After Transmigrating Into A Eunuch, I Became Famous In The Harem - Chapter 33

In the garden of Kunning Palace, several noble ladies sat in a pavilion draped with curtains to shield them from the chilly, snowy wind.

A stage had been erected nearby, where performers were giving their all in their performance.

Yet no one in the pavilion was watching the show. The air was thick with tension, as if charged with gunpowder, creating an oppressive atmosphere.

Shao Yin could smell the tension. The heavy atmosphere weighed on her, making her hesitant to breathe too deeply.

The Empress glanced at the Noble Consort, her gaze meaningful. She leaned back in her chair, a faint smile playing on her lips.

But the smile didn’t reach her eyes. Her gaze toward Liang Fujun seemed to say: Since you insist on stealing the limelight, I’ll let you have it.

Liang Fujun’s coquettish gaze darkened, her expression sour. She had indeed wanted to fight the Empress to the death, but what did it mean for the Empress to yield to her?

Liang Fujun turned her gaze to Consort Liang, her eyes radiating a threatening aura that made Consort Liang gasp for breath.

“In Sister Consort Liang,” Liang Fujun said coldly, “I find today’s performance in the Empress’s Palace rather dull. Perhaps it’s because my mind keeps drifting to the thought of you going to His Majesty to request someone from my palace.”

Her gaze was bewitching yet sharp. “Sister Consort Liang, do you intend to follow my example and ask His Majesty for Shao Yin? You should know I hate nothing more than being imitated.”

Consort Liang chuckled softly, but the laugh felt forced. She struggled to maintain her composure, never having imagined that the Empress and the Noble Consort would join forces to avenge Shao Yin.

How could this eunuch be so likable? she wondered. She couldn’t understand it.

Neither could Shao Yin herself. She couldn’t fathom what she had to commend her, feeling utterly unworthy of such treatment from the two Imperial Consorts.

Yet Consort Liang refused to be overshadowed by their presence. Though her rank as a consort was lower than theirs, her father was the Senior Grand Secretary—no mean position.
She straightened her back. “Noble Consort, what do you mean by that? I simply want to know what makes this eunuch so desirable that you two are vying for him. Besides, my father mentioned that Eunuch Shao had met with him several times in the Imperial Study, and they seemed to get along quite well.”

Liang Fujun, however, wasn’t intimidated by the Senior Grand Secretary. Her father was a powerful general wielding military authority, and he had openly clashed with Consort Liang’s father in court.

If not for others restraining him, he would have beaten the man to a pulp.

She smiled coldly. “So you steal anything your father has an eye on? Then I must have His Majesty send his men to thoroughly investigate what exactly your family has been stealing.”

Consort Liang’s jaw dropped.

What does this mean?! Is she implying my family is corrupt?

She opened her mouth to argue with the Noble Consort.

But the Empress spoke first. “Consort Liang’s behavior is improper. I hereby punish you to reflect upon your actions in Yongshou Palace for a month.”

Consort Liang stared at the Empress in disbelief.

The Empress’s gaze was icy, languid, yet stern, carrying an air of unquestionable authority.

Consort Liang wanted to ask, What improper behavior? The Noble Consort can enter the Emperor’s Imperial Study—why can’t I?! What right does she have?!

But under the Empress’s gaze, she dared not protest.

Consort Liang even felt more terrified of the Empress than of the Emperor himself.

Guan Zhixian had lost patience with Consort Liang.

She not only wanted to warn Consort Liang against meddling with Shao Yin again, but also to make it clear that in this Imperial Harem, she was the Empress, and no one could touch her people.

Consort Liang’s eyes reddened with fury, yet she was powerless.

Her gaze shifted to Shao Yin, the androgynous eunuch. Despite being dressed in eunuch’s robes, Shao Yin’s slender, delicate figure was unmistakable, evoking a pitiful tenderness that filled Consort Liang’s heart with a bitter, jealous resentment.

She resented Shao Yin’s appearance and bearing, and hated that a eunuch could be more cherished and cared for than she was.

Lowering her head, she recalled her father’s instructions.

Her father had forbidden her from causing too much trouble among the concubines in the Imperial Harem. Unfavored and unable to whisper in the Emperor’s ear, her position, both in the palace and at home, was no longer as important as when she first entered the palace.

Yet the hatred in her heart hadn’t diminished.

She even hated her parents for not giving her better looks, making her seem so ordinary in this palace.

After Consort Liang left, only the opera singer’s voice drifted through the air in the Kunning Palace garden.

The voice was melodious and graceful, but no one was listening.

Snowflakes drifted lazily down, while the curtain and the brazier in the pavilion kept the cold wind at bay.

Guan Zhixian suppressed a smile as she looked at Liang Fujun, wanting to ask when Shao Yin would be returned to her side.

Liang Fujun lacked Guan Zhixian’s power and cunning.

Originally, the two had tacitly agreed to merely reprimand Consort Liang verbally. But unexpectedly, the Empress had ordered Consort Liang to reflect upon her actions within the palace.

This made Guan Zhixian seem like someone who could only bark threats.

Noticing the faint smugness in Guan Zhixian’s expression, Liang Fujun suddenly smiled, her radiant and charming smile making her words sound casual. “Now that this matter has been resolved, I have time to go to the Traveling Palace and soak in the hot springs.”

She turned to Shao Yin. “You should come with me, Shao Yin. You caught a cold a few days ago, and this would be perfect for you.”
The light in Guan Zhixian’s eyes gradually faded, her expression darkening slightly. “The Traveling Palace? The Noble Consort certainly knows how to indulge herself.”

Liang Fujun’s smile grew even brighter. “Unlike the Empress, who’s so busy with affairs, I like to enjoy myself when I have time.”

“I was thinking of assigning some duties to you, Noble Consort,” Guan Zhixian said, “but I never imagined you’d want to go play at the Traveling Palace.”

Liang Fujun ignored the comment and didn’t ask what duties she meant. “Your Majesty knows I’m the most foolish person. I can’t handle anything important.”

Guan Zhixian’s expression grew even darker. “But now that we’re winning battles and there’s a snow disaster in the north, I thought we could go to the temple together to pray for peace and prosperity for the people.”

If Liang Fujun insisted on going to the Traveling Palace for hot springs now, it would seem she was oblivious to the people’s suffering.

But does prayer even work?

If prayer worked, why would there be so many wars and disasters in the world?

Listening to the two Imperial Consorts exchange barbs, Shao Yin wished she could sink into the floor. She had a premonition that the flames of this argument would soon engulf her.

Guan Zhixian’s words reminded Shao Yin that the snow disaster she was describing had also been mentioned in the original book. The disaster relief effort had been poorly managed. The meager funds and food that had been painstakingly raised had been embezzled and exploited by corrupt officials at every level, leaving only a fraction to reach the starving people. Many impoverished souls starved to death, and some even became refugees, forced to flee south and prey on other towns.

In the original text, Guan Zhixian lamented her powerlessness and regretted not risking her life to urge the Emperor to send capable ministers to oversee the disaster relief.

Shao Yin glanced at the Empress, her eyes flickering with indecision.

Could this be the purpose of my transmigration into this book? she wondered. Could I use my foreknowledge to lessen the regrets of these characters and bring them more peace?

Her hesitation was painfully obvious.

Guan Zhixian arched an eyebrow. “What are you holding back now? It’s just me and the Noble Consort here. Is there something you can’t tell me, or something you can’t tell her?”

Liang Fujun also turned to Shao Yin. “What, you and the Empress have secret whispers now? Do you need me to leave?”

“How did this even lead to an argument?” Shao Yin thought, feeling utterly helpless.

It wasn’t that the Noble Consort couldn’t hear what she had to say. The problem was the other servants present—attendants from both Imperial Consorts’ households. Shao Yin didn’t want them overhearing; her words would be too presumptuous for their ears.

Guan Zhixian and Liang Fujun waved the servants far away. The two of them turned to face Shao Yin. The pavilion grew even quieter, their gazes now fixed intently on her.

Shao Yin looked deeply into Guan Zhixian’s eyes, as if plunging into a cool spring that slowly spread its ripples through her heart. She leaned forward and asked, “Why, Your Majesty, won’t you let the Second Imperial Prince join the Disaster Relief Convoy?”

Liang Fujun frowned. “Why should His Highness leave his studies in the palace to join disaster relief? That’s the officials’ responsibility.”

Shao Yin countered, “Even if books describe it a thousand times, nothing compares to the impact of witnessing it firsthand. If His Highness accompanied the convoy, those officials would surely handle disaster relief with greater care.”

Guan Zhixian gazed at the stage, but her mind remained occupied by Shao Yin’s words.

A few days ago, when Mother visited the palace, she mentioned that Father was deeply worried about the disaster relief efforts. His concern stemmed from the layers of corruption among officials, which left only a fraction of aid reaching the people.

Shao Yin’s suggestion might sound absurd at first, but upon careful consideration, Guan Zhixian understood her intent.

Everyone knew the prestige of an imperial prince. Shao Yin’s son was the eldest legitimate heir, and although the Emperor hadn’t officially designated him as Crown Prince yet, he stood a strong chance of succession.

How could he become a wise emperor, unlike his Imperial Father?

Perhaps, beyond scholarly pursuits, it was indeed necessary to let him travel throughout the realm, witnessing its realities firsthand.

Having him accompany the Disaster Relief Convoy would teach him how to wield power responsibly while ensuring more aid reached the people, rather than fattening the pockets of corrupt officials.

A faint smile played on Guan Zhixian’s lips as she gazed at Shao Yin.

She was different from many other women.

Guan Zhixian could sense Shao Yin’s cautious behavior in the palace, often motivated by self-preservation. Yet, whenever an opportunity arose, Shao Yin seized it to secure even a sliver of benefit for the common people—a sliver that could save countless lives.

She saw the pure conviction in Shao Yin’s eyes, and the hidden yet radiant hope that burned within her.

A chord in Guan Zhixian’s heart seemed to gently vibrate.

Shao Yin felt the Empress’s approving gaze and immediately lowered her head, afraid to meet her eyes. The mere exchange of glances seemed to alter the atmosphere between them.

Beside them, Liang Fujun’s smile gradually faded. She looked calmly at Shao Yin, realizing that this woman was truly a “guest in the enemy camp”—her heart remained loyal to her original allegiance. She had never seen her consider her own child’s interests.

A wave of bitterness rose in Liang Fujun’s heart, burning until it made her feel restless. Overwhelmed by indescribable emotions, she forced a faint smile and said, “Now that the disaster relief convoy has been arranged, the Empress should allow me to return to the Traveling Palace, right?”

Guan Zhixian was about to refuse when hurried footsteps approached. Su Zhongjie hurried over and reported, “Your Majesty, His Majesty the Emperor has arrived and is almost at the gates of Kunning Palace.”

The three women turned to look at Su Zhongjie.

Guan Zhixian rose and instructed him, “Follow me to greet His Majesty.” Then she turned to Liang Fujun. “You may take Shao Yin and leave first.”

Liang Fujun rose without another word. After a formal bow, she led Shao Yin away in the opposite direction.

Fortunately, Kunning Palace’s corner gate was closer to Chengqian Palace’s corner gate. It wasn’t unusual for her to leave through the corner gate; she simply wanted to take the shortest route.

The Emperor had come to the Empress’s Palace, expecting her to have gathered the palace concubines to watch a play. He planned to observe them and, if he found any to his liking, spend the night in her palace.

He also hoped to use this opportunity to see Shao Yin. If he could seize the chance to request her from the Noble Consort’s Palace, that would be a fortunate outcome.

But upon arriving at the Empress’s Palace, he found no one present except the Empress herself, listening to the play alone.

Just as he turned to leave, the Empress spoke. “Recently, several beauties who come to pay their respects in my palace have expressed their deep longing for Your Majesty. Since you’ve come, I’ll send someone to invite those two beauties here to keep you company while you watch the play.”

The Emperor turned his gaze toward the stage and saw that the female lead was quite well-dressed. Intrigued, he decided to stay.

Guan Zhixian breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the Emperor remained in her palace instead of going to the Noble Consort’s, she didn’t care who he took a fancy to.

She sat at a distance from the Emperor, who was surrounded by several junior attendants and beauties eager to serve him.

Guan Zhixian gazed listlessly at the stage, but her mind kept drifting to the smug look on the Noble Consort’s face and Shao Yin’s slender yet supple figure.

A strange possessiveness stirred within her, but she had no time to dwell on it, focusing instead on how to satisfy her own desires.

That night, Su Zhongjie arrived at Consort Zhen’s palace.

Consort Zhen looked surprised, her smile gentle and warm. “Eunuch Su, does the Empress intend to send many harem ladies to the Traveling Palace for hot spring baths?”

Su Zhongjie chuckled. “The Empress says the hot springs at the Traveling Palace are a waste if left unused. The ladies are often bored in the palace, so she suggests they go during the bitter winter to pass the time and improve their health.”

Consort Zhen smiled faintly. “Then we thank the Empress for her kindness. Soaking in the hot springs during this weather must be quite comforting.”

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