Few people can tell others' cultivation levels at a glance.
For all these years with his disabled legs, not even his closest people, not even his beloved mother concubine, had any idea of the extent of his spiritual power.
In everyone's eyes, Gu Hanxun was a capable person. But after his legs became paralyzed, people assumed that he had given up on his spiritual cultivation out of self - abandonment.
Most of the looks they gave him were full of sympathy.
But he was Gu Hanxun, the second prince of Cangwu. How could he admit defeat so easily?
"You're quite right. I'm becoming more and more interested in you," Gu Hanxun said.
Zhao Shuning felt that Gu Hanxun's eyes were shining as he looked at her at this moment.
She unconsciously took a step back.
"Tell me. What should I do to have a chance of curing my legs?"
Zhao Shuning tossed a pill to him, and Gu Hanxun caught it right away.
"This pill can stabilize the chaotic and poisonous qi in your body. Once your body is in better condition, I'll start the medicinal bath and training for you in earnest."
Gu Hanxun looked up and swallowed the pill.
This really surprised Zhao Shuning.
After all, from the very beginning, the second prince, Gu Hanxun, had been like a cunning fox or a spiky hedgehog. It was harder than climbing to the sky to get close to him.
But now, he had taken the pill so easily. Zhao Shuning couldn't help but wonder if it was because of her great charm or if Gu Hanxun had been in a slump for too long and had become stupid.
"Why are you looking at the prince like that?"
Zhao Shuning closed her slightly open mouth.
She said softly, "It's nothing. You're really bold. You believe whatever I say."
"I don't really believe you. It's just that I have no other choice now."
Zhao Shuning swallowed hard.
Gu Hanxun said, "Actually, your hope of getting information about my teacher from me is rather slim. I've been investigating since my teacher disappeared, but so far, the clues I've obtained are pitifully few."
Zhao Shuning lowered her eyes.
"I see." Maybe it was time for her to slip away. If there was no useful information to be found from Gu Hanxun, then staying here would just be a waste of time.
She still owed her master a promise. She had promised to return to Changkong Academy to teach. Now, trapped in this place and held back by her grandfather's affairs, she didn't know if her master was angry with her because of this.
"Judging from your expression, do you regret it?"
Gu Hanxun's tone was cold, and his eyes on Zhao Shuning were devoid of warmth.
Zhao Shuning waved her hand without any attempt to hide her feelings.
She knew that Gu Hanxun was a man of great inner strength. He didn't need others' pity, especially not in this regard.
So from the very beginning, Zhao Shuning had regarded Gu Hanxun as an equal.
"Am I being too obvious?"
Of course she regretted it. She didn't have that much time to waste.
She admitted it?
After taking the pill, Gu Hanxun felt much more relaxed. What followed was an unprecedented sense of ease and pleasure. This woman could relieve his discomfort with just a simple pill. She must be no ordinary person.
Keeping her around might be of great use to him in the future.
"If there's nothing else, I'll leave."
Zhao Shuning retrieved her veil and tied it back on.
"Wait."
Gu Hanxun called out.
Zhao Shuning turned around and asked, "What? Is there anything else?"
"Although I don't know my teacher's whereabouts for now, I know that my teacher's disappearance must be related to someone else."
Zhao Shuning's eyes immediately lit up.
She quickly asked, "Who?"
"The queen - mother."
"Qin Anxin?"
Zhao Shuning couldn't tell what kind of power Qin Anxin had. There were only two possibilities. One was that the other party's cultivation was far above hers, and the other was that Qin Anxin was just an ordinary person.
"You dare to address the queen - mother by her name."
Zhao Shuning shrugged.
"Gu Hanxun, we both know each other well. There's no need for you to act so high - minded in front of me. I'm sure you hate that queen - mother to the bone."
Gu Hanxun laughed.
"I didn't expect you to be such a smart girl."
"I'm just not as stupid as you. Thank you. This information is very useful to me. I'll find a chance to visit Qin Anxin's palace or her hometown."
Watching the woman's departing back, Gu Hanxun felt a bit lost.
Just as Zhao Shuning was about to take the last step out of the room, Gu Hanxun said, "It's harder than climbing to the sky to find a chance to enter that woman's palace in Cangwu."
Zhao Shuning stopped in her tracks.
What did Gu Hanxun mean?
"The Qin Palace where Qin Anxin lives is heavily guarded. Except for the royal family members, hardly anyone can enter. Even the family members need to be announced before they can enter her palace."
Zhao Shuning had already anticipated these difficulties because of Qin Anxin's complicated background. No matter how difficult it was, she was determined to visit Qin Anxin's palace at least once.
"Thank you for your concern, Second Prince. I have my own plan for this. Please, for the sake of me helping you in the Chenhuang Hall, don't report my whereabouts to Qin Anxin."
Gu Hanxun said, "I'm willing to help you."
"Okay, thank you."
"Don't you understand what I mean? The prince said that the prince is willing to help you."
Zhao Shuning turned around. She understood, and she had already thanked him.
Gu Hanxun sighed.
This girl seemed so smart and capable, but why was her comprehension in this regard so worrying?
"What I mean is, I can arrange for you to live in the Chengxun Hall in the name of the imperial concubine. From then on, it will be much easier for you to visit the Fanghua Hall."
Zhao Shuning widened her eyes.
She looked at Gu Hanxun in disbelief.
"Are you really that kind - hearted?"
Gu Hanxun didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"We're just using each other and cooperating. Don't have any other feelings for me."
Zhao Shuning quickly nodded.
"Of course, of course. I will never have any other feelings for you."
She had her master, and no other man could catch her eye.
"Since that's the case, you can go back."
"How can I enter the Chengxun Hall in the name of the imperial concubine?"
"You don't need to worry about that. I'll figure it out."
Zhao Shuning nodded.
"Then I'll go back first and wait for your good news. Don't worry. Once I find out the information about the leader of the Thousand - Machine Killers, I'll leave the Chengxun Hall immediately. I won't pester you."
"Okay."
Zhao Shuning clasped her fists, thanked Gu Hanxun, and then turned around and flew away.
When Shadow returned, he saw his master sitting in the wheelchair with a smile on his face, deep in thought.
"Master, I've bought the peach blossom wine for you."
"No need."
"I'll hide it in the wine cellar then. You can take it out when you need it in the future."
"No need. I probably won't need it in the future."
"Ah?"
Gu Hanxun turned his wheelchair around and headed into the inner room.
Shadow was left standing there, looking utterly confused.