Shang Ruoyi was well - aware of the reason behind Lin's attitude. Her despicable father had indeed caused extensive harm.

Qin stepped forward, taking Shang Ruoyi's hand, and softly said, "Wanru, the affairs of our family have no bearing on Ruoyi. Ruoyi is a kind - hearted child. When we encountered the wolves just now, she shielded us with her own body."

Lin eyed Shang Ruoyi suspiciously. "I never anticipated that the daughter of Prime Minister Shang would be so valiant. As I recall, Prime Minister Shang held those of us from military backgrounds in disdain, did he not?"

Shang Ruoyi smiled and replied, "My father lacks discerning vision and is rather narrow - minded. After all, his ascent to his current position was not founded on genuine talent or far - sightedness. It was merely due to the financial support of my birth mother."

Upon hearing this, Lin was somewhat taken aback. She would never have expected to hear such words from Shang Ruoyi.

As far as she knew, Shang Nian did have a concubine from a merchant family who was highly favored. At that time, he was merely a fourth - rank civil official with no solid foundation, yet he managed to gradually climb to the position of prime minister.

Could this concubine be the mother Shang Ruoyi was referring to?

"What about your mother now...?"

Shang Ruoyi smiled. "Once he became prime minister, he no longer needed my mother's support. Moreover, her family suffered misfortunes, and my mother passed away in that dilapidated courtyard, consumed by melancholy."

Lin fell silent upon hearing this.

Qin stepped forward, grasped her hand, and said gently, "Good child, you've endured much hardship. Living in these grand manors, they are well - aware of the numerous sordid affairs that transpire within. An unfavored concubine who has lost her utility often fares worse than the servants."

Although He Jingheng appeared to be in a state of repose with his eyes closed, his attention remained fixed on their conversation.

Observing her masterful performance, he couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. Her lack of favor might be true, but her identity was undoubtedly more complex than it seemed on the surface.

Just consider how, during the wolf attack, she remained composed and even directed everyone to use stones for defense. This was not an action an ordinary young lady secluded in the boudoir could undertake.

Not to mention that when she threw the stones, each one precisely struck the vital points. Even seasoned military officers might not possess her level of accuracy.

Shang Ruoyi noticed his gaze from the corner of her eye. Just as she was about to approach him to discuss what she had discovered, a woman's sobbing was heard from not far away.

"Child, my child." She held a child around three years old in her arms. The child's face was an abnormal shade of red, and his breathing was labored, clearly indicating a fever. Presumably, it was a high fever induced by shock.

Here, not only were there no herbal remedies available, but even if there were, the guards would not permit her to gather them. After all, in their eyes, the death of one child was of little consequence.

"Alas, her son seems to have a short - lived appearance. He's already five years old, yet he still looks like he's two or three," an old woman remarked, shaking her head. "If it were outside, he might have a chance of survival, but here, he won't last long."

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"Come to think of it, she's quite pitiful. Her husband was killed, and she's the one who ended up in exile."

"I heard that the family of the murderer bribed their way out."

Listening to the discussions around her, Shang Ruoyi furrowed her brows. Leaving aside the adults, the innocent child was truly unfortunate.

After some thought, she stepped forward and said, "I have some knowledge of medicine. I can examine your son."

He Jingheng looked at her with a hint of surprise. She knew medicine?

The woman, upon hearing this, looked at her with a glimmer of hope. However, when her eyes fixed on Shang Ruoyi, her expression suddenly turned strange.

This instant change was noticed not only by Shang Ruoyi but also by He Jingheng.

Throughout this journey, it seemed that a significant portion of the prisoners harbored some degree of hostility towards the Dingguo Prince's Mansion. This puzzled Shang Ruoyi greatly.

The Dingguo Prince's Mansion had always safeguarded the country and its people. The peaceful and prosperous lives of the people of Tianshun were attributable to the successive princes and young masters of the Dingguo Prince's Mansion.

But why did these people regard the Dingguo Prince's Mansion as something to be avoided at all costs? Shang Ruoyi stood before the woman for a moment. Seeing no response, she silently chided herself for meddling. Just as she was about to turn and leave, she heard the woman ask weakly, "Can you truly save my son?"

Shang Ruoyi shook her head. "I'm a physician, not a deity. I can only do my best."

The woman considered for a moment and then handed her child to Shang Ruoyi.

Shang Ruoyi retrieved the water bag and let the child drink a few sips of spiritual spring water.

Before long, the child's body temperature decreased slightly.

Taking advantage of the inattentiveness of those around, Shang Ruoyi took out a fever - reducing pill and placed it in the child's mouth.

With these two measures combined, the high fever quickly subsided.

"Benefactor! Benefactor!" The woman knelt before her, holding the child. "Thank you, miss, for saving my child. Thank you!"

The members of the Dingguo Prince's Mansion watched in disbelief as she walked back.

The old Consort of the Prince took her hand. "I never expected you to be proficient in medicine!"

"I only know a smattering," Shang Ruoyi smiled. "I had ample free time in the mansion before, so I perused many miscellaneous books. It's just superficial knowledge. I'm afraid others would scoff if I were to mention it."

Zhang, who was seated nearby, witnessed everything. She snorted and muttered under her breath, "It was merely a stroke of luck. Does she really think she's a divine healer?"

Just then, the sound of voices came from the entrance.

It was the group that had gone to find food returning.

They had not only retrieved food but had also brought back three wolf carcasses.

Looking at the three robust wolves, Shang Ruoyi licked her lips. If prepared properly, wolf meat could be incredibly delicious.

Observing the guards standing around the wolf carcasses, at a loss, an idea suddenly occurred to her.