MTSAMAPOC Chapter 28

Ying Wutu had previously suffered a high fever due to a cold, and the military doctor had used strong medicine to save him.

Now, this illness hadn’t fully healed, and after being beaten and exposed to the cold wind, it had worsened significantly.

The military doctor had already given Ying Wutu the strongest medicine, but he showed no signs of waking up.

Jiang Shouzhuo rubbed her temples, feeling increasingly frustrated.

Currently, Ying Wutu lay on her bed, his face as red as a cooked shrimp, and his entire body was burning hot.

Jiang Shouzhuo didn’t know what had happened to her this morning. When the little rabbit discovered her true feelings, she had erupted in anger, taking it all out on him, and now it seemed she had nearly cost him his life.

She hadn’t even enjoyed him yet.

She still wanted to see him struggle, to see him baring his teeth.

But now… the military doctor was at a loss. Unless they returned to the capital to find a specialist, there was no other option.

After all, different fields required different expertise. The military doctor was skilled in treating wounds from blades and arrows, not colds and fevers. Additionally, treating men was outside his experience, and he didn’t have the right medicines.

But at the current speed of the carriage, it would take at least seven days to return to the capital.

Given Ying Wutu’s weak and dying state, he likely wouldn’t last seven days.

Jiang Shouzhuo clenched and unclenched her fingers.

She made a decision.

This was her spoils of war, and she hadn’t had enough of him yet, so he wasn’t allowed to die.

Although she had gone too far this time, she was determined to save him.

Jiang Shouzhuo wrapped Ying Wutu in a quilt, tying him securely with rope. She donned a cloak and boots, instructing Deputy Yan, “I’ll ride ahead to the capital. You lead the army forward, and send a carrier pigeon to inform His Majesty that I’ll arrive first. Also, if the Ying Kingdom prisoners cause any trouble, kill them all.”

After giving her orders, Jiang Shouzhuo placed Ying Wutu across the horse, mounted it, and spurred the horse forward, speeding like an arrow.

The further south she went, the less the wind and snow.

Jiang Shouzhuo rode hard, planning to reach the capital within a day and night.

By nightfall, she had to stop to let the horse drink, eat, and rest, or it would collapse.

She also took the quilt bundle off the horse, placing it on the ground. She unwrapped the top half of the quilt and checked Ying Wutu’s breathing.

He was still alive, but barely.

Frustrated, she rewrapped the quilt, sitting on a large rock, eating her dry rations.

She chewed the bread harshly, as if it were her enemy.

But the bread wasn’t her enemy; the person at her feet was. Yet she couldn’t let him die.

After finishing the bread, she stood up, brushed the crumbs off, and glanced back at the path they had come.

By the time they reached this point, it had stopped snowing.

She couldn’t understand her feelings for the little rabbit.

For now, she needed to save him.

The horse had drunk its fill and eaten its fodder.

Jiang Shouzhuo put him back on the horse and continued riding towards the capital.

Finally, at dawn, just as the city gates opened, Jiang Shouzhuo arrived in the capital.

She rode straight to the medical clinic, dismounted, and carried the bundled quilt inside.

The doctor in the hall was startled by this fiery woman but soon recognized her.

Many people in the city knew her.

“Isn’t this General Jiang? Why is she back? Isn’t the General fighting in the north?”

“No nonsense, save him first.”

The doctor quickly went to check. When the ropes on the quilt were cut, revealing the severely injured man barely clinging to life, everyone gasped.

How could someone be so wounded?

Covered in blood, sick and injured, there wasn’t a single good spot on him.

It was truly tragic.

Immediately, everyone in the clinic sprang into action.

Stitching the wounds, bandaging, brewing medicine—all were done to treat both internal and external injuries.

The doctor didn’t forget the General, and someone brought Jiang Shouzhuo hot tea.

After a day and night of travel, the hot tea made Jiang Shouzhuo feel a bit better, but she was still worried.

She couldn’t say if it was reluctance, but she didn’t want the little rabbit to die.

The doctors worked for over two hours, using all available medicines and treating all possible wounds. The rest depended on Ying Wutu’s fate.

If he was strong, he would survive. If not, he wouldn’t make it through the day.

Jiang Shouzhuo listened to the doctor’s conclusion, paid the fees, and rewrapped Ying Wutu in the quilt, placing him back on the horse. It was only a short walk home, so she led the horse to the Jiang residence.

The gatekeeper was stunned to see Jiang Shouzhuo, rubbing his eyes and shouting in surprise, “The young lady is back!”

Feeling a bit guilty, Jiang Shouzhuo instructed the servants to discreetly carry the quilt to her room without alerting anyone, then went to her mother’s courtyard.

Jiang Shouzhuo’s mother, the previous General of the Nation, was now elderly but still strong, practicing swordplay in the courtyard. Her father, holding a small stove, watched her with admiration and love.

Jiang Shouzhuo brushed the dust off her travel clothes and hurried into the courtyard, kneeling with a thud.

“Mother, Father, your daughter has returned victorious.”

The old couple was momentarily stunned, then recognized their daughter.

“You child, it’s good you’re back. Come, get up.”

The family embraced, filled with joy.

“Let Father see, are you hurt?” Her father began to tear up, heartbroken for his daughter.

Jiang Shouzhuo let her parents examine her, then said, “Mother, Father, I came back early and haven’t gone to the palace to see His Majesty. I’ll speak with you after I return.”

Seeing the Emperor was urgent. Jiang Shouzhuo went to her room to change into her court attire, glancing at the little rabbit lying on her bed.

Ying Wutu’s eyes were tightly closed, still unconscious.

Before leaving, Jiang Shouzhuo checked his breathing again.

It seemed a bit stronger?

She hoped he would survive…

Jiang Shouzhuo rode straight to the palace gates.

The palace had received Deputy Yan’s message the previous day, and when the Emperor asked about Jiang Shouzhuo’s early return, she truthfully reported Ying Wutu’s situation.

When the Emperor asked her what reward she wanted for the victory, Jiang Shouzhuo said she only wanted Ying Wutu.

However, Jiang Shouzhuo not only received Ying Wutu but also was granted… Ying Xiaowu.

Jiang Shouzhuo thought the Fifth Prince of the Ying Kingdom was someone the Emperor desired, but the Emperor had intended to bestow Ying Xiaowu to her as an attendant.

Last year, the Emperor had given Jiang Shouzhuo a beautiful man, but the man had a miscarriage and went mad, eventually becoming a nun. Jiang Shouzhuo had lost her first child, and although it had not been born, she was despondent for a few days.

The Emperor had always remembered this incident, thinking Jiang Shouzhuo was upset because the man had gone mad. He planned to select another beauty from the realm as compensation for Jiang Shouzhuo.

Jiang Shouzhuo accepted the Emperor’s favor.

The Emperor initially wanted Jiang Shouzhuo to stay for a meal, but seeing her eagerness to return home and considering she had been at war for half a year, he allowed her to go home immediately.

Jiang Shouzhuo returned home without stopping, and before she could cross the high threshold, four exquisitely dressed “butterflies” rushed towards her.

Jiang Shouzhuo smiled helplessly, opening her arms to let her four attendants hug her tightly.

Luckily, she was tall and strong with long arms; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to embrace all four.

“You promised to return soon, but it’s been half a year. I missed you so much.”

“You’ve tanned, and you’ve worked so hard, dear…”

“Will you come to my room tonight?”

“We agreed to be together tonight! Do you want to monopolize her?”

The four butterflies hugged and clung to Jiang Shouzhuo, almost hanging on her.

“Alright, alright, let’s close the gate first. What would people on the street think if they saw this?” Jiang Shouzhuo disentangled herself from the “decorations” on her body. She wrapped her arms around her four attendants, walking towards her courtyard, and looked at them all, sighing, “Why have you all gotten so thin?”

It felt like a gust of north wind could blow these butterflies away.

Since she left half a year ago, the four attendants had gone to the temple outside the city every day to chant and pray for her safety on the battlefield and for her early return.

They wore themselves out, day after day, and looked haggard, often crying when they thought of her.

Before Jiang Shouzhuo left, she promised to write to them occasionally, but her letters always inquired about her parents’ well-being. In half a year, only the first letter mentioned them, and they framed that page, wiping it with tears.

Now finally seeing her return home, they were overjoyed.

The four butterflies chirped around Jiang Shouzhuo, expressing their longing over the past six months.

But Jiang Shouzhuo found it noisy, her mind occupied with the little rabbit.

At the gate of her courtyard, she stopped.

“You all go back first.”

The four looked at each other, stunned. They had been eager to bathe, dress up, and prepare for her return. Why was she dismissing them?

Dismissing all of them, not leaving a single one?

Seeing the four attendants about to burst into tears, Jiang Shouzhuo sighed and reached out, saying, “Don’t cry. Let’s do the usual.”

“I brought it!” Xiang[mfn]Xiang means fragrant[/mfn] Xiao Jun took out a bamboo box from behind, containing their four names.

Jiang Shouzhuo casually drew one name.

It read—Xiang Xiao Jun.

Xiang Xiao Jun spun around in excitement, clasping his hands together and thanking the heavens.

The other three began crying in frustration. Jiang Shouzhuo patted each of their heads, consoling, “Alright, you’ll each get a night, there’s plenty of time. Go back for now.”

Mainly, she didn’t want them crying loudly in her courtyard, disturbing the half-dead patient in her room.

After sending the clingy attendants away, Jiang Shouzhuo returned to her room.

She checked on the little rabbit, feeling his breath, which seemed stronger, and his forehead, which felt cooler.

Jiang Shouzhuo undressed him to examine his wounds, which were less red and swollen.

He probably wouldn’t die.

As she changed out of her court attire into casual clothes, her mind was preoccupied.

Earlier, when her four sweet and soft attendants had hugged her, all she could think about was the little rabbit.

During dinner, Jiang Shouzhuo mentioned Ying Wutu to her parents.

Jiang’s mother had been concerned, considering he was a foreign enemy from the battlefield. But hearing her daughter had severed his hand tendons, she was reassured.

A helpless person weaker than a three-year-old child couldn’t cause much trouble, especially since the Emperor had already approved. Jiang’s mother, always open-minded, didn’t interfere with her daughter’s household matters.

Jiang’s father, who regarded his wife as his world, readily agreed as well.

Jiang Shouzhuo knew her parents wouldn’t oppose her.

After dinner, Jiang’s father, who managed the household affairs, arranged for the servants to clean a new courtyard for the arrival of the Fifth Prince of the Ying Kingdom.

This wasn’t special treatment for the fallen prince, Ying Xiaowu, nor solely because he was a royal gift.  Xiang Xiao Jun was also a gift from the Emperor. Mainly, Jiang Shouzhuo had mentioned at dinner that Ying Xiaowu had a mischievous nature, so he wouldn’t be placed with the other attendants to avoid trouble.

As for Ying Wutu…

Jiang Shouzhuo still didn’t know if he would survive, so he remained in her room.

That night, after a comfortable bath at home, Jiang Shouzhuo, in her nightclothes, stood by the bed, looking at the still-unconscious person.

She sat down, tracing her fingers over the little rabbit’s eyebrows, along the bridge of his nose, and down to his mouth, where she stopped.

His lips were also wounded, likely bitten during a beating.

He had been beaten so many times, he probably couldn’t remember which one caused it.

“Wife!”

A sweet voice called from outside.

Jiang Shouzhuo stood, lowered the bed curtains on both sides, and went to the outer room. Sitting on the couch, she said, “Come in.”

Xiang Xiao Jun entered, wrapped in a thick fox fur coat, followed by a servant carrying a box.

Xiang Xiao Jun dismissed the servant, took the box, stepped over the threshold, and closed the door, discarding the fur coat on the clothes rack.

Jiang Shouzhuo’s room was brightly lit. She leaned against the soft couch’s pillow, watching Xiang Xiao Jun at the door.

At seventeen, Xiang Xiao Jun had been in the household for a year, a gift from the Emperor last year. Hailing from the western regions, his beautiful and charming appearance was now fully revealed as he discarded the fur coat, standing there completely bare.

Adorned with gold bells and pearls on his collarbone, waist, and thighs, he jingled with every movement.

With a seductive glance, Xiang Xiao Jun kicked off his shoes and, holding the box, dashed towards the couch, calling, “Wife… you don’t know how much I missed you. I missed you so much, it hurt. Please, free me.”

The pain was real.

Jiang Shouzhuo remembered that moment, realizing she had forgotten it.

Before her departure, Xiang Xiao Jun had pleaded with her to lock him up. Jiang Shouzhuo had casually obliged, not expecting him to remain that way for half a year.

Xiang Xiao Jun didn’t mind at all. He felt honored, as the only one among her four attendants with this privilege.

Just him, none of his brothers shared it.

“Ah… this…” Jiang Shouzhuo sat up, needing a tool since the key was long lost. Fortunately, any small object could unlock this kind of lock. Finding it, she took a hairpin from Xiang Xiao Jun’s headpiece and easily unlocked the lock.

“Wife, you’re in such a hurry, couldn’t even get the key. I’m in a hurry too, but can you wait a moment? I learned a new dance and want to show it to you…” Xiang Xiao Jun had no idea his wife had simply lost the key.

“Alright.” Jiang Shouzhuo leaned back again, waiting to enjoy Xiang Xiao Jun’s dance.

In truth, she wasn’t very interested because her mind was elsewhere, occasionally glancing towards the inner room, wondering if the person behind the bed curtains was still breathing.

Xiang Xiao Jun, naturally fragrant, took two red ribbons from the box and performed a water sleeve dance.

Each time the long sleeves gently passed in front of Jiang Shouzhuo, she could smell the pleasant fragrance.

But…

When the sleeve covered her face, she thought of the little rabbit.

“Wife, why are you distracted? Am I not dancing well?” Xiang Xiao Jun was anxious. Although his wife had been away for six months, he hadn’t neglected his dance practice, praying for her in the temple by day and practicing basic skills at night, often sleeping later than the other three.

“It looks good, come up.” Jiang Shouzhuo said perfunctorily, opening her arms, waiting for Xiang Xiao Jun to help her undress.

In truth, Xiang Xiao Jun’s dance was beautiful and heartfelt, but she wasn’t in the mood to appreciate it.

Xiang Xiao Jun wiped a tear, knowing it was best to follow his wife’s lead. He hurried to the soft couch, tugging at his wife’s clothes, wondering why she chose the small couch, thinking it was too cramped.

He glanced at the inner room, wondering why the bed curtains were down. Was there someone in the bed?

Seeing no shoes by the footstool, he dismissed his thoughts.

Xiang Xiao Jun focused on his duty, thinking only of pleasing his wife, ignoring anything else.

Jiang Shouzhuo hadn’t indulged for half a year, and Xiang Xiao Jun hadn’t been loved for half a year.

The spark ignited.

The small box was overturned, and the red ribbons were torn to shreds.

The unique fragrance and intimate atmosphere filled the room…

“Wife…” Xiang Xiao Jun was half-conscious, thinking his wife hadn’t been with a man for half a year, making her even fiercer than before. He wanted to beg for mercy but bit his lip, wanting more…

“Cough, cough…”

Jiang Shouzhuo suddenly stopped herself.

The abrupt coughing startled her.

Xiang Xiao Jun froze, thinking he had imagined it.

In the room, besides his wife’s and his own sounds, where did the cough come from?

And a man’s cough?

“Cough, cough, cough…”

The cough grew louder.

Jiang Shouzhuo heard it clearly and got up.

Xiang Xiao Jun, red-eyed from crying, lay there weakly, following his wife’s movements with his eyes…

Jiang Shouzhuo reached the bed, lifting the curtains to see the little rabbit coughing.

His eyes were even open.

Thank goodness, he was alive, her prize hadn’t died. Her hard ride had paid off.

She thought her toy hadn’t been fully enjoyed yet, how could he die?

“You, you’ve spoiled my mood. I’ll remember this,” Jiang Shouzhuo said, half-satisfied. But knowing the little rabbit was alive, someone would pay.

Ying Wutu’s coughing intensified.

Xiang Xiao Jun saw clearly, biting the pillow, too afraid to cry out.

How had his wife… found a new favorite?