The County Magistrate Isn’t a Scumbag—She’s Very A - Chapter 4

“Drink tea.” Jiang Fanyin repeated Song Boxue’s words in a soft, drowsy mumble before drifting into a deep sleep.

She had no way of knowing that upon hearing those words, Song Boxue’s gaze darkened, as if she had been granted some sort of unspoken permission.

“Drink tea.”

Outside the window, thunder rolled and lightning flashed. A sudden night rain arrived without warning, swirling with the autumn wind in a relentless, soaking downpour. (Author’s Note: It was actually raining, thank you very much.)

By morning, the rain had ceased. A cool morning breeze slipped through the cracks of the doors and windows, bringing a refreshing chill.

Sensing the light, Song Boxue furrowed her brows and slowly opened her eyes, only to be met with an intense, dull ache in her arm. She instinctively tried to pull her arm back, causing the person in her embrace to let out a soft, sleepy whimper.

Song Boxue froze. The memories of last night came rushing back like a flood. She stared wide-eyed at the unfamiliar bed curtains before her gaze shifted downward to Jiang Fanyin’s face.

The beauty was nestled in her arms, sleeping soundly. Though her collar was a bit disheveled, her clothes were still fully intact.

Song Boxue exhaled a long sigh of relief. Thank goodness—no drunken indiscretions. As long as the clothes were on, everything was wait.

She stared at Jiang Fanyin’s neck and went completely rigid.

Across that pale, jade-like skin were blossoms of purplish-red marks—bruise-like hickeys scattered in a chaotic pattern that seemed to trail down toward her collarbone.

Heavens above. Did I do that?

She vaguely recalled the scent of lemons and the heat of her “rut.” But Jiang Fanyin wasn’t an Omega; she shouldn’t have pheromones. How could she have soothed the fever? Yet, the faint fragrance of cold tea she had smelled before falling unconscious was real, and it had brought her undeniable peace.

Before Song Boxue could wrap her head around it, the woman in her arms began to stir. Their eyes met in a silent, inescapable gaze.

Song Boxue swallowed hard. “Sister Jiang, listen to me first. We both drank too much last night, and I had another episode. But we didn’t do anything. If you don’t believe me, look at your clothes—you’re still fully dressed.”

She explained at breakneck speed, though internally she was still reeling over why the female lead could suppress her Alpha ruts. Fortunately, she hadn’t crossed the ultimate line—at most, she had just kissed her a few times. Okay, looking at the evidence, it was many times. She just hoped the female lead wouldn’t hold a grudge once she found out.

Jiang Fanyin looked dazed for a moment before taking in her surroundings. She was in her own room, snuggled in Song Boxue’s arms. Her clothes were indeed on, and she felt no physical discomfort.

She recalled the previous night—she had overindulged and felt unsteady on her feet, and Song Boxue had caught her. After that, she must have fallen asleep in Song Boxue’s arms.

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Jiang Fanyin’s face. “It is no matter. Last night, we both drank too much. You—”

“I’m leaving right now! Disappearing immediately!” Song Boxue scrambled off the bed and bolted for the door as if she were running for her life.

Watching her antics, Jiang Fanyin felt a sudden urge to laugh. She suppressed the smile just as Song Boxue skidded to a halt and ran back inside.

Song Boxue caught a glimpse of the red marks on Jiang Fanyin’s neck—the physical evidence of her “crime.”

Regaining her composure, she said, “Sister Jiang, I had another episode last night. I was just a bit thirsty, so, anyway, your bronze mirror looks a bit dirty. I’ll take it to be cleaned and bring it back later. Also, don’t go out for the next couple of days. The, the weather outside is terrible.”

With that, she grabbed the mirror and sprinted out. As long as Jiang Fanyin didn’t look in a mirror, there was still hope.

Jiang Fanyin watched her frantic departure with total confusion. They were both women; sleeping in the same bed fully clothed was hardly a scandal. Why did Song Boxue act as if she had committed some great indecency?

She stood up to straighten her robes and remembered the dagger hidden in her sleeve. She walked to the window; the blade was lying quietly on the floor where Song Boxue had tossed it.

Perhaps she truly had been too suspicious. The other person was a woman, after all. Whatever happened was likely just due to her “affliction.” She probably wouldn’t be needing the dagger anymore.

Meanwhile, Song Boxue was rushing out with the mirror when she ran straight into Madam Song and two maids.

“My son, what are you doing with a mirror?” Madam Song looked at the direction her daughter had come from. Coming out of Jiang Fanyin’s courtyard this early?

“Mother, where are you going?” Song Boxue asked, subtly shifting her weight to block the path.

Madam Song reached out to poke her forehead but stopped, remembering the maids behind her. “It’s all because of you. I’m bringing two maids over for Fanyin.”

“No need!” Song Boxue blurted out. Realizing she sounded too urgent, she softened her tone. “Sister Jiang prefers peace and quiet. She isn’t used to being waited on. Let’s not disturb her.”

If a maid saw those marks on Jiang Fanyin’s neck, the secret would be out.

“Fine, but I should at least go see her so she doesn’t think we’re neglecting her.” Madam Song didn’t think much of it and tried to sidestep Song Boxue.

Song Boxue handed the mirror to a maid and chased after her mother. “Mother, Sister Jiang just woke up. Let’s not go now. You can visit in a few days.”

Madam Song stopped and gave her a suspicious look that made Song Boxue’s heart race. “Relax, I know what’s appropriate. Why do you look so terrified of me seeing her?”

Song Boxue choked back a breath. “How could I be? I just thought, since today is my day off, I wanted to spend more time with you.”

I am exactly terrified of you seeing her!

However, Madam Song’s suspicions were piqued. Any further resistance would look like a guilty admission, so Song Boxue had to change tactics. Madam Song, however, just smiled warmly. “Your filial heart is enough. Come, accompany me.”

Song Boxue couldn’t find another excuse. She could only follow her mother back, hoping to handle whatever came next on the fly.

Inside, Jiang Fanyin had just finished washing. Hearing footsteps, she looked up and saw Song Boxue returning with Madam Song. She gave a slight, respectful bow. “Auntie Song.”

“Child, we’ll be family sooner or later. No need for such formalities. You, you, you.” Madam Song’s smile froze. She had been thinking what a lovely daughter-in-law Jiang Fanyin would make if her own daughter were actually a man.

The next second, as the girl raised her head, Madam Song’s eyes nearly popped out of her skull. She pointed a trembling finger at Jiang Fanyin’s neck. “You, you, you.”

Jiang Fanyin looked confused, checking her own clothes. What was wrong?

Seeing her mother’s reaction, alarm bells went off in Song Boxue’s head. She lunged forward, physically blocking Madam Song’s line of sight and winking frantically. “Mother! It was me! I stayed over at Sister Jiang’s last night!”

Madam Song gasped, her finger whipping around to point at Song Boxue. “You, you did this? This is.”

What kind of surprise—no, what kind of horror is this? She had mentally prepared for them to marry to keep up appearances, but she hadn’t expected her daughter to actually get busy!

“Mother, it was me. Let’s go back and talk. Don’t disturb Sister Jiang.” Song Boxue grabbed her mother’s arm and dragged her away, calling back over her shoulder, “Sister Jiang, don’t go out for a few days! Wait until I bring the mirror back!”

Dammit, Song Boxue cursed internally. I have no idea how long it takes for hickeys to fade.

Watching the mother and daughter leave, Jiang Fanyin frowned slightly. She instinctively touched her neck. Auntie Song had been pointing right at it.

She reflexively reached for a mirror, but it was gone. Doubts rising, she poured a basin of fresh water and leaned over to look. The ripples settled, reflecting her unadorned face.

When she saw the marks on her neck reflected in the clear water, her pupils constricted instantly.

“I had another episode last night.”

“I have no improper thoughts about you.”

Song Boxue’s words echoed in her mind. No improper thoughts?