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

Chen Yue flicked her ponytail. "Don’t mention it. If there’s nothing else, I’m off. You scholars are all the same—more full of schemes than a sieve has holes."

Watching her leave, Jiang Qi thought to himself, ’You can say that, Second Miss, but when it comes to schemes, you’re certainly no worse than a scholar. How many fools do you find commanding armies in war?’

Only a true fool would think a warrior knows nothing but brute force.

On the day of Chen Cui and Qi Yaosong’s trial, the Ministry of Justice was surrounded by a massive, impenetrable crowd. Rumor had it that Chen Cui was the reigning emperor’s paternal aunt, that she’d actually been someone’s concubine, and that she had murdered the man’s first wife...

...and that the young general, An Wen, was that very wife’s posthumous son.

With a scandalous story stacked this high, it naturally drew the attention of countless people. From scholars and street vendors to officials of the imperial court, nearly everyone was watching to see how this case would be judged.

The sovereign, Chen Xi, was known for her benevolent heart and thunderous methods. Now that a member of her own Chen family had committed such a crime, how would her laws apply? Would she uphold the dignity of the imperial family at all costs, or would she simply sweep the whole affair under the rug?

If it was the latter, the law itself would be rendered meaningless.

As the crowd waited with bated breath, Jiang Zu finished reading the evidence against Chen Cui, Qi Yaosong, and the midwife before announcing the final verdict. "Qi Yaosong, for the murder of your first wife, the abuse of your own child, and the seizure of the Zhang family’s property, this court sentences you to death by beheading, to be carried out in three days."

"Chen Cui, for conspiring with Qi Yaosong to murder his first wife, a daughter of the Zhang family, and subsequently switching your biological son, Qi Chen, with her son, An Wen, in a deceitful substitution. Now, they shall each be returned to their rightful places."

"For your selfish desires, you caused the deaths of four members of the Chen family clan. You are hereby sentenced to death by beheading, to be carried out in three days."

"As for the midwife, you abandoned your duty for profit and acted as an accomplice to Qi Yaosong and Chen Cui. You may be spared the death penalty, but you will not escape punishment. This court sentences you to the forfeiture of your family’s assets and three years of penal servitude."

"An Wen, as the legitimate eldest son of Qi Yaosong..."

After Jiang Zu announced the death sentence for Chen Cui, a wave of shock rippled through the crowd outside the Ministry of Justice, and they erupted into discussion. The buzz continued until Jiang Zu spoke of An Wen being Qi Yaosong’s legitimate eldest son, at which point An Wen himself rose and stepped into the center of the court.

Tan You, seated off to the side, couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at his movement.

Just as she expected, An Wen bowed deeply. "I am ashamed that the blood of Qi Yaosong runs through my veins. I have but one request: I beg Lord Jiang to grant a divorce between my birth mother, a daughter of the Zhang family, and Qi Yaosong."

"Though my birth mother has long since passed, I know that if she were aware of what a heartless monster Qi Yaosong truly is, she would find it degrading to rest in the Qi family’s ancestral tomb."

"As her son, I have only just learned my true identity, and there is little I can do for her now. I wish for my mother to have peace and to be remembered for the good person she was, untainted by this scandal. Therefore, I have resolved to take my mother’s surname and return to the Zhang family, bringing her with me in spirit."

An Wen’s words were like a drop of water hitting a pan of boiling oil.

"Requesting a divorce for someone who has already passed? That’s... incredibly audacious!"

"Could the court possibly agree to that?"

"That would be like removing someone who’s already been interred in the ancestral tomb..."

While the crowd buzzed with speculation, the elderly couple from the Zhang family were overjoyed. In this feudal era, continuing the family line was of utmost importance. If An Wen returned to them, their branch of the Zhang family would not be extinguished.

Jiang Zu didn’t dare make the decision on his own, and his gaze kept flicking toward Tan You.

Tan You sat up straighter. "An Wen, are you certain about this?"

An Wen fell into a deep bow before Tan You. "Madam, I am absolutely certain. I implore you to grant my request!"

"Rise. I will grant it," Tan You said, raising her hand slightly. "An Wen, I am very pleased that you’ve chosen to do this."

An Wen’s eyes grew red. "You understand, Aunt. Only you truly understand me."

Tan You smiled. "You have asked to return to the Zhang family and fulfill your filial duty to its two elders in your mother’s stead. This is a good thing, and I have no reason to deny it. You spent the first eighteen years of your life growing up in the Chen family."

"You carry the debt of birth to a daughter of the Zhang family and the debt of upbringing to the Chen family. Throughout those eighteen years, Qi Yaosong had no part in your life. As I see it, you are simply you—the son of a daughter of the Zhang family."

"You are the grandson of the Zhang elders and you are my nephew. The one thing you are not is Qi Yaosong’s son."

An Wen cupped his fist in a salute to Tan You. "Thank you, Aunt!"

’She’s clearing the way for me,’ he realized, ’protecting me from public censure.’

Tan You smiled. "Our nation is founded on the principle of filial piety, but piety must not be blind. If your own elders are wicked people, then you should not hesitate to distance yourself from them."

"To be filial to the wicked is to aid a tiger in its rampage, even if they are your own parents. Before you consider your filial duty, you must first consider the law. Only after you have abided by the law can you begin to speak of piety."

Tan You’s speech was a fundamental departure from the traditional Confucian virtues of benevolence and piety. The scholars in the crowd instantly began to voice their differing opinions, her words sparking even more fervent debate than An Wen’s request had.

Seeing them argue until they were red in the face, Tan You couldn’t help but smile. "If any of you have disagreements on the subjects of piety and the rule of law, you may take them to the public debate platforms and argue your points there. Everyone is welcome to speak freely."

"Today, the stage belongs to An Wen. Let’s not upstage the main event."

Her words silenced the crowd immediately. The Madam had spoken: if they had something to say, they could take it to the debate platforms. For now, they were here to see the trial conclude.

Once the crowd had fallen silent, Tan You turned to An Wen. "The verdicts for the individuals involved have been decided. I will now add a few words regarding the division of property."

Jiang Zu rose to his feet as well, saying respectfully, "Please, Madam, go on."

Tan You smiled and waved her hand. "Please, be seated. I am merely offering a simple suggestion."

"The reason Qi Yaosong managed to build his fortune was that his initial capital was his wife’s dowry, which he seized. At the same time, her parents also gave him half of their own assets."

The Zhang family patriarch nodded. "That is correct."

Tan You nodded. "Good. Over the years, Qi Yaosong’s businesses have flourished. And while," she said, glancing at the condemned man, "you do have some ability, that initial wealth was the root of all your success."

"The daughter of the Zhang family was murdered. As the chief culprit, Qi Yaosong must make restitution to them. If the penalty for murder is merely a life for a life, then the cost of committing such a crime is far too low."

"Therefore, I recommend that ninety percent of the assets under Qi Yaosong’s name be transferred to the Zhang family. The remaining ten percent shall be given to Qi Chen." She then looked at the young man. "Though your parents have committed a heinous crime, you were ignorant of their deeds, and the sins of the parents should not be visited upon the child."

"I only hope that you will learn from their example and strive to be a person of good character."

Qi Chen looked as if he’d been struck by lightning. "Aunt... Aunt! I’m your real nephew! How can you side with an outsider over me? I refuse to accept this!"

Tan You started to speak, but Chen Yue erupted in fury, leaping to her feet like a panther. "What is there for you to refuse? Your mother murdered someone just so she could live a better life!"

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