Zhao Shuning suddenly became extremely enthusiastic.
This raised a multitude of doubts in Gu Hanxun's mind.
Looking at that face with a peach blossom engraved on it, Gu Hanxun couldn't quite articulate his current feelings.
Every day, Zhao Shuning would take him for a stroll in the pear orchard in the morning.
At first, she would still let Shadow support him, but later on, Shadow was scolded so much that he didn't even dare to step forward.
Take now for example.
Shadow walked away muttering and cursing.
Gu Hanxun had no idea. He simply thought she was a girl with some background, never imagining that he had underestimated her time and time again.
Although Shadow complained, he didn't dare to be too loud.
Recently, as the Flower - Searching Festival approached, his master had been treating the so - called Second Princess Consort more and more differently.
She dared to call his master by name without any reservations, dared to look his master in the eye, and even dared to scold his master loudly when he was discouraged.
Shadow saw all this but didn't dare to refute.
Because he had tried to refute before.
But the result was that he was completely defeated.
How could an eighteen - year - old girl have such abilities?
Shadow had been in the palace for many years, and his skills were among the best in the Cangwu Kingdom. But he couldn't even last five moves against the Second Princess Consort.
Every time, even though he was eager to protect his master, he was completely helpless against Zhao Shuning.
Moreover, it seemed that his master particularly enjoyed the "abuse" from that girl.
"Master, the Second Princess Consort won't let this subordinate support you."
Gu Hanxun let out a soft laugh, as warm as the winter sun.
"What? Not going to fight with Ningning?"
Shadow averted his gaze and took two or three steps back.
"Master, please don't make fun of this subordinate. You clearly know that I'm no match for the Second Princess Consort."
Gu Hanxun's smile grew broader.
He looked at Zhao Shuning about fifty meters away.
Sensing Gu Hanxun's gaze, Zhao Shuning shouted loudly, "Gu Hanxun, stop pretending to be dead. Come here quickly."
All the good feelings instantly vanished.
After so many days of learning from Deputy Envoy Qi, why did she still have no etiquette of a well - bred young lady?
But Gu Hanxun didn't refute. He struggled to prop himself up and slowly walked towards Zhao Shuning.
Even now, without the help of a walking stick, he still couldn't walk on his own.
Zhao Shuning didn't force him. She knew that Gu Hanxun was born into the royal family and had once been the pride of the Cangwu Kingdom. He could walk before, so after breaking his leg, he had fallen into endless self - abasement.
It could be said that no one wanted to walk more than him. He just didn't dare to get up and didn't dare to experience that heart - wrenching pain again.
After half a day.
Gu Hanxun's face had turned deathly pale from the pain.
"Take a break."
Zhao Shuning supported Gu Hanxun and sat him down in the pavilion in the pear orchard.
Presumably, she had been really tired these days. Leaning against the stone table, Zhao Shuning was just in a daze at first, but when Gu Hanxun looked back again, she was already asleep.
Her fair skin, cherry - like lips as thin as cicada wings. A gentle breeze blew, and she seemed a bit uncomfortable. Her long eyelashes fluttered, and she changed her position and continued to sleep.
Shadow came back.
He saw his master gazing at the Second Princess Consort affectionately.
He took off his cloak and gently placed it on Zhao Shuning.
Not long after, Qi Yue also came.
The two of them stood outside the pavilion, looking at this scene.
"Lord Shadow, the Second Prince is really in love this time, isn't he?"
"Deputy Envoy Qi, I'm not blind."
Shadow let out a sigh.
The Second Prince was in love, but this love came at an inopportune time.
Now the Chengxun Palace was constantly being suppressed by Qin Anxin. If the Second Prince indulged in love at this time, all his plans over the years would be in vain.
Shadow walked out.
Seeing this, Gu Hanxun withdrew his hand.
"Master."
Hearing the voice, Zhao Shuning immediately sat up, and the cloak on her body fell to the ground.
"Huh - Gu Hanxun, why is your cloak here with me?"
Gu Hanxun turned his head.
He didn't reply. He just said, "Do you have something to say?"
Shadow quickly replied, "Tomorrow is the Flower - Searching Festival. Tonight, we have to send the Flower Fairy to the Jing Palace."
Gu Hanxun looked back.
He saw Zhao Shuning staring at him.
Her eyes were so pure and innocent, unlike his own, which now had such unseemly thoughts about her.
"Do we have to go there tonight?"
"Second Princess Consort, this is a matter of etiquette. All the Flower Fairies have to arrive at the Jing Palace one day in advance and then take a bath and abstain from worldly pleasures in the Jing Palace for one night."
After saying that, Shadow turned to Gu Hanxun again.
"Master, you're in charge of the Flower - Searching Festival every year. This is a major event where no mistakes can be made. Otherwise, that lady in the Fanghua Palace will surely seize the opportunity and not let it go."
Gu Hanxun lowered his eyes.
"This prince knows."
That's why he had been extremely cautious during the Flower - Searching Festival every year.
Seeing Gu Hanxun like this, Zhao Shuning also knew the importance of this matter.
She and Gu Hanxun were just in a cooperative relationship. He paved the way for her, and she helped him treat his leg.
They were using each other, but Zhao Shuning valued righteousness. She wouldn't drag others down for her own interests.
"Gu Hanxun, there's no need to look so worried. It's just about acting like a well - bred young lady. Don't worry, I'll be fine. I do have some acting skills."
Back then, in order to enter the Lin family, she had pretended to be a weak and innocent girl for a whole year.
At that time, she had even hired many people to say that she was the most beautiful woman in the Dongze Wilderness. But after coming to this world, she found that the appearance of the most beautiful woman should match her current appearance.
Now she had the looks.
And she also had enough experience.
In the previous days, she had just accompanied Qi Yue through the process of the Flower - Searching Festival.
"Don't worry, Gu Hanxun. I won't ruin your business. Although I'm a bit fierce usually, I can tell right from wrong before major events."
Gu Hanxun looked at the suddenly serious girl.
He couldn't help but feel a bit more at ease.
Even he didn't know why he would believe the words of a little girl after knowing her for such a short time.
"Alright, I won't waste any more time with you. Xiaoyue, I'll go back with you first, change my clothes, and then you can tell me more about the process so that I can handle it tomorrow."
Qi Yue nodded.
Zhao Shuning turned around.
She bent down and performed a courtesy.
If one ignored her face, this action was elegant and truly looked like that of a well - bred young lady.
Watching Zhao Shuning walk away.
Gu Hanxun withdrew his gaze.
"Master, do you really have to do this?"
"Yes."
"If the elder of the Qianji Kill knows, he might be unhappy, right?"
Gu Hanxun looked up.
Shadow realized he had said something wrong and quickly knelt down.
"Master, this subordinate has spoken out of turn."
"Don't say such things again."
All the humiliation he had suffered in the past, from now on, he would return it all.
As for Ningning, she was nice.
But she wasn't good enough for him to give up the throne of the Cangwu Kingdom for her.