“Then you all apply medicine and bandage yourselves first. I’ll go take a look. If I can save them, I’ll bring them all out together.”
After thinking for a moment, Ren Jingshu walked into a small room inside the torture chamber.
It was a tiny resting room—likely where the yamen officers usually rested. Though not large, it was filled with various items.
Covering her nose, Ren Jingshu walked in, glanced around casually, then came out again carrying a large bundle.
“These things will fill your stomach first. You’ll need strength when we leave later.”
She handed the bundle to Ren Yinuo, who was slightly less injured. He didn’t suspect anything and assumed his sister had found it inside the room. Happily, he took it, opened it, and grabbed a steamed bun to pass to their father and eldest brother.
Just as Ren Jingshu was about to head deeper into the prison, Ren Yinuo hurriedly followed and whispered:
“Sister, let your second brother go with you. Otherwise, you might not find where they’re being held.”
“Let your brother go with you. He’s familiar with this place and it’ll be quicker,” Ren Zhonghan also said.
Although his daughter looked capable, she was still a young girl. Having a son accompany her would be more reassuring.
Ren Jingshu wanted to refuse—after all, she had no intention of saving that wolf-hearted second uncle’s family.
But Ren Yinuo didn’t wait for an answer. Assuming she had agreed, he happily ran to a nearby officer, grabbed the keychain from his waist, then snatched another steamed bun and ate while walking.
“Let’s go! What are you standing there for?”
Ren Jingshu had no choice but to follow him out.
“This silly boy… doesn’t even notice his sister isn’t willing,” Ren Zhonghan muttered helplessly.
“He grew up joking around with her. Let them go,” Ren Yizhen said with a faint smile, helping bandage their father’s wounds.
As Ren Zhonghan ate, his thoughts drifted.
Over the years stationed at the border, every time he returned to report to the capital, he was always exhausted from running around for supplies and military funds. The court never delivered them properly—either rotten grain or broken armor and weapons.
He thought of his wife, who had fallen seriously ill, and how he had been unable to return in time due to war matters. By the time he finally could, she had already passed away. He never even saw her last moment.
As for his daughters, he had cared for them even less. He could only ask his younger brother’s family to look after them in letters.
Now, having been imprisoned and watching his sons suffer before his eyes, he had nearly broken down completely.
A dangerous thought even surfaced in his mind—
If there was ever another chance, why would he still serve the emperor? If not for loyalty, he would have already cut off that man’s head.
He had thought it was only a dying fantasy.
Yet now, his obedient and clever eldest daughter had actually appeared.
This gave the almost despairing general a new spark of hope.
He needed to bandage his wounds quickly. From now on, only his children would matter to him—everyone else could step aside.
With renewed determination, he ate another bun and continued bandaging.
Meanwhile, the siblings walked a long distance before reaching a row of wooden prison cells.
Torchlight crackled on the stone walls, casting flickering shadows that made the prison feel eerie and cold.
“Sis, the ones inside are Second Uncle and our two cousins,” Ren Yinuo said, pointing ahead.
At the mention of them, Ren Jingshu’s eyes suddenly widened.
There they are?
Let me see!
Let me see them!
Her sudden excitement confused Ren Yinuo. Even when she saw their father and brothers earlier, she hadn’t reacted like this.
A pang of bitterness rose in him—had their sister grown closer to Second Uncle’s family these past years and started treating them as her real relatives?
But Ren Jingshu didn’t care what he thought. She pushed him aside and walked forward.
She couldn’t hold it in anymore—she truly couldn’t wait even a moment longer.
Ren Yinuo followed with the keys, unsure what else to do.
Clang!
A crisp sound rang out.
Ren Yinuo looked up in shock, eyes widening.
He saw Ren Jingshu swing her blade casually, and the thick iron lock snapped instantly.
“Big sister, are you here to save us?”
A ten-year-old boy rushed forward, trying to hug her arm.
He looked chubby and cute, with baby fat still on his cheeks.
But Ren Jingshu didn’t care how cute he looked—she immediately recognized who he was.
Without hesitation, she lifted her leg and kicked.
The boy was sent flying into a corner, face-down, unmoving.
“Girl! What are you doing?!” Second Uncle shouted, rushing forward to pick up his son.
Fortunately, the boy had only fainted from the impact.
He stood up, his face dark with anger.
They had just seen the eldest branch siblings arrive and thought they might be their chance to escape. Instead, his son had been kicked down.
How outrageous!
A mere girl dared lay hands on his child?
All this time, he had thought the eldest branch had been well taken care of by them—who would have expected two ingrates instead.
But he seemed to forget how much benefit Ren Zhonghan had given their family over the years just to ensure they took care of his daughters.
If anything, who exactly was ungrateful was obvious at a glance.
“Second Uncle, didn’t you already see? Your niece is just ‘taking care’ of my dear little cousin,” Ren Jingshu said with a mocking smile.
She slowly walked toward him.
“Second Uncle… should I take care of you too?”