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

"Besides, those people are subjects of the imperial court, subjects of those Vassal Kings’ own domains. If they don’t even cherish their own people, then it’s certainly not our place to do so. We shouldn’t meddle in affairs that aren’t our responsibility."

Chen Xi pursed her lips. "Mother, I overstepped."

"I don’t mean to blame you," Tan You said in a gentle voice. "I know you’re filled with compassion, but we can’t enter the fray openly. Secretly, however, we can settle the displaced people who have fled here and let them put down roots in Yunzhou State."

"A population has always been exceptionally precious. They can create immeasurable value."

Everyone understood. They all knew that what Tan You needed was a population. If a territory had no people, it was useless no matter how vast it was. Only with a population could a territory develop.

Jiang Zu waved his feather fan. "The number of Vassal Kings across the land has sharply decreased. Last year there were six, but now only Prince Yong in the west and Prefectural Governor Zhou in the southeast remain."

"Who does the Matriarch believe will ultimately rule the Central Plains?"

Tan You toyed with a string of glass beads. "No matter who it is, we will be the ones who have the last laugh."

Everyone straightened their backs, especially the band of top generals led by Yue Shu and Yuan Cheng. After retaking the grasslands, the generals had all been idle. Now, hearing Tan You’s intentions, their very DNA seemed to stir with anticipation.

Seeing their expressions, Tan You laughed. "Have these past few years been frustrating for you?"

Yue Shu rubbed his head. "A little, yeah. We’ve been itching to take a crack at those Vassal Kings for a while now."

Tan You nodded slightly. "How you fight is up to you. You are the generals, and I won’t interfere. Let the professionals do what they do best."

Yang Youchang, still hale and hearty in his old age, said, "Then I’ll start discussing the plans with everyone."

Chen Yue shot to her feet. "Mother, you absolutely have to let me go this time."

This time, Tan You didn’t hold her back. "Protect yourself."

Chen Yue was overjoyed. "Alright, Mother! I’ll definitely become your greatest vanguard! I’ll be your glory, just like my older sister."

Tan You chuckled. "It’s a good thing that you want to improve yourself and achieve great things. But why must you compare yourself to others? Comparing yourself to others will only wear you out in the end. Just be the best version of yourself. That’s more than enough."

"Even if you give it your all and end up as just an ordinary person, as long as you grow up safe and sound, you are still my glory. I’m not that demanding of you all. Or am I a tiger mom?"

After a few years, everyone knew exactly what "tiger mom" meant, and laughter filled the council hall.

Chen Yue pouted. "I know you’re not a tiger mom, Mother. I’m the one who wants to work hard and lighten your burdens. Big Sister does so well, and Yuanyuan is doing exceptionally well at the hospital."

"As for me, I have no patience for accounting, I can’t learn medicine, and the only thing I love is brandishing swords and spears. But I still haven’t accomplished anything..."

Tan You reached out and stroked her head. "Since this is what you want, then go. Protect yourself, and don’t make your family worry about you."

Chen Yue nodded emphatically. "I understand."

Yue Shu and the others were decisive and swift. After settling on a plan with Tan You, they returned to muster the troops. They set out the very next day. As the left and right vanguards, Chen Yue and An Wen naturally rode out with the army.

Chen Xi stood on the city wall, watching the grand army depart. There wasn’t a trace of worry on her face. "Should we continue investigating An Wen’s background?"

Tan You nodded. "Why not? It’s still a mystery where Chen Cui is hiding. No one can say for sure if An Wen is actually her son. Lord knows what Chen Cui was up to out there."

Chen Xi sighed. Tan You looked at her. "Your father and your older brother were indeed killed on their way back from searching for Chen Cui. Perhaps deep down, you resent An Wen for it."

"But he was just a child back then. I believe you understand the principle of not misplacing your anger."

A smile bloomed on Chen Xi’s face. "I know you understand me, Mother. Logically, I know this has nothing to do with An Wen. But Mother, you have to admit one thing: it was because of An Wen that our family suffered such a great misfortune."

Tan You scoffed. "Then where does that leave Chen Cui? You only have a problem with An Wen, who is connected to Chen Cui, because you can’t find her."

"When An Wen first came to the Chen family, he was still in swaddling clothes. What could he possibly have understood? If you must blame someone, blame your grandparents for not raising their daughter properly. If it weren’t for them, would any of this have happened?"

Chen Xi was silent for a long time. "Mother, I understand now. I have been unfair to An Wen."

Tan You said coolly, "Everyone has dark emotions, but no matter what they are, you must process them yourself. Venting your emotions on others is undoubtedly the most contemptible behavior."

Chen Xi’s face burned with shame. "I understand. The next time I see An Wen, I will apologize to him."

Tan You smiled. "You’re a smart person, but smart people often tend to overthink things. I’m very gratified that you’ve figured it out. Your father and your older brother died young—that was their fate."

"If you want to blame someone, blame those bandits. Blame your grandparents for insisting that your father and brother go search for Chen Cui. Be clear about who you should blame, instead of misdirecting your anger at others."

"As long as An Wen’s background remains unconfirmed and he lives in the Chen family home, he will enjoy the same treatment as the rest of you. He is not a step below you simply because of his birth or bloodline."

Leaving her with these words, Tan You descended from the city wall, leaving Chen Xi to stand there alone for a long time.

Jiang Zu waved his fan. "Young Miss, let’s go down. It’s too cold out here."

Chen Xi snapped out of her thoughts and glanced at the feather fan in his hand. "Master Jiang, if you know it’s cold, why are you still holding a fan?"

Jiang Zu waved his fan, a profound look on his face. "Young Miss, you don’t understand."

"I do understand," Chen Xi interrupted him, a rare occurrence. "You’re posturing."

Jiang Zu’s face stiffened. ’Did the Young Miss just get called out by the Matriarch, and I happened to witness it, so now she’s feeling embarrassed?’

Yue Shu was a natural-born general. Yunzhou State was already in the north, and the closest force was the Zhou Army, led by Prefectural Governor Zhou. Every day, new battle reports arrived in Yunzhou State, and Tan You closely monitored the movements of Yue Shu and his men.

On the expedition, Chen Yue was indeed just as she had said. She was like an untamed horse, always charging at the very front. Eventually, Chen Yue earned the moniker of "Demon of Carnage." Not only was she not offended by it, she was actually thrilled.

She considered it her own personal glory, something she had earned through her own skill.

Following the defeat of Prefectural Governor Zhou, the Yunzhou Army’s forces expanded significantly. At the same time, the Yun Army’s reputation grew even greater, spread by word of mouth among the common people. "Do not take a single needle or thread from the masses"—this was the creed of the Yun Army.