The General Says She Won't Marry - Chapter 32 Part 1

Yun Yan had arranged to go see the lanterns with Lin Aoxue the next day, so she didn’t linger long at the inn. Before leaving, she reminded Lin Aoxue to have the inn’s attendant come and tidy up her room, suggesting that the stiff bedding be replaced.

Lin Aoxue readily agreed and saw Yun Yan off at the entrance of the inn.

As soon as she stepped out, she realized that the streets were already adorned with lanterns everywhere. The shop eaves had also been decorated with new lanterns in shades of red and yellow, creating a dazzling sight that brimmed with the festive atmosphere of the Lantern Festival.

Yun Yan looked at her with a gentle smile and said softly, “Shall we take a walk?”

Lin Aoxue did not refuse. She followed beside Yun Yan, strolling leisurely along the streets, continuing the walk they hadn’t been able to finish in the previous days. As she gazed at the colorful lanterns lining both sides of the street, thoughts stirred in her heart.

Before she knew it, they had arrived outside Yun Yan’s residence. It wasn’t until Yun Yan waved at her and stepped through the door that Lin Aoxue came back to her senses.

She glanced at the courtyard gate that had just closed and then, on her way back to the inn, stopped by a shop to buy some dried bamboo and colored paper. Once back at the inn, she took her materials and sat on the stone steps in the courtyard, beginning to craft lanterns.

Her right hand had been healing for more than ten days and was much better now, with scabs forming over her arm. She carefully split the dried bamboo into thin strips to construct the lantern frame. After an entire afternoon of work, by the time dusk fell, she had finally affixed the colored paper to the frame, and the lanterns were beginning to take shape.

After making two lanterns in a row, the night had grown late. Lin Aoxue carried them into her room, placed them on the table, and called for the attendant to bring water. After a simple wash, she lay down on the bed. For once, she did not dream of anything from the past—she slept soundly through the night.

***

Early the next morning, Lin Aoxue rose with the dawn, carrying the two lanterns in one hand and some freshly bought steamed cakes in the other. As planned, she headed to Yun Yan’s residence.

When Yun Yan opened the door and saw Lin Aoxue standing outside with a bundle of steamed cakes in one hand and two lanterns in the other, she was utterly surprised. She took the lanterns from Lin Aoxue, examined them closely, and asked in amazement, “Did you make these yourself?”

Having witnessed Lin Aoxue’s handiwork before and noticing that these lanterns looked quite different from the ones sold outside, Yun Yan couldn’t help but make the guess. Lin Aoxue hadn’t thought much of it when she came over, but now that Yun Yan asked, she suddenly felt shy and reserved. Keeping her face expressionless, she gave a small nod. “Mm.”

Seeing her act like this again, Yun Yan rolled her eyes helplessly, then smiled as she pulled Lin Aoxue inside. She went to the kitchen to fetch a plate, arranged the still-warm steamed cakes on it, and sat down with Lin Aoxue to eat.

Lanterns were best admired at night, so after their meal, they rested for a while before heading out. Yun Yan took Lin Aoxue to Zhanyang Lake, a famous spot in the capital. The lake was vast, and even in winter, its waters remained unfrozen. Many refined scholars and elegant ladies rowed boats upon its surface.

The lakeside was lined with hanging lanterns and small vendor stalls, and by nightfall, it would become even livelier.

With their lanterns in hand, Lin Aoxue and Yun Yan arrived at the lakeshore and rented a small boat. As they drifted across the lake, the open water and vast sky stretched endlessly before them. The willow trees along the banks had yet to sprout new buds, giving the scenery a somewhat desolate feel. Below the surface, fish could be faintly seen swimming, and the cool breeze brushing against their faces was crisp and refreshing.

Yun Yan brought out a guqin and sat outside the cabin. Turning to Lin Aoxue with a smile, she asked, “Aoxue, what would you like to hear?”

Lin Aoxue blinked, pondered for a moment, and replied, “Since we’re here at the lake today, how about playing a piece related to the water?”

Hearing this, Yun Yan chuckled and made her own choice. Her slender fingers moved gracefully, and the music flowed like a clear stream, rippling across the lake. The melody drew the attention of those on nearby boats and along the shore.

Lin Aoxue gazed at Yun Yan’s focused profile, the soft and warm melody resonating deeply in her heart. For a moment, she felt dazed. She swallowed and, on a sudden impulse, took out paper and brush from the boat cabin, beginning to sketch Yun Yan’s poised figure as she played.

When Yun Yan finished the piece, a brief silence followed—then, enthusiastic applause erupted from the boats around them. Lin Aoxue, startled, snapped out of her trance. Looking around, she realized that many boats had drifted closer, and the scholars and ladies who had been enjoying the lake’s scenery were all now gazing at Yun Yan.

On one of the boats to the right stood a young man dressed in white. His complexion was as fair as jade, and he carried himself with refined elegance. Holding a folding fan in one hand, he cupped his fist from afar in a courteous gesture and asked, “The lady on the lake—is she, by chance, Miss Yun Yan of Yanyu Tower?”

Yun Yan lifted her gaze, letting her eyes sweep over the young man’s face. He did not seem familiar. She had an excellent memory—if she had met someone before, she would usually recall them. So, if this man had indeed visited Yanyu Tower, he likely wasn’t of much significance. Most likely, he was just another scholar who had spent his time downstairs struggling to compose matching couplets.

With that thought, Yun Yan offered him a poised and elegant smile. “If Yanyu Tower has but one Yun Yan,” she said lightly, “then I suppose that would be me.”

A flash of delight flickered across the young man’s face, though he quickly masked his eagerness with a feigned air of composure. He brushed the sleeve of his robe with affected grace and spoke in an exaggeratedly casual tone,

“To chance upon Miss Yun Yan on Zhanyang Lake—such a rare and fortunate encounter. On this festive night of the Lantern Festival, may I have the honor of inviting Miss Yun Yan to admire the lake’s lanterns together?”

He completely treated Lin Aoxue as a mere attendant following Yun Yan on an outing, without the slightest regard for her presence. After the young noble made his invitation, the people on the surrounding boats also turned their attention, seemingly eager to hear Yun Yan’s response.

Yun Yan’s eyes flickered as she glanced back at Lin Aoxue, only to see her maintaining a cold expression, silent and motionless. Though she didn’t display any overt displeasure, the hand holding her brush had stopped, no longer continuing her drawing.

Yun Yan’s lips curled into a smile, her face radiating warmth. She turned her gaze back to the noble and said, “I appreciate your kindness, sir, but unfortunately, I already have prior plans today, so I won’t be able to accept your invitation.”

Upon hearing this, the white-robed noble’s face revealed an unmistakable disappointment, yet he still made an effort to maintain his composure. Smiling, he replied, “Since Miss Yun Yan has other arrangements, I wouldn’t dare impose.”

Having said that, perhaps feeling somewhat embarrassed by being refused in front of others, he quickly retreated to his cabin and instructed the boatman to row away. The people on the surrounding boats, seeing this, also dispersed, no longer lingering around Yun Yan.

Lin Aoxue put down her brush and looked up at Yun Yan, her face expressionless, though she said nothing.

Noticing the paper in Lin Aoxue’s hand, Yun Yan stood up and leaned slightly, curious to see what she had been drawing. However, just as she got close, Lin Aoxue immediately folded the paper shut. Her expression remained unchanged, but Yun Yan could clearly sense her nervousness.

At that, Yun Yan let out a soft laugh. She tugged at Lin Aoxue’s arm and, in a tone that carried a hint of playful coaxing, gently pleaded, “What were you drawing just now? Let me see, won’t you?”

Lin Aoxue’s heart skipped a beat. Yun Yan’s soft and teasing voice sent a shiver through her, making her entire body tense. She pressed her lips together, her gaze evasive. Seeing her momentary distraction, Yun Yan took the opportunity to swiftly snatch the paper from her hands.

Lin Aoxue’s eyes widened in shock. She immediately reached out to snatch it back, only for Yun Yan to playfully tap a finger against her forehead, keeping the painting tucked behind her with a mischievous grin.

“Sit still,” Yun Yan teased. “If you try to take it back, I won’t go see the lanterns with you tonight.”

Lin Aoxue’s eyes widened further, her mouth slightly agape—one could almost stuff an egg inside. She stared at Yun Yan in disbelief, indignantly protesting, “But you were the one who suggested seeing the lanterns in the first place!”

She was taking this seriously now. Yun Yan had invited her, and now she was threatening to take it back—how was that fair?

At Lin Aoxue’s remark, Yun Yan burst into laughter. She lightly tapped Lin Aoxue’s forehead again and said, playfully, “Mhm, I was the one who said it first. So, are you going to listen or not?”

Lin Aoxue fell silent, conceding the argument with pursed lips.

Satisfied that Lin Aoxue had finally stopped resisting, Yun Yan’s eyes gleamed with a gentle brilliance, like the shimmering waters of Zhanyang Lake—warm, clear, and seemingly able to pierce through a person’s heart.

Right in front of Lin Aoxue, Yun Yan unfolded the painting. It depicted a woman sitting in quiet concentration, playing the qin. The brushstrokes were a bit rough, showing a certain lack of practice, yet the effort put into it was evident. Though the proportions were slightly off, the artist had successfully captured the gentle and elegant aura of the qin player.

The moment Yun Yan saw the painting, a ripple of warmth spread through her chest, like spring water lapping at the edges of her heart. Meanwhile, Lin Aoxue sat stiffly, her expression frozen, her back straight as a board, afraid to see any trace of disappointment on Yun Yan’s face.

It had been a long time since Lin Aoxue had touched a brush for painting. During her years of cultivation in the temple, whenever she felt restless, she would use music to calm herself, which was why her skill with the qin had remained intact. Occasionally, she would still practice calligraphy, so her handwriting had not deteriorated too much. But painting… that was something she had long fallen out of practice with—it was no longer her strong suit.

Yet, to her surprise, Yun Yan’s smile was radiant and sincere. There was no trace of forced politeness, no sign of disappointment. In her bright, expressive eyes, joy shimmered more vividly than any masterpiece by a renowned artist. She held the painting in her hands, turned to Lin Aoxue, and, despite already knowing the answer, asked, “Who did you draw?”

Lin Aoxue suddenly wanted to dive straight into Zhanyang Lake to cool down. She stared at Yun Yan’s smiling face, her throat tightening. Clenching her teeth in embarrassment, she muttered, “I just drew randomly.”

But this time, Yun Yan wasn’t about to let her off so easily.

She scooted closer, holding the painting in her arms, and lightly leaned her shoulder against Lin Aoxue’s. With a teasing lilt to her voice, she asked again, “Then, this random drawing of yours—who is it?”

Lin Aoxue’s face remained stiff, but her ears had already turned a bright shade of red. Under Yun Yan’s amused and expectant gaze, Lin Aoxue finally surrendered. Tugging at her sleeve in frustration, she mumbled in a barely audible voice, “It’s you.”

She spoke very softly, but Yun Yan still heard her clearly. At once, she broke into laughter, then leaned against Lin Aoxue’s shoulder, raising the painting again for a more careful look. Lin Aoxue, catching sight of the figure in the painting, was so embarrassed she could hardly bear to face it. She stubbornly turned her head away, pretending not to see.

“Aoxue, may I have this painting?”

The warmth in Yun Yan’s eyes seemed almost tangible. She rested against Lin Aoxue’s shoulder, sensing her stiffness and nervousness, yet feeling an inexplicable sense of peace in her heart. If she could always stay by this person’s side, it would be wonderful.

Lin Aoxue did not turn around, but her gaze lowered, her eyes holding an emotion that was difficult to describe. She looked at the shimmering waves on the lake’s surface and, in a quiet but certain voice, replied, “Mm.”

Delighted, Yun Yan carefully put away the painting but did not move away. She remained by Lin Aoxue’s side, leaning against her as they quietly admired the lake’s scenery together.

The boatman glanced at them, thinking to himself how deep the affection between these two young people must be.

Out in the center of the lake, a few withered lotus flowers floated, their bare branches bobbing on the water’s surface. Their leaves had turned a dull yellow. The boatman, steering with his pole, glanced toward the heart of the lake and sighed with some regret. “In winter, there’s not much to see. But if you came here in summer, the lotus leaves would stretch as far as the eye can see, and the whole lake would be filled with red lotuses. That would be a sight worth admiring!”

Lin Aoxue’s attention was drawn to his words. She turned her gaze toward the few wilted lotus leaves and broken stems and asked in curiosity, “The lotuses in this lake are red?”

The boatman smiled and said, “That’s right. In summer, not only are the red lotuses in the lake beautiful, but do you see that building across the lake?”

Lin Aoxue followed the direction of his pointing finger and saw several buildings standing on the opposite shore. Among them, one was particularly grand, towering above the rest. A rough count suggested it had seven or eight floors, making it stand out conspicuously against the skyline.

At this moment, Yun Yan spoke up, her gaze also fixed on the tall building. “That should be the most exquisite pavilion built in the capital in recent years. If I remember correctly, it’s called the Golden Sparrow Tower.”

The boatman’s smile grew wider. “That’s right! It’s the Golden Sparrow Tower! When the red lotuses bloom in summer, the golden eaves of the tower gleam under the sunlight, reflecting against the blue sky and white clouds, while the lake below turns into a sea of red lotuses. It looks just like a celestial palace—truly magnificent!”

As he spoke, the boatman shook his head and sighed, lamenting how unfortunate it was that they couldn’t enjoy such a breathtaking sight at this time of year.

But Lin Aoxue, upon hearing this, had a sudden gleam in her eyes. She stared blankly at the distant Golden Sparrow Tower on the lakeshore, and the line of poetry recited to her by Sui Liang echoed once again in her mind.

“The golden sun scatters the clouds, the red lotus blooms in turn.”

A flash of realization surged through her, filling her with a sense of sudden clarity.

“The golden sun” likely referred to the Golden Sparrow Tower by Zhanyang Lake. “Scatters the clouds” suggested the top of the tower, where one could see the clouds breaking apart. “Red lotus blooms in turn” must be describing summer, when the lake’s red lotuses are in full bloom.

This summer, at the Golden Sparrow Tower by Zhanyang Lake…

That was the hidden message in the poem Sui Liang had given her. But as for what was supposed to happen there—whether it was to meet someone or if there was another deeper meaning—Lin Aoxue could not yet decipher.

She closed her eyes slightly. This summer, she would likely be stationed at the northern frontier, guarding the borders. The chances of her returning to the capital were slim. Would she still have an opportunity to uncover the secret hidden within that key?

Lin Aoxue did not inquire further about the Golden Sparrow Tower. Since she now understood the poem’s meaning, she set the matter aside for the time being, intending to investigate when the time was right.

***

As the sky darkened, the boatman rowed them to shore. Lin Aoxue and Yun Yan disembarked together. Yun Yan carried the painting Lin Aoxue had given her, along with the lantern Lin Aoxue had made. A soft, radiant smile remained on her face as they walked, drawing the attention of countless passersby, who turned their heads in admiration.

But Yun Yan paid no mind to the lingering gazes. Instead, she chatted and laughed with Lin Aoxue, engaging in lighthearted conversation. Lin Aoxue, however, was somewhat uneasy under the constant attention of onlookers, instinctively straightening her posture. Yun Yan teased her for being too stiff, but Lin Aoxue did not argue back.

The streets were bustling with people coming and going. Together, they made their way to the temple fair by Zhanyang Lake. Yun Yan picked out a white mask with red markings from a row of delicate masks and put it on, then turned to Lin Aoxue with a playful smile.

“This way, they won’t recognize me.”

A faint smile crept onto Lin Aoxue’s lips. Then, she saw Yun Yan pick up another mask, a black one with red markings, and place it over Lin Aoxue’s face.

“Why don’t you wear a different mask today, too?” she asked.

A black-and-white pair, a perfect match.

A softer light emerged in Lin Aoxue’s eyes. It seemed that with Yun Yan wearing a mask, she herself felt less tense. Without hesitation, she accepted the black mask Yun Yan offered and removed the half-mask she had been wearing.

She no longer cared about the gazes of others, nor did she fear that the person before her would react with horror upon seeing the burn scars on the side of her face. 

Because Yun Yan had long since seen her face, Lin Aoxue no longer found it unbearable.

She put on the black mask, and their eyes met through the openings—gentle and in perfect harmony. It was as if, with the masks as a barrier, they could finally let go of their restraints, allowing their surging emotions to be expressed in a silent yet warm way.

With their faces concealed, no one could recognize them, nor would anyone interfere. Yun Yan ran ahead, holding the lantern, skipping and twirling as if she had suddenly become ten years younger—a carefree child, indulging in the purest joy.

Lin Aoxue followed behind her, the mask hiding the gentle, melting smile on her face.