After Transmigrating Into A Eunuch, I Became Famous In The Harem - Chapter 49

The palace hall buzzed with music and dance, a scene of perfect harmony.

The Emperor watched with evident delight.

Consort Shu had returned to her seat, her eyes were fixed on the three dancing beauties. The fragile resolve in her eyes was about to crack. She was overwhelmed by hatred.

The dance was brief. The Emperor wasn’t one for patience, after all.

As the music faded, Consort Zhen rose gracefully, her eyes was attentive to the Emperor. “Your Majesty,” she said, “the plum blossoms in the Imperial Garden are blooming splendidly. Why not let these three ladies show you? The charcoal brazier in the Plum Blossom Pavilion is already lit, making it quite warm. A stroll through the plum grove would be a delightful diversion.”

The Emperor’s mind had already wandered elsewhere. He couldn’t wait.

He had intended to ask about Shao Yin, but he immediately followed the three beauties out of the hall.

Consort Zhen rose and followed, ensuring the Emperor was detained by the three beauties before she felt at ease.

Silence settled over the Main Hall of Kunning Palace once more.

The imperial concubines were on edge, every sound and movement making them jump.

Today’s audience with the Empress had left them unnerved, filled with unprecedented tension and unease.

With Consort Zhen’s departure, Consort Shu and Consort Liang felt the oppressive weight lift from their shoulders.

Yet the anger in their hearts burned hotter than ever, impossible to suppress.

Consort Liang believed that having her younger sister enter the palace would enhance her own influence.

Consort Shu thought that gaining the Emperor’s favor would secure her position in the Imperial Harem.

Yet on the very second day of her arrival, she was brutally humiliated.

She seethed with resentment.

Her father was the First Grand Secretary of the current dynasty. She had only just begun to assert herself, having received the Emperor’s favor just last night. How could they possibly force her to kneel for so long in Kunning Palace?

Consort Shu turned to glance at Shao Yin, who was standing behind the Noble Consort.

If not for her, how could she have ended up in this humiliating position?

Had she not looked back, it might have been better.

But her glance inadvertently drew Liang Fujun’s attention to Shao Yin.

Liang Fujun turned sideways, lowering her eyes to look back, her gaze was settling on the back of Shao Yin’s hand.

It was already red and blistered with two small burns.

Liang Fujun’s usually gentle eyes sharpened with shock.

She hadn’t realized Shao Yin’s injuries were so severe.

Even when punishing Shao Yin herself, she never went beyond harsh words. She could never bear to leave such marks on her.

These burns would hurt for days.

*****

The memory of Consort Zhen’s smug expression earlier flooded Liang Fujun’s mind, stirring an inexplicable surge of emotion. What had Consort Zhen meant by that look? Was she implying Liang Fujun couldn’t protect Shao Yin?

The more angry she grew, the more strikingly beautiful she became. Turning to Chunfeng, the Noble Consort said, “Chunfeng, what are you standing there for? Hurry and pour tea for Consort Shu. She’s been kneeling for so long; she must be parched.”

Consort Shu was startled.

Why does the Noble Consort’s words sound so malicious?

Chunfeng understood her mistress’s meaning.

The Noble Consort was notoriously arrogant, and as her personal maid, Chunfeng maintained a low profile within Chengqian Palace. However, when representing the palace and the Noble Consort to others in the imperial court, she adopted a more assertive demeanor, far removed from her usual subdued manner in Chengqian Palace.

Nodding, Chunfeng stepped forward and picked up the teapot to pour tea for Consort Shu.

Shao Yin found this peculiar.

The Noble Consort was clearly displeased with Consort Shu earlier. Why would she now have her personal maid serve her tea?

Could it be that the Emperor’s arrival has made her restrain herself?

But the Noble Consort wasn’t that kind of person.

Lowering her head, Shao Yin shot Chunfeng a suspicious glance from the corner of her eye.

Then, she watched helplessly as Chunfeng’s hand suddenly jerked, sending scalding water directly onto Consort Shu’s arm. Some of it soaked through her clothes, while the rest dripped down onto her hand.

Consort Shu’s expression changed abruptly as she jumped up, covering her hand as if she had been slashed or stabbed, staring at the Noble Consort in disbelief.

Liang Fujun dropped the pretense, raising an eyebrow as she glanced at the back of Consort Shu’s hand. Her voice was affected and insincere. “Aiya, how did you burn yourself? It must hurt terribly. My palace servant is so clumsy. I’ll definitely punish him when I return.”

“It was clearly deliberate sabotage!” Consort Shu couldn’t swallow this humiliation. “You ordered her to pour the water on me!”

“You’re quite skilled at slandering others, Consort Shu,” Liang Fujun said, her peach blossom eyes darkening, her tone turning icy. “Earlier, you bumped into my servant, spilling the water on her and even summoned the Emperor. Now you’re trying to pin this on another of my servants? Do you truly think I’m so easily bullied? Ask any of the ladies here. When have I ever tolerated such humiliation?”

Shao Yin remembered how Consort Shu had slandered her last time. Now it was the Noble Consort’s turn for revenge.

She watched the Noble Consort’s lips curl in a provocative smile, feeling the deliberate provocation.

It’s all because of that eunuch!

But Noble Consort’s status was higher than hers, and her sole support was the Emperor who had already been seduced away by Consort Zhen and her two beauties.

How could she swallow this humiliation?

As Consort Shu pondered how to deal with Noble Consort, the Empress launched another attack, even dragging Consort Liang into her wrath.

“Consort Liang, do you acknowledge your guilt?”

Consort Liang’s heart burned with fury.

She never imagined that on her younger sister’s first day in the palace, these three would gang up to issue them both a humiliating warning.

She even worried about how to help her sister regain the Emperor’s favor.

She had originally thought that with her sister in the palace, the Emperor would spend the next few months residing in her chambers, giving her more opportunities as well.

If she could conceive a child, preferably a son, she wouldn’t be struggling so desperately in this harsh palace environment.

But everything had been shattered by these three schemers.

Now the Empress was suddenly attacking her, and she barely had time to react.

Her gaze toward the Empress betrayed unmasked hatred.

This only gave Guan Zhixian the opening she needed.

“Consort Liang, I see you harbor such deep resentment towards me. What does that look in your eyes mean?”

“And your sister, Consort Shu, has caused so much trouble since entering the palace. She spends all day scheming for favor, disregarding the Emperor’s mood, and even stirring up conflicts among the harem concubines. As her elder sister, haven’t you told her that to be a proper consort, one must always stay within their bounds and consider the Emperor’s needs?”

Of course, these were the grand principles Guan Zhixian invoked. But everyone knew that gaining favor in the Imperial Harem relied on cunning and manipulation. Where were all the honest, obedient ones? They were suppressed, or worse, sent to the Cold Palace, never to escape.

“What, you dare defy my discipline?” Guan Zhixian’s expression darkened, her face twisting into a menacing frown.

Seated in her authoritative position within the Imperial Harem, she glared coldly at the two women. Consort Liang and Consort Shu finally knelt, their heads bowed in submission, though resentment simmered within them.

“Return to your quarters and reflect deeply on how to alleviate the Emperor’s burdens. Don’t dare show your faces until you’ve grasped this.”

Consort Shu raised her head, staring in disbelief at Guan Zhixian.

Was she planning to turn their palace into a Cold Palace and imprison them within its walls?

How dare she! Didn’t she realize their father was the First Grand Secretary?

Guan Zhixian’s gaze turned even colder as she looked at the two women.

Her icy stare made it clear that confining them to the palace was the mildest punishment they could expect.

If they dared defy her again, she had far more severe measures in store.

Consort Liang immediately pulled Consort Shu down to their knees, gritting their teeth as they reluctantly accepted the decree.

“Let’s adjourn,” Guan Zhixian said, turning to Shao Yin. She had more pressing matters to attend to and had no patience for watching these concubines scheme and backstab each other in her presence.

“Noble Consort, remain behind. I have matters to discuss with you.”

Everyone present knew exactly what this “discussion” entailed.

Before Consort Liang and Consort Shu arrived, the Empress, Noble Consort, and Consort Zhen had nearly come to blows over Shao Yin.

Now that Consort Liang and Consort Shu had been dealt with, the three would undoubtedly resume their “fight” over the same issue.

Yet, not being able to witness it left a lingering sense of disappointment.

The concubines filed out in orderly lines.

Only after exiting Kunning Palace did they begin to gather in small groups, their whispered conversations dominated by the day’s events.

“Shao Yin is quite skilled.”

“That’s not necessarily her own skill. If this were merely a rivalry among the three Imperial Consorts, she’d just be a tool they’re using.”

“You’re right. It’s unlikely the three Imperial Consorts truly favor her enough to argue over her.”

Concubine Lan walked with a spring in her step, but she had her own thoughts.

The three Imperial Consorts had been getting along peacefully for years, often even collaborating. Today’s scene, so rare and couldn’t possibly have nothing to do with Shao Yin.

Once she found the right opportunity, she’d have to go “play” with this eunuch Shao Yin herself, to see what exactly made her so special.

After all, becoming a tool in the power struggles among the Imperial Consorts wasn’t easy in this palace.

*****

After everyone left, the atmosphere in Kunning Palace grew even tenser.

Shao Yin wished she could leave with the other concubines.

But before she could move, Guan Zhixian’s gaze landed on her, slowly sliding down her face before finally settling on her bright-red hands.

“You’ve burned yourself. A couple of blisters have already formed.”

Guan Zhixian instructed Ruyi, who stood beside her, “Go fetch the burn ointment and apply it to Shao Yin.”

Shao Yin took a step forward to express her gratitude.

A faint smile curved Guan Zhixian’s lips, her gaze carrying a profound meaning. “It’s a little early to be thanking me now. Once you’ve been treated, I’ll ask you how many of the hairpins and ornaments I gave you, you plan to give away. If you need more, I’ll provide additional ones.”

Shao Yin’s legs nearly buckled. 

How could she dare give away any more of those hairpins and ornaments now?

Was she tired of living?

Liang Fujun stepped sideways, raising her hand to support Shao Yin with a showy gesture. Her eyes flashed defiantly. “There’s no need for Your Majesty the Empress to trouble herself. I will provide for my palace staff’s needs. Why should Your Majesty deplete her resources?”

Before the smile in the corner of her eye had faded, Consort Zhen strode into the main hall of Kunning Palace. “But it seems the Noble Consort can’t protect this servant. With Consort Shu and Consort Liang subdued today, they’re sure to be resentful. Their hearts are venomous; who knows what schemes they’ll hatch next? Dealing with them is easiest for me.”

Yang Yuzhen offered a shallow, perfunctory salute before taking her seat. She gazed at the Empress and the Noble Consort with an expression so tender it seemed she might carve out her own heart. “With New Year’s Day approaching and the northern disaster and border conflicts still requiring Your Majesties’ attention, it’s only I who has the leisure to assist you in managing these matters.”

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