Water Margin: Did we kill Zheng Tu today?

How about calling him "Uncle" once in Chapter 51?

Thinking of this, Wu Song stood up and said, "Brother, sister-in-law, please wait a moment. I will go and invite Brother Zheng right away."

Wu Dalang hurriedly said, "Go quickly and come back! I'll go buy some good wine and food right now!"

Wu Song went out the door and strode towards Wang Po's teahouse. In his heart, he thought: Brother Zheng seems to have no business in Qinghe County. Now that I have become a constable, I may recommend him to find a job in the county government. It would be a favor.

Upon arriving at the teahouse, Zheng Tu was having tea in the main hall. Seeing Wu Song return, he laughed and said, "Second Brother, what brings you here again?"

Wu Song said sternly, "Brother, my elder brother Wu Da and sister-in-law insist on inviting you over. The food and wine are prepared; if you don't go, you'll be disrespecting Wu Er!"

Seeing that Wu Song was speaking earnestly, Zheng Tu knew he couldn't refuse, so he said, "In that case, I'll trouble you."

The two went to the Wu family together. On the way, Wu Song whispered, "Brother, there's something I, Wu Er, have to say, but I don't know if I should."

"Please feel free to speak."

Wu Song hesitated for a moment, then said, "I see that you are not doing very well in Qinghe County. I am currently a constable in Yanggu County. Although I am not a high-ranking official, I still have some power. If you don't mind, you can come to Yanggu County and find a job in the county government. It would be better than wandering around here."

What a fine Wu Erlang!

Zheng Tu was touched, but shook his head and said, "I appreciate your kindness, Second Brother. However, I have my own plans."

Wu Song wanted to persuade them again, but before they could finish speaking, the two had already arrived at the Wu family's gate.

Wu Song had no choice but to give up for now and led Zheng Tu inside.

Wu Dalang was busy moving tables and chairs when he saw the two of them come in. He quickly put down what he was doing and ran to greet them.

Wu Song hurriedly said, "Brother, this is my sworn brother Zheng Tu. I just invited him over to have some wine together."

Wu Dalang looked up, cupped his hands, and smiled, "This must be Erlang's sworn brother, Brother Zheng, right? I've often heard Erlang mention Brother Zheng, saying he's a truly upright and honorable man. To meet him today is an honor beyond measure!"

Zheng Tu quickly returned the greeting: "Brother Wu, you are too kind. I and Erlang are kindred spirits and have become sworn brothers. I should have come to pay my respects to my elder brother long ago, but I have been too presumptuous to bother you this time."

Wu Dalang waved his hands repeatedly, "Not at all! Brother Zheng is Erlang's brother, so he's family! Please come in, please come in!"

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, the three went upstairs and entered the main room.

Wu Dalang busied himself pouring tea, then said, "Brothers, please have a seat. I'll go buy some wine and dishes right away. We must have a good get-together today!"

After saying that, he hurriedly went out.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Zheng Tu and Wu Song sat down at the square table. A short while later, they heard light footsteps, followed by a soft, charming voice coming from behind the curtain:

"Distinguished guests have arrived; I have failed to greet you properly."

The bamboo curtain was gently lifted, and a beautiful woman stepped out gracefully.

Compared to when she first met Wu Song, Pan Jinlian looked completely different, clearly having applied some makeup.

But she was seen:

Her face was lightly rouged with peach blossom rouge, and her lips were delicately painted with cherry red.

A hairpin is inserted diagonally into her dark hair, and her eyes, like autumn water, hold a hint of smoke.

Her already fair skin, after being lightly powdered, became as smooth and lustrous as jade.

Her alluring face, with its drawn eyebrows and painted lips, exuded a refined elegance. Her lips, red and moist, were slightly parted, revealing glimpses of her pearly white teeth.

Especially her clothes, a light green silk robe loosely draped over her body, loose where it should be tight, yet clinging to her body in places that should be loose, outlining the contours of her slender waist and full hips.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, her neckline was more than three fingers lower than usual, revealing a small portion of her fair neck and delicate collarbone.

Pan Jinlian bowed to Zheng Tu Yingying, performed a full curtsy, and said softly, "May Master Zheng enjoy boundless blessings."

Zheng Tu stood up and returned the greeting, his expression unchanged: "Greetings, sister-in-law."

Wu Song watched from the side, feeling that his sister-in-law seemed somewhat different from when they first met, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He just felt that her attire... seemed a bit too alluring.

However, he didn't look at it too closely, and secretly rejoiced in his heart:

"Fortunately, I brought Brother Zheng with me. Otherwise, it would have been really inconvenient for just the two of us upstairs, a man and a woman alone in a room. Although Wu Er has a clear conscience, he still has to be careful about what he says. Now that there is a third person present, it is much more appropriate."

After Pan Jinlian stood up, her eyes darted around, glancing at Zheng Tu and then lingering on Wu Song for a moment, before she smiled faintly and said, "Uncle, Master Zheng, please sit down. The tea has gone cold; I'll go brew a fresh pot."

Before long, a tea tray was brought out, and the teacups were gently placed in front of the two. Her sleeve slipped down, revealing a section of fair, slender arm, which was quite dazzling.

The three of them sat down again at the square table.

Pan Jinlian and Zheng Tu sat facing each other, while Wu Song sat on the left.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Pan Jinlian subtly observed Zheng Tu with her watery eyes, her pretty face displaying an unreadable expression.

Zheng Tu kept his eyes down, his expression unchanged, and slowly sipped his tea.

Wu Song kept his head down, staring intently at the table, as if he could see something amazing in it.

This silence lasted for a moment, then Pan Jinlian suddenly opened her mouth slightly and said softly:

"I only know that your surname is Zheng, but I do not know your honorable name, nor do I know where you are from?"

Zheng Tu put down his teacup and said calmly, "My name is Zheng Tu, and I am from Guanzhong."

"Zheng Tu..." Pan Jinlian murmured, then smiled and said, "A good name. Though the journey is long, there is always a place to return to."

Zheng Tu didn't want to correct her, so he nodded.

She paused, then said, "Since Master Zheng and my uncle Wu Song have become sworn brothers, they are family. I would like to take the liberty of... also calling him 'Uncle,' what do you say?"

Zheng Tu's heart skipped a beat: This woman knows how to speak. Such a form of address is both intimate and respectful of the proper relationship between uncle and sister-in-law, maintaining a distance that is neither too close nor too far—it's just right.

He immediately nodded and said, "That's excellent."

After the two finished speaking, the room fell silent again. On the left, Wu Song stood tall and imposing, with a dignified appearance. His eyes shone like cold stars, and his eyebrows were as black as if painted with lacquer.

Then he saw Zheng Tu opposite him, his muscles bulging, sitting upright like a pine tree. His face was rugged, his eyes like deep pools, and though he did not speak or move, a murderous aura was hidden between his brows.

Pan Jinlian, alluring and seductive, quietly observed the two heroes, secretly comparing them in her heart. As she thought about it, a faint blush rose to her pretty face.

The scene of Zheng Tu knocking down three dissolute young men that day replayed in her mind. Pan Jinlian's eyes swept over Zheng Tu's face again, she smiled, and stood up, saying, "Please sit for a moment, uncles. I'll go to the kitchen to check on the cooking of the rice."

After saying that, she turned around gracefully, and a rounded curve appeared under her loose silk robe, swaying from side to side with her movements.

Wu Song breathed a sigh of relief after she entered the kitchen and said in a low voice, "Brother, please don't be offended. My sister-in-law... is just that kind of warm-hearted person."

Zheng Tu nodded calmly, but a tension was running high in his mind.

Although Zheng Da Guanren was a respectable man, he was still a hot-blooded young man and could only try his best to control himself.