The General Says She Won't Marry - Chapter 53 Part 2

The local herders noticed Lin Aoxue’s unfamiliar appearance—her features vastly different from their own. Though surprised, they remained warm and welcoming. Lin Aoxue found it difficult to associate this peaceful community with the savage warriors she had fought on the battlefield. Regardless of where one stood, the struggles for power and dominance among the elite often had little to do with the common people. As long as they had a stable environment to live in, they asked for nothing more.

After entering the settlement, Bei Fan arranged for Lin Aoxue to stay at the home of an ordinary herder under the Bei clan’s name. After giving the herder a few instructions, he left with the caravan to report back to the tribal leaders.

Lin Aoxue temporarily settled into the herder’s home. Having traveled with Bei Fan’s caravan for days, she had gradually begun to understand bits of the barbarian language. Though she was far from fluent, she could manage simple conversations with the locals. Longer sentences, however, still confused her, and she could only make rough guesses at their meaning.

For the first time in a while, Lin Aoxue no longer needed to constantly be on the move. The herder provided her with a private room and even prepared a set of clothing for her. Finally, she could remove the dirty, foul-smelling garments she had been wearing and change into something clean. She also found fresh bandages and roughly wrapped the healing wounds on her back.

Her injuries had scabbed over and were improving, requiring little further attention.

When she stepped out of the room in her new attire, the robe’s style made her look somewhat like a barbarian herder. Aside from her facial features, which clearly distinguished her from the locals, she blended in well enough.

***

The next morning, Bei Fan came looking for Lin Aoxue. He informed her that he was taking her to see the princess.

What would happen after that—whether she lived or died, or what kind of treatment awaited her—was beyond Bei Fan’s authority to decide. He was simply fulfilling his duty as a subject of Boka, delivering the Beichen soldier they had picked up along the way to the royal court.

Lin Aoxue understood Bei Fan’s meaning. She had no intention of making things difficult for this merchant. Besides, Bei Fan had saved her life. She didn’t know what the outcome would be, but at least, for now, things didn’t seem too bad.

If the princess was someone reasonable and willing to let her go, she might have a chance to leave. But if that wasn’t the case, she would have no choice but to wait until her wounds healed and then force her way out.

With this thought in mind, Lin Aoxue maintained a calm expression as she followed Bei Fan toward the royal court of Boka. As they passed through the outer checkpoints and ventured deeper inside, Bei Fan suddenly halted, his expression freezing in place. His brows furrowed as he stared at the man approaching them.

Bei Fan’s reaction was too obvious, making it easy for Lin Aoxue to notice the change in his demeanor. She frowned in confusion and followed his gaze toward the man in the corridor.

The man was dressed in garments made of fur. Lin Aoxue could tell that his upper body was draped in an entire wolf pelt. Around his neck, several layers of colorful beads hung, and atop his head sat a gold-embroidered hat. His appearance exuded wealth and prestige—undoubtedly, he held a high status in this prosperous tribe.

Bei Fan’s fists clenched and then loosened repeatedly. Standing behind him, Lin Aoxue could feel his barely restrained anger. He forced himself to calm down, then bent into a deep bow, respectfully performing the tribal salute as he greeted the man, “Your humble servant, Bei Fan, greets the eldest prince.”

Lin Aoxue heard a term she had never encountered before. Although she didn’t understand what “eldest prince” meant, Bei Fan’s deferential behavior made it clear that this man was someone of great importance. She lowered her head slightly in response.

The Eldest Prince Xiumu wore a faint smile, but his eyes remained cold and distant. He cast a brief glance at Bei Fan, then shifted his gaze to Lin Aoxue, his thin lips curling into a mocking smirk.

“The Bei clan is getting bolder. You even treat people from Beichen with such courtesy? I can’t help but wonder—does your clan have secret dealings with Beichen?”

At his words, Bei Fan’s face turned pale with shock. However, he quickly regained his composure, his expression darkening as he forcibly suppressed his anger. Finally, he spoke in a steady voice. “Your Highness overthinks things. My loyalty to the royal family is as clear as the heavens and the earth. This guest from Beichen is someone the princess has requested to see. I ask Your Highness to grant us passage.”

Hearing this, Xiumu’s interest was piqued. His gaze, cold and filled with meaning, swept across Lin Aoxue’s face. His smile widened as he said cheerfully, “So, my dear royal sister wants to meet this person? Strange, I don’t recall hearing anything about this. Bei Fan, are you aware of the consequences of spreading false information?” As he finished speaking, his expression suddenly shifted. With a cold smile, he commanded, “Guards! Seize this person!”

At Xiumu’s order, the guards on both sides immediately stepped forward, grabbing Lin Aoxue and forcing her to the ground. Bei Fan, unskilled in combat, was powerless to stop them. Though his face was filled with urgency, he had no means to resist. In his frustration, he shouted in anger, “Your Highness! Do you not fear the consequences of detaining someone the princess wishes to meet? What will happen when she finds out?”

Upon hearing Bei Fan’s words, Xiumu suddenly burst into laughter. He pointed at Lin Aoxue, his gaze mocking and cold as he stared at Bei Fan, speaking with certainty. “Hah, Bei Fan, you truly are getting foolish with age. Open your eyes—this is a Beichen person! My royal sister has been in seclusion recently, with no time to meet some foreigner. And even if she knew about today’s events, do you really think she would go against me over an outsider?”

To put it plainly, he had come looking for trouble today—and not only did he intend to stir up trouble, but he also wanted Bei Fan to accept it without resistance.

Faced with Xiumu’s overwhelming presence, Bei Fan found himself at a loss for words. Xiumu laughed heartily, then waved his hand and ordered his men, “I’ve heard that Beichen people are great fighters. Throw this one into the arena—I’d like to see just how formidable they really are!”

Without understanding why, Lin Aoxue was suddenly captured and dragged away. Just before she was taken out of sight, she could still hear Bei Fan confronting Xiumu, his voice booming with anger, “Your Highness! The princess already knows about your unauthorized military campaign against the northern frontier. And now, you’re making decisions on your own again, detaining the person I brought back. A wise person knows their limits—I advise you not to be too reckless!”

Bei Fan had reached his limit—he might as well tear off all pretenses.

However, Xiumu seemed entirely unbothered. Instead, he curled his lips into a smile, glancing sideways at Bei Fan’s face, which was contorted in anger. His voice was cold as he retorted, “Clan Leader Bei’s words are indeed wise. A person should know their place and avoid being too reckless.”

He returned Bei Fan’s own words to him verbatim. Then, as he walked past Bei Fan, he lightly patted him on the shoulder, his eyes glinting with amusement.

Bei Fan was shaking with rage. Xiumu had always looked for ways to oppose Zheji, trying to prove his own abilities. But lately, he had become increasingly unrestrained. With the princess occupied and unable to intervene, Xiumu had seized the chance to slander Bei Fan, convincing the Boka king to send troops to attack the northern frontier.

For now, he couldn’t openly act against Bei Fan, as Bei Fan was one of Zheji’s closest confidants and a highly regarded figure in the Boka Tribe. That was the only reason he let Bei Fan go so easily. But Bei Fan knew that this fragile peace was temporary—once Xiumu found an opportunity, he would undoubtedly try to remove him from Zheji’s side.

The reason Xiumu had brazenly detained Lin Aoxue right in front of him was a warning: stay out of matters that didn’t concern him. Given Lin Aoxue’s identity as a Beichen citizen, Xiumu could accuse her of any crime he pleased.

Taking a deep breath, Bei Fan turned to glance in the direction where Xiumu had left. Then, with a clenched fist, he made up his mind. Lin Aoxue had been brought to the royal court under his watch, and now she had been taken away without cause—he had to bear responsibility for this. No matter what, he had to get her out.

Quickly, he made his way deeper into the royal court, heading toward the central palace complex. Arriving at Zheji’s chambers, he ordered the attendants to send word of his arrival.

Zheji had been in seclusion recently, reaching a critical stage in her internal martial arts cultivation. Once she emerged, she would achieve a breakthrough, rising to even greater heights. Normally, she did not receive visitors during this time. However, before she began her retreat, she had given Bei Fan an estimate of when she would exit seclusion. Judging by the timing, Bei Fan figured she should be coming out soon, which was why he had come to check.

The attendants quickly relayed his message inside, and before long, a female servant emerged from the palace, respectfully inviting Bei Fan in. She informed him, “The princess has just emerged from seclusion yesterday. Please follow me, Clan Leader Bei.”

Following the servant, Bei Fan entered the palace without distraction. Turning a corner into a spacious hall, he immediately saw Zheji standing with her hands clasped behind her back, intently studying a large map.

The map on the wall depicted the entire prairie, including all the tribes as well as the lands bordering the northern frontier. It was an awe-inspiring sight.

“Your humble servant, Bei Fan, greets Your Highness.”

Upon hearing him, Zheji turned around gracefully. Her features were not as delicate as the women of Beichen; instead, she exuded a bold, heroic aura. Though she could not compare to Beichen Ling and Yun Yan in terms of beauty, she was still a commanding and dignified princess—a woman of extraordinary presence.

Seeing Bei Fan bow, Zheji smiled and raised a hand slightly, saying, “There’s no need for such formalities, Uncle Bei.” She gestured for him to take a seat before speaking again. “I have been occupied with my martial training lately, and it has been a long time since we last met. Earlier, I asked you to make a hurried trip to Kezhan—it must have been a tiring journey.”

Bei Fan shook his head, declining any credit. “Not at all, Your Highness. Traveling as a merchant is part of my duty. It is Your Highness who has to clean up the mess caused by others—now that is truly absurd.” At this, he suddenly sighed, his expression turning weary. He hesitated for a moment before saying, “Your Highness, there is something I must say. I know I should not speak out of turn, but I cannot keep it bottled up any longer.”

Hearing this, Zheji chuckled, her demeanor open and straightforward. “Uncle Bei, since when have you become so hesitant? There are no outsiders here—speak freely.”

Bei Fan smiled bitterly. It wasn’t that he was overthinking. The royal court was far more treacherous than the outside world—one had to be cautious at every step. He didn’t want to be so restrained, but hierarchy could not be ignored. If he, an ordinary member of the Boka Tribe, spoke ill of the prince behind his back, it would be highly inappropriate.

It was only because Zheji was tolerant that he could speak so candidly. If it had been someone else, the moment he left the palace, his words would have been used against him.

Shaking his head, he let out a sigh, a flicker of anxiety flashing in his eyes. Finally, he spoke. “On my way back from Kezhan, near the Moruo River in the Rongwei region, I found a wounded soldier from Beichen. He must have drifted downstream from the upper river. I did not know what to do with him, but I couldn’t leave him to die, so I brought him back to Boka, hoping Your Highness could decide his fate.”

“When I arrived earlier, I happened to run into the eldest prince, and he immediately detained the person I brought without any discussion, ordering them to be thrown into the gladiator arena. That arena—what kind of place is it? This person hasn’t even recovered from their injuries. If they go in, there’s only one outcome—death. And he didn’t even bother to inform you, Your Highness.”

When Bei Fan first started speaking, Zheji’s expression remained neutral. But as he continued, and she heard what Xiumu had done, her brows furrowed, and a contemplative look flashed in her eyes.

“It seems the eldest prince is growing increasingly dismissive of you, Your Highness. Just a few days ago, he proposed an invasion of Beichen, only to suffer a humiliating defeat. It seems our tribe’s prosperity has gone to some people’s heads.”

As Bei Fan spoke, his eyes reflected a deep sorrow. The Boka Tribe was no longer what it used to be. Compared to the environment in which he had grown up, it had changed significantly. Initially, all these developments had brought progress and unity, allowing the royal family to consolidate control over the grasslands and ensuring the safety and happiness of the barbarians.

But at some point, that happiness had started to sour. The royal court was no longer content with its existing lands and began eyeing Beichen, a territory that was never meant to be theirs.

It was around that time that Zheji withdrew from the battlefield, focusing solely on honing her martial skills and military strategy. Meanwhile, the barbarian king’s sons, consumed by their passion for war, had started to compete against each other both openly and secretly. Previously, since Zheji was merely a princess without succession rights, they had left her alone, never seeing her as a threat.

However, in the past two years, their father had hinted at the possibility of changing the old laws, sending his sons into a frenzy. They had become incredibly wary, not just arguing with words but deliberately creating problems and pushing them onto Zheji. The barbarian king, now aging and showing signs of frailty, no longer had the strength to intervene, and his sons were growing increasingly reckless.

Zheji saw all of this clearly. Though her lips retained a faint smile, and her eyes remained unwavering despite Bei Fan’s words, she knew he was voicing his concerns on her behalf. If things continued this way, her brothers would eventually strip her of all power and eliminate her in silence.

But she was not one to avoid a fight—she simply did not wish to act prematurely. Instead, she reassured Bei Fan, “Uncle Bei, there’s no need to worry. I understand everything, but you must also realize—Father is old now. If I openly fight against them, it will only sadden him. At the very least, in his final years, I hope he can have some peace. But those who don’t know their place—if they truly dare to act against me, I won’t fear them. The debts they owe will be repaid in full once my father is gone.”

Hearing Zheji’s words, Bei Fan finally breathed a little easier. He was genuinely afraid that the power-hungry princes would conspire to eliminate her. While the situation was still somewhat manageable for now, there was no telling what they might do next. Zheji had to remain cautious. “As long as Your Highness knows how to protect yourself, that’s all that matters.”

Zheji nodded with a smile, then suddenly recalled the Beichen soldier Bei Fan had mentioned earlier.

“The soldier was taken to the arena. He’s probably in grave danger by now. Since Uncle Bei wishes to save him, why don’t we go there together? If I can stop my brother in time, we’ll take him back.”

Bei Fan felt a wave of emotion. Within the entire royal family, Zheji was the only one who still acted with compassion rather than being driven solely by power struggles. This was both a strength and a weakness—kind people were often the first to be manipulated and betrayed. Bei Fan wanted her to remain true to herself, but he also feared she would be swallowed by this murky swamp, never to rise again.

Unlike Bei Fan’s complicated emotions, Zheji seemed much more straightforward. She immediately ordered her people to prepare horses and carriages, then set out with Bei Fan toward the arena.

The arena wasn’t far from the palace. The carriage ride lasted about the time it took for an incense stick to burn. As soon as Zheji stepped out, she approached the massive, three-story structure. Before even getting close, she could hear the heart-wrenching screams from inside—cries of agony from those on the brink of death.

It was pure, unfiltered terror. Sheer, unyielding rage. And, perhaps, a sliver of desperation—a final clinging to life.

Only the most vicious and formidable fighters survived in the arena. It was not just a spectacle; it was a training ground where the royal family honed their most ruthless warriors. A wounded Beichen soldier, sent into such a place, would stand little chance of survival.

But regardless, Lin Aoxue was just a soldier from Beichen. Zheji had no real obligation to care about her fate. If it weren’t for Bei Fan, she wouldn’t have spared the matter a second thought. The fact that she had come to the arena herself, willing to intervene, was already an act of great mercy.

Leading Bei Fan, Zheji entered the arena. The deeper she went, the more memories surfaced.

Five years ago, she had also stood here—not as a spectator, nor as a master of gladiators, but as a combatant in the arena. She had fought, day after day, against the most ferocious warriors. For nine consecutive days, she had killed a hundred savage fighters, leaving the arena drenched in blood. That moment had marked the beginning of her legend across the grasslands.

It was her first bold request to her father—to train herself in the gladiator arena. And when she emerged victorious, under the watchful eyes of countless onlookers, she saw something in her brothers’ gazes for the first time—fear.

But to her, they were nothing more than mere stepping stones.

Zheji let out a soft chuckle. In the blink of an eye, five years had passed. She had been nineteen then, and now she was twenty-four. The reckless impulsiveness of her youth had faded, replaced by deeper contemplation. Compared to before, she now preferred to stand behind the scenes, orchestrating the bigger picture, rather than wielding the blade herself.

She didn’t need to speak. Her subordinates had already informed the arena’s overseer of her purpose. The tall, gaunt man was visibly shaken upon learning that Zheji was looking for the Beichen prisoner. No one in the arena dared to challenge the princess’ authority. Bowing in fear, he stammered, “Your Highness, the prince has already ordered the Beichen prisoner to enter the arena. He’s inside now—I’m afraid it’s too late!”