Water Margin: Did we kill Zheng Tu today?

Chapter 76 Monkeys

Now, Qiao Yunge, carrying a basket of freshly picked pears, stood in front of the Wu family's gate, about to knock on the door.

This little monkey was only fifteen or sixteen years old. He sold seasonal fruits in the Zishi Street area year-round. He and Wu Dalang did business on the same street and were quite familiar with each other.

Wu Da usually took care of him, sending him leftover steamed buns to fill his stomach.

Seeing that Wu Da hadn't been seen carrying his wares on the streets for the past few days, I inquired and learned that he was ill.

Qiao Yunge had been thinking about it, so he specially picked out a few big and sweet pears today, intending to visit them.

But just as he placed his hand on the door panel, before he could exert any force, the courtyard gate suddenly opened inwards; it turned out the door was not bolted.

As Qiao Yunge leaned forward, he lost his footing and nearly fell to the ground.

"Ouch!"

He cried out and crashed headfirst into the arms of the person inside.

I felt as if I had bumped into a thick earthen wall, my forehead ached, and I saw stars.

Qiao Yun rubbed his forehead and looked up.

Before them stood a giant man, over eight feet tall, with bulging muscles and a truly imposing figure—none other than Zheng Tu!

Zheng Tu looked down and saw that it was a boy he didn't recognize, but he didn't pay any attention to him, assuming he was just a neighborhood kid. He smiled at Qiao Yunge and said, "Young man, be careful not to get hurt."

Having said that, he turned sideways and strode away.

He was preoccupied with Ximen Qing's invitation, and this delay had already been too long; he needed to hurry.

Although Zheng Tu did not recognize Qiao Yunge, Qiao Yunge recognized Zheng Tu!

It turns out that on that day at the Lion Tower, when Qiao Yunge delivered pears to Ximen Qing, he caught a glimpse of two people sitting at the table: one was Ying Bojue, who was usually a hanger-on, and the other was none other than this burly man.

Although Qiao Yunge only caught a fleeting glimpse of the burly man, he was deeply impressed by him.

He seemed a bit thinner back then?

It seems... his surname is Zheng? Master Ximen calls him Master Zheng.

Seeing Zheng Tu emerge from Wu Da's house, Qiao Yunge's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't help but recall the gossip he had overheard at the Lion Tower that day: when Master Ximen was laughing and joking with Earl Ying and others, his words seemed to imply that Master Zheng and Madam Wu had some kind of affair.

Although he blushed with embarrassment at the time, he was only half-believing and half-doubting, because it was, after all, a joke made by Master Ximen, and Master Zheng had not admitted it himself.

Perhaps it was because Qiao Yunge himself was unwilling to believe it. After all, Wu Da's wife was such a celestial being that in his young mind, she was someone to be admired from afar and not to be trifled with, like a fairy in a painting. How could she really do such a thing?

However, after witnessing Zheng Tu emerge from the martial arts family with his own eyes, Qiao Yunge's resolve began to waver.

"No, perhaps... Master Zheng, like me, has come to visit Wu Da?"

He consoled himself with this thought, shook his head, and stepped forward to enter the room.

Suddenly, a very faint fragrance wafted to my nose.

He couldn't help but twitch his nose to investigate.

The fragrance was extremely faint, almost imperceptible, like the rouge and face powder a woman uses, gradually dissipating as Zheng Tu went away.

Qiao Yunge looked himself over and then sniffed himself. The strongest scent of perfume came from his forehead!

That's exactly where I bumped into Master Zheng just now.

Qiao Yunge was stunned.

"This...could it be...that the scent of perfume came from Lord Zheng's bosom?!"

Upon further reflection, he understood the key to it.

The official Zheng had just come out of the Wu family's house, and his clothes were still smelling of perfume... Whose perfume was it?

Qiao Yunge's face turned deathly pale, and any lingering hope in his heart was completely shattered.

Hearing is believing, seeing is believing...

No, this is "smell is believing"! The rumors about Lion Tower that day were actually true!

An indescribable emotion welled up inside me.

Qiao Yunge, a young man in his late teens, dared not have any improper thoughts about Pan Jinlian, a woman as beautiful as a fairy, but he always harbored a vague longing for her.

But now...

He felt as if the hazy, hopeful feeling in his heart had shattered with a snap.

He looked envious, yet also felt a pang of sadness.

He couldn't help but mutter, "This Master Zheng is indeed quite capable; no wonder he's a guest of honor for Master Ximen."

Then she thought for a moment: "But... Wu Da is still bedridden at home, how dare these two be so bold? In broad daylight..."

Qiao Yunge felt a mix of disdain and jealousy, his heart filled with conflicting emotions. Lost in thought, he carried his pear basket inside.

In any case, since we're already here, we should at least check on Wuhan University's condition.

Pan Jinlian entered the courtyard in a daze. Hearing the noise outside, she came downstairs to check.

The beautiful woman, seeing that it was a boy carrying a basket, assumed he was there to cause trouble. She waved her hand dismissively and frowned, saying, "Go away, go away! Where did this little monkey come from? Don't cause trouble. There's a sick person in the house; don't make a fuss."

Qiao Yunge looked up and saw that Pan Jinlian was wearing a light green dress today, her hair was slightly disheveled, and her face was flushed.

Her heartfelt conversation with Zheng Tu had left her unsettled, and her expression naturally showed some emotion.

But in Qiao Yunge's view, this was clearly...

When he smelled the familiar scent of cosmetics on Pan Jinlian again, it was exactly the same as the lingering fragrance from before!

He acts the same way towards Master Zheng, but he acts completely different towards me, Brother Qiao Yun!

Qiao Yunge's heart broke instantly, and tears welled up uncontrollably, sliding down his cheeks.

He pointed at Pan Jinlian, his voice trembling, and said, "You adulterous couple! What a pair of adulterers! Brother Wu is still sick, and you...you..."

Unable to continue, he gritted his teeth, threw the pear basket on the ground, turned around and ran outside desperately, crying and cursing all the way.

Pan Jinlian looked utterly bewildered, her eyebrows furrowing in anger. She snapped, "Where did this little monkey come from, spouting nonsense! I don't know what rubbish he's spouting!"

But seeing that the child had already run far away, he didn't bother with him, assuming it was just a naughty kid from the neighborhood throwing a tantrum. He shook his head and turned back into the house.

Little did she know that this misunderstanding had already taken root in Qiao Yunge's heart.

Meanwhile, Zheng Tu left Wu Dajia and traveled swiftly, soon arriving at the Ximen Mansion.

But one could see vermilion gates and high walls, adorned with bronze animal head rings, exuding an extraordinary grandeur.

Once you've been there a while, you get used to it. The gatekeeper recognized Zheng Tu and quickly greeted him with a smile, "Second Master Zheng has arrived! My uncle has been waiting for you in the flower hall for quite some time. Please come in!"

Zheng Tu nodded and stepped into the mansion.

Passing through the screen wall in the front courtyard, one sees pavilions and towers, winding paths leading to secluded spots. It is indeed worthy of being the home of a wealthy family in Qinghe County. This time, the view is much clearer than before.

I don't know why he invited me today. But thinking about it, Ximen Qing's family owns a herbal medicine shop. Wu Da can just buy the medicine he needs from him.

As they were pondering this, they arrived at the flower hall. From inside came Ximen Qing's hearty voice.

It is:

Children's innocent words reveal suspicions, and the lingering scent of cosmetics arouses contempt.

The conversations at past banquets were filled with unspoken misunderstandings and undercurrents.

If you want to know what is going on, listen to the next breakdown.