The General Says She Won't Marry - Chapter 47 Part 1

Yun Yan was a very busy person, with numerous responsibilities at the clinic. If someone else had invited her to the opera, they would have had no chance of success. However, since the invitation came from Lin Aoxue, everything was different. Seeing her standing by the door, her face expressionless, yet her hands at her sides subconsciously clenching, Yun Yan instantly recognized this small, familiar gesture—Lin Aoxue’s tell when she was nervous.

Yun Yan let out a chuckle, rose gracefully, and walked over to Lin Aoxue, her voice light and cheerful. “It’s a rare honor to be invited by Young Master Lin. Naturally, I have time. Please wait a moment while I change my clothes.” She smiled radiantly. 

Feeling uneasy, Lin Aoxue scratched her forehead and mumbled, “Alright,” then stood frozen in place without any intention of moving. Seeing her so stiff and awkward, Yun Yan couldn’t help but feel exasperated. She stepped forward, took hold of Lin Aoxue’s sleeve, and whispered teasingly, “Come over here.”

Lin Aoxue obediently followed Yun Yan’s direction and moved to the desk where Yun Yan had been reading.

“Sit here,” Yun Yan said again.

Lin Aoxue nodded and sat down as instructed. Seeing her so compliant, Yun Yan stifled a laugh. She had the urge to ruffle Lin Aoxue’s hair, but considering they weren’t in private and such an act might invite gossip, she restrained herself. Instead, she flashed a bright smile at Lin Aoxue before heading toward the inner room of the clinic.

As soon as Yun Yan left, Lin Aoxue’s nerves eased a little. Her gaze instinctively swept around the clinic, noticing that the young attendant cleaning the floor and the manager reviewing the account books both seemed to be sneaking glances at her. The moment Lin Aoxue’s eyes met theirs, they hurriedly looked away and busied themselves with their tasks again.

Lin Aoxue kept her expression stern, pretending not to notice the curious stares of the clinic’s staff. She sat upright, waiting for Yun Yan to return.

While waiting, she idly picked up the medical book Yun Yan had left on the desk and flipped through it. The content was highly technical, filled with obscure terminology that she couldn’t understand at all. Yet, despite this, a faint smile crept onto her face. Her gaze skimmed over the neat and elegant small characters lining the margins, and her smile deepened.

Even though she couldn’t comprehend the content, it didn’t stop her from appreciating Yun Yan’s skill.

Yan’er is truly talented. Even her handwriting is beautiful.

With this thought, Lin Aoxue smiled to herself.

Yun Yan didn’t make her wait long. After just a short while, Lin Aoxue heard footsteps approaching from the back hall. She lifted her head from the book and gently closed it. Turning toward the sound, she saw Yun Yan—and in that instant, her mind went blank.

Yun Yan was dressed in a light pink gown, with silver-threaded plum blossom embroidery on the collar and cuffs. A jade half-pendant shaped like a mandarin duck hung from her waist, and her face bore a touch of delicate makeup. Though she hadn’t spent much time on her appearance, it was evident that she had dressed with care. As she walked toward Lin Aoxue, she seemed like a beauty stepping gracefully out of an ink painting.

Lin Aoxue was utterly mesmerized. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest.

“Young Master Lin,” Yun Yan curtsied playfully before her, eyes gleaming with amusement. “Does this outfit please your eyes?” 

The dazzling smile nearly made Lin Aoxue dizzy. She swallowed instinctively and forcibly tore her gaze away from Yun Yan, lowering her eyes in an attempt to regain composure. After clearing her throat, she replied stiffly, “Miss Yun Yan’s beauty is unparalleled. Naturally, you look good.”

The corners of Yun Yan’s lips lifted. She took another small step forward and, using two fingers, gently lifted Lin Aoxue’s chin, forcing her to look up. Her soft, alluring eyes shimmered with light as she smiled. “But you barely looked. How can you be so sure I look good?”

Yun Yan was well aware of her own beauty and knew exactly how to wield it to her advantage. Her teasing gaze swept across Lin Aoxue’s face, making the latter’s cheeks burn with heat.

Lin Aoxue’s breath hitched, and she stammered, “I-I just know…”

Yun Yan chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. Lin Aoxue’s shy and evasive nature wasn’t something that could be changed overnight. Getting her to verbally admit that she found Yun Yan attractive was already quite the accomplishment. If she pressed further, Lin Aoxue might get overwhelmed and lose her nerve, ruining their plans for the opera.

With this thought, Yun Yan released her hold and took a step back. She didn’t continue teasing Lin Aoxue, but the laughter in her eyes nearly spilled over.

Lin Aoxue let out a sigh of relief, clenching her fists behind her back. She felt that being this nervous was far from ideal, yet she couldn’t control the feeling. Nothing had changed—Yun Yan was just as composed and serene as always—but for some reason, she felt twice as flustered.

“Well then, shall we go to the opera?” She tried to gather her thoughts, forcing herself to sound calm as she extended the invitation.

Yun Yan smiled and didn’t tease her further. She nodded in agreement, gave a few instructions to the clinic’s attendants, and then walked side by side with Lin Aoxue as they left.

It was still early, and the streets weren’t crowded. The two of them walked a few steps together, but as they neared Fuyun Manor, Lin Aoxue’s awkwardness grew. She had just realized how foolish her plan was—coming to see an opera at this hour was far too early. The tavern at Fuyun Manor wasn’t even hosting guests yet. The performance stage wouldn’t be set up until the afternoon, when a crowd would gather.

The real reason Lin Aoxue had come so early was simple—she just wanted to see Yun Yan sooner. But the moment she arrived at the clinic’s doorstep, she panicked, realizing she had no idea what to say or do. She couldn’t just stand there like a wooden stake, getting in the way of Yun Yan’s work.

So she had hesitated outside the clinic for a long time, caught in her own nervous turmoil, until a passing attendant accidentally exposed her presence. Left with no other option, she hastily came up with the excuse of inviting Yun Yan to the opera.

Yun Yan found the whole thing amusing. She could tell right away that Lin Aoxue had come up with the excuse on the spot. But of course, she wouldn’t call her out on it. It was a rare occasion for this silly, clueless person to take the initiative, and Yun Yan was pleased.

More than that, she had a certain fondness for Lin Aoxue’s awkwardness. It felt as if her little pup had finally grown up a bit.

Since she had agreed to the outing, it meant that for the rest of the day, Yun Yan would set everything else aside to focus solely on Lin Aoxue. Even if this bumbling fool had no idea what she was doing, and remained completely oblivious to her own feelings.

The two of them walked along the streets of the marketplace. Since it was still early, the roads were quiet and empty, except for a few open shops.

Xingbei Pass did not have as many entertainment venues as the capital, nor did it have scenic spots as beautiful as Zhanyang Lake.

When the soldiers in the army had a day off, they either sat for a while at Yanyu Tower or drank at Fuyun Manor. Lin Aoxue, who usually spent time with these rough and boisterous men, only ever went to these two places. She was completely unfamiliar with anything else.

She didn’t really know how to ask someone out for an outing, nor had she ever thought about such things before. Now that she had managed to invite a lady like Yun Yan, she had no idea where to take her. Because of this, she walked tensely along the road, clenching and unclenching her hands in nervous uncertainty.

Yun Yan quickly noticed Lin Aoxue’s discomfort. After walking a few more steps, she reached out and gently tugged at Lin Aoxue’s sleeve.

Lin Aoxue stopped in her tracks and turned back to look at her. The tangled expression on her face instantly dissolved, like dark clouds parting to reveal the sun. Yun Yan smiled at her before raising a hand to point at a few nearby shops. “It’s still early. If you have nothing else to do, would you be willing to accompany me for a casual stroll?”

Following Yun Yan’s gesture, Lin Aoxue looked over and saw a variety of shops—jewelry stores, silk merchants, cosmetic boutiques. Xingbei Pass was not as vast as the capital, but it still had all the small shops one would expect in any city. She couldn’t even remember the last time she had browsed these kinds of stores. Now that Yun Yan had suggested it, she felt a strange sense of nostalgia, as if stepping into another lifetime.

Yun Yan’s thoughtfulness eased Lin Aoxue’s discomfort. Turning to look at Yun Yan’s warm smile, she felt her anxiety and nervousness weaken significantly. She slowly released her clenched fists, let out a small breath, and smiled back. “Alright.”

Lin Aoxue accompanied Yun Yan into a jewelry store. The shop displayed its jade pieces in an orderly manner across the shelves. Upon seeing the two enter, the shopkeeper quickly approached with a welcoming smile.

“What can I do for you, esteemed guests?”

Yun Yan glanced at Lin Aoxue before replying with a lighthearted smile, “We’re just looking around.”

The shopkeeper observed them both. Their clothes weren’t particularly extravagant, but they didn’t look shabby either. Keeping his friendly smile, he responded with a quick “Of course!” before stepping back slightly to follow them from the side. Whenever Yun Yan’s gaze lingered on an item, he eagerly stepped forward to introduce it.

As Lin Aoxue scanned the shelves filled with jade ornaments, her eyes landed on a red jade hairpin. Seeing that the shopkeeper was still speaking with Yun Yan, she walked over to pick up the hairpin and examined it carefully.

The jade was smooth and warm to the touch, finely polished. The top of the hairpin featured two sculpted plum blossoms, their carved petals slightly translucent under the sunlight.

Meanwhile, Yun Yan had just set down a circular jade pendant. When she turned her head, she saw Lin Aoxue holding the hairpin, seemingly lost in thought.

The shopkeeper was quick to notice as well. His eyes lit up with excitement, and he hurried over with a bright smile. “You have a keen eye, sir! This is a fine piece, carefully crafted from the best red jade by the most skilled artisan in Xingbei Pass. It would suit your lovely companion here perfectly!” As he praised the craftsmanship, the shopkeeper also subtly encouraged Lin Aoxue to buy the hairpin for the lady by her side.

Lin Aoxue ran her fingers lightly along the smooth surface of the hairpin before glancing at Yun Yan. The latter’s smile remained gentle and serene, neither joyful nor sorrowful, neither excited nor disappointed. Yet Lin Aoxue also felt that this hairpin suited Yun Yan very well. “How much does this hairpin cost?” She was clearly pleased with it. A hint of a smile touched her lips as she turned to the shopkeeper to ask for the price. 

Hearing this, the shopkeeper could barely contain his delight, but after another glance at Lin Aoxue and Yun Yan, he hesitated. They did not seem like people from wealthy backgrounds, so he cautiously replied, “Sir, this is a fine piece, but… the price is rather high.”

Lin Aoxue blinked, sensing his hesitation. She started calculating whether she had enough money but still asked, “It’s fine. Just tell me the price—how much do I need to buy it?”

Seeing her unwavering determination, the shopkeeper beamed and immediately said, “Ten taels of silver.”

Ten taels.

It was indeed expensive.

The soldiers in the Northern Frontier Army had relatively high wages, but when Lin Aoxue was just a baihu, her monthly salary had only been one tael. It was only due to her recent promotions that her pay had increased. Even so, this single hairpin would cost nearly all the savings she had accumulated since joining the army.

Yun Yan observed Lin Aoxue’s expression, thinking of how to persuade her to give up on the hairpin. She couldn’t exactly bargain with the shopkeeper, as that would only embarrass Lin Aoxue.

Just as she was about to speak and suggest they leave, she saw something in Lin Aoxue’s expression that made her pause.

Lin Aoxue was using her own quiet and awkward way to maintain their bond from before. This realization made Yun Yan feel deeply moved.

However, before she could say anything, Lin Aoxue grinned, pulled out a waist token from inside her robe, and handed it to the shopkeeper. “I don’t have that much silver on me right now. This is my military waist token. I’ll leave it as collateral and bring the money tomorrow. Will that be acceptable?”

The shopkeeper took the waist token and examined its carvings. Recognizing that it belonged to a military officer, he did not dare to take the matter lightly. After carefully verifying its authenticity, he considered the proposal and decided it was a deal worth making. He nodded and said, “Very well! I trust you, sir. The transaction is settled!”

Lin Aoxue had successfully purchased the hairpin. The shopkeeper asked if she wanted it boxed, but she simply waved him off with a smile and said it wasn’t necessary.

She then turned to Yun Yan, holding the hairpin with a warm expression. “Yan’er, I found this hairpin exquisite, so I’d like to give it to you.”

Yun Yan gazed at her, her eyes filled with a soft, gentle light. With a playful sigh, she teased, “Why would you spend so much on something so expensive?”

Lin Aoxue chuckled and replied, “Did you forget? When I went to the capital to report to His Majesty, the emperor rewarded me with quite a bit of silver. I may not be rich, but I can still afford a single hairpin.”

Hearing this, Yun Yan was momentarily stunned before suddenly bursting into laughter. She had completely forgotten about that. Lin Aoxue wasn’t clueless at all—when it came to managing money, she was actually quite sharp.

Lin Aoxue was momentarily dazzled by Yun Yan’s smile. Taking a deep breath, she lifted the hairpin and gathered her courage to ask, “How about I put this on for you, Yan’er?”

Yun Yan’s eyes overflowed with laughter. It was rare for Lin Aoxue to offer her something, so of course, she wouldn’t refuse. She nodded with a smile and responded, “Alright.”

Lin Aoxue stepped forward carefully, adorning Yun Yan’s hair with the jade hairpin. It perfectly complemented the outfit Yun Yan wore that day. 

“You’re truly beautiful,” Lin Aoxue said, stepping back two paces, her gaze restrained yet gentle, accompanied by a soft smile.

“You two are a perfect match! A talented gentleman and a beautiful lady!”

The shopkeeper was eager to please. Since Lin Aoxue was his customer, he conveniently ignored the menacing aura that her half-mask might have given off and uttered this compliment without so much as a blink.

Yun Yan chuckled as well. Tugging Lin Aoxue’s sleeve, she turned her head to glance at the shopkeeper, bowed slightly in thanks, and then led Lin Aoxue out of the shop.

As they left the jade shop, Yun Yan suddenly lowered her voice and whispered into Lin Aoxue’s ear, “I think we make a good match too.”

Lin Aoxue’s eyelids twitched, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks. Yet, for once, she didn’t jump up in embarrassment or refute Yun Yan’s words. Hearing others say they suited each other secretly filled her with joy. Though a bit shy, the happiness in her heart was undeniable.

Her eyes glowed with an unconcealed smile, and Yun Yan’s lips curled up as well. Taking Lin Aoxue’s hand, she led her into a fabric shop.

Lin Aoxue looked on in surprise as Yun Yan had the shopkeeper bring out some fine fabrics. Selecting two bolts that suited Lin Aoxue’s style and preferences, she paid generously and instructed the shop to have them delivered to Yanxue Medical Clinic.

As they walked out, Lin Aoxue tilted her head in confusion and asked, “Why did you buy so much fabric?”

Yun Yan chuckled. “Are you really this clueless, or are you pretending? Fabrics are for making clothes, of course.”

Lin Aoxue pressed further, “For whom?” The colors leaned towards muted greys—not the sort of fabric meant for dresses, but rather for men’s attire.

Yun Yan burst into giggles. Why did it feel like she could hear a trace of unease and jealousy in Lin Aoxue’s question?

Lin Aoxue was indeed a little uneasy, but she also harbored a hint of anticipation. She wasn’t truly foolish—she just didn’t dare to think too optimistically.

“Of course, for you. You only have a few sets of clothes, and now that you’ve been promoted, your status is different. You need some proper attire.”

Hearing Yun Yan’s answer, Lin Aoxue felt both relieved and inexplicably shaken. She suddenly realized just how selfish and timid she truly was.

She kept telling herself that it didn’t matter if Yun Yan fell for someone else, that it was simply fate playing tricks on them. Yet at the same time, she didn’t want Yun Yan to hold even the slightest affection for anyone else. She wanted to keep Yun Yan by her side, to have her wait without distraction until she had avenged her past, shed all her burdens, and could finally take her home.

At this thought, Lin Aoxue let out a deep breath, but her heart clenched painfully.

How contradictory.

Yun Yan, of course, had no idea how many tangled thoughts had flashed through Lin Aoxue’s mind in just a few breaths. Seeing that it was about time for lunch, she suggested they head to Fuyun Manor.