Reborn in Each Other’s Bodies: A Mother and Daughter’s Deadly Revenge - Chapter 76

Taoniang’s wounds, treated with the finest medicine, had already scabbed over. The doctor advised bed rest—lying prone to avoid reopening the injuries.

Here, she was cared for by a hastily hired woman who half-heartedly tended to her: applying medicine, feeding her, and assisting with toileting. Taoniang could smell her own stench. If I were home, with maids to attend to me, I’d be far more comfortable.

Besides, staying here was bleeding her dry. When she’d been thrown out of the estate, she’d been allowed nothing but the clothes on her back. Had she not hidden a few banknotes in her undergarments, she wouldn’t have even afforded medical treatment.

Fearful of lasting damage, Taoniang had insisted on the best medicines—and in just a few days, nearly all her money was gone. She now had less than 70 taels left…

Her fingers brushed against the key hidden beneath her clothes. Over the years, using the rewards Mingzhu had given her, Taoniang had secretly purchased a modest two-courtyard house in the capital’s cheapest western district. She’d even stashed some jewelry there.

But that house was her last resort—not to be used lightly. For now, returning to Peach Blossom Village was the safest choice.

Once decided, she hired a comfortable carriage to fetch her at dawn the next day. With haste, she’d reach the village by nightfall.

……

Peach Blossom Village – Feng Household

“Wailing and whining—like you’re at a funeral!”

“Useless brood hen, popping out worthless girls!”

“I’m not dead yet! Keep howling and draining the family’s luck, and I’ll sell every last one of you!”

Old Madam Li stood in the courtyard, hands on hips, screeching at the sobs coming from the second branch’s quarters.

Soon, Feng Lao’er emerged, eyes red-rimmed. “Mother, my wife suffered those beatings for this family! If she hadn’t tried to bring back more for us, would she have been so badly injured?”

“She nearly died for this household. The children cry because they grieve for their mother. Must you speak so cruelly…?”

Old Madam Li had hoped Taoniang’s return would refill the coffers after the recent thefts. Instead, the woman had been thrashed and cast out by her employers—not only bringing no money now but cutting off future income.

Furious, the old woman rained blows on her second son. “You ungrateful wretch! The moment that fox spirit returns, you forget your parents!”

“You believe every lie she spins! ‘Suffered for the family’—ha! More like she offended someone powerful!”

“A dog that forsakes its mother for a wife! I should’ve strangled you at birth!”

In the dimly lit main hall, Old Feng puffed silently on his pipe, the air thick with tension. The first branch lurked in the shadows, watching—none intervened.

Inside the second branch’s room, the two younger girls trembled at the noise. Feng Sanya’s expression was conflicted, her worry less for her mother and more for herself: If Mother can no longer earn, how will we survive? Will they sell me off for bride price?

Taoniang, facedown on the bed, flushed with rage. Useless husband—weak, filial to a fault. Expecting him to defend me? Never.

“Sanya,” she hissed. “Go tell them this: Though beaten, the young mistress I raised still values me. She sent me to the best physicians and provided a carriage for my return.”

“In her heart, I’m family. If I ever need help, she won’t refuse.”

The lies flowed effortlessly. When Sanya relayed them, Old Madam Li finally shut her mouth—though her face remained sour.

Sanya then updated Taoniang on recent events, emphasizing Liuya’s defiance.

Taoniang’s shock curdled into fury.

That little wretch dared rebel?

Sent to the Zhangs as a child bride, yet returned unscathed?

And now the Zhangs are dead?

Both branches and the old fools robbed?

Liuya nearly drowned, rescued by newcomers, and now lives with them?

How could so much have changed?

On her journey back, Taoniang had vowed to torment Huang Yaning’s daughter relentlessly. Not seeing the girl earlier, she’d assumed she was either beaten or starved into submission—as had often happened.

But this defiance was new. Yet Taoniang smirked. “Liuya” had always been pathetically eager to please. A few sweet words, and she’ll crawl back like a dog.

For now, recovery came first. Then I’ll deal with that little bitch.

……

The Next Morning

At dawn, Huang Yaning stormed into the Feng compound like a hurricane.

Taoniang—that venomous snake—was back.

The woman she longed to flay alive had returned.

The moment she’d heard, Yaning’s mind had nearly shattered. She’d sprinted here, fueled by a resurgence of hatred that overpowered her recent lethargy.

Lately, Yaning had been listless—partly from her drowning ordeal, but mostly from realizing Minmin was also reborn… and that Minmin would surely exact vengeance on Sheng Mingjian and his brothers.

If Minmin kills them…

The thought paralyzed her. She hadn’t even bothered investigating who’d pushed her into the river.

But today, hearing Taoniang’s name, something inside her ignited.

Now, only one thing matters.

I will see Taoniang.