[{"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-842":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},2286678,4472,"Chapter 842","i-m-the-cleanup-crew-chapter-842",842,"\u003Cp>After receiving the Queen’s order, the two guards hurried forward and slammed their shoulders into the locked door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether due to the guards’ strength or some flaw in the door itself, after only a few impacts, the spring mechanism embedded in the door snapped with a crisp crack, and the three-finger-thick door swung open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Veronica’s bedroom window faced directly toward the door, the moment the door burst open, blinding sunlight streamed through the window and struck the doorway, causing everyone in the corridor to instinctively shut their eyes—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Queen could open her eyes, a voice so close it seemed to whisper right beside her ear suddenly spoke, even making her earlobe feel the cool breath of the speaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aaaah!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled by the sudden proximity of the question, the Queen’s meticulously painted face turned pale, then she stumbled backward two steps, her foot catching on the hem of her crimson gown, nearly toppling straight onto the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You scared me to death!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her daughter standing by the door, backlit by sunlight, wearing a faint, mournful smile as she gazed silently at her, the Queen, still trembling from shock, took a few breaths—then, feeling humiliated by her own fright, flushed red and snapped angrily:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you dead? How can you walk without making a sound?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing the Queen’s scolding, Princess Veronica lowered her head and spoke respectfully:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I startled you. I’ll be more careful next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching her daughter—who normally never failed to retort, never failed to smirk and mock her—now bowed her head and apologized sincerely, the Queen outside the door froze, momentarily disoriented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lips moved slightly, then she finally came to her senses, nodded vaguely, and murmured an automatic “Mm,” staring curiously at the Princess across from her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strange… why didn’t she argue this time?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did being locked up finally break her? Or has she given up entirely on competing with my Joshua for the throne, and now seeks to curry favor with me, hoping for a better life after being married off?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But… if she truly wanted to please me, wouldn’t she just stay quietly inside? Then why did she smash everything?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to fathom what her stepdaughter truly intended, the Queen pushed past Veronica and entered the bedroom, surveying the shattered furniture—then gave up pretense, relying on her superior status to snap:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t think a few sweet words will let you off the hook! Why did you smash things? Are you dissatisfied with my decision and your father’s?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I dare not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the Queen’s question, “Veronica” blinked her emerald glass eyes, nervously waved her scarred arm, and addressed the iron doll before her, clad in a crimson gown, elegant and imposing:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are my mother, and the Queen of the Kingdom—your status far exceeds mine. How could I possibly be dissatisfied with you? If you forbade me to leave, I truly shouldn’t have left. Locking me up is your rightful authority.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This feels… off somehow… Is this really something Veronica would say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the obedient Princess before her, the Queen’s iron face softened slightly in suspicion. She blinked her ruby eyes, opened her ceramic-laced iron lips, and stared warily:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop pretending. You’re hiding some scheme. But I’ll tell you—now it’s too late!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joshua left early with his uncle for the Upper Council; according to the agenda, they’re already discussing the Replacement Decree. Even if you rushed over now with tricks, you couldn’t change the outcome—Joshua has already taken over your… the Royal Household!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m telling you, from now on, no matter what you do, the next King will be Joshua. Give up this foolish idea now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After blinking her glass eyes, “Veronica” nodded, her expression earnest:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Joshua is truly outstanding—I can’t compare. The next King can only be him. In temperament, talent, and wisdom, he surpasses me by far.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Veronica’s words, the Queen fell silent for a moment—then her iron face flushed crimson with fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bastard! Who do you think you are?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joshua may be my son, but as his mother, don’t I know his true nature? You—you—you… are you praising him? No—you’re mocking me! You’re spitting in my face!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dammit! Even if you argued back like before, smirked, and mocked me, it’d be better than this hollow flattery! Don’t you dare insult me like this!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve gone too far!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furious, the iron Queen stomped her feet twice—she no longer cared why the Princess had smashed things. She turned to leave—but “Veronica” grabbed her arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where are you going?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the iron Queen’s furious eyes, “Veronica” blinked, then offered with sincere apology:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did I say something wrong to upset you? How about this—I’ll give you a gift to make up for it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, she reached into the wreckage of the shelf and picked up a beautiful doll, face twisted in shock, clad in a thin nightgown, and offered it to the iron Queen, her expression apologetic:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This doll has been with me for six years. Today, I give it to you—as an apology. Do whatever you wish with it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Get lost! Who wants your stupid doll!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sharp *slap*, the doll was knocked from “Veronica’s” hand by the furious Queen, crashing onto the floor. A large gash split the doll’s shoulder, and crimson stains seeped out, staining the carpet deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the iron Queen showed no surprise at a doll bleeding—she ignored the doll’s pained expression on the floor and glared at “Veronica”:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll tell your father about this! Damn it! Let go of me! Don’t pull me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the iron Queen’s words, “Veronica” recoiled as if shocked, her grip snapping open and her whole body stepping back half a pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet “Veronica” paid no mind—she hurried forward two steps, catching up to the Queen who was storming off, and spoke cautiously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong? Don’t you like my gift?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then if you don’t like it, just burn her!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother? Why won’t you answer me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll answer your grandmother’s leg!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frustrated by “Veronica’s” sarcastic tone, the iron Queen whirled around and roared:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You—hmm?!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you have something to say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With her cold palm clamped tightly over the Queen’s mouth, “Princess Veronica’s” half-missing face finally split into a delighted smile. She dragged the struggling Queen while laughing cheerfully:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother, the light over there is poor. If you have something to say, come here and tell me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though not your biological daughter, I’m still your child! So as long as you speak, give me an order—I promise I’ll obey you completely. Deal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmm! Oooohhh!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing the crazed “Veronica,” the Queen’s eyes widened in terror. She thrashed wildly, whimpering and calling for help to the guards behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the guards, all with iron faces, acted as if they saw nothing—still walking slowly behind, not one lifting a finger to help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the noise drew their attention, they merely raised their heads to glance—then, seeing no order given, lowered their gray iron faces again and followed obediently, continuing their duty to guard the Queen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother, look—the flowers in the palace garden have bloomed. Can you pick me one?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pinning the struggling iron Queen, “Veronica” dragged her to an open window, pressed her against the sill, then shoved her out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aaaaaaah!!!!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Mother. You’re so kind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the Queen tumble from the twenty-meter-high window, crash onto the garden’s stone floor, and shatter into pieces, “Veronica” nodded in satisfaction, then turned and smiled at the iron guards behind her:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is my father? I haven’t seen him in days—I miss him.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1259,"2026-06-20T03:18:35.371Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","79e16d453bb24416c4ee1b2a32a03fc04dd1489a20ef6203ea6422b2fe88d923","i-m-the-cleanup-crew-chapter-843","i-m-the-cleanup-crew-chapter-841",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-m-the-cleanup-crew-cover.jpg"]