Reborn in Each Other’s Bodies: A Mother and Daughter’s Deadly Revenge - Chapter 85

“Little sister, did you know that Cousin Xian, Second Brother, and Fourth Brother have been attending enlightenment classes with Tutor Lin recently?”

“Zhuer knows.”

“A few days ago, Mother asked Tutor Lin about their progress, and he praised them all highly.”

“He said Cousin Xian is exceptionally bright and quick to learn.”

“He said Second Brother and Fourth Brother have a real talent for studying—especially Fourth Brother, who can memorize passages after just a few repetitions.”

“The group even worked together to copy a sutra for Mother, which moved her so much that she rewarded them generously.”

“When Father heard about it, he summoned Second and Fourth Brother to test them and was reportedly quite pleased…”

Since ancient times, there had been a clear distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children. The more outstanding the illegitimate children were, the greater the threat they posed to the legitimate line.

In the past, when Mother had invested money and effort into supporting Father, Father had paid little attention to his two illegitimate sons, and Sheng Mingjian hadn’t paid them much mind either.

But now that Mother and Father were at odds, Mother had inexplicably begun elevating the status of the illegitimate sons—and Father had actually started taking notice of them too…

What Sheng Mingjian couldn’t understand most was Mother’s behavior. Why was she doing this?

Just for the sake of maintaining a virtuous reputation?

Didn’t she fear that those two illegitimate sons might truly have scholarly talent and someday surpass her own children?

Little did Sheng Mingjian know that the current “Mother” was here for revenge, eager to see the legitimate line trampled into the mud.

But Sheng Mingjian didn’t know that. He couldn’t make sense of it, so he frequently sent Qingxin to visit Peony Court and kept tabs on Sheng Mingli and Sheng Mingshu’s enlightenment progress.

From what he could see, Sheng Mingli was of average ability and posed no threat.

But Sheng Mingshu did seem to have a genuine gift for studying. Rumor had it that Mother planned to send both boys to Yuelu Academy next year.

Among the legitimate sons in the household, there were three boys.

Third Brother was brilliant but sickly.

A while ago, in an attempt to force Mother to forgive them and resume managing the household, Third Brother had joined them in eating vegetarian meals.

While the others had merely lost some weight, Third Brother had fallen gravely ill, his vitality diminished by half.

It looked like even years of recuperation might not fully restore him.

Fifth Brother was mediocre in his studies—even thirty more years of learning might not earn him the title of秀才 (xiucai, a low-level scholar). Perhaps he could pursue a military career instead.

But Mother always worried that the path of a military officer was too dangerous and had never agreed to it…

Sheng Mingjian felt the weight of the legitimate line’s glory resting solely on his shoulders. These past few days, he had been irritable and restless.

He realized he only had two servants at his disposal—far too few. Perhaps it was time to start cultivating his own faction.

Beside him, Sheng Mingbo and Sheng Mingzhu also wore grim expressions.

“I really don’t understand why Mother would send them to enlightenment classes…”

Sheng Mingbo tugged at his hair in frustration, muttering under his breath.

Sheng Mingzhu also resented her mother but didn’t dare say it aloud—nor did she dare suggest reaching out to Nanny Tong again.

At this point, Mingzhu didn’t yet know that when Nanny Tong heard she had complained to her brothers about her, the nanny would grow disgusted with her foolish disciple and become even stricter in her teachings.

From then on, Nanny Tong would frequently interrupt Mingzhu’s meals and sleep for impromptu quizzes, making her life increasingly miserable.

…..

Taohua Village

After signing the indenture contract, Huang Yaning began her new life with the Zhao family.

Because Aunt Zhao had fallen ill recently, her household registration hadn’t been processed at the county office. Now, with the New Year just three days away, the matter would have to wait until after the holidays.

Uncle Zhao and Aunt Zhao promised that once her registration was settled, they would take her to the capital.

She planned to report Tao Niang for stealing her master’s silver right after finalizing her registration. The moment the yamen runners heard there was “stolen money” involved, they would surely rush to the Feng household—enough to give the Feng family a nasty shock!

Then, she could finally go to the capital and reunite with Minmin.

Huang Yaning was both eager and terrified…

In a way, she was almost grateful for Aunt Zhao’s sudden illness, as it gave her time to brace herself.

That evening, she cooked a pot of congee, stir-fried cabbage, and made a dish of pickled peppers with dried eggplant to suit Uncle Zhao’s taste.

By now, she had grown skillful at cooking. After dinner, the three of them retired for the night.

The small courtyard had two rooms, and Huang Yaning had one to herself.

Before bed, she thought again of Tao Niang’s miserable state.

Old Man Bai had said the wounds on Tao Niang’s back would leave scars and that her knees had suffered severe damage.

In the future, even slight exposure to cold or changes in weather would cause her knees to ache terribly.

If she wanted to avoid scarring and heal the damage to her knees, she would need to seek out a skilled physician in the capital for treatment…

But of course, the Feng family would never spend money on Tao Niang. Her body was completely ruined.

Satisfied, Huang Yaning drifted off to sleep.

At some point in the night, she felt cold—and her body swaying.

When she opened her eyes, she found herself weak and limp, lying in a moving carriage.

Her heart nearly leaped out of her chest as countless thoughts flashed through her mind.

Had Uncle Zhao and Aunt Zhao sold her after all?

But she quickly dismissed the idea. If they had truly wanted to sell her, they could have just taken her to a shady broker in the county.

It made no sense to sneak her out in the middle of the night with a hired carriage—too much effort for too little gain.

If not them, then who?

Tao Niang!

The day after Tao Niang returned to the village, Huang Yaning had made sure her wounds reopened, subjecting her to unbearable pain.

A few days ago, when Huang Yaning left the Feng household, she had also arranged for Old Lady Li to humiliate Tao Niang and strip her of all her savings…

Cornered, Tao Niang might very well have resorted to desperate measures.

She had let her guard down!

Fear gripped Huang Yaning’s heart.

She had no idea what awaited her.

After some time, the carriage came to a stop.

The curtain was pulled aside, and in the faint moonlight, she saw a masked man in black—his eyes sharp and ruthless.

Then, he pressed a cloth to her nose.

Realizing what was happening, Huang Yaning tried to resist, but a pungent odor filled her nostrils. Almost instantly, her head spun, and her mind grew foggy.

Just before losing consciousness, she heard the man’s distant, echoing voice:

“Don’t blame me, little girl. Blame the woman you offended—the one with a heart smaller than a needle’s eye…”

“If not for repaying a favor, I wouldn’t have come all this way to kidnap a child…”

A woman she had offended?

A favor?

Kidnap?

Huang Yaning couldn’t make sense of the “favor” part, but based on the rest, the only person who came to mind was Tao Niang.

When she woke again, it was already afternoon.

Her eyes opened to a familiar sight—a worn, thatched roof.

Then, it all came rushing back.

Last night, she had been kidnapped and sold.

The mastermind was almost certainly Tao Niang.

And Tao Niang would never let her off easily.

A heavy dread settled in Huang Yaning’s chest…

“Ah! You’re awake?”

A dark-skinned man in his forties suddenly leaned over her, his face alight with delight.

Startled, Huang Yaning tried to recoil, but her body was still weak and unresponsive.

“Who… are you?” she whispered. “Where am I?”

“Son! Come quick—our little bride is awake!”

Little… bride?

Our little bride?

Our?

What did that mean?