Merit Points acquired!
But she didn’t know how the Merit Points could be exchanged.
While maintaining her previous posture and engaging with Steward Hu, she inquired in her mind about exchanging for lifespan.
"System, now that I have Merit Points, how much lifespan can I exchange for?"
Since she didn’t ask about sensitive topics like the System’s name again, the dialog page returned to normal.
【Dear, you currently have three Merit Points. Direct exchange can grant you three hours of lifespan~】
Although she had less than three hours left to live, Cui Shu Ruo didn’t rush to exchange or complain about the unfairness of the Merit Points exchange. Instead, she keenly noticed a loophole in the System’s words.
"Can also? So there are other exchange methods?"
【Yes, dear! We offer discounts on exchanges. If you accumulate ten Merit Points, you can directly exchange for one day of lifespan.】
【Dear, would you like to exchange now? Friendly reminder: You only have two hours of lifespan left~】
"Wait a moment." Cui Shu Ruo wasn’t in a hurry and ended the mental conversation.
Then, she focused all her attention on the outside world.
She still had to deal with Steward Hu and the others.
Her expression shifted, now filled with worry and helplessness. She sighed softly, "I originally wanted to ask if the master of this place recognizes me…"
Cui Shu Ruo stood facing the wind, her figure as fragile as duckweed, delicate and helpless. "I just woke up, feeling dazed and confused, with most of my past memories unclear. I only vaguely remember someone saving me from the Hu people, and… and!"
As if remembering something, she gasped, her expression tense, and spoke urgently, "That’s right, I have urgent matters."
Cui Shu Ruo took a step forward, wanting to say something but hesitantly lowered her hand. After a long pause, she said, "Could you please ask the general who saved me to come, or let me go find him? I have important matters to report."
This wasn’t too difficult. As long as she didn’t bring up the previous issue, Steward Hu regained some of his dignity as a steward. Although a servant, he belonged to an aristocratic family and carried more authority than ordinary commoners.
Having been put in his place earlier, Steward Hu didn’t dare to act arrogantly toward Cui Shu Ruo. He honestly played the role of a dutiful steward.
"Young noblewoman, you are too polite. Lord has already instructed that as soon as you wake up, he should be informed. If you have any messages to convey, you can tell him when he arrives. As for not remembering the past…"
Steward Hu hesitated but still comforted her, "Perhaps it’s due to shock. Youzhou has many skilled physicians; surely one can cure your condition."
Unfamiliar with the customs of this era, Cui Shu Ruo avoided making unnecessary gestures to prevent mistakes. She simply lowered her brows and smiled softly, nodding, "Thank you for your kind words."
After the pleasantries, Steward Hu originally intended to send the maid Yan Rong to find Wei Cheng Huai. However, considering how Cui Shu Ruo had stood up for her earlier and the dirt on her clothes, he gave Yan Rong a veiled warning before bowing and leaving to inform Wei Cheng Huai himself.
While Steward Hu went to find Wei Cheng Huai, Cui Shu Ruo turned her gaze to the maid Yan Rong, who stood with her head bowed behind her. She smiled gently and warmly, yet it inexplicably sent a shiver down one’s spine.
"Are you alright?" Cui Shu Ruo asked softly.
Yan Rong trembled slightly, but the etiquette ingrained in her bones from years of training in the manor allowed her to reply calmly, "Replying to the young noblewoman, this servant is fine."
"Oh~" Cui Shu Ruo responded softly, not minding it at all. Instead, she became even more considerate. "Just now, from Steward Hu's words, did you accidentally soil yourself with menstrual blood?"
At the mention of this, Yan Rong immediately tensed up, clutching the copper basin as if about to kneel again.
Cui Shu Ruo stopped her in time. "Don't be nervous, it's nothing. Menstrual blood is just menstrual blood—it's not dirty or unclean. It's a perfectly ordinary thing. I don't mind, and you shouldn't either. What others say isn't necessarily right."
She went a step further, taking Yan Rong's hand and speaking with sincere gentleness. She even helped adjust the silver-inlaid plain hairpin in Yan Rong's hair. "What's your name?"
Yan Rong bowed slightly, half-crouching. "Replying to the young noblewoman, this servant is named Yan Rong."
Cui Shu Ruo nodded, acting as if they were already familiar. "Yan Rong, are you uncomfortable? Why not come inside with me first? Holding that basin must be tiring, isn't it? Have some warm water in a moment and change your clothes—you'll feel much better. Look, your hands are so cold!"
It would be a lie to say she wasn't moved. When Cui Shu Ruo took something seriously, she could make others feel as if bathed in a spring breeze, especially in a place with such rigid class distinctions.
Yan Rong, already predisposed to think highly of Cui Shu Ruo, felt deeply grateful. Though still apprehensive, she followed Cui Shu Ruo's instructions and, without realizing it, let slip many "unimportant" details.
However, these were precisely the things Cui Shu Ruo most needed to understand at the moment.
From these details, she deduced that she had indeed traveled back to a dynasty recorded in history, roughly around the end of the Jin Dynasty. The seeds of the Seven Barbarians' Rebellion had already been sown, and unrest was spreading across the land—peasant uprisings, internal strife, and external threats.
Once she had asked enough, Cui Shu Ruo stopped her inquiries. Any further questions would likely arouse suspicion.
She thoughtfully allowed Yan Rong to return and change her clothes first, asking her to come back later.
It was during this interval that Wei Cheng Huai hurried over.
Hearing the steady, powerful footsteps growing clearer outside the room, Cui Shu Ruo curved her lips into a smile. There was no trace of urgency about her lifespan in her eyes. Instead, she inquired in her mind to the System.
"Just now, I helped Yan Rong and gained three Merit Points. You said doing more good deeds would earn more Merit Points. If I influence many people at once, will I gain multiple times the points in a single instance?
And for historical figures, since they naturally influence more people, does the calculation for Merit Points work similarly?"
It seemed the System hadn't expected Cui Shu Ruo to grasp the rules so quickly. The text in the dialogue box flickered for a few moments before appearing.
【Wow! Sweetie is the smartest user this System has ever met~】
【That's exactly how it works!】
【Helping historical figures or indirectly influencing many people will earn you more Merit Points than usual. Also, picking up something someone dropped is a good deed, and saving someone's life is also a good deed—but depending on the significance, you'll earn different amounts of Merit Points.】
【The rules here require Sweetie to explore on your own. Keep it up, dear! I hope you live a long, long life and become the best user ever~】
From the System's behavior from the start, Cui Shu Ruo had guessed it might withhold some information. Now that her suspicion was confirmed, she wasn't particularly upset.
This was just as well.
It was also why, despite knowing her lifespan was limited, she felt no rush to exchange her points.
When the open door was stepped through by a pair of black official boots embroidered with cloud patterns, Cui Shu Ruo was already frowning and holding her forehead, her pale face showing a painful expression, as if enduring something.
What Wei Cheng Huai saw upon entering was precisely this scene, but he did not immediately approach. Instead, he stood at a distance and asked with concern, "Young noblewoman, are you well?"
Even before looking over, Cui Shu Ruo recognized from the same words that the person who had arrived was the young general who had saved her earlier.
Cui Shu Ruo lowered her hand and looked up. He wore a crimson round robe with a square collar adorned with linked pearl cluster patterns, and at his waist hung a belt with twin fish and honeysuckle motifs. At first glance, it was clear he must be of noble lineage.
Moreover, unlike the common headwear worn by other men, he wore a pure gold cicada crown, naturally exuding youthful vigor—bright clothes and spirited horse, proud and unmatched in the world. Yet his hawk-like eyes were exceptionally sharp, distinct from the wild noble youths commonly seen galloping through Luoyang city. He was a decisive general tempered by the desolate frontier.
He could safeguard the peace of the borderlands, preventing the Hu people's horses from crossing the Yin Mountains.
Cui Shu Ruo inexplicably felt a sense of respect. Her gaze toward Wei Cheng Huai became more earnest. "General, could you dismiss your attendants? I have something to say."
If such words were spoken to a civil official, there might be hesitation. But who was Wei Cheng Huai? He was a general capable of fighting on the battlefield. Though somewhat young, many generals under his father's command were no match for him. How could he fear being alone with a delicate young noblewoman?
Randomly pulling out a dagger to assassinate a high-ranking general was a plot only found in theatrical plays.
Wei Cheng Huai laughed heartily, his demeanor heroic and spirited. "Why not? All of you, step down."
Though young, he was decisive in command and punishment, commanding full authority. The attendants and Steward Hu dared not voice any dissent and obediently withdrew.
Mindful of propriety between men and women, even though it was broad daylight, the door was not closed. However, the servants retreated farther away, unable to hear the conversation inside.
Seeing the servants retreat, Wei Cheng Huai shifted his gaze to Cui Shu Ruo.
Cui Shu Ruo hesitated no longer. She began to speak, though she never looked up, her eyes fixed on the ground as if recalling something. "From the moment I woke up… I have been somewhat unclear about things, forgetting where my home is, my parents and relatives.
But there is one matter I have always firmly remembered."
At this point, she finally looked up, her gaze tightly fixed on Wei Cheng Huai. "The Governor of Yizhou has rebelled against Jin, and the Hu people are marching south toward Luoyang."
Just twelve words, yet they carried weight surpassing a thousand pounds, like a thunderbolt.
Even Wei Cheng Huai, who had appeared relaxed earlier, could not help but look grave. He unconsciously stepped forward two paces, his tone serious. "Is what you say true?"
When discussing matters of state, the youthful immaturity revealed by his age faded, replaced by solemnity and gravity. His entire demeanor suddenly transformed.
Wei Cheng Huai thought rigorously, neither readily believing nor immediately dismissing it.
He asked, "Is there evidence?"
Evidence, naturally, she had none. She had just crossed over.
But the Hu people marching south to invade Luoyang was the beginning of the Seven Hu Rebellions—a segment of high school history that must be studied. Thanks to her remembering a bit even after entering university, and thanks to the somewhat unreliable yet historically infused television dramas.
Otherwise, she truly might not have remembered.
As for evidence and details, history books did not contain them, or if they did, they were mentioned briefly. She had long forgotten.
Cui Shu Ruo's mind rapidly worked, one moment, two moments…
Wei Chenghuai stared at her intently, his gaze sharp as an eagle's, completely different from his previous relaxed demeanor. A general who had been on the battlefield carried an aura of killing intent, his accumulated authority heavy and imposing. When he grew angry, even the commanders in the army would tremble in fear.
Even with Cui Shuruo's steady composure, under such intense scrutiny, she couldn't help but feel pressure.
The atmosphere gradually grew tense, heavy as dark clouds pressing down.
"I have no concrete evidence in hand, but if you do not believe me, General, consider this carefully: why have the Hu people invaded Suizhou but not pressed forward with a large army? Although Suizhou's garrison is weak, could they possibly not know that Suizhou borders Youzhou, and that once they invade, the Youzhou Army will rush to its aid?
Given this, why would they launch a half-hearted attack on Suizhou without gaining any advantage?
It is to conceal their true intentions!"
As Cui Shuruo spoke, her voice gradually grew louder. She did not fear the heavy killing intent in Wei Chenghuai's gaze; instead, she met his eyes directly, word by word, until her final statement rang out with deafening clarity.
"The various Hu tribes have long been at odds and engaged in conflict, but has that remained the case recently? Dare I ask, General, have you truly noticed no unusual movements among them?" Cui Shuruo turned the tables, shifting from being constrained to becoming the one posing the questions.
Her voice, which should have been as clear and melodious as a nightingale's, carried more authority and righteous indignation than that of an ordinary man.
"It is for profit! They are conspiring, conspiring to carve up the Han people's land!
When the Hu people's iron hooves trample Luoyang, when scholars and commoners alike are reduced to two-legged sheep, when the dignity of the Han people is crushed underfoot, and when the lands south of the Wei River become Hu territory—will you still ask for evidence then?"
Cui Shuruo questioned loudly, her expression shifting from delicate to fierce.
Wei Chenghuai was taken aback.
Before he could respond, Cui Shuruo heard the familiar mechanical voice in her mind.
[Ding, Merit Points +500]
[You're doing great, keep it up! The system believes in you ^o^/]
Excellent!
She knew Wei Chenghuai already believed her.
Her preemptive strike had not been in vain—it seemed effective.
She could live for another month or so, though she wasn't sure how many uses of Crow's Mouth these Merit Points would buy her.