Reborn in Each Other’s Bodies: A Mother and Daughter’s Deadly Revenge - Chapter 80

Yesterday, Uncle Zhao sent another letter. Huang Yaning wanted him and Aunt Zhao to pretend to “buy” her freedom from the Feng family—using her own money—while she handled convincing the Fengs herself.

At this point, Taoniang probably wanted to skin Huang Yaning alive, so this was likely her desperate attempt at self-preservation.

Sheng Minmin wrote back telling Uncle Zhao and Aunt Zhao to go along with it—she was curious to see if Huang Yaning actually had what it took to escape the Fengs.

If she failed, as long as she wasn’t on the verge of death, Uncle Zhao and Aunt Zhao were to leave her to her fate.

But if she did succeed, Sheng Minmin had a special “gift” waiting for her.

The thought of Huang Yaning naively trusting Uncle Zhao and Aunt Zhao almost made Sheng Minmin laugh aloud.

This whole affair also reminded her that she needed to plant more chess pieces around her enemies—sooner rather than later.

Her index finger tapped lightly against the desk as she considered her options. Right now, she didn’t have anyone suitable among her own people.

But then she remembered someone from her past life—Xiong San.

Xiong San had been one of Sheng Mingjian’s most capable enforcers.

Built like a bear with piercing eyes, he’d grown up in the lawless West Market and knew his way around a fight.

In her past life, Sheng Minmin had instinctively feared him.

But she’d later learned that despite his ruthless methods, Xiong San was fiercely filial.

When Sheng Mingjian spent a fortune treating Xiong San’s terminally ill mother, the man had pledged his life in return.

A capable, ruthless tool with a clear weakness—the perfect weapon.

This was too important to delegate carelessly. Sheng Minmin decided to send Qingying—disguised—to the West Market to track him down.

Of all her maids, Qingying was the most sharp-eyed, cautious, and tight-lipped. Only she could be trusted with this.

This time, I’ll be the one to claim Xiong San first—then slip him into Sheng Mingjian’s service as my hidden blade.

Just as she was plotting, Qingtian from Haitang Court rushed in, panic-stricken, to report that Sixth Miss had fainted…

Before she could finish, Sheng Minmin was already out the door like a gust of wind—not even stopping for a cloak.

Soon, the entire household knew Madam had raced to Haitang Court in distress. There, she saw her sons—all noticeably thinner—and her pale, unconscious daughter.

Her eyes reddened with tears as she berated the kitchen staff, only relenting when the children pleaded for them.

But at the sight of Mingzhu’s bloodless face, her anger flared again. She punished Yun Jin—Mingzhu’s personal maid—by banishing her to a distant estate.

Then came the flood of tonics—delivered by the trayful, especially to the sickly Third Young Master.

Clearly, Madam still dotes on her children as much as ever.

With that, the Sheng household settled back into its old rhythms, and the servants finally got to eat decent meals again.

On the 15th of the twelfth month—Sheng Mingzhu’s “birthday”—

Sheng Minmin welcomed Matron Tong through the main gates with great ceremony.

Over the past weeks, besides visiting the servant market, she’d also called on the capital’s most renowned etiquette instructor—Matron Tong—and somehow convinced her to take the position.

In her fifties with silver hair and a stern expression, Matron Tong wore deep purple robes and simple jade hairpins, exuding both wealth and authority.

With a radiant smile, Sheng Minmin led Sheng Mingzhu forward.

“Matron Tong, this is my hopelessly unrefined daughter. We’ll be relying on your wisdom to shape her…”

“To learn under you is a blessing she couldn’t have earned in ten lifetimes! Her father and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

Matron Tong had served in the palace in her youth, even earning praise from the Dowager Empress.

After leaving court, noble families competed to hire her. Any girl she trained became prime marriage material—commanding higher status and more respect from in-laws.

Though notoriously strict, she remained highly sought-after.

Since Matron Tong was elderly and newly arrived, Sheng Minmin kept the greetings brief. She assigned Qingying to personally escort the matron to her prepared quarters.

The moment she left, Sheng Yong—for once—spoke a few approving words to his wife, his gaze almost warm.

Sheng Mingjian and his brothers were equally thrilled, as was Sheng Mingzhu.

That Sheng Minmin had secured Matron Tong shocked and delighted the entire family.

More importantly, they saw glimpses of the old “Madam Sheng”—the self-sacrificing matriarch who lived for her family.

Everyone assumed this was her way of rehabilitating Mingzhu’s reputation—going to great lengths to hire the best.

Sheng Minmin smiled through it all. Why wouldn’t she?

In her past life, Sheng Mingzhu’s only notable talent had been dance. She’d honed it relentlessly, using her grace to stand out.

But in etiquette, tea ceremony, incense appreciation, flower arrangement, and embroidery? Mediocre at best.

Coincidentally, those were Matron Tong’s specialties—and exactly what she taught.

Having lived through it once, Sheng Minmin also knew Matron Tong was rigid, merciless, and never adapted her methods to the student.

Those who were either naturally gifted in her subjects or exceptionally hardworking might survive her tutelage.

But for those who struggled? Pure torment.

In her past life, one official’s daughter had been driven to attempt suicide by drowning under Matron Tong’s “guidance.” Though saved, the scandal ruined the matron’s reputation…

Sheng Minmin could already picture Mingzhu’s coming misery.

Banishing Yun Jin—the only maid who genuinely cared for Mingzhu—was just the icing on the cake.

Behind her handkerchief, Sheng Minmin’s grin refused to fade.

This lifetime, I’ll smother every talent that made Sheng Mingzhu shine—and force her to grind away at her weaknesses under a tyrant’s whip.

Let her taste what it’s like to be called “useless” day after day.

The best part? The entire Sheng family thanked her for it.

The irony was delicious.

Since being reborn in this body, Sheng Minmin had spent most of her time consolidating assets and building her own network—only occasionally striking at her enemies when opportunities arose.

Now, with her dowry shops’ profits no longer funding the Sheng household and loyal subordinates at her command, she finally had a firm foothold.

Now, she could play the “devoted mother” to her heart’s content.

Matron Tong was just her first gift to Mingzhu.

As for the three brothers—Sheng Mingbo would be the easiest. Hot-headed and simple-minded, he’d hated studying in his past life, preferring martial arts.

He’d eventually become a minor military officer with a promising career—until she died.

Well, this time I’ll chain him to his books.

Dream all you want about glory on the battlefield—you’ll rot at a scholar’s desk instead.