After Transmigrating Into A Eunuch, I Became Famous In The Harem - Chapter 23

In the main hall of Kunning Palace, Shao Yin stood at the center, dressed in deep blue eunuch robes.

Guan Zhixian sat at the seat of honor, her expression solemn, her emotions barely discernible.

Outside, snow drifted down, blanketing the courtyard in a layer of pristine white, carrying a sense of desolation and helplessness.

Though the charcoal fire blazed brightly within the hall, it seemed unable to dispel the chill.

Hidden beneath her sleeve, Guan Zhixian’s hand gripped the hem of her inner robe tightly.

She gazed intently at Shao Yin, as if trying to etch her image into her very soul.

She never imagined she would feel such reluctance.

Even when her younger sister married into an unhappy union, though she had felt sorrow, it paled in comparison to the turbulent emotions surging through her now.

She studied the person before her, trying to understand why Shao Yin had become so deeply ingrained in her heart.

“Shao Yin…” Guan Zhixian’s voice echoed in the hall, soft and brittle like the crunch of snow underfoot, revealing a hint of vulnerability.

Guan Zhixian’s heart trembled. She suppressed her emotions, striving to keep her voice as calm and detached as usual. Yet, no matter how she tried, a faint tremor lingered in her tone.

“It was I who failed to protect you,” Guan Zhixian said, her eyes stinging with unshed tears.

It was I who failed to protect her.

Guan Zhixian could feel it. Shao Yin had entrusted her life to her, showing her trust.

Shao Yin could have remained in the Empress’s Palace, a carefree eunuch under her protection, untouched by these dangerous affairs. But she had thrown herself into this without hesitation, claiming it was for the soldiers and people on the border. Guan Zhixian knew the truth: it was also for her.

And yet, she had betrayed that trust.

A profound sense of helplessness engulfed her, twisting into an invisible rope that bound her tightly, leaving her no room to struggle or resist.

But Shao Yin smiled.

She saw the Empress’s slightly reddened eyes, the unmasked guilt and tenderness beneath her cold gaze. That was enough for her.

So, she wasn’t afraid of the unpredictable storms within the Imperial Harem, nor was she afraid of the uncertain future.

She was simply afraid of loneliness, afraid of being alone and without support.

Now that the Empress was willing to protect her and plan for her, even if the outcome wasn’t entirely satisfactory, she could feel the Empress’s genuine concern.

The path ahead held unknown dangers, and she had no clues as to which prince was most likely to become the next Emperor.

But looking only at the present, the Empress’s kindness was enough for her.

A faint smile played on her lips, unafraid of the future.

Though she appeared so delicate, like a tender branch that could snap with a touch, her smile was so radiant it dispelled the chill seeping into the room through the door.

Even Shao Yin’s voice carried a hint of laughter. “This servant knows Your Majesty has done her utmost. This is the best outcome possible. In the Noble Consort’s Palace, could we possibly fare worse than being at the Emperor’s side?”

Liang Fujun had said the same thing.

If comparing only Liang Fujun’s Palace and the Imperial Study, Liang Fujun’s Palace would undoubtedly be preferable.

But Guan Zhixian remained unsatisfied.

She only wished Shao Yin would remain in her palace.

She only hoped Shao Yin would stay under her protection, smiling more often.

The brighter Shao Yin’s smile, the more Guan Zhixian refused to let go.

But Shao Yin stepped back, bowing to Guan Zhixian. “This servant is grateful for Your Majesty’s care these past days.”

Guan Zhixian’s lips parted slightly.

It wasn’t as if she had been the only one caring for Shao Yin.

On the night they first met, Shao Yin had helped her up, secretly sparing her the kneeling punishment.

“Shao Yin,” Guan Zhixian’s voice drifted like snow in the wind, no longer as calm as before. “You won’t stay long in the Noble Consort’s Palace. I’ll bring you back here.”

Shao Yin’s eyes softened, a sting rising in her nose.

She didn’t want to leave either.

She lowered her head, her voice trembling with a hint of a smile. “Mm.”

As she left, Shao Yin didn’t dare look back at the Empress.

She never imagined this farewell would leave her so heartbroken.

She stepped into the snow, the falling flakes settling on her shoulders, adding to her sorrow.

******

On her first day at the Noble Consort’s Palace, Shao Yin met with the Noble Consort only briefly before being granted leave.

She needed to join the roster of eunuchs serving in the Noble Consort’s Palace. Today, the Noble Consort had allowed her to return and rest, but tomorrow she would officially begin her duties.

Watching Shao Yin leave with a lonely figure, Liang Fujun felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

From this day forward, this person would be under her control. She could use her as she pleased, probing to discover how she had managed to win the favor of both the Emperor and the Empress—and how she had so deeply captivated the Empress that she was unwilling to let her go.

No such bewitching servant had appeared in the palace in years. Now it was time for her own palace to have some amusement.
That night, as the moon climbed high above the branches,

Kunning Palace remained brightly lit by candles.

Ruyi, standing beside the Empress, urged, “Your Majesty, you must rest. It’s very late.”

Beneath the candlelight, Guan Zhixian sat with her head bowed, her face hidden in shadow.

Her fingertips, as smooth as sheep-fat jade, held a jade ring—a gift from her father.

In the candlelight, Guan Zhixian’s figure appeared lonely and desolate.

Memories of her father’s words echoed in her mind:

Zhixian, how could you run so recklessly in the courtyard? Remember, you’re a woman. You must always maintain your composure.

Zhixian, stop reading those idle books. Focus on your studies of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

“Zhixian, I wish to send you to the palace to participate in the beauty selection. Would you be willing to become the Emperor’s consort for the sake of your siblings’ futures?”

“Zhixian, now that you are Empress, you must be even more self-restrained. Remember, the Empress is the mistress of the Imperial Harem. How can you monopolize the Emperor’s attention? You should ensure that His Majesty’s favor is shared equally among the harem.”

“Zhixian, the Imperial Harem must not interfere in state affairs. Do not discuss court matters with me. As for the commercial tax reform you mentioned, we will discuss it. You need not concern yourself further.”

“Zhixian, as Empress of the realm, you should counsel the Emperor against excessive indulgence.”

*******

Guan Zhixian closed her eyes, gripping the jade ring tightly in her palm.

She needed to restrain herself, to be magnanimous, to always prioritize the interests of the nation and family above all else.

Not only could she not monopolize the Emperor’s affection, but she was also expected to regularly select beauties to replenish the Imperial Harem and assist the Emperor in expanding his lineage.
She couldn’t reveal her personal preferences, couldn’t punish troublesome servants as she pleased, and couldn’t interact too closely with her children, lest her limited perspective as a woman cloud their judgment.

She had followed her father’s advice, yet now found herself trapped in this passive situation.

When her father learned that Shao Yin, a woman pretending to be a eunuch in her palace, had petitioned the Emperor to approve the commercial tax reform, he didn’t praise her. Instead, he warned her against colluding with the Eunuch Faction, fearing for the backlash.

But a storm of rebellion churned within her heart.

Guan Zhixian rose and walked into the courtyard, despite Ruyi’s worried gaze.

Snowflakes drifted down onto her, and Ruyi immediately brought an oil-paper umbrella to shield her from the falling snow.

The umbrella blocked the snow, but not the biting wind.

The cold wind stole the warmth from her body, whipping her robes into a howling frenzy.

Eunuchs and palace maids surrounded her, their faces etched with concern. They wanted to kneel and plead with her, but dared not disturb her.

Guan Zhixian gazed in the direction of the Noble Consort’s Palace, the possessive flames in her heart reaching their peak.

Holding herself back had only led to this bitter end, her own protectee snatched away by another.

If only she held real power. If only the emperor on the throne had to obey her every word.

Guan Zhixian closed her eyes, hiding the madness burning in her gaze.

A raging inferno blazed in her heart, its core the retreating figure of Shao Yin.

The next morning, the palace stood silent and majestic as always.

Guan Zhixian hadn’t slept a wink. Under Ruyi’s worried gaze, she ordered Su Zhongjie to deliver some fruits from the Traveling Palace’s greenhouse to the Noble Consort.

These were the first fruits of the season, not yet distributed to the Noble Consort’s Palace.
Su Zhongjie immediately went to make arrangements. Before leaving, he turned back to look at Guan Zhixian. “Your Majesty, you should rest. If Eunuch Shao knew you hadn’t slept all night, he would worry about you.”

Guan Zhixian gave him a cool look. “Don’t gossip in his ear. How would he know?”

Su Zhongjie bowed and left.

Ruyi watched Guan Zhixian, feeling that the Empress seemed different from before, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on how.

Liang Fujun resided in Chengqian Palace. She wasn’t the only one living there; several Junior Ladies and Junior Attendants occupied the side chambers. They generally got along well, though Liang Fujun didn’t bother to discern whether their camaraderie was genuine or feigned. As long as they stayed in her palace and didn’t cause trouble, she didn’t care about their sincerity.

Today, Liang Fujun had canceled her usual card game with the Junior Attendants.

Standing beside a low couch, dressed in a pale yellow gown, she fiddled with the incense on the table. “Has Shao Yin still not arrived for duty?” she asked Chunfeng, the palace maid beside her.

“Not yet,” Chunfeng replied. “There’s still fifteen minutes until shift change.”

Liang Fujun stood up, her posture graceful and her smile radiant. “Chunfeng,” she said, her eyes curving into a charming smile, “do you think he’s just using these little tricks to make things seem novel to the Emperor and Empress?”

“Look around the palace. Aren’t all the favored eunuchs and palace maids always arriving early and leaving late?”

“Isn’t there a saying about playing hard-to-get?”

How could Chunfeng dare to comment? She simply flattered the Noble Consort: “Perhaps it’s Your Majesty’s imposing dignity that makes Eunuch Shao exceptionally cautious.”

Liang Fujun smiled again, but this time her smile held a hint of danger. She kept glancing at the time. Sure enough, Shao Yin appeared at her door the moment the hour struck.

Approaching the door, Shao Yin knelt and bowed.

The front hall of Chengqian Palace was similarly arranged to Kunning Palace, though it lacked the status symbols typically found there. Yet Chengqian Palace was more lavishly decorated, with a bouquet of red plum blossoms resting beside Liang Fujun. The subtle fragrance of the blossoms mingled with the incense, creating a scent more potent and assertive than the faint woodsy aroma in the Empress’s Palace.

Liang Fujun spoke, enveloped in the fragrant air: “Look up and let me see you. I want to examine closely the person who has both the Emperor and Empress so reluctant to part with you.”

A flicker of emotion crossed Shao Yin’s eyes.

The Noble Consort had seen what Shao Yin looked like before; she had even scrutinized her carefully. Now, she was saying this to humiliate her.

Suppressing the irritation in her heart, Shao Yin slowed her breathing and slowly raised her head to look at the Noble Consort seated above her.

Liang Fujun’s beauty outshone even the red plum blossoms beside her. Her unmasked gaze fell directly on Shao Yin.

She had carefully examined Shao Yin before, knowing she was beautiful, even more so than most women. Yet now, she sighed again, “Truly, you have a lovely face. With this pitiful appearance, it’s no wonder the Emperor and Empress worry I’ll bully you.”

Shao Yin thought the matter was over, but Liang Fujun continued, “Come closer. Let me examine you more closely.”

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