The General Says She Won't Marry - Chapter 45 Part 1

Lin Aoxue’s injuries were severe. After sustaining those two previous arrow wounds, she had spent an entire day fleeing, forcibly pulling out the arrows and continuing to run for her life. She had lost a lot of blood and was extremely weak.

Under Yun Yan’s meticulous care, her bleeding had been stopped, and she had taken medicine, making her look much better and more energetic. But she was still far from a full recovery and would need considerable time to heal.

Yun Yan checked her pulse again, her expression deeply worried. She racked her brain, trying to figure out how to help Lin Aoxue regain her strength. At this rate, ordinary medicine alone wouldn’t be enough. Lin Aoxue had already been frail, and this severe injury had further damaged her foundation. Without proper rest and recovery, her lifespan would be significantly shortened.

This problem was giving Yun Yan a serious headache. She instructed Lin Aoxue to rest, then picked up the basin of bloodstained warm water, preparing to go out and personally make a nourishing medicinal meal for her.

However, just as she stood up, someone grabbed the corner of her robe. She was momentarily stunned before turning her head, only to see Lin Aoxue’s hand gripping the edge of her dress. Lin Aoxue’s face was buried in her pillow, with only her bright red ears exposed—she looked both shy and awkward, yet unwilling to let Yun Yan leave, a pitiful sight.

Lin Aoxue’s weak grasp made Yun Yan’s heart melt instantly. She quickly put down the water basin, turned back, and gently covered Lin Aoxue’s slender fingers with her hand, softening her voice as she asked, “Aoxue? What’s wrong?”

With her face still buried in the pillow, Lin Aoxue mumbled, “Don’t go yet.”

Yun Yan couldn’t hide her smile. She stepped closer to the bed and sat down beside Lin Aoxue, tucking her arm back under the blanket before asking again, “What’s wrong?”

Lin Aoxue remained silent, her face still hidden in the pillow. She only shook her head slightly, but the redness in her ears showed no sign of fading. The more Yun Yan looked, the cuter she found her. Unable to resist, she reached out and gently pinched Lin Aoxue’s ear.

Lin Aoxue flinched in surprise at the sudden touch of Yun Yan’s cool fingertips. But her body was too weak—having lost too much blood, her physical strength had faded completely and would take a long time to recover.

Taking advantage of her frailty, Yun Yan held onto those warm ears, playing with them for a while before finally letting go. When Lin Aoxue turned her head in shame and anger to glare at her, Yun Yan remained unbothered, smiling as she casually brushed aside the long strands of hair falling over Lin Aoxue’s forehead. Seeing that her hair was also stained with dried blood, Yun Yan suddenly said, “When you’re feeling better, I’ll wash your hair for you.”

Lin Aoxue’s heart trembled slightly, her gaze taking on a misty, unfocused look.

Seeing her in this weak and pitiful state, Yun Yan’s heart ached terribly. Where was the fierce and intimidating Qianhu Lin that everyone feared? Before her was nothing more than an abandoned, wounded little pup.

“Yan’er,” Lin Aoxue’s throat moved slightly as she hoarsely called out.

“Mm?” Yun Yan hummed softly in response.

“Uh… it’s nothing.”

Lin Aoxue had finally gathered her courage, but the moment those warm eyes met hers, all the confidence she had built up crumbled instantly, vanishing without a trace.

Yun Yan was baffled by her unpredictability. Shaking her head, she didn’t expect Lin Aoxue to say anything sweet anyway. Raising her hand, she gave Lin Aoxue’s forehead a light tap and said, “Just stay put and rest. I’ll go to the kitchen and get you something nutritious. You’re too weak like this—it’s not good.”

Still feeling disheartened from her earlier failure, Lin Aoxue didn’t stubbornly try to stop her this time. She only buried her face back into the pillow after Yun Yan left the tent, gripping the pillow’s corners tightly and tugging at them repeatedly to vent her frustration.

Just now, she had almost blurted out what was in her heart. But in the end, she still lacked the courage, and the timing wasn’t right.

***

Outside the tent, Yun Yan stood still for a moment, a hint of confusion flickering in her eyes before she sighed helplessly and shook her head, heading toward the kitchen.

At this hour, the kitchen was empty. Yun Yan gathered some ingredients and medicinal herbs, placing them on the stove before skillfully organizing everything. She had gradually mastered the art of cooking, becoming more proficient with each meal she prepared. Even the rhythm of her chopping had begun to resemble that of a seasoned chef.

As she carefully shredded a small piece of pre-boiled chicken and added it to the simmering pot of rice porridge, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows behind her. The person was clad in black robes with a wide-brimmed hat, and they spoke in a hoarse voice to Yun Yan’s back, “Miss Yun, I just intercepted a spy attempting to send a message beyond the pass. The letter stated that Qianhu Lin has returned alive to Xingbei Pass.”

Yun Yan’s hand paused briefly before she resumed her movements, a thoughtful expression flashing across her face. She then picked up a leafy green vegetable and calmly chopped it into fine pieces, speaking in a steady, emotionless tone, “Let Beichen Long know about this.”

The black-robed figure flickered and gradually melted into the darkness, disappearing in an instant.

***

Soon, Beichen Long, who was in his tent handling military affairs and discussing developments beyond the pass with his strategist, received the report. A spy had been caught attempting to smuggle information out, with both the person and the incriminating letter in custody. When Beichen Long unrolled the letter and saw its contents, he was instantly furious.

He immediately ordered everyone who knew about this incident to remain silent and launched a thorough investigation to determine whether the captured spy had any accomplices. His mind instinctively linked this situation to last winter’s Yong’an Incident, considering whether the two events were connected. Now that he had finally caught a lead, he was determined to be meticulous in his inquiry. The entire Xingbei Pass was thrown into chaos as the investigation intensified.

The war situation was already dire, and now, enemy spies had been uncovered. Beichen Long’s mood soured completely. After issuing orders for a full-scale probe into traitors within the camp, he made an additional command—Lin Aoxue was to be promoted to county commandant, granting her authority over five thousand soldiers.

This announcement sent shockwaves through the Xingbei military camp, leaving many soldiers both envious and resentful, yet helpless to oppose it. Most had no idea why Lin Aoxue was suddenly promoted, though some whispered that it was because she had saved the Fifth Prince during the last battle against the barbarian forces.

Though the battle had taken place some time ago, it seemed odd for the general to promote Lin Aoxue only now. However, her mission outside the pass had never been made public, and few knew the true purpose behind Beichen Long’s deployment of twenty thousand elite soldiers beyond the walls. As a result, this speculation was the only explanation that seemed plausible to most.

Meanwhile, Lin Aoxue was lying in her tent when the news arrived. Beichen Ji was the first to receive the announcement, and he practically bounced his way to her tent. The moment Lin Aoxue heard the sentry outside call out “Baihu Beichen,” she knew he had arrived.

She didn’t look up, remaining motionless on the bed.

“Aiya! Lin-laoge! A blessing in disguise—congratulations on your promotion to county commandant!”

Without hesitation, Beichen Ji pulled open the tent flap and strode in. To him, he and Lin Aoxue were like brothers, so he saw no need for formalities and certainly didn’t think barging into her tent was inappropriate.

He ran straight to her bedside and plopped down next to her, holding the appointment letter handwritten by Beichen Long, stamped with a red seal.

Although Lin Aoxue remained lying down, she quietly shifted her body two inches inward—trying not to make it obvious.

But Beichen Ji, ever careless, didn’t notice her small movement. He waved the appointment letter near her face and called out, “Lin-laoge, wake up! Now’s not the time for sleep!”

Lin Aoxue was beyond annoyed. She hadn’t even had time to sort through her own emotions before this loud fool barged in and disrupted her melancholy. Resigned, she turned her head slightly and glanced at the document in Beichen Ji’s hand.

It was indeed Beichen Long’s handwriting. She was now a county commandant.

Staring at the thin sheet of paper, Lin Aoxue suddenly felt a wave of emotion. She recalled that just last year, she had still been a baihu. Even though she had earned merit on the battlefield, she had ended up being punished instead—confined after injuring a county commandant at a celebration banquet. Her military achievements had been suppressed, preventing her promotion, and Beichen Long had been disappointed in her.

Yet, in less than a year, she had climbed to the rank of county commandant. The man she had injured back then remained stuck in the same position.

However, every step of her rise had been paid for with blood and hardship. Others only saw her rapid ascent through the ranks but never the suffering she endured behind the scenes. They didn’t see the blood she shed, the silent endurance she suffered through, or the multiple times she had nearly lost her life.

People always said she was lucky to have earned the general’s favor, never realizing that the most malicious judgment in this world is to dismiss someone’s greatest efforts, their hardest-won opportunities, and their highest achievements as mere luck—denying all the struggle behind it.

Lin Aoxue’s gaze remained calm, showing neither surprise nor joy, because everything she had gained was rightfully hers.

But Beichen Ji couldn’t hold back his words. Waving the appointment letter like a prized treasure, he was baffled when Lin Aoxue showed no reaction. He exclaimed in shock, “Hey, laoge, did the barbarians knock you silly? What’s this? You get a promotion and you’re not even happy?”

He had heard from the two soldiers who had carried Lin Aoxue on a stretcher about how she got injured. Though he didn’t understand why she had gone beyond the pass or why she had been so severely wounded, he knew that some things in the army had to remain confidential, so he didn’t press for details.

Lin Aoxue might have been injured, but she had received the recognition she deserved. Beichen Ji was genuinely happy for her.

“Hmm. I’m happy.” Lin Aoxue’s response was flat, her expression and tone giving no hint of joy.

Beichen Ji blinked, suddenly struck by a thought. A sly grin spread across his face as he placed the appointment letter on the bedside table. Then, he crouched beside the bed, leaning over the edge, eyes gleaming mischievously as he stared at Lin Aoxue.

Seeing this, Lin Aoxue had a bad feeling.

Sure enough, the next moment, Beichen Ji said, “Laoge, I heard something today… When you returned, at the gate, you told my father—” 

He nudged Lin Aoxue’s shoulder with his elbow, grinning shamelessly as he put on a dramatic performance.

“General, you know that I… have always, always admired Doctor Yun. Even after she left the camp… I still think of her often. My injuries… I know my condition best. I fear I won’t last much longer… Please, sir… grant me this one kindness, let me see Doctor Yun once more… and have her check on my wounds~ Ha ha ha ha ha!”

Beichen Ji reenacted the scene with exaggerated flair, and by the end, he was laughing uncontrollably, completely disregarding any sense of decorum.

Lin Aoxue wasn’t just embarrassed—she was furious, practically ready to kill. If someone lit a fire on her head right now, she might just explode on the spot.

She was absolutely livid, but Yun Yan had ordered her to stay in bed and not move. Right now, she didn’t have the strength to wrestle with Beichen Ji, so she could only endure the humiliation as he pranced around, smug and triumphant.

Beichen Ji knew Lin Aoxue was too injured to retaliate, making him even more pleased with himself. He took full advantage of the rare opportunity, repeatedly reciting the words in a mocking tone before pointing at Lin Aoxue’s nose and demanding, “Lin Aoxue, what did you tell me before? That you had no feelings for Miss Yun Yan? No feelings, yet you’ve ‘always admired’ her? ‘Think of her often’? Wow, you’re something else! And now you can’t even deny it, can you?!”

Beichen Ji bounced around the room, gloating. Lin Aoxue was utterly miserable. How did those words end up in Beichen Ji’s ears of all people? She wanted nothing more than to slam her head into her pillow and pass out, just to escape this humiliation.

“Why is it that every time Yun Yan is mentioned, you get so riled up? Go on, keep pretending! There’s a limit to how much you can fool yourself! I used to think you were just righteous and hated injustice, but turns out, you’re just a coward!”

Beichen Ji continued his relentless teasing. Lin Aoxue, on the verge of dying from embarrassment, couldn’t take it anymore. In one swift motion, she grabbed her pillow and hurled it at him with all her might.

“Oh, wait, now I remember something else—who was it that said they only saw Miss Yun Yan as a little sister? Ha! ‘Little sister’? Yeah, right! Get out of here with that nonsense!” As the pillow came flying toward him, Beichen Ji caught it with a shameless grin and, without missing a beat, threw it right back at Lin Aoxue.

But before it could land on Lin Aoxue’s head, a slender, jade-like hand intercepted it.

The room fell silent in an instant.

Beichen Ji’s expression froze. He swallowed hard, the gulp sounding loud enough to echo inside the tent.

Lin Aoxue’s eyelids twitched twice, her face turning red at a speed visible to the naked eye. The flush spread downward, quickly staining her neck as well.

“Ah… well, I just remembered I have something to do. Ahem. Lin-laoge, I’ll leave you in Miss Yun Yan’s care. I’ll be going now!” 

Beichen Ji laughed awkwardly, making up an excuse on the spot. Without waiting for Yun Yan’s response, he spun on his heels and bolted out of the tent.

Lin Aoxue was mortified. A moment ago, at least she had a pillow to hide her face, but now it was in Yun Yan’s hands. When Yun Yan’s knowing gaze landed on her, Lin Aoxue could only keep a stiff expression, pretending Yun Yan hadn’t heard a single word.

Yun Yan smiled, raising an eyebrow as she asked, “So, everything Beichen Ji just said—was it true?”

Lin Aoxue’s face turned crimson. She stammered, unable to form a coherent response.

She had no idea how much Yun Yan had overheard or when she had started listening. All those words—things she had never dared to say to Yun Yan—had just been laid bare by Beichen Ji’s reckless teasing.

Was she angry at Beichen Ji?

Of course not.

But she wasn’t ready—wasn’t prepared for her most private emotions to be exposed like this. She didn’t know how to respond to Yun Yan, nor how to face the surprise in her eyes, the deepening affection that was now impossible to ignore.

Panic surged through her. She wanted to run, to escape—but there was nowhere to go.

Yun Yan waited for a long time. She had thought that, in a moment like this, Lin Aoxue would finally stop hiding. That she would have no choice but to face herself—to lay bare the emotions she had buried so carefully, to finally let down her guard and share her secret.

But her intense gaze only seemed to burn Lin Aoxue. Lin Aoxue lowered her head, silent. Though her face was flushed with shame and frustration, she still shrank back like a timid snail. Even now, even when her secret had been exposed, she still refused to be honest with Yun Yan.

A quiet ache welled up in Yun Yan’s heart, a pain she couldn’t quite describe. For a fleeting moment, she wondered—would she ever be able to warm Lin Aoxue’s stone-cold heart?

It felt like a needle had pierced her chest. It didn’t draw blood, but the pain lingered.

Gently, she placed the stone bowl of medicinal porridge on the small table beside the bed. The light in her eyes dimmed, little by little.

Finally, her lips pressed into a faint, polite smile. Speaking almost to herself, she answered the question she had asked earlier, “I suppose… it wasn’t true after all. Most likely, just a convenient excuse to protect your identity.”

Her restrained, courteous smile was like an axe, splitting Lin Aoxue in two.

One half of her was screaming, desperate to grab Yun Yan’s hand, to pour out her true feelings, to throw everything aside and hold her tight. To tell her how much it hurt, how much she longed to take her away from all this—to flee far, far away, never to be bound by the world again.

But the other half—the half rooted deep within her—clawed at her flesh, dragged at her soul, whispering, You have not avenged your blood feud. How dare you speak of love?

Lin Aoxue felt as if even breathing had become painful, as if countless sharp knives were stabbing into her heart and then twisted mercilessly, piercing her to the bone. Her heart ached unbearably.

She lifted her gaze and locked eyes with Yun Yan, but Yun Yan instinctively turned her head away, avoiding her stare, unwilling to let Lin Aoxue see the mist gathering in her eyes.

The storm that suddenly rose in Lin Aoxue’s heart drowned out all reason. She reached out and grasped Yun Yan’s delicate hand, her eyes red as she whispered, “It’s not a lie. Everything he said… it’s true.”

As Lin Aoxue’s words fell, so did Yun Yan’s tears—hot and glistening. The tears slipped from the corners of her eyes, traced down her cheeks, and landed on the back of Lin Aoxue’s hand, warm and searing.

Yun Yan turned to face her again, but her eyes, filled with sorrow, betrayed her. She had finally heard what she had longed to hear. Lin Aoxue had finally spoken the truth from her own lips.

And yet, she still felt such overwhelming sadness. Even as a quiet joy stirred within her, it was instantly smothered by the sight of Lin Aoxue’s tear-filled, reddened eyes, leaving no room for happiness to take root.

She clenched her teeth, desperately trying to conceal the pain in her heart.