The group arrived at the foot of the mountain. The paths on the mountain were paved with sand and gravel, making the walk extremely uncomfortable.

During the summer, their shoes were designed to be breathable, with both the soles and uppers being very thin. On the flat roads in the capital city, they didn't feel the discomfort, but on the mountain, it was a different story.

Before long, people's soles felt as if they were on fire. Some of the soles had already been worn through, and the skin on their feet was in direct contact with the sand and gravel, forming blisters one after another. Every step was like walking on the tip of a knife.

People were constantly complaining, but the official boots worn by the guards had extremely thick soles and were not affected at all when walking on the sand and gravel.

Seeing that everyone's pace was getting slower and slower, the guards lashed their whips from behind, hitting the last few people.

"Move faster! What are you dawdling for?"

The last few people were wearing straw sandals, which had long been worn through, and the blisters on the soles of their feet had burst, leaving a trail of blood along the way. The members of the Dingguo Prince's Mansion were no better off.

"Mother, how are your feet?" Concubine Qin supported the old Consort of the Prince and asked softly.

The old Consort of the Prince's face was deathly pale. Although no blisters had formed, the sand and gravel were hurting her feet, and now the soles of her feet were burning with pain.

The old Consort of the Prince shook her head, already unable to hold on. More and more prisoners were unable to walk. Just then, the leading guard in the front suddenly stopped and looked at the cliff that was more than two meters wide, frowning.

"Chief, where's the wooden bridge on this cliff?"

"It's said that there was an earthquake some time ago. It was probably broken then."

"We can go around from behind, but the road there is rugged and difficult to traverse. It'll take a lot of effort."

"In that case, let's take the detour," the leading guard said after looking at the time. "It's already noon."

"Let's have lunch here first before we go."

They opened the box containing food, which was still just those cakes made of brown rice.

Shang Ruoyi took out the cold buns and distributed some to the guards. What was left was not enough to go around for the people of the Dingguo Prince's Mansion.

However, if the second - branch of the He family was excluded, there would be just enough buns for everyone else to have one.

Shang Ruoyi distributed the buns according to the number of people, and indeed, there were none left.

The people of the second - branch of the He family smelled the aroma of the buns and looked at the dry cakes distributed by the guards in their hands, finding them even more difficult to swallow.

He Ning'an snorted coldly. "I say, Daughter - in - law of the main branch, where are our buns?"

"Second Uncle, you really have a short memory. Didn't your son say he wouldn't eat hand - outs?" Shang Ruoyi smiled. "Then you and Aunt should fend for yourselves. Besides, we didn't have enough to begin with. How could there be extra buns for you?"

"Shang Ruoyi, you're going too far," He Jinghe shouted. "I never expected you to be so vindictive. You're really petty."

"Indeed, I always thought that a girl from the Prime Minister's Mansion would be well - versed in etiquette," Zhang curled her lips. "She's not even as good as my daughter - in - law from a humble family."

Qiao, who was eating the cake, paused and gave her complaining mother - in - law a cold look.

Shang Ruoyi sneered and finished the last bite of the bun. "I made it clear this morning that from today on, the food I bring back, even if there's any left, I can give it to others. It has nothing to do with you."

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"Mother, listen to what Jingheng's wife is saying," He Ning'an said in a deep voice. "Is this how she should talk to her elders?"

"Elders should act like elders. These things were all brought back by Ruoyi. Did you say a word of thanks? Is this how I've taught you all these years?" The old Consort of the Prince took a bite of the bun and gave him a glance.

Hearing this, Shang Ruoyi felt extremely satisfied.

She knew that the old Consort of the Prince was reasonable.

He Ning'an's face turned red, and he lowered his head without saying a word.

Shang Ruoyi took out an insole and put it in her shoe.

There wasn't enough time to make shoes now, but adding two insoles would make it much more comfortable.

When the He family members saw her actions, their faces brightened.

This way, they could avoid some of the pain.

"Ruoyi, do we all get these insoles?" Concubine Qin stepped forward and asked softly. "Can you give me a few more pairs?"

Shang Ruoyi nodded. "Although it's not as good as shoes, it's still useful to put them in."

Just then, a prisoner came up to her and said obsequiously, "Can you sell me a few pairs?"

"What will you use to buy them?"

He took out a silver bracelet from his bosom. "This is my wife's bracelet. I wonder how many pairs I can exchange for it?"

Shang Ruoyi weighed the bracelet. It was quite heavy. She took out four pairs of insoles, two pairs for men and two pairs for women, from her bundle. "Do you want to exchange?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" He quickly took the insoles and returned to his position.

Seeing that Shang Ruoyi was willing to exchange items, the prisoners who had silver on them couldn't help but have the same idea.

Zhang saw that the He family members all had insoles in their shoes, but their second - branch didn't. She limped up to Shang Ruoyi and stretched out her hands. "Hey, where are the insoles for our second - branch?"

"There aren't any."

"What? No insoles? How are we supposed to survive?

The mountain road is steep, full of sharp stones. One careless step and the sole of the foot will be cut.

Our feet will be ruined before we even get down the mountain."

"Shang Ruoyi!"

"Aunt, others know to use silver or other things to exchange. Are you blind or deaf? Or have you gotten so used to getting things for free that you're used to just reaching out?" Shang Ruoyi sneered.

"Shang Ruoyi, is this how you talk to your elders?"

"Aunt, don't use the 'elder' card to pressure me. We're all on the exile road. Everyone is like a clay Buddha crossing the river, struggling to save themselves." Just as Shang Ruoyi finished speaking, Lin of the third - branch laughed and said, "Daughter - in - law of Jingheng, I want a few more pairs of insoles. Do you think this can be used for exchange?" She took out a pair of gold earrings. "I don't have anything of great value. Take a look."

Zhang knew that Lin was doing this on purpose. She had always been at odds with her and would take any opportunity to make things difficult for her.

"Third Aunt, you're being too polite. We're all family. What's this about exchanging?" Shang Ruoyi said, then took out a few pairs of insoles from her bundle and gave them to her. "I have a lot more here. If Aunt needs any, just come and ask."

"Thank you very much," Lin smiled, gave Zhang a triumphant look, and turned back to her position.

Zhang was so angry that she was shaking all over.

He Jingheng, on the other hand, looked at her bundle suspiciously.

Could this small bundle hold so many insoles?