The General Says She Won't Marry - Chapter 23 Part 1

Once summer passed and autumn approached, more than a month had already gone by since Lin Aoxue’s promotion to baihu.

After a period of rest, the military camp had regained its vitality. Moreover, a beautiful female military doctor had arrived, which only motivated the men to train even harder. Many of them secretly hoped to sustain minor injuries on the training ground, just so they would have an excuse to visit the military doctor’s quarters.

Lu Sheng’s leg injury had mostly healed, and he was able to walk again. However, the military doctor had advised him to rest a little longer to avoid any lingering complications.

Due to his injury from falling off a horse, Lu Sheng had been unable to participate in the recent battle against the barbarian siege. As a result, he had missed his chance to earn military merits and remained a squad leader. With the addition of several newly appointed platoon leaders and squad leaders, he was now under Lin Aoxue’s command. However, Lu Sheng did not let this setback discourage him. As long as his leg healed and he could return to the battlefield, he still had a chance for advancement. Rather than letting the accident demoralize him, he took it as a test of his will, using this time to reflect and strengthen himself.

Lin Aoxue visited him often and brought him many military strategy books. Seizing the opportunity, Lu Sheng diligently studied them—an area he had never taken seriously before. But with Lin Aoxue’s guidance, it felt as though a bright new door had opened before him, revealing an entirely new world.

Grateful for Lin Aoxue’s support and recognition, Lu Sheng secretly resolved that once his leg fully healed, he would prove himself and become someone even more valuable to Lin Aoxue.

That evening, Lu Sheng was reading under the dim glow of an oil lamp when someone suddenly lifted the tent flap and stepped inside. Knowing it was about time for his medicine to be changed, he set his book aside and looked up.

To his surprise, the person standing before him was not the military doctor who usually treated his injury, but a woman. She was stunningly beautiful, and despite her simple attire, her delicate features remained impossible to conceal.

Lu Sheng froze for a moment—she looked vaguely familiar.

After being criticized by Lin Aoxue for being unsociable, he had deliberately made an effort to interact more with the soldiers under his command. As part of that effort, he had visited Yanyu Tower to listen to performances and had heard of Yun Yan’s renowned name. However, since she rarely appeared before the public, he had only caught a fleeting glimpse of her once from afar, leaving him with only a faint impression.

Having spent the past few weeks recovering in his tent with little contact with the outside world, Lu Sheng had remained unaware of recent developments. Furthermore, Lin Aoxue had no reason to specifically inform him about the arrival of a new military doctor, so he had remained completely in the dark.

Seeing a beautiful woman suddenly appear inside his tent, Lu Sheng was startled. He sat there in a daze for a long moment before stiffly asking, “Miss, who are you looking for?”

Yun Yan had come to change his dressing. The old military doctor, who had been tending to Lu Sheng, had encountered a family emergency and had taken leave from the camp. Before departing, he had entrusted Lu Sheng’s care to Yun Yan and had also informed her that he was under Lin Aoxue’s command.

She recalled how, last time, Lin Aoxue had gone to great lengths to find medicine for Lu Sheng—rushing back and forth across Xingbei Market, sweating profusely, only to return empty-handed, looking utterly disappointed.

That incident had taken place over two months ago, yet the memory remained vivid in her mind.

Yun Yan chuckled to herself. It was precisely because of that moment that she had come to understand Lin Aoxue. Despite the fearsome exterior, Lin Aoxue was actually a kind-hearted person. To go to such lengths for a mere subordinate showed just how much she cared. Though she appeared distant at first, once someone got close to her, she treated them with deep sincerity.

As she looked at Lu Sheng’s dumbfounded expression, she couldn’t help but notice how similar he was to Lin Aoxue. As the saying went, like commander, like soldier.

“I am Yun Yan, the new military doctor in the medical camp. Doctor Wang had to take leave for personal matters, so he temporarily entrusted your treatment to me,” Yun Yan explained.

Lu Sheng stared at her in shock, his mind going blank for a moment. Then, suddenly realizing his rudeness, he straightened up and exclaimed, “So you’re a military doctor—my apologies!”

Just at that moment, Lin Aoxue stepped into the tent from outside. She had just come from the training grounds, casually raising a brand-new book scroll in her hand as she walked.

“Hey, Lu Sheng! This time, I—” Halfway through her sentence, the words suddenly caught in her throat.

Lin Aoxue remained frozen in place, still holding up the tent flap, with one foot outside. Her expression mirrored Lu Sheng’s earlier stunned look as she found herself face-to-face with Yun Yan, who stood there gracefully. 

Finding the situation amusing, Yun Yan let out a light laugh and waved at Lin Aoxue. “Why doesn’t Baihu Lin come inside to speak?”

Lin Aoxue’s fingers twitched almost imperceptibly as she gripped the fabric. Clearing her throat in an attempt to compose herself, she forced a slightly stiff smile. “Doctor Yun, are you here to change Lu Sheng’s dressing?”

She hadn’t been deliberately avoiding Yun Yan, but given her unique position, she had always been cautious around her. Yun Yan often teased her, and Lin Aoxue feared that too much familiarity might reveal things she wasn’t ready to disclose. Moreover, she had never been comfortable with overly warm interactions, which made her instinctively reserved whenever she faced Yun Yan.

After Beichen Ji’s poison injury healed, he had taken every opportunity to find excuses to be alone with Yun Yan. Meanwhile, Lin Aoxue had been busy with military affairs, leading to fewer encounters with her. This had gradually lessened the awkward tension she felt. However, stumbling upon Yun Yan unexpectedly in Lu Sheng’s tent today had caught her so off guard that she momentarily froze.

Yun Yan’s lips curved into a smile, her expression as poised as ever, unchanged from her time in Yong’an.

“I was entrusted by Doctor Wang to change young Lu’s dressing,” she said with a soft chuckle.

Seeing Lin Aoxue suddenly appear, Lu Sheng, who had been incredibly tense, felt as if he had been granted salvation. He hurriedly climbed off his bed, grabbed his crutch, and steadied himself before saluting. “Baihu!”

Lin Aoxue’s gaze shifted past Yun Yan to Lu Sheng. Noticing that he was precariously balanced on one leg, a crutch tucked under his arm, she immediately furrowed her brows. After offering Yun Yan a brief word of thanks, she strode over to Lu Sheng and placed the book scroll on the table. “Enough, sit down already!”

Lu Sheng obeyed and sat back down. Lin Aoxue patted his shoulder and reassured him, “Doctor Yun is my friend. No need to be so nervous.”

Because of Lin Aoxue’s unusually direct and voluntary introduction, the smile on Yun Yan’s face deepened. For someone as rigid, awkward, and distant as Lin Aoxue to openly acknowledge someone as a “friend”—well, that was no small feat.

Lin Aoxue gestured for Lu Sheng to roll up his pant leg, exposing the injured area that needed treatment. Once he did, she stood up and turned to Yun Yan.

“I’ll have to trouble you, Doctor Yun.”

Yun Yan laughed lightly. “Baihu Lin, there’s no need for such courtesy. This is simply my duty.”

She retrieved her medical kit and skillfully redressed Lu Sheng’s wound. Once the fresh bandages were secured, she straightened up and playfully winked at Lin Aoxue. 

“It’s getting dark outside. Would Baihu Lin mind escorting me back?”

Lin Aoxue stiffened slightly, letting out a small cough before nervously rubbing her hands together. “Alright… I have a few words to say to Lu Sheng first. Wait for me outside.”

Hearing this, Yun Yan smiled and turned to step out of the tent.

Lu Sheng blinked, curiously glancing at Yun Yan’s departing figure before turning back to Lin Aoxue. Aside from Beichen Ji, he was probably the person closest to Lin Aoxue, so he had some understanding of her habits. And now, seeing her unconsciously straighten her back and avoid looking directly at Yun Yan, he immediately felt that something was going on.

As soon as Yun Yan stepped out, a sly grin spread across Lu Sheng’s face.

“Heh, Baihu, not bad! Doctor Yun is really beautiful. She asked you to escort her, so why are you making her wait?”

The implication in his words was unmistakable. In Lu Sheng’s mind, he was absolutely certain that Yun Yan was interested in Lin Aoxue. After all, to him, it was only natural that a heroic figure like their baihu would be admired by women. And as for the baihu… He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but he felt that Lin Aoxue acted a little differently around Doctor Yun too.

These two—there was definitely something there.

Lu Sheng’s grin turned even more mischievous, his eyes gleaming as if he had stumbled upon something truly entertaining.

Lin Aoxue, seeing this, smacked him hard on the forehead, her expression turning stern as she huffed, “What nonsense are you thinking?!”

Lu Sheng winced from the pain but showed no remorse. Though he held his tongue, the knowing smirk on his face remained unchanged.

Lin Aoxue sighed, exasperated, and decided to change the subject. “I brought you a book on military strategy. Find some time to go through it. In a few days, when your leg is better, you should start some recovery training at the drill grounds.”

Lu Sheng nodded eagerly, agreeing to everything she said. Then, without missing a beat, he shooed her away. “Alright, alright, sir, I got it! I’ll remember everything you said. But Doctor Yun is still waiting outside—you’d better hurry up!”

Lin Aoxue’s temple twitched, her face darkening. She muttered a curse under her breath—”you little brat”—before flicking her sleeve and marching out of the tent. Behind her, Lu Sheng sat there grinning smugly, clearly pleased with himself.

***

Outside, Yun Yan was waiting, gazing up at the sky. The moon was hidden tonight, and though torches were placed every hundred steps around the camp, the atmosphere still felt dim and shadowy.

As Lin Aoxue stepped out, the first thing she saw was Yun Yan’s silhouette. Since arriving at the military camp, Yun Yan had stopped wearing her usual brightly colored dresses, opting instead for plain coarse robes. She also no longer took the time to carefully apply makeup. Yet even so, her natural beauty stood out effortlessly.

Her slender frame looked almost frail in the dim torchlight.

Lin Aoxue approached but stopped two steps away, forcing a stiff and somewhat awkward smile onto her usually rigid face.

“Doctor Yun, thank you for waiting.”

Yun Yan turned to her, a soft smile curving her lips. “Not at all. Baihu Lin is very efficient.”

With that, she began walking leisurely toward the medical tent, and Lin Aoxue followed beside her, keeping a proper distance—close enough to be a dutiful escort, yet not too near.

As they walked, Yun Yan suddenly spoke. “The medicine I gave you last time—have you been using it properly?” She was referring to the scar-removal ointment she had given Lin Aoxue before.

The question lingered in Lin Aoxue’s mind for a moment before it finally triggered a memory she had long since pushed aside. Her face showed a hint of embarrassment as she scratched her head awkwardly. “Uh… I’ve used it a few times.”

The moment Yun Yan heard this, she knew Lin Aoxue hadn’t been applying it properly. That answer was far too perfunctory.

Yun Yan paused mid-step, then turned around to face Lin Aoxue directly. Lin Aoxue also came to a stop, instinctively holding her breath, bracing herself for the reprimand she was sure was coming.

Yun Yan had gone out of her way to prepare medicine for her, yet she had barely used it. In her mind, whether or not she had scars didn’t matter—no one was going to see them anyway, so she simply couldn’t be bothered to put in the effort. She had used the ointment a few times, but she couldn’t even remember exactly how many.

Yun Yan gazed into Lin Aoxue’s eyes for a long moment before finally letting out a deep sigh. The look she gave her was one of pure exasperation, as if she were dealing with a particularly stubborn child. Shaking her head, she chided, “You… why do you always neglect taking care of yourself?”

She understood that Lin Aoxue had no choice but to disguise herself as a man in the military camp, but she lived far too roughly—just like those coarse, unrefined soldiers who didn’t care for their own well-being. But for a young woman to let scars mar her delicate skin… what a shame that would be.

She took a step closer, moving directly into Lin Aoxue’s space. Before Lin Aoxue could retreat, Yun Yan reached out and caught hold of her collar, forcing her to meet her gaze.

“If you won’t apply the medicine properly, then I’ll make sure to check on you every day. Or would you prefer that I strip you down to inspect it myself?”

Her voice was soft, but the effect was explosive. Lin Aoxue’s face changed color instantly—a deep red flush spread from her ears to her cheeks, all the way down her neck. She had always been upright and serious, never exposed to such bold words. But what was worse was that Yun Yan sounded utterly serious, as if she truly would strip her if she disobeyed.

For Yun Yan, who had grown up in a brothel, teasing like this was nothing. But Lin Aoxue’s reaction was simply too amusing. Every time she flustered her, it filled Yun Yan with a giddy sense of delight.

Lin Aoxue’s entire face burned like hot embers. With a burst of internal energy, she forcefully pushed Yun Yan back. Caught off guard, Yun Yan let out a surprised yelp as she stumbled back two steps before barely managing to steady herself.

Lin Aoxue’s expression remained rigid, her lips pressed into a thin line. A long silence stretched between them before she finally exhaled heavily and furrowed her brows. “Yun Yan, I know you mean well,” she said, voice calm but firm. “But I’m not used to this kind of interaction. You’ve helped me a great deal, and I do consider you a friend, but I’d still prefer if we kept some distance. It’s better for both of us, isn’t it?”

She wasn’t just worried about misunderstandings—Lu Sheng was hardly the only one who would twist the truth if given the chance. But more than that, she feared that her own awkward reactions around Yun Yan might expose her secret, letting others see what she had tried so hard to conceal.

That was why she wanted to keep her distance.

She didn’t mind chatting as friends, walking side by side. But she rejected any kind of physical closeness.

Yun Yan hadn’t expected Lin Aoxue, who was usually so restrained, to speak so openly to her face. But rather than feeling hurt or embarrassed, Yun Yan actually felt relieved.

Lin Aoxue was too closed off—if she didn’t want to say something, no one could force it out of her. If she had truly felt uncomfortable with Yun Yan but refused to express it, then no matter how much Yun Yan wanted to befriend her, it would only lead to more frustration and resentment.

Lin Aoxue had expected Yun Yan to be angry at her cold words, but to her surprise, Yun Yan simply smiled.

It was an even softer, more tender smile than before.

Yun Yan clasped her hands behind her back and took a step forward. Lin Aoxue instinctively tensed, ready to retreat, but Yun Yan stopped just short, not closing the distance. She looked at Lin Aoxue sincerely, lips curving into a small, knowing smile. Her voice dropped to a near whisper.

“But, Aoxue—someone has to remember that you are a woman.”

Lin Aoxue didn’t want anyone to discover her true identity, and she tried her best to blend in naturally within the military camp. From the moment she first appeared at Yanyu Tower alongside Beichen Ji, Yun Yan had sensed the restraint and tension she carried.

She was always so cautious—even when drunk, she clung tightly to her collar, refusing to let anyone get too close. So Yun Yan knew that Lin Aoxue had said those words out of fear—fear that she might be influenced, that she might slip up, that she might expose a flaw and let all her efforts go to waste.

But it was precisely this version of Lin Aoxue that made Yun Yan’s heart ache. Lin Aoxue bore far too much on her shoulders. She lived for vengeance, so much so that she had almost forgotten herself. Her own emotions—joy, anger, sorrow—had all been cast aside, even her regard for life and death. Living like this… how was it any different from being dead?

In Lin Aoxue, Yun Yan saw a reflection of herself. Their experiences weren’t exactly the same, but their loneliness was.

Lin Aoxue had been prepared to draw a clear line between them, to maintain distance. But Yun Yan’s words caught her off guard, striking deep before she could build her defenses. Her eyes reddened, and before she could control it, tears spilled over like broken strings of pearls.

Fortunately, the night was dark, and the guards stationed along the road stood far away. No one could hear their conversation, nor did anyone witness the vulnerability and helplessness unraveling on Lin Aoxue’s face.

Yun Yan’s words were too gentle, like a knife coated in honey—Lin Aoxue knew they were dangerous, yet she couldn’t suppress the emotions surging inside her. She was drawn in, wanting to come closer despite herself.

She took a sharp breath, forcing back the urge to break down completely. Raising a hand, she wiped at her eyes under the pretense of adjusting her brow, her throat bobbing twice as she fought to regain her voice.

“Let’s go. I’ll walk you back.”

Her voice, tinged with lingering sobs, was softer than usual. Though a little hoarse, it carried a quiet warmth that made it unexpectedly gentle.

Yun Yan didn’t insist on staying. She turned, stepping lightly along the path. Every so often, she glanced to her side, but Lin Aoxue kept her head lowered, her expression unreadable.

The distance from Lu Sheng’s tent to the military doctor’s quarters wasn’t far. Even walking slowly, it took no more than the time it took to finish a cup of tea. When they reached the entrance, Lin Aoxue stopped, watching as Yun Yan walked away.

Just as Yun Yan’s figure was about to disappear beyond the fence, an impulse surged through Lin Aoxue, making her call out. “Yun Yan.”

Yun Yan halted and turned back. A door stood between them, but they were no more than ten steps apart.

“Today… I lost my composure.” Lin Aoxue’s voice was quiet. She wasn’t sure if Yun Yan could hear her, but she tilted her head slightly and continued, almost as if speaking to herself. “Thank you.”