Everyone stared at the broken branch, their lips sealed in silence.

It must be known that He Jingheng was a celebrated young general, a fearsome force that swept through the battlefield with unstoppable might.

Even though his leg was now incapacitated, his profound inner strength remained intact.

Not only this broken branch, but even a single leaf could be transformed into a deadly weapon in his hands.

Upon hearing this, Zhang spoke in disbelief, "Jingheng, could it be that you're actually going to take action against your own family for that woman?"

He Jingheng cast her a frigid glance. "That woman?"

"Yes, that second daughter born of a concubine in the Prime Minister's Mansion."

The woman Second Aunt refers to, the concubine - born second daughter, is my legitimate wife, He Jingheng's wife, who entered our family through the proper formalities of three letters and six betrothal gifts. How could she be so reviled in Second Aunt's words?

"Hmph, if it weren't for her father, how could we have ended up in this wretched situation?" Zhang said icily. "We were the most prosperous family after the royal household."

With Zhang's words hanging in the air, all members of the He family sank into deep contemplation.

Indeed!

Their Dingguo Prince's Mansion was the most powerful family after the royal family, possessing substantial real - world influence. Setting aside matters of bloodline and status, in terms of sheer military might, the Dingguo Prince's Mansion commanded eighty - thousand troops. Just this fact alone was sufficient to keep the emperor tossing and turning in his bed at night, was it not?

"Yes, we were the most prosperous family," someone murmured.

With their great achievements overshadowing the sovereign, the emperor was bound to be eager to eliminate them.

So, regardless of who married into the family, the Dingguo Prince's Mansion was fated to meet its current end.

He Jingheng watched Shang Ruoyi running towards them at full speed, a faint, imperceptible smile curving his lips.

If it was her who had married into the family, it seemed rather good.

Shang Ruoyi opened the package and presented it for the guards' inspection.

"Nothing amiss," the guard said, tossing the package back to her. "Right on time."

Shang Ruoyi took out a few steamed buns and handed them to the guards.

"You're quite savvy," the guards' attitude towards her was much friendlier than the previous day.

Shang Ruoyi smiled.

As the saying goes, "It's easier to deal with the devil - king than with his underlings."

If these guards were not properly placated, they were sure to create obstacles for them during the exile journey.

Shang Ruoyi opened the package, and the aroma of the meat buns assaulted everyone's taste buds.

Zhang eyed the buns, her previously mocking words swallowed back down. If she offended Shang Ruoyi again, these buns would surely be out of her reach.

Just then, a man from the exiled group stepped up to Shang Ruoyi. "Miss, could you spare me one of those buns? I'm starving."

Shang Ruoyi, in the midst of distributing the buns, paused, looked at him, and shook her head. "We don't even have enough buns to go around among ourselves."

"You have so many buns. What's wrong with sharing a few with us?" Seeing her refusal, he couldn't help but shout. "Why do you get to eat buns while we can only watch?" As he spoke, he reached out to grab one.

When the He family members saw this, they were about to step forward to assist, but then they saw Shang Ruoyi grasp the man's wrist, pull him forward, and with a powerful kick of her right leg, send the man flying.

The He family members who had intended to help stood frozen in place.

Among the female members of the He family, apart from Lin of the third branch, none of them knew martial arts.

Concubine Zhao, although the daughter of a military officer, had been raised in seclusion within the inner chambers.

Suddenly witnessing such a clean - cut and powerful kick, they were all momentarily stunned. He Yunyi's eyes widened in amazement.

She never expected her sister - in - law to be so proficient in martial arts.

She really couldn't fathom what could possibly stump her.

Lin, observing Shang Ruoyi's skills with hands and feet, felt an indescribable emotion welling up within her. After marrying into the He family, she had transformed from a female general who brandished swords and spears into a woman confined to the inner chambers, never setting foot on the training ground again. Suddenly seeing Shang Ruoyi's prowess was like catching a glimpse of her younger self.

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As for those who had been secretly eyeing the He family's belongings, they quietly abandoned their covetous thoughts.

Zhang looked at the man who had been sent flying, gripping her bun tightly. She had never anticipated that Ruoyi knew martial arts.

After speaking ill of her yesterday, would she be deliberately seeking revenge?

The guards, munching on their buns, glanced at the man lying on the ground, snorted coldly, and paid him no heed. After all, during the exile journey, the death of a few people was quite normal. If they had to choose sides, they would, of course, support the one who could bring them benefits.

"Anyone who dares to steal again, take him as an example. But next time, they won't be as lucky," Shang Ruoyi said, taking a bun and approaching the child she had treated earlier. She crouched down and asked softly, "Are you hungry?"

The little boy nodded timidly.

Shang Ruoyi handed him the bun. "Eat it."

The woman holding the child, upon hearing this, looked up at her in surprise. "Benefactor, is this really for us?"

Shang Ruoyi nodded.

"Thank you, benefactor. Thank you," the woman gratefully received the bun and, with her son, was about to kneel and kowtow to Shang Ruoyi. "There's no need for that," Shang Ruoyi said in a low voice.

"We were an orphan and a widow, thinking we would die on this exile journey."

"These are all the provisions we have," Zhang said, curling her lips upon seeing Shang Ruoyi give a bun to an outsider. "And you're sharing them with strangers. I really don't understand what's going on in your head."

"I procured these buns. I can give them to whomever I please. If Second Aunt has an issue, then next time, your second - branch family can find your own food," Shang Ruoyi sneered. "You're getting a free meal and still have the audacity to criticize."

"With behavior like this, you still have the nerve to claim to be the daughter of the Prime Minister's Mansion? You're completely lacking in manners, having no regard for senior - junior relations," He Jinghe stepped forward, pointing at her angrily. "Is this how Prime Minister Shang taught you?"

Shang Ruoyi looked at his brainless demeanor and said coldly, "You should be grateful that I didn't learn what he taught. Otherwise, do you think you'd still be alive to talk to me here?"

"You!" In a verbal altercation, how could He Jinghe possibly be a match for Shang Ruoyi?

"When it comes to manners, yours aren't so exemplary either," Shang Ruoyi took a bite of the bun. "They say, 'Don't forget the well - digger when you drink from the well.' I provided these buns, yet instead of being grateful, you speak like this. That's the first point. Secondly, I'm your sister - in - law. Is this the way you address your sister - in - law? People like you have no right to question others' manners." She sighed. "If it weren't for Grandmother worrying that you'd starve, do you think I'd share with you?"

"Hmph, don't flatter yourself. Do you think the second - branch family can't survive without you?" He Jinghe sneered. "We're not beggars. We won't accept your charity."

"Those are your words. You won't be getting any buns next time," Shang Ruoyi said, the corners of her lips curving slightly. With that, she turned to the old Consort of the Prince. "Grandmother, those were his exact words."

The old Consort of the Prince's face darkened slightly, but she remained silent.

He Jinghe, born to Zhang, had learned nothing but her selfishness and pettiness. He was not only ignorant and incompetent but also spent his days carousing in the red - light districts. He was truly a disgrace to the family, and among the three grandsons of the He family, he was the one she disliked the most.

Just then, the guards, having finished their breakfast, vigorously whipped their whips. "Get up, get up! Time to set off."

Shang Ruoyi looked at the mountain not far away and then at the shoes on the feet of the second - branch family members.

She smiled inwardly.

Retribution always arrives so swiftly.