Chapter 1226: Dangerous Eyes

Zu An hesitated. "It's the middle of the night. Isn't this inconvenient? Perhaps another time?"

Tu Shan Yu felt her smile wavering. "If I'm not afraid, what are you afraid of? Besides, this is my royal palace. I'm letting you use my tea to host me, and you're still reluctant? Then give me back the Azure Flame Flower."

"Your Majesty is too generous," Zu An replied. "How could I be so petty?" After a moment's thought, he realized his hesitation was indeed impolite, so he walked over and opened the door.

"What, aren't you going to invite me in?" Seeing him hesitate and block the doorway, Tu Shan Yu was annoyed. "Have you perhaps secretly met with a fox maiden from the palace and are afraid I'll see her?"

For years, she had always handled any situation with ease, but Zu An's actions today had completely thrown her off balance.

Tu Shan Yu's anger flared, increasing by 99...

Zu An stepped aside. "Your Majesty is jesting, please come in!"

Tu Shan Yu's expression eased slightly. After entering the room, she subtly scanned her surroundings. Only after confirming there was no one else did she breathe a sigh of relief. "Young Master, you're still awake."

"I was just practicing," Zu An replied, deliberately leaving the main door open to avoid any misunderstanding.

Noticing his actions, Tu Shan Yu was speechless. Normally, men would try all sorts of ways to take advantage of her, but now he was acting as if she were the one trying to take advantage of him.

"You seem quite guarded against me, Young Master," Tu Shan Yu said, then naturally sat down on his bed, smiling as she looked at him.

Zu An hesitated but nodded. "I do find it a bit strange. During the day, Your Majesty clearly showed me no regard, but now, suddenly, you're all smiles and pleasantries."

"Oh, so that's what it was," Tu Shan Yu chuckled. "Mainly, during the day, I noticed your unusual relationship with Queen Medusa and was concerned she might misunderstand, which could harm the peace between our two tribes. That's why I was a bit distant with you. I hope you don't mind, Young Master."

Zu An involuntarily recoiled. "Then why are you here now?"

Seeing him react as if he feared she had ulterior motives, Tu Shan Yu nearly fainted from anger.

Tu Shan Yu's anger surged even higher, increasing by 666...

"Wasn't I bringing you the Azure Flame Flower, Young Master?" Tu Shan Yu's hand, hidden in her sleeve, clenched tightly. She desperately wanted to pin him to the ground and give him a good beating. "And also have a chat with you, of course."

"What does Your Majesty wish to discuss?" Zu An asked, taking a seat a considerable distance away.

Tu Shan Yu burst into a bewildered laugh. "Are you afraid I'll eat you, Young Master?"

"Your Majesty jests," Zu An replied. "I'm not a chicken." He recalled the dishes served at the previous banquet.

Tu Shan Yu was speechless.

She realized he seemed to be deliberately killing the conversation, not giving her an opening to continue.

But she reacted quickly. "If you're not afraid of me, then are you perhaps afraid Queen Medusa will be upset if she finds out? Young Master, you truly underestimate Sister Yu; she's not the petty or jealous type."

Zu An inwardly gasped, *Impressive*. In a past life, this woman would have been a master manipulator. With a single sentence, she had put Yu Yanluo in a difficult position; if Yu Yanluo were to get angry, she would be seen as petty and jealous.

"Your Majesty jests," Zu An replied. "As a man, why would I need to consider anyone else's reaction when speaking with someone?" Curious about her true intentions, Zu An feigned being provoked.

Seeing his reaction, Tu Shan Yu breathed a sigh of relief, thinking, *This man does have a weakness after all.* "I knew it," she said. "How could someone who defeated the Golden Crow Prince be a henpecked and timid man?"

Zu An looked a little embarrassed. "Ah, so even you know about that?"

"Qingqiu Kingdom isn't too far from the Snake Tribe, and besides, anything concerning the Demon Race's Crown Prince is a significant matter; countless eyes are on him," Tu Shan Yu said, suppressing a smile. "To be honest, I know my sudden visit is a bit abrupt, but I actually came to inquire about the specific details of your battle against the Golden Crow Prince."

"It was merely luck," Zu An replied humbly.

"You're too humble, Young Master. Our demon race has always revered strength, and I am certainly no exception. I truly wish to hear what happened in that battle." Tu Shan Yu's eyes sparkled with admiration.

"Oh, well," Zu An relaxed slightly. "Actually, I didn't want to get involved that time, but the Golden Crow Prince was simply too arrogant..."

"Wait a moment," Tu Shan Yu interrupted him. She clapped her hands, and soon a maid entered carrying an exquisite wine pot and some light appetizers. "You have stories, and I have wine," she said.

The maid set up a small table beside the bed. After arranging the wine and dishes, she quietly withdrew, thoughtfully closing the door behind her.

A chill ran down Zu An's spine. *She came prepared,* he thought.

Tu Shan Yu personally poured him a glass of wine. As she did so, a glimpse of her luminous, fair wrist was revealed, adorned with a delicate platinum bracelet set with exquisite rubies. The deep red of the gems contrasted beautifully with her pale skin, and combined with the faint, sweet scent emanating from her, it was enough to make any man's mouth go dry and his thoughts wander.

Zu An was naturally no exception. He inwardly marveled, *Impressive*. This woman was entirely different from those in pleasure houses; she didn't need to expose her chest or shoulders. Every subtle gesture could ignite one's most primal desires.

Tu Shan Yu raised her wine glass. "Young Master, you've traveled a long way as our guest. Allow me to offer you the first toast."

Zu An hesitated. Seeing this, Tu Shan Yu chuckled, "What, Young Master, are you perhaps afraid I've poisoned it?"

With that, she picked up his wine glass and drained it in one gulp, then gestured to show she was perfectly fine.

Zu An replied, "I'm not afraid of poison. I'm just afraid of losing control after drinking."

"Pfft!" Tu Shan Yu had not yet swallowed the remaining half-glass of wine. Hearing his reply, she choked and sprayed it out directly.

Zu An was startled and quickly offered her a handkerchief. "Are you alright?"

Tu Shan Yu wiped the wine from the corner of her mouth and cast him a slightly reproachful glance. "Young Master, I haven't been so undignified since I can remember."

Zu An gave an awkward laugh. "My apologies for my bluntness. I'll penalize myself with three drinks."

With that, he poured and quickly drank three consecutive glasses.

Tu Shan Yu's mood shifted from worry to delight. "Slow down, Young Master, don't get too drunk. I still want to hear your story."

Afterward, with her hand propping up her chin and her eyes sparkling with admiration, she listened intently as he recounted the detailed events of that battle. She gasped in astonishment at the exciting parts and occasionally posed questions that came to mind.

Of course, she refilled Zu An's glass at precisely the right moments to keep the spirits high, and the atmosphere in the room grew increasingly harmonious.

With a captivating beauty adding to the allure, looking at him with adoring eyes, and her soft, sweet voice full of compliments, even Zu An, despite his constant caution, couldn't help but feel a little flattered and light-headed.

Initially, their conversation revolved around the great battle, but as time passed, they began discussing everything under the sun.

They also found themselves sitting closer and closer, and at some point, unbeknownst to him, Tu Shan Yu, her eyes hazy with drink, was half-reclined in Zu An's embrace.

From his vantage point, he could see a breathtaking expanse of snow-white skin through the opening of her collar.

Tu Shan Yu tilted her head slightly, a mysterious smile playing on her lips, and her beautiful eyes became exceptionally deep. "Brother Zu," she murmured, "do you think I'm beautiful?"

Zu An felt a simmering fire in his lower abdomen suddenly erupt. His blood surged, and now only one thought consumed him: to completely possess the woman in his arms...

Suddenly, a ripple of clarity emanated from the depths of his soul. In his mind's eye, a pair of beautiful eyes opened—they were Daji's.