I am the villain in the book

"Young Master Tang, I like you."

Sunlight slanted into the pavilion, reflecting Li Zimu's figure in Tang Chen's seemingly dazed eyes.

Although the former had already prepared himself mentally, when he actually heard this "confession," which was likely not genuine, he was instantly stunned.

It's hard to describe Tang Chen's current mood.

Perhaps there was illusory joy, perhaps instinctive excitement, perhaps the anticipation of not wanting a beautiful dream to end, perhaps the pain of knowing his own limitations.

Regardless, Tang Chen knew he had to face reality eventually.

Even though he had already guessed the answer, to completely give up, he summoned the Mo Leopard again after a moment of愣住.

Having just returned to the dantian and being summoned out again, the Mo Leopard, resembling a pig's nose with scallions stuck in it, seemed a bit impatient.

However, Tang Chen was its master after all, so it only grunted twice to express its dissatisfaction before looking at Li Zimu again.

As for Tang Chen at this moment...

He didn't pay attention to the Mo Leopard's actions, his gaze fixed on Li Zimu.

He saw the latter's gentle eyes, saw her tightly clutching his handkerchief, saw her slightly red neck and ears.

At one moment, Tang Chen suddenly had an illusion.

He felt that the sentence Li Zimu had just said was true.

But reason repeatedly reminded him that this was impossible.

Alas.

Knowing that deceiving himself was meaningless, Tang Chen sighed inwardly, shifted his gaze, and turned to look at the Mo Leopard, which should have already reached a conclusion.

After the last fantasy, he was ready to face the cruel reality.

However...

The long elephant trunk slowly raised, then fell straight down.

Like a human nodding, the Mo Leopard's action was exactly the same as when it had previously tested Li Zimu's feelings for Chu Xianping.

It listlessly nodded its nose three times, then stopped moving, indicating that its task was complete.

"..."

His pupils contracted sharply, and Tang Chen was stunned.

He never expected to see such a result.

A result he had never anticipated.

But how was this possible?

In an instant, countless thoughts flooded his mind, making it impossible for Tang Chen to maintain his composure.

He stood there blankly, not knowing how to face such a situation.

And just at this moment, Li Zimu, who had been waiting for a long time, tentatively asked in a low voice:

"Young Master Tang, what's the result?"

"..."

Suddenly turning to look at Li Zimu's slightly flushed cheeks, Tang Chen was stunned for a moment, then shook his head with a smile.

"Naturally, it's false."

"Is that so?"

Li Zimu breathed a slight sigh of relief, but then asked with some concern, "Young Master Tang, are you telling the truth?"

"Miss Li, you don't have to doubt it."

Tang Chen said affirmatively, "I wouldn't joke about such a thing."

"Okay, I understand..."

Nodding slightly, Li Zimu looked at Tang Chen with some apology.

"Young Master Tang, I'm sorry, perhaps I shouldn't have told you about this..."

"It's alright."

Tang Chen waved his hand, his expression calm, "It's a good thing for both you and me, isn't it?"

"Yes... Young Master Tang, then I'll go back to my room first."

"Okay."

"By the way, do you still want to go out for a walk today? I can accompany you."

"No need, I'm a bit tired today, let's talk about it tomorrow."

"Alright..."

Looking at Tang Chen hesitantly, Li Zimu ultimately didn't say anything more, silently walked out of the pavilion, and soon disappeared at the end of the path.

Tang Chen stood there for a long while before walking towards a maid who was washing clothes not far away.

The maid's movements were somewhat clumsy, and she hadn't finished washing just a few pieces of clothing even after half an hour.

More importantly, the calluses on her right hand were clearly not formed from long-term heavy labor, but from someone who had practiced swordsmanship since childhood.

Seeing Tang Chen walking towards her, the maid quickly lowered her head, pretending to continue washing the already faded clothes.

Tang Chen didn't reveal her identity, but stopped in front of her and said silently:

"Please prepare a carriage for me, I want to see Young Master Wei."

"Also, please don't let Miss Li know about this."

"Thank you."

"..."

Half an hour later, Liangzhou Prefecture Office.

Just as Wei Changtian had finished discussing with Liang Zhen how to take over the teleportation array, the carriage Tang Chen was in stopped at the back door of the Prefecture Office.

"Young Master, Young Master Tang has arrived."

A guard came in to report the situation. Wei Changtian and Liang Zhen exchanged a look, nodded, and instructed:

"Alright, find a quiet room and take him there first, I'll be there shortly."

"Yes!"

The guard bowed and cupped his fist, then took his leave.

Wei Changtian then smiled and said to Liang Zhen, "Uncle Liang, you should understand what Li Zimu is doing now, right?"

"I understand, but..."

Someone had already sent a message about everything that had happened in the pavilion earlier.

Although he didn't know exactly what Li Zimu and Tang Chen had said, the scene of the two of them "pulling and tugging" in the pavilion made Liang Zhen finally understand that Li Zimu was using a "beauty trap."

Obviously, it seemed that this trick was very effective.

But there was still one thing he didn't understand.

"Changtian, how will Miss Li deal with the aftermath of this?"

"She can't really marry Tang Chen, can she?"

"She definitely won't marry him."

Wei Changtian curled his lip, "The person Li Zimu truly likes is Chu Xianping. If nothing unexpected happens, she would rather be a concubine for Brother Chu than be Tang Chen's wife."

"As for how to deal with the aftermath, we can just find a reason to brush it off."

"That's true."

Liang Zhen nodded in agreement, "Anyway, the feelings between men and women are like duckweed without roots, they can scatter as easily as they gather, so there's no need for a reasonable explanation."

"Oh? Uncle Liang, I didn't expect you to have such insights."

Wei Changtian laughed, "I wonder what your wife would say if she heard this?"

"Cough, my affection for your aunt cannot be compared to duckweed."

Liang Zhen coughed, "Just like you and Qin'er, you are both deeply in love."

"Hmm? Since you and your aunt are so deeply in love, Uncle Liang, why haven't you taken any concubines?"

Wei Changtian continued to tease relentlessly, "Where did that insight come from just now?"

"Why are you asking so many questions!"

Liang Zhen's old face turned red, "Who hasn't had a few confidantes when they were young?"

"Hahaha, I'm afraid it's not as simple as confidantes!"

"Uncle Liang, I remember two years ago when we encountered a flower ranking in Anyi County, Luzhou, the courtesan was called Su, Su..."

"Cough, Su Yu."

"That's right! It was Courtesan Su Yu! At that time, Uncle Liang, you not only spent a pleasant night with her, but also secretly took her to live in Shuzhou for some time..."

"H-How do you know about this?!"

"Uncle Liang, if you don't want anyone to know, don't do it. Qin'er had already noticed something was wrong."

"Then... Then she didn't tell your aunt, did she?"

"No, I stopped her."

"Good! Changtian, I really didn't misjudge you!"

"..."

In the council hall, Wei Changtian and Liang Zhen were chatting and chatting, and they didn't know where they were talking about, the atmosphere was relaxed and lively.

Tang Chen, who had been ignored by them, was already sitting in a quiet room, alone in the room.

He looked up at the closed door, then silently lowered his eyes.

Judging from the tightly clenched fists resting on his legs, Tang Chen should be very nervous now.

After all, the scene of Wei Changtian drinking tea in front of the four divine beasts of fortune a few days ago had indeed brought him too much fear.

However, whenever Tang Chen thought of Li Zimu's words, he would have a bit more courage to come.

So no matter what, he had to make this trip.

For Li Zimu.