Fu Junlan's inner tension could not be soothed by a few casual words. He forced a smile. Leaving now would seem far too cowardly, and it would also let the County Princess see right through him. So he nodded. "If there's anything I fail to handle properly later, I hope the County Princess will offer me more guidance."
"There won't be. Young Master conducts himself with proper measure; nothing will happen. Just treat people and handle matters as you normally would," Shang Shuqing said with a smile, offering reassurance.
A brief silence fell within the carriage. After some thought, Shang Shuqing spoke again. "The master of Thatched Cottage Manor, Niu Youdao, is known as Daoist Master! Everyone in the manor, from top to bottom—including my brother and sister-in-law—addresses him that way."
"Actually, I spent quite a few years at Thatched Cottage Manor. Ever since Thatched Cottage Manor was established in Qingshan Commandery, I had often lived there. To be honest with you, Young Master, during my time at Thatched Cottage Manor, I could practically have been considered Daoist Master's maidservant..."
At those words, Fu Junlan froze, seeming rather stunned. A maidservant?
"Whenever Daoist Master rose early each day, it was basically I who combed and arranged his hair. I served Daoist Master and tended to his hair for more than ten years. Though saying more than ten years may be somewhat exaggerated. Daoist Master often went out and was absent from the manor, and whenever he left, he would be gone for a long time. He also often entered secluded cultivation, and many mornings I would not see him. Besides, I would sometimes return to stay with my brother. So, counting it all up, I had tended to Daoist Master's hair for several years at least."
There seemed to be