Shi had dropped this bombshell.

Sheng Yong felt something had changed in her—something he didn’t understand. She was slipping from his control.

The realization sent a cold shiver down his spine.

Damn it!

Her past devotion had made him overconfident.

What’s wrong with her?

His gaze sharpened like a blade, scrutinizing Sheng Minmin.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Sheng Minmin’s heart raced, but she glared back defiantly.

“Do you realize that if I hadn’t woken from a nightmare and decided to take a walk tonight, that beggar might’ve ended up in my room?”

“If that happened, no amount of explaining would’ve saved me. Not only would I lose my position as mistress, you’d probably divorce me—”

Memories of being falsely accused of adultery in her past life flooded her. Her eyes reddened, tears spilling over.

“Whoever did this wanted to ruin me. How vile! I was almost doomed—”

“If it had really… I wouldn’t have been able to live with the shame—”

Taoniang was vile.

Had that beggar made it into her room, Sheng Yong would’ve hushed it up for the family’s reputation—but behind the scenes, he’d have quietly disposed of her.

Her death wouldn’t have affected Sheng Mingzhu at all.

Taoniang’s scheme was flawless.

Seeing her genuine tears, Sheng Yong’s expression softened slightly—but his disapproval remained.

“That’s exactly why you shouldn’t have made it public! This will harm you and the children!”

“Husband, you’re so against exposing this—could it be you’re protecting someone?”

Sheng Minmin lifted her chin, her tone accusatory.

“What nonsense!” Sheng Yong snapped.

“Hah! If I left this to you, and you found out your beloved was behind it, would you really punish her? No—I’d be forced to swallow the injustice!”

She’d already planned how to handle Sheng Yong. He was clever, but also arrogant and self-absorbed.

He’d always believed he had Huang Yaning wrapped around his finger. Even if he was starting to doubt, as long as she acted well, she could fool him.

Now, she was steering suspicion toward the concubines, painting herself as a jealous, paranoid wife.

Sheng Yong clearly understood her implication. One thought echoed in his mind:

This woman is still as stupid as ever.