Water Margin: Did we kill Zheng Tu today?

Chapter 65 Strange Things at Wuda University

As Wu Yueniang was soaking in the bathtub, lost in thought, she suddenly heard Yuxiao announce through the door from outside, "Madam, Dai'an has returned from South Street."

Upon hearing this, Wu Yueniang felt as if her heart had been gently tickled by a feather, and she couldn't help but skip a beat.

She composed herself and replied in a calm tone, "Understood. Have Dai'an lead Uncle Zheng to rest in the front hall for a while and serve him some good tea. I'll come as soon as I'm dressed."

Having said that, he was about to get up from the water.

Unexpectedly, Yu Xiao hesitated for a moment before replying in a low voice, "Reporting to Madam, that Master Zheng... did not return with Dai'an; Dai'an returned alone."

Upon hearing this, Wu Yueniang's body stiffened abruptly, and she suddenly stood up from the bathtub!

Crystal-clear water droplets rolled down her exquisite, jade-like body, splashing into the bathtub and filling the room with a vibrant, spring-like atmosphere.

"What?!" she exclaimed.

As soon as he spoke, he realized he had lost his composure, so he quickly calmed himself down, sat back down in the water, and said in a forced calm tone, "I understand. You may leave now and tell Dai'an to wait in the front hall. I will question him later."

Yu Xiao responded and withdrew.

The bathroom fell silent again, with only the sound of the water lapping gently.

Wu Yueniang sat alone in the water, lost in thought, when a strange, inexplicable emptiness welled up in her heart.

She slowly sank her body into the water, leaving only her angry phoenix eyes and half of her beautiful face floating on the surface.

"If they don't want to come, they don't want to come... What's the big deal!"

She thought bitterly to herself.

In an instant, the composure she had cultivated through years of burning incense and praying to Buddha seemed to have been largely shattered. Even she herself didn't know why she was so easily angered, or why she felt such inexplicable irritation towards an "uncle" she had only met a few times.

After a while, the hot water gradually cooled down.

Wu Yueniang finally got up and took a dry cloth to carefully wipe her body, which was as white as mutton fat jade.

Her fair skin glowed with a faint pink from the steam. Looking at her disheveled hair and still moist eyes in the bronze mirror, she felt a flush rise to her face. She quickly composed herself and called Yuxiao in to help her get dressed.

.........

Now, after obtaining the secret red pill, Earl Ying felt as if he were being scratched by a cat, and he could no longer sit still.

He reluctantly drank a few more cups of wine with Zheng Tu amidst the laughter and conversation, but then he became restless and fidgety, scratching his head and cheeks as if a thorn had grown on his stool.

After a long and satisfying meal, the two of them finally couldn't wait any longer.

He found an excuse to stand up, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Second Brother Zheng, I suddenly remembered that I have some trivial matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now. I will prepare some wine and personally invite you another day!"

Seeing his impatient look, Zheng Tu knew what he was thinking, but didn't expose him. He just smiled and said, "Since Lord Guang has something to attend to, he should go ahead. There's no need for such formalities between us."

The two then took their leave.

After leaving the restaurant, Lord Ying hurried towards the brothel.

As for Zheng Tu's claim that "a doctor should be called to examine the pharmacology," he had long since forgotten about it.

After paying for the wine, Zheng Tu strolled slowly toward Zishi Street with his hands behind his back.

It was getting dark, and the streets were becoming less crowded.

As they were walking, they suddenly saw a short figure ahead, carrying a shoulder pole with a large basket hanging from each end, trudging along.

Upon closer inspection, Zheng Tu realized that it was none other than Wu Dalang.

"Brother Wu!" Zheng Tu called out loudly.

Wu Dalang turned around and saw that it was Zheng Tu, his second brother's sworn brother. He was overjoyed and a smile appeared on his face: "Brother Zheng! What a coincidence!"

The two exchanged a few pleasantries.

Seeing that Wu Dalang was struggling to carry the load, Zheng Tu quickly stepped forward and took the carrying pole from Wu Dalang's shoulder.

Wu Dalang repeatedly said, "No, no, no! How can this be!" But he was short and couldn't overcome Zheng Tu's strength. After refusing several times, he had no choice but to let go and said with a simple smile, "I'm troubling you again, brother."

The two chatted as they walked side by side toward the Wu family.

Zheng Tu actually wanted to advise Wu Da and Pan Jinlian to divorce as soon as possible to cut off the source of this trouble.

After all, Wu Da was too honest and kind, even somewhat cowardly.

But his sister-in-law was no peaceful woman. Even though he had put an end to Ximen Qing's feelings for her, he couldn't deal with Pan Jinlian's promiscuous nature.

I just didn't know how to start the conversation.

Firstly, although Pan Jinlian is restless, she has not done anything outrageous so far, so there is no evidence to tell Wu Da.

Secondly, Wu Dalang might not be willing to listen to what an outsider like him has to say. If he misunderstands him, he will have no way to express his grievances.

He could only probe indirectly, "Brother Wu, how have you been at home lately?"

Wu Dalang smiled憨厚ly: "Good, good! Thanks to you, brother, everything is fine." As he spoke, he involuntarily coughed a few times.

At first, it was just a few light coughs, but by the time they reached the intersection of Zishi Street, the coughs had become more and more severe.

Wu Dalang bent over, coughing until his face turned red and he couldn't breathe.

Zheng Tu was puzzled. He quickly put down his carrying pole, gently patted Wu Da's back, and asked with concern, "Brother Wu, are you alright? Why are you coughing?"

Wu Dalang coughed for a while, finally catching his breath. He lifted the purple dough sheet and waved to Zheng Tu.

"No...it's nothing serious. I was out in the cool air the other day and didn't close the window properly at night, so I guess I caught a chill. Cough cough...I'll just get some medicine to clear my head and I'll be fine."

Zheng Tu nodded: "Brother Wu, don't be careless. Although a cold is a minor ailment, if it lingers, it may cause complications. If it doesn't get better for a long time, you should take it seriously. Let me know if you need anything."

"I understand, I understand. Thank you for your concern, brother."

As they spoke, the two arrived at the gate of the Wu family's small building.

Wu Dalang pushed open the two wooden doors, turned around and called out solicitously, "Brother Zheng, come in and have a cup of tea before you leave!"

Zheng Tu glanced up at the courtyard and saw that the door to the main room was half open, and Pan Jinlian was leaning against the table doing needlework, her figure slender and graceful.

Hearing the sound, she raised her foxy face, her eyes like pools of water, and stared straight at the door.

The two men locked eyes, and Zheng Tu's heart skipped a beat. He quickly turned his head away and smiled at Wu Dalang, saying, "It's getting late today, and I have some errands to attend to. I'll come back another day. Please rest well, elder brother."

Having said that, he gently placed the carrying pole in front of the door, hurriedly bowed, and turned to leave quickly.

Wu Dalang stood at the door, still wanting to stay, but Zheng Tu had already turned the corner and disappeared.

He shook his head and muttered, "Brother Zheng...why are you in such a hurry?"

In the shadows of a street corner.

A pair of eyes took in the whole scene.

The man was tall and thin. Although his face was not clearly visible, his eyes were strikingly bright, and his demeanor exuded a sinister aura.

But then the man's lips curled slightly upward as he muttered to himself:

"Wu Erlang has returned to Yanggu County to take up his post. Let's wait a couple more days... The stage will be ready to be set up soon."

The man peered around for a few more moments before turning around and silently disappearing into the deep alley, vanishing in the blink of an eye.