Volume 1, Chapter 10: Wu Meiniang, I Swear Eternal Enmity Against You

Su Chen was stunned. Having just heard Su Zhongwen’s words, he found himself utterly unable to refute them.

*Oh, my dear brother, have you truly been brainwashed by that woman? Do you not know what kind of person I am?*

With this thought, Su Chen hurriedly disparaged himself. "Brother, I am truly not cut out for serving in the imperial court. Please, spare yourself the trouble. Isn't it enough that I stay at home and brew tea for you every day?"

In the past, if Su Chen spoke like this, Su Zhongwen’s heart would soften, and he would typically concede. After all, with Su Zhongwen’s current salary, supporting Su Chen was no problem at all. Furthermore, Su Chen had no particular penchant for throwing his weight around; he was easy to provide for.

But today, Su Zhongwen’s mindset had completely shifted. Looking at Su Chen’s spineless display, his expression darkened instantly.

"Chen'er, you cannot speak like that. Everything I do is for your own good. Besides, the Empress herself has ordered you to take the imperial examinations. Can you not win some honor for your brother, for our Su family?"

Su Zhongwen let out a long sigh. Failing to place first in the top-tier jinshi examinations years ago, instead settling for a lower ranking, had been the great regret of his life.

*I give up, I truly give up. What kind of love potion has that woman fed you to make you so obsessed? Wu Meiniang, I swear we are irreconcilable enemies!*

...

It had been only a year since Wu Zetian ascended the throne. In the city of Chang'an, tongues were still wagging. Had it not been for the thunderous, decisive measures Wu Zetian used throughout the year to stabilize the situation at court, the state of affairs in Chang'an would likely not be as calm as it was now.

Nevertheless, the Empress leaving the palace today to visit the Su residence and meet with Su Zhongwen had caused quite a stir throughout Chang'an.

At the Prince of Zhou’s mansion, Wu Zetian’s rise to power had been built upon the support of the Wu clan. Since becoming Empress, she had shown great favor to her kin, leading to Wu Sansi being enfeoffed as the Prince of Zhou, granted the title of Minister of Works, and appointed to the Secretariat, alongside his tenure as General of the Right Guard of the Great Qian. He was arguably the most powerful and decorated figure of the Wu family.

At this moment, within the Prince of Zhou’s mansion, Wu Sansi frowned as he listened to a secret guard’s report on the Empress's movements. It had to be said that the genetic legacy of the Wu clan was quite remarkable; the Empress was heroic and spirited, and Wu Sansi was equally tall and handsome, though his dark eyes were filled with malice.

After hearing the report, Wu Sansi frowned deeply. "The Empress stayed at the Su residence for over an hour?"

"She has appointed Su Zhongwen as Minister of Justice. This position is of great consequence, holding exclusive power over the laws of our dynasty—especially for those of us in the nobility, it represents the power of life and death. It seems the Empress is not entirely satisfied with our conduct."

Wu Sansi furrowed his brow. He was well aware of the backlog of cases in the Ministry of Justice, most of which were tied to their own interests.

Even so, what could be done? Wu Zetian’s throne had been fought for and secured by the Wu family, who had risked life and limb. Now that she sat on the throne, she wanted to kick them aside—how could that be allowed?

"Your Highness, this matter must be investigated. That Su Zhongwen has long enjoyed a reputation for virtue and is said to be extremely difficult to deal with. His appointment as Minister of Justice was personally recommended by the Chancellor himself. I fear that behind Su Zhongwen stands that old man!"

Beside Wu Sansi, another exceptionally handsome face spoke up. This man was even more beautiful than Wu Sansi, with features like a lotus flower, yet he possessed the heart of a viper.

"You are right. Yan Liben is indeed a difficult man to deal with," Wu Sansi said in a low voice. The politics of the Great Qian Dynasty were currently divided into four factions.

The first consisted of the veterans of the Zhenguan era, led by the likes of Zhangsun Wuji and Cheng Yaojin—a faction staunchly loyal to the Li family.

The second were the nobles of the Wu clan, such as the Prince of Zhou, Wu Sansi, and the Prince of Wei, Wu Chengsi.

The third were the great clans and landed families, primarily the "Five Surnames and Seven Houses." These people held significant power not just at court, but in the provinces as well.

The fourth were the minor officials from humble backgrounds, with Su Zhongwen as their representative—naturally, this was the weakest and smallest faction.

Yan Liben held a unique position. As a veteran of the Zhenguan era, he had deep ties with Zhangsun Wuji and Cheng Yaojin, yet he was also one of the primary supporters of Wu Zetian’s ascension, granting him immense influence at court.

Now that Yan Liben was backing Su Zhongwen, he could sway all three other factions. If he succeeded in this, his voice at court would truly reach an unparalleled peak.

"Your Highness, I heard that during the Empress's visit to the Su residence, she specifically granted Su Zhongwen’s younger brother, Su Chen, permission to study at the Inner Academy."

"What is Su Chen’s background?" Wu Sansi asked with a frown. Su Zhongwen was already difficult to handle; if a Su Chen were added to the mix, wouldn't it be even harder?

"Rest assured, Your Highness. Although he is Su Zhongwen’s brother, he is said to be idle and unlearned; he is nothing to fear. I have an idea to make him embarrass himself at the Inner Academy. What does the Prince of Zhou think?"

"Do not make it too obvious. Just give Su Zhongwen a signal so he knows there are things he must not touch."

Wu Sansi nodded. *That old man Yan Liben wants to groom Su Zhongwen to deal with us? I will break your spearhead right now and see what else you can do!*

Little did Wu Sansi know that the Su Chen he dismissed as unremarkable would cause him endless trouble in the future.

"Brother Zhang, I have always admired the intelligence of you and your brother. According to my latest intelligence, within two months, once spring returns, the court will likely hold the imperial examinations again. I hope that you, Brother Zhang, will seize the top spot!" Wu Sansi nodded as he looked at the brothers Zhang Zongchang and Zhang Yizhi.

"Your Highness, please be assured. When the time comes, the top rank will undoubtedly belong to us."

Zhang Zongchang, the one who had spoken earlier, had a face like a peach blossom—refined and exceptionally handsome, though his features were so delicate and effeminate that they would make even women jealous.

"Good. As long as you secure the top rank, I will fully support you both to become high-ranking officials of our Great Qian!"

Wu Sansi was delighted. *Yan Liben can recruit people, but can’t I, Wu Sansi, do the same?*

Meanwhile, at the mansion of the Prince of Wei, Wu Chengsi, there was also much discussion, naturally centered on the Empress's sudden visit to the Su residence and her extended stay there.

Of course, it wasn't just the Prince of Zhou and the Prince of Wei. News of the Empress's visit to the Su residence spread throughout Chang'an like wildfire. The veterans of the Zhenguan era and the great clans of the Five Surnames and Seven Houses all heard the news.

Suddenly, Su Zhongwen became the most talked-about figure in Chang'an. After all, having just been appointed as the Minister of Justice—one of the Six Ministries—he was already being treated with such special regard by the Empress. How could the court officials not gossip?

...

Imperial City of Chang'an,

Wu Zetian’s bedchamber.

In the vast chamber, candles flickered, and the heated floor kept the room as warm as spring.

Behind the dragon desk, Wu Zetian sat with her hair loose, draped in a wide, heavy dragon robe. Memorials were piled high on the desk, yet she reviewed them with great speed.

Not far away, a long-spouted yellow brass kettle sat on a small stove. Shangguan Wan'er was boiling water, having already measured a portion of chrysanthemum tea into a prepared purple clay teapot.

Before long, the lid of the brass kettle was lifted by the steam.

Shangguan Wan'er moved with practiced speed, using a white towel to grasp the kettle. The boiling spring water surged out like a silver river, pouring into the teapot.

In an instant, a delicate scent of chrysanthemum filled the bedchamber.

Watching the dried chrysanthemum flowers in the teapot bloom as they were infused with the spring water, as if fresh flowers were blossoming in the tea, Shangguan Wan'er silently counted the time.

A moment later, she brought the purple clay teapot to Wu Zetian and poured her a cup of steaming chrysanthemum tea.