The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Chapter 119 About Big Mouth

Shen Canglan closed his eyes and gently pushed the sword blade into her back.

The woman didn't cry out in pain; she just tightened her grip on her arm, nuzzled against her shoulder, and then closed her eyes.

Shen Canglan could clearly feel the tickling sensation of her eyelashes brushing against her neck. She choked back tears and said, "My dear, come find me in your next life, and I'll teach you martial arts, okay? There are wildflowers covering the back of Hidden Sword Manor; you should like them..."

The person in his arms was breathing weaker and weaker. Shen Canglan felt her nod slightly, and then she stopped breathing completely.

She held that position for a long time, and finally placed the person on the hay mat: "Wait for me a moment, I'll be back soon."

After taking off his coat and covering the woman with it, Shen Canglan drew his sword and beheaded everyone else in the room.

With no intention of cleaning her sword, she looked toward the last house in the village.

That's Ya Ya's home.

There are people waiting for her; she should hurry.

Upon entering the courtyard, Shen Canglan found it eerily quiet. Years of experience in the martial world instantly put her on edge. She cautiously pushed open the gate and found several unconscious people lying in front of the dining table.

She stepped forward in a daze and checked their breathing, only to find that they had all been dead for some time.

Who did it? An enemy?

The emperor and crown prince, equally puzzled, looked at Zheng Xun.

Perhaps only she can answer this question.

Hmm? Let me see.

[Is that Ya Ya?! How old is she?]

[Hahaha, look how simple it is. Just a handful of rat poison sent those people away. The scum who used to beat and exploit her, and that brother who always touched her inappropriately and said filthy things—it was all just a handful of rat poison. They weren't nearly as powerful as you thought.]

[She's only ten years old, but she's a real talent. Zhao Shi... Zhao Xiulan has changed for the better now, shouldn't she be able to teach her well?]

Zheng Xun's wild laughter was so loud that the emperor shook his head helplessly.

Finding no trace of anyone else, Shen Canglan left without interest.

She went back and carried the woman out of the pigsty: "You probably don't like this place. How about I take you back to Hidden Sword Manor? The feng shui of our tombs in Hidden Sword Manor is excellent, you'll like it, won't you..."

She chattered on and on, carrying the woman, and walked steadily down the mountain. Surrounded by green mountains, the full moon peeked out, spreading its light across the ground.

Zheng Xun pondered for a moment and then switched the light screen to Zhao Xiulan's side.

It was late at night, but Zhao Xiulan was still awake. Dressed in casual clothes, she sat at her desk, holding a pen and frowning in thought.

With a creak, the study door was pushed open.

A tiny head peeked in.

Zhao looked up and asked in surprise, "Xiaoyang, why aren't you asleep yet?"

Xiao Yang is Ya Ya, a name given to her by Zhao Xiulan, and her surname is "Bai" from her mother.

"I've come to keep you company."

"Yes, thank you, but you are still young and growing, so you need to rest well."

Bai Xiaoyang insisted, "I won't disturb you. I'll be fine after just a little sleep."

Zhao sighed, put down her pen, and walked up to her: "Are you a little worried? Is this place too unfamiliar, so you're scared?"

"I'm not that timid. I...I want to practice calligraphy."

Bai Xiaoyang lacked a sense of security, so after Zhao brought her back, she treated herself as a maid in the mansion and always wanted to find something to do.

Fearing that she might overthink things, Zhao taught her a few words.

Hmm... I'm actually a little scared, but it's because it's my first time killing someone, and I'm feeling confused and afraid.

"You can take your time practicing calligraphy, there's no need to rush..."

Zhao still wanted to refuse, but seeing Bai Xiaoyang's eyes dim because of her words, she couldn't bear to do it.

Xiao Yang is a good child. Because she has suffered since childhood, she cherishes every hard-won opportunity. She wants to seize everything she can to become stronger and have the power to protect herself.

If you reject her at this point, it will only make her anxious and uneasy.

So she took the little girl's hand, led her behind the desk, and brought her a chair: "It's too late. Practicing calligraphy is bad for your eyes. Why don't you talk to me?"

Looking at the stacks of books and papers, Bai Xiaoyang asked in confusion, "What is Aunt Zhao doing?"

"My aunt is planning to build an academy, a special academy to take in homeless children. In the academy, they can study, have enough to eat and wear, and make many friends..."

Xiao Yang pursed his lips: "Does Auntie have any money?"

"Hmm? Maybe a little."

“It’s definitely not enough. I know that. My parents always say they don’t have enough money to raise children, so they make me work hard.”

"You can grow up happily here with your aunt. You don't need to work hard. But you should study hard in martial arts and reading."

"No, I will work hard to earn money and help my aunt, just like she saved me, to save other children."

Zhao Xiulan stared blankly at Bai Xiaoyang's serious expression, feeling somewhat dazed.

At that moment, she suddenly seemed to understand the meaning of the word "inheritance".

In the imperial study room.

The emperor looked at Zhao Xiulan as if she were a complete stranger.

Such a righteous act, is it really Zhao Xiulan who is going to do it?

He had originally planned to take action against the Duke of Dingguo's mansion...

If she continues like this, he'll have to get up in the middle of the night and slap himself, cursing himself for being a jerk.

Well, let's wait and see. If the system has already approved it, it can't be wrong, right?

Zhao Xiulan was unaware that she was being watched. After raising Ding Kang, she actually had a phobia of teaching children, mainly because she was afraid of raising another bad apple. For a moment, she didn't know what to talk about with Xiao Yang.

After thinking for a moment, she said, "Hmm... do you know how to slap someone across the face?"

Bai Xiaoyang: ?

Zhao Xiulan's gaze darted around, and she said awkwardly, "Ahem, I mean, girls need to have the strength to protect themselves. Do you want to learn martial arts?"

Bai Xiaoyang certainly wanted to, but asked, "Can girls also practice martial arts?"

“Of course!” Zhao Xiulan affirmed. “Women of Dayong can also learn martial arts.”

“But my father said that a woman should be chaste and virtuous.”

"Oh, your dad's talking nonsense."

The prince's lips twitched slightly.

Won't this set a bad example for children?

Oh no, I've already corrupted one.

But neither Bai Xiaoyang nor Zhao Xiulan noticed anything amiss, and they continued their conversation with increasing enthusiasm.

“For example, our princesses of Dayong. The eldest princess is exceptionally talented in literature and has read hundreds of books at a young age; the second princess is exceptionally brave and has recently gone to the border for training; and the eldest princess, Yuanjia, is even more remarkable, being both skilled in martial arts and literature. In my opinion, none of the emperor’s many sons can compare to the eldest princess, Yuanjia.”

Crown Prince: Fine, fine, so you're trying to put me down, huh?

He endured it.

"Most importantly, their slaps really hurt!"

Zheng Xun: So you're really going after Big Mouth Zip?

So it was those slaps that woke her up? They should have said so earlier, they would have hit her sooner.