Chapter 111: Two-Faced

Chapter 111: Deceptive Appearances

The house doctor arrived at Emerald Bamboo Courtyard promptly and examined the injury to Jiang Tianze's nose.

Fortunately, it wasn't serious. The doctor prescribed some external ointments and instructed him to apply them regularly.

Xia Yan, her face etched with guilt, asked with concern, "Tianze, are you okay? Does it hurt a lot?"

Jiang Tianze's eyes welled up. Just as he was about to speak, Jiang Shuning gave a pointed cough and spoke to Xia Yan first, "Of course Third Brother isn't in pain. He's a real man; a little scratch like this is nothing for him. Right, Third Brother?"

As she spoke, she patted Jiang Tianze's shoulder.

She didn't hit him hard, but Jiang Tianze coughed a few times, his eyes watering as if fighting back pain.

Xia Yan's heart clenched at the sight, and she couldn't help but scold Jiang Shuning, "I know your third brother is the heir to the Prime Minister's household, and you have high expectations for him, but you must teach according to his ability. His constitution is already frail, and you're forcing him to practice martial arts—isn't that like pulling up seedlings to help them grow?"

Jiang Shuning was taken aback, "How is he frail? Besides, learning martial arts wasn't something I forced on him; he wanted to..."

"Elder Sister, don't say another word!" Jiang Tianze interrupted her, his tone resolute, "I will live up to your expectations. I will definitely practice martial arts diligently and become a true man who can stand on his own two feet!"

Jiang Shuning gritted her teeth, "You'd better!"

If he keeps up this weak and helpless act, there's no way Xia Yan would ever be interested in him!

Jiang Tianze turned to Xia Yan, "Sister Xia Yan, Elder Sister's dumplings aren't ready yet. How about I show you my pets instead?"

Seeing him take the initiative to spend time alone with Xia Yan, Jiang Shuning's heart leapt with joy and she quickly chimed in, "Xia Yan, go ahead! After seeing the pets, you can come back just in time to eat the dumplings I made!"

Xia Yan didn't refuse and smiled slightly, "Alright, let's go!"

Watching their departing figures, a gratified smile appeared on Jiang Shuning's face.

She turned to Ling Wu beside her, "Ling Wu, don't you think they make a good match?"

Ling Wu shook her head, "Young Miss, forgive this servant for speaking bluntly, but in this courtyard, aside from you, no one thinks the Third Young Master and Miss Xia are a good match. They're not at all interested in each other. You're completely playing matchmaker blindly!"

Jiang Shuning paid no mind, "What do you know? Feelings grow over time. Even if they don't have feelings for each other now, spending time together will naturally develop affection. How many cases of love at first sight are there in this world? What's most important is being able to live a stable, down-to-earth life!"

Her own marriage in her past life was a cautionary tale.

She had fallen for Xiao Lingchuan at first sight, but the outcome had been a disaster.

If she had been a bit more rational back then and chosen a man whose character and temperament were compatible with hers to marry, perhaps she could have lived a happy and stable life in her past life.

"So affection can develop after spending a lot of time together!" Ling Wu said with an expression of sudden understanding, winking playfully as she teased, "Then, Young Miss, since you're always visiting the palace to see the Fourth Prince, does that mean you and His Highness are bound to develop feelings for each other?"

"Who has feelings for him? Don't talk nonsense!" Jiang Shuning's face flushed red with anger. She shot Ling Wu a glare and turned to head towards the kitchen, "Come help me cook the dumplings!"

"Yes, Young Miss!" Ling Wu covered her mouth, hiding a laugh, and quickly followed her.

Meanwhile, Jiang Tianze led Xia Yan to the West Courtyard.

Having practiced martial arts since childhood, Xia Yan's senses were far sharper than an ordinary person's. Somehow, the moment she stepped into the West Courtyard, she felt a strange chill, as if eyes she couldn't see were on her.

Her intuition told her that something was off within this courtyard.

Jiang Tianze noticed her hesitation and turned back to give her a gentle smile, "Sister Xia Yan, make yourself at home. My parents are out today; there are only some servants here."

"Mhm." Xia Yan nodded, thinking that it wasn't the elders making her uneasy, but rather the indescribably cold and gloomy atmosphere permeating the courtyard.

Yet, facing Jiang Tianze's handsome and harmless face, she felt she was overthinking it.

Jiang Shuning's male cousin must be as gentle and kind-hearted as she was.

Jiang Tianze led her to a small room in the backyard. The room was filled with hay, upon which many oval-shaped white eggs were scattered.

"What kind of eggs are these?" Xia Yan asked curiously.

A meaningful smile curled at the corner of Jiang Tianze's lips, "These? They're snake eggs!"

"Snake..." Xia Yan instantly felt her skin crawl, her voice tightening slightly, "So many snake eggs... Could it be that the pets you mentioned are..."

"That's right, Sister Xia Yan. I don't have any particularly special hobbies." As Jiang Tianze spoke, he walked over to a bamboo basket, lifted the lid, and suddenly pulled out several brightly colored snakes.

He looked at Xia Yan with a smiling face, the snakes in his hand writhing frantically between his fingers, their crimson tongues flicking out, "What I love most is raising all kinds of snakes!"

Xia Yan screamed in terror at this horrifying sight and took off running.

She fled back to Emerald Bamboo Courtyard in a panic, her face deathly pale and gasping for breath as she cried out to Jiang Shuning, "Your third brother... he... he..."

Jiang Shuning's heart tightened, and she hurriedly pressed, "What about him?"

"He's raising venomous snakes in the backyard!" Xia Yan's voice trembled, her eyes filled with horror.

"What?" Jiang Shuning was utterly shocked. She never imagined that Jiang Tianze's so-called "pets" were actually snakes!

Just then, Jiang Tianze strolled over leisurely.

The moment Xia Yan saw him, she was scared out of her wits and immediately hid behind Jiang Shuning, terrified he might suddenly pull out a handful of snakes!

Jiang Shuning's face darkened as she questioned him, "Tianze, what on earth is going on? How could you raise venomous snakes in the backyard?"

Jiang Tianze looked innocent, his tone soft as he explained, "Elder Sister, Sister Xia Yan, I do indeed raise snakes in the backyard, but those snakes have all had their venom glands removed, and I've even pulled out their fangs. They absolutely cannot harm anyone!"

Hearing this, Xia Yan didn't feel reassured; instead, she was even more horrified.

Not only did he raise snakes, but he also removed their venom glands and fangs. This young man's disposition was so cold and bizarre, it was truly chilling!

"Shuning, I think I'd better head back now. I'll come visit you another day..." Xia Yan's voice shook, her heart still pounding with fear.

Seeing how frightened she was, Jiang Shuning quickly tried to persuade her to stay, "I've already cooked the dumplings. Why don't you eat them before you leave?"

Jiang Tianze rubbed his stomach, smiling with an innocent expression, "Now that Elder Sister mentions it, I'm feeling hungry too."

His smile was pure, as if the terrifying scene from earlier had nothing to do with him. Yet, Xia Yan simply couldn't reconcile the young man before her with the one who had grabbed a handful of brightly colored venomous snakes.

Had he always been this deceptive?

Turning to meet her dear friend's apologetic yet hopeful gaze, Xia Yan had no choice but to steel herself and agree, "Alright, I'll leave after eating the dumplings."

Soon, Jiang Shuning had servants bring the fried and boiled dumplings to the table.

Jiang Tianze picked up a fried dumpling, dipped it in chili sauce, took a bite, and immediately praised it profusely, "Elder Sister's cooking skills are truly exceptional. I've never tasted such delicious dumplings before!"

Suppressing her discomfort, Xia Yan scooped up a boiled dumpling with her spoon. Just as she was about to bring it to her mouth, Jiang Tianze suddenly spoke up casually, "These dumplings are wrapped so well—thin skin, ample filling. They look just like snake eggs in size!"

As soon as these words were uttered, images of the densely packed snake eggs in the backyard and the writhing, multicolored venomous snakes in Jiang Tianze's hand instantly flooded Xia Yan's mind...

"Ugh!" She could no longer hold back. Her stomach churned, and she vomited directly.

"Xia Yan!" Jiang Shuning cried out in alarm, quickly grabbing a handkerchief to help wipe her face, "Are you alright?"

"Shuning, I have to go!" Xia Yan forced herself to stand up despite her discomfort, her face extremely pale, "My stomach isn't feeling well. I'm afraid I won't have the fortune to enjoy your cooking today."