Chapter 1193: One Cry of 'Master Dao'—Heart-Stopping!

The tension in Fu Junlan's heart was not something a few casual words could soothe. He forced a smile. Leaving now would make him look far too timid, so he nodded. "If there is anything I fail to handle properly later, I hope the Commandery Princess will give me guidance."

"There won't be any problem. Young Master conducts himself with propriety. Just treat people as you normally would." Shang Shuqing smiled and reassured him.

The carriage fell briefly quiet.

After thinking for a moment, Shang Shuqing spoke again. "The master of Maolu Villa is Niu Youdao. People call him Master Dao. Everyone in the Villa, including my brother and sister-in-law, addresses him that way."

"In truth, I lived at Maolu Villa for many years. Ever since Maolu Villa was first built in Qingshan Commandery, I spent long periods there. I won't hide it from Young Master: while I lived at Maolu Villa, I could almost be considered Master Dao's maidservant..."

Fu Junlan froze when he heard this, seemingly stunned.

A maidservant?

"Whenever Master Dao rose in the morning, I was usually the one who combed and arranged his hair. I attended him and managed his hair for more than ten years. Saying more than ten years may be a slight exaggeration, though. Master Dao was often away from the Villa, and whenever he left he could be gone for a long time. He also frequently entered seclusion to cultivate, so there were many mornings when I could not see him. And at times I returned to my brother's side and stayed there for long periods. If one counts only the actual time, I probably tended Master Dao's hair for several years."

As Shang Shuqing spoke, her expression seemed partly lost in memory and partly attentive to Fu Junlan's reaction.

When she finished, Fu Junlan's expression looked somewhat strained. "The Commandery Princess... with the Commandery Princess's status, how could you do such menial work and serve as another person's maidservant?"

Shang Shuqing said, "No one forced me. I did it willingly. Circumstances were special in those early years. At first, my brother and I truly had something to ask of him and hoped to obtain his help, so I lowered my own status and served as a maid. Later, I simply became accustomed to it."

"Young Master Fu need not worry. Although I attended Master Dao as a maidservant, nothing improper ever occurred between us. Master Dao possesses something of the gentlemanly bearing of the ancients. He never behaved discourteously toward me in any way."

After thinking it through, Shang Shuqing still felt it was better to make certain things clear.

In truth, whether it was her brother Shang Chaozong or her sister-in-law Feng Ruonan, both had intentionally or unintentionally reminded her not to tell Fu Junlan about serving as a maid and combing Niu Youdao's hair.

For a great household, having maidservants was perfectly normal. It was equally normal for a maidservant to attend the male master.

But another thing was just as common: when a maidservant spent long enough in close contact with the male master, certain matters not fit to be spoken of outside could easily arise.

There was no need to look at other households. Take her own brother Shang Chaozong.

She vaguely knew that the personal maidservants who attended him closely seemed to have been taken to his bed.

Her sister-in-law appeared to know as well. But after managing the household for so many years, Feng Ruonan seemed to have become increasingly adept at judging what required action and what did not. Most of the time she simply closed one eye and pretended not to see. If she could treat something as unknown, she did. But if some maidservant developed improper ambitions, Feng Ruonan would not be gentle. She would find a reason and dispose of the matter. Shang Chaozong, guilty himself, would mutter vaguely and not dare object.

As an onlooker, Shang Shuqing could see some of what was happening.

She simply never asked about it and pretended not to know. It was not her place to interfere. If everything were dragged into the open, everyone would only be embarrassed.

And this was hardly unique to the Prince's residence. Similar situations were probably common in every great household, simply hidden beneath the surface and left unmentioned. When Shang Shuqing was still a girl, her mother had taught her the virtues expected of women and had spoken of similar matters, teaching her how she should deal with them if she encountered them after marriage.

Her brother and sister-in-law had wanted her to conceal the matter for her own good.

But now that the conversation had turned to Maolu Villa, Shang Shuqing still decided on her own to say it.

She did not want to hide it.

If it came to light someday, things might become even uglier and far harder to explain.

In truth, back when Shang Chaozong and the others allowed Shang Shuqing to comb Niu Youdao's hair, had they not secretly hoped that a lone man and woman spending so much time together might eventually develop feelings and let something happen between them?

The result had merely disappointed them.

Shang Shuqing watched Fu Junlan's reaction because she wanted to know what he truly thought.

If he could accept it, matters could continue.

If he genuinely could not, then why force him?

As though afraid he might not believe her, Shang Shuqing pointed to her own face. "I am grateful Young Master does not despise me, but Master Dao would never take a liking to someone like me."

The implication was obvious.

Niu Youdao would never be interested in an ugly woman like her.

Fu Junlan had only been dazed for a moment. He quickly waved both hands. "The Commandery Princess needn't explain. I believe you. It's just..."

He hesitated, then lowered his voice. "To avoid harming the Commandery Princess's reputation, perhaps it would be best not to let my family know about this. Some people in the household have shallow horizons."

Shang Shuqing went still.

She understood the deeper meaning behind his words.

The Fu family might be far inferior to the Prince's residence, but it still counted as one of Nanzhou's great households. For the son of such a household to take another man's former maidservant as his principal wife was hardly something glorious. If word spread, there would inevitably be people gossiping behind their backs.

A shadow passed through Shang Shuqing's heart.

Still, she forced herself to smile. "I am grateful Young Master does not despise me. Very well. Qing'er understands and will follow Young Master's wishes."

Fu Junlan smiled brilliantly, as though nothing were wrong.

But afterward, the carriage became rather quiet.

A haze of uncertainty about the future entered Shang Shuqing's thoughts...

"Qing'er!"

A familiar call suddenly came from outside, accompanied by the sound of hoofbeats.

The curtain over the carriage window was abruptly lifted.

The two inside turned and saw Princess Consort Feng Ruonan riding beside the carriage, using the tip of her sword to hold the curtain aside.

"Sister-in-law, why are you here?" Shang Shuqing asked in surprise.

Feng Ruonan lowered her head and glanced inside.

To Fu Junlan, who hurriedly bowed, she smiled. "Young Master Fu, no need for such ceremony."

Only then did she answer Shang Shuqing. "It's been a long time since I've seen the people of Maolu Villa too. Since they've come to our territory, whether by sentiment or propriety, I ought to go see them. I might as well travel with you."

In reality, after thinking it over, Shang Chaozong had worried something unexpected might happen and decided to send his wife to keep an eye on the situation.

Niu Youdao had said there was no need for a welcoming banquet and that they should maintain some distance for the moment. It would be inappropriate for Shang Chaozong to visit repeatedly.

But Feng Ruonan, as the lady of the household, was the perfect person to appear.

The male master not holding a banquet already conveyed the intention to keep some distance. Feng Ruonan, however, owed Niu Youdao a favor. Back when relations between her and Shang Chaozong had been extremely strained, many people knew of it. Now that the people of Maolu Annex had arrived, it was entirely appropriate for Feng Ruonan to remember past kindness and entertain them in a personal capacity.

The Prince's residence was not far from the guest compound.

Before long, they arrived.

Those on horseback dismounted, those in carriages stepped down, and the guards at the gate recognized them. Someone immediately hurried inside to report.

Although this was Shang Chaozong's territory, it was not a place just anyone could enter at will.

Niu Youdao's present situation in particular made it unsuitable to let outside cultivators observe too much. Besides, the Zijin Cave cultivators knew none of the truth and were currently watching every move of the Maolu Annex group especially closely.

All the accompanying retainer cultivators were stopped outside.

Even Fu Junlan was mistakenly stopped.

Only after Feng Ruonan and Shang Shuqing explained did the guards allow him through.

Such strict rules made Fu Junlan even more nervous.

Shang Shuqing also found the vigilance of Maolu Annex somewhat unexpected. It did not quite match what she knew from before. In the past, as long as she personally brought someone in, even an unfamiliar maidservant could enter Maolu Villa without being checked...

Inside the main hall, Niu Youdao and the others were discussing matters.

When they learned Feng Ruonan and Shang Shuqing had arrived, and that Shang Shuqing had even brought her future husband, Niu Youdao gave Yun Ji a look.

Yun Ji immediately rose.

Niu Youdao got up as well and shadowed her every step as the two left.

Niu Youdao's current identity was as a man from Duyun Mountain named Wang Xiao, one of Yun Ji's subordinate followers.

Yun Ji had always kept a low profile in Maolu Annex and drew little attention, yet she could freely come and go to see Guan Fangyi and the others. Using one of her own men as his cover was therefore ideal.

The two left the main hall and went to a pavilion off to one side.

Niu Youdao deliberately sat with his back toward the main entrance.

Guan Fangyi also came out of the hall.

Seeing Feng Ruonan and the others arrive, she immediately descended the steps with a radiant smile to welcome them.

Yuan Gang, expressionless, remained standing on the steps.

He was not accustomed to the polite formalities of welcoming and seeing off guests.

Unexpectedly, after glancing around the courtyard, Shang Shuqing's gaze suddenly fixed on the pavilion to one side.

Joy appeared in her eyes.

She actually changed direction and headed straight toward it.

Guan Fangyi, who had been walking forward to welcome them, froze.

Feng Ruonan likewise stared in surprise when she saw her sister-in-law abruptly veer away.

Fu Junlan, understanding nothing, hesitated from side to side for a moment before actually following Shang Shuqing.

Guan Fangyi and Feng Ruonan both stopped and watched.

Even Yuan Gang on the steps stared blankly.

Yun Ji, sitting in the pavilion, seemed unable to remain still.

She shifted in her seat and murmured, "What is this supposed to mean? That Commandery Princess is coming over here."

What?

Niu Youdao, with his back turned, was startled too.

Why was she coming here instead of greeting Guan Fangyi and the others, the actual principals?

Shang Shuqing ought to understand how things worked in Maolu Annex.

When had she become so close to Yun Ji?

Even with all Niu Youdao's intelligence, he could not immediately understand what was happening.

Before he could react, Shang Shuqing had already reached his back.

She bowed toward him, unmistakable happiness in her voice, and called, "Master Dao!"

That one cry of "Master Dao" was truly heart-stopping.

Yuan Gang, Guan Fangyi, Yun Ji, and Niu Youdao all went rigid.

What was happening?

Master Dao?

Feng Ruonan stood frozen where she was, staring blankly, almost thinking she had misheard.

Shang Shuqing did not know, but Feng Ruonan did.

Niu Youdao had already died in the Sacred Realm.

Shang Chaozong had not told her the truth, so she knew nothing more.

And it was not only Feng Ruonan.

The Maolu Annex guards half-concealed around the courtyard were all startled by that cry of "Master Dao."

The most shocked person present was Niu Youdao himself.

His liver practically trembled with fright.

If this spread outside, people would die!

He forced himself to stand there without moving.

What did she mean?

Was she calling him?

The thought was ridiculous the instant it appeared.

Among all these people, was there anyone else Shang Shuqing could possibly call Master Dao?

What was happening?

Had that dumbass Shang Chaozong failed to keep the secret?

She could recognize him from nothing but his back?

Guan Fangyi was so nervous she could barely breathe.

She too suspected Shang Chaozong had failed to keep the secret.

That single cry of "Master Dao" seemed to freeze the entire courtyard.

Almost no one made a sound.

Only the clueless Fu Junlan knew nothing at all.

He even followed beside Shang Shuqing and bowed foolishly. "This humble scholar pays respects to Master Dao!"

Whether it was fortune or disaster, whatever had come could not be avoided.

Niu Youdao slowly turned around.

Receiving no response, Shang Shuqing was still delighted. "I didn't know before. So Master Dao has already returned from the Sacred Realm. I..."

Her words stopped abruptly.

She froze.

[End of Chapter 1193]