Reborn in Each Other’s Bodies: A Mother and Daughter’s Deadly Revenge - Chapter 81

Only Sheng Mingjian and Sheng Mingyi remained. Though still young, these two were already shrewd and cunning—not easy to handle.

However, Sheng Mingyi was in poor health. Huang Yaning had repeatedly sent generous gifts to invite off-duty imperial physicians to examine him.

The physicians said Sheng Mingyi had been born with a congenital weakness. He could only live a carefully nurtured life, avoiding mental or physical strain, and might survive until thirty.

In her past life, Huang Yaning had scoured the land for skilled doctors and eventually found a wandering physician.

The physician said that while Sheng Mingyi’s constitution indeed required good food, rest, and minimal stress, there was no need for excessive caution. More sunlight and daily movement would gradually strengthen his body.

Huang Yaning, willing to try anything, had Sheng Mingyi follow this advice. Over time, his health seemed to improve, giving him the energy to pursue the imperial examinations and eventually a career in government.

But in this life? Sheng Mingyi wouldn’t get the chance to recover!

She would play the role of a “loving, doting mother,” keeping him confined to his courtyard, stuffing him with tonics to “nourish” his health…

By suppressing his strengths and amplifying his weaknesses, she would ensure neither brother ever shone brightly enough to rise. Only then could they be easily controlled—or disposed of—later.

Of the three brothers, Sheng Mingjian was the most troublesome.

As the legitimate eldest son of the Sheng family, Sheng Yong placed great importance on him, making it extremely difficult for Huang Yaning (now in Sheng Minmin’s body) to deal with him.

Sending the scheming Qingxin to his side had been her limit so far. Further plans would require careful plotting.

Qingying mentioned that Xiong San had recently taken a job outside the capital and would return in a few days…

In the meantime, she could “provoke” Sheng Mingjian a little.

…..

“Feng Liuyā, you’ve grown bold—

“Thinking you can buy your way out of the Feng family for just one tael of silver and live in luxury with the Zhaos?

“Hah! Dream on!

“Feng Liuyā, mark my words—you were born a Feng and you’ll die a Feng! And you Zhaos, you’d better drop this nonsense right now—”

In the Feng family’s main hall, Old Lady Li’s spittle flew as she ranted about Liuyā’s desire to leave.

Recently, Old Lady Li had grown much thinner, her face a mass of wrinkles that made her look even uglier when she sneered.

The Feng family’s second branch kept to themselves these days, while the first branch avoided Old Lady Li’s temper.

So now, only four people were present: Old Man Feng puffing on his pipe, Old Lady Li, Huang Yaning, and Uncle and Aunt Zhao.

Previously, the Fengs had suspected Huang Yaning (in Liuyā’s body) was possessed by an evil spirit and handed her over to the Zhangs as a child bride—for free.

But when Huang Yaning returned seemingly unharmed, Old Lady Li couldn’t bear to let go of such a useful slave.

Especially since the body Huang Yaning now inhabited was already six (seven by traditional count). In four or five years, she could be married off for a tidy sum.

Losing a stash of money recently and with Taoniang no longer a source of income, Old Lady Li saw Huang Yaning as nothing but a walking piggy bank—her piggy bank!

One tael of silver? Not a chance.

If not for Peach Blossom Village’s upstanding reputation, Old Lady Li would’ve sold Huang Yaning straight to a brothel for maximum profit.

Huang Yaning knew the Fengs’ greed and cruelty all too well.

“Grandpa, Grandma, you know I nearly drowned last time, right?”

Old Lady Li’s brows furrowed into a deep scowl. “You falling in wasn’t my doing. Why bring it up?

“A worthless girl like you even went to see a doctor for a little dip? Don’t think I’ll pay a single coin—”

Huang Yaning scoffed. “I didn’t fall—your precious grandsons pushed me in.”

“Lies!” Old Lady Li shrieked, her chest heaving.

Old Man Feng’s eyes flickered—a reaction Huang Yaning didn’t miss.

After her near-drowning, she’d been too distraught and feverish to hunt down the culprit.

But two days ago, during the second branch’s brawl, Feng Dabao and Feng Erbao avoided her, their guilty glances telling her everything.

“Ask your darling grandsons yourself—ask if they tried to kill me.

“If you still don’t believe me, I’ll have Uncle Zhao report it to the magistrate. Let the constables investigate who’s a murderer and who’s a liar…

“Attempted murder at their age? Your precious boys won’t just spend New Year in jail—your whole family will be disgraced across the county!”

Old Man Feng paled. Disliking his grandsons was one thing, but they were still Feng blood…

“Impossible—” Old Lady Li screeched, already storming out—likely to interrogate the boys. Old Man Feng hesitated but didn’t stop her.

“Grandpa, here’s the deal: Sign a severance document in front of Village Chief and Scholar Li, ‘sell’ me to Uncle and Aunt Zhao, and I’ll drop this.

“Otherwise, it’s your grandsons’ futures and the Feng name—your choice.”

This was an outright threat.

Old Man Feng set down his pipe, glaring at her. He knew his grandsons—lazy, gluttonous, impulsive. If someone had egged them on, they might’ve actually done it.

If the authorities came, those two idiots would confess everything.

From the first branch’s quarters, the boys’ wails were already audible…

Huang Yaning’s Plan:

Since her words had sparked the Feng family’s infighting and worsened Taoniang’s injuries, the second branch now wanted her dead.

She’d even considered burning the Fengs alive but restrained herself—she wanted to live, to see Minmin again, to atone for her past life’s sins.

To avoid future control by the Fengs or Taoniang, she had to leave now—while Taoniang was bedridden and the second branch in chaos.

Originally, she’d wanted a clean severance, but the Fengs were too greedy. A mere document wouldn’t cut ties.

And at her current age, she needed a new identity. The best solution? Let the Zhaos “buy” her from the Fengs.

Once the sale was signed and her name struck from the Feng registry, she’d no longer be a Feng.

Taoniang could never use “motherhood” to manipulate her again.

With some silver, she could even register as the Zhaos’ third daughter.

She’d already pleaded her case to Village Chief and Scholar Li. Peach Blossom Village frowned upon selling children—unless starving.

But her situation was special. The Zhaos treated her well, offering a far better life than the Fengs. After deliberation, the village leaders agreed to witness the transaction.

The biggest risk? Uncle and Aunt Zhao themselves. If they turned out to be untrustworthy, she’d be trapped.

But after all this time together, Huang Yaning believed they were sincere.