After Transmigrating Into A Eunuch, I Became Famous In The Harem - Chapter 41

Liang Fujun stormed toward Yang Yuzhen’s courtyard residence.

Shao Yin reluctantly followed behind her.

As she passed, Chunfeng quietly tugged at Shao Yin’s sleeve, her eyes brimming with guilt.

How could Shao Yin possibly blame her? She could tell from Chunfeng’s tone that she had acted out of concern for Shao Yin, trying to curry favor by showing she hadn’t been swayed by Consort Zhen.

But Chunfeng couldn’t have known what Consort Zhen had said to the Noble Consort earlier.

Nor could she have known how much the Noble Consort hated others vying for her position.

This was precisely what had led to this tense situation.

Yang Yuzhen’s residence was just a few steps away from Liang Fujun’s courtyard.

Seeing Liang Fujun arrive with such forceful intent, Yang Yuzhen’s gaze instinctively landed on Shao Yin.

Could it be that this little eunuch went to Liang Fujun to snitch first thing this morning?

Yang Yuzhen’s expression softened slightly, her features taking on the gentle demeanor she’d perfected. Her delicate eyebrows curved with tender concern as she asked, “I haven’t even had a chance to tell you what happened with Mu Qing. Why are you so angry?”

Liang Fujun sat down in the seat of honor beside her, her striking features appearing even sharper and more severe. “I don’t care about her right now. I just want to know what you were trying to do last night.”

Liang Fujun had never been one to back down. Born into a military family, she possessed extraordinary beauty but was no one to be trifled with. She always spoke her mind, cutting straight to the heart of the matter. This frankness, rather than cunning schemes, had earned her a formidable position in the Imperial Harem. Even the most scheming concubines dared not provoke her—a woman who wouldn’t hesitate to tear off someone’s mask in front of everyone and trample it underfoot.

Yet Yang Yuzhen was an exception.
Yang Yuzhen and Liang Fujun were childhood friends, their relationship close despite frequent quarrels over trivial matters. Like many bickering couples, they always managed to reconcile in the end.

Now, Yang Yuzhen remained calm, her smile growing even more composed. “I simply saw this slave of yours, timid as a kitten, and found teasing her quite amusing. Last night, when I saw her leave her room, I couldn’t resist a few playful taunts.”

At this point, Yang Yuzhen added with a teasing tone, “I mocked her for being so pretty, calling her ‘womanish.’ Did she really tattle on me for that? How womanly of her to throw such a fit.”

Liang Fujun’s expression stiffened as she scrutinized Yang Yuzhen.

Suddenly, she had the unsettling feeling that Yang Yuzhen knew Shao Yin’s true identity—that she knew Shao Yin was actually a woman.

Her gaze turned threatening, her voice still forceful: “No matter what kind of temper she has, she’s one of my people in the palace. You know I hate it when you touch my things!”

The other servants in the room immediately knelt.

The Empress’s wrath was not something they could withstand.

But Yang Yuzhen turned to look at Shao Yin, her voice calm and measured. “Let her tell you—how exactly did I ‘touch’ her?”

Shao Yin felt Yang Yuzhen’s gaze wasn’t focused on her face, but on her chest.

For a moment, her heart stopped. When it finally resumed beating, it felt painfully compressed in her chest, making even breathing difficult.

She found herself inexplicably recalling last night’s dream.

It felt like her nightmare was coming true.

She glanced up at Liang Fujun, only to find the Noble Consort looking back at her.

Shao Yin simply stated, “Consort Zhen merely asked me a few questions. She didn’t bully me.”

The words felt utterly forced. Last night, Shao Yin had indeed felt bullied by Consort Zhen.

But Zhen’s bullying was different from Liang Fujun’s—leaving no visible marks, always allowing her to twist the truth.
The thought of creating a rift between these two Imperial Consorts, even sparking a quarrel over her, made Shao Yin uneasy.

Her unease wasn’t born of saintly virtue, but of clear-eyed self-preservation. She couldn’t afford to become a pawn in their power struggles. While outsiders might see her favored status as a sign of fortune, only she knew that arrogance born of favor would lead to her downfall.

Who in the Imperial Harem was truly weak and easily provoked?

Liang Fujun gave Shao Yin a piercing look, while Yang Yuzhen also turned her gaze upon her.

From their reactions, it didn’t seem like Shao Yin had lodged a formal complaint.

Otherwise, why would she say such a thing? Was she trying to curry favor with me?

But that couldn’t be it.

Her meaningful gaze made Shao Yin lower her head even further, afraid to meet her eyes.

In Shao Yin’s view, someone like Consort Zhen was even more difficult to deal with than the Noble Consort or the Empress.

However, Shao Yin hadn’t yet realized that her words had already calmed Liang Fujun’s agitation.

Liang Fujun didn’t erupt again. She turned to Yang Yuzhen, her expression now distant and imperious. “Didn’t you say you had news about Mu Qing? What did you find out?”

Yang Yuzhen remained calm and gentle. “The Chen family does have some unsavory secrets.”

The corners of her lips curved in a mild smile, but her eyes sparkled with keen interest. “The Chen family’s legitimate son and Mu Qing have been married for years, yet they couldn’t conceive a child. Later, he took a concubine, but even after the first year, she didn’t become pregnant. It wasn’t until the second year that she finally conceived.”

“During the concubine’s pregnancy, the Chen family’s legitimate son took several more concubines. Soon after, all of them became pregnant.”

“This is strange. For years, they couldn’t conceive, but suddenly, it’s like they’ve figured it out, getting women pregnant one after another.”

“But Mu Qing still can’t conceive no matter what. Everyone says it’s her fault, but why didn’t the first concubine get pregnant in her first year either?”

That means there’s definitely something fishy going on.

Shao Yin knew it. These family matters were sure to be wrapped up in endless gossip. She suspected there was something wrong with the Chen Family’s Legitimate Son.

Yang Yuzhen said, “We’ll never know whose children those concubines are carrying. But I did have someone leak some rumors.”

She smiled. “Even if the child is the Chen Family’s Legitimate Son’s, so what? As long as these rumors—true or false—get out and throw the Chen family into chaos, Mu Qing’s life will be much easier.”

This was a temporary solution to the problem.

Liang Fujun was already angry with Yang Yuzhen and tried to leave after hearing this news.

But Yang Yuzhen grabbed her wrist and pressed her back into her seat. “I have another piece of information,” she said.

Liang Fujun glared at her.

Yang Yuzhen said, “Consort Liang’s family is sending her younger sister to the palace today. They’re bringing her in by sedan chair. I hear the younger sister is exceptionally delicate and pitiful.”

At this point, Yang Yuzhen glanced at Shao Yin. “If Consort Liang’s younger sister truly is as pitifully charming as they say, His Majesty might stop focusing on Eunuch Shao.”

“Does Her Majesty the Empress need to request Eunuch Shao back to her palace?”

This matter was far more important than anything else.

Liang Fujun stood up. “This palace understands.”

Yang Yuzhen didn’t stop her, releasing her grip and letting her leave.

Shao Yin hurried after Liang Fujun.

She and Chunfeng walked side by side, following Liang Fujun toward the main hall in the courtyard.

The Noble Consort entered the hall and turned, giving Chunfeng a look that made her stop in her tracks.

Shao Yin’s footsteps faltered as Liang Fujun’s sharp gaze landed on her. “Shao Yin, come in.”

The hall door closed behind them. Liang Fujun seated herself in the place of honor and instructed Shao Yin to pour her tea.

She took a sip of the warm tea, but it only stoked the fire in her heart.

Setting down her teacup, Liang Fujun smiled mockingly, her gaze piercing as she looked at Shao Yin. “Are you happy now? You can finally return to Kunning Palace with the Empress.”

Shao Yin felt a flicker of anticipation.

Even when she was by the Empress’s side, she couldn’t help but feel nervous. The Empress was powerful and domineering.

But compared to life at Chengqian Palace, her days at Kunning Palace seemed more peaceful.

The Empress wasn’t as moody as the Noble Consort, nor did she have a treacherous confidante like Consort Zhen, who wore a gentle smile while harboring a venomous heart.

The mere thought of Consort Zhen sent a chill down Shao Yin’s spine. This woman’s serene smile concealed a ruthless cunning that could plunge the Chen Family into turmoil.

Though the Chen Family’s Legitimate Son had initially betrayed his betrothed, Consort Zhen’s swift and ruthless manipulation still made Shao Yin’s heart tremble.

But facing the Noble Consort, Shao Yin couldn’t reveal her true thoughts.

She lowered her head and replied, “This servant never harbored such thoughts. Your Majesty wrongs me.”

Liang Fujun raised her hand, her fingers curling seductively. “Come closer.”

Shao Yin stepped forward, standing beside Liang Fujun.

Liang Fujun seized her by the lapels, yanking her forward until their bodies nearly collided. Shao Yin stumbled, nearly falling into her arms, but managed to steady herself by gripping the armrest.

In the hall, the charcoal fire blazed, roasting the air into oppressive heat.

Shao Yin leaned completely toward Liang Fujun, her body pressed against the other woman. Liang Fujun didn’t release her grip on Shao Yin’s lapels as she looked up at the woman now mere inches away, her expression still stern and unyielding.

Their breaths mingled in the stifling air.

Shao Yin felt her legs nearly buckle under the intensity of the moment.

She stared at the dazzlingly beautiful face hovering mere inches from her own, unsure where to focus her gaze. She dared not look at Liang Fujun, afraid to meet those eyes that seemed to hold a spring-like warmth even in anger.

Liang Fujun raised her other hand and gently traced the line of Shao Yin’s jaw. “You’d better be telling the truth,” she said. “I’ll make this clear today: I will never return you to the Empress.”

Shao Yin understood that this wasn’t truly a contest between two mistresses vying for her. Instead, they were using her to assert their power and standing within the Imperial Harem.

Before the Noble Consort, Shao Yin dared not utter a word out of line. She lowered her voice to a subservient tone. “This servant obeys Your Majesty’s every command.”

By all rights, Liang Fujun should have released Shao Yin by now.

But she refused to let go.

Her fingers tightened around Shao Yin’s lapels as if grasping the very lifeline of the woman before her.

A primal, obsessive urge to possess Shao Yin surged through her core.

She didn’t know where this overwhelming need came from, only that she had to have her—she would never relinquish her to the Empress.

In a nearby side room, Yang Yuzhen handed a piece of paper to a palace maid. “Take this to the household steward and have him spread those Chen Family rumors as quickly as possible. Also, ask my mother to bring the two sachets the Noble Consort embroidered for me when I was a girl into the palace.”

She chuckled softly. “The Noble Consort definitely doesn’t want Eunuch Shao returning to the Empress. After all these years of friendship, I naturally have to stand by her side.”

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