The Queen Consort let out a cold laugh.
"No wonder you're a maid from the Second Prince's Mansion. Your personality is just like your mistress's, so arrogantly unpleasant."
Zhao Shuning ignored the Queen Consort's words.
She wasn't from Cangwu Kingdom. She didn't want to get involved in the politics of Cangwu Kingdom either. If it weren't for the fact that Cangwu Kingdom had gone too far and Gu Hanxun might be the one who knew the whereabouts of her grandfather, she really wouldn't have taken this risk.
"Can you get up?"
The girl's voice, like a heavenly melody, rang in Gu Hanxun's ear.
"The Second Prince's taste has really changed. Back then, he didn't even look at Qi Yue. At least she was a daughter of a duke and a well - bred young lady. Now, he's so desperate that he can even take liberties with the maids in his own mansion."
The coldness in Gu Hanxun's eyes deepened.
Before Zhao Shuning could react, she was pushed hard to the ground by Gu Hanxun.
"I don't need your pity!"
Zhao Shuning was stunned.
Her palm rubbed against the small stones on the ground, getting slightly scratched.
She didn't care about this minor injury.
She just didn't understand why, at this moment, that so - called self - esteem and arrogance were really that important.
"In that case, Second Prince, you can crawl to my son's coffin and perform the kneeling farewell ceremony. Then let the servants carry you back."
Concubine Xiao was watching from the side.
But she was helpless and could only fret.
She glared angrily at the King of Cangwu, but the King could only sigh helplessly.
The Qin family was too powerful. He didn't have the ability to resist at all.
"Your Majesty—"
"Concubine Xiao, step back first."
"Your servant—"
"Step back quickly!"
"Yes."
Although she was unwilling, there was nothing she could do.
Qin Anxin watched Gu Hanxun crawling on the ground towards the center. Her eyes were filled with hatred.
Originally, all this should have belonged to her.
If it weren't for Gu Hanxun's mother, Concubine Xiao, that vixen who seduced the King, why would the King take the risk of offending the Qin family just to marry that woman?
She originally thought that even if that woman entered the palace, under her watch, she wouldn't be able to conceive a child and cause any trouble. But the result slapped her in the face again.
After that, things that worried Qin Anxin happened one after another.
The vixen Concubine Xiao gave birth to not only a healthy child but also a prince.
Moreover, Gu Hanxun showed extremely high talent at a young age. Compared with him, Gu Xingran, who was two years older, became a good - for - nothing.
In order to make Gu Xingran's position as the crown prince more stable, Qin Anxin even personally arranged for someone to secretly cripple Gu Hanxun's legs.
The more she hated Concubine Xiao, the more hatred she poured on Gu Hanxun.
In the past, she took into account the dignity of the royal family and never deliberately made things difficult for Concubine Xiao and her son in public.
But now it was different.
Now, her son had died mysteriously outside Changkong Academy.
The academy said it was a sudden death.
But how could Qin Anxin believe it?
She thought that it must be Gu Hanxun who wanted to take revenge for his crippled legs, so he had someone assassinate her Ran'er.
In this way, after she lost her son, Gu Hanxun could naturally become the crown prince of Cangwu Kingdom.
He was daydreaming. As long as she was alive, Concubine Xiao and her son would never be able to control the government.
Gu Hanxun was really able to endure humiliation.
Even in this situation.
He could still endure and crawl forward step by step.
Zhao Shuning looked at Qin Anxin on the high platform.
She felt really sad.
Did this Queen Consort think that the person she had offended was just a harmless little lamb? She was wrong.
When Zhao Shuning first met Gu Hanxun, just by feeling his pulse and the strength when he pushed her, she knew that Gu Hanxun was definitely not an ordinary person.
At least, among the people on the scene, except for herself, no one would be a match for Gu Hanxun.
The Queen Consort had provoked a big bad wolf in sheep's clothing.
When a wolf turns back, it either repays kindness or takes revenge.
Gu Hanxun crawled to the bottom of the platform step by step.
"Mother, I'm here to offer incense to my elder brother."
But Qin Anxin didn't plan to let Gu Hanxun off so easily.
"If you want to offer incense, you have to do it yourself. Only then will it show your sincerity. You've crawled such a long way. You shouldn't give up on these more than six hundred steps."
Gu Hanxun looked up.
For a moment, the hostility in his eyes made Qin Anxin in front of him feel scared.
But it was just a moment.
Then he returned to normal.
"Mother, my legs are inconvenient. Climbing more than six hundred steps may take more than two hours. I'm willing to offer incense to my elder brother, but if it delays the time of the funeral, it may be bad for my elder brother."
Qin Anxin looked at the young man in front of her.
In her memory, he was still a five - or six - year - old child.
When he saw her, his eyes were full of fear.
But now, he had grown up.
The way he looked at her had started to change.
At least now, she couldn't see the fear in the young man's eyes.
"Then crawl up a hundred steps."
Qin Anxin flung her sleeve and then, in full view of everyone, walked step by step towards the coffin inlaid with white jade.
At this time.
Gu Hanxun's legs, especially his knees, were already oozing blood.
The joints of his hands had been worn out after continuous abrasion, and the flesh inside was a bloody mess.
If this continued.
His legs would really be useless.
Gu Hanxun must be related to Gu Zhiruo. Just looking at their faces, one could tell.
Zhao Shuning finally softened her heart.
She stepped forward and lowered her head.
Noticing Gu Hanxun's resistance.
Zhao Shuning lowered her voice and said, "If you want to be a hero, this isn't the time. If you really crawl up these more than a hundred steps, your legs will be completely useless."
Gu Hanxun suddenly looked at Zhao Shuning.
"Are you saying that my legs?"
Zhao Shuning nodded.
"There's still a chance of being cured, but it's only one in a thousand. But if you don't take care of your body like this, even the gods won't be able to save your legs."
Gu Hanxun frowned slightly.
"Why are you helping me?"
Even at this moment, he didn't let down his guard.
Zhao Shuning didn't beat around the bush.
"I want to know some information. You can help me."
Gu Hanxun lowered his eyes.
At this time, the Queen Consort on the high platform spoke.
"The servants in Chengxun Hall have repeatedly obstructed. Today, I'll deal with this arrogant maid on behalf of the Second Prince. Someone, drag her out and beat her to death with sticks."
Zhao Shuning didn't move.
Because she knew that the condition she had proposed was not only extremely attractive but also could dispel Gu Hanxun's suspicion.
When the guard's hand was about to touch Zhao Shuning's shoulder, Gu Hanxun stretched out a hand to her.
"I trust you."