"I heard that someone has come to propose marriage to the young lady..."

An Yirou was stunned: "Who? Who's here to propose marriage?"

"You'll find out once we're inside, Uncle Qin. Lead the way."

With a cold face, An Zhengzheng followed the steward into the hall behind the Hundred Women's Pavilion.

“Father.” An Zhengzheng bowed to An Yirou.

An Mao immediately stood up from his chair and said in surprise, "...You've reached the eighth level of Qi Refining now?"

He's only fifteen!

An Zhengzheng nodded, but did not elaborate. She only asked what was on her mind: "Father, what is the situation regarding the marriage proposal?"

An Yirou was also very curious.

Anmao dismissed the steward and the maids, leaving only the father and daughter in the hall.

He carefully observed An Zhengzheng's expression and whispered, "It's the Zhou family. They sent someone a few days ago to sound them out. It's about that genius from the Zhou family..."

Prominent families value their reputation highly, and they usually give each other a heads-up before proposing marriage to avoid losing face if rejected.

"How did Father reply?" An Zhengzheng asked.

An Mao paused for a moment. What could he possibly say?

Ever since Zhengzheng became the top scholar, he took over the 90,000 spirit stones and managed the Hundred Women Pavilion for his daughter. In just one year, the third branch of the An family has become very prominent.

He spoke with great confidence.

Even when he goes to do business, people will ask him a few more questions about the eldest daughter of the An family, which makes him look good.

When it comes to such an important matter as proposing marriage, An Zhengzheng's opinion should naturally be taken into consideration.

He replied truthfully, "What I said was, 'Zhengzheng is the apple of my eye. If she is to marry, it must be to her liking!'"

This means that no direct stance has been stated.

"Zhengzheng, what are your thoughts?"

Zhengzheng has been a very resourceful girl since she was little.

An Zhengzheng laughed and said, "What can I think? Father, have you forgotten that I cultivate the Path of Ruthlessness?"

If she agrees, she'll be kicked off the mountain the next day.

Then what about all the efforts she's made?

When An Mao heard An Zhengzheng's words, he understood what she meant.

But I couldn't help asking with concern, "Are you really not going to consider it?"

A glint seemed to flash in An Zhengzheng's eyes as she stared straight at An Mao.

He is very different from before. Perhaps he is very successful in his career, and there is a sense of pride and confidence in his eyes.

An Zhengzheng asked him casually, "Father seems quite disappointed?"

“Alas, that’s the Zhou family after all, and the Zhou family’s genius, the one with the best chance of becoming a god.” An Mao was also undecided. He sighed, “...Father is afraid you’ll regret it.”

A woman's youth cannot be retained; if she doesn't take advantage of her youth, she may not have such a good husband's family in the future.

"Regret what?"

“Zhengzheng, if it were an ordinary family proposing to you, I would definitely refuse them outright…”

An Mao was also conflicted.

He said, "What father doesn't want his children to succeed? You study and practice diligently every day, it's very hard, and you'll be drowned in gossip. The Zhou family... is a promising path, if you go there..."

That must be sheltered from the wind and rain.

It will be much easier.

An Zhengzheng took a deep breath and asked him in return, "Didn't Father say back then that our An family would be inherited by the young lady of the family?"

“Yes, that’s true, but back then, I really didn’t know we could catch the Zhou family’s eye…” An Mao was conflicted, and finally glanced at Yi Rou and said, “If all else fails, there’s still your sister.”

"The Zhou family, this is truly a golden opportunity. Once it's gone, it's gone forever!"

An Zhengzheng remained silent for a while.

The room fell silent immediately. An Yirou certainly wouldn't dare to interrupt at this moment, and An Mao was also watching An Zhengzheng's expression.

After a long while, An Zhengzheng asked An Mao, "Father, if I had an older brother who could defeat geniuses of the same age and cultivate the Ruthless Path with a 100% ascension rate..."

"At this time, he caught the eye of the genius young lady from the number one cultivation family, who wanted to take him as her son-in-law. Would you be willing?"

Without even thinking, An Mao instinctively retorted, "How could that be!"

You have to know that a son-in-law has to be mindful of his parents-in-law and wife's moods, and he has to constantly try to please them and even help them with their affairs, so it's almost impossible for him to concentrate on his cultivation.

He spoke with great excitement, his voice rising several decibels, his face flushed, "With such a bright future ahead of me, how can I marry into this family, be confined to the backyard, and have to watch my father-in-law and wife's every whim?"

An Zhengzheng's smile faded slightly, and she asked him calmly, "Then Father, should I marry into the Zhou family, serve my parents-in-law, manage the household, and be subservient to my in-laws?"

Just like the female scientists or researchers of the past, she stepped back from the front line, took care of the housework, and became a virtuous wife to her husband.

An Mao was speechless after hearing An Zhengzheng's words.

He was taken aback at first, then said awkwardly, "I... I didn't mean that."

“But I don’t know why, I just felt that you should do this,” he sighed. “I love you and Rou’er dearly… how could this happen!”

An Zhengzheng lowered her eyes helplessly.

She told Anmao, "Father, you don't believe me."

"What?"

“I said, you don’t believe me, you don’t believe I can withstand everything, you don’t believe I can survive the storm, so as soon as you find a place where the flowers can be protected from the wind and sun, you rush to send the flowers there.”

“But Father, I am not a flower. Because I am a woman, the world expects me to be a flower.”

In youth, one is as beautiful as a flower in full bloom, but in old age, one is like a withered flower, a faded chrysanthemum and a dried lotus.

She is as beautiful as a lotus emerging from water when she has no makeup on, and as glamorous as a flower when she has makeup on.

A virgin is pure when she is innocent, but a withered flower is ruined when she loses her virginity.

When a man seeks pleasure with a woman, it is called "picking flowers and teasing grass" or "seeking flowers and willows."

She said with a laugh, "People always say that women are inherently weak, but become strong when they become mothers. Why would they believe that a woman who can endure the excruciating pain of childbirth is naturally weak?"

And who is it that's teaching these girls to be so delicate?

“Father, I will not get married. I will take responsibility for whatever happens in the future.”

...

That day, the Zhou family received news that the An family had come to their door.

The steward of the third branch of the An family met Zhou Rongsheng.

After bowing respectfully, he said somewhat nervously, "I am honored that the Zhou family thinks so highly of my young lady..."

Seeing his extremely polite manner, Zhou Rongsheng naturally felt that things were promising.

The steward then said, "My young lady cultivates the path of ruthlessness in this life, so she is probably not destined for romantic love. She and Young Master Zhou are truly not meant to be..."

His forehead and back were covered in sweat.

Zhou Rongsheng frowned and asked, "Does Master An also know?"

"Know."

"They actually agreed?"

"……yes."

After having the manager seen off, Zhou Rongsheng frowned and remained silent for a long time.

Could it be that An Zhengzheng has another man she likes?

But that's not right either. If she falls in love, she might be kicked off the mountain like Xu'er.

At this moment, someone from the manor came to deliver a message.

He said, sweating profusely, "Master, the young master has vomited blood again..."

This is the thirteenth cultivation technique.

If he keeps vomiting, even the most talented person will be worn out!