After Transmigrating Into A Eunuch, I Became Famous In The Harem - Chapter 46

Yang Yuzhen held a pale pink hairpin between her fingers, her hands as fair and lustrous as scallion roots.

The hairpin was exquisitely crafted. At first glance, the gemstone appeared a soft pink, but upon closer inspection, the color deepened to a richer hue.

Yang Yuzhen felt this reflected her own nature.

Everyone in the palace spoke of her gentleness, but only she and her closest attendants knew the ruthlessness that lurked beneath. Even Liang Fujun couldn’t match her for cunning and ruthlessness.

She wondered if Shao Yin had truly seen through her, or if this hairpin had been chosen at random.

It would have been better if the Empress hadn’t given this hairpin to Shao Yin.

A faint smile curved Yang Yuzhen’s lips, a smile that seemed gentle yet held a frosty undertone.

Regardless, after so many years of boredom in the palace, some amusement had finally arrived.

Though Shao Yin was clumsy and irritating, she had at least introduced a ripple of excitement into Yang Yuzhen’s otherwise placid life.

After a moment’s consideration, Yang Yuzhen instructed her attendant to put the hairpin away.

When Shao Yin returned to Chengqian Palace, the Noble Consort was already awake, listening to Chunfeng recount the exquisite delicacies and rare delicacies served to the newly arrived Consort Shu.

“I’ve heard she’s requested water several times already, and they’ve served all sorts of delicacies. Most were barely touched before being withdrawn.”

Liang Fujun sneered. “That’s just how her family is—proud and spoiled, putting on airs.”

As Shao Yin returned, Liang Fujun changed the subject. “Tomorrow, you’ll accompany me to Kunning Palace to pay our respects to the Empress. Let’s see for ourselves what Consort Shu is like.”

Recently, Shao Yin had developed a half-hearted interest in these matters, unlike her disinterest during her time at the Emperor’s Palace. She nodded readily in agreement.
Liang Fujun was pleased with Shao Yin’s response. She turned away, but a sudden glint caught her eye. She glanced back at Shao Yin, noticing the jade bracelet adorning her wrist.

Liang Fujun looked away again, thinking, The slave claimed she would treasure it at home, but she can’t bear to part with it and wears it instead.

This made Liang Fujun reluctant to assign Shao Yin any tasks that day, allowing her to rest and relax in Chengqian Palace for most of the time.

Shao Yin, for her part, relished this rare quiet day.

That night, Shao Yin slept soundly.

The next day marked Consort Shu’s second day in the palace.

Today, she was to go to Kunning Palace to pay her respects to the Empress and meet the mistress of the Imperial Harem.

The Noble Consort and several other Imperial Consorts would also gather at Kunning Palace that day.

In the morning, Shao Yin attended to the Noble Consort. Once the palace maids had finished dressing her, Shao Yin accompanied her to Kunning Palace.

On the way, Liang Fujun had Shao Yin come close and instructed her to keep a low profile, staying behind her at all times.

Liang Fujun feared the Empress might cause trouble again. Consort Zhen’s behavior at the Traveling Palace had been peculiar, and she suspected the two might be scheming against each other.

As they spoke, they arrived at Kunning Palace.

When the Empress saw them, she said nothing but gave Shao Yin a lingering look.

The Noble Consort also didn’t mention Shao Yin, instead turning to discuss Consort Shu, who was coming to pay her respects that day.

“Your Majesty, have you met Consort Shu before? What is she like? I’ve heard she’s remarkably delicate and pitiful in appearance.”

The Empress said, “I’ve seen her a couple of times at palace banquets before, but I don’t remember much. She’s not exactly ethereal beauty.”

As they spoke, the other servants nearby pretended not to hear.

But someone else wanted to join the conversation.

As Consort Zhen entered the Main Hall of Kunning Palace, she said, “I’ve met her many times. She’s pitiful, but it’s all just an act—affected and artificial. Some people can’t see through her, but I can tell in a glance that she harbors ill intentions.”

After finishing, she bowed to the Empress.

After the Empress excused her, Yang Yuzhen sat across from Liang Fujun, her smile gentle and unassuming. It was hard to believe the sharp-tongued words she had just spoken had come from her mouth.

She continued smiling as she said, “When I was young at home, the daughter of the Minister of Rites used to invite us to play together. I knew all their little schemes. But later, I stopped bothering with such trivial matters. After entering the palace, I had even less contact with Consort Shu.”

Guan Zhixian recalled some of the “amusing anecdotes” she’d heard about the Imperial Harem. Consort Liang had always been domineering, but she’d never dared to provoke Consort Zhen. Even back when Consort Zhen was still in the ladies’ quarters, she’d given her two sisters endless trouble. Yet Consort Zhen’s gentle and refined appearance made it hard for anyone to believe she’d bully others. After being thoroughly outwitted several times, the two sisters never dared to provoke her again.

As the three of them chatted casually, more concubines arrived.

Concubine Lan, seated at the lower end of the table, had a sweet and lively appearance. She sipped her tea while listening to the others chat.

Occasionally, her gaze drifted toward Shao Yin, curiosity piqued by this rising star of the Imperial Harem—Eunuch Shao. She wondered what this notorious figure actually looked like.

Suddenly, Yang Yuzhen reached up to touch the hairpin in her hair, her brow furrowing. “The maids in my palace are becoming utterly useless,” she said. “They can’t even manage to fasten a simple hairpin properly.”

Shao Yin glanced at the hairpin adorning Yang Yuzhen’s coiled hair—it was the very one she’d given her. It seemed perfectly fine; she couldn’t understand how it could possibly be causing Consort Zhen any discomfort.

The others, including Guan Zhixian, turned their attention to Consort Zhen.
When Guan Zhixian looked, she noticed a hint of cool detachment settling over Consort Zhen’s usually composed features.

Consort Zhen seemed to recognize the hairpin.

Su Zhongjie, standing beside Guan Zhixian, instinctively glanced over and held his breath.

Isn’t that the hairpin the Empress bought for Eunuch Shao just two days ago?

He remembered it clearly. He had personally packed it into the pin case with the shop assistant.

How could this hairpin be on Consort Zhen’s head?

Yang Yuzhen noticed everyone’s eyes on her, a blush creeping into her gentle features. “Oh dear, I’ve disrupted your conversation.”

She lowered her hand, having apparently adjusted the hairpin in her hair.

Concubine Lan, seated two places below, smiled sweetly at Yang Yuzhen, her voice honeyed. “Consort Zhen, that hairpin is truly lovely.”

Concubine Lan’s comment was merely polite, an attempt to lighten the mood and steer the conversation toward more pleasant topics.

Unexpectedly, Consort Zhen took the bait. “Concubine Lan, you have such a sweet mouth. I do love this hairpin too—it was specially selected for me by Shao Yin outside the palace.”

Consort Zhen’s gaze shifted from Concubine Lan to Shao Yin, her smile growing tender. “Eunuch Shao has excellent taste. And since this wasn’t charged to my account, I truly appreciate this gift.”

Shao Yin, who had been listening to gossip behind the Noble Consort, had been thinking of this whole situation as a real-life Legend of Zhen Huan.

She was enjoying the conversation when the topic suddenly turned to the hairpin.

Her back stiffened, and she lowered her head, afraid to look at anyone.

The longer she listened, the shallower her breaths became.

Not only was the Noble Consort before her radiating an overwhelming aura, but the Empress, seated further away, was also staring intently at her.

Shao Yin felt as if the three of them were carving her flesh away piece by piece. Even her legs trembled slightly, making it difficult to stand.

Guan Zhixian understood exactly why Consort Zhen had abruptly changed the subject. She wanted to make it clear that the hairpin she had given Shao Yin had ended up on someone else’s head.

Suppressing the turbulent emotions rising within her, Guan Zhixian managed a faint smile as her steady gaze settled on Consort Zhen. “Shao Yin, you’re being rather petty. If Consort Zhen likes it, you should have given her more. Are you being stingy? I bought you these once, and I can do it again. What’s there to be stingy about? Tomorrow, bring several more hairpins to the palace for Consort Zhen. It’s rare for me to see something she truly likes.”

Consort Zhen’s gentle smile stiffened.

Was the Empress flaunting her wealth? The implication was clear: these hairpins were merely trinkets she’d bought Shao Yin to play with—gifts to be freely given away, since she’d simply buy more.

What’s the difference between this and tossing a coin to a beggar, or feeding a stray cat?

Before Yang Yuzhen could respond, Liang Fujun spoke up. “Now that I know Shao Yin likes these little trinkets, there’s no need for Your Majesty to trouble yourself. Shao Yin is one of my ladies, so I’ll personally send her a monthly supply.”

The Empress nodded solemnly. “Excellent. Does the Noble Consort know Shao Yin’s new address? I’ll have Su Zhongjie deliver it to your Chief Eunuch, saving you the trouble of asking her.”

This residence, incidentally, had also been a gift from the Empress.

Despite her inward tension, Liang Fujun’s expression remained charmingly coy. “Then I must thank Your Majesty most sincerely.”

Her tone shifted. “If Your Majesty doesn’t mind Shao Yin giving away the hairpins you gifted her, why not send me a few? I’d planned to buy the latest designs this month, but you’ve snapped up all the stock. Now I’ll have to raid Shao Yin’s jewelry box.”

The Empress’s faint smile turned frosty. “Of course. I’m not so petty as to begrudge such a thing.”

Yang Yuzhen’s gaze sharpened, but her voice remained gentle. “Noble Consort, you’ll need to reward Shao Yin with more trinkets. This hairpin was traded for a bracelet—she’s likely wearing it today.”
Liang Fujun’s coquettish expression froze. “A bracelet? You gave her a bracelet?”

Yang Yuzhen, ever perceptive, immediately understood the look on Liang Fujun’s face. She must have given Shao Yin a bracelet too, and likely assumed the one Shao Yin was wearing today was hers.

A vicious thought flashed through Yang Yuzhen’s mind. Why should I be the only one to suffer? No one gets off easy. “Yes, I was quite pleased to see her wearing it today. When something you give is cherished, it warms the giver’s heart, doesn’t it?”

As she finished speaking, she suddenly looked surprised, then regretful, turning to Guan Zhixian. “Your Majesty the Empress, I didn’t mean it that way. Eunuch Shao must treasure the hairpin you gave her dearly to offer it as a gift to me. What could be more precious than a reward from Your Majesty?”

Shao Yin’s steps faltered, on the verge of fainting.

What are these three doing?!

She had simply given away a hairpin and accepted a bracelet as a reward. Now it seemed she had committed some unforgivable crime that threatened to overturn the entire Imperial Harem!

She had even prepared herself for certain death.

In the Main Hall, the other concubines dared not speak, the silence so profound that the drop of a needle would have been audible.

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