52: Brother Fengming, I actually like you too.

Lu Qianqian nodded, "More or less. Father said that if I nurture it for another year, he can find someone to forge this sword embryo into a finished sword."

"Very good. These sixteen years of effort haven't been in vain. It has become one with your mind and soul; once it's forged into a sword, its power in your hands will definitely be comparable to the heaven grade."

"Nurturing the sword for sixteen years, this sword embryo has long since become one with your mind and soul!"

"Even if it's forged into an earth grade sword, its power in your hands will be comparable to the heaven grade!"

"By then, your strength will rank among the top ten even in the Lingxiao Sect, and you might even get the chance for the Liangzhou Trial a year from now."

"When you become more and more powerful, you mustn't look down on your sister here who cannot Cultivate."

Lu Qianqian gave a playful glare. "Sister, stop teasing me. Even if I can rank in the top ten of the Lingxiao Sect and get a chance for the trial, there's still a long road ahead."

"Not to mention anything else, even the Lingxiao Pagoda of the Lingxiao Sect isn't that easy to clear."

"But only by clearing the Lingxiao Pagoda can I hope to stand out in the Liangzhou Trial."

Lu An'an frowned upon hearing this.

"The Lingxiao Pagoda... that's too difficult. I'm afraid even he hasn't passed it."

Lu Qianqian nodded. "He indeed hasn't passed, but Sister, are you really not going to consider it? He is truly sincere towards you, and his status is a match for yours."

Lu An'an shook her head. "I really don't have any interest in him. Moreover, like his father, he values profit above all else. He only likes me because of Father's status."

"Otherwise, with the fact that I cannot Cultivate, he would never have taken an interest in me."

Lu Qianqian didn't argue. "Sister, although you can't Cultivate, your ability to read people is truly impressive. Now that you mention it, it really is so."

"If you don't like him, then forget it. Anyway, with me around in the future, I can definitely protect you."

After saying that, Lu Qianqian seemed to think of something and asked teasingly, "Sister, do you have someone you like?"

"Today on Xinhe Street, I saw you sitting on a man's shoulders, but unfortunately, I didn't get a clear look at his face."

Lu An'an's face instantly flushed red.

"What nonsense are you talking about? How could I possibly..."

"Young Miss, someone is here."

Before Lu An'an could finish her explanation, Autumn Chrysanthemum's voice drifted in.

Lu An'an frowned. "Didn't I tell you not to let anyone in?"

"But it's Young Master Feng Ming!"

Autumn Chrysanthemum knew her Young Miss's heart, so she naturally wouldn't stop him.

Lu Qianqian frowned. "What's so special about Feng Ming? Just send him away. I just met with Sister and want to chat a bit longer."

Hearing this, Lu An'an stopped Lu Qianqian.

"Autumn Chrysanthemum, let Young Master Feng in."

"Xiao Qian, go hide for a moment."

Lu Qianqian was completely stunned.

"Sister, do you even hear yourself?"

"I want to see exactly who this person is and what's so different about him that you'd actually make me hide."

Autumn Chrysanthemum began to persuade her from outside.

"Miss Qianqian, just follow my Young Miss's arrangement. Feng Ming is about to enter. This person might very well be your future brother-in-law."

As soon as these words were spoken...

Lu Qianqian was stunned.

"Future brother-in-law? Sister, and you said you didn't have anyone you liked! So the person you like is named Feng Ming. I'll have to see how he's any better than the Eldest Young Master of the Huangfu Family."

Lu Qianqian didn't linger this time. She turned and went into Lu An'an's room, but she left a crack in the door.

All so she could take the chance to peek.

Just as Lu Qianqian entered the room, Feng Ming stepped into the Pill Workshop.

Lu An'an stood up to greet him, looking rather puzzled.

"Young Master Feng, is there a reason you've come so late?"

While asking, Lu An'an invited Feng Ming to sit down.

It was at this moment that she realized Lu Qianqian had actually forgotten to take her sword embryo.

It was sitting right there on the table, visible at a glance.

However, the object looked just like a pendant, so Feng Ming only glanced at it before looking away.

Feng Ming felt a bit awkward as well. After seeing Lu An'an, he suddenly didn't know how to start the conversation.

But since he was already here, the matter had to be addressed.

After a moment of silence, Feng Ming spoke.

"Anan, I came tonight to apologize to you on behalf of Shuwan."

"Without my knowledge, she wrote a love letter to you in my name."

"Actually, she didn't mean any harm. She just thinks you're a wonderful person, and since I told her I have a good impression of you, she helped me write the letter."

"When we met today, you were deliberately avoiding us, so I came to explain. Don't worry, something like this won't happen again."

Feng Ming was very sincere.

Lu An'an's focus, however, was on Feng Ming's remark about having a good impression of her.

Her entire face flushed with shyness, as red as the morning clouds.

"Young Master Feng, you're being too formal. I wasn't angry. In the Bright Moon Dynasty, it's only natural for a wife to look for other women for her husband. Sister Shuwan did nothing wrong."

Feng Ming nodded. "That may be so, but I value mutual affection more. Relationships should be a two-way street. I don't want to force someone to marry me just because I like them."

"Shuwan also didn't understand the situation, which is why she was so forward with you."

Mutual affection? A two-way street?

Lu An'an looked at Feng Ming, her eyes shining with brilliance.

This was the first time she had heard such words.

Since ancient times, marriages have always been decided by others; women had no right to choose at all.

Feng Ming stood up and said.

"Since things are clear now, I'll take my leave!"

"Regarding future cooperation on Medicinal Pills, I will send someone else. I'll try not to disturb you, Miss Anan, unless it's necessary!"

"The recruitment team from the Lingxiao Sect has arrived. Shuwan and I will likely leave with them. Miss Anan, you can rest assured and continue your business here; we won't come to disturb you."

"Farewell!"

After speaking, Feng Ming prepared to leave.

Lu An'an called out to stop him.

"Young Master Feng!"

"Is there something else?"

Feng Ming turned back and asked.

Lu An'an asked, "Are you and Sister Shuwan going to the Lingxiao Sect?"

Feng Ming nodded.

A look of disappointment appeared on Lu An'an's face.

She bit her lip and stammered.

"Young Master, I... actually..."

"Yes?"

Lu An'an hesitated. "Actually, I..."

Oh...

Lu An'an squeezed her eyes shut, looking as if she were about to take a desperate leap.

She knew that if she didn't say certain things today, she might never have another chance.

Was she really going to let this slip away?

No!

She absolutely had to seize the opportunity.

"Young Master Feng, I actually like you too."

Steeling herself, Lu An'an spoke her true feelings.

"It's just that I was afraid Sister Shuwan would be hurt, so..."

Having no experience in matters of the heart, Lu An'an appeared extremely flustered and at a loss.

Feng Ming also looked in disbelief at Lu An'an, who stood before him with her eyes tightly shut, as if she had summoned great courage.

He had already prepared himself for the worst.

He hadn't expected such a pleasant surprise.

"Young Master Feng?"

Seeing that Feng Ming was silent, Lu An'an slowly opened her eyes and looked at him.

Her delicate little face was full of anxiety.

Feng Ming snapped back to his senses. Seeing Lu An'an's expression, he felt a pang of tenderness.

"Anan, I'm so happy. I didn't expect that you would also have feelings for me."

"In that case, would you be willing to try seeing each other?"

The weight on Lu An'an's heart lifted, and she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

She slowly nodded.

"I am!"