Volume One, Chapter Seven: Only Children Make Choices; I Want It All

“Brother Liu, this time you finally did the right thing. At last, I can rest—I haven’t touched a bed for an entire hour! Do you know how much pain you’ve caused my fragile little heart?”
“But brother, just now you mentioned establishing the Great Qian laws. Could it be that this woman is making you take the lead in going after those royal relatives and aristocratic clans?”
“I knew it! That little enchantress coming to see you definitely means trouble. She must want you to step up and deal with those imperial kin and noble families. Brother, you better be careful—she’s no good.”

Su Chen grumbled in his heart, but it was only grumbling. Su Zhongwen always harbored great ambitions and, with Empress Wu Zetian’s backing, if he couldn’t dare to seize the opportunity under such circumstances, how could he ever become a famed chancellor? And if Su Zhongwen, his elder brother, didn’t rise to greatness, how could Su Chen lounge around, sleep peacefully, and slack off without a care?

...

“It matters not, Su Qing. What I tell you is nothing shameful. I see talent in your younger brother, Su Chen, and I am inclined to promote him. When the two of you serve in court together, assisting me side by side, how splendid that will be!”

Wu Zetian bit her silver teeth lightly, her face sweetly smiling, yet her words caused Su Chen and Su Zhongwen’s complexions to shift dramatically.

“Damn it, little enchantress, have you lost your mind? Where did you get the idea that I want to serve in court? And how did you see that I’m quick-witted?”
“And serving in court together, assisting you—I spit on that! Dream on!”
“Brother, what are you hesitating for? Just refuse it! I’ve never had grand ambitions—I just want to be a salted fish. If I became an official, that would be the end!”

Su Chen was truly stunned at this moment, unable to imagine a future where he couldn’t simply nap, lie flat, or slack off freely, constrained at every turn.

Isn’t it said that this Empress is proficient in state affairs and has a keen eye for talent?
Who spread those lies? I, Su Chen, am just an ordinary mischievous prince.
And yet, Wu Zetian saw through me to be clever. How on earth did she figure that out?

“Could it be that this woman has her eyes on my tea? If I’d known, I would have salted her tea to death. What kind of nonsense is this?”

...

At this moment, Su Zhongwen felt tears streaming down his face, his slightly plump body visibly trembling.

The Minister of Justice, Lord Su, turned his head and looked at Su Chen, whose eyes were full of longing.

Suddenly, Su Zhongwen had an epiphany.

“Su Chen, I knew it—you truly are a descendant of the Su family. Brother always knew you have great ambitions in your heart. Rest assured, as long as you have ideals and dreams, I will fully support you!”

With renewed seriousness, Su Zhongwen declared,

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for giving my younger brother this opportunity. Please rest assured, my brother and I will serve Your Majesty faithfully, to the very end!”

At these words, a sacred radiance filled his face.

At this very moment, Su Zhongwen was determined—
This life, he would serve Great Qian with utmost devotion, until death!
This lifetime, he would dedicate himself entirely to the Empress!
He would strive for a bright and just world for all the people!

...

“Hey, hey, hey, what are you thinking, brother?”
“Do you know how much I want to knock some sense into you? You’re pushing me into the fire pit!”
“You’ve blinked your eyes at me so much, but you don’t understand my meaning at all! I want to lie flat, not die!”
“Fine, fine, you two are driving me to desperation. Don’t force me to die for you!”

Su Chen’s mouth twitched uncontrollably. He never expected Su Zhongwen to pull such a stunt. This was gutting him, a blatant betrayal!

Did years of brotherhood mean less than that little enchantress’s trifling favors?
Besides, Wu Zetian’s promises hadn’t even been fulfilled yet, and just with these few words, she’d already swayed big brother.
You’re Su Zhongwen, the insightful Su Zhongwen—how could you be so easily fooled?

...

“Su Qing, what nonsense are you speaking? Your brother truly has talent, or else how could I regard him so highly?”

The Empress smiled warmly, feeling utterly pleased.

“Scoundrel, since I have heard your true thoughts, you cannot escape my grasp—no, wait... you cannot escape my Five Finger Mountain!”

“Obediently join the court, both brothers of the Su family—I want them all!”

...

“Your Majesty!”

At this moment, Su Zhongwen was struggling to maintain his composure and was near tears.

Though Wu Zetian’s words were simple, Su Zhongwen knew she was showing him favor out of respect for himself.
Because of him, she was lenient with his lazy younger brother, Su Chen.
Not only was she lenient, she even gave special consideration!

For Su Zhongwen to encounter such a wise sovereign was like a fine steed meeting a master, a rare horse matched with a hero.
He, Su Zhongwen, was finally recognized by his patron!

“Help! I can’t live like this! What’s gotten into that little enchantress today? What are her true intentions, and why won’t she let me go?”

“My dear brother, please be reasonable, or you will truly kill your little brother!”

Su Chen complained bitterly inside. If he were really forced into officialdom, he could imagine having to go to court before dawn and rarely returning home before sunset.
With Su Zhongwen as Minister of Justice and President of the Supreme Court, even if Su Chen wanted to sneak around or slack off, he wouldn’t get the chance!
He would be sleeping later than a dog and rising earlier than a rooster—just a plain bureaucratic cog of Great Qian.

Where’s the comfort of being a second-generation official—or rather, an official’s younger brother?

Thinking this, Su Chen couldn’t hold back any longer and hurriedly said,

“Your Majesty, thank you for your grace! But I am a simpleton with no skills, plain and ordinary, oh yes, idle and weak, with no literary talent at all. If I entered officialdom, I might disgrace my brother’s reputation and disappoint Your Majesty’s expectations. Please, Your Majesty, allow me to remain an honest commoner!”

Su Chen had to refuse. If Wu Zetian and Su Zhongwen joined forces, surely appointing Su Chen to some official post would not be difficult—maybe not a high-ranking one, but a minor position should be no problem.

“Hm… It’s decided. I won’t go even if you kill me!”

So this must be rejected, absolutely and resolutely rejected!