After Transmigrating Into A Eunuch, I Became Famous In The Harem - Chapter 37

Shao Yin grew increasingly anxious as she listened to Consort Zhen’s words.

She had read about Consort Zhen’s story in the original text. The women of the Imperial Harem all described her as gentle as water, the easiest consort to get along with. But Shao Yin knew better. This woman was not to be trifled with.

As long as no one crossed her, she remained indifferent. But if anyone dared to offend her, she would retaliate with fierce determination, stepping back to observe the situation as if she were an outsider.

Shao Yin wouldn’t dare upset her.

She couldn’t be certain that even the Empress and Noble Consort could protect her if she became Consort Zhen’s thorn in the side.

Outside the room, the snow fell in a pure, cold blanket.

Inside, the charcoal fire cast a warm glow. Consort Zhen smiled radiantly, her gentle features softening with kindness.

Seeing Shao Yin’s cautious demeanor, her smile grew even brighter. “Eunuch Shao,” she said softly, “please don’t hold a grudge. I truly didn’t mean anything by it. Don’t take my earlier words to heart.”

How could Shao Yin possibly take them to heart? She lowered her head and replied, “It’s just my own cowardice, Your Imperial Consort. It has nothing to do with you. I’m feeling much better now. If there’s nothing else, I’ll return to report back.”

“It’s not quite nothing,” Consort Zhen said.

She gazed at the eunuch before her, suddenly understanding why he was favored by the Emperor, the Empress, and the Noble Consort.

He didn’t become arrogant from favor, nor did he disrespect the younger masters because of the Emperor’s overwhelming affection.

He understood his position well and remained cautious.

More importantly, he was clever enough.

Others might not know, but Consort Zhen learned from her family that the initiation and advancement of the Commercial Tax Reform were closely tied to him. She also heard that the Empress’s eldest son’s mission to relieve disaster-stricken areas was her suggestion.

This information had been painstakingly gathered.

After hearing this, Consort Zhen became intrigued by this eunuch.

However, Noble Consort kept him closely guarded.

Consort Zhen instructed a palace maid to bring her a plate of pastries. “Take this to Noble Consort.”

A moment later, she added a handkerchief. “Take this too, and tell Noble Consort that if only the two of us are left to admire the plum blossoms this winter, it might become a lifelong regret.”

Shao Yin had a headache.

These plot points were entirely outside the original narrative.

The original text focused heavily on court politics and power struggles.

For example, the recent border conflicts were described as follows: due to severe food shortages among the troops, countless soldiers died before the Emperor reluctantly halted construction of his traveling palace to divert funds to military expenses.

Similarly, the disaster relief efforts only began after countless lives were lost, and displaced refugees turned to banditry, resorting to robbery and slaughter. It was only then that the Second Imperial Prince volunteered to lead the relief mission.

The Imperial Harem section in the novel Shao Yin was reading only touched on events directly related to the main plot.

Even the schemes of the Great Female Protagonists involved both the harem and the court.

The trivial details Consort Zhen now mentioned were never mentioned in the text.

The original work did mention that Consort Zhen and Noble Consort had been close friends since childhood.

Now, Consort Zhen’s words clearly held hidden meaning.

Shao Yin didn’t dare probe further, only becoming more cautious. “I understand, Your Majesty. I will certainly relay your message to Noble Consort.”

As Shao Yin turned to leave with the items Consort Zhen had given her, a faint smile lingered on Consort Zhen’s lips, her eyes still gentle.

Yet her heart brimmed with calculated schemes.

She wondered if Shao Yin would intervene in their affairs this time, and if she had any clever solutions.

Whatever Shao Yin did, she had left a deep impression on Consort Zhen.

Shao Yin returned to Noble Consort with the items.

Upon hearing the message, Noble Consort immediately slammed the fruit plate on the table, rose, and led Chunfeng and Shao Yin to Consort Zhen’s main residence.

Consort Zhen watched Shao Yin leave and return, followed by Noble Consort’s arrival, without surprise.

Noble Consort dismissed Consort Zhen’s formal greetings and sat with her on the low couch at the main seat. Her beautiful face darkened as she snapped, “What does she want now?!”

“It’s not that she wants anything,” Consort Zhen said. “She can’t bear children. The Chen family keeps taking in concubines who keep having sons. If it weren’t for her childhood friendship with us and our frequent visits, they would likely have divorced her by now.”

Shao Yin suddenly had an epiphany.

This kind of thing still happened all the time in modern times.

When a woman couldn’t conceive after years of marriage, most people assumed the problem lay with her. They’d try every kind of folk remedy and prescription on her, but the real issue was often with the man.

Especially now that medical technology had advanced. Many women only realized after tests that their husbands’ vices—smoking, drinking, all-nighters, and unrestrained sexual indulgence—had depleted their health. Even if they weren’t completely sterile, their sperm’s quality and motility were poor. If a pregnancy did occur, it was the woman who suffered the hardships of maintaining the pregnancy.

She didn’t know anything about this Chen family; it wasn’t mentioned in the original text. But Consort Zhen’s description immediately made Shao Yin harbor some bias against men.

What if the two Imperial Consorts’ childhood friends remarried…?
The thought flashed through Shao Yin’s mind, and her eyes flickered slightly.

Consort Zhen suddenly said, “Eunuch Shao, you seem to have something to say.”

Shao Yin’s breath caught in her throat. What could I possibly have to say?

Her mind had wandered off track.

She quickly said, “I’m just a clumsy servant. How could I possibly have any ideas?”

Liang Fujun turned to Shao Yin, suddenly remembering her suggestion that the Empress’s son be sent to oversee disaster relief. A sour taste rose in her mouth.

Her beautiful eyebrows furrowed. “What’s this? You can advise Her Majesty the Empress, but you can’t here?”

Consort Zhen’s smile grew even warmer, as if genuinely puzzled. “What do you mean, Sister? Could it be that this humble servant actually has some skill?”

Liang Fujun laughed. “Indeed she has. That’s why Her Majesty the Empress cherishes her so.”

Consort Zhen seemed to have a sudden realization. “Then she must have some ideas to share.”

Shao Yin knew Consort Zhen was no pushover. There were no truly gentle, harmless women in the palace; they simply hid their sharp edges.

But now that both the Noble Consort and Consort Zhen had elevated her to this position, she didn’t dare refuse. Neither of them was one to be trifled with.

One was direct and ruthless, cutting through problems with decisive force.

The other appeared kind and harmless, yet her heart was filled with cunning schemes.

She couldn’t afford to offend either of them.

Shao Yin couldn’t help but feel sympathy for these ancient women. In such an era, finding a day of contentment was an extraordinary challenge for them.

Shao Yin glanced up at Noble Consort and Consort Zhen, cautiously asking, “Has it been confirmed that the Imperial Consort’s lady friend can’t bear children?”

Noble Consort’s peach blossom eyes widened. “Otherwise, I’d be having one child after another…”
Regaining her composure, she softened her fierce expression. “It can’t possibly be those concubines…”

A flicker of curiosity passed through Consort Zhen’s gentle eyes. “I hadn’t even considered that possibility.”

She turned to Noble Consort. “Do you think the Chen family might have been tricked by those concubines?”

Noble Consort’s expression shifted several times before settling into a gleeful anticipation, her already stunning beauty now tinged with a sinister allure that made hearts tremble.

“If this is true, we’re in for quite a spectacle.”

A shadow crossed Consort Zhen’s eyes, but it was quickly concealed beneath her usual warmth. Yet her words sent a chill down the spine: “Even if it’s false, we can stir up trouble. Whether it’s true or not, the Chen family’s days will become difficult. And perhaps Mu Qing’s situation will improve.”

Mu Qing was their close confidante.

Liang Fujun said, “I’ll send someone to investigate right away.”

Consort Zhen replied, “Let me handle it. I’ll have my brother look into it.”

Consort Zhen’s brother was a Vice Minister in the Ministry of Justice. When it came to investigating matters like this, his connections and methods far surpassed those of ordinary people.

Liang Fujun’s mood lifted considerably. She stood up and smiled at Consort Zhen. “Thank you for taking this on. Please inform me immediately if you find anything. I’ve always had my suspicions about the Chen family.”

She then turned to Shao Yin. “You’ve been quite useful, haven’t you? I never imagined you’d be so… competent.”

Shao Yin’s heart pounded in her chest. She had merely pointed them in a certain direction, hoping to see if there was anything suspicious about that man.

But with the concubine in the Chen family having borne so many children, while the Imperial Consorts’ confidantes remained childless, it was most likely an issue with the Consorts’ friends.

Consort Zhen’s words left Shao Yin’s heart racing uncontrollably.
Even a falsehood could be made to seem true. Even if they couldn’t make it true, stirring up trouble and muddying the waters would keep the Chen family constantly on edge.

Ancient identification methods were nothing like modern science. Blood-dropping tests and such were simply unrealistic.

So, who could really say who the child’s father was?

Consort Zhen appeared gentle and demure, just as Shao Yin had understood from her writings. But she was far from someone to be pushed around.

In contrast, the straightforward and blunt Noble Consort was actually more reassuring.

Shao Yin lowered her head and modestly rejected the Noble Consort’s praise, insisting that she had merely spoken without much thought. It was the Noble Consort and Consort Zhen who had the true understanding and skill to guide matters to this point.

Consort Zhen watched her with a smile, waiting for her to finish her polite pleasantries. Then she suddenly turned to the Noble Consort and said, “No wonder you asked His Majesty to assign this servant to you. She’s truly as charming as you said. I’m so envious! Why don’t I have someone like this by my side? Why don’t you lend her to me for a few days, Sister?”

The Noble Consort’s smile vanished, replaced by a hard stare. “You’ve always liked to snatch my things, ever since we were little. I won’t hold it against you for stealing my clothes and jewelry—those are just material things, easily replaced. But don’t even think about taking this person from me. If you try, don’t blame me for losing my temper.”

“Why are you still angry? I was just joking with you,” Consort Zhen said with a smile, shaking her head. “You know I love to tease. How could I possibly take away the person you worked so hard to win back?”

“Besides, that outfit and jewelry you mentioned earlier—did I ever snatch them from you? You generously gave them to me yourself.”

Noble Consort snorted softly and left with Shao Yin in tow.

After they departed, Consort Zhen gazed in the direction they had gone, her lips curving gently as she watched their footprints in the snow.

After a moment, she turned to her personal maid, Haitang. “Haitang, how do you think I could get Noble Consort to send that eunuch to my palace?”

Haitang’s heart raced. Her Imperial Majesty truly has her eye on that eunuch, she thought. Lacking any real ideas, she feigned ignorance. “How would this lowly servant know? I only know that Noble Consort dotes on Eunuch Shao. It might be difficult to get her to transfer him to your palace.”

Consort Zhen refused to accept defeat. “There’s always an opportunity, it’s just a matter of seizing it.”

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