MTSAMAPOC Chapter 29

Ying Wutu’s consciousness emerged as if from a turbulent sea.

But the water wasn’t icy cold; it was scorching hot.

It felt like being thrown into lava.

He constantly heard a man’s groans and the creaking of a bed.

Ying Wutu struggled to open his eyes, first seeing the bed curtains…

So painful…

His bones felt shattered.

With each breath, it felt like needles pricked his lungs.

Ying Wutu didn’t know where he was or if he was even alive.

He blinked hard, remembering the last time he was conscious… he had been locked in a prison carriage by the wicked woman.

For some unknown reason, she had kicked him out of the carriage, enraged.

He spent the night bleeding from his whip wounds in the freezing carriage until he lost consciousness.

He thought the wicked woman had tortured him to death.

But now…

Clearly, he was still alive.

And no longer in the prison carriage, maybe even away from the wicked woman?

Had someone saved him?

The next moment, the bed curtain was drawn back.

Ying Wutu’s eyes sparkled, eager to see his savior…

Not a savior.

It was the wicked woman!

Still in her clutches!

What did she just say about mood?

Seeing her smiling and undressed, had she been doing that sort of thing?

Suddenly, muffled crying came from the outer room.

Jiang Shouzhuo remembered something and turned away, finding Xiang Xiao Jun crying. She rubbed her forehead and gently said, “You should go.”

Xiang Xiao Jun had been crying into a pillow, but hearing the dismissal, he burst into tears.

Jiang Shouzhuo hated hearing men cry, especially outside the bed. Her tone grew cold, “Stop it.”

She couldn’t console, only threaten.

Xiang Xiao Jun thought his tears would soften his wife’s heart, making her continue, but seeing her stern face, he quickly got up, sobbing, “Please don’t be angry, I’ll go…”

Xiang Xiao Jun felt wronged. His wife had half-killed him without any gentleness, not even completing their union. He worried when he’d finally bear her child.

For six months, he’d spent his allowance on medicines, hoping for this moment, only to lose the chance…

A wasted opportunity.

Whoever bore her child first would be highly honored, potentially becoming the head husband, receiving more attention and love.

Xiang Xiao Jun reluctantly left the bed, dressed, and shakily put on his cloak, covering his bruised body before leaving.

Jiang Shouzhuo didn’t look at his limping form, nor did she regret the interrupted act.

Because her toy was awake.

The room fell silent again. Jiang Shouzhuo returned to the inner room, only to see the little rabbit hiding under the blanket.

She marveled at his resilience. The doctor had said he had only a thirty percent chance of survival, cautioning her not to hope.

Yet here he was, not just alive but moving.

The little rabbit was durable.

Perfect for her enjoyment.

Jiang Shouzhuo donned a robe, loosely tying it, stretching.

She wasn’t driven by lust, and her earlier mood wasn’t great, but now, seeing him alive, her interest grew.

“Trying to suffocate yourself?” Jiang Shouzhuo pulled down the blanket, seeing him tightly shut his eyes and bite his lip.

“Stop pretending, you can move, speak.” She pulled the blanket away.

Underneath, Ying Wutu was naked.

“You…”

Ying Wutu wanted to scream for help but realized it would be futile.

He wanted to beg for mercy but knew it would only please the wicked woman.

So he swallowed his words, leaving only hatred for her in his heart.

He hated her. Hated her!

Wished he could kill her!

“You always bring this upon yourself, always provoking me. Can’t you go a day without getting beaten?” Jiang Shouzhuo teased as she admired him, but seeing the little rabbit trembling more violently, she thought it might be from the cold. Although the room was well-heated, she remembered he was still a patient and casually covered him with a blanket.

Ying Wutu felt the warmth of the blanket, but the pain in his body was more prominent.

He felt like he was dying, truly dying this time.

“Why are you so silent? Weren’t you sharp-tongued before?”

Jiang Shouzhuo wondered if the little rabbit’s near-death experience had changed him or if the fever had damaged his brain.

Ying Wutu took a deep breath, raising his gaze to meet the wicked woman’s eyes. This wasn’t the first time he thought her eyes were beautiful. He wanted to look away but forced himself, coughing as he spoke, “Why… why did both notes mention rewards… cough cough…”

Jiang Shouzhuo’s expression turned cold. She had expected him to ask where he was.

But instead, he asked about that!

Provoking her again!

She raised her hand to slap him, but stopped mid-way.

Seeing him shut his eyes in fear, even his long lashes trembling.

Clearly afraid.

Yet, why provoke her?

He was truly an untamable beast.

Nearly tortured to death, and upon waking, he angered her again.

Ying Wutu felt the wind of her hand but no slap. Slowly opening his eyes, he saw her withdraw her hand.

Why had the unpredictable wicked woman shown mercy?

“I just want… cough cough… an answer, why did you suddenly get angry? I’m dying anyway, so just tell me… cough cough…”

Ying Wutu wasn’t trying to provoke her. He was in so much pain, thinking he was dying, and wanted to know the truth before he did.

“You’re not dying.” Jiang Shouzhuo lay beside him, careful not to press on his injuries, “I haven’t had my fill with you, so you can’t die.”

Ying Wutu forced a bitter smile.

“I know my own body… wicked woman… I hate you… if there’s a next life… I’ll defeat you…”

He closed his eyes, resigned to his fate.

Jiang Shouzhuo turned, propping her head on her hand, looking at him.

Was he giving his last words?

She replayed his words in her mind, understanding his desire to know why.

He didn’t understand why he had been beaten and wanted to know before dying.

“You disobedient little rabbit, I’ll tell you the truth. You are close to dying. Do you have any last words?” Jiang Shouzhuo decided to tease him. After all, she couldn’t sleep and found it amusing to toy with him.

She’d pretend he was really dying.

He thought so anyway.

“If I say… you’ll promise? Cough cough…” Ying Wutu opened his eyes, hoping for a quick end. The pain was unbearable, and he wanted relief. But he had one last wish.

“Let’s hear it.” Jiang Shouzhuo slid her other hand under her pillow, resisting the urge to touch his face.

“Can you spare my sisters? They surrendered to avoid death. Let them live, and I’ll pray for you in the underworld… cough cough…”

Ying Wutu’s plea grew fervent. He was dying and didn’t want to anger her further. He wished to curse her but knew it was pointless. If she got angry and he died, she’d take it out on others.

On his sisters.

He felt guilt for their defeat, having done his best. Now, he wanted to save them.

“Even near death, you care for them? How kind were they? They beat you, broke your fingers. Without me, they’d have abused you. Are you a masochist? The worse someone treats you, the more you like them?”

Jiang Shouzhuo was annoyed. His first concern wasn’t for himself but for the captives.

“You treated me the worst…” Ying Wutu’s voice was hoarse. He half-spoke, then fell silent.

If the wicked woman was right, should he like her most?

But his feelings for his sisters were guilt and camaraderie. For the wicked woman… feelings he couldn’t describe.

Mainly hatred, but beyond that?

No use pondering, death was near.

“Yes, I’m cruel to you. Anything else to say?” Jiang Shouzhuo wasn’t interested in his plea.

“Did you promise?” Ying Wutu’s voice weakened.

“Promise.” Jiang Shouzhuo said offhandedly, “What else?”

She wanted to tease him as before but feared he was too weak. If he died from stress, the game would end. She decided to let him recover before tormenting him again.

“Really? You’re kind! Cough cough…” Ying Wutu was too excited, coughing blood, which he swallowed.

Knowing she disliked bloodstains, he didn’t want to anger her.

“Don’t choke.” Jiang Shouzhuo’s suppressed urge now fulfilled, she tried to ease his coughing, pressing his chest. Roughly, accidentally worsening his cough.

“Don’t… don’t touch there… it hurts…” Ying Wutu wanted to push her heavy hand away but had used all his strength pulling the blanket and couldn’t lift his hand.

Jiang Shouzhuo belatedly withdrew her hand. She wasn’t trying to torture him this time; she had simply forgotten.

Ying Wutu took several deep breaths, finally stopping his coughing.

He had the wicked woman’s promise and could now die in peace.

He closed his eyes, still smelling her scent, taking a few deep breaths. It seemed to ease his pain.

Perhaps it was what people called “a flash of life before death,” or maybe his senses were dulling as life ebbed away.

Unexpectedly, his final moments would be in the wicked woman’s embrace.

Jiang Shouzhuo’s expression grew colder.

So what now?

The little rabbit got her promise and now peacefully closed his eyes, waiting for death. What was this?

Was this his idea of a complete ending?

She hadn’t heard any interesting last words.

“Don’t close your eyes and wait to die. Speak, do you have any other last words?” Jiang Shouzhuo wanted to shake him from his serene state but feared breaking him.

He was too weak; she had gone too far this time.

“Mm…” Ying Wutu stopped coughing. His response was more breath than word, thinking it a final burst of energy. He did have more to say but couldn’t find the words.

“What do you mean ‘mm’? You’re dying, yet you’re hemming and hawing? Speak, or I’ll toss you into the mass grave, and you can continue talking to the other lost souls there.” Jiang Shouzhuo deliberately threatened.

“Wicked woman, if there’s a next life, if we’re not enemies, I want… I want to marry a woman like you…” Ying Wutu said in one breath, closing his eyes again, resuming his peaceful death wait.

These were his final words.

Words from the heart.

That drunken night, he was too inebriated to recognize her but thought she was beautiful, falling for her at first sight.

In fact, he’d fallen for her long ago.

During their six months of battlefield clashes.

Ying Wutu obsessed over her.

Her strategies, her next move, even if she could predict his.

But she was too clever, countering his tactics after one use.

They were like martial arts masters, constantly matching wits.

To Ying Wutu, she was not just his archenemy but the one who understood him best in the world.

But between them, a victor had to be decided.

She won, he lost.

Jiang Shouzhuo blinked rapidly at his words, then looked at his peaceful “corpse.” She touched his head.

“You like me?”

Yes, it was the little rabbit who liked her, not the other way around.

Ying Wutu gave a soft “mm.”

He was dying anyway; he admitted it.

“You’re sick. What do you like about me? My torment? My abuse?”

Since capturing the little rabbit, Jiang Shouzhuo had constantly tormented him.

Ying Wutu opened his eyes, speaking slowly, “You like me too. You couldn’t bring yourself to kill me. You like me. You placed those reward notes, got angry because you didn’t want me to know you liked me.”

Jiang Shouzhuo bolted upright.

Something in her had been exposed.

She grew angrier.

“Have I been too kind to you? Want more whipping?”

She was flustered, having been caught.

Ying Wutu chuckled, a handsome curve to his lips, wincing as it tugged his wound, yet he kept smiling.

The wicked woman was indeed different. He committed this scene to memory, to remember in the afterlife.

“Think I’ll stop beating you because you’re dying? I’ll hang you from a tree and flog your corpse! Do I like you? I just want to sleep with you! That’s why I couldn’t kill you!” Jiang Shouzhuo hastily explained, realizing she shouldn’t. Explaining meant she’d been caught. She lay back down, feigning indifference, “Whatever, argue with a dying man.”

Besides…

The little rabbit wouldn’t die. He thought he was dying, hence his heartfelt words. When he survived, she’d remind him he confessed to his worst enemy.

Then she’d watch him panic, jump, and rage.

So why rush? No need to fret.

In their game, she’d always hold the upper hand.

“If you don’t mind… could you do one more good deed?” Ying Wutu didn’t care if she flogged his corpse. Alive, he’d endured her beatings, feeling something strange. Dead, it didn’t matter.

“Pushy? Let’s hear it.” Jiang Shouzhuo’s playful mood returned. No need to rush.

So what if she liked him?

So what if he found out?

 

Between them, even if there was mutual affection, the one unable to face it should be the little rabbit.

After all, he was the defeated one.

However…

She’d record all of tonight’s events in her little book. Once the little rabbit’s health improved, she’d double down on teaching him a lesson!

How dare he be so bold! How dare he speak so wildly!

“Forget it… no chance now…” Ying Wutu thought of the medicine the Fifth Prince had given him. Unfortunately, he couldn’t fulfill his wish even at death’s door.

“Speak plainly.” Jiang Shouzhuo didn’t understand his sudden ambiguity.

“The Fifth Prince said I was tainted, played with by other women in the camp. But it wasn’t true. No one knew my identity, no one touched me, not even a woman saw my body. I remained pure. Only you have seen my entire body. I want…” Ying Wutu sighed, his face reddening. Even in dying, he felt shame in expressing such words.

“You want me to sleep with you?” Jiang Shouzhuo bluntly completed his sentence, laughing, “Who would’ve thought you’re so wanton. Pretending to be chaste before me. What? Want to offer yourself before dying? Want to die a complete man?”

Ying Wutu’s face reddened further. How could she be so straightforward?

“I can’t do it. My body is ruined. I can’t perform. Wicked woman, will you feel regret? You wanted to sleep with me but feared killing me, so you never succeeded. Now I’m about to die, and you can’t sleep with me…” Ying Wutu felt regretful. Among all his regrets, this was the one he cared most about.

“Regret?” Jiang Shouzhuo nearly laughed but held back.

She even considered telling him the truth now.

But tomorrow would be better.

The little rabbit was still too weak. If she told him now, he might die from the shock.

“Mm…” Ying Wutu sighed, trying to lift his hand but failing. He really was dying. Speaking had exhausted him, “Can you hold me? Your embrace is warm and secure. No one ever held me. I want to die in your arms. Will you mind? Wicked woman… be kind to the end… it’s my last wish…”

His voice grew softer, his eyelids heavier. He’d likely breathe his last soon.

“Alright.” Jiang Shouzhuo lifted the blanket, cradling the feverish little rabbit, careful of his injuries.

Ying Wutu felt like he was falling into a field of flowers, his pain easing. He smiled faintly.

The wicked woman… was a kind woman.

If there was a next life, if they weren’t enemies, he’d want to marry her.

Receiving her love would be such happiness…

He felt the wicked woman’s carriage stop shaking, his heartbeat slowing, and thought dying in her arms was worth it.

He fell asleep.

He’d been too weak, and talking had tired him.

Jiang Shouzhuo, however, couldn’t sleep.

She couldn’t wait for him to wake tomorrow and realize he wasn’t dead. Just thinking about it made her want to laugh.

But she could save the laughter for tomorrow.

She glanced at him, seeing his smile even in sleep.

He thought he’d died happily.

Morning came.

Jiang Shouzhuo stretched lazily. After a long journey and a day and night of riding, sleeping in her own bed felt wonderful. She looked down at the little rabbit’s sleeping face, watching him with interest as he woke up.

Ying Wutu slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was the sunlight streaming through the window, and then… the wicked woman?

“I… I thought I was dead? Wicked woman, are you dead too?” Ying Wutu had slept peacefully through the night, his body recovering significantly, and he spoke more strongly than he had the night before.

“Unfortunately, things didn’t go as you wished. I’m not dead, and neither are you. You’re alive, hahaha…” Jiang Shouzhuo laughed, finally releasing the laughter she had been holding back since last night.

Ying Wutu was stunned, as if struck by lightning.

Jiang Shouzhuo laughed heartily, even twisting the little rabbit’s ear, asking, “Does it hurt? You’re not dead. Think about it carefully, what last words did you say to me last night?”

Ying Wutu let out a whimper, as if his very soul had fled his body.

He had confessed to the wicked woman last night, even said he wanted to give himself to her.

He had thought he was going to die, and she had promised not to harm his sisters, so he had bared his heart completely.

And now, he was alive?

He was furious! The wicked woman was so cruel! Why had he been deceived by her again?

He couldn’t face what he had said last night!

The wicked woman was his enemy, who had destroyed his country and killed so many of his people.

And what had he done?

Fallen for her?

He wished he could die!!!