Reborn in Each Other’s Bodies: A Mother and Daughter’s Deadly Revenge - Chapter 90

Sheng Mingzhu, the one who had just struck the blow, stood frozen, her eyes wide, tears forgotten.

She was stunned—had she really just hit her mother?

She hadn’t meant to…

Her heart clenched briefly with guilt, but soon, anger and resentment surged back.

This was all Mother’s fault!

If Mother hadn’t lost her balance, the servants wouldn’t have rushed to steady her instead of catching her, and she wouldn’t have tumbled down those cursed stairs.

And then—then—Mother had fallen on her leg, breaking it!

She was the victim here!

With that thought, any apology died in her throat.

To everyone else, Sheng Mingzhu’s behavior was nothing short of unfilial.

Yes, the madam had accidentally caused her injuries—but it wasn’t on purpose!

Besides, the madam hadn’t even wanted to bring Sixth Young Miss up the mountain in the first place. She had been the one who insisted on tagging along.

And now, after the accident, the madam was devastated—yet Sixth Young Miss had the audacity to slap her in front of everyone?

Utterly unfilial!

“Sixth Daughter—Mother knows you’re upset, but your injuries must come first…”

Sheng Minmin’s face was streaked with tears as she coaxed Sheng Mingzhu gently.

Inside, however, she was delighted.

She’d deliberately leaned into that slap.

A light, insignificant strike—in exchange for ensuring the Sheng men wouldn’t dare hold her accountable? More than worth it.

Plus, her performance had guaranteed Physician Xu’s utter disgust toward Sheng Mingzhu.

Sure enough, when she turned to the physician with pleading eyes, she saw pure disdain on the woman’s face.

Eventually, after much begging, Physician Xu agreed to set Sheng Mingzhu’s leg.

But she gave no pain-numbing draught beforehand. Instead, she had maids and matrons pin Sheng Mingzhu down while she forcefully wrenched the bone back into place.

Sheng Mingzhu’s screams echoed across the entire mountain.

She passed out from the agony—only to wake seconds later and shriek herself unconscious again.

Physician Xu then prescribed medicine, and fortunately, the temple had most of the common herbs in stock.

Sheng Minmin pressed a thick stack of silver notes into the physician’s hands, thanking her profusely before seeing her out. Then, she returned to personally brew Sheng Mingzhu’s medicine and kept vigil by her bedside.

By the next morning, everyone at the temple knew:

Madam Huang had been struck by her own daughter—and still stayed up all night caring for her.

When the daughter woke in the early hours, she’d cursed and raged, treating her mother with shocking disrespect.

Even passersby outside the courtyard could hear the shrill demands to “Go home now!”

It was a scandalous disruption of Chunshan Temple’s peace.

The news quickly reached the Grand Princess, who frowned in distaste.

As someone of her status, she kept tabs on the capital’s officials and their families.

She’d never met Madam Huang of the Sheng household before, but she’d heard of her.

Now, it seemed the rumors were true—a spineless woman who spoiled her daughter rotten.

And that Sheng Mingzhu? A brat at such a young age. The Grand Princess privately thought that if she had a daughter like that, she’d rather have raised a slab of roasted pork.

Her impression of Sheng Mingzhu plummeted to rock bottom.

As for Sheng Minmin? She felt a flicker of pity—but mostly, she thought the woman had brought this on herself.

…..

That afternoon, Sheng Yong, Sheng Mingjian, and Sheng Mingbo arrived in a rush, bringing an imperial physician (secured through connections and heavy bribes) and a renowned doctor from Renxin Hall.

Coincidentally, it was Imperial Physician Shi—the same one who’d treated Sheng Mingzhu’s leg before—along with Dr. Liu, who’d handled her follow-ups.

Physician Shi brought ointments to prevent scarring on her face and body.

After examining her leg, he praised the initial treatment—whoever had set the bone was exceptionally skilled. With proper care and no further injuries, she’d walk normally again in six months to a year.

“Father… Will I ever be able to dance again?”

Sheng Mingzhu trembled, her eyes swollen from crying, looking heartbreakingly fragile at Sheng Yong, Sheng Mingjian, and Sheng Mingbo.

The men’s hearts ached. They turned pleading gazes to Physician Shi.

The physician sighed and shook his head gently.

“Waaah—! I’ll never dance again! I don’t want to live—!”

Sheng Mingzhu burst into hysterical sobs, wailing as if her heart were breaking.

The Sheng men crowded around her, wishing they could swap their own legs for hers.

Worried she’d cry herself blind, Physician Shi prescribed a sedative.

Sheng Minmin hurried to brew it and forced the medicine down Sheng Mingzhu’s throat. Only then did the girl finally shut up and sleep.

Meanwhile, Sheng Minmin’s nerves were taut.

Because she knew—Sheng Yong was about to lash out.

…..

“Huang Shi! Is this how you take care of my daughter—?!”

After grilling the servants for details, Sheng Yong roared at Sheng Minmin in front of the entire kneeling household.

Truthfully, when Sheng Mingzhu was born, Sheng Yong hadn’t felt particularly attached.

He didn’t value daughters much, and Sheng Mingzhu hadn’t been exceptionally beautiful—hardly the type to marry into nobility and bring glory to the family.

But as she grew older, he realized—she had a knack for making people adore her. A natural talent for winning favor.

And that was priceless.

Since she was his only daughter, he’d spoiled her more and more.

Sheng Yong was certain she’d marry into a powerful family and elevate the Shens.

Just a few days ago, during the Lantern Festival, Prince Qi had shown clear interest in her.

Aside from the Emperor and Crown Prince, Prince Qi was the most prestigious figure in the kingdom.

If Sheng Mingzhu could become his consort—even a secondary wife—the Sheng family would rise to new heights!

In short, Sheng Yong had great expectations for his daughter.

Never had he imagined that a simple outing would leave her face scarred and her leg shattered, robbing her of dance forever.

The rage in his heart was unbearable.

Sheng Mingjian and Sheng Mingbo’s eyes were equally accusatory.

“Husband, why are you looking at me like that? Do you think I wanted Sixth Daughter to get hurt?”

Sheng Minmin’s voice cracked, as if wounded by their suspicion.

“Do my own sons think so little of me too?”

“Fine! After all I’ve sacrificed for you—this is how you repay me?”

Feigning heartbreak and fury, she lunged at Sheng Mingjian and Sheng Mingbo, pummeling them with her fists.

The brothers dared not fight back—or even dodge. They could only endure the blows.

After several hits, Sheng Mingbo yelped in pain.

“Mother! I never doubted you! I’m innocent—!”

Sheng Mingjian grimaced. “Please calm yourself, Mother! You’ve misunderstood—we don’t blame you…”

Sheng Minmin wailed dramatically between punches.

“I carried her for ten months! Raised her in luxury, gave her everything! When has she ever wanted for anything?”

“Aside from that incident with that wretched Taoniang, have I ever been harsh with her?”

“Even then, I spared Taoniang for her sake!”

“I’ve poured my entire heart into her! Hired Madam Tong to refine her! After all that effort—do you really think I’d let her break her leg?!”

As she ranted, her fists never stopped flying.

Pity, she thought.

If only she’d trained with Qingchi to build strength—she wished she could’ve punched hard enough to make these two cough blood.