After Transmigrating Into A Eunuch, I Became Famous In The Harem - Chapter 53

Her words sent a tremor through Shao Yin’s heart.

Forced to raise her head, she gazed at the woman before her, her heart stirred by Consort Zhen’s gentle and beautiful features.

How could such a tender person utter those words?

How could she force Shao Yin to beg like this?

Yet Shao Yin saw no mockery in Consort Zhen’s eyes. Instead, unhidden anticipation flickered in her gaze.

Perhaps this was how the Imperial Consorts of the palace amused themselves with their servants.

But Consort Zhen’s proposal was truly tempting.

If left to her own efforts, how long would it take for Shao Yin’s father and brothers to receive the punishment they deserved? How long would it take to avenge the Original Host and settle the score?

Perhaps she would never get the chance. After all, she also needed to secure her own future.

Shao Yin was deeply tempted, her eyes sparkling as she gazed into Yang Yuzhen’s eyes.

Yang Yuzhen watched Shao Yin’s eyes shimmer, feeling as if a row of strings in her heart were being gently plucked by her gaze.

Her smile softened further, her voice gentle, though the words she spoke carried a sharp edge: “If you won’t beg me, won’t act sweet with me, it means the Noble Consort holds a higher place in your heart than I do. You serve me in my palace, and I pay you your monthly stipend, yet your heart belongs to another Imperial Consort. Have you considered the consequences?”

Shao Yin hadn’t expected that, even if she failed to achieve her goal, Consort Zhen would continue to threaten her.

But what Consort Zhen could offer was truly too tempting for Shao Yin.

All she had to do was act sweet and beg. She’d done it for the Noble Consort before—what couldn’t she do for Consort Zhen?

To survive in this world and fulfill her small wishes, what harm was there in acting sweet and pleading with these Mistresses?

Shao Yin unconsciously reached out and tugged at Consort Zhen’s sleeve.

Consort Zhen’s heart seemed to be tugged at as well, her breath slowing.

The others had already withdrawn, even considerately closing the door behind them.

This was the discernment required of a servant.

Now alone with Shao Yin, the latter felt less burdened.

She could sense an unusual atmosphere lingering between them, something softer than usual.

She didn’t have time to dwell on the peculiar atmosphere. In the Main Hall, warmed by the roaring fire, she gripped Yang Yuzhen’s sleeve tighter and whispered, “Please, Your Majesty, have mercy. Please help me.”

The moment she spoke, the suppressed anguish in her heart erupted.

Though she was forced to submit to these Imperial Consorts in the palace, she didn’t have to live in such constant humiliation. She deserved someone to stand up for her.

Perhaps the Original Host’s lingering emotions stirred within her, for her eyes gradually reddened, and crystalline tears threatened to spill.

“I never wanted to enter the palace. My parents sent me here for the sake of my father and brother’s prospects.”

“Yesterday, my mother came to my residence and berated me for caring only about my own survival, ignoring the future of our family.”

“She also condemned me for living alone in this sprawling three-compound mansion while my father and brother reside in a smaller two-compound house far from the palace. But this mansion was gifted to me by the Empress herself. How dare I allow others to move in? If I angered Her Majesty, even ten lives wouldn’t be enough to appease her wrath.”

At this point, she lowered her gaze, uncertain if her words might offend Consort Zhen.

Her emotions surged violently, momentarily overwhelming her. Even in modern times, she had never received much affection from her parents or relatives, having been the daughter in a family that favored sons.

But in the modern world, she could escape. As long as she could earn enough to support herself, she could distance herself from it all. Though lonely, she had managed a peaceful, contented life.

Feudal society was far too ruthless.

Without the protection of a family, a woman like her would need to endure untold hardship to achieve even a semblance of comfort and happiness in this world.

At least for the next year or two, she didn’t dare dream of such a possibility.

So her emotions stemmed not only from the resentment and pain left behind by the Original Host, but also from her own forced acceptance of her current circumstances.

A single tear traced a path down Shao Yin’s cheek, landing on Yang Yuzhen’s finger.

Yang Yuzhen had never realized tears could be so scalding, the heat making her breath catch in her throat.

Her voice, however, was as gentle as her appearance: “Since you’ve come to plead with me, how could I possibly ignore you? To humiliate my people is to disgrace me. This matter, I assure you, I will handle personally.”

Her fingers gently brushed Shao Yin’s soft cheek, wiping away the tears that had fallen from the corners of her eyes. A flicker of heartache crossed her gaze, followed by a hint of amusement. “To make our Eunuch Shao cry like this… it seems your father and brothers aren’t exactly upstanding men.”

“Stop crying now. I’ll make sure they learn that hurting our Eunuch Shao won’t go unpunished. They won’t have a good day left. Just wait for them to come knocking with New Year’s gifts and apologies.”

Shao Yin had thought that their apologies and gifts would suffice. As long as they stopped disturbing her life, forcing her to seduce the Emperor, and using her to pave their way to power, that would be enough.

But Yang Yuzhen was no saint.

Nor was Yang Yuzhen’s brother. He appeared gentle and refined, the epitome of a humble and courteous young master. Yet beneath that facade lurked a mind brimming with scheming and lechery, more so than any other man.

As Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, he was highly regarded by the Minister himself. His exceptional investigative skills, combined with his cunning and ability to outwit others, made him invaluable. His charming demeanor and adept social graces allowed him to maintain excellent relations with most people.

How could the Minister of Justice not adore such a capable and clever subordinate?

Upon receiving his sister’s letter, Yang Yuzhen’s brother assured her he would resolve the matter before the New Year.

Yang Yuzhen had long been irritated by the Shao family father and son. Now that he had this opportunity, how could he possibly let it pass?

A few days before New Year’s Day, most departments would summarize their work for the year. Regardless of how well they had performed, they would receive some form of reward from their superiors to ensure a auspicious start to the new year.

Yet the Shao family father and son were punished instead. They were forced to stay at the yamen working overtime, tasked with correcting all their previous mistakes.

This was unprecedented, unless they were being specially targeted by their superiors.

After several restless days at the yamen, the father and son finally discovered the reason for their persecution.

It turned out that the Imperial Consorts were venting their anger over Shao Yin’s treatment.

“How could my sister be so foolish! To provoke the Imperial Consorts’ wrath and make us suffer!” Shao Yin’s brother still refused to believe he had done anything wrong, convinced it was his sister’s fault for failing to serve the Mistresses properly in the palace.

As always, Shao Yin’s mother sided with her son. “I can’t imagine how she managed things. I’ll go to her residence in a couple of days to ask her myself.”

Only Shao Yin’s father seemed slightly more perceptive. After pondering for a long time, he suddenly realized that this trouble had begun after his wife had gone to Shao Yin’s residence to confront her.

The informant had said that the Imperial Consorts were venting their anger on Shao Yin’s behalf. Could it be that the Consorts were retaliating because his wife had wronged Shao Yin when she went to confront her?

He immediately blamed his wife for everything, convinced that her greed and impatience had angered the Imperial Consorts, making them believe Shao Yin had been mistreated by his family.
He also remembered how he had eagerly anticipated his wife’s proposal to move into Shao Yin’s residence.

Now, the entire family was filled with regret.

Shao Yin’s brother said, “What are we going to do? They’ve already been so harsh on us this year. If we continue working after the New Year, will we even be able to live comfortably?”

Shao Yin’s mother said, “If I’d known this would happen, I never would have gone to confront her.”

“Even if we’re reluctant, we have to show the Imperial Consorts we’re sincere,” Shao Yin’s father said. “Prepare the New Year’s gifts. In a few days, you’ll have to apologize to the other families.”

Shao Yin’s father said this to his wife.

Where do parents ever apologize to their daughter?

But now they had no other choice.

Shao Yin never imagined her family would come to the palace with New Year’s gifts to apologize. However, she had been so busy lately that Consort Zhen hadn’t allowed her to leave the palace.

Even so, her family left the gifts and sent word expressing their regret and concern.

Of course, they did this very discreetly. They couldn’t risk anyone finding out their daughter was serving as a Eunuch in the Imperial Palace.

When Shao Yin heard the news, she almost couldn’t believe it.

Yang Yuzhen raised an eyebrow, looking slightly smug.

Tomorrow was New Year’s Day, and many noblewomen from outside the palace would enter to celebrate the New Year with the imperial family.

Consort Zhen had to pay her respects to the Empress today. She stood up, gesturing for her personal maid, Haitang, to straighten her clothes. With a smile, she said to Shao Yin, “Now that your parents have apologized, we must share this good news with the Empress and the Noble Consort. I need to let them know that not only have you not suffered any hardship in my palace, but I’ve taken very good care of you.”

Hearing this boastful tone, Shao Yin could already imagine the Empress and Noble Consort’s cold expressions, and a fierce confrontation between Consort Zhen and the other Imperial Consorts.

She suddenly felt her legs go weak. Every time they fight, I’m the one who gets hurt. Does Consort Zhen really need to flaunt this?

Shao Yin wanted to beg Consort Zhen to spare her life, but when she looked at her, she saw a mischievous glint in the woman’s eyes.

The day before New Year’s Day was surprisingly pleasant. Though the palace paths were thickly blanketed in snow, the sunlight was dazzling.

Following Yang Yuzhen into the main hall of Kunning Palace, Shao Yin felt each step as if treading on thorns.

Yang Yuzhen entered Kunning Palace’s main hall with a radiant smile, her joyful expression immediately drawing questions from several Imperial Consorts: “Sister Consort Zhen, what good news brings such a radiant smile?”

Yang Yuzhen’s gaze swept over the Empress and Noble Consort. “Nothing major. Just disciplined a few disobedient servants.”

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