When the Side Character Gets a System and Travels through Difference Worlds

Tan You, however, smiled. "In many cases, being forthright actually prevents suspicion. If you try to hide things, people will only speculate more."

"We are the victims. We’re the ones who have suffered. Why should we be the ones to endure this in silence? This is also a chance to show everyone that no one can act with impunity just because of their status."

"Never mind that Chen Cui’s surname is Chen. Even if she were my own flesh and blood, if she committed a crime, she would still have to face judgment."

"The law is supreme. No one is above the law."

Third Grandpa nodded. "The Matriarch has a righteous heart."

Tan You smiled. "I’ve asked the clan elders to come today to act as witnesses. As of today, Chen Cui is to be struck from the Chen clan’s registry. She is no longer a member of the Chen clan."

"The sins she has committed must be paid for, even if she’s been hiding all these years."

Chen Cui glared venomously at Tan You. "You won’t come to a good end! After all these years, you’re still just as hateful as ever! I’m telling you, I won’t spare you even as a ghost! Mom and Dad will never forgive you!"

The smile on Tan You’s face grew wider. "A lot of people talk about ghosts and hell and all that, but in my opinion, it’s all bullshit. Instead of worrying about whether your mom and dad will forgive me, you should be thinking about how you’re going to face them."

Her voice became much softer, like a viper’s tongue flicking in and out by Chen Cui’s ear. "The daughter they doted on, all to live the life of a rich man’s wife, seduced a man who already had a family."

"You not only killed his innocent first wife to secure your position, you even pulled off the ultimate deception, having that little bastard of yours take the place of the legitimate eldest son. And their own son and grandson both died because of you."

"Think about it. When you’re six feet under, if you really do see your mom and dad, what are you going to tell them?"

"How will you tell them? That you’re just this kind of vile, vicious, and shameless woman?"

"Your older brother and your nephew died because of you. Your own mother and father passed away because of this too. If ghosts really do exist, how will you ever face them?"

Tan You kept smiling, but her words were anything but pleasant. Everyone present had the same thought: ’The Matriarch is ruthless. She doesn’t just kill the body, she destroys the spirit.’

Chen Cui was stunned by Tan You’s words. She never expected Tan You to become so eloquent. She scrambled backward, her eyes filled with terror. "You... you’re not Mrs. Wang... You... you’re a monster..."

Tan You beamed. "Can’t win the argument, so you resort to calling me a monster? Fine. The burden of proof is on the accuser. You say I’m a monster, then show me the evidence."

"Just like me. I knew you were no good, so I prepared all the evidence, clear as day. Now you think you can just flap your gums and slander me?"

Chen Cui mustered a bit of courage. "My... my sister-in-law was the gentlest, kindest person... She barely knew how to read. You... how are you anything like a common farm woman? If you’re not a monster, what are you?"

Tan You leaned back in her chair. "And?"

Chen Cui immediately scrambled to her feet. "Since you’re a monster, who knows when you possessed my sister-in-law’s body. We should execute you with the harshest punishment and get my sister-in-law back!"

The more she spoke, the smoother her words became. She was already imagining the scene of her own son ascending to great power after Tan You was dealt with...

Tan You looked at the members of the Chen clan. "Does everyone think so?"

Third Grandpa was the first to object. "Of course not! You are the Matriarch of our Chen clan. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t be where we are today."

Chen Tianshui quickly chimed in. "Yes, yes, that’s what we all think. The debt the clan owes the Matriarch is as heavy as a mountain. If not for you, the clan would have been wiped out years ago. How could we have the peaceful lives we have today?"

The others also voiced their support. Chen Cui looked at Chen Xi, who tightened his lips. "She is my mother. My mother has poured her heart and soul into raising us. In my heart, she is my mother, not some monster."

Chen Cui hadn’t expected Chen Xi to say that. After a moment of shock, she burst into manic laughter. "How hilarious! Every last one of you is treating some wandering spirit from who-knows-where like a treasure, without any regard for Mrs. Wang... That poor woman..."

"Shut up!" Third Grandpa exploded in anger. The usually cheerful old man looked terrifying in that moment. "What right do you have to stand here and spout such nonsense? You are no longer a daughter of the Chen family. What gives you the right to criticize the clan’s Matriarch?"

Tan You waved her hand. "Take her, Qi Yaosong, the midwife, and the others to the imperial prison. Speaking another word to people like this is a waste of breath. As for Qi Chen, take him to the imperial prison as well to await questioning."

After Chen Cui and the others were led away, Tan You turned to the old couple from the Zhang family, her gaze finally resting on An Wen. An Wen instinctively stood up straighter. He looked at Tan You with uncertainty, hesitating for a long time before he finally spoke, "Aunt... Matriarch..."

Tan You didn’t correct his change of address. "You are a grown man now. Even though you are not of Chen Cui’s blood, the people of the Chen clan still raised you. The clan even accepted you and nurtured you into an outstanding man."

An Wen bowed his head. "Yes. I have become the man I am today thanks to the careful guidance of you, Aunt, as well as the Clan Leader and the elders. I am eternally grateful and will never forget it."

Tan You nodded slightly. "You came to the Chen family by a strange twist of fate. The main culprits are Chen Cui and Qi Yaosong. The Chen family has already paid the price. The family’s elders, as well as Chen Xi’s father and older brother, all lost their lives because of this."

"But it cannot be denied that the greater source of this disaster was Qi Yaosong. And Qi Yaosong was the match you two chose for your only daughter. You were the ones who failed to judge his character and let a wolf into your house."

Tan You knew her words were harsh, but she couldn’t let all the blame be dumped on the Chen family. When a man and woman commit adultery, neither party is innocent.

Not to mention, Qi Yaosong had been living lovingly with Chen Cui all these years. So when Tan You said Qi Yaosong was the main perpetrator, she didn’t feel she was wrong.

The old man of the Zhang family also accepted Tan You’s statement. "Yes. We... my wife and I failed to judge his character back then and let a wolf into our house, which brought about this disaster."

Their Zhang family had lost their only daughter, but the Chen family had lost four people, and on top of that, their own grandson had been raised so exceptionally by the Chen family. Even by the simple calculus of a life for a life, the old Zhang couple felt the Chen family had paid a much heavier price.

Tan You nodded slightly. "It is good that you acknowledge this. An Wen has grown up well. Since he is the son of the late Mrs. Zhang, it is only right that he returns to his ancestral family to serve you both in your old age."

An Wen also bowed deeply. "Yes, Matriarch. In the future... can I still come and see you?"

Tan You asked in return, "Why not? No matter what, you are still someone I put great effort into teaching. All these years, I have basically treated you, Ming Guang, and Chen Xi all the same."

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