After Transmigrating Into A Eunuch, I Became Famous In The Harem - Chapter 19

“I’m just a servant.”

Shao Yin, born in the twenty-first century, naturally believed in equality for all. But she wasn’t foolish. She wouldn’t dare proclaim equality before those wielding life-and-death power, refusing to bow and kneel before them.

Ever since arriving in this world, she hadn’t dared to expect her masters to treat her with kindness.

Even though the Emperor vowed to treat her well for life, even though she had become a favored person at court, according to the palace servants, she wouldn’t let these empty titles cloud her judgment.

In this world, in this era, she was nothing more than a servant—a woman disguised as a man, foolishly scheming to seduce the Emperor and his wealthy relatives.

She discarded the Original Host’s filthy thoughts and tried her best to treat the Imperial Consorts with sincerity, all to give herself a sliver of hope for survival.

She didn’t want to remain a servant in the palace forever, but she also didn’t want to leave the palace as a commoner with no connections.

She hoped to leave the palace with powerful patrons and enough retirement funds to enjoy the rest of her life in peace.

The wind had bleached Shao Yin’s lips pale, and the shattered anguish in her eyes could no longer be concealed. Snowflakes drifted onto her fair face, chilling Shao Yin’s cheeks and Guan Zhixian’s heart.

“I dare not overstep my bounds,” Shao Yin said.

Guan Zhixian’s fingers, already chilled by the wind, tightened their grip on Shao Yin’s chin instead of releasing her. She leaned forward, trapping Shao Yin in the small corner with her body, leaving her no escape. Yet, in doing so, she also inadvertently shielded Shao Yin from the swirling snowstorm.

“From this day forward, I grant you permission to overstep,” Guan Zhixian declared. The two were so close that they could hear each other’s breath.

Each word Guan Zhixian spoke seemed to pierce Shao Yin’s heart, causing it to tremble with every syllable. If they weren’t both women, Shao Yin might have mistaken the Empress’s actions for improper affection.
An ambiguous, almost intimate atmosphere seemed to form between them in the dim, snow-covered space. Guan Zhixian’s expression was domineering, tinged with an indescribable possessiveness.

Yet Shao Yin never suspected any improper motives on the Empress’s part.

She understood that even close friends and confidantes could be possessive, let alone someone like her—a eunuch serving the Empress, a slave in the Empress’s Palace.

For ancient figures like the Empress, how could they accept servants in their own palace who weren’t devoted solely to them, but harbored ulterior motives?

Shao Yin gathered her thoughts. She didn’t take the Empress’s words seriously, but she didn’t want to dismiss her kindness either. “This servant understands. If anything else arises in the future, this servant will certainly report it to Your Majesty.”

After saying this, she immediately explained why the Noble Consort had summoned her today, to prevent any misunderstandings.

“The Noble Consort summoned me, not for any other reason, but about the customs tax matter. It seems the Emperor hasn’t agreed to it, and she hopes I can persuade him.”

The Empress’s expression darkened fiercely, her voice grinding out between clenched teeth: “She really dares to order my people around.”

Shao Yin opened her mouth, wanting to say that she didn’t mind being ordered around.

Whether it was for the soldiers on the border, the people of the realm, to curry favor with the women of the Imperial Harem, or even for her own peaceful future, she was willing to persuade the Emperor.

Behind them, Su Zhongjie sensed the Empress was no longer as angry as before. He stepped forward and whispered, “Your Majesty, this place is bitterly cold. Staying too long might lead to illness. If there’s nothing else, perhaps we should return to Kunning Palace and discuss matters there.”

Guan Zhixian finally released Shao Yin and turned to leave with a curt, “Follow.”

Shao Yin, not daring to question the order, immediately fell into step behind the Empress.

The group departed.

At the gate of the Noble Consort’s Palace, Liang Fujun remained frozen in place, gazing in the direction they had left.
The eunuch beside her chuckled mischievously. “Your Majesty, it seems Eunuch Shao won’t be punished after all. Surely this puts your mind at ease? You should hurry back now. It’s bitterly cold out here; you wouldn’t want to catch a chill.”

Liang Fujun shot the eunuch a sidelong glance, her lips curling into a faint, insincere smile. “Who said I was worried about him? I was merely looking forward to the spectacle—seeing how he’d meet his end at the Empress’s hands. Who knew she would turn out so merciful? What on earth did he say to make her spare him like this?”

She made no effort to conceal the icy malice in her eyes as she turned and strode back into her chambers.

After returning to Kunning Palace with Guan Zhixian, Shao Yin recounted every detail of the day’s encounter to the Empress.

The Empress’s expression grew colder the more she listened.

Already withdrawn and solitary by nature, this only made her most trusted attendants, Ruyi and Su Zhongjie, even more hesitant to approach her.

Ruyi glared at Shao Yin from behind Guan Zhixian. It was always Shao Yin who provoked the Empress’s anger, and whenever the Empress was displeased, even Ruyi dared not get too close.

Sometimes Ruyi thought, If only Shao Yin would leave Kunning Palace…

The thought flashed through her mind before she quietly dismissed it.

Seeing Shao Yin’s determined resolve to go persuade the Emperor, Ruyi couldn’t help but feel moved.

How many servants in this palace would willingly go to the Emperor to plead on behalf of the Empress and her family?

Guan Zhixian, however, was unwilling. “Do you understand the consequences of what you’re doing?”

“Do you really think the Emperor truly sees you as an irreplaceable treasure, someone he’ll listen to on everything?”

“Have you heard that he’s already been favoring other concubines in the Imperial Harem? In a few days, he’ll have completely forgotten you.”

Shao Yin looked at the Empress. “Then the sooner I act, the better. While the Emperor still remembers me.”

“And if he refuses to let you return?” Guan Zhixian frowned.

Shao Yin found herself speechless.

She could see the Empress’s disapproval and displeasure, but beneath her flawless facade, she also glimpsed a hidden tenderness.

Her refusal stemmed from fear: fear of failing and facing the Emperor’s punishment or worse.

This concern for her own well-being was what lay behind the Empress’s demeanor.

In that moment, Shao Yin’s heart softened.

Perhaps the Empress’s earlier words—her claim that she could allow Shao Yin to overstep protocol were sincere. Perhaps the Empress truly could become her patron within the palace.

This thought solidified Shao Yin’s resolve: “We could summon the Emperor to Kunning Palace. If I make a mistake, with the Empress watching over me, I wouldn’t panic.”

Guan Zhixian looked at Shao Yin.

Summon the Emperor to Kunning Palace?

The debate over commercial taxes had raged in the court for days. Her father and brother supported the measure, while others opposed it.

Merchants did wield considerable influence over the court, but granting them too much power and status, especially when they already possessed wealth could have catastrophic consequences.

Thus, progress was not smooth.

But the front lines couldn’t wait much longer. These days, even the emperor’s father had grown worried, his hair turning white with anxiety.

It was only through their influence in the Imperial Harem that they could sway the emperor’s decisions. With imperial authority supreme and the emperor’s approval secured, even the opposing ministers dared not resist so forcefully.

“You must promise me not to act recklessly,” Guan Zhixian said. “If you anger the emperor, protect yourself first.”
Shao Yin nodded, noticing the moisture glistening in Guan Zhixian’s eyes as she replied, “I will prioritize my safety and do my utmost to handle this matter.”

The emperor hadn’t seen Shao Yin in days.

These past few days, he had been indulging in the pleasures of the Imperial Harem, so absorbed in his diversions that he’d forgotten everything else.

But when Eunuch Qian mentioned Shao Yin’s name, he suddenly recalled that peerlessly beautiful face, delicate and pitifully alluring.

“It’s been too long since I’ve seen her,” he mused. “Since she misses me, I’ll visit the Empress’s Palace today to see her.” The other concubines in the harem could never match Shao Yin’s grace, leaving the emperor deeply regretful.

Now that Chief Eunuch Qian had brought it up and Shao Yin had taken the initiative to arrange the meeting, the Emperor was once again heading to the Empress’s Palace.

He secretly thought, What if I could have both the Empress and Shao Yin serve me at the same time…?

The mere thought sent a tingling sensation through his body. How could he possibly refuse to visit the Empress?

Kunning Palace was serene and solemn in the dead of night.

The Empress sat in the main seat of the hall, the gilded palace lamp by her bedside casting flickering shadows that half-lit her face. Her gaze was deep and tranquil, like a still lake, fixed on Shao Yin as she carefully traced Shao Yin’s eyebrows with a stone eyebrow pencil.

Her features were as cold and pristine as a pine tree on a snowy night, yet her touch was remarkably gentle. Even her icy voice couldn’t mask the tenderness in her hands. “I never imagined you’d be willing to paint your face and dress so lavishly for the Emperor.”

A faint whiff of jealousy wafted through the air.

Shao Yin’s breath caught, momentarily flustered like a man caught off guard by his girlfriend’s jealousy.

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