Volume 1, Chapter 9: This Wu Meiniang Is Nothing But a Scumbag

After the Empress Wu Zetian finished speaking these few words, Su Zhongwen’s eyes visibly brightened with excitement.

The next moment, under Su Chen’s terrified gaze, Su Zhongwen responded resolutely and powerfully:

“Your Majesty, please rest assured. Su Chen will definitely participate in this year’s imperial examination. Even if I have to be tied up, I will drag him along. He will not disappoint Your Majesty’s great expectations!”

“Chen, what are you still standing there for? If it weren’t for Her Majesty’s words today, your brother here might have truly made a grave mistake!”

“Chen, don’t worry. You are… um… no, you are honest. Moreover, the Empress has allowed you to study in the Inner Academy. Why aren’t you rushing to thank Her Majesty for her grace?”

At this moment, Su Zhongwen truly displayed the demeanor of the head of the family.

He had come to a complete realization: the Empress was absolutely right.

He could not shelter Su Chen from all hardships forever!

Furthermore, how could a son of the Su family be so unworthy? In the past, he had let Su Chen act recklessly, be idle, and lie around like a salted fish—that was one thing.

But now, with such a great opportunity before him, Su Zhongwen decided to straighten out Su Chen’s rogue tendencies.

He was determined to transform Su Chen completely, to make him a pillar of the Great Qian!

Though Su Chen cursed inwardly, under the dual pressure of the Empress’s authority and his older brother’s gaze, he reluctantly yielded.

At this moment, the second young master of the Su household trembled slightly, his face showing an indescribable excitement.

Yet no one knew that within, Su Chen was wailing in despair, almost cursing his fate.

“My brother, are you out of your mind? You’re being sold out and you’re still counting the money for them?”

“That woman clearly has ill intentions. Doesn’t she seem like a good person to you?”

“Study at the Inner Academy? I’m so brilliant, why would I need to go there? Are they worthy to teach someone like me?”

“And you want me to take the imperial exam this year? What kind of nonsense is that? You beast!”

“Commoner Su Chen thanks Your Majesty!”

With tears in his eyes but no strength to protest, Su Chen was dragged by Su Zhongwen to respectfully bow before the Empress, his teeth clenched tightly… no, properly and formally.

“It’s no trouble, Su Qing. I can see at a glance that your younger brother has great talent. We must not let personal failings hinder Su Chen’s future!”

“Chen, (Empress’s inner voice: scoundrel) I have something to tell you.”

“The sage said, ‘When Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a man, it first exercises his mind with suffering, his sinews and bones with toil, his body with hunger and his limbs with exhaustion…’ I’ve heard some things about you, but you must not continue like this! I await the day you serve the Great Qian realm!”

The Empress looked at Su Chen with great delight.

Although Su Chen’s inner complaints annoyed her greatly, that was of no consequence.

If I am displeased, I have ways to make you even more displeased.

You want to lie around like a salted fish, be idle, sleep eight hours a day, and not serve me?

I will force you to study in the Inner Academy!

You wouldn’t just do nothing, relying solely on Su Zhongwen, would you?

I will raise you to be an official of Great Qian. You will serve Great Qian!

With this thought, the Empress dismissed Su Chen’s insults lightly.

A few harsh words are nothing!

If I cannot have your heart, then I shall have your body.

And I do not even need your heart; your body alone will satisfy me.

Alas, Su Chen could not hear the Empress’s inner voice; otherwise, he would certainly have shouted:

“You wicked woman!”

…

“Enough, Su Qing, today ends here. I must return to the palace. Pay close attention to the Ministry of Justice and Su Chen’s affairs!”

The Empress rose, her mood exceedingly pleasant.

Today’s visit to the Di residence had yielded extraordinary gains.

Besides Su Zhongwen, a rare talent of Great Qian, Su Chen was also remarkable.

“I respectfully see off Your Majesty!” Su Zhongwen bowed, still overwhelmed by the Empress’s favor toward his younger brother.

Yet to Su Chen’s dismay, just as the Empress turned to leave, she suddenly looked back, her gaze fixating on the porcelain jar of chrysanthemum tea in Su Chen’s hand.

Even a pin dropping could be heard in the sudden silence that fell over the main hall.

The Empress stood before Su Chen, wordless, her phoenix-like eyes fixed firmly on the jar.

[I swear, when will this end? Damn it, you want to eat and drink my tea and still try to take away my chrysanthemum tea!]

[Damn Wu Meiniang, you’re too much!]

But Wu Zetian was Wu Zetian!

As long as this shameless Empress did not feel embarrassed, she was entitled to act with complete confidence.

After a moment, Su Chen finally surrendered.

He respectfully presented the porcelain jar filled with chrysanthemum tea with both hands:

“Your Majesty, if you do not mind, this commoner would like to offer this jar of chrysanthemum tea to Your Majesty!”

“Hmm, thank you for your effort, Chen. Then I shall not be polite.”

Su Chen inwardly cursed, (Polite? You’re joking, damn it!)

The Empress showed no hint of embarrassment.

She signaled to Shangguan Wan’er, the foremost female official of Great Qian, who immediately understood and took the tea jar from Su Chen without hesitation.

Su Chen watched helplessly as Shangguan Wan’er took away his jar of chrysanthemum tea, then the Empress turned and left without further delay.

At that moment, Su Chen’s mind was filled with dark lines.

“I spit on you! Shameless! So despicable! You just wanted my chrysanthemum tea, couldn’t you say so directly? You made me think you were interested in me!”

“Ah, whatever, it’s just a jar of chrysanthemum tea. I have plenty more here!”

“Just take the tea and leave quickly. Seeing you annoys me!”

Su Chen grumbled inwardly but finally breathed a sigh of relief as the Empress truly departed.

At last, he could return to his leisurely development!

Ah! The air of freedom is so fresh and sweet!

…

After seeing off the Empress, the two Su brothers returned home.

Su Chen collapsed into a chair, but this time Su Zhongwen did not indulge him further.

Rather, he pulled Su Chen up with earnest seriousness:

“Chen, it’s not just me saying this. The Empress is right; you really can’t continue like this. I’ve decided that starting tomorrow, I will send you to the Inner Academy. Chen, rest assured, I will train you to become a pillar of Great Qian!”

A sacred glow shone on Su Zhongwen’s face.

As Su Chen’s elder brother, Su Zhongwen knew well that Su Chen was neither stupid nor foolish, simply extraordinarily lazy, lazy in everything except sleeping.

If Su Chen had even half of Su Zhongwen’s diligence, he certainly would not be in his current state.

Therefore, Su Zhongwen resolved, for the sake of their ancestors and the Empress’s imperial grace, to devote himself wholeheartedly from this day forward to correcting Su Chen’s path.

He would make his younger brother a true pillar of Great Qian!