Do You Like Me That Much? Miss Villainess

"Fourth watch of the ugly hour, heaven and earth freeze!"

"Fire in the ward, be careful with candles!"

Clang!

With a crisp gong sound, the night watchman's call echoed into the dark night.

Whoosh!

Sun Zhu dropped from a rooftop, his toes lightly touching the tiles before quickly flashing to another rooftop's shadow, leaving only an indistinct black figure.

Suddenly, he stopped, hiding in the darkness, coldly watching the night patrol constables pass by.

'Patrol routes are the same as the past two nights…'

'No signs of anything unusual. There probably won't be additional guards either, and maybe even fewer people due to the external situation.'

Thinking this, Sun Zhu couldn't help but shiver.

This Crown Prince was truly ruthless.

Just to provide cover for him, he had silenced several families that had been targeted, killing entire households and setting fires—tonight's citywide chaos was all his doing.

If he failed...

Sun Zhu's face turned cold as he calculated the timing and flashed over the wall.

No, he couldn't possibly fail.

These past few nights, he had come every day and memorized the night patrol arrangements by heart.

Which intersections had people patrolling, when the night watchman appeared, when shifts changed, where defenses were weak—he could walk the most suitable route with his eyes closed.

'Surely Shen Yao wouldn't personally guard against me.'

Sun Zhu chuckled to himself. He was overthinking it. Shen Yao had so much to do during the day—how could she have the energy to guard that thing every night, defending against him?

'Being careful never hurts.'

Sun Zhu touched the dagger at his waist.

His weapon of choice in the bureau was a ring-pommel broadsword, which everyone knew, but for thievery, he couldn't bring a broadsword. Even a long sword would hinder his movements, so he only carried a short dagger.

But even so, the seventh-rank guard watching the storage was absolutely no match for him.

Blue destiny traits [Tiger's Roar Dragon's Howl] and [Rend Sky].

Combined together.

A mere seventh-rank didn't even qualify to exchange a single move with him!

Swoosh—

Sun Zhu quietly avoided the constables guarding outside the storage, silently slipping into the corridor. Moving along the beams, he advanced cautiously and alertly without making a sound.

After a long while, he finally entered the storage and breathed a sigh of relief.

There wouldn't be anyone guarding inside the storage.

This was the rule.

'That Shen Yao really is something, having people guard night after night without explaining why. How could they be willing? Yawning guards—who could they stop?'

He sneered inwardly:

'Really just a little girl.'

Shaking his head slightly, after the black-clad figure adjusted for a moment, he could barely make out the storage layout. Following his previous memory of the arrangement, he carefully searched through the storage.

On the shelves—nothing.

On the bookshelves—nothing.

Where did it go? Sun Zhu frowned.

Suddenly he noticed a pile of items in the storage corner. He approached and searched through them, and there he saw the account book the Crown Prince had entrusted him to retrieve.

'They didn't even pay attention to it?'

'That makes it easy. The storage won't even notice one piece of evidence is missing.'

Sun Zhu sneered inwardly and casually opened the account book. But what met his eyes wasn't the account details that should have been recorded, but a line of bold, upright characters!

——Surrender without resistance!

What?! Sun Zhu's pupils contracted violently.

Boom!

The storage doors and windows suddenly burst open, wild wind howling in from outside, the sound like thunder.

"Who!"

Sun Zhu raised his voice, but before he could see the visitor clearly, he saw a black shadow radiating cold intent, raising a wooden sword toward him.

"Shen Yao!!"

Before he could create distance.

A sword fell directly toward him, powerful and heavy, deflecting the dagger he raised to his chest. Meeting his shocked, angry, and panicked gaze, it struck heavily on his shoulder.

The sword edge turned.

Then tapped his neck with the blade's back.

Sun Zhu didn't even have time to react before his vision went black and he collapsed unconscious.

In the pitch-black storage, Shen Yao sheathed her sword and wiped it clean, silently lowering her gaze:

"Take him away."

○

The next day.

Just as dawn was breaking, Su He sent someone to open convenient passage and invite that strategically brilliant princess.

"Lord Su, good morning."

Mu Qinglan smiled lightly, elegantly sipping the tea Su He had prepared for her, asking:

"Why has Lord Su summoned me at this time?"

"Princess, your strategies are flawless!" Su He said admiringly. "Last night, little Shen followed the Princess's suggestion to be extra vigilant and indeed caught the thief. From his actions, he was truly after the evidence little Bai won a few days ago."

Mu Qinglan nodded lightly.

"And that thief was indeed the bureau's corruption—Sun Zhu." Speaking of this, Su He snorted, his eyes full of coldness.

He didn't pay much attention to whether constables were being courted by others.

After all, court factions were deeply intertwined. As long as the constables did their best in solving cases, he was too lazy to manage so much.

But Sun Zhu's actions undoubtedly touched his reverse scale.

"Hmph, Crown Prince..."

Mu Qinglan looked up, asking softly: "Was he caught?"

"Shen Yao made the arrest."

"Did people see it?"

"A group of constables watched as that black-clad man was taken to the great prison."

Su He added: "Little Shen's subordinates have been guarding for several days—they deserve rewards."

"Quite clever."

Mu Qinglan smiled, feeling that the big blockhead Shen had made some progress, even knowing to win over subordinates now. Previously she had no thoughts in this direction at all.

Was she trying to help herself?

Really quite cute.

The two sat facing each other drinking two pots of tea, casually chatting about Great Xia's landscapes and customs during the interval. Mu Qinglan remembered many regional specialty items and mentioned a few briefly. After this exchange, Su He was even more satisfied with Mu Qinglan.

Well-informed and presumably well-read, combined with such a frail body, it indeed made people feel fond of her.

They slowly ate some breakfast.

Mu Qinglan suddenly thought of something: "This breakfast...?"

Su He laughed heartily: "Little Bai brought it this morning. I took it when she wasn't paying attention."

"...How does Lord Su have such refined interests?"

"When little Shen first became my disciple, I would steal her sword when she wasn't paying attention, then show off in front of her. After entering eighth rank for over a month, she could already defend against my spying. Little Bai values different things from little Shen, so I can only steal her breakfast to encourage cultivation."

Su He said:

"But this breakfast tastes good—an unexpected pleasure."

Mu Qinglan also nodded slightly:

"Indeed."

Eating little Miss Bai's breakfast and seeing her pitiful expression would give Mu Qinglan a sense of harvest joy.

Halfway through eating, a subordinate came to report that they had pried open Sun Zhu's mouth.

Now they were reporting the extracted information sentence by sentence.

"Sun Zhu secretly communicated with the Crown Prince. Over several years, he has planted several spies in various Six Bureaus departments. All have now been imprisoned.

…Last night's city incidents were also done by the Crown Prince's faction—a diversion tactic.

…Going further back, there are several murder cases also committed by the Crown Prince. People have been sent to investigate…"

Mu Qinglan silently listened to the interrogated information, finally sighing lightly.

These weren't major matters.

Not that these major cases involving dozens of lives weren't serious.

Rather, this testimony came from Six Bureaus Constable Sun's mouth and had no absolute credibility. Those murder cases were long past, and with time's erosion, it would be difficult to find concrete evidence.

Only the matter of planting moles in the Six Bureaus could be acted upon.

But this wasn't a major matter either—at most a warning before it would be dropped.

The Crown Prince was cunning...

She needed to think of a way.

○

After a long while, having finished listening to the subordinate's report, Su He proactively asked:

"What do you think?"

The civilian subordinate was shocked—who was this person to receive such regard from Chief Constable Su?

Mu Qinglan said indifferently:

"It's a stick for beating the dog, but not a knife for killing it."

Su He said: "Indeed... Having been Crown Prince for three years, he already knows where to be cunning as a fox and where to be fierce as a tiger. Last night's matter—without Princess's warning, the thief would probably have succeeded."

"The timing just wasn't right."

Su He glanced at his subordinate with cold eyes, signaling him to leave. After he left, he said:

"Let me tell you about the Six Bureaus situation."

Mu Qinglan listened attentively.

"The Six Bureaus has six divisions, with four divisions assigned to north, south, east, and west, each led by fourth-rank division heads.

Of the remaining two divisions, one is led by me, the other by a third-rank deputy chief constable who is out investigating cases and hasn't returned. Due to health issues, he won't compete for the position.

Heyang has nine great constables, all fifth-rank, with over ten sixth and seventh-rank subordinates, and hundreds of eighth and ninth-rank...

When she reaches fourth rank with the highest achievements, she can be established as a chief constable candidate; third rank makes her acting chief constable; as for second rank later? By then, little Shen becoming chief constable would leave no one daring to gossip..."

Su He continued:

"You can ask Shen Yao for help with future matters. Though she's cold by nature, I think she'd be willing to help you."

Mu Qinglan smiled. Miss Shen would naturally be willing.

Very willing indeed.

"I understand," Mu Qinglan agreed, then thought and said: "I have another achievement that could add to Constable Shen's campaign for chief constable. Do you want it?"

Su He's expression froze for a moment.

Again?

○

While Mu Qinglan was chatting pleasantly with Su He in the Understanding Principle Pavilion.

Inside and outside the Six Bureaus was also full of gossip.

Thieves had broken in! The thief was caught! The thief was a constable! There were other thieves in the bureau!

This news just kept rising and never fell.

Making everyone extremely curious.

Evidence Division storage keeper Ding Shengcai was also interested, telling everyone he met that he had known someone would attack the storage, so he specifically invited Constable Shen to oversee it! How glorious! How glorious!

Those who didn't know the inside story all admired him.

But those who had dealt with this guy before couldn't help rolling their eyes.

Didn't you say before that places like storage would definitely have no intruders, and confidently claim Shen Yao was doing useless work?

How did you change your tune today?

Ding Shengcai was completely shameless, just asking whether they caught the traitor or not. His attitude when seeing Shen Yao today was much more polite, almost fawning.

Constable Shen was nearly demonic in intelligence—praising her wasn't embarrassing.

As for Shen Yao's subordinates, they were even more excited.

They really caught a thief, and it was another constable from the bureau—this was tremendous merit!

For a moment, many constables felt ashamed for previously questioning Shen Yao's decisions. Would Constable Shen harm them?

Even though they couldn't contribute much, they all received rewards for participating.

The cost was merely working overtime for two consecutive days.

The supervisor looked at his subordinates' smiling faces and smiled imperceptibly, thinking that Constable Shen was indeed far more farsighted than himself!

Subordinates were highly motivated.

Colleagues also admired her greatly.

Now, who in the Six Bureaus would dare question Constable Shen's insufficient qualifications?

Sorry, there really was someone who dared.

That bold bad person who dared question Constable Shen's qualifications was now lying on the bed in Shen Yao's office for her afternoon rest, lying on her side, propping her head with one hand, patting the mattress in a welcoming manner.

"Great Constable Shen, this little woman has come to sweep the steps in welcome."

The white-haired girl said with a smile.

Shen Yao looked at her, silent for a moment, saying somewhat unnaturally in a soft voice:

"That's my bed."

"Oh my!" Mu Qinglan was slightly surprised, then blinked: "So Miss Shen wants to go to my bed? How bold... tsk tsk."

Shen Yao lowered her gaze, avoiding the question: "I've already caught Sun Zhu. The Crown Prince's side shouldn't send anyone to try taking that thing again, right?"

"They won't."

Mu Qinglan said confidently: "The Six Bureaus is already on guard. If they want to steal evidence under pressure again, it would probably require a third-rank expert. The Crown Prince definitely has third-rank support, but he's not the emperor, nor a third-rank's father. He can't mobilize them at will. It's even possible those guys would abandon him and run if they see things going badly."

Mu Qinglan's judgment was quite accurate and reasonable.

Shen Yao trusted unconditionally.

"Then your visit this time is...?"

Mu Qinglan tilted her head and smiled: "In Miss Shen's heart, am I the type who only visits for business?"

She pouted, turning the tables: "Miss Shen is that type of person—always coming to others for business, not interesting at all. No wonder I just heard people outside spreading rumors that Constable Shen's rumored little girlfriend was stolen by Constable Bai..."

Shen Yao suddenly interrupted the bad woman's complaints: "I don't have..."

"Hm?"

"I don't always look for you for business. You're the one who's like that..."

Shen Yao bit her lower lip and argued softly.

Because she had stayed up very late these past few days and did many things this morning, Miss Shen spoke softly today, feeling like a lake with thin ice in spring—it would break with a tap.

Mu Qinglan smiled and acknowledged the big iceberg's accusation, then lay on the bed without any psychological burden.

She patted the mattress.

"Alright, alright, it's all my fault. As compensation, Miss Shen, I invite you to sleep with me. How about it?"

"..."

It was poison.

This was poison the bad woman used to tempt her and make her lower her guard.

Miss Shen was certain of this.

But she was really a bit tired today. Though a fifth-rank body could let her easily fight a hundred opponents, she was still mortal flesh and would be troubled by bodily instincts.

So even knowing it was poison, she had to drink it to quench her thirst.

"I'll only sleep a little while."

Shen Yao hesitated for half a second before finally giving in.

"Come, come."

The bad woman elegantly stretched on the bed, looking up from below at Miss Iceberg with lazy eyes, appearing ready to be plucked like a white cat waiting for its master's affection.

Shen Yao turned her head aside.

Ignoring the bad woman's particularly delicate pretty face illuminated by sunlight through the window, she sat on the bed's edge.

She was about to lean against the bedpost to rest.

But then a soft body suddenly pressed lightly against her back, accompanied by arms wrapping around from behind and the white-haired girl's warm, gentle breathing.

Miss Iceberg's pupils contracted as she trembled twice.

Miss Bad Woman curved her lips and blew twice.

"What, don't you want to rest with others? Others have swept the steps in welcome."

"...Someone might come, and the window isn't closed..."

Shen Yao bit her lip, struggling to argue.

"Window?"

The bad woman raised an eyebrow, looking outside. She extended her jade-like finger before Shen Yao's eyes, pointing at Miss Shen's cool but tender cheek, gently pulling. Like turning off a light, the window closed and the room immediately darkened.

Clang—

The sound of the door being locked also came.

"Mm?"

Mu Qinglan made a very intimate "mm" sound in Shen Yao's ear.

"..."

Though the big iceberg Shen kept people at a thousand miles' distance, facing Mu Qinglan, she really had no solutions.

So she could only carefully lie sideways on the bed, maintaining a position facing outward, eyes open, nervously and anxiously fighting the sleepiness demon.

A hand rested on her waist.

Shen Yao's body trembled slightly.

She felt a bit nervous, flustered, ashamed, uneasy, and a trace of anticipation that even she probably hadn't noticed...

"Good girl, don't move around."

Mu Qinglan whispered very softly in her ear: "Don't turn back, just sleep like this. I'm guarding behind you."

Hearing this, Miss Shen's body first stiffened slightly, then quickly softened.

Soon came the sound of even breathing.

She must really have been tired these past two days.

In the dim room, Mu Qinglan propped her cheek with one hand. The cute and mischievous expression on her face gradually faded, becoming expressionless. For more chapters visıt novel(ꜰ)ire.net

Then she also lay down.

"You trust me quite a bit."

Mu Qinglan's lips curved.

But you'll need to trust me even more in the future. Being able to sleep beside me will gradually develop habits and deepen your sense of trust and dependence on me...

Also, Miss Shen will have a surprise when she wakes up.

○

Sleeping was a very complicated matter.

In Mu Qinglan's view, this complexity mainly manifested in two aspects: first, bathing and changing clothes; second, defeating the laziness demon.

Today was just an afternoon nap, so bathing and changing wasn't necessary.

Just holding the big iceberg while sleeping was enough.

But when it came to defeating the laziness demon, there was a small problem.

To be clear upfront, though Mu Qinglan had a malicious personality, was resourceful, and liked toying with others' feelings, she was essentially a delicate and frail sickly girl, and her chosen profession provided minimal physical enhancement.

So not winning the resurrection match and clinging to Miss Iceberg to prevent her from getting up was quite reasonable... right?

Miss Shen found it very unreasonable.

Even though she had just woken up with her head still groggy and couldn't quite remember what happened before sleeping, she felt that Miss Bad Woman desperately hugging her waist and not letting her get up was definitely something that shouldn't exist.

"I need to go to work."

Shen Yao said helplessly in a small voice.

"No."

"But I can't just lie here forever."

"Then you carry me."

So the bad woman who was too lazy to get up was carried to her wheelchair by the cold, hard, smelly iceberg.

The room wasn't very cold, but compared to the warm bedding, it was naturally far inferior. So when the wind blew, the slightly dazed Mu Qinglan immediately woke up and pouted.

She pretended to wipe away tears:

"How heartless, Miss Shen. You just slept with someone and now you're so cold."

"Don't talk nonsense."

"How is it nonsense?"

"We didn't sleep."

"Didn't sleep?"

"...Anyway, it's not that meaning."

Miss Shen was almost anxious from her questions. The thin sleepiness remaining after waking instantly disappeared, feeling as tired as if she'd just finished overtime.

But she really couldn't muster much anger toward the bad woman.

Because the bad woman was really cute...

Having a young face and petite figure yet always acting like an adult, making various serious expressions while appearing very reliable—it really didn't inspire any ill feelings.

Even if Mu Qinglan was bad, Miss Shen found it hard to be wary of her.

After all, she was small and cute, clearly without any bad intentions.

Advanced hunters often appeared in the form of prey—Mu Qinglan understood this principle well.

Shen Yao was too lazy to deal with her and simply opened the window, discovering it was already somewhat dark outside.

"Past five o'clock," Mu Qinglan said casually.

"I need to see Master. We caught Sun Zhu today and extracted some information from him. I estimate Master will have me handle these matters." Shen Yao said.

"It's all your achievement, Great Constable Shen." Mu Qinglan smiled.

But you won't be handling those trivial matters.

Now, Miss Shen, you probably have more important things to do, such as... severing the Crown Prince's right-hand man.

But Shen Yao obviously didn't know this yet, only shaking her head:

"Just doing my duty."

"Then hurry and go. Why are you telling me these things? Maybe there will be some surprise waiting for you." Mu Qinglan smiled.

Shen Yao's voice was cool and cold: "I'm leaving."

"Then," Mu Qinglan tilted her head, "safe travels?"

"Mm."

○

Miss Shen left, but not completely.

She didn't forget about Miss Mu Qinglan left alone and pitiful in the room.

After the meeting, she didn't choose to eat alone but brought two lunch boxes back to the room. After dining together with Mu Qinglan, she took up her sword and hurriedly said goodbye.

Mu Qinglan watched her retreating figure, gloating.

"Someone's going to be unlucky!"

○

"Could there really be such a thing as fortune in this world?"

The Crown Prince sighed deeply, looking at the woman across from him.

"Your Highness needn't worry too much. Even if fortune exists in this world, Your Highness the Crown Prince must be among those with the most abundant fortune. Moreover, fortune is ethereal and elusive—such concepts are even less worth discussing."

Lou Guanyue shook her head slightly, glancing at the small report on the table:

"Is Your Highness worried about Sun Zhu's matter?"

The Crown Prince's face darkened as he nodded glumly:

"Recently it's been like being cursed—plans keep failing. Could Prince Qi's daughter really have expert assistance?"

He couldn't understand, really couldn't understand why his schemes would inevitably fail whenever they involved Mu Qinglan.

If Mu Qinglan were highly capable, that would be one thing, but what abilities could a sickly princess have?

"Your Highness could temporarily ignore her. Even without targeting her, Prince Qi can't stay out of it much longer."

Lou Guanyue said softly:

"When my clan's schemes are activated, in this Great Xia... no one can escape."

As her words fell, the Crown Prince remained silent, just staring out the window.

Outside, dark clouds rolled with lightning snakes occasionally darting through.

It would surely be a heavy rain.

Just then, a spy knocked on the door. After receiving permission, he entered and reported urgently:

"Disaster! Skyreach Tower has been surrounded by a group of Six Bureaus constables!"

"What?!"

The Crown Prince's face changed dramatically.