The County Magistrate Isn’t a Scumbag—She’s Very A - Chapter 5

Jiang Fanyin touched her neck absentmindedly. Had that person suffered another episode?

They were both women; for such things to happen between women, it was utterly absurd. To be fair, Song Boxue only acted this way because of her illness. However, illness was no excuse for such indecency. Jiang Fanyin silently tucked the dagger back into her sleeve. Perhaps there would still be a need for it.

On the other side of the compound, Song Boxue dragged Madam Song away from the courtyard. Madam Song’s mind was a blank fog of shock until her daughter finally released her arm.

“You, the two of you.”

“Sister Jiang and I are perfectly innocent.”

“You gnawed on her neck until it looked like that, and you call it innocent?” Madam Song’s face screamed, Do you really think I’m that stupid?

Seeing this, Song Boxue hurriedly slapped her hand over her heart to swear an oath. “I truly, absolutely have no improper thoughts about Sister Jiang.”

She felt helpless. Who could have known her heat cycle would hit so suddenly last night? Combined with the alcohol, she was a mess. If she had been sober, she never would have provoked Jiang Fanyin. That was the female lead—the woman destined to break her legs!

Madam Song stared at Song Boxue’s earnest expression for a long moment before raising her hand and poking her daughter’s forehead hard. “No improper thoughts, yet you chewed her neck into that state? Do you take me for a three-year-old? I’d sooner believe a ghost than your nonsense! You reckless child, acting without a shred of responsibility.”

Song Boxue dodged left and right, shielding her head. “Ow! Last night was an accident! I didn’t go overboard; I just kissed her a few times!”

Madam Song’s hand paused. She stopped poking and switched to a heavy smack on the back of Song Boxue’s head. “Just a few kisses resulted in that? Still lying to me! See if I don’t discipline you on behalf of your deadbeat father!”

Raucous sounds of a scolding and a light thrashing echoed through the room. The servants guarding the courtyard gate looked away, pretending to be deaf. The new Magistrate didn’t allow personal attendants, so the Old Madam handled all his daily needs; it didn’t seem out of place for her to chase him around for a lecture.

Just then, Jiang Fanyin arrived.

“Greetings, Miss Jiang.”

Although the Magistrate claimed she was a distant relative seeking refuge, the servants noted her refined bearing and beauty. In their eyes, she was likely the future Lady of the manor. Furthermore, rumors suggested a standing betrothal between them, so the staff didn’t dare be dismissive.

Jiang Fanyin nodded and looked toward the closed doors, where Madam Song’s muffled shouting could still be heard. She touched the silk scarf around her neck. Fortunately, it was autumn, so the accessory didn’t look out of place.

“Where is Lord Song?”

“His Excellency is inside with the Old Madam.”

A flash of hesitation crossed Jiang Fanyin’s eyes, followed by a calm: “Please announce me.”

She still needed to save her father; certain things had to be endured for now. If there was truly no hope with Song Boxue, she would leave and make other plans, but for now, she needed to move strategically.

The guard trotted into the courtyard and knocked. “Excellency, Old Madam, Miss Jiang requests an audience.”

The noise inside stopped abruptly. Madam Song pushed the door open and stepped out. She glanced at the silk scarf on Jiang Fanyin’s neck, her tone complicated. “Fanyin, you’re here. I’ve already taught that little ingrate a lesson. If you two have something to say, speak plainly.”

Madam Song sighed. She just wanted to enjoy her retirement in peace. Forget it, let them sort it out themselves.

Jiang Fanyin bowed respectfully and waited for Madam Song to leave before entering the room.

Inside, Song Boxue was rubbing her head. Her “cheap” mother hit surprisingly hard. Back in the modern world, she could have handled a crowd in minutes; she wasn’t used to being a punching bag. When Jiang Fanyin entered, Song Boxue dropped her hand, and her eyes immediately landed on that white silk scarf.

Does she know?

Song Boxue froze, staring at the scarf and forgetting to speak. It was Jiang Fanyin who gave her an out.

“Did you have another episode last night?”

An episode?

Song Boxue raised an eyebrow and took the offered excuse. “That’s right. I had an episode. This sickness hits for a few days every month. Sister Jiang, I hope I didn’t scare you?”

The female lead is so understanding, she thought. No, I’m just brilliant. This ‘illness’ excuse is a godsend.

But how exactly had the heat cycle been suppressed? Had she really just kissed Jiang Fanyin? If that were the case, did a few kisses work like an inhibitor?

There’s hope!

A second later, her heart sank. Did this mean she would have to rely on kissing Jiang Fanyin to survive every future rut? She might as well give up on medical treatment now; her legs were definitely going to get broken.

Jiang Fanyin looked at her and instinctively touched the scarf. “I am fine. Your condition is more pressing. Have you seen a physician?”

An episode every month and she had encountered it twice in less than thirty days. Once she was tied up; the second time, her neck was. She looked at Song Boxue. What kind of strange disease is this?

Song Boxue grew wary. She had to answer carefully. If she slipped up and her secret got out, her life was forfeit. She sighed, looking troubled. “Truthfully, this illness only appeared in the last two months. Living as a man is already a risk; I wouldn’t dare see a doctor. I’ve even kept it from my mother to spare her the worry.”

The subtext: Only you and I know. Keep the secret.

Jiang Fanyin paused. No one else knows? Perhaps this is an opportunity.

She looked at Song Boxue. “Besides at night, do you have episodes during the day?”

Song Boxue shook her head. “Not so far, but I can’t say for certain about the future.”

Biology class had taught her that heat cycles lasted several days and didn’t care about the time of day. But why was the female lead asking? She sounded genuinely concerned.

“I have a basic understanding of medicine,” Jiang Fanyin said, her voice dropping slightly. “I could examine you.”

She had indeed read a few medical texts and knew how to read pulses—enough for simple ailments, though she had never heard of a “sickness” like this. But this was an opportunity she couldn’t miss. She couldn’t stay trapped in the inner quarters of the yamen forever.

“Examine me how?” Song Boxue asked. The female lead knows medicine? She didn’t remember that from the book, but then again, she had skimmed through several parts.

Jiang Fanyin sat beside her. “Give me your hand. I will take your pulse.”

Song Boxue complied, rolling up her sleeve and placing her hand on the table. When the cool, slender fingertips touched her warm skin, the temperature difference made Song Boxue flinch, but she forced herself to stay still under Jiang Fanyin’s gaze.

“How do you feel when the episode occurs?” Jiang Fanyin asked. The pulse was steady, not like that of a sick person. Is it psychological?

Song Boxue’s mouth twitched. The feeling of an “episode” was just the feeling of a rut. “My mouth gets dry, I feel thirsty, very hot and I want to kiss you, I mean, kiss people.”

Jiang Fanyin’s finger trembled. “Have you kissed anyone else?” she asked coldly.

Song Boxue replied steadily, “No. Only you.”

This conversation is getting weird.

Jiang Fanyin maintained her frosty expression. “And besides that?”

“Besides that, after I kiss you, I feel the illness pass.” Seeing Jiang Fanyin’s expression darken, Song Boxue quickly added, “I don’t know why, but the symptoms just vanish.”

Jiang Fanyin studied her deeply for a moment. “Your pulse shows no physical abnormality. It is likely a psychological ailment.”

Perhaps living as a man for too long had forced her to distance herself from others so much that the pressure had backfired, creating a subconscious craving for contact.

Song Boxue nodded quickly. “Exactly. I think so too.” What better explanation is there?

Jiang Fanyin withdrew her hand and tapped her index finger twice on the table. Song Boxue watched the movement, wondering what she was thinking. This concern seemed a bit unearned; they weren’t that close.

After a long silence, Jiang Fanyin spoke calmly. “Living like this is not a solution. How about this: I shall stay by your side. If you have an episode, I can look after you.”

Look after me? How?

Song Boxue’s eyes darkened. “What, what do you mean by that?”

Did it mean that every time a heat cycle hit, the female lead would voluntarily help her “suppress” it? In other words, let her kiss her?

This is a bit too intense!

Jiang Fanyin’s eyes flickered. “It is not proper for you to always be alone. You are in need of a personal page.”