After Transmigrating Into A Eunuch, I Became Famous In The Harem - Chapter 15

Shao Yin didn’t quite agree with the Empress’s words. A flicker of mockery passed through her eyes as she lowered her gaze. “Perhaps, for His Majesty, it doesn’t matter what he does—the outcome is always the same.”

In the original story, the Original Host had indeed won the Emperor’s favor, becoming arrogant and reckless within the Imperial Harem, which ultimately led to her downfall. So, it was simply the Emperor’s lust for women, not something specific to her. Any woman in her position would have been loved by the Emperor. However, this “love” was fundamentally different from the kind Shao Yin had previously understood.

“Your Majesty, we should help His Majesty to bed first,” she said.

They needed to remove the Emperor’s outer robe and tidy him up a bit. Otherwise, he’d be furious when he woke up to find himself still dressed. Shao Yin had no desire to suffer such an unjust calamity.

“I’ll call two young eunuchs in,” she added.

Such tasks were best left to the young eunuchs.

Both the young eunuchs and Eunuch Qian assumed the Emperor was genuinely asleep.

Before calling anyone in, Shao Yin gently touched the spot on the Emperor’s head where he’d bumped it. Thankfully, there was no lump.

The Emperor must have been drunk to pass out so easily.

Once everything was settled, Eunuch Qian approached Shao Yin. “Go and rest,” he said. “I’ll stay and watch over His Majesty.”

But Shao Yin replied, “You should rest instead. When His Majesty came in the night before, he asked to see me. Even if he doesn’t remember in the morning, it’s better if I stay here.”

Otherwise, if the Emperor became angry, it would be the servants who suffered.

Eunuch Qian gave Shao Yin a deep look before turning and leaving.

He didn’t go far, however, remaining stationed outside the Empress’s Palace. That way, he could rush to the Emperor’s side immediately if anything happened and soothe His Majesty’s temper.

She stood in the snowy night for a while. When Su Zhongjie came to tell her to rest, he put her off for fifteen minutes.

After Su Zhongjie withdrew, a Shadow Guard arrived.

“Why are you out here too?” Eunuch Qian asked.

“The Empress and Eunuch Shao are having a private conversation between women,” the Shadow Guard replied. “It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to listen. With His Majesty in the Empress’s Palace, he’s always safe.”

The Shadow Guard had secretly infiltrated the hall after Shao Yin entered. He had just witnessed Shao Yin telling the Empress that the Emperor had fainted.

He told himself not to overthink it and simply followed the others out.

The Empress wasn’t someone to be trifled with. After all, he was a man—what was he doing lingering in her bedchamber?

Eunuch Qian said, “Yes, Shao Yin is a clever one. He would never harm the Emperor.”

The Shadow Guard was silent for a long moment before saying, “If Eunuch Shao could persuade His Majesty to prioritize the border…”

“Watch your tongue,” Eunuch Qian interrupted.

The Shadow Guard lowered his head.

He had family on the battlefield, so of course he hoped the war would go smoothly.

After a pause, Eunuch Qian added, “Shao Yin is a good one.”

The Shadow Guard’s eyes flickered, understanding the meaning behind Eunuch Qian’s words.

*******

The next morning, the Emperor woke up to see Shao Yin attending to him and the Empress kneeling nearby. Pleased, he raised his hand for Shao Yin to help him up. “You always seem to know what I’m thinking.”

After his morning ablutions, the Emperor gazed at Shao Yin, reluctant to let her go. “It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other.”

Shao Yin lowered his gaze.

“Today… come back with me,” the Emperor said.

When Shao Yin looked up, her eyes were already brimming with tears, her vulnerable appearance was tugging at the Emperor’s heartstrings. “Your Majesty,” she said, “since I’ve been residing in the Empress’s Palace, I’ve rarely heard the malicious gossip of the past.”

The Emperor’s expression darkened. “Who dares to speak such slander?” he roared. “Tell me, and I will…”

His voice trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

The Empress Dowager was the first to spread those rumors, even going so far as to punish Shao Yin for them.

He lowered his gaze.

Recent court affairs had been overwhelming, leaving him little time to attend to Shao Yin’s needs. Perhaps it was better to leave her in the Empress’s care, where she could live more peacefully.

“Enough,” the Emperor said, turning to the Empress. “If Shao Yin experiences even half a moment of discomfort in your palace, I will hold you personally accountable!”

The usually reserve Empress unexpectedly replied, “I will certainly take good care of him.”

The Emperor paused, then turned to Shao Yin with a satisfied look, his eyes gleaming with self-satisfaction. He clearly believed the Empress had spoken these words because of him.

After the Emperor left, Shao Yin immediately helped the Empress rise.

After Guan Zhixian stood up, Shao Yin bent down to straighten her robes. But Guan Zhixian reached out and stopped her. “You don’t need to do that.”

Then she added, “Come here. I do need to speak with you about something.”

Guan Zhixian led Shao Yin out of the bedchamber without calling for breakfast. She sat on a low couch bathed in morning light, looking up at Shao Yin.

Though the Empress was the one looking up, Shao Yin felt as if she were being looked down upon, overwhelmed by the Empress’s imposing presence.
Guan Zhixian asked, “Knowing the Emperor as you do, do you think he would be willing to abandon the Longevity Festival and the construction of the Traveling Palace to divert the funds to military expenses?”

Shao Yin recalled the Emperor’s reckless behavior over the past few months and the extravagant, even gilded, plans for the Traveling Palace. “I fear His Majesty would never give them up.”

This Emperor was deeply concerned with maintaining his dignity. If he were denied the chance to celebrate his birthday, he might well execute every minister and general in the court. Moreover, every time he mentioned the Traveling Palace, his enthusiasm burned bright—clearly, he wouldn’t abandon it easily.

Guan Zhixian smiled briefly. “True. We shouldn’t burden you with these court matters.”

Shao Yin glanced up at the Empress.

The Empress’s eyes held a cold detachment, making her seem indifferent to state affairs, as if all lives were trivial in her sight.

Yet she also worried about military campaigns and fretted over the welfare of border subjects and soldiers.

These matters should have been the Emperor’s responsibility.

The Imperial Harem was forbidden from meddling in politics. For the Empress to achieve anything in this realm would be exceedingly difficult.

The Empress Dowager, for her part, was not one who understood the suffering of the common people. She would never stand with the Empress on these matters.

Shao Yin hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.

Finally, Guan Zhixian prompted her, “Speak your mind. Whatever you say, I will not hold against you. If your words prove wise, I will even reward you.”

Shao Yin considered for a moment before saying, “Before I came to Kunning Palace, I heard His Majesty say that increasing agricultural taxes would fill the national treasury.”

Guan Zhixian frowned, her displeasure now openly visible.

Perhaps she no longer bothered to conceal her emotions from Shao Yin.

“And then?” she pressed, knowing Shao Yin wasn’t finished.

Shao Yin continued, “Though I’ve never lived as a farmer, I know their lives are the most arduous. Raising agricultural taxes would be a death sentence for those families.”

Guan Zhixian nodded.

Shao Yin continued, “But if we increase commercial taxes, expand merchant trade, and even allow them to take our tea, silk, and porcelain beyond the frontier to exchange for cattle, sheep, or other goods and even trading with foreign nations to purchase grain, we could boost the national treasury’s revenues, replenish our food stores, and avoid undermining the foundation of our farmers.”

“Merchants would also profit and, I believe, be willing to pay higher taxes for the opportunity to expand their trade routes.”

In ancient times, merchants were held in low regard, and their activities were heavily regulated. Yet the wealth they could bring was limitless.

Guan Zhixian who was not an ordinary woman, immediately grasped the implications of Shao Yin’s proposal. She looked up at Shao Yin with newfound admiration. This was the first time she had truly regarded her. Beyond her striking beauty and pitifully frail appearance, Shao Yin possessed remarkable intellect and foresight—a rare find indeed.

No wonder the Emperor favored her so. Even Guan Zhixian now viewed Shao Yin with newfound respect. She had repeatedly extricated herself from difficult situations before the Emperor, yet never allowed his favor to breed arrogance.

Now, Shao Yin had even articulated such insightful advice, all while considering the plight of the struggling farmers. Her heart was clearly pure and kind.

Guan Zhixian rose and scrutinized Shao Yin, a faint smile playing on her lips. “From this day forward, you are not only the Emperor’s favored attendant, but also mine.”

“Go have breakfast first, then go to the Noble Consort’s Palace and invite her here.”

Being able to represent the Empress and act on her behalf in the palace meant that Guan Zhixian had earned the Empress’s trust.

This was also Guan Zhixian’s way of making it clear to the other palace attendants that Shao Yin was now part of Kunning Palace’s staff. Anyone who treated her with disrespect would be insulting the Empress herself.

The news first reached Su Zhongjie and Ruyi.
As Guan Zhixian ate her breakfast, Su Zhongjie and Ruyi hovered nearby, whimpering “Imperial Consort” in a pitiful tone.

Guan Zhixian took a sip of her congee and looked up at them.

Ruyi pouted. “Could it be that Ruyi is no longer the Imperial Consort’s most favored servant?”

She had been with the Empress since childhood, serving as her personal maid even before the Empress entered the palace.

Su Zhongjie also felt bitter.

How could a proper eunuch like him be outshone by an imposter?

Guan Zhixian seemed to recall something and chuckled softly. “It’s just that the disaster has flooded Kunning Palace. You’ll get used to it in time.”

Ruyi looked utterly bewildered, unsure what the Empress meant.

Su Zhongjie, however, changed his expression, his face now filled with admiration. This Shao Yin is truly… truly cunning. I fear I’ll never learn such tactics. How utterly enviable.

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