Chapter 7: Inheritance

Although she still didn't quite understand what exactly was happening, being able to see her parents again, to live a second life, and to return to the time before any of the tragedies had occurred—this was indeed something worth being happy about.

Right now, she was only nine years old; she had not yet encountered that unscrupulous man. That man was not yet the Emperor, but merely a Prince. Therefore, she still had the chance to change her own fate and the fate of the Tang family!

Involuntarily, she flipped open the book in her hands, a book that felt like a myth. This was the meeting gift her Master had given her that day, and this book had opened a door for her to another vast world. There, her thoughts could soar like a fledgling eagle, unrestrained by the vast sky and wide seas.

It was also this very book that gave her the hope and confidence to change her fate and that of the Tang family. Otherwise, as a mere woman, even if she lived a second life and knew some of the course of history, what could she possibly use to change it?

One had to realize that women of this era were merely appendages to men. If she did not possess strength herself, then no matter how much intention she had, she would be powerless to change anything. No matter how much one schemed, at most, one would simply become the appendage of another man.

But she did not want to be anyone's appendage ever again.

She swore that from this day forward, she would only be herself.

"Disciple!"

Master's calm voice suddenly rang in her ear. Tang Wanqiu was startled and hurriedly snapped out of her thoughts, standing up to call out respectfully, "Master!"

Although she had become his disciple under somewhat muddled circumstances, Tang Wanqiu felt that this was the most correct thing she had done in her two lifetimes. Having received Master's teachings over the past few days, she had truly benefited greatly.

"Little girl, what are you dazing off about again?" Lin Ye asked, looking at his young disciple with a smile.

Tang Wanqiu held up the book in her hands and said longingly, "I was thinking how wonderful it would be if I could learn all these divine arts described in this book. That way, I wouldn't have to fear anyone bullying me or my family."

As this child grew, she already wanted to protect her family. *Hmm, not bad, she is a thoughtful child,* Lin Ye thought with joy, though he did not show it on his face.

He said indifferently, "If you learn those things, naturally no one in this world will be able to bully you or those around you. However, learning them is no easy task. Not to mention the suffering and exhaustion, one wrong move could cost you your very life."

What did suffering and exhaustion matter? What hardship could compare to ten years in the Cold Palace or the execution of one's entire clan? If she truly lost her life, then so be it. If she died, she wouldn't have to watch the Tang family's tragedy unfold.

Wait...

Tang Wanqiu's eyes suddenly lit up. She looked at the old man with a burning gaze and asked excitedly, "Master, are you saying that as long as I am not afraid of hardship and exhaustion, I can practice these divine arts?"

*This child, isn't she asking a nonsense question? If they couldn't be practiced, why would I let you read it?*

He looked at his young disciple with a beaming smile and said, "The beginning of that book says that to practice those techniques, one needs a suitable environment. Therefore, if you want to learn, you must first leave the Tang family and follow me. But, can you bear to leave your parents? Can you endure that kind of hardship and exhaustion?"

Of course, as long as it could grant her the ability to protect her family and change her fate, she feared nothing and was willing to do anything. Tang Wanqiu bent her knees and knelt straight down, prostrating herself fully to the ground, and pleaded devoutly, "Please, Master, teach Wanqiu. Wanqiu is not afraid of hardship."