[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-m-the-cleanup-crew":3,"chapter-i-m-the-cleanup-crew-i-m-the-cleanup-crew-chapter-831":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I'm the Cleanup Crew!",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2286667,4472,"Chapter 831","i-m-the-cleanup-crew-chapter-831",831,"\u003Cp>Has someone already gone to my bedroom to fetch the documents?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing the Finance Minister’s words, the Princess, who had just been stunned and furious, gradually calmed down and turned to look at the old King seated on the main throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If altering or rescinding the replacement order—and even hoping Joshua would replace her—could still be the Queen and Finance Minister acting on their own, then sending someone directly to her bedroom to retrieve the proposal documents must have been approved by her father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, it was more than just approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the old King seated in his wheelchair directly beneath the crystal chandelier, half his face hidden in shadow, Princess Veronica involuntarily drew a deep breath, then sat back down in her seat and asked calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father, is this your will?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With eyelids slightly fluttering, the old King, whose face had become so emaciated it bore no resemblance to the portrait in his daughter’s bedroom—only the tear grooves beside his nose still faintly recalled his former appearance—said softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve already arranged this for you. Joshua will return from the Mo Erna Kingdom in three days and will take your place at the Shangyi Academy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re at an age to marry. These duties must eventually pass to Joshua. Rather than wait until after you marry into the Hei Sen Kingdom and then hand them over, it’s better he begins gaining experience now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I marry into the Hei Sen Kingdom…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the Princess pressed her lips together, stared at her father—who now seemed utterly alien—and asked without expression:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about Li Ang? My betrothal to him…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That betrothal has no need to be honored.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With bony hands gripping his scepter, he slammed it hard against the floor, cutting her off. Though his body had wasted away from illness, his gaze remained sharp and menacing as he rasped:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The only remaining value in the Lai En family lies in their positions in the Military and Road Departments. Over the past month, you’ve already consolidated most of their legacy. Those you couldn’t fully absorb can be temporarily sidelined and replaced gradually with your own people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, aside from that one Vice President seat in the Shangyi Academy and a few assets too hard to liquidate quickly, the Lai En family is useless. Not worth securing through your marriage. The crippled Duke of Hei Sen is your true destiny.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know he’s a crippled Duke, don’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching her father calmly decide her entire future, the Princess smiled faintly, a touch of mockery in her voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Never mind that he’s nearly twenty years older than me—his reputation for violent, brooding temper, for killing servants on a whim, even reaches the pirates of Sai Ao Kingdom. Are you certain such a man is my destiny?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing her words, the old King fell silent for a moment, then lowered his head slightly, avoiding her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As a Princess, you’ve enjoyed all the benefits the Kingdom provides. You owe it something in return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Veronica nodded, her eyes cold and empty:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You taught me this since childhood. I’ve always remembered it. I’ve always lived by it. But you? Have you lived by it yourself?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old King frowned, expressionless, and replied:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Veronica, what are you trying to say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I mean—you’re a terrible King. You’ve betrayed this country.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the Finance Minister beside her paled, and the Queen gasped, nearly toppling from her chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if shedding an unbearable burden, the Princess exhaled deeply, then spoke calmly to the old King:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, I had many things I wanted to say to you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like how it wasn’t the Royal Family that supported me—it was the ordinary people who toiled daily, and I owe them my gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like how, even if you value the Royal Family above all, if the Kingdom collapses, the Royal Family will vanish too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like how whether the Royal Family holds absolute power isn’t truly important—if we can make the Kingdom stronger, or even just give everyone a glimmer of hope, you’ll get everything you want…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the old King’s gaze, Princess Veronica smiled, but her expression held resignation:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I thought about it, and I won’t say any of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since your wife died, your heart has been completely filled with the Royal Family and the throne. Nothing else has room left—not even your own daughter. I’ve long been pushed out. No matter what I say, you won’t change your mind, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Finished?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old King’s unnaturally bright eyes, incongruous with his frail body, stared unblinking at the Princess, his voice calm:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’ve vented, write a letter to the Duke of Lionheart. Tell him you’re unwell and cannot attend the two-chamber assembly the day after tomorrow. Ask him, on your behalf, to use his position as Vice President of the Shangyi Academy to assist Joshua as much as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh. You haven’t changed at all. Anything you can use, you must squeeze dry for every last drop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To his face, she mocked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I’m not mistaken, the person sent to my bedroom to fetch the documents has already seized my seal—and even found someone who can mimic my handwriting. Even if I refuse to help, this letter will still be sent, won’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old King, half his body shrouded in shadow, replied calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So will you write it yourself, or shall I have someone write it for you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since the outcome is the same, I might as well write it myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying this, the Princess turned to face the Queen, whose face glowed with triumph, and smiled faintly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Congratulations. With Li Ang’s strong support, Joshua’s experience representing the Royal Family at the two-chamber assembly will surely be unforgettable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three days later, at five in the morning, in the Upper District of the Capital, Xihao Sen Palace, before the Assembly Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sun had not yet risen above the horizon, but the neighing of horses and the roar of boilers had already torn through the night. Dozens of elegant, luxurious steam carriages rolled in along the specially designated road and parked on the open ground outside the building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One after another, senators in long robes and top hats, their chests adorned with crown-shaped crests, stepped down from the carriages, removed their hats in greeting to acquaintances, then entered the main hall in small groups, waiting for the Shangyi Academy session to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Kingdom’s most important official power body, the two-chamber assembly never convened simultaneously. The Shangyi Academy session always began earlier and typically included royal attendance, often featuring an annual opening ceremony with an imperial address delivered by past Kings or Queens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since the old King’s illness worsened and he became unable to move, he had refused to attend the opening ceremony for three consecutive years. The elaborate rituals were suspended and replaced with brief remarks by royal family members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone’s here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pulling aside the curtain blocking his seat, the Finance Minister, clad in a deep gray robe, nodded in satisfaction, then turned to the freckled Prince beside him, dressed in lavish attire, and smiled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your first time attending the two-chamber assembly, and you’re representing the Royal Family with the imperial address. Are you nervous?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A little…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tugging at his tight collar, Joshua leaned toward the curtain’s gap, glanced at the main hall filled with nearly a thousand people, and said uneasily:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see a lot of Veronica’s people out there. She’s not here today—will they cooperate with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh, no need to worry. They’re Veronica’s people, but they’re also Royal Family people. Naturally, they should obey your will.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reassuring his nephew, the Finance Minister smiled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, your mother and I have already arranged a helper for you. If anything goes wrong, he’ll handle it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s good…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the freckled Prince sighed in relief, then asked curiously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle, who did you and Mother arrange to help me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Vice President of the Shangyi Academy—the current Duke of Lionheart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, so it’s the Lion…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait—what did you say? Who did you give me?\u003C\u002Fp>",1345,"2026-06-20T03:18:35.371Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","06cb58f1b70fd78848ef083d042b9737bc4c995bde94688dec953f3babfcb32f","i-m-the-cleanup-crew-chapter-832","i-m-the-cleanup-crew-chapter-830",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-m-the-cleanup-crew-cover.jpg"]