MTSAMAPOC Chapter 38

Ying Wutu hid in the barrel, silently counting to himself.

The cart became bumpier, indicating they had left the city.

Ying Wutu was beginning to regret his decision. He was going to be a father; how could he be so reckless to just run away?

What if something happened to the child in his belly?

But he felt so conflicted inside.

Unable to face the fact that he was carrying her child, he decided to escape.

Now he had escaped, but what next?

A pregnant man, in such a cold winter, alone in a foreign country—how could he survive, let alone care for a child?

He might not even survive himself.

The bad woman must have realized by now.

Would she be angry?

Or worried?

Ying Wutu’s thoughts raced as the cart came to a stop.

He waited until there was no sound outside, indicating the farmwoman had gone inside. He carefully opened the empty barrel and saw the yard was empty. He cautiously climbed out, afraid of hurting the child.

The snow outside was heavier, covering everything in a white blanket.

So cold.

Ying Wutu shivered, holding his belly, and left the farmyard, carefully closing the gate behind him.

He didn’t want to cause any trouble for anyone.

The snow had been falling all morning, and the countryside was sparsely populated. The snow piled up deeply on the paths.

Ying Wutu stumbled, his steps uneven, and tripped over a stone hidden in the snow, falling to the ground.

He was terrified, quickly checking his belly to see if the child was hurt.

Luckily, the thick snow cushioned his fall, leaving him uninjured—just scared.

Ying Wutu struggled to his feet. The wind and snow were too strong; he couldn’t go any further. He decided to find a place to shelter until the snow stopped, then figure out his next move.

He found a dilapidated temple outside the city, abandoned and on the verge of collapse.

Standing before a tall statue, he realized it was a fertility deity. He clasped his hands together, knelt, and murmured, “Please protect the child in my belly. This is her child. Though I’m deeply sinful, the child is innocent.”

After his prayer, he hid behind the ruined statue, hoping to light a fire for warmth, but the snow was too heavy, and he couldn’t move.

He truly regretted his decision.

What good was escaping?

Return to the Ying Kingdom?

The Ying Kingdom had fallen; the king captured, the princess killed, and even his last hope—the captives—hated him, wishing him dead.

With his hands crippled and his martial skills lost, he couldn’t possibly rise again.

He had no more hopes, no thoughts left.

Moreover…

He touched his belly. The child was only a few days old, too early for any movement, but thinking of her child within him brought a sense of security.

The bad woman was actually a good person.

Though she beat and bullied him, it was always because he resisted, wasn’t it?

As long as he obeyed her, she treated him well.

So… was it too reckless to escape this time?

He began to reflect on himself.

Ying Wutu closed his eyes, shook his head, and murmured, “Since I’ve escaped, I won’t go back. I’ll raise the child alone.”

Though he had no idea how a young man like him could raise a child, penniless and struggling to survive himself.

As he lost himself in thought, a group of people suddenly burst into the dilapidated temple.

Ying Wutu shrank back in fear, holding his breath.

Three women entered. Two appeared to be beggars, and though the third was more presentably dressed, her face revealed her ill intentions.

Ying Wutu grew more terrified. In such a remote, dilapidated temple, with his hands incapacitated and himself being pregnant, he would be utterly defenseless if they discovered him. He huddled further behind the statue.

“There’s a man here.”

The temple was too small; the ruined statue couldn’t conceal him.

Ying Wutu was dragged out by his shoulder.

“No, no…” Ying Wutu tried to resist, but after just a couple of “no”s, a slap landed on his face, sending him to the ground. Terrified, he clutched his belly rather than his stinging cheek.

The child in his belly was more important than his face.

“Quite a looker. Big Sis, you enjoy him first, and we’ll take turns,” one of the beggars flattered.

Ying Wutu knew he was doomed; they were bad people. He urgently said, “Stay away! I’m Jiang Shouzhu’s man, and I’m carrying her child. If you dare touch me, she won’t spare you.”

Unable to protect himself, he could only rely on the bad woman now.

The bad woman was a famous general in the Jin Kingdom, known throughout the land. Surely these people would recognize her.

“Hahaha… This pretty man must be crazy! How could General Jiang’s man be in a broken temple!”

Ying Wutu pointed to his clothes and quickly said, “These are Jiang Shouzhu’s clothes! Look closely—do common people wear such clothes? If you dare touch me, she’ll kill you all.”

The bad woman was ruthless, unhesitant to kill.

The three women stopped laughing, exchanging glances.

“Big Sis, those do look like palace garments…”

They hesitated, not daring to act rashly.

These three women were vagabonds, engaging in petty crimes.

Ying Wutu, having seen grander scenes, though frightened, wouldn’t be paralyzed like an ordinary young man facing such danger. Seeing their doubt, he continued, “I got lost accidentally. Help me get to Jiang’s residence and tell them I’m here. I’m very important to Jiang Shouzhu, and the Jiang family will richly reward you.”

He recalled what the bad woman had said.

Even beating a dog required the owner’s consent.

Indeed.

These three hesitated to harm him because he was a dog with an owner. If not for invoking Jiang Shouzhu’s name and wearing her clothes, they’d have harmed him already.

They feared and respected Jiang Shouzhu, thus refraining from harm.

“I’m not lying. If you delay, Jiang’s people will find me first, and you’ll miss the reward,” Ying Wutu urged.

He regretted it. He knew he was wrong.

He didn’t want to run anymore.

Now, just a crippled pregnant man, a pitiful little dog, he wanted to curl up at the bad woman’s feet.

Danger lurked outside; only by her side was he safe.

“Alright, we’ll go. If you’re lying, you’re dead,” the leader said, pointing to one of the beggars, “Stay and watch him. Don’t let him escape.”

But the beggar’s eyes darted, “I’ll go too. Let’s tie him up. He won’t escape.”

She feared the other two might take all the reward, as treachery among them was not uncommon. This man seemed sincere, and the Jiang family was wealthy—the reward would last a lifetime.

The leader glanced at the other beggar, who also didn’t want to stay. They agreed and took out ropes to bind him.

“Don’t tie my belly. I’m carrying Jiang Shouzhu’s child,” Ying Wutu reminded.

He didn’t fear being tied, knowing the bad woman would soon come for him.

Come to take him home.

They bound his hands to the statue and, braving the snow, rushed towards the city.

Ying Wutu gazed at the snowy landscape outside, sighing.

He shouldn’t have run impulsively.

The bad woman would be angry now, and he’d let her punish him severely. He knew he deserved it.

Yet…

For the first time, he felt a sense of entitlement, remembering the Fifth Prince’s failure to take the bad woman from his bed. Even such a beautiful man couldn’t usurp her favor. Did the bad woman truly favor him?

If he pleaded, would she spare him for the child’s sake?

Or… could he replace the punishment with something else?

Ying Wutu didn’t know if it was because of the pregnancy or his lack of security, but he deeply wanted to be with the bad woman. Though sometimes it hurt, it also brought joy.

He missed her.

While Ying Wutu was waiting, another woman entered the dilapidated temple.

This woman was robust, dressed in short, practical clothing, and carried an empty burlap sack, looking like someone used to physical labor.

Even if Ying Wutu wasn’t tied up, he wouldn’t stand a chance against anyone in his current state.

“Stay back, I’m—” Before he could finish, the woman struck the back of his head with a stick, knocking him out.

Efficiently, the woman untied Ying Wutu’s hands and placed him in the sack, mumbling to herself, “Thank you, fertility deity, for letting me find such a pretty live one. Business is good today, just sold one and found another.”

This woman was a local human trafficker, dealing not only in sales but also in abductions.

Worried someone would return, knowing the man couldn’t have tied himself to the statue, she hurried to sell him.

Braving the wind and snow, she carried the sack into the city, heading to the red-light district.

On her way, she noticed the city gates only allowed entry, not exit—possibly due to the heavy snow.

At the back entrance of the South Wind Pavilion, the trafficker opened the sack, revealing Ying Wutu’s unconscious face. “Look at this beauty. One hundred taels, quick.”

“How did he end up so beaten if he’s so pretty?” The madam saw Ying Wutu’s injuries and was annoyed; he was clearly a golden goose.

“Not my doing. Found him this way.” The trafficker urged, “Hurry up.”

“Found, huh? More like kidnapped. Why don’t I ever find such quality! Standard rules—inspection before payment.” The madam signaled her assistants to bring the sack inside.

The trafficker followed in.

As the madam stripped Ying Wutu, she dropped her pipe in shock.

“Beaten so badly, and… used! What’s with this ‘Jiang’ on his chest?”

“Wait!” The trafficker realized something, not being able to read, and asked the madam, “Which Jiang?”

The madam fell silent in fear.

In the whole Jin Kingdom, only one family bore the surname Jiang—the founding hero, General Jiang’s family.

“No way…”

The room’s atmosphere grew tense.

Noticing his clothing’s fine material, the madam knew it wasn’t from an ordinary family.

“We’re doomed! You’ve brought me a hot potato!”

“Don’t panic. It might not be him. How could a Jiang family man end up like this? Maybe he did it for fun. Take him for free; I don’t want money.” The trafficker, fearing the worst, tried to flee after her words.

The madam’s enforcers immediately detained her.

“Don’t drag me into your death wish. Lock her up. If he’s from the Jiang family, we’ll hand her over as an explanation.” After securing the trafficker, the madam tore a string from Ying Wutu’s sleeve, rushing to the Jiang residence.

Though the man was incredibly handsome and no longer a virgin, once his injuries healed, he’d be a valuable asset.

But no amount of money was worth risking one’s life.

Who dared touch a Jiang family man?

Knocking on the Jiang residence door, the madam showed the string. “I’m the South Wind Pavilion’s owner. We found a man today—does this belong to you?”

The gatekeeper’s face paled, recognizing it as Miss Jiang’s garment string. She rushed inside to report.

Jiang Shouzhu stormed out furiously.

Seeing General Jiang, the madam nearly collapsed in fear.

Lucky she hadn’t taken him in and had detained the trafficker.

Otherwise, she’d be dead too.

Holding the string, Jiang Shouzhu grabbed the madam’s collar, lifting her with murderous eyes, “Where is he?”

“Untouched! Safe in the pavilion, untouched!” The madam, feet dangling, kicked in panic, fearing the general’s wrath

——

Ying Wutu woke up to find himself no longer in the dilapidated temple, but the room didn’t look like the bad woman’s home either.

The air was filled with the scent of cosmetics, making him uneasy. He remembered how many women in the barracks would go to brothels after getting their pay, returning the next day drenched in this scent.

Coupled with the sounds of men’s laughter and merriment outside, he realized he was in a brothel.

He grew even more frightened.

He tried to open the door, but it was locked from the outside.

Opening the window, he saw it was three floors up. Jumping might kill him, but it would surely harm the child in his belly.

He truly regretted his actions and dared not act recklessly anymore.

Where was the bad woman? Could she come to save him?

As Ying Wutu hugged his knees and prayed in the corner, the door was kicked open.

Jiang Shouzhu, covered in snow and filled with cold and anger, stormed in. Seeing her little bunny huddled and with a new bruise on his face, her fury intensified.

Ying Wutu’s prayer had been answered, but he thought he was hallucinating. Rubbing his eyes, he confirmed it was indeed her.

The one he had been longing for.

He scrambled off the bed, crawling on his knees to her, hugging her legs and sobbing, “Save me, I’m so scared.”

He was so terrified he forgot to address himself as “slave.”

Jiang Shouzhu was furious, but seeing the little bunny so pitiful, she guessed he had been terrified as well.

“We’ll deal with you at home.” Jiang Shouzhu picked up the little bunny, wrapped him in her fox fur cloak, and carried him out.

The madam, trembling, waited by the door. Seeing the general, she quickly dragged out the bound trafficker, explaining, “She brought him here. Seeing such a beautiful man in fine clothes, I feared he might be someone important. I didn’t touch him at all.”

Ying Wutu, his head covered, stayed still in the bad woman’s arms.

Jiang Shouzhu lifted a corner of the cloak, suppressing her anger, “Is it her?”

Ying Wutu nodded carefully.

At this moment, the Jiang family’s servants arrived.

“Take her to the imperial prison,” Jiang Shouzhu ordered, then carried Ying Wutu out of the brothel.

Despite being in her arms, Ying Wutu continued to tremble in fear.

The snow kept falling heavily, but Ying Wutu felt less cold, having finally returned to the bad woman’s side.

Back home, the entire Jiang residence breathed a sigh of relief.

Knowing her daughter often hit him, Father Jiang  now advised, “For the child’s sake, be lenient with him.”

Hearing someone in the Jiang family plead for him, Ying Wutu felt even more ashamed.

The Jiang family was so kind, but he didn’t feel worthy as a father.

Jiang Shouzhu placed the little bunny on the bed, and when she returned after closing the door, saw the bundle in the cloak still trembling.

“Now you’re scared?” Jiang Shouzhu unwrapped the cloak, revealing the frightened figure inside.

“Yes… I’ll never run again.” Ying Wutu, shivering, reached out carefully, holding her sleeve, “Really, I won’t… For the child’s sake, please don’t hit me… I’ll stay obediently by your side from now on… not going anywhere…”

Seeing him safe, and so scared, Jiang Shouzhu’s anger had largely dissipated, though she still wore a stern expression.

“Why did you run?” Jiang Shouzhu asked.

Ying Wutu bit his lip, holding back tears, “I was in a moment of despair and ran. I won’t run again… I’ll stay by your side… I don’t want to think about anything else.”

He spoke sincerely, but didn’t know if the bad woman would give him another chance.

“You…” Jiang Shouzhu sighed, not angry nor hitting him. Her tone softened, “I didn’t give you enough security. Now that you’re carrying my child, you won’t be a slave anymore. You’ll be my little attendant.”

“Ah…” Ying Wutu realized he’d forgotten to call himself a slave.

“Ah what? Trying to take advantage? Want to be my consort?” Jiang Shouzhu teased.

“No, no, this is already very good,” Ying Wutu said gratefully, reaffirming that the bad woman was truly kind. She hadn’t punished him for running but had given him a title.

He felt at ease.

Having lost his country, and his remaining people hating him, now, with the bad woman accepting him as her attendant, he finally found belonging.

“So, how did you escape?” Jiang Shouzhu, having crippled his hands and sealed the dog holes, couldn’t fathom his escape.

“At noon, a cart brought firewood to the kitchen. I hid in the cart. I won’t do it again,” Ying Wutu said, looking at her with wide eyes.

“You’re quite resourceful. Seems I’ll have to lock you up,” Jiang Shouzhu remarked.

“I won’t run even if you don’t lock me, but if you like, go ahead,” Ying Wutu said honestly. Now, even if she chased him away, he wouldn’t leave.

With her child inside him, surrounded by bad people, only by her side was he safe.

Chains weren’t necessary; they were already imprinted on his heart.

“What’s with the slap mark on your face?” Jiang Shouzhu asked. “My dog can’t be bullied by others. How did you get hit?”

“The woman who knocked me out did it. There were three more women before her, trying to bully me. I said I was Jiang Shouzhu’s man and asked them to inform the Jiang family for a reward. Did they come?” Ying Wutu asked.

Jiang Shouzhu was puzzled; no three women had come, only the brothel’s madam.

“I’ll find out. Everyone who bullied you will be dealt with,” Jiang Shouzhu said, patting the little bunny’s head. “Knocked you out? Did it hurt?”

Ying Wutu wanted to be coddled.

“It hurt a lot.”

Ying Wutu nuzzled her hand with his head.

She was really kind.

At that moment, the doctor arrived, summoned by Father Jiang .

Father Jiang  wasn’t concerned about Ying Wutu, but rather about the Jiang family’s future offspring.

Jiang Shouzhu stepped aside, allowing the doctor to check Ying Wutu’s pulse.

The doctor said, “The baby has been slightly disturbed. He needs to drink more prenatal medicine.”

Ying Wutu felt very guilty and ashamed. After the doctor left, he struggled to get up, kneeling on the bed and meekly saying, “I know I was wrong.”

“Behaving now? I’ll punish you when I return tonight. Lie back down and rest properly.” Jiang Shouzhu pressed him back down. “Stop kneeling all the time.”

Even kneeling on the bed was not allowed.

Ying Wutu carefully lay back down. Her bed was indeed more comfortable, her room warmer, and staying by her side was reassuring.

Seeing the bad woman about to leave, he suddenly sat up again, “I…”

Still shaken, he wanted her to stay a bit longer but didn’t know how to ask.

“I’ll find out who bullied you and avenge you.” Jiang Shouzhu donned her cloak and left.

No one in the Jiang family dared to ignore such matters.

The trafficker was now in the imperial prison, under severe torture, confessing to abducting many respectable men and selling them to brothels.

Jiang Shouzhu, hearing the trafficker’s numerous crimes, executed her with a single slash.

The judicial officer recorded that the trafficker died under torture and then had her body dumped in the mass grave outside the city.

While disposing of the body, a clerk found three fresh corpses by the roadside.

Two had been strangled, and one had frozen to death in a snow pit.

They were the three women from the dilapidated temple. While heading to the Jiang residence to report, they plotted against each other, each wanting to kill the others to claim the reward alone.

One beggar killed the other two but fell into a snow pit during the struggle, too exhausted to climb out and eventually freezing to death.

Returning from her tasks at the Ministry of Justice, Jiang Shouzhu found the matter resolved and the little bunny avenged.

Arriving home, she saw her father in her room.

Ying Wutu sat on the bed, shoulders trembling, head bowed like a scolded child.

“Father, please stop scolding him. I’ve already done so. He’s been frightened and beaten outside. Let’s let him off this time.” It was the first time Jiang Shouzhu had pleaded for someone.

Father Jiang  laughed, “It’s rare to see you plead. I wouldn’t dare scold your beloved. The tailor made new clothes for him, and I came to see him. When I was carrying you, you probably caused a ruckus in my belly. I’m here to share some experiences.”

Jiang Shouzhu realized her mistake and smiled.

Father Jiang  stood up, “I’ll leave then. By the way… planning to make him an attendant? What name and where will he live? Here, or the consort’s quarters?”

“Call him Tu Xiao Jun. He’s disobedient and must stay with me so I can watch him.” Jiang Shouzhu said.

Father Jiang , not wanting to interfere, quickly left.

Jiang Shouzhu looked at the new clothes, then at the little bunny on the bed, “Did Father scold you?”

Ying Wutu shook his head.

Jiang Shouzhu climbed into bed, pushing him down, “Then it’s my turn.”

Ying Wutu reminded, “Today the baby was disturbed. We can’t…”

He had bathed thoroughly while she was away, not wanting any cosmetic scent, only her scent, though it wouldn’t be tonight.

“Resisting me?” Jiang Shouzhu teased, not angry, just playful. She pulled off his new shirt, revealing the “Jiang” mark, “The trafficker confessed. Seeing this, neither she nor the madam dared touch you. I told you, even a dog needs its owner’s name. You’re my dog, and this mark shows it. No one dares bully you.”

“Yes.” Ying Wutu felt she was right. Being her dog was the safest thing in the world.

“Listening now? Think I won’t punish you because of the baby?” Jiang Shouzhu’s fingers traced the mark, moving lower.

The pregnant little husband had a rounded belly.

She decided to taste it first.

Ying Wutu clung to her head, first crying out, then begging, finally just smiling foolishly.

Jiang Shouzhu drank her fill.

“Not bad. This will be your nightly punishment.”

Ying Wutu’s eyes lit up.

The bad woman praised him again.

He couldn’t win battles or achieve much, but in this aspect, he was useful. Just now, Father said he was the only one in the mansion to conceive, and he should take good care of the baby.

Ying Wutu felt not only the bad woman had skills, but he also had abilities surpassing her other men. However, he didn’t dare laugh in front of Father Jiang , so he just lowered his head and chuckled to himself.

Just then, the bad woman came in, thinking he was being scolded by Father Jiang , but he was actually delighted inside.

Indeed, as a young man, he had chosen the right path.

That was… carrying her child and being her loyal dog.

“What are you grinning about? Did I hurt you?” Jiang Shouzhu, seeing him smiling, thought she might have been too rough.

“Can I… call you ‘wife master’?” Ying Wutu realized what he had been missing. He now had security, a sense of belonging, affection, a child, and a title, but one thing was still lacking.

Jiang Shouzhu nodded.

“Wife master!” Ying Wutu smiled, revealing his rabbit-like teeth.

“You silly rabbit.”