Reborn in Each Other’s Bodies: A Mother and Daughter’s Deadly Revenge - Chapter 93

The Uncle and Aunt Zhao from Taohua Village were indeed searching for “Feng Liuya.”

On the night “Feng Liuya” disappeared, Aunt Zhao was coughing so badly that Uncle Zhao had to rush out in the middle of the night to fetch Old Master Bai.

After examining her, Old Master Bai prescribed some medicine. At this point, Uncle Zhao found it strange—normally, Liuya would have already woken up from the commotion. Why was there no movement tonight?

He knocked on Liuya’s door, only to find her gone, her bedding already cold.

So Uncle Zhao and Aunt Zhao stormed over to the Feng household, causing a huge scene that drew half the village as spectators.

The Zhao family accused the Fengs of playing dirty—taking their money to “sell” their granddaughter to them openly, only to secretly sneak the child back.

No wonder they only asked for one tael of silver—they were planning to double-dip…

Meanwhile, the Fengs claimed the Zhaos had sinister intentions, selling the child and then pinning the blame on them…

In short, both sides argued fiercely, each sticking to their own version of events.

Eventually, the Fengs declared that “Feng Liuya” was no longer part of their family, so the matter had nothing to do with them.

Left with no other choice, the Zhaos reported the case to the authorities the next day, but the officials turned up nothing.

After that, Uncle Zhao made daily trips to the county office and even visited slave traders, but after half a month of searching, he found no trace of her.

He lost weight, spent a considerable amount of money, and the entire Zhao family spent the New Year in gloom and despair.

The villagers of Taohua Village watched all this unfold, praising the Zhao couple for their righteousness while sighing over the missing Feng Liuya.

Chunshan Temple

Imperial Physician Shi advised Sheng Mingzhu to recuperate at the temple for half a month to a month, waiting until her condition stabilized before being carried back home.

Sheng Yong gratefully saw the physician off and asked Dr. Liu to stay at the temple a while longer.

After arranging some matters, Sheng Yong left after just two days.

Sheng Mingjian and his brother stayed a few more days but were eventually “chased away” by Sheng Minmin under the pretense of their studies.

She then summoned Tianzhang and Qionglou—two of Sheng Mingzhu’s second-tier maids—to the temple to attend to her personally.

This was because Qingtian had already been demoted to a third-tier maid and sent back to the estate.

Now, Qingtian was utterly grateful to Sheng Minmin, while her feelings toward Sheng Mingzhu? Probably pure hatred.

The girl’s parents and siblings held considerable influence in the estate, and Sheng Minmin had a feeling sending her back might bring an unexpected surprise one day.

Now, the only people left on the mountain were Sheng Minmin, Xian’er, Dr. Liu, Sheng Mingzhu, and seven or eight servants.

Dr. Liu checked on Sheng Mingzhu daily, reporting that her injuries were healing well.

Sheng Minmin spent her days chanting sutras with Xian’er, ostensibly to pray for “Sheng Mingzhu’s” recovery—though only she knew the truth.

She was praying for the child she had lost in her past life.

She even secretly arranged for a Taoist ritual to be performed for that pitiful child and set up a memorial tablet for their peaceful repose…

But as Sheng Minmin carried out these acts, she didn’t feel any peace or relief.

Instead, her hatred and bloodthirst only grew fiercer.

She thought this was good—she never wanted to forget her vengeance.

The only time Sheng Minmin and Sheng Mingzhu interacted was during meals.

Sheng Mingzhu had become unusually docile, no longer wailing or shedding dramatic tears. It was as if she had matured overnight, turning quiet and subdued.

She never brought up how Sheng Minmin had crushed her leg or her own hostile behavior during the bone-setting that night.

Sheng Minmin, in turn, never mentioned the slap her daughter had given her.

On the surface, the “mother and daughter” appeared affectionate during meals, but the true nature of their relationship was something only they understood…

Since their stay at Chunshan Temple was extended, Sheng Minmin thought that gaining the favor of the Princess would be immensely beneficial for her future plans.

But after “coincidentally” running into the Princess once or twice in the back mountains, the Princess—always veiled—remained cold and distant, as if she found Sheng Minmin particularly displeasing.

Remembering that she was supposed to be playing the role of a “grief-stricken mother,” Sheng Minmin couldn’t very well keep throwing herself at a “stranger’s” feet… so she gave up.

However, as expected, Xian’er quickly won the Princess’s favor. The Princess even invited her for tea.

This brought Sheng Minmin some comfort—and she was genuinely happy for Xian’er!

After the Princess quietly left Chunshan Temple, another seven or eight days passed before Sheng Minmin finally returned to the estate with Xian’er and Sheng Mingzhu.

Back home, everything had been managed meticulously by Qingying and the other maids, with no major disruptions.

The only incidents involved Aunt Bai making a fuss twice, but Aunt Hong had handled it smoothly—something Sheng Minmin found surprising.

The day after their return, Zhu Qisheng visited the estate with Sheng Mingjian and his brother.

When Sheng Minmin heard the news, she wasn’t the least bit surprised.

In this life, just like the last, Zhu Qisheng had taken a liking to Sheng Mingzhu.

Could Sheng Mingzhu be some kind of chosen heroine? she wondered.

Born in the countryside, yet rising to become an official’s daughter, even capturing the affection of royalty…

Since it was his first visit, Zhu Qisheng paid his respects to Sheng Minmin as the lady of the house.

Despite his status as a prince, he behaved like an ordinary junior in front of her.

Sheng Minmin entertained them briefly, but seeing how distracted they all were—clearly eager to see Sheng Mingzhu—she excused herself.

Sure enough, it wasn’t long before servants reported that the group had gone straight to Haitang Courtyard…

After that, Zhu Qisheng began visiting the Sheng estate frequently with Sheng Mingjian and Sheng Mingbo, elevating the brothers’ status at the Imperial Academy in the process.

Sheng Yong couldn’t stop smiling at this turn of events.

Meanwhile, Sheng Minmin’s room was never without a pot of cooling tea.

If Zhu Qisheng became Sheng Mingzhu’s backer, she would need allies of her own.

After some thought, the Princess and Zhu Qisheng’s mother, the Dowager Princess Qi, seemed like excellent candidates—but given her current status, she had no way of meeting them…

At least there was some good news: Sheng Mingjian had already sent Gao Shan to make contact with Xiong San.

By the time spring arrived in April, the Sheng family received an invitation to the Princess’s birthday banquet.

…..

“Xian’er, are you nervous about your first banquet?”

Sheng Minmin asked gently as they rode in the carriage.

Today, Xian’er wore her hair in a simple yet adorable double-bun style, dressed in a fresh yellow gown.

She wouldn’t stand out in a crowd, but upon closer inspection, she looked delightfully sweet.

“Auntie, I am… a little nervous…”

Xian’er admitted shyly, her cheeks flushed.

To be honest, even Sheng Minmin felt slightly nervous.

The Sheng family wasn’t particularly distinguished. In her past life as Huang Yaning, the most prestigious banquets she’d attended were those hosted by third-rank officials’ families.

She had never mingled in circles where one might meet a princess.

In her previous life, she had only glimpsed the Princess from afar once or twice at the Qi Manor.

When the Sheng family received the invitation, everyone was overjoyed, praising Sheng Mingzhu as their lucky star.

After all, the Princess doted on Prince Qi, and Prince Qi had been visiting the estate frequently lately…

Sheng Yong and the others assumed the invitation was extended out of regard for Prince Qi—who, in turn, had only taken an interest in the Sheng family because of Sheng Mingzhu…

So naturally, they credited it all to her!

Sheng Yong even dipped into his private coffers to gift Sheng Mingzhu an exquisite double-sided embroidered screen…

Sheng Minmin could only scoff.

While the Princess adored Prince Qi, she certainly didn’t monitor his every move.

At this point, she likely had no idea of his feelings for Sheng Mingzhu.

The invitation was almost certainly due to Xian’er’s influence—Sheng Mingzhu had nothing to do with it.

But there was no way to explain this to the family, so Sheng Mingzhu got to take credit undeservedly.

Then again, this wasn’t necessarily a good thing for her.

The higher one climbed, the harder the fall.

When Sheng Yong and the others eventually saw how the Princess truly felt about Sheng Mingzhu, they’d realize how foolish they’d been.

“Don’t be afraid. The Princess is very kind, and her servants are all well-mannered. Just stay close to me…”

“Mm! With Auntie here, I won’t be scared…”

[Darlings, Huang Yaning will be returning to the estate soon—chaos is about to erupt!]