Finding no gain from Shang Ruoyi, Zhang turned her scheming eyes towards Concubine Qin.

Concubine Qin had a meek disposition, easy to manipulate. Otherwise, Concubine Zhao wouldn't have lorded over her for years. Were it not for the old Consort of the Prince's intervention, the stewardship of the mansion might well have fallen into Concubine Zhao's hands.

She approached Concubine Qin, her eyes brimming with tears, and murmured softly, "Sister - in - law, I'm at a loss as to what I've done to incur Ruoyi's disfavor. She clearly holds me in such low regard. Withholding food is one thing, but now, on this rugged mountain path, what shall we do without insoles?"

Concubine Qin regarded Shang Ruoyi with a troubled expression. Seeing no sign of her willingness to intervene, she shifted her gaze back to Zhang, who was weeping beside her. Just as she was about to take out the extra pairs of insoles Shang Ruoyi had given her, a pair of delicate hands reached out from the side, restraining her. "Mother, Second Aunt herself said the mountain path is rough. We've no idea how much further we must traverse. With these few insoles, we scarcely have enough for ourselves," He Yunyi whispered, her breath tickling Concubine Qin's ear. "Have you forgotten how Second Aunt used to mistreat you? She constantly came to our mansion to sponge off us, even eyeing your dowry. It's not worth incurring Sister - in - law's displeasure for someone like her."

Concubine Qin stared at her daughter in surprise. Since when had she become so voluble? And she was so rational, seeing things more clearly than her own mother.

Zhang didn't catch what He Yunyi said to Concubine Qin, but she was certain it was no kind words.

Concubine Qin looked at her and said gravely, "Yunyi is right. We don't know how long this mountain journey will last. I truly can't spare you the insoles. Perhaps you could ask Third Sister - in - law."

Upon hearing this, Zhang erupted in fury. Pointing her finger at Concubine Qin, she shrieked, "You good - for - nothing Qin! I addressed you with respect as sister - in - law. Now, with Big Brother on the verge of execution and your son crippled, you're still playing these games with me? Mark my words, if you ever need our help in the future, don't count on it!"

Hardly had she finished speaking when Zhang let out an "ouch."

A stone struck her out - stretched hand, and the impact site immediately turned a dark, bruised color.

"Who? Who hit me?" Zhang wailed, clutching her injured hand.

He Jingheng arched an eyebrow slightly. Glancing at Shang Ruoyi, who feigned nonchalance, he couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips.

He set down the withered branch in his hand and resumed his pretense of dozing.

Not only did Zhang fail to obtain the insoles, but she also injured her hand. Returning to her spot, she cast a glance at her daughter - in - law, Qiao Yanxin, who was silently munching on a cake. "Yanxin, can't you cook?"

Qiao Yanxin shook her head. "No."

"Hmph, look at you. You're not from some noble family, yet you can't even cook," Zhang scoffed, shooting her a disdainful look. "If you could, that Shang Ruoyi wouldn't have stolen all the limelight. She reaped all the benefits from cooking for the guards. That little hussy."

Qiao Yanxin hung her head in silence. Ever since their marriage, Zhang had ceaselessly belittled her due to her humble origins.

If it hadn't been for that fateful entanglement of her sash with He Jinghe's, giving the impression of a secret tryst, she would have remained unwed rather than marry that good - for - nothing who spent his days carousing in brothels.

"Enough, hold your tongue. Aren't you ashamed?" He Ning'an said gruffly. "Do you have any hidden silver? Go buy a few pairs."

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At this, Zhang scurried to the side and exclaimed loudly, "I've no silver! The house - search was so sudden. Am I supposed to be a soothsayer?"

He Jinghe looked at Qiao Yanxin. "Do you have any silver?"

Qiao Yanxin shook her head. "No."

Zhang surreptitiously felt her undergarments. Reassured to find her hidden emergency silver still there, she breathed a sigh of relief.

The house - search had been abrupt, and she'd only managed to conceal some of her easily - hidden jewelry in her undergarments as a safeguard.

It was only the second day. If she took it out now, what would be left by the time they reached the place of exile?

Shang Ruoyi observed her every move. It seemed her Second Aunt and Second Uncle were not as united as they seemed.

With the break over, the journey resumed.

Those with new insoles felt much more at ease than in the morning; at least, their feet no longer ached.

Zhang and her kin, however, were in a sorry state. After walking but a short distance, their feet were in excruciating pain. They gradually lagged behind, and when the guards saw their sluggish pace, they lashed their whips at them.

"Move it! If you don't, I'll whip you to death."

At this moment, Zhang deeply regretted her stinginess. The combined pain of her feet and the whip - lashes nearly rendered her unconscious.

"Chief, it's getting dark, and the mountain path is treacherous. We'd better halt here for the night," the leading guard nodded. "There's no other option."

"But our supplies have run out," a young guard reported, hoisting the box. "The cakes and steamed buns are all gone. They were initially sufficient only to reach the mountain's base, but with the detour, we're short."

"It's at least another day's journey to the bottom. We'll have to see if there's any food in the mountain."

"The mountain path is difficult, and we need to watch the prisoners. Who's going to search for food?"

The leading man surveyed the members of the Dingguo Prince's Mansion and stepped forward. "You three, do you know what's edible?"

Shang Ruoyi nodded. "I do."

"Good. Go find some food in the mountain," the leading man commanded sternly. "No funny business. If you try to run, I'll massacre the entire He family." He pointed at Shang Ruoyi, He Jinghe, and He Jingxi. "Return promptly once you've found something. If you're late, you'll pay the price."

He Jingxi and He Jinghe were clueless about what raw food looked like.

Exchanging a glance, they turned their eyes to Shang Ruoyi.

Shang Ruoyi nodded. "Alright."

She scanned the terrain and then headed towards the thickly - wooded area.

Just then, He Jinghe stepped forward. Watching her pick mushrooms, he suddenly recalled seeing some himself and rushed back to gather them.

Returning to the patch of mushrooms, just as he was about to place the brightly - colored mushrooms into the basket, a thought struck him. These mushrooms were much more vivid in color than the ones Shang Ruoyi had picked; they must be far more delicious.

The He brothers had no choice but to follow her.

He Jinghe was calculating that he should find plenty of food. Maybe the guards would be in a good mood and share some with the second - branch of the He family. Catching a pheasant would be ideal, so they could enjoy some meat and soup.

He Jingxi, on the other hand, stared blankly at the various plants in the forest, having no clue which were edible and which were mere grass.

Shang Ruoyi led the way, gathering numerous mushrooms from the ground.

She was fortunate; these wild mushrooms were all non - toxic, and there was an abundance of them. She collected them all, stowing most in the space to be dried into mushroom slices later for stews and stir - fries.

The remaining mushrooms were deposited into the basket borrowed from the guards.