After Transmigrating Into A Eunuch, I Became Famous In The Harem - Chapter 26

Shao Yin said respectfully, “The Empress summoned me to discuss some matters.”

Liang Fujun raised her delicately shaped eyebrows. “With so many people at Kunning Palace, does she really need your help? You haven’t even been there long enough to be of any real use.”

Shao Yin sensed something was amiss and surreptitiously glanced at the Noble Consort’s expression.

The Noble Consort’s face betrayed clear displeasure, tinged with the arrogance of a superior. “If I hadn’t gone to the Emperor, you’d be in the Imperial Study right now, not here in Chengqian Palace.”

“You should know what happened to the Eunuch Faction members who once bewitched the Emperor. It was I who saved you.”

“Now that you’re here in my palace, yet your heart still yearns for Kunning Palace… do you think I’d let you prioritize the Empress over everything else?”

Though the Empress’s status in the palace hierarchy surpassed Liang Fujun’s, and they had recently collaborated, Liang Fujun’s competitive spirit had been stirred. For some inexplicable reason, she was unwilling to compromise on this matter.

She longed to see the fear on Shao Yin’s face again, hoping Shao Yin would fear her like the other palace servants, making her too terrified to ever betray her.

But this time, the intimidation had no effect.

Shao Yin simply lowered her head, showing no sign of fear. “While I am at Chengqian Palace,” she said, “I will always prioritize its interests.”

“Only when you’re at Chengqian Palace?” Liang Fujun’s expression was already tinged with madness.

She leaned forward, her cloak slipping from its perfect drape.

For the first time, Shao Yin, who had kept her eyes downcast, saw a glimpse of snow-white chest.

Blinded momentarily, Shao Yin instinctively stumbled backward, her steps faltering.

She lowered her head. Even on this bitterly cold winter day, her cheeks felt flushed.
As a girl from the south, Shao Yin had no experience with bathhouses and had grown up distant from her female family members, preferring solitude.

This was the first time she had been so close to a woman’s intimate areas. Flustered, she lowered her head and her breathing was uneven. Staring at the snow-covered ground, she felt her heart pounding erratically in her chest.

Liang Fujun, standing before Shao Yin, was slightly taken aback.

She had assumed her furious expression had frightened Shao Yin, but now she noticed the subtle blush creeping up the back of Shao Yin’s neck as she lowered her head.

Liang Fujun looked at Shao Yin with suspicion. After a moment, realization dawned on her, and her gaze dropped to her own chest.

As a Noble Consort, Liang Fujun possessed not only striking beauty but also a figure more graceful and alluring than most other imperial concubines. Having once been the most favored consort in the Imperial Harem, she had every right to her pride.

How dare this eunuch… dare to be so presumptuous!

A sly smile curled her lips. How audacious!

Yet strangely, she felt no disgust at being so boldly touched. Otherwise, she would have punished Shao Yin the same way she had dealt with all those who had coveted her in the past—locking them in her dungeons, tormenting them until they were half-dead, never daring to entertain such filthy thoughts toward women again.

Her gaze fell upon Shao Yin, whose snow-white cheeks now held a delicate pink blush. “Pretty?” she murmured, her voice carrying a mocking undertone.

Startled, Shao Yin trembled slightly and collapsed to her knees in the snow. “Forgive me, Imperial Consort.”

She shouldn’t have reacted like this. Whether as a eunuch or as her true self, such a reaction was entirely inappropriate.

Only blame her lack of social experience.

For some reason, the Noble Consort, who should have been angry and blamed Shao Yin, suddenly felt a surge of relief.

She even laughed, her laughter exceptionally alluring: “Rise.”

With those words, Liang Fujun strode away.

Shao Yin watched the Noble Consort depart with her entourage, somewhat dazed.

Only after the group had vanished into the snowstorm did she stand up and slowly walk back to her quarters.

Back in her quarters, Shao Yin ate her meal, had the Cleaning Governess bring hot water, closed the door, lit the charcoal brazier, and lit a candle. She then went to the innermost washing room, draped a cloth over the mirror, and slowly removed her eunuch’s robes.

Even with the brazier roaring, she still felt a chill.

Slowly unwrapping the chest-binding cloth, the sudden release made her exhale deeply.

Wiping herself with a cloth from the hot water basin, she lowered her head and saw the red marks left by the binding on her chest. Strangely, the Noble Consort’s fair, unbound chest came to mind.

Her face flushed, feeling as if all the blood in her body had turned scalding hot.

Shao Yin shook her head slightly, trying to shake off the wild thoughts swirling in her mind.

Lying in bed that night, she stared into the darkness, her eyes unfocused.

After a long moment, she closed her eyes and told herself, “Don’t let your imagination run wild. It’s just a woman’s body. There’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

She wished she had gained some experience at the Northern Bathhouse before her transmigration. That way, she wouldn’t be so easily startled by such things now.

In another part of the Imperial Palace, at Yongshou Palace, a slender woman stood by the candle, adjusting the wick.

This wasn’t her usual duty; she had simply taken over the palace maid’s task out of boredom.

Her face was impassive, yet she possessed a refined beauty that had once captivated the Emperor. For a time, she had been one of his favored concubines.

Now, however, all the concubines were considered “past their prime” by the Emperor’s standards.

Even the Noble Consort, with her exceptional beauty, could no longer secure frequent imperial favor, let alone Consort Liang.
As Consort Liang adjusted the wick, the candle crackled softly. In the flickering candlelight, she turned to the palace maid beside her and asked, “Did the Noble Consort really go with that eunuch to wait outside the Empress’s palace? And when the person came out, did she just give them a few words of reprimand before leaving?”

The palace maid nodded. “Yes, but I noticed the Noble Consort didn’t seem to dislike Eunuch Shao. Her expression was relaxed when she left.”

Consort Liang raised an eyebrow. “For her to be relaxed after dealing with him, Eunuch Shao must have some real skill.”

After trimming the wick, Consort Liang gazed into the candlelight, lost in thought.

Lately, the courtiers led by the Empress and the Noble Consort’s father and brothers had been dominating court politics. Her father, the Vice Grand Secretary, found himself increasingly marginalized.

Half a month ago, her father had sent her mother to the palace with a message: to curry favor with Eunuch Shao. If Shao became the Emperor’s undisputed favorite eunuch, their alliance between the Vice Grand Secretary and the Imperial Study eunuch, would undoubtedly give them greater influence over court affairs.

This way, her father could finally outmaneuver the Empress’s father and secure the position of First Grand Secretary—a goal within reach.

Consort Liang handed the tool to a nearby palace maid and murmured, “Tomorrow, send a message to the Noble Consort’s palace. Ask her to come listen to the opera.”

She wanted to see what made Eunuch Shao so special. The Noble Consort was notoriously difficult to deal with, but if she could use her to gain Shao’s favor, it might actually help her father.

She had heard that the Emperor had never succeeded with Eunuch Shao. Now, just as he had finally managed to bring Eunuch Shao back to the Imperial Study, the Noble Consort had whisked him away again.

If she could help the Emperor win over Eunuch Shao, he might look upon her with newfound favor. And with the Emperor’s favor, Eunuch Shao would undoubtedly be even more grateful to her.

The next day, during Shao Yin’s shift, she entered the outer hall of the Bedchamber to greet the Noble Consort.
After rising, she instinctively glanced at the Noble Consort, who was having breakfast. She was surprised to find the Consort dressed exceptionally lavishly today, her delicate collarbones prominently displayed. The already bewitching Noble Consort was now even more captivating.

Shao Yin had never paid such close attention to the Consort’s appearance before. She had thought yesterday’s reaction was a fluke, but today she found herself unable to tear her gaze away from the Consort’s beauty, lingering momentarily on her collarbones.

Shao Yin averted her gaze, suddenly aware that she could no longer hear any other sounds her mind was consumed by the pounding of her own heartbeat.

She had never been in the presence of such a beautiful and alluring woman before. Her reactions these past two days were truly humiliating.

Liang Fujun, observing Shao Yin’s behavior, should have felt disgusted and even punished the servant harshly. Yet for some inexplicable reason, it felt as if the one being presumptuous was Shao Yin herself. Instead of feeling offended, she sensed a strange satisfaction in Shao Yin’s reaction, as if it confirmed her own beauty.

Liang Fujun gazed at Shao Yin, a faint smile playing on her lips as an idea suddenly struck her. “On such a bitterly cold day, a soak in a hot spring would surely be most soothing.”

“Shao Yin, what do you think if I asked His Majesty for a favor to rest at the Traveling Palace for a few days and indulge in some hot spring baths?”

Envy stirred in Shao Yin’s heart; she too longed for a hot spring bath. But she couldn’t understand why the Noble Consort was sharing this with her.

Regardless of the Noble Consort’s intentions, Shao Yin could only agree. “If Your Majesty wishes to go, I will naturally follow your wishes.”

Liang Fujun’s lips curved slightly. “Then you shall accompany me.”

Just as she spoke, Chunfeng entered the room. “Your Majesty,” she announced, “a servant from Consort Liang’s quarters has come to pay her respects. She mentions a new play at her residence and wishes for Your Majesty’s attendance.”

Liang Fujun was in the mood to tease Shao Yin today. What play could possibly be more entertaining than her? Besides, Consort Liang was no friend of hers. She scoffed coldly. “Tell her I’m unwell and can’t risk the wind. I won’t be attending.”

With that, Liang Fujun’s mind returned to scheming against Shao Yin. She set down her half-eaten breakfast and said, “Speaking of which, I did catch a cold yesterday and have a slight headache. Shao Yin, come help me massage my temples.”
She moved to the low couch, leaning back languidly, her pose dripping with coquetry.

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