Water Margin: Did we kill Zheng Tu today?

Chapter 95 The End

In the afternoon, Wu Da took his medicine and fell into a deep sleep.

Pan Jinlian stayed by his bedside and only breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that his breathing was steady and his complexion was gradually improving.

Taking care of patients day after day, serving them tea and water, preparing medicine and feeding them, is truly a grueling job.

She raised her delicate hand and rubbed her temples, a hint of fatigue appearing on her fair and pretty face.

She pulled her plain-colored dress tighter around herself, got up, and tiptoed downstairs, intending to take a short rest during the break.

Just as they reached the middle of the stairs, they heard a knock on the door.

Pan Jinlian frowned in confusion: Who could be coming at this hour?

After discussing the matter with Zheng Tu, Wu Song and Zheng Tu agreed that the real culprit who poisoned them was dead and the crisis was over. They then informed her that she no longer needed to close her doors to visitors as before.

So she didn't think much of it, hurriedly went downstairs, and opened the door.

Upon opening the door, they found a young servant standing outside, about fifteen or sixteen years old, with rosy lips and white teeth. He wore a small blue satin hat and a parrot-green jacket, and was clever and well-behaved.

Pan Jinlian recognized the servant boy; he was none other than Dai'an'er from Ximen Qing's household.

A few days ago, Zheng Tu sent someone to deliver medicine. Most of the time it was the pharmacy clerk, but occasionally this young servant would deliver it.

"It's Dai'an'er!"

Pan Jinlian smiled and said, "You haven't finished your medicine yet, why are you here? Come in and sit down."

She felt a certain fondness for this well-behaved teenager and couldn't help but feel a maternal affection for him.

Dai'an bowed respectfully to Pan Jinlian. Although she smelled the aroma of pastries inside and her stomach was rumbling with hunger, she shook her head and said:

"Madam Pan, I won't go in. My second uncle Zheng sent me to invite you. The sedan chair is all ready."

As he spoke, he pointed to a small blue sedan chair parked at the entrance of the alley, with two porters standing at attention.

Upon hearing this, Pan Jinlian raised her eyebrows and her beautiful eyes immediately lit up.

"Little Dai'an, please wait a moment, it will be ready soon!"

Without waiting for Dai'an's reply, he turned and hurried back into the house. Inside, one could hear light footsteps and the faint sounds of chests being opened and cabinets being rummaged through.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Pan Jinlian reappeared.

When I looked at her again, she was quite different from before.

The vixen's face was lightly powdered, her eyebrows were drawn like distant mountains, and her lips were adorned with crimson lipstick.

Her previous haggard look was no longer visible; her skin was fair and rosy, her beautiful eyes sparkled, and her lips were plump and moist, like cherries that had just been soaked in honey.

Dai'an's eyes lit up, and he muttered to himself, "Second Uncle Zheng is truly blessed!"

Although Pan Jinlian did not know why Zheng Tu had suddenly sought her out, since it was he who had invited her, she naturally had to present her best appearance!

She lifted the curtain and sat down, and the sedan chair began to sway gently. After about the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, the sedan chair came to a steady stop.

Dai'an lifted the curtain and said, "My lady, we've arrived."

Pan Jinlian got out of the sedan chair and looked up, only to be taken aback.

Before me was a quiet little house with its own courtyard!

The black lacquered wooden door, adorned with a gleaming brass ring, was wide open. Inside, the floor was paved with blue bricks, and a pomegranate tree stood facing the entrance.

The house wasn't large, but it was clean and elegant, a secluded and tranquil place.

"I'm not going in. Uncle Zheng is waiting inside!" Dai'an and the two sedan chair bearers stood at the door, hands at their sides.

Pan Jinlian nodded and stepped inside.

He couldn't help but think to himself, "Uncle Zheng has been staying at Granny Wang's place for quite some time, and now he's finally acquired property in Qinghe County? That's quite a fast pace..."

Although she knew Zheng Tu's abilities, she did not expect him to gain a foothold so quickly.

Pan Jinlian walked around, taking in the scenery inside the house.

The ground is paved with blue bricks, and a few clumps of green bamboo are planted in the corner of the wall, which makes people feel quite calm.

"Lady Pan arrived quickly."

Zheng Tu's voice came from the main room as he slowly walked out.

He was dressed in a silk robe today, standing with his hands behind his back, his posture upright, his expression calm, quietly watching her.

Pan Jinlian's eyes lit up when she saw him dressed like this. She curtsied and said with a light smile, "Uncle Zheng, you have finally settled down in Qinghe County. Congratulations, Uncle Zheng."

Her voice was soft, but it was genuinely happy for Zheng Tu.

Zheng Tu smiled slightly and stepped forward.

He carefully examined the beautiful woman before him, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment. Although she had applied some makeup, he could still see the faint dark circles under her eyes, a result of her recent hard work.

"Thank you for taking care of Brother Wu these past few days, Madam Pan."

"Now that Brother Wu is recovering from his illness, do you still remember... what I promised you before?"

Pan Jinlian's heart skipped a beat, and she looked up at Zheng Tu.

"Uncle, you mean..." Pan Jinlian's voice trembled slightly, her fox-like eyes fixed on Zheng Tu, "...the matter of divorce?"

Zheng Tu nodded and gestured for him to come inside: "Let's talk in detail."

Pan Jinlian then belatedly realized that Zheng Tu had not addressed her as "sister-in-law" once more.

She bit her lower lip, feeling a mix of nervousness and anticipation, and followed Zheng Tu into the main room.

The room was neatly furnished, with an eight-immortal table and four armchairs placed by the window. A bookshelf stood against the wall, with several volumes of books neatly stacked on it.

There was a small stove in the corner, with a copper kettle on it bubbling away.

Pan Jinlian sat down at the table, her hands clenched slightly on her knees, looking both awkward and expectant.

As a result, my heart rate increased slightly.

She watched as Zheng Tu took the copper kettle, his large hands steadily lifting the handle, pouring the tea into the teacup, and steam rising gently.

"Brother Wu's illness is clearly improving."

Zheng Tu pushed the teacup in front of her. "I have already discussed it with Brother Wu. He has already written the divorce papers. Take a look."

As he spoke, he took out a neatly folded document from his sleeve and spread it out on the table.

"All you need to do is sign and put your fingerprint on it. Then I'll send someone to the government office to inform them, and the marriage will be settled."

Before Pan Jinlian could speak, he immediately took out another land deed and placed it next to the document.

"As for that small building on Zishi Street, it was an asset you acquired with Wu Da by selling your hairpins and combs back then, but it's not easy to split up. This house is a new one I bought, and its price should be no less than that small building, so you can settle down here."

At this point, Zheng Tu pondered for a moment, even planning out her future livelihood:

"You could hire one or two skilled women in the house to do some embroidery work for the embroidery shop. Although it's not as profitable as running an embroidery shop, it's peaceful and quiet, without outside interference, which should be enough to make a living."

These successive surprises left Pan Jinlian completely bewildered, unable to recover for a long time.

The marriage that had bound him for half his life was dissolved so easily?

She looked at the two documents on the table, then glanced at Zheng Tu.

Her eyes shimmered with tears, her lips parted and closed repeatedly, and after a long while she finally whispered:

"Uncle...why do you treat me so well?"