MTSAMAPOC Chapter 39 (The End)

That night, Ying Wutu curled up in her arms, even muttering in his sleep.

“I won’t run away again… don’t harm my child…”

Jiang Shouzhu heard him and realized he was truly frightened. She held him tighter, and Ying Wutu stopped talking in his sleep.

The next day, Jiang Shouzhu woke up early to attend court. She dressed quietly, but still managed to wake Ying Wutu.

“Go back to sleep. I’ll have breakfast with you when I return,” Jiang Shouzhu said, patting his head before leaving on horseback.

“Take care, Wife Master,” Ying Wutu responded obediently, looking more and more like a devoted husband.

After she left, he snuggled back into the warmth of the bed, still filled with her lingering heat.

So comforting.

He pulled the blanket over his head, gently touching his belly, murmuring to himself, “How wonderful…”

Suddenly, the door burst open.

Ying Wutu wondered if Jiang Shouzhu had forgotten something.

But emerging from under the blanket, he saw it was Ying Xiaowu.

Startled, Ying Wutu sat up quickly.

“Fifth Prince?”

Ying Xiaowu stormed over, pointing at Ying Wutu and cursing, “You wretch! I heard you’re pregnant?”

Lowering his head at the insult, Ying Wutu’s gaze fell on a strand of her hair on the blanket, which he cherished, clutching it in his hand.

“How? How? You took my medicine—you shouldn’t be able to conceive!” Ying Xiaowu advanced, grabbing Ying Wutu’s hair with one hand, while his other hand formed a fist aiming at Ying Wutu’s belly.

Ying Wutu originally didn’t intend to call for help, having grown accustomed to the Fifth Prince’s bullying. But seeing the threat to his unborn child, he couldn’t stay silent.

Even the weakest of men would find immense strength when protecting their child.

“Help! Someone!” Even though Ying Wutu’s hair was being yanked painfully, he bent down to endure the pain. As a result, Ying Xiaowu’s punch landed on his back instead.

Fortunately, Ying Xiaowu, being a weak man, didn’t have much strength, and the punch wasn’t too painful.

Passing by outside, the housekeeper heard the cries for help from Miss Jiang’s room. At first, she thought it was part of Miss Jiang’s usual antics. But then she remembered that Miss Jiang had gone to court. She rushed in and saw Wu Xiao Jun continuously punching Tu Xiao Jun’s back.

“Stop!” The housekeeper, being a woman, easily overpowered Ying Xiaowu, a little man.

“Let go of me!” Even when restrained, Ying Xiaowu struggled fiercely.

The housekeeper quickly asked Ying Wutu, who was curled up on the bed, “Tu Xiao Jun, is the baby hurt?”

With Miss Jiang not home, they would all be in trouble if anything happened to the baby.

“No… the baby is fine. Housekeeper, please don’t tell Wife Master about this.” Ying Wutu slowly straightened up. His back wasn’t too hurt from the punches, as he was used to being hit by the Wife Master. But having several strands of his hair pulled out made his scalp ache.

The housekeeper didn’t promise Ying Wutu anything. She forcibly dragged Ying Xiaowu away.

Ying Wutu, holding his belly, felt a pang of sadness.

He had never done anything to wrong the Fifth Prince, so why did the Fifth Prince hate him so much?

Was it jealousy among young men?

He recalled what the housekeeper had said, his hand tightening around the corner of the blanket.

The Wife Master had told him, even beating a dog required the owner’s consent.

That’s right. If the Fifth Prince hit him, he wouldn’t resist, allowing the Fifth Prince to vent. But if the Fifth Prince tried to harm the child in his belly, he couldn’t tolerate it.

After all, this was her child.

So…

Maybe he should report this once?

Let the Wife Master warn the Fifth Prince not to harm his child again.

His identity was no longer the main general of the Ying Kingdom. He was Jiang Shouzhu’s little concubine and the father of Jiang Shouzhu’s child. Therefore, he had to protect his child.

He couldn’t defend the kingdom, but he could protect his family.

When Jiang Shouzhu returned, Ying Wutu had already gotten up and dressed neatly, sitting at the breakfast-laden table, waiting for her to join him.

“Wife Master, you’re back.” Ying Wutu slowly stood up.

“Sit.” Jiang Shouzhu’s expression was calm, as if she knew nothing.

Ying Wutu, unable to hold chopsticks, picked up a spoon, serving porridge to the Wife Master and then to himself.

Seeing her say nothing, focused on breakfast, he wondered if the housekeeper really hadn’t mentioned the morning’s incident.

Under the table, Ying Wutu’s knees pressed tighter together.

So what if the Fifth Prince was his kin?

The child in his belly was his kin, her child.

He knew very well what mattered most.

“Wife Master.” Ying Wutu put down his spoon, having made up his mind. “I need to tell you something.”

Jiang Shouzhu also put down her chopsticks and looked at him. “Speak.”

“This morning… the Fifth Prince suddenly came in and hit me. Although the child wasn’t hurt, I’m worried about the future. So, I want you…” Ying Wutu took a deep breath before continuing, “I want you to stand up for me.”

“Are you complaining?” Jiang Shouzhu couldn’t hide the smile forming at the corners of her mouth.

She actually knew everything. As soon as she returned to the mansion, the housekeeper had told her about the morning’s events.

She pretended not to know, wanting to see the little bunny’s reaction. If the little bunny had kept it from her again, it would mean he didn’t prioritize the safety of her child, and she’d have to punish him alongside Ying Xiaowu.

Seeing him complain now, Jiang Shouzhu was relieved.

It seemed the little bunny, despite being disguised as a woman for so long, hadn’t forgotten his duties as a father.

“Yes, complaining. Will you stand up for me and the child? Wife Master, I can’t protect myself or the child. Only you can protect us both,” Ying Wutu assessed the situation wisely. He needed the Wife Master’s protection. Otherwise, if the poison-savvy Fifth Prince tried to poison him next time, the child could be lost.

“Alright, I’ll stand up for you. Finish your meal properly. Don’t let the child go hungry. After you’re done eating, I’ll get justice for you.” Jiang Shouzhu saw his constant worry, realizing he hadn’t eaten much.

“Mm.” Ying Wutu ate his breakfast heartily, feeling joyous inside.

The Wife Master was truly reassuring.

After they finished eating, Ying Wutu put on the new clothes made for him yesterday, feeling warm. As he stepped over the threshold, he saw the Wife Master extend her hand, and he took it.

The heavy snow from yesterday had melted and refrozen under the strong morning sun, forming a layer of ice at the entrance.

Jiang Shouzhu feared he might slip.

They headed towards Ying Xiaowu’s courtyard together.

Ying Xiaowu was bawling at the table.

When the door opened, his tearful eyes looked over, first seeing Sister Jiang. Before he could resume crying, he saw that wretch!

How did that wretch dare come? Was he actually complaining?

What nerve.

As soon as Ying Wutu entered the room, he felt the Fifth Prince’s hostile gaze. Without a word, he hid behind the Wife Master.

Behind her was undoubtedly safe.

She could shield him from all storms and dangers.

Ying Wutu trusted her.

Jiang Shouzhu sat on a chair, first glancing at the little bunny standing by her side with downcast eyes, then at the tear-streaked Ying Xiaowu. She coldly commanded, “Kneel.”

Ying Xiaowu’s heart sank. He understood; that wretch had complained to Sister Jiang. His legs gave way, and he slid down, kneeling on the ground.

The cold floor hurt his knees, but his heart felt colder and more pained.

“Do you realize what you did wrong?” Jiang Shouzhu questioned.

Ying Xiaowu, sobbing, asked, “Why? Why doesn’t Wife Master like me? How am I worse than him? He’s a dissolute man, mingling with many women…”

Hearing this, Ying Wutu quickly covered his belly, instinctively wanting to shield the unborn child’s ears, though realizing the child might not even have ears yet.

He feared the child might hear such words.

“Shut up!” Jiang Shouzhu interrupted Ying Xiaowu angrily. “Go outside and kneel. You can’t get up until dark. Remember, in the Jiang family, you can’t harm him or slander him. This time, you’ll kneel for a day. Next time, it will be worse for you.”

“Wife Master?” Ying Xiaowu couldn’t believe Sister Jiang would punish him so severely for that wretch. Kneeling outside in the snow all day might kill him.

“Want me to drag you out?” Jiang Shouzhu’s face was icy, leaving no room for negotiation.

Hurting her child and her dog had made her furious.

Ying Xiaowu, wiping his tears, went outside and knelt in the snow-covered courtyard, crying even harder.

After dealing with Ying Xiaowu, Jiang Shouzhu stood up, holding the little bunny’s hand and leading him out.

As they walked past Ying Xiaowu, he grabbed the hem of her skirt.

“Wife Master, I know I was wrong. Can you not punish me?” Ying Xiaowu feared he wouldn’t survive kneeling until dark.

“Let go. If I don’t teach you a lesson this time, how will I give him an explanation?” Jiang Shouzhu said mercilessly.

Ying Wutu bit his lip and gently tugged on the Wife Master’s sleeve, whispering, “Wife Master, the stone bricks in the courtyard are hard, and the weather is cold. I’m sure the Fifth Prince knows he was wrong. I wasn’t hurt badly this time. Could we forgive him this once and lessen the punishment?”

He knew how painful kneeling could be.

Seeing the little bunny plead on his behalf, Jiang Shouzhu relented.

“For his sake, you’ll kneel until noon. Next time, no one can save you.” Jiang Shouzhu declared.

Ying Xiaowu, head bowed, wiped his tears.

Jiang Shouzhu led the little bunny back.

On the way, she held his hand, warming his palm and heart.

Is this what it’s like to have someone to rely on?

Reflecting on his years disguised as a woman, facing everything alone and suffering so much, Ying Wutu finally realized how foolish his previous choices were.

A man’s best refuge is being cherished by his Wife Master.

After enduring so much bullying, having the Wife Master support him today gave him a true sense of security.

“Why are you grinning?” Jiang Shouzhu asked, noticing his constant smile.

“I’m laughing because the Wife Master is so good,” Ying Wutu replied.

“Even after all the times I bullied you?” Jiang Shouzhu asked.

Ying Wutu said, “That was because I was disobedient. The Wife Master’s punishments were deserved.”

Jiang Shouzhu patted his head, “You, just be obedient.”

That afternoon, the four attendants at the Consorts’ Courtzard discussed Tu Xiao Jun’s situation while playing cards, all gasping in surprise.

The Wife Master, usually lenient, rarely punished anyone. Yet she made Wu Xiao Jun kneel all morning for Tu Xiao Jun’s sake.

They were relieved they hadn’t let Tu Xiao Jun wash their clothes before, as it seemed like a test from the Wife Master. Had they bullied Tu Xiao Jun, they would have faced the same fate as Wu Xiao Jun and fallen out of favor with the Wife Master.

——

Due to previously taking female hormones while disguised as a woman, Ying Wutu’s body had become unstable. After experiencing fetal distress, he now had to drink five large bowls of thick, bitter prenatal medicine daily.

Even though the medicine was bitter and unpleasant, he drank it willingly, knowing it was essential to protect the Wife Master’s child.

With only ten days left until the New Year, the mansion was adorned with lanterns and decorations, filled with festive joy.

Today, Jiang Shouzhu went hunting with the Emperor and caught three white foxes. She brought them back to show the little bunny: “These are for you. Everyone else has a fox fur coat, and now you can have one too.”

Although the other four attendants each had a fox fur coat, theirs were bought, while Ying Wutu’s was personally hunted by Jiang Shouzhu, making it incomparable.

Hearing about this, Ying Xiaowu didn’t have a fox fur coat, but he dared not complain. He had truly learned his lesson, recognizing that the wretch was more favored. Recently, he had even taken up playing mahjong.

Coincidentally, the obedient attendant had never enjoyed card games and had been forced to join them when they were short a player.

Now, Ying Xiaowu also enjoyed playing cards and spent every afternoon at the Consorts’ Courtyard, playing with them and the little white cat.

——

On New Year’s Eve, the entire family gathered for the reunion dinner.

Madam Jiang, as the head of the family, sat at the main seat. On her left was Father Jiang, on her right was Jiang Shouzhu, with Ying Wutu next to her. The other concubines were seated according to the order they joined the household.

The family enjoyed a harmonious meal, and afterward, Father Jiang distributed red envelopes to the children. Among them, Ying Wutu’s red envelope was the thickest.

Jiang Shouzhu noticed and asked, “Father, you’re biased. Why is his red envelope bigger than mine?”

Ying Wutu quickly handed the red envelope to Jiang Shouzhu, saying, “What’s mine is the Wife Master’s. It’s all yours.”

Father Jiang took the red envelope from his daughter and handed it back to Ying Wutu, saying, “What’s given to you is your private savings. By the way, has she been bullying you recently?”

Ying Wutu looked down at his clothes, as if he could see the red marks beneath the fabric. He recalled how the Wife Master would “taste” the child every night. Though she was mischievous, he chose to cover for her, “No, the Wife Master treats me very well.”

Hand in hand, the two walked back.

On the way, Jiang Shouzhu teased him, “Why didn’t you tell Father that I bully you?”

“That’s not bullying. Actually, I enjoy it,” Ying Wutu replied.

Though he always said “no” out loud, he was thrilled inside.

——

In the autumn of the following year, Ying Wutu gave birth to a healthy daughter.

Jiang Shouzhu joyfully spun around while holding their daughter, looking at the exhausted little bunny lying on the bed and said, “You’ve worked hard. You gave me a daughter; you are a great merit to the Jiang family.”

Panting from exhaustion, Ying Wutu grinned contentedly upon hearing those words.

Indeed, by giving birth to the Wife Master’s daughter, he was a hero.

He used to fantasize about achieving great deeds and monumental accomplishments. But now, thinking about it, staying by the Wife Master’s side, being her little pet, gaining her affection, and giving her more children—aren’t these also great achievements?

Moreover, this path was not difficult at all; it was filled with warmth and happiness.

“I want to give the Wife Master more daughters…” Ying Wutu, though exhausted from childbirth, felt a renewed sense of strength when speaking of this.

“Good, let’s have many more. But this time, since you gave birth to a daughter, what reward would you like?” Jiang Shouzhu asked.

“I want the Wife Master to always stay by my side,” Ying Wutu replied.

“That’s not enough. I must elevate you to the position of my main consort.”

Once Ying Wutu had completed his confinement period, the Jiang family held a grand wedding. Since Ying Wutu had no maternal family, he was carried in a flower palanquin around the city and then back through the main gate of the Jiang residence.

During the wedding ceremony, Ying Wutu felt as if he were floating on air, the happiness making it seem like a dream.

On the wedding night, Ying Wutu sat with a veil he had embroidered himself, waiting for his Wife Master to return.

Since he was young, Ying Wutu had disguised himself as a girl to attend school and had never learned the male art of embroidery. Yet, he insisted on embroidering the veil himself. Seeking guidance from the Wife Master’s little attendants, he quickly grasped the techniques. However, his hands lacked strength, making it difficult to hold the needle. The result was a crooked veil and several pricked fingers.

Even though Jiang Shouzhu advised him to stop, Ying Wutu insisted on embroidering the veil. It was all his choice, something he was willing to do wholeheartedly.

After drinking outside, Jiang Shouzhu returned to find her little bunny obediently sitting on the bed with the veil over his head. She lifted the veil and asked, “Whose little bunny is this, being so good?”

Ying Wutu blushed and smiled. He took out the thickest whip from under his pillow and, holding it with both hands above his head, presented it to Jiang Shouzhu. “Tonight is our wedding night. You refrained from enjoying me thoroughly because I hadn’t recovered from childbirth. Now I’m fully recovered. Please, treat me harshly. I enjoy it the most…”

“Do you want me to whip you?” Jiang Shouzhu took the whip, puzzled.

Since the little bunny had been tamed, he had been very obedient and docile, which pleased her greatly. She hadn’t hit him since then.

What was this about tonight?

“Yes!” Ying Wutu removed his wedding clothes and knelt on the bed, begging, “The first time you hit me, it felt amazing. But you never hit me again, and I felt so lost. Please, Wife Master, grant me this.”

“You…” Jiang Shouzhu chuckled indulgently, “I really can’t do anything with you.”

She gave a light whip, leaving a faint red mark on Ying Wutu’s chest without breaking the skin or drawing blood.

Ying Wutu yelped, feeling a tingling sensation on his chest. He looked down and, with a hint of disappointment, said, “Wife Master, why didn’t you use more force? Are you not capable?”

Jiang Shouzhu tossed the whip aside, pushed the little bunny down onto the bed, and laughed, “A disobedient little bunny, daring to provoke me?”

“Mm, mm, I’m disobedient again, so please punish me harshly, Wife Master,” Ying Wutu pretended to struggle for a moment.

As expected, the more he resisted, the more excited Jiang Shouzhu became. Taming the disobedient little bunny was such a delightful task.

But she couldn’t bear to hit him with the whip, so she decided to punish him in another way.

——The end——

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TLs note: Well, this is it. I honestly had a lot of mixed feelings while reading this book. The first 2 chapters were captivating and then everything got weird pretty quickly. At times, I was truly baffled at what was happening, but I also thought that if Ying Wutu was a woman, this would be considered “normal” historical behaviour. In that way, you can say that this novel also has a bit of social commentary. Anyways~

What did you guys think? And thank you for reading 🥰