Zhao Shuning's expression said it all.
After all, some things that had happened between her and Gu Hanxun in the Chengxun Hall back then. She had to use Gu Hanxun's identity, so it was publicly claimed that she was Gu Hanxun's princess consort.
Bu Ran had known about this matter back then.
Moreover, she had been quite angry about it.
Now that she and Bu Ran were engaged, had met each other's parents, and had done everything that needed to be done.
Gu Hanxun had said back then that he liked her.
If she were to openly keep him by her side now, Bu Ran might be unhappy.
Gu Hanxun added, "It seems that Ningning has someone in her heart."
Zhao Shuning nodded.
"Gu Hanxun, you know all about our old matters. I don't want him to misunderstand, nor do I want him to be jealous for my sake. He has done so much for me."
The disappointment on Gu Hanxun's face was very obvious.
He had liked this woman for so many years.
Back then, he had told everyone that he had let go, and he had thought he had.
But when he met Zhao Shuning again.
Gu Hanxun found that he still couldn't control his heart.
However,
he also understood.
He had done so many things to Ningning in the past. It was already not easy for him to get her forgiveness. He would never have the qualification to stand by her side in that capacity for the rest of his life.
"Gu Hanxun, so - I'm sorry."
"Ningning is overthinking. After all these years, my feelings for you have long since faded. Now, I only regard you as an old friend. Don't worry. If I follow you, I will definitely not cause you any trouble. I will maintain a good distance between us so as not to make him misunderstand."
"Gu Hanxun, you still -"
"From now on, I'll address you as Miss. I'll be your bodyguard. How about that?"
Zhao Shuning was a bit stunned.
She really didn't know.
What had gone wrong with Luo Qiu and Gu Hanxun? It was as if they had made an appointment. Even their words were so similar.
What maid, what bodyguard, what Miss?
"Gu Hanxun."
"From now on, I won't address you as Ningning so affectionately. I'll call you Miss. Is that okay?"
"I hope Miss can give me a chance to atone for my sins."
"Gu Hanxun, why do you have to do this?"
"The burden of guilt for these hundreds of years has weighed on me for a long time. If this goes on, I'm afraid I'll die of melancholy in less than three years."
Gu Hanxun's eyes were full of sorrow.
At first glance,
he really looked like a wronged little white rabbit.
Zhao Shuning was soft - hearted.
She never admitted this.
But Gu Hanxun knew exactly how to play on it.
"I'm just going to Dongzhou -" Zhao Shuning murmured.
"I'll do my duty as a bodyguard and never overstep the line. Now, I've been branded with your spiritual power. If you find that I have any ill intentions, you can kill me at any time."
"I still don't understand. Why has your personality changed so much, and you even shaved your head?"
Gu Hanxun didn't say anything else.
He just looked at Zhao Shuning sincerely.
Why did he become a monk?
After Zhao Shuning left.
Day after day, year after year. When Gu Hanxun was not even forty years old, although his appearance remained unchanged, his hair, having gone through so much, had turned gray, with quite a few white hairs mixed in.
"Can you agree to me?"
"Let's talk about it after I come back from the capital."
Zhao Shuning didn't immediately refuse after all.
Indeed.
Gu Hanxun now had her spiritual power on him. Due to his past guilt, he had tried his best to humble himself in front of her.
If Zhao Shuning always acted so aloof, people might think she was ungrateful.
Moreover,
Gu Hanxun was right.
Going to Dongzhou this time, no one knew what would happen.
Among the eight countries and one ghost domain on the Nine - Province Continent, she knew the least about the ghost domain and Dongzhou.
She had never set foot in Dongzhou.
She only occasionally heard about it because it was the hometown of the Dong family.
The situation in Dongzhou was now very serious. There must be many people with evil intentions secretly causing trouble.
It would be more secure for her to bring a few more people.
With Gu Hanxun and Xiao Qiu's ruthlessness and resourcefulness, she didn't have to worry about ordinary schemes.
Thinking about it this way,
it was really all gain and no loss.
"Okay, then let's talk after Miss comes back."
"Stop. You all seem to be crazy. Don't call me Miss. It gives me goosebumps all over."
"You'll have to get used to it. After we get to Dongzhou, if we still address you like before, we'll arouse suspicion wherever we go."
That was true.
If a group of powerful people walked together.
If they addressed each other as brothers and called each other by their names, others would surely think that something big was about to happen and would be very vigilant towards them.
But if they claimed to be a maid and a bodyguard, people would only think that they were the entourage of some high - ranking official's daughter. In the imperial city of Dongzhou, there were noble people everywhere. No one would bother to investigate the identity of a high - born young lady.
"What you said makes sense."
A sunny smile appeared on Gu Hanxun's face.
Zhao Shuning was dazed for a moment.
Then she quickly reacted.
"Wait. I almost got tricked by you. I haven't decided whether to let you go to Dongzhou with me yet. You're acting as if I've already agreed."
"I know you've agreed."
Otherwise,
she wouldn't have so smoothly followed his words just now.
Zhao Shuning could only mutter a few words.
"You're really a sly old fox."
Although Gu Hanxun had been in seclusion for many years.
His wisdom and scheming hadn't completely disappeared over time.
He just hid them very deeply. When it was necessary, he would use his means again to protect the person in his heart.
After Zhao Shuning talked to Gu Hanxun for a while.
She carefully examined Zhao Zheng's body again.
After making sure that he was much more stable now.
She left the courtyard.
She went to find Lin Min'er.
When Lin Min'er saw Zhao Shuning, she got very affectionate with her and sighed. Judging from Lin Min'er's enthusiasm, if there weren't other people around, she might hold Zhao Shuning's hand and talk for three days and three nights.
Zhao Shuning listened patiently.
In the evening,
she told Lin Min'er her plan.
"You're leaving?"
Zhao Shuning nodded.
Seeing the reluctance and disappointment in her mother's eyes.
She quickly added, "I'll be back soon."
Lin Min'er could only nod.
"My Shuning has been extraordinary since she was a child. I've known this for a long time. Qinghui Town is too small to hold you, and the Dongze Wilderness is not your destination. You were born to be a powerful person soaring over the Nine - Province Continent. Go ahead. I'll take good care of your father."
"Mother, it's my fault. This time, I failed to protect -"
"You silly child. What are you talking about? You're always like this. It's clearly not your fault, but you always take all the responsibilities on yourself. You must be so tired living like this."
Lin Min'er's eyes were filled with heartache.