After Transmigrating Into A Eunuch, I Became Famous In The Harem - Chapter 34

After her “little days” ended, Shao Yin felt considerably lighter. Even while on duty in the Noble Consort’s Palace, she occasionally chatted with Chunfeng and the others, a faint smile gracing her face.

Her delicate beauty was accentuated by her eunuch’s attire, making her appear androgynous to the uninitiated. Some even mistook her for a man at first glance.

The Noble Consort noticed the subtle smile playing on Shao Yin’s lips and mused inwardly, No wonder that damned Emperor was so infatuated with her. Who could resist such beauty?

Unaware that the Noble Consort was observing her, Shao Yin basked in the rare clear weather, the warm sunlight caressing her skin.

She gazed up at the sky, feeling a flicker of anticipation for the residence the Empress had gifted her and the upcoming hot spring bath.

Her life in the palace seemed to grow more relaxed with each passing day.

After her shift ended, Su Zhongjie intercepted Shao Yin on her way back. “Eunuch Shao, off duty?” he asked with a smile. “Returning to your quarters?”

A sudden realization dawned on Shao Yin, and a hint of a smile appeared on her lips. “Eunuch Su, did the Imperial Consort summon me?”

“Of course it’s good news,” Su Zhongjie replied. “Eunuch Shao, please change into your civilian clothes and come with me.”

He signaled a eunuch behind him to bring over a set of regular clothes. “The Imperial Consort thought Eunuch Shao might not have a proper outfit, so she had me bring one.”

Back in her quarters, Shao Yin examined the pale blue men’s attire laid out on the bed.

The fabric was unassuming, yet remarkably soft to the touch—promising comfort when worn.

She changed into the clothes, removed the eunuch’s hat, and simply tied her hair into a bun-like style, the blue ribbon trailing down. Facing the hazy copper mirror, she straightened her features, though she couldn’t clearly see her own reflection.

When she opened the door, Su Zhongjie paused, momentarily stunned.
The slightly brighter hue of the blue robes accentuated her striking beauty. The pale blue resembled the delicate shade of lotus leaves framing a tender, resilient white lotus blossom—a strikingly lovely sight.

Who could resist admiring such beauty? Su Zhongjie’s smile grew even more genuine. “Eunuch Shao, this way please. The Imperial Consort awaits us.”

How could they keep the Empress waiting? At his words, they quickened their pace.

This was the first time Shao Yin had left the palace since arriving in this world.

She sat in the carriage with the Empress and Ruyi.

Ruyi shot Shao Yin a discreet glare. Why would the Empress buy her a house?

The Empress was rarely seen in casual attire, her hair adorned with far fewer pins and ornaments than usual. Yet her innate grace and nobility shone through, impossible to conceal.

Her eyes, the corners softened with a faint smile, turned to Ruyi. “Did I not provide you with these things?”

Indeed she had. Even the mansion Su Zhongjie purchased outside the palace had been funded and arranged by the Empress herself.

The Empress was truly kind to everyone in Kunning Palace.

Ruyi feigned a coy displeasure. “Imperial Consort, that’s not what I meant.”

She glanced at Shao Yin, seated across from her.

Shao Yin had only served the Empress in Kunning Palace for two months before being transferred to Chengqian Palace, yet the Empress remained as kind to her as ever.

Ruyi was unaware of Shao Yin’s true identity. However, she couldn’t help but notice Shao Yin’s porcelain skin and ethereal beauty, even in casual attire. If she were a woman, Ruyi thought, there would be few who could rival her.

Ruyi secretly believed that it was Shao Yin’s striking appearance that pleased the Empress, leading to these generous rewards. She shot Shao Yin another glare: The Empress treats you so well—don’t you dare betray her.

Shao Yin, in a good mood, paid no mind to Ruyi’s petty thoughts. Hearing the rising clamor of voices outside the carriage, she knew they had reached the streets.

She turned to look behind her, but didn’t lift the carriage curtain.

The Empress sat casually inside the carriage, her chin tilted slightly as she gazed at Shao Yin, her voice carrying a playful tone. “Want to see?”

Shao Yin turned to face the Empress, her eyes glistening with curiosity.

The Empress, unconsciously indulgent, said, “If you want to see, lift the curtain. If there’s something you want to buy, we can have Su Zhongjie stop the carriage. I’ll go with you.”

“No need,” Shao Yin replied, her smile growing brighter. “I have everything I need in the palace. There’s nothing I need to buy.”

With that, she turned back and lifted a corner of the curtain to look outside.

Before her stretched a wide, clean street, far broader than she’d imagined—at least as wide as a modern four-lane road.

Lined on both sides were dazzling shops selling every imaginable good.

Well-dressed noblewomen entered and exited these shops, followed by maids and servants carrying bundles of purchases.

Before long, the carriage turned onto another street. Here, the shops gave way to tall, imposing gates.

Shao Yin looked up at the towering gates, suddenly understanding the phrase “great gates and grand households” in vivid detail.

The distance between each gate was immense—only sprawling mansions could require such vast courtyards.

Occasionally, they would see one or two people walking along the road. Upon spotting their carriage, these pedestrians would move to the side of the wall to make way.

These scenes, full of the vitality of everyday life, flashed before Shao Yin’s eyes, making the world around her feel more real. Her heart swelled with emotion, as if seeing these sights made the reality of her reborn life sink in.

Her gaze no longer fell upon the cautious, meticulous palace maids and eunuchs she was accustomed to.

After a long time, the courtyard gates they passed no longer towered so majestically, and the courtyard walls were no longer endless.
Finally, the carriage stopped before a courtyard gate.

Shao Yin’s heart stirred. Could this be the residence the Empress bestowed upon me?

Guan Zhixian observed every movement Shao Yin made.

How could Zhixian fail to notice her excitement? She even understood Shao Yin’s feelings.

After all, Shao Yin was still just a sixteen-year-old girl who had been tricked into entering the palace. Before her arrival, she had spent her days confined to the inner chambers of her family home.

Her entire life had consisted of nothing but these inner chambers and the Imperial Palace. How could she not be moved by the sight of wide streets and the vibrant lives of ordinary people?

Zhixian’s voice softened. “Come, let’s see the residence I’ve selected for you.”

Though she hadn’t personally chosen it, she had meticulously reviewed the floor plans of each candidate residence and the records of their previous owners.

Shao Yin stepped out of the carriage and approached the residence’s gate. Su Zhongjie grinned even more broadly than she did. “Eunuch Shao, hurry and open the gate! I was the one who procured this residence for the Imperial Consort and handled the transfer documents.”

“Thank you, Eunuch Su,” Shao Yin replied, not even looking at him. She almost couldn’t believe that the residence before her truly belonged to her.

Guan Zhixian came to Shao Yin’s side. “Go on, open the gate and take a look. I haven’t seen this residence either. I’ll look around with you today.”

Shao Yin’s nose stung, and she turned to look at Guan Zhixian, her eyes glistening with tears.

Her skin was naturally fair, and now with the redness around her eyes and nose, she looked even more pitiful, softening anyone’s heart.

A tear slid down her cheek.

Guan Zhixian’s heart fluttered, as if someone were squeezing it. She moved to wipe away Shao Yin’s tears, but Shao Yin had already raised her hand to roughly wipe her face. Her voice trembled as she softly said, “Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress.”

This was the first time Shao Yin had spoken with such softness. The words landed in Guan Zhixian’s heart, making it skip a beat and her throat tighten. She couldn’t speak.

Shao Yin turned back to the gate, raised both hands, and pushed it open.

The gate creaked open, revealing a carved screen wall.

Shao Yin stepped forward, stopping before the screen wall. She reached out to touch the intricate carvings, then turned to look at Guan Zhixian, her eyes asking, Is this really my residence?

Guan Zhixian’s gaze softened at Shao Yin’s look. She gestured for her to continue exploring. “Go inside and look around.”

They passed through the ornamental gate, along the covered walkway, into the side rooms, the main hall, and the side chambers. Shao Yin took it all in, finding every detail pleasing to the eye.

This vast estate was hers. And much of it was already furnished. The Empress had even arranged for a maid and a young servant girl.

After touring the entire residence, Shao Yin settled into the main seat of the hall while Ruyi prepared tea for Guan Zhixian. Shao Yin then went to the adjacent bedroom.

She examined the furnishings in the bedroom, wondering if they had been arranged by the Empress, left by the original owner, or set up by Su Zhongjie. She liked everything she saw—the simple, elegant decor perfectly suited her tastes.

As she finished looking around, she turned to see the Empress standing in the doorway, watching her.

Shao Yin flushed with embarrassment. “Imperial Consort, I lost track of time and kept you waiting.”

Guan Zhixian approached slowly, her heart swelling with warmth with each step. When she reached Shao Yin, she looked down into her eyes. “Do you like it?”

A brilliant sparkle, impossible to conceal, flashed in Shao Yin’s eyes as she murmured, “Yes, I do.”

Her appearance had subtly changed, the light in her eyes now radiating from deep within her heart.

It was as if she had transformed from a beautiful jade sculpture into a living, breathing person.

The three-compound residence was well-located and more expensive than others of its kind, but for the Empress, it was a trifling expense.

Initially, the Empress had wanted to buy her a residence because her quarters in the palace were too cramped.

Now it seemed that the person who had initially refused the gift truly wanted it all along and was genuinely delighted to have it.

The Empress couldn’t resist teasing, “Who was it who said they didn’t want this residence not too long ago? Since you don’t want it, I might as well return it.”

“Imperial Consort!” Shao Yin panicked momentarily, then her eyes flickered as she forced out a response, “This residence was originally a gift from Your Majesty. If Your Majesty wishes to reclaim it, this servant would not utter a word of complaint.”

Guan Zhixian leaned closer, staring intently into Shao Yin’s eyes. “You truly wouldn’t complain? Yet I see the reluctance in your eyes.”

Only then did Guan Zhixian realize how close they were standing.

Shao Yin’s ears flushed crimson. She didn’t know whether her shame stemmed from her insincere words or the sudden embarrassment of being stared at by such a beautiful woman as the Empress.

Her gaze shifted away, her lips pressed together as she fell silent.

Guan Zhixian’s breathing grew shallow and barely audible.

She gazed intently at Shao Yin’s slightly flushed ears, the intensity in her eyes deepening. Softly, she asked, “Do you like the gift this palace has given you?”

“I do,” Shao Yin replied.

The bedroom fell silent, the only sound the intertwining of their soft breaths.

Apart from that, Guan Zhixian could only hear her heart pounding wildly in her chest, like a drum.

Support After Transmigrating Into A Eunuch, I Became Famous In The Harem