Reborn in Each Other’s Bodies: A Mother and Daughter’s Deadly Revenge - Chapter 75

To secure a better life, Taoniang spent every spare moment playing with her younger brother, constantly proclaiming how much she adored him while secretly badmouthing her two older sisters…

Her brother grew increasingly fond of her, clinging to her side, so she never had to toil in the fields like her sisters—rising before dawn and returning only after sunset.

Her two sisters were worn to the bone, thin as sticks, their skin dark and rough, their hair dry and brittle—so wretched-looking it was hard to bear.

But Taoniang? Her cheeks were full, her complexion rosy, making her the prettiest girl in the village.

Yet someone outshone even her. Near the village was a hot spring estate, rumored to belong to a wealthy official’s wife. Occasionally, a young girl or two would emerge from the estate—hair glossy black, skin fair and dewy, utterly radiant.

At the time, Taoniang wondered: Why is it that some people live like oxen, starving and freezing, while others live so easily, so elegantly, so proudly?

Back then, she vowed to herself: One day, I’ll work at that estate.

She’d heard that those employed there were either household slaves or possessed special skills. So, she ingratiated herself with a village seamstress, learning embroidery. Not only did this bring a small monthly income to her family, improving her standing at home, but it also gave her a shot at entering the estate someday.

As she grew older, Taoniang realized her parents would inevitably sell their daughters to fund her brother’s marriage. So, she took the initiative—convincing her mother to sell her sisters at the highest price possible.

As long as my sisters earn enough for Brother’s bride price, I’ll be safe.

Her parents, greedy to the core, married off the eldest sister to a remote mountain village. Her “husband” was actually a pair of brothers in their thirties who had stumbled upon a premium ginseng root, selling it for enough money to afford a wife.

Life in the mountains was harsh, and few families were willing to send their daughters there—let alone to two husbands. Taoniang’s parents secured triple the usual dowry for their eldest.

The second sister was married to a well-off but hot-tempered man with a lame leg. Within a year, she was beaten to death…

The eldest sister, after bearing two sons, went mad and threw herself off a cliff.

Taoniang felt no remorse for their deaths. Every man for himself—if it wasn’t them, it would’ve been me.

Yet she was still naive enough to believe her parents had some affection for her and wouldn’t sell her.

She was wrong.

After tasting the profits of selling daughters, they tried to marry her off as a concubine to a landlord whose wife had a notorious temper—one who had already disposed of several concubines.

To survive, Taoniang chose her own husband: Feng Lao’er.

The Feng family had a brick-tiled house, fertile land, and a comfortable life. Old Madam Li and Young Madam Li might seem fierce, but they were paper tigers—easy to handle. Most importantly, Feng Lao’er was devoted to her and easily controlled.

After just half a month together, she had him send a matchmaker to her parents, lying that they’d been secretly courting for over half a year…

Her parents, assuming she was no longer “pure” and thus less valuable, reluctantly agreed—especially after her brother put in a good word.

Married life in the Feng household unfolded as she’d imagined. She avoided all chores, holed up in her room embroidering. Handing Old Madam Li a small sum each month kept the family’s complaints at bay.

In truth, her embroidery skills had improved, earning her more than before—but she pocketed half and handed over the rest.

Then came three daughters in a row, and life grew harder.

One day, driven out to forage for wild herbs by Old Madam Li, Taoniang stumbled upon a bloodied man in the hills.

Her first instinct was to flee—but after a few steps, she turned back. Steeling herself, she rifled through his clothes and found a money pouch. Inside were a few silver taels and several banknotes.

She recognized them as banknotes but couldn’t read the amounts. Assuming the smallest was at least 10 taels, she nearly ran off with the pouch—but then she hesitated.

Looking back, Taoniang was eternally grateful for what she did next.

She dragged the man to a cave, returned his money, and even spent her savings on medicine to treat his wounds…

Before leaving, the man promised her three favors, vowing to help her three times in the future and leaving her a way to contact him.

That promise filled her with an indescribable thrill—like unearthing treasure. She knew this man would change her fate.

Later, she became pregnant again.

In her fourth month, she heard the owner of the hot spring estate was visiting—a grand lady, surrounded by servants, also four months pregnant.

An idea took root.

If our children are the same gender… could I swap them?

Two months before giving birth, she had Feng Lao’er send her back to her parents’ home. Though they initially refused, a bribe secured their reluctant approval.

During those two months, she learned the estate’s mistress was named Huang Yaning—and that Yaning had already hired a wet nurse, a woman who loved flaunting her gold and silver in the village.

Why shouldn’t I be the wet nurse? Taoniang thought. If the babies are swapped, I could raise my own child in luxury.

After giving birth to Mingzhu (her fourth, an easy delivery), she seized her chance: she pushed Yaning’s chosen wet nurse from behind, injuring her.

With Yaning due soon and no replacement, Taoniang was hired.

Heart pounding, she contacted the man, praying day and night that Yaning would also bear a daughter.

The heavens listened—and helped.

Amid the chaos of Yaning’s near-fatal hemorrhage, the man swapped the babies seamlessly.

Mingzhu, soothed by Taoniang’s familiar scent, stayed quiet in her arms. When Yaning recovered and noticed how attached the baby was to Taoniang, she kept her on.

From then on, Taoniang not only saw her biological daughter daily but lived the refined life she’d always dreamed of.

The Feng family never dared criticize her for bearing daughters again—instead, they fawned over her.

Life had never been better.

Until everything unraveled a month ago.

Especially after those brutal beatings. The doctor warned that ten more strikes would’ve shattered her spine, leaving her beyond saving.

“Huang. Ya. Ning.”

She seethed inwardly. One day, I’ll make you pay.

But now wasn’t the time for a direct clash…