Chapter 3: The Boundless Merit System

After a thorough interrogation by the Empress Dowager, Lin Yue finally arrived at her own side chamber. Although it was a side chamber, it was meticulously cleaned without a speck of dust. The antique shelves displayed an array of rare and exquisite treasures that dazzled the eye—objects that would be considered stunning even in the modern world.

At that moment, palace maids busily brought items into the room: bedding, clothing, jewelry, as well as incense burners, flower arrangements, and tea services—all handled with care and refinement.

Yet Lin Yue found herself anxious, worrying about how Xiao Huaijing would deal with the maid she had brought to the prince’s residence. She turned to Nurse Qin and said, “Go and report to Steward Deng that I need to fetch some of my usual belongings from the mansion. See what he says.”

“If he agrees, remind Xiao Mei to be cautious and avoid direct confrontation with the heir apparent. But also tell her not to worry—I’ll be back in just a couple of days.”

Nurse Qin was unexpectedly moved that the princess was concerned about Xiao Mei’s safety, her eyes moistening as she quickly replied, “Rest assured, Your Highness, I will inquire at once.”

After Nurse Qin left, Lin Yue reclined in a royal concubine’s chair, reflecting on how life after transmigrating into a novel was far from carefree. Others often had secret advantages or “golden fingers,” but she had transmigrated into the role of a reckless woman who coveted her stepson, forcing herself to uphold proper morals in this melodramatic tale. It was truly difficult.

As she was lost in melancholy, a cheerful voice suddenly echoed in her mind.

“Ding ding ding! Congratulations, host, you have bound the Infinite Merit System!”

Startled, Lin Yue immediately sat upright. The palace maids nearby cast concerned glances, and only then did she realize she wasn’t dreaming.

A system! Was this really the standard for transmigration?

Cautiously, Lin Yue asked inwardly, “What is the Infinite Merit System for?”

The system cheerfully replied, “The Infinite Merit System, as the name suggests, requires you to do positive, uplifting deeds—saving lives, helping the needy, benefiting the common people—and thus accumulate infinite merit. You may also call it the Positive Energy System.”

Feeling the system’s benevolence, Lin Yue relaxed a bit and asked, “What benefits does binding the system bring me?”

The system responded enthusiastically, “This system collects merit generated from all your positive energy actions. The greater the influence of your positive deeds, the more merit you acquire. You can exchange accumulated merit for any daily necessities—nutritional elixirs, antidotes, life-saving pills, beauty potions, clothing, jewelry, and so forth. As your merit accumulates, the system can upgrade. After the third upgrade, you may choose to remain in this world or return to the real one.”

Lin Yue’s heart surged with hope—this gave her a clear goal to strive for.

“What stage is the system currently at?”

The system answered, “The initial stage is N-level, the second stage is R-level, the third stage is S-level, and the highest known tier is S+, the fourth level, which no system has yet reached.”

“Why is that? Is it very difficult?” Lin Yue inquired.

The system explained, “No, it’s just that many hosts return to their original worlds at the third stage, causing their merit to reset and forcing them to start over.”

Lin Yue was speechless—she had just planned to do exactly that! It seemed no one had any ambition.

“Are there any big system rewards or packages?”

The system’s voice suddenly grew serious. “No. We are a merit-accumulating positive energy system and don’t deal in tempting gimmicks.”

Lin Yue was silent for a moment. “Just asking casually, I’m a very upright person.”

The system then added, “However, there is an initialization merit of twenty points, which can be exchanged for twenty copper coins. Would you like that?”

Lin Yue hesitated. “System, where should I accumulate merit?”

The system replied, “You could try to save your husband first. That way, the soldiers under his command won’t die in vain—that’s a great merit and should trigger the system’s first upgrade.”

“Moreover, he is a prince. According to system rules, the greater a person’s influence on the original world and the stronger their sense of justice, the higher the merit gained from helping them.”

“How much merit is needed to upgrade to R-level?” Lin Yue asked eagerly.

“At least one million.”

Overjoyed, Lin Yue said, “Saving one Xiao Jingyun is enough to upgrade the system? Then maybe ten million to reach S-level?”

“Actually, one hundred million,” the system corrected.

“Why so much?” Lin Yue wailed. How long would she have to slave away for the system?

“Because of the difference in temporal dimensions. R-level allows you to control thoughts, like telekinesis or hypnosis. But S-level lets you cross time and space, taking you anywhere you want—even to parallel universes or cultivation worlds.”

“Alright, I’ll first try to save my husband,” Lin Yue resolved, fully accepting reality.

No matter what, the chance to return to the real world was the most important thing. Life was about hope and purpose, after all.

Unconsciously, Lin Yue moved to the window. Just as she reached to open it for some fresh air, a sharp cry of pain came from outside.

“Ouch!”

“Your Highness, are you alright? Did you hurt your forehead?” asked a voice.

“Mother Empress?” Lin Yue stared in surprise at the scene before her.

The Empress Dowager clutched her forehead, grimacing in pain.

[“Cultivation worlds, huh? She must be thinking…”]

Eunuch Deng supported her, worry etched across his face, though his gaze was sharp as it turned toward Lin Yue.

Lin Yue exclaimed in innocence—how could she have known the Empress Dowager was outside the window?

“Mother Empress, what are you doing out here?”

The Dowager, still holding her forehead, looked at Lin Yue with concern and quickly explained, “Nothing. I was worried you might feel uncomfortable, so I came to check on you.”

Lin Yue was taken aback. “Then why not enter through the front door?”

Eunuch Deng sighed nearby, chiding gently, “Princess Ding still asks about you. The Empress Dowager is your senior by rank and worried you might want to visit, but feared you would feel awkward. Naturally, it’s better to hide somewhat.”

Lin Yue’s face softened with emotion. She reached out through the window and grasped the Dowager’s hand, holding it firmly.

In her heart, she thought, [Thankfully, the system is only in my mind. If it appeared out of nowhere, it might have scared Her Majesty stiff.]

The Dowager regarded Lin Yue with an unusually affectionate gaze, squeezing her hand and saying, “Lin Yue, you truly are extraordinary. And with this merit system aiding you—it seems like a celestial artifact. It even advised you to save her son first. Just this alone proves that neither you nor the system are demons. If you can accumulate merit, you must be a reincarnated immortal.”

[She wonders if she can mend the relationship with her mother-in-law and maybe the daughter-in-law will bring her to cultivate immortality someday. Even if not, a bottle of nutritional elixir or a beauty potion isn’t too much to ask.]

With a tender smile, the Empress Dowager said, “Your Imperial Sister-in-law heard you entered the palace and has arranged a banquet at Fengyi Palace inviting you. Don’t worry, I will accompany you.”

Lin Yue was silent. [Finally, I’m going to meet the empress whose entire family was wiped out after losing her husband, son, and grandson?]

The Empress Dowager looked puzzled. “...?”