Water Margin: Did we kill Zheng Tu today?

Chapter 60 A Good Horse

Thinking of this, Wu Yueniang's resolve strengthened, and she said gently, "I appreciate Uncle Zheng's kindness. However, this matter is truly dangerous, and I dare not let Uncle take it into danger. Please allow me to think of a way; I'm sure I can handle it."

As she spoke, she called out to Dai'an, who had already reached the door: "When you go over there, be tolerant in everything, and don't confront those people head-on. As long as what they want isn't too outrageous, agree to it for now. We'll discuss everything after the master wakes up."

Dai'an nodded repeatedly and was about to run outside.

"Wait a minute!"

Zheng Tu suddenly spoke in a deep voice.

The voice, though not loud, carried an undeniable authority that caused Dai An to abruptly stop in his tracks, nearly stumbling and falling.

Wu Yueniang looked at Zheng Tu in surprise.

Zheng Tu stepped forward, bowed to Wu Yueniang, and said solemnly, "Sister-in-law, please hear me out. I became close friends with Brother Ximen at first sight. Now that we've become brothers, we're no longer outsiders. How can I stand idly by while Brother Ximen's family is in trouble?"

"Those hooligans may be fierce, but I know my limits. If you trust me, sister-in-law, please let me go and make the trip. I can't guarantee I'll quell the trouble, but at least I can stabilize the situation and prevent the Ximen family's property from being trampled on."

In fact, Zheng Tu had his own plan. He happened to be short of money, so after dealing with those ruffians, he could ask them for some money. It was only reasonable!

He paused, noticing a flicker of hesitation in Wu Yueniang's eyes, and seized the opportunity to continue, "Besides, I just heard from Dai'an that the shopkeeper, Old Man Zhang, has been injured. The old man is quite old; to suffer such a misfortune, if his treatment is delayed, I'm afraid... his life might be in danger!"

The last four words struck Wu Yueniang's heart like a heavy hammer, instantly shattering her psychological defenses.

Her expression changed slightly; this was exactly what she was worried about!

Old Zhang had served the Ximen family for over twenty years. He had been by the side of Master Ximen since he opened his herbal medicine shop, always loyal and diligent, never showing any disrespect. Although he was a shopkeeper, he was no different from a long-time servant of the Ximen family.

If she were to delay treatment and something were to happen to her, how would she, as the mistress of the house, face herself? How would she face the other elders in the household? How would she have the face to face the ancestors of the Ximen family?

Wu Yueniang raised her eyes and once again carefully examined Zheng Tu from head to toe.

The man appeared calm and composed, exuding a steady and collected demeanor, showing no sign of bravado or apprehension.

His calm and composed demeanor subtly resembled Ximen Qing's usual authoritative manner, which inexplicably aroused her trust in him.

After staring at Zheng Tu for a long time, Wu Yueniang sighed softly and finally nodded slowly: "In that case... I'll have to trouble Uncle Zheng."

She turned to Dai'an, her voice regaining some of the madam's authority: "You lead Uncle Zheng to the shop. Everything... is up to Uncle Zheng. If Uncle Zheng asks you to do anything, just do it."

Having said that, she turned to Zheng Tu and gave the man she had just met a deep bow: "In all things... caution is paramount. If things cannot be accomplished, preserving your own life is of utmost importance."

Zheng Tu returned the greeting with clasped hands: "Don't worry, sister-in-law."

Without another word, he turned and strode out of the hall. Dai'an hurriedly jogged after him.

Wu Yueniang stood in the hall, watching the two figures, one burly and the other thin, disappear into the distance.

The unease in his heart did not dissipate because of Zheng Tu's promise; on the contrary, it was like a string that was stretched tighter and tighter.

"Can he really succeed alone?" Wu Yueniang muttered to herself, her eyes glazed over.

She didn't actually have high hopes.

Those hooligans who dared to besiege the Ximen family's shop in broad daylight must have come prepared, and it was inevitable that they would dare to fight.

Although Zheng Tu looked brave and strong, he was no match for four hands. She could only hope that this "uncle" wouldn't get hurt; that would be a great relief.

Composing herself, Wu Yueniang called to her personal maid who was waiting outside the door: "Yuxiao!"

The maid named Yuxiao was about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a pretty and clever appearance. She stepped forward and said, "What are your orders, Madam?"

"Go and tell the cook to make a hangover soup. Make sure there are plenty of ingredients and it's cooked long enough. Bring it here as soon as possible."

Wu Yueniang paused, then added, "The sooner the better."

Making a hangover soup doesn't take much time, and the ingredients are simple and common: kudzu root and Japanese raisin tree fruit are used as the base, along with some ginger and dried tangerine peel to remove the fishy smell and warm the stomach. It can be ready in just 15 minutes.

Wu Yueniang was a clever woman and quickly got into the habit of making two preparations.

She knew Ximen Qing's habit of getting drunk, and if she let him sleep like this, he could sleep for a whole day.

Therefore, it is necessary to drink some hangover soup as soon as possible. Although it will not wake you up immediately, it will at least shorten the period of unconsciousness. Moreover, even if you wake up, it will take a while for your drowsy mind to clear.

Her arrangement was already a well-thought-out plan.

With no capable people in the manor at present, and who knows which faction is taking the opportunity to cause trouble, the best course of action is to wake up Ximen Qing as soon as possible to take charge of the situation.

Yu Xiao responded and left.

After a while, she hurriedly returned, her face showing distress: "Madam, the kitchen says... we've run out of kudzu root. We need to go to the market to buy some. It'll probably take half an hour for us to come back and forth."

Upon hearing this, Wu Yueniang's eyes flashed with anxiety, and her eyebrows furrowed slightly: "How could this be such a coincidence? Kudzu root is a commonly used item, and the household always has a sufficient supply."

Yu Xiao whispered, "The cook said that a few days ago, Second Madam (Li Jiao'er) wasn't feeling well and wanted to make kudzu root soup to dispel dampness, so she used quite a bit. Later, she forgot to replenish it, and that's why..."

Wu Yueniang was furious, but now was not the time to pursue the matter.

She waved her hand: "In that case, hurry up and go buy them. Spend more money and make the shop assistants run faster."

Yu Xiao responded and left.

Wu Yueniang sat alone in the hall, feeling increasingly agitated.

This is truly a case of misfortunes never coming singly, and a delayed boat encountering a headwind. Everything is going wrong, and there are obstacles at every turn.

She couldn't help but stand up, walk to the door, and look towards the south street.

"Uncle Zheng... he probably hasn't arrived at the shop yet, has he?" she murmured.

.........

Just as Zheng Tu and Dai An reached the gate of the house, Zheng Tu suddenly stopped and turned to look at Dai An, who was jogging closely behind him.

Dai An was caught off guard and crashed straight into Zheng Tu's back.

With a cry of "Ouch," he rubbed his forehead and staggered backward.

"How do we get to South Street?"

Dai'an replied honestly, "There's a carriage parked outside the gate."

Zheng Tu frowned slightly.

Although the carriage was stable, the city's alleyways were winding and narrow, making the carriage move rather slowly.

He thought for a moment and asked, "Can you ride a horse?"

Dai'an shook his head, somewhat timidly saying, "This humble one... only knows how to drive a carriage."

Zheng Tu waved his hand and said, "It's alright. We can ride together."

Having said that, without waiting for Dai'an's reaction, he turned and walked towards the stable in the backyard.

"lead the way!"

Dai'an hurriedly followed, leading Zheng Tu through the moon gate in the backyard to a spacious stable.

There were seven or eight fine horses tied to the manger, each one plump and strong with glossy coats.

Zheng Tu selected a fine horse with long legs, a slender waist, and a pert rump, and mounted it immediately.