The General Says She Won't Marry - Chapter 40 Part 1

As spring arrived, the weather warmed, and the snow on the roads had melted.

A force of fifty thousand troops departed from the capital, marching at full speed towards the northern frontier. They traveled relentlessly for a month before reaching Xingbei Pass—slightly slower than when Lin Aoxue and Guo Wencheng had made the journey alone.

By the time the army arrived, the spring battles in the northern frontier had already concluded. Both the soldiers at Xingbei Pass and the barbarian forces had suffered losses. Beichen Long had led his troops in repelling the invaders, and the army was now in a brief period of recovery.

As soon as Lin Aoxue and the others arrived, Beichen Long personally led Yang Jin and several other generals to welcome the Fifth Prince. Perhaps Beichen He had given the prince some instructions, for although there was still a trace of undisguised arrogance in his eyes when he met Beichen Long, his outward demeanor was noticeably more restrained.

“The borderlands are bitterly cold, Your Highness. With your noble status, I fear you may not withstand the freezing winds. I have already ordered additional provisions to ensure your comfort.”

Although the capital had begun to warm, with its citizens donning lighter garments, the northern frontier was still frigid, with melting snow making it even colder than during the peak of winter. The Fifth Prince had not adequately prepared for the harsh conditions before setting out, bringing only a few belongings. As a result, he had already caught a chill upon entering the northern territories.

Beichen Long spoke cheerfully, giving no hint of his true thoughts. His words seemed to be full of concern for Beichen Bo. However, upon hearing them, the prince’s brows furrowed, and a trace of displeasure surfaced on his face. Beichen Long’s seemingly kind remark was, in reality, a subtle jab—mocking him for being frail and weak.

The Fifth Prince’s smile faded, and his gaze darkened slightly as he replied, “Grand General, you are most considerate! However, there are many soldiers here in the northern frontier who are in greater need of these supplies than I am. There is no need to grant me any special treatment—I am here to defend the border, just like the rest of the soldiers. I ask you to treat me as one of them, without exception!” His words were clear and forceful, ensuring that everyone present heard them.

Lin Aoxue, standing among the troops, raised an eyebrow, the corners of her lips curving into a faint, amused smile. The Fifth Prince was proud and unruly, but he was no fool. His approach to winning people over was rather impressive—just a few words, without any real cost, and he had already left the impression of being fair-minded and magnanimous in the eyes of the northern soldiers.

Beichen Long’s smile did not falter, but a subtle shift in his gaze hinted at his deeper thoughts. He let out a hearty laugh and nodded in approval, “Your Highness’ broad-mindedness is truly a blessing for Beichen!”

After a few more polite exchanges, the group returned to the military camp together. The emperor had appointed Beichen Bo as an officially recognized general to lead reinforcements in the north. This meant that all fifty thousand soldiers under his command were directly under his authority, and Beichen Long could not deploy them without his approval. This was the emperor’s first step in weakening Beichen Long’s military power.

After ensuring that the newly arrived troops were properly settled, Beichen Long assigned someone to escort the Fifth Prince to his quarters for rest. Only then did he summon Guo Wencheng and Lin Aoxue to inquire about their recent report to the imperial court.

Guo Wencheng entered the tent before Lin Aoxue. Matters concerning their debriefing in the capital, the political shifts within the court, and even the private struggles among the noble elites were all for Guo Wencheng to report. Lin Aoxue waited outside, as there were certain military affairs that her current rank did not permit her to know.

Guo Wencheng did not take long inside—roughly the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Soon, he stepped out, lifting the curtain and gesturing for Lin Aoxue to enter.

Lin Aoxue lowered her head respectfully, watching Guo Wencheng leave before stepping into Beichen Long’s tent.

Beichen Long was seated behind a desk, an open but blank document before him. He was writing something, but as soon as he noticed the movement at the entrance, he looked up with a kindly smile and said, “Aoxue, how was your trip back to the capital?”

Lin Aoxue approached, first bowing respectfully before replying, “Grand General, the capital is splendid. This time, I visited many places I had never been to before. The magnificence of the imperial palace was beyond anything I had ever seen or imagined—even in my dreams.”

Though Lin Aoxue kept a composed expression, her eyes sparkled with excitement, much like a curious villager seeing the city for the first time. Beichen Long couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight. He hadn’t expected Lin Aoxue to be so straightforward—experiencing the capital’s grandeur and luxury had clearly left a strong impression on her.

Still smiling, he asked, “Then tell me, what places did you visit these past few months?”

Lin Aoxue eagerly recounted her experiences—the firecrackers and fireworks of New Year’s Eve, the Lantern Festival, the Golden Sparrow Tower, and even the various pleasure districts of the capital. Beichen Long could only shake his head in exasperation.

“You seem so proper on the surface, but it turns out your mind is full of mischief! Months of indulgence—did you neglect your training?”

Lin Aoxue immediately straightened her back and replied in a firm voice, “I would never dare forget your teachings, sir! Even in the capital, I trained daily. My skills in battle have not dulled!”

Beichen Long’s smile deepened. He was pleased that even after a trip to the capital, Lin Aoxue still remembered his guidance. However, his expression suddenly turned serious, his gaze sharp as he asked, “I heard that while you were in the capital, you had dealings with the Prince of the First Rank?”

Lin Aoxue remained completely unfazed—her eyes showing not even the slightest flicker of emotion. She responded calmly, “Sir, you may not be aware—when General Guo and I first arrived in the capital and were about to check into an inn, we encountered an incident outside. A horse was startled and lost control, nearly overturning a carriage and crashing into bystanders. I couldn’t allow innocent civilians to be harmed, so I took action to subdue the panicked horse.” 

Beichen Long nodded slightly, his brows furrowing as he let out a soft grunt, signaling Lin Aoxue to continue speaking.

“After stopping the carriage, I returned to the inn with General Guo, but I never expected that the person inside the carriage would turn out to be the commandery princess of the Prince of the First Rank’s household. The next day, when I accompanied General Guo into the palace for our debriefing, the prince recognized me. He then called me over for a brief conversation, saying that I had, by sheer coincidence, accomplished a great deed. As a reward, he granted me some silver.”

Lin Aoxue did not conceal anything regarding the matter. Though Beichen Long seemed to be stationed far from the capital, he undoubtedly had informants in the city. Even if he wasn’t privy to all the details, he must have had a general understanding. Therefore, Lin Aoxue did not attempt to distort the truth and recounted the events with calm and honesty.

As Lin Aoxue spoke, Beichen Long carefully observed her expression. He noted her unwavering demeanor, showing not a trace of guilt or hesitation. However, another thought crossed his mind, and he deliberately darkened his expression before speaking again.

“Besides this, is there anything else?”

His sudden stern tone startled Lin Aoxue, making her shiver involuntarily. Her face turned pale, as if she had done something terribly wrong. Then, as Beichen Long’s sharp gaze bore into her, she abruptly dropped to her knees with a thud, a look of pleading on her face as she admitted, “There is another matter, Grand General! I have sinned and humbly accept any punishment!”

Beichen Long raised an eyebrow, keeping his face stern. “Tell me in detail. What exactly have you done?”

Lin Aoxue swallowed hard, remaining kneeling as she lowered her head and replied with utmost respect, “In early spring, His Majesty organized a royal hunt. The Prince of the First Rank invited me to join. Since I had never seen the imperial hunting grounds before, I was intrigued and followed along. However, while at the hunting grounds, I failed to protect the Third Prince, allowing him to be struck by a stray arrow that injured his leg. His Majesty was furious and had me imprisoned in the dungeon for more than ten days. The fact that I was fortunate enough to return to the northern frontier alive is nothing short of a miracle. I acted on my own, participating in the hunt without consulting General Guo. That was a grave mistake on my part. I ask you to punish me accordingly!”

Lin Aoxue’s confession was both sincere and straightforward. She neither concealed nor twisted the facts. Seeing her honesty, Beichen Long nodded in understanding, and the dark gleam of severity in his eyes gradually faded. However, he still maintained a stern facade as he pretended to be angry. “This actually happened? You were truly reckless!”

At Beichen Long’s reprimand, Lin Aoxue lowered her head even further, looking as though she was thoroughly remorseful.

Beichen Long let out a cold snort, put down the brush in his hand, and raised his voice, “You deserve to be punished! Go to the training grounds and run fifty laps, then receive ten strokes of the military cane as punishment!”

Lin Aoxue’s body trembled slightly before she immediately kowtowed. “Yes! I will obey!”

Beichen Long waved his hand dismissively, still acting as if he had not entirely calmed down. “Leave now.”

Lin Aoxue rose to her feet, saluted, and exited the tent. As she stepped out, the fearful expression on her face gradually faded. She headed straight for the training grounds and began running laps. She knew full well that Beichen Long’s punishment was lenient—barely even a punishment. She had successfully glossed over the matter with Beichen Long today, but now that the Fifth Prince was in the northern frontier, she would have to be even more cautious in her actions.

To Lin Aoxue, fifty laps were not much of a burden. She quickly finished them, and by then, the sky had darkened. She adjusted her breathing and prepared to receive the ten strokes of the military cane. However, just as she was about to leave the training grounds, she spotted Beichen Ji.

Beichen Ji stood at the entrance of the training grounds, as if he had been waiting for Lin Aoxue.

Lin Aoxue’s expression immediately turned cold, and she even slowed her steps. Her brows knitted slightly—she had no idea why Beichen Ji was seeking her out today.

Since their fallout months ago over Yun Yan, their relationship had remained distant, no longer as friendly as before.

Lin Aoxue still harbored resentment toward Beichen Ji for coveting Yun Yan and taking out his frustration on her when he failed to obtain what he wanted. Now that Lin Aoxue had developed her own feelings for Yun Yan, she found it even harder to forgive Beichen Ji for his past actions—for forcing Yun Yan into a situation that ultimately led to her expulsion.

“Lin Aoxue.”

As Lin Aoxue approached, Beichen Ji took the initiative to call out to her.

She halted in her tracks, gazing at him coldly. Though her face remained neutral, her silence made Beichen Ji feel somewhat awkward.

He took a deep breath and cleared his throat before saying, “Shall we take a walk?”

Lin Aoxue glanced at him but did not reject him outright. After a brief moment of contemplation, she nodded coldly and then took the lead, walking out of the training grounds.

Beichen Ji followed at her side, searching for something to say.

“I heard you went to the capital recently?”

“Mm.”

“Was the capital beautiful?”

“Mm.”

Their conversation felt like it had returned to when they first met, with Lin Aoxue’s cold demeanor leaving Beichen Ji at a loss. Still, he rubbed his hands together and quickened his pace to keep up.

He knew he was in the wrong. Back then, in a fit of rage, he had acted recklessly. It was only after Yun Yan left that he slowly realized it was his own actions that led to his fallout with his father, Beichen Long, and turned his old friend Lin Aoxue into an enemy. It was his impulsiveness and rash behavior that drove Yun Yan away.

When he finally calmed down, the more he thought about it, the guiltier he felt—especially when he later heard that after Yun Yan left the military camp for Yong’an, she got caught in the turmoil there. It was Lin Aoxue who led a hundred cavalrymen to rescue her. If he had been in Yong’an at that time, facing that kind of situation, he knew he wouldn’t have chosen to save her.

Back then, not only had Lin Aoxue taught him martial arts, but she had also saved his life on the battlefield. Yet, he had repaid her with ingratitude, behaving like a complete scoundrel. Remembering when Lin Aoxue had told him he wasn’t worthy, Beichen Ji felt deeply ashamed.

He wanted to mend their “brotherly bond.” He had pondered over it for more than a month, but Lin Aoxue had gone to the capital. After cooling off for a few months and experiencing the battlefield twice more, he grew even more appreciative of Lin Aoxue’s past loyalty. He realized he had ruined their friendship in a moment of reckless pride.

Beichen Ji took two quick steps and blocked Lin Aoxue’s path, stepping back each time she tried to move forward.

“Um… what happened before was my fault. You’re a bigger person, don’t hold it against me. Besides, you already gave me a beating last time—can we just drop this?”

Lin Aoxue halted her steps, her expression unreadable, but her cold gaze made Beichen Ji’s heart tremble.

A long silence stretched between them before Lin Aoxue finally spoke with an icy tone. “You shouldn’t be apologizing to me. Your actions didn’t affect me in any way. The person you wronged isn’t me—it’s Yun Yan. If you want to apologize, it should be to her.”

Beichen Ji’s face stiffened, hesitating.

He did like Yun Yan and genuinely felt he had mishandled things. But in his mind, he still believed that “brothers are like limbs, women are like clothing.” Clothes could be changed, but limbs couldn’t be discarded. That was why he could humble himself to make amends with Lin Aoxue, but the idea of admitting his mistakes to a woman instinctively repelled him.

He thought the core of his conflict with Lin Aoxue was that they had clashed over a woman—not that there was anything inherently wrong with him wanting to marry Yun Yan.

But now, hearing Lin Aoxue’s words, he realized that her perspective was completely different from his.

Frowning deeply, he struggled with his thoughts. Seeing Lin Aoxue’s indifferent gaze, his expression turned sour, and he tried to argue, “No, that’s not what I mean. I know I shouldn’t have competed with you over her—”

Before he could finish, Lin Aoxue impatiently waved her hand, cutting him off. “If you can’t even acknowledge the real issue and don’t want to apologize, then there’s nothing more to discuss.” With that, she turned and walked away.

“Hey! Lin Aoxue! Wait a minute!” Seeing her about to leave, Beichen Ji quickly stepped sideways to block her path again, blurting out, “You said you don’t even have feelings for her! So why are you still so worked up about this?”

A surge of anger flared within Lin Aoxue. The more Beichen Ji spoke, the more infuriated she became.

She felt like talking to him was completely futile, like playing music to a cow—pointless and frustrating. He was so self-righteous. Even though he claimed to like Yun Yan and had even considered marrying her, deep down, he looked down on her background. Even if he did marry her, it would never be an honorable, proper marriage. To him, women were nothing more than playthings.

Just as Beichen Ji was about to say more, Lin Aoxue suddenly grabbed his collar and, without hesitation, landed a punch straight to his face.

Beichen Ji staggered back from the blow, blood quickly trickling from his nose. He clutched it in pain, and when he saw the smear of red on his palm, his temper flared. Glaring at Lin Aoxue, he roared, “Lin Aoxue, are you out of your damn mind?!”

Lin Aoxue pointed straight at him, her gaze sharp and unwavering. “Beichen Ji, let me make myself clear right now—whether or not I have feelings for Yun Yan, I see her as my little sister. Anyone who bullies her, I’ll beat them up!”

Beichen Ji was absolutely livid. His eyes widened as he shouted back, “You’re impossible to reason with!”

With that, he lunged at Lin Aoxue in a fit of rage, convinced that his improved martial skills could finally challenge her.

Lin Aoxue let out a cold laugh. “Strength is the only true principle!”

Beichen Ji had indeed improved significantly—his strikes were fast and fierce. However, in Lin Aoxue’s eyes, his progress was still insignificant. She didn’t even need to use both hands; with just one, she easily beat Beichen Ji to the point where he had no ability to fight back. In the end, he was knocked to the ground, unable to get up, his face bruised and swollen, as he begged for mercy.

Having no other way out, he shouted in frustration, “Ow, ow, ow! Alright! I get it! I was wrong! The next time I see her, I’ll definitely apologize! I won’t bother her again!”

The fist that was about to land on his face halted mid-air. Lin Aoxue looked down at him with contempt, her tone indifferent. “Do you truly understand your mistake?”

Beichen Ji pulled a long face and nodded repeatedly. “I do, I do. You’re the big brother, I’m the little brother. It was wrong of me to force your sister. From now on, I’ll follow you! Let’s just put this matter behind us, alright?”

Lin Aoxue grabbed his collar. “It’s not just about my sister. You can’t force any woman!”

Beichen Ji’s eyes widened in shock and anger. “Lin Aoxue, isn’t this meddling a bit too much?!”

“Hmm?” Lin Aoxue shot him a cold glare.

Beichen Ji immediately backed down, lowering his head in surrender.

“Fine, fine! I’ll do whatever you say, big brother! Laoge!”

Lin Aoxue snorted and released his collar. Beichen Ji quickly got to his feet, grinning sheepishly as he tried to curry favor. “To celebrate our reconciliation, how about a drink?”

Lin Aoxue kicked him to the ground. “Next time.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

She still had ten military canings to endure and had no interest in drinking with Beichen Ji.

She didn’t want to forgive him. In truth, she hadn’t. The resentment in her heart wasn’t something that could be brushed aside with a few casual words.

But since she was in the military camp, and Beichen Ji was, after all, Beichen Long’s son, it was impossible for her to completely sever ties with him. Her anger, her doubts, and the realization that their relationship could never return to what it once was—all of it had to be buried deep within her, never to be spoken of.

If Beichen Ji wanted to maintain this false brotherhood, she didn’t mind playing along.