Font Size:
Shang Ruoyi naturally understood why Madam Lin was behaving this way.
Her scumbag father had truly caused endless harm.
“Wanru, our family matters have nothing to do with Ruoyi,” Madam Qin stepped forward, taking Shang Ruoyi’s hand as she said softly, “Ruoyi is a good child. When we encountered the wolf pack earlier, she shielded us with her own body.”
Madam Lin eyed Shang Ruoyi suspiciously: “I never expected the daughter of Prime Minister Shang to be so brave. I remember Prime Minister Shang always looked down on us military families the most?”
Shang Ruoyi smiled faintly: “My father’s vision isn’t very good, and his judgment isn’t much better either. After all, he didn’t reach his current position through genuine talent or foresight, but rather through the silver my birth mother provided.”
Madam Lin looked surprised upon hearing this. She never expected to hear such words from Shang Ruoyi’s mouth.
From what she knew, Shang Nian did have a concubine from a merchant family who was quite favored. Back then, he was just a fourth-rank civil official without any foundation, yet he somehow climbed step by step to become Prime Minister.
Could that concubine be the mother Shang Ruoyi mentioned?
“Then your mother now…”
Shang Ruoyi smiled: “Once he became Prime Minister, he no longer needed my mother’s support. Moreover, my maternal grandfather’s family met with misfortune. My mother… passed away in depression in that dilapidated courtyard.”
Madam Lin fell silent after hearing this.
Madam Qin stepped forward to hold Shang Ruoyi’s hand, saying softly, “Good child, you’ve suffered.”
Living in these grand mansions, how could they not know about all the dirty secrets hidden within?
A concubine who had lost her usefulness and wasn’t favored would live worse than servants in the household.
Though He Jingheng appeared to be resting with his eyes closed, his attention remained fixed on their conversation.
Watching her flawless performance, he couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.
It might be true that she wasn’t favored, but her identity was definitely not as simple as it appeared on the surface.
Just based on how she remained calm during the wolf attack and directed everyone to use stones as weapons—this wasn’t something an ordinary sheltered young lady could do.
Not to mention how every stone she threw accurately hit vital spots.
Even seasoned soldiers might not have her level of precision.
Noticing his gaze from the corner of her eye, Shang Ruoyi was about to approach him to discuss her discoveries when a woman’s cries sounded nearby.
“My child, my child!” The woman held a three-year-old child in her arms. The child’s face was flushed an unnatural red, his breathing labored—clearly running a high fever.
It was likely caused by shock and terror.
There were no medicinal herbs here, and even if there were, the guards wouldn’t let her gather them.
After all, in their eyes, what did it matter if one more child died?
“Ah, that child of hers was born weak. He’s already five but looks like a two or three-year-old,” an old woman shook her head. “He might have survived outside, but in these conditions… he won’t last long.”
“Speaking of which, she’s quite pitiful too. Her husband was murdered, yet she’s the one who got exiled.”
“I heard the murderer’s family paid silver to make it happen.”
Hearing the surrounding whispers, Shang Ruoyi frowned deeply. Adults aside, how could an innocent child be guilty?
After some thought, she stepped forward and said, “I know some medicine. Let me examine your son.”
He Jingheng looked at her with slight surprise—she knew medicine?
The woman, upon hearing this, turned her hopeful gaze toward them.
But when her eyes settled on Shang Ruoyi, her expression instantly turned peculiar.
This fleeting change was noticed not only by Shang Ruoyi but also by He Jingheng.
Throughout their journey, it seemed a significant portion of the prisoners harbored some degree of hostility toward the Dingguo Prince Residence.
This puzzled Shang Ruoyi greatly.
The Dingguo Prince Residence had defended the nation and protected its people. The peace and prosperity of Tianshun’s citizens were largely due to the generations of princes and heirs from the residence.
Yet, why did these people avoid it like the plague?
Shang Ruoyi stood before the woman for a while, but when she received no response, she silently scolded herself for meddling.
Just as she was about to turn away, the woman asked weakly, “Can you really save my son?”
Shang Ruoyi shook her head. “I’m a physician, not a deity. I can only do my best.”
After a moment’s hesitation, the woman handed the child to her.
Shang Ruoyi took out her water pouch and gave the boy a few sips of Spirit Spring Water.
Within moments, the child’s fever began to subside.
Seizing an unnoticed opportunity, she slipped a fever-reducing pill into the boy’s mouth.
With both measures working in tandem, the high fever quickly broke.
“Benefactor! My benefactor!” The woman knelt before her, clutching her child. “Thank you, miss! Thank you for saving him!”
The members of the Dingguo Prince Residence watched in disbelief as she returned.
The Old Princess took her hand. “I had no idea you knew medicine!”
“Back at the residence, I had little to do, so I read many miscellaneous books,” Shang Ruoyi replied with a smile. “I only know the basics. I’d be laughed at if I claimed otherwise.”
Madam Zhang, seated nearby, observed everything with a sneer. “Just luck,” she muttered under her breath. “Does she really think she’s a Divine Physician now?”
Just then, voices sounded at the entrance.
The group sent to forage for food had returned.
Not only had they brought back provisions, but they had also managed to retrieve the corpses of three wolves.
Eyeing the three robust wolves, Shang Ruoyi licked her lips—properly prepared, wolf meat could be exceptionally delicious.
Watching the helpless officials fumbling around the wolf carcasses, an idea formed in her mind.