Chapter 56 Hidden Yearning

Chapter 56: A Secret Stirring

At these words, Jiang Tianze's eyes suddenly lit up. "Is that true?"

"Absolutely true!" Third Madam Jiang affirmed. "I'll go and fetch your eldest sister immediately and tell her you're awake!"

A faint blush appeared on Jiang Tianze's pale face. "Thank you, Mother."

Soon, Jiang Shuning arrived at Jiang Tianze's bedside.

Seeing him awake, a weight lifted from her heart, and a touch of joy lit up her face. "Tianze, you're finally awake! Are you in any discomfort?"

Jiang Tianze's gaze inadvertently flickered to the food box in Ling Wu's hand before quickly darting away. He gave a timely, light cough. "Thank you for your concern, Eldest Sister. I'm much better now. I've just woken up feeling a bit peckish and would like something to eat."

"I actually prepared some warm, nourishing soup for you. Third Aunt..." Jiang Shuning turned her gaze to Third Madam Jiang.

Third Madam Jiang quickly seized the cue. "Shuning, you take care of Tianze first. I'll go tell your Third Uncle the good news that Tianze is awake."

With that, she hurried away.

Ling Wu had just received a message from Ling Feng, learning that Third Madam Jiang was the Nanyue Poison Master living incognito.

Wanting to sound her out, she found an excuse to tell Jiang Shuning, "Miss, I suddenly remembered there are some matters in the courtyard that need handling. I need to go back for a bit. I'll have to trouble you with the food box."

Jiang Shuning took the food box from Ling Wu, took out a bowl of warm soup, and said gently, "In that case, I'll feed Tianze the soup."

"Thank you, Eldest Sister."

Jiang Tianze struggled slightly to prop himself up, a smile he couldn't suppress curling at the corner of his lips.

He lowered his eyes, swallowing spoonful after spoonful of the soup Jiang Shuning fed him, not daring to meet her gaze for fear of revealing the turbulent emotions surging in his heart.

He was greedy for her tenderness, his chest filled with a secret, fluttering excitement.

After finishing the bowl, warmth coursed through his limbs, dispelling the chill that had enveloped him.

He praised sincerely, "Eldest Sister's cooking is truly excellent. I've never tasted such delicious soup."

"If you like it, I'll make it for you often in the future."

Jiang Shuning's gaze rested on him. He was naturally slender, and now, having just recovered from a serious illness, he looked even more frail, stirring pity in her heart.

Now that the Jiang family had only this one remaining heir, she needed to find a way to help him grow stronger.

"Then I'll trouble Eldest Sister." Jiang Tianze lowered his eyes, using his thick lashes to conceal the triumphant pleasure in their depths.

—

Third Madam Jiang was walking along the covered corridor when Ling Wu's voice suddenly came from behind. "Third Madam, a moment please."

Remembering her aunt's warning that Ling Wu was a martial artist even she was wary of, Third Madam Jiang decided to sound her out.

She slowly turned around, a warm smile spreading across her face. "What is it, Miss Lingwu?"

"Third Madam, the fennel powder in the Young Miss's kitchen has run out. I wonder if I could borrow some from Third Madam's kitchen?" Ling Wu asked respectfully.

"Of course. Just follow me." Third Madam Jiang's tone was gentle as she led Ling Wu to the West Courtyard kitchen.

Stopping at the entrance, she paused and said, turning slightly, "Please wait here at the door for a moment, Miss. I'll go inside and get it for you."

Ling Wu, however, smiled brightly. "Third Madam is the mistress, and Ling Wu is merely a maid. How could I trouble you to do it yourself? It's better if Ling Wu fetches it herself."

Third Madam Jiang thought for a moment and then agreed. "Very well."

She pointed to a carved wooden cabinet inside the kitchen, instructing, "The fennel powder is in the white ceramic jar on the third shelf."

"Thank you, Madam." Ling Wu nodded in acknowledgment and walked gracefully into the kitchen.

As she approached the cabinet, her sleeve "accidentally" brushed against another blue-and-white porcelain jar nearby. A tiny silver needle silently dropped into it.

She took down the white ceramic jar containing the fennel powder. As she turned, she saw that Third Madam Jiang had, at some point, climbed onto a stool to fetch something from a high place.

Seemingly unsteady on her feet, Third Madam Jiang let out a startled cry as a stack of blue-and-white porcelain bowls cascaded down from above.

"Careful!" With lightning-fast reflexes, Ling Wu instinctively leaped forward. Her movements were agile as a swallow; using both hands and feet, she landed on one foot and managed to catch over a dozen bowls steadily, not a single one breaking.

Seeing this, a flicker of surprise passed through Third Madam Jiang's eyes before being replaced by a full smile. She praised, "Miss Lingwu, what impressive skill!"

Ling Wu placed the bowls back on the table one by one and replied modestly with a smile, "Third Madam flatters me. Ling Wu has practiced martial arts since childhood under my adoptive father. It's just some crude, superficial skills not worth mentioning. I've embarrassed myself."

Third Madam Jiang stared intently at Ling Wu, her mind racing with thoughts.

She proposed casually, as if by chance, "My Tianze has been very interested in martial arts since he was little. If Miss Lingwu has time, perhaps you could come to the West Courtyard more often to spar with him. What do you think?"

She herself was not skilled in martial arts and could only use Jiang Tianze to probe Ling Wu's true capabilities.

Ling Wu, also wanting to ascertain the Nanyue Poison Master's depth, readily agreed upon hearing this. "Ling Wu will comply."

Inside the West Courtyard room, Jiang Shuning was still talking with Jiang Tianze.

"With Second Brother's sudden passing, you are now the Jiang family's only remaining scion. In the coming days, Father will come to discuss the matter of your adoption with Third Uncle and Third Aunt. From now on, the burden of the Prime Minister's residence will fall on your shoulders." She gently patted the back of Jiang Tianze's hand and said softly, "You must take good care of your health. Don't let minor illnesses or setbacks wear you down again."

Jiang Tianze grasped Jiang Shuning's hand in return, his tone firm. "With Eldest Sister's meticulous care, Tianze will surely grow stronger day by day."

Jiang Shuning's gaze fell on Jiang Tianze's hands with their distinct knuckles.

These hands were actually much larger than those of his elder sister, who was a year older than him.

After all, he was a man. Though he appeared frail, his bone structure was naturally larger than a woman's.

Just then, Ling Wu entered and reported, "Miss, it's getting late. Shall we return?"

Only then did Jiang Shuning withdraw her hand from Jiang Tianze's palm and stand up. "We'll go back now."

Seeing her about to leave, Jiang Tianze felt reluctant and tried to persuade her to stay. "Eldest Sister, are you leaving already? Won't you stay a little longer?"

"There are important matters to attend to in the residence today. I'll come see you another day," Jiang Shuning explained.

Before coming to the West Courtyard, she had received a message from Xiao Lingchuan inviting her to the palace. She needed to go to Jinghe Palace.

If she delayed any longer, she might not make it back to the Prime Minister's residence before sunset.

Seeing her determination to leave, Jiang Tianze rubbed the lingering warmth from her hand in his palm and said, "Tianze misses the pastries Eldest Sister makes by hand very much. I wonder if I might have the good fortune to taste some tomorrow?"

Hearing this, Jiang Shuning's face blossomed into a radiant smile, her eyes full of affection. "Alright, tomorrow I'll make some pastries and bring them to you."

"Thank you, Eldest Sister!" Only then did Jiang Tianze show a smile.

He possessed a face capable of captivating hearts, and now, with this smile, it was even more mesmerizing.

Ling Wu, standing nearby, watched Jiang Tianze out of the corner of her eye, wondering to herself: Did he already know his mother's true identity?

If he did, then was his eagerness to make the Eldest Miss stay driven by ulterior motives?

At this thought, alarm bells rang in Ling Wu's heart. She needed to remind the Eldest Miss to be extra cautious.

Walking back to the Cuizhu Courtyard, Ling Wu remarked offhandedly: "Eldest Miss, forgive my boldness, but don't you find it a bit unusual that the Third Young Master, at his age, still acts spoiled with you, whining for treats?"

"How could that be? Tianze is only fifteen, still a child," Jiang Shuning waved it off with a laugh.

"Fifteen is already a marriageable age; how can he be called a child?"

To Jiang Shuning's twenty-nine-year-old soul, she naturally didn't consider Jiang Tianze old.

In her eyes, his spoiled behavior seemed innocent and endearing, evoking affection.

She didn't grasp the deeper meaning in Ling Wu's words; instead, she ran with the idea: "You've reminded me. Once Tianze is adopted into Father and Mother's lineage, he will be the rightful heir to the Prime Minister's household. It's indeed time to find him a good marriage. When he officially becomes the successor, I must discuss with Father carefully to select a suitable mistress for the Jiang family."

Hearing this, Ling Wu thought with an inward sigh: Eldest Miss, oh Eldest Miss, I was clearly trying to kindly remind you to keep your distance from the Third Branch, yet you've started worrying about the Third Young Master's marriage instead!

Poor Fourth Prince, worrying about you day and night, fearing you might be schemed against by that Nanyue Poison Master. You certainly know how to worry him sick!