Chapter 445: Unacceptable Conditions

Zu An raised an eyebrow, boldly sizing up the beauty standing close by. "Usually, when someone asks a question like that, they're about to try a honey trap. I hope Your Highness won't disappoint me."

Yun Yuqing was a little surprised. "You really are quite special, unlike most men."

Zu An chuckled. "There are many ways I'm different from other men. Would Your Highness like to find out?"

Noticing his aggressive gaze, Yun Yuqing knew he was flirting with her. However, instead of getting angry, she smiled sweetly. "You haven't answered my question yet."

"Beautiful?" Remembering her question, Zu An smiled. "Why ask when you already know, Your Highness? If you aren't beautiful, then there's no beauty in the whole world."

"Then, where do I rank in your heart?" A faint, translucent shimmer appeared in Yun Yuqing's eyes.

Zu An was secretly vigilant. This woman was deliberately chatting with him in a relaxed manner, likely trying to lower his guard so she could find a weakness and control him.

So he directly deviated from the expected script. "You probably rank in the top ten."

"Top ten?" Despite knowing he said it deliberately, Yun Yuqing still felt a little angry. "I didn't expect a young master like you to have met so many beauties. I wonder who in your heart is more beautiful than me?"

Zu An secretly chuckled. *Hmph, women!*

No matter how calm and poised they usually seem, they're always petty about this.

He lightly cleared his throat. "Of course, my wife ranks first."

Yun Yuqing nodded. "Miss Chu holds the title of Moonfaire City's foremost beauty, and since she's your wife, that's an added bonus. It's understandable that she'd rank first in your heart. What about the others?"

"Second would be Yu Yanluo, the capital's top beauty back then. Compared to her, you're still lacking a bit in charm," Zu An said.

"You know Yu Yanluo?" A flicker of surprise appeared in Yun Yuqing's eyes at the mention of the name.

"More than just knowing her, I even saved her life! She said she'd repay me, but then she vanished without a trace. It makes me angry just thinking about it," Zu An grumbled. Last time, Yu Yanluo had given him an empty promise, and he hadn't seen her in Moonfaire City for months.

"Perhaps she had an urgent matter," Yun Yuqing said with a playful smile, her eyes sparkling. "The Jade Beauty was indeed all the rage in the capital back then, so I accept her ranking above me. Are there others?"

"Third, of course, is Pei Mianman," Zu An replied.

"Miss Pei? I've heard of her reputation. I didn't realize she was so beautiful; I must meet her if I get the chance." Although Yun Yuqing said this, she was dismissive in her heart.

"Don't worry, you can't compare," Zu An said, his gaze falling to her chest. "While your figure is good, it's still a bit lacking compared to hers."

How could she not understand his implication? This guy was truly a scoundrel!

Seeing the effect, Zu An continued, "Fourth is Principal Jiang from our Moonfaire Academy. Your Highness can't compare to her mature charm, especially with her long legs adorned in various types of stockings. Of course, if Your Highness doesn't mind revealing your legs for me to see, I might be able to make a fairer judgment."

Watching him ramble on so eloquently, she felt like she was going mad.

What kind of person was this? Didn't he understand his current predicament? How could he actually be here ranking various beauties?

"It seems Your Highness lacks the confidence to compare, so let's move on to the next one. Fifth is naturally Shang Liuyu, our academy's celebrity female teacher. She's beautiful, kind-hearted, skilled in music, and possesses an ethereal, otherworldly aura. Unlike the feigned aloofness you might display, she truly seems indifferent to all worldly matters, like a deity observing the petty struggles of mortals. Ah, I thought we had a good relationship, but she didn't even visit me when I got into trouble. Do you think she's truly that cold-hearted?" Zu An became increasingly agitated as he spoke.

"And sixth, of course, is..." Zu An was interrupted before he could finish.

"Enough!" Yun Yuqing's face darkened. She had only meant to tease him casually, but who knew he would seriously analyze which women were prettier than her? The more she listened, the more frustrated she felt.

Zu An pursed his lips, thinking, *Can't handle this much? I haven't even brought out the big gun yet, my beautiful Empress sister. Comparing her to you lot would be a desecration of her beauty.*

He secretly showered Mi Li with compliments, but unfortunately, she showed no reaction at all. It seemed the woman was truly in a deep sleep.

"I almost fell for your trick. You're deliberately rambling like this to drag out the time, waiting for Prince Liang and the others to return, aren't you?" Yun Yuqing snorted softly. "I advise you not to bother. Prince Wu is keeping them busy over there; they won't be back anytime soon."

Zu An secretly marveled at how shrewd this woman was. Yet, he chuckled aloud, "What are you talking about, Your Highness? Those two old fogies are hardly as appetizing as you are!"

"Old fogies?" Hearing this assessment, Yun Yuqing was startled at first, then burst into a giggle. "You're right, they truly are two old fogies."

Those two had been secretly glancing at her the whole way, thinking she didn't notice. *Hmph, two disrespectful old men.*

Comparatively, she disliked Liu Yao more, as he constantly targeted Prince Wu.

However, she quickly composed herself, her beautiful eyes fixed intently on Zu An. "Young master, you're making things very difficult for me. I can't kill you, and I can't bring myself to harm you. What am I supposed to do?"

"Your Highness could try using a honey trap on me," Zu An said, sitting upright. "I'm impervious to most tactics, but that one always works."

"In the courtyard, I have eighteen personal maids, all beautiful young women hand-picked from the demon tribe," she said, gracefully gesturing out the window. "Just hand over the item to me, and you can pick any of them you like. Of course, if you have the stamina, taking all of them isn't out of the question either."

Zu An shook his head. "No. All of them combined couldn't compare to a single one of Your Highness's fingers."

"You want me?" Yun Yuqing's expression was a subtle mix of a smile and no smile, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Didn't you just say I couldn't compare to the women you know?"

"I tend to rate women I'm more intimate with quite highly. Perhaps Your Highness would like to try changing my opinion?" Zu An decided to go all out. After all, since he was an imperial criminal specifically requested by the Emperor, his captors wouldn't dare kill him, nor could they cripple him or mess with his mind. What was there to be afraid of?

"You are truly bold, fellow," Yun Yuqing said coldly. "On any normal day, if someone dared to offend me like this, Prince Wu would have them chopped up and fed to the dogs instantly."

Zu An smiled. "But didn't Prince Wu authorize your visit today? Did he also tell you to use a honey trap?"

Yun Yuqing's beautiful brows furrowed. Clearly, his words had struck a chord.

Zu An continued, "I imagine Your Highness knows that my journey to the capital means certain death. Since that's the case, I might as well find a good buyer."

Yun Yuqing's expression softened slightly. "Since the young master is willing to negotiate, that's good. We are very sincere. Whatever the young master desires—gold, silver, jewels, or cultivation artifacts and secrets—as long as it's within our power, we will certainly satisfy you."

Compared to the legendary *Phoenix Nirvana Sutra*, even emptying Prince Wu's mansion would be worth it.

"Didn't I just say what I want?" Zu An stared directly at her. "Anyway, I'm going to die. What good are external possessions to me then? As the saying goes, 'Die beneath the peony and be a romantic ghost.' If I can gain Your Highness's tenderness, then my life won't have been in vain."

He had no intention of genuinely negotiating anyway, so he simply proposed a condition that neither Prince Wu nor his consort could possibly accept.

To his surprise, Yun Yuqing's expression fluctuated between overcast and clear, before she finally nodded and said gently, "Alright!"