Reborn in Each Other’s Bodies: A Mother and Daughter’s Deadly Revenge - Chapter 70

“Magistrate Jiang, I have an impertinent request…”

Sheng Minmin spoke up, her voice clear and composed.

Before Jiang Fengqing could respond, Sheng Yong snapped with a dark expression:

“Nonsense! A woman has no place interfering in official matters!”

Jiang Fengqing inwardly scoffed at Sheng Yong’s behavior. This man climbed the ranks using his wife’s dowry, yet now he dares to humiliate her in public? The hypocrisy is revolting.

Noting how Huang-shi didn’t even spare Sheng Yong a glance, Jiang Fengqing’s respect for her grew.

“Madam Huang, please go on.”

“Magistrate Jiang, that black-clad intruder seemed highly skilled in martial arts. I suspect he’s no ordinary criminal.”

Jiang Fengqing’s expression sharpened at this.

“Moreover, when discovered, he fled with unnatural speed—vanishing in the blink of an eye. I suspect either someone provided him with a layout of our estate…”

“…Or he’s been hiding somewhere on the premises long enough to memorize every detail.”

“If it’s the latter, who knows if he has accomplices still lurking here?”

“I implore you to have your men conduct a thorough search of the estate. It would set our minds at ease—especially for the women and children…”

Far from dismissing her concerns, Jiang Fengqing found her reasoning sound. While tonight’s incident might’ve targeted Huang-shi, the intruder could very well be a wanted fugitive.

Her request wasn’t impertinent—it was his duty.

He immediately dispatched eight officers to sweep the premises.

Sheng Minmin hadn’t expected such cooperation. Relief washed over her.

Her real goal wasn’t handing Taoniang over tonight—without concrete evidence, and with Taoniang being her personal prey to break slowly, exposing the intrusion was mainly to deter the black-clad man. If Jiang Fengqing caught him, all the better.

The search yielded nothing. Footprints suggested the intruder fled toward the West Market—a densely populated, lawless area where tracking him would take time.

The drugged beggar, now sober, claimed total ignorance.

Jiang Fengqing ordered him taken back for further interrogation and prepared to leave.

“Magistrate Jiang, gentlemen, you’ve worked hard tonight. The kitchen prepared some refreshments—please don’t refuse this small token of gratitude…”

Though polite, Sheng Minmin knew they wouldn’t stay—not with Jiang Fengqing visibly stifling yawns.

As the group departed, she signaled Qingying and Qingxiang, who hurried after the last two officers with prepared food boxes.

“Sirs, thank you for coming tonight. These snacks are for your trouble—please enjoy them on your way…”

The officers pretended to decline but accepted readily. Midnight assignments deserved perks, and their superior turned a blind eye.

Back at the office, they opened the boxes. The top layer of one held a pouch—inside, eight hundred-tael banknotes, one per man. Below were still-warm meat buns, braised beef, pork knuckles…

Grins spread as they divided the money and feasted. This trip was worth it! If Madam Huang needs help again, we’ll gladly return.

…..

Meanwhile, in the laundry quarters, Taoniang was frantic.

Her knee injury hadn’t fully healed, and Huang-shi’s cruel punishment continued. She could endure that—but now Mingzhu’s reputation was crumbling under rumors of extravagance and selfishness.

Furious, Taoniang had secretly contacted him—the man who owed her three favors for saving his life.

Switching the babies years ago was the first favor. Tonight’s attempt to ruin Huang-shi’s reputation was the second. But Huang-shi escaped, even summoning the authorities…

Taoniang knew Huang-shi would trace the letters back to her. The thought made her bones ache with dread.

Yet imagining future riches stoked her determination. In her mind, Mingzhu would inevitably marry into nobility. Once they reunited, her daughter would shower her with luxury.

Her golden days are coming. She must survive. She will never surrender!

“I didn’t push her… It wasn’t me…”

Huang Yaning realized she was dreaming again—but this time, she wasn’t observing. She was Minmin, feeling the girl’s terror and helplessness as if they were her own. Her heart tore itself apart; tears fell uncontrollably.

She remembered this incident.

In their past life, Sheng Mingzhu had repeatedly invited Minmin to walk by the lotus pond. After repeated refusals, Sheng Mingbo berated Minmin into compliance.

That day, Mingzhu dismissed all servants. Then—somehow—she fell into the water.

Minmin, left alone to face the aftermath, became the obvious culprit.

Mingzhu had long insinuated that Minmin resented her for living in Haitang Courtyard, theatrically “offering” to vacate it. Huang Yaning had initially agreed to the arrangement, pressured by Sheng Yong and the sons citing Minmin’s “unpresentability” and even invoking Prince Qi’s name.

She’d planned to later prepare another fine courtyard for Minmin. Then the “accident” happened.

Back then, poisoned by whispers, Huang Yaning had believed Minmin pushed Mingzhu in a fit of jealousy. Guilt made her stay by Mingzhu’s sickbed, abandoning Minmin to the wolves.

Now, experiencing it through Minmin’s body, she finally understood the torment her daughter endured alone.

Sheng Yong and Sheng Mingjian’s eyes held murderous contempt.

Sheng Mingyi looked at Minmin with crushing disappointment, as if she’d committed an unforgivable betrayal.

Then Sheng Mingbo kicked her.

Huang Yaning—trapped in Minmin’s body—felt ribs crack under the impact. The world spun as she was sent flying.

Rage exploded in her chest. How dare he?! Minmin is his blood sister! Does he have no heart?!

But she couldn’t scream or fight back—only suffer Minmin’s pain as sharp agony radiated from her chest, sweat drenching her clothes.

“Sheng Minmin! You vicious, lying snake!” Sheng Mingbo roared.

“There were only two of you by the pond! Mingzhu isn’t a child—how could she ‘accidentally’ fall?!”

“If we hadn’t found her in time, she’d be dead! You’re a monster!”

“Don’t think her death would make us accept you! You’re nothing to me!”

“Having you as a sister is my greatest shame!”

“If anything happens to Mingzhu, I’ll make you pay with your life!”

Each word hammered into Minmin’s heart like a mallet, crushing it beyond recognition.

“Fifth Brother, I swear it wasn’t—”

“Shut up! I’m not your brother—never call me that again!”