The General Says She Won't Marry - Chapter 32 Part 2

They walked from one end of the street to the other, not deliberately stopping to buy anything, simply savoring the unspoken joy of each other’s company.

Yun Yan pulled Lin Aoxue to a lantern riddle stand. The riddles were far too easy for them, and without a doubt, they won first prize. The host of the event brought out the reward—an intricately carved pair of mandarin duck jade pendants.

Though the jade was not of the finest quality, the craftsmanship was exquisite. Lin Aoxue held the two interlocking pendants in her hands, feeling at a loss.

But Yun Yan took them with ease, tying one piece around Lin Aoxue’s waist while slipping the other into her own pocket. She laughed brightly and lifted her wrist, shaking the matching woven bracelet that she and Lin Aoxue each wore.

“What does it matter? Let’s call them sister pendants.”

Seeing how little Yun Yan minded, Lin Aoxue breathed a silent sigh of relief. At the same time, she felt a secret delight—along with a faint, inexplicable sense of loss. But she quickly pushed that fleeting sadness aside, focusing instead on the happiness and warmth filling her heart.

Having won the top prize, Yun Yan pulled Lin Aoxue to the lakeside, where she lit the lantern and carefully placed it on the water. As the lantern drifted farther away, she suddenly closed her eyes and made a wish.

Curious, Lin Aoxue asked, “What did you wish for?”

Yun Yan smiled and shook her head. Lin Aoxue pressed for an answer, but Yun Yan only replied, “Well, if I say it, it won’t come true.”

Seeing that Yun Yan was determined not to tell, Lin Aoxue eventually gave up. She lit her own lantern, placed it on the water, and as it floated away, she silently whispered in her heart.

May Yan’er live a life of peace and joy.

Yun Yan leaned over and asked, “What about you? What did you wish for?”

Lin Aoxue, uncharacteristically playful, laughed and answered easily, “I wished for a high status and a high salary that matches it!”

Yun Yan’s eyes sparkled with amusement. Giggling, she teased, “You should’ve also wished for unparalleled fortune and a long life!”

The two of them chased each other along the lakeside, laughing and playing. Yun Yan, in her excitement, accidentally stepped into the water, soaking her shoes. Then, as she stepped on a loose stone, she lost her balance and slipped.

Seeing her about to fall, Lin Aoxue instinctively lunged forward—one hand grabbing Yun Yan’s arm, the other wrapping around her waist.

Their faces were suddenly very close, their eyes meeting through the masks, just inches apart. Their masks nearly touched.

For a moment, time seemed to stop. Passersby glanced their way, some pausing to watch. But since Lin Aoxue and Yun Yan were wearing masks, no one could identify them. Most assumed they were just an ordinary couple having a private moment by the lake.

Lin Aoxue held Yun Yan by the waist. Though the mask hid her expression, her face was already burning hot beneath it. She remained frozen in place, unsure how to pull Yun Yan upright.

Yun Yan, startled at first, soon felt safe in Lin Aoxue’s hold. But when Lin Aoxue made no move to help her up after a long moment, she blinked innocently and cleared her throat before testingly calling out, “Aoxue…”

Lin Aoxue’s hands trembled slightly, almost letting go. Startled, Yun Yan instinctively tightened her grip on Lin Aoxue’s arm—only to accidentally press against Lin Aoxue’s recent injury. Lin Aoxue flinched, the pain making her shudder, though it was hidden beneath the mask, and Yun Yan didn’t notice.

Taking a steady breath, Lin Aoxue finally gathered herself. With a light movement of her arm, she helped Yun Yan stand upright.

Once Yun Yan was back on her feet, Lin Aoxue immediately let go and stepped back several paces, putting distance between them. She was utterly flustered, lost in her own chaotic emotions.

Yun Yan, now composed, looked at Lin Aoxue’s panicked state and felt her own nervousness fade. If even she was a little anxious, then Lin Aoxue must be on the verge of completely falling apart.

She leaned in closer to Lin Aoxue, standing before her with a smile and said, “It’s really great having you here. You’re so reliable, Aoxue.”

Being praised so directly by Yun Yan made Lin Aoxue feel like her head was about to explode. Her heart pounded wildly, as if struggling to leap out of her chest. She clenched her teeth tightly, as though only by using all her strength could she grant herself a moment of relief.

Lin Aoxue took a deep breath, exhaling heavily twice before finally asking in a trembling voice, “Are you alright? Did you get hurt anywhere?”

Yun Yan shook her head with a light chuckle. “With you here, how could I possibly get hurt?”

Lin Aoxue felt like she couldn’t breathe.

For the first time, she realized that being trusted by someone could be so nerve-wracking!

All she could do was stiffly express her overwhelming nervousness in the simplest of words. “As long as you’re not hurt, that’s good.”

Yun Yan smiled at her, noticing her tension. Fearing that this person, who had a tendency to unknowingly harm herself when anxious, might do something unexpected, she took the initiative to tug at Lin Aoxue’s sleeve, leading her back toward the street. As they walked, she said, “The path by the lake is too slippery. Let’s go back to the streets.”

Hearing this, Lin Aoxue let out a sigh of relief. She repeatedly agreed and followed behind Yun Yan, leaving the shores of Zhanyang Lake.

There were even more people on the street than when they had left earlier. Seeing that it was getting late, Lin Aoxue suggested escorting Yun Yan home, and Yun Yan did not refuse. The day had been wonderful, leaving her feeling completely satisfied and joyful.

On the way back, Yun Yan walked alongside Lin Aoxue, while Lin Aoxue, still overly tense, kept replaying in her mind that brief yet intimate moment of contact they had by the lake. Each time she thought about it, she felt utterly flustered.

Yun Yan seemed far more carefree than her. Lin Aoxue didn’t know if Yun Yan truly didn’t mind at all. She told herself not to overthink it—after all, some physical contact between sisters was normal.

Lin Aoxue followed behind Yun Yan in silent restraint, watching as Yun Yan walked ahead with her hands clasped behind her back. Then, all of a sudden, Yun Yan turned around and looked directly at her.

Lin Aoxue’s heart trembled, and she instinctively stopped in her tracks.

Yun Yan also came to a halt, and they stood there on the bustling street, gazing at each other.

The surrounding noise and chatter seemed to vanish in an instant, unable to reach Lin Aoxue’s ears. The air turned still, the street grew quiet, and everything seemed to slow down as they locked eyes.

Yun Yan, while looking into Lin Aoxue’s eyes, suddenly reached up and lifted the mask from her face. Her delicate and beautiful features emerged from beneath the mask, and in her stunning eyes, a gentle warmth spread like the softest sunlight, shining directly into Lin Aoxue’s heart.

Just as she was about to speak, a child suddenly ran past behind her, accidentally bumping into her back. It was like a pebble striking the surface of a still lake, sending ripples spreading outward.

In an instant, the world around them resumed its motion. Time moved forward again. The street’s noise and the chatter of passersby rushed back in, breaking the momentary stillness.

Caught off guard, Yun Yan let out a startled cry and stumbled forward—straight into Lin Aoxue’s arms. Whatever she had meant to say was abruptly cut off.

Lin Aoxue was also momentarily stunned. There had been too many coincidences today, leaving her at a loss for what to do.

Her body stiffened as she held Yun Yan in her arms, a flustered and shy expression flashing through her eyes.

To Yun Yan, it was like hearing a clear, resonant chime, pulling her out of the dazed and enthralled state she had briefly fallen into.

“Yan’er?” Lin Aoxue called softly.

Yun Yan pressed her lips together and looked at her deeply. Then, with slow and deliberate movements, she calmly withdrew from Lin Aoxue’s embrace.

Feigning composure, she adjusted her clothing, though her gaze involuntarily flickered back toward Lin Aoxue. But all she saw was the other woman maintaining a stiff expression, her fists clenched tightly—a clear display of overwhelming nervousness—without any other reaction. This reassured Yun Yan.

Then, her eyes suddenly caught sight of Lin Aoxue’s sleeve. She froze for a moment before gasping softly in surprise.

“Why is there blood? Are you hurt?”

Lin Aoxue was stunned, as if a bolt of lightning had struck beside her ear. On instinct, she shrank back slightly and quickly hid her left hand behind her.

That guilty reaction made Yun Yan’s expression grow serious. When had Lin Aoxue gotten hurt?

And why?

Yun Yan lifted her head and looked at Lin Aoxue seriously. Seeing the latter’s tightly pressed lips and how her gaze instinctively dropped, her heart softened. She no longer wanted to press the matter of the injury’s cause and instead spoke helplessly. “Let me take a look.”

Seeing that Yun Yan was no longer insisting on questioning her, Lin Aoxue pursed her lips and carefully extended her arm, secretly watching Yun Yan’s expression, afraid that she would get angry.

Yun Yan lifted Lin Aoxue’s sleeve, revealing a crudely wrapped bandage, already stained with blood. The wound had clearly reopened, and blood was seeping through the edges of the fabric, staining Lin Aoxue’s sleeve.

Upon seeing this, Yun Yan frowned deeply. She reached to her waist, intending to retrieve a silk handkerchief to wipe away the blood, planning to properly treat the wound once they returned.

However, the moment her hand brushed against her waist, her expression suddenly changed. She immediately lowered her head to check her belongings—only to find that the item she was looking for was gone.

Lin Aoxue quickly noticed Yun Yan’s distress. Her own nervousness faded as her brows furrowed, and she asked urgently, “What’s wrong?”

Hearing Lin Aoxue’s voice, Yun Yan shook her head gravely and said, “My embroidered pouch is missing.”

Lin Aoxue’s brows knitted even tighter. She asked, “What kind of pouch was it?”

Yun Yan thought for a moment before answering, “Pale pink, embroidered with winter plum blossoms braving the frost.”

The two of them circled the area but saw no sign of the pouch. On such a bustling street, even if they knew where it had been lost, it was likely long picked up by someone else.

Lin Aoxue tried to recall. Earlier, when she and Yun Yan were setting floating lanterns by the lake, she had indeed seen that pouch at Yun Yan’s waist. It must have gone missing sometime after that.

Suddenly, a scene flashed through Lin Aoxue’s mind. Her expression darkened instantly as she cursed angrily. “It was that little thief!”

Yun Yan was momentarily stunned, but she quickly understood. Earlier, a child had bumped into her from behind—right at the spot where her pouch had been hanging. Realizing this, her face changed, a hint of panic creeping in. “What do we do now?!”

The child had disappeared after that fleeting moment, and Yun Yan hadn’t even gotten a clear look at him. Now, with the crowded streets, he had surely blended into the throng, making it nearly impossible to track him down.

Seeing Yun Yan’s anxiety, Lin Aoxue quickly asked, “Was that pouch something important?”

Yun Yan’s brows remained furrowed, and her face showed clear concern. But when Lin Aoxue asked, she merely shook her head and sighed. “Forget it.”

That pouch was connected to an important matter regarding her return to the capital—something she couldn’t explain to Lin Aoxue. Once she got back, she would send people to search for the thief in hopes of recovering it.

Since Yun Yan had decided to let it go, Lin Aoxue, though feeling uneasy about it, had no choice but to comply. With Yun Yan insisting on returning home first, Lin Aoxue abandoned the idea of searching immediately and instead escorted Yun Yan back to her small residence.

On the way, Yun Yan seemed unusually distracted. Even when Lin Aoxue spoke to her several times, she appeared lost in thought and didn’t respond. This only reinforced Lin Aoxue’s belief that the pouch was of great importance—Yun Yan was just holding back so as not to worry her.

***

After seeing Yun Yan safely home and watching her close the courtyard gate, Lin Aoxue’s expression darkened. That little thief was truly audacious.

She turned around, lightly tapped the tip of her foot on the ground, and used her qinggong to swiftly return to the streets near Zhanyang Lake. Surveying her surroundings, she carefully traced the direction the thief had fled, pausing at every dark and secluded alley to examine the area.

As she neared the end of the street, Lin Aoxue spotted a group of beggars gathered at the entrance of an alley, drinking together. She quickly approached. The beggars, timid by nature, instinctively tried to scatter at the sight of someone approaching. But Lin Aoxue didn’t waste words—she simply tossed a silver ingot onto the ground.

The three beggars had never seen such a large piece of silver before. Their eyes lit up greedily, and they pounced on it like madmen, breaking into a fierce struggle over the treasure.

Lin Aoxue took a step forward and firmly planted her foot on the silver ingot. The three beggars snapped back to reality, their bodies shuddering under the weight of Lin Aoxue’s cold gaze and the intimidating mask on her face. One of them, lips trembling, cautiously called out, “My lord…”

Lin Aoxue glanced at the one who had spoken. “I’m looking for someone. If you can give me the answer I want, this silver is yours.”

The beggars were overjoyed. Finding people was their specialty. Lin Aoxue herself had once lived as a street beggar—though she had endured much scorn and mistreatment, she knew exactly how beggars operated.

“My lord, just say the word! We’ll tell you everything we know!”

The three beggars groveled eagerly, terrified that Lin Aoxue might change her mind. But Lin Aoxue had no intention of playing tricks over something so trivial. Based on her brief encounter with the little thief, she described his general height, appearance, and the way he stole.

After she finished speaking, the beggars pondered for a moment before one suddenly slapped his thigh and exclaimed excitedly, “I know exactly who you’re talking about!”

Lin Aoxue’s gaze snapped to him, her voice cold. “Who?”

The beggar crawled closer to her feet and vividly described, “My lord, the child you just described—there’s only one like that around Zhanyang Lake! His name’s Little Dongzi! The kid’s clever, never once failed at stealing!”

The other two beggars, upon hearing this, also realized who it was and quickly nodded in agreement, confirming the first man’s words. Lin Aoxue, seeing that they weren’t lying, flicked the silver ingot toward the beggar who had spoken first. He caught it with glee, clutching it tightly as if it were his lifeline.

As soon as Lin Aoxue left, the other two beggars pounced on him, and the three were once again embroiled in a fierce brawl. Lin Aoxue, however, paid them no mind.

She swiftly exited the alley and followed the directions she had been given. Near a temple by Zhanyang Lake, she found a cluster of low houses. These dwellings, though old and in disrepair, still sheltered poor families—better off than the slums to the west but still struggling.

She waited outside for a while and soon spotted a child skipping toward the area, holding a small embroidered pouch in his hands.

Lin Aoxue’s gaze sharpened, and she scoffed internally. Sure enough, it was the little thief who had bumped into Yun Yan and stolen her pouch!

***

Little Dongzi was on his way home, openly playing with the pouch he had just stolen. He hadn’t considered the possibility of being discovered—after all, with so many people watching the lanterns that night, picking pockets had been ridiculously easy.

But just as he neared his home, a sudden chill ran down his spine. It was as if a vicious beast had locked onto him, sending a wave of instinctual fear through his body.

He jerked his head up and saw a figure standing not far away, wearing a black mask with red patterns.

“!!”

Little Dongzi broke out in a cold sweat. In an instant, he understood—this was the very person who had been beside that girl when he stole the pouch!

Not only had he been caught, but he had been tracked all the way home!

Fear struck him like lightning. Without hesitation, he spun around and bolted.

When it came to running, he was supremely confident—hardly anyone could catch up to him.

But he had barely taken a few steps when that masked stranger appeared beside him like a gust of wind, overtaking him with ease and stopping five paces ahead, waiting for him to run straight into their trap.

Little Dongzi was terrified. He tried to turn and escape in another direction, but every time he changed course, the figure blocked him effortlessly. After several futile attempts, he finally gave up, panting as he fell to his knees with a loud thud. Tears streaming, he wailed, “Mercy, great hero! I have an eighty-year-old mother bedridden at home and a three-year-old child crying for food—”

Before he could finish, Lin Aoxue delivered a swift kick to his forehead, cutting off his sob story. Her eyes, visible beneath the mask, were cold and merciless—like a starving wolf, sending shivers down his spine.

His exaggerated cries were instantly silenced. He accidentally met Lin Aoxue’s gaze, and a wave of terror shot through him. His hairs stood on end, and he nearly wet himself.

“Hand over what you stole,” Lin Aoxue ordered.

Lin Aoxue’s voice was cold, and to Little Dongzi, it sounded like a vengeful ghost crawling up from the depths of hell to claim his life. His legs trembled violently, his whole body shaking like a leaf, and his teeth chattered uncontrollably. But he didn’t dare disobey Lin Aoxue’s command. As tempting as wealth was, his life was far more important.

His throat bobbed as he swallowed nervously, then, with trembling hands, he held out the embroidered pouch to Lin Aoxue. She took it and examined it—a light pink pouch with delicate plum blossoms embroidered on it. It was undoubtedly the one Yun Yan had lost.

Lin Aoxue weighed the pouch in her hand, feeling only a few broken pieces of silver inside. A flicker of doubt crossed her eyes.

If the pouch only contained some loose silver, it shouldn’t have made Yun Yan so anxious. She opened it to check but found nothing else inside.

Her gaze shifted sharply to Little Dongzi, who was looking down with a guilty expression. A sense of unease crept into her mind, and she asked, “Where’s the rest of it?”

Little Dongzi shuddered from head to toe. He had no idea that Lin Aoxue was merely testing him—he thought everything he had done was already exposed and that he had caused a huge disaster. Terrified, he burst into tears, sobbing and pleading for mercy, “The golden key inside looked valuable, so I pawned it!”

A golden key?!

An image of the golden key Sui Liang had given her flashed through Lin Aoxue’s mind. For a moment, she thought she had misheard him. Her grip on the pouch tightened involuntarily, her heart pounding like a war drum.

She suddenly raised her voice, her tone sharp and urgent as she angrily demanded, “Which pawnshop?!”