"Guest, no, you can't."
"You're getting closer and closer."
"Where are your eyes looking?"
...
Late Han Dynasty.
Inside the Imperial Harem's sleeping quarters.
A heavenly duet began to sound.
Looking towards the sound of the love song duet,
Zhang Shihao was seen lying comfortably on the phoenix bed, holding a girl in his arms.
And in his arms was an absolutely beautiful woman.
The woman had exquisite features, skin as white as jade, a slender waist, and a graceful figure.
After a beautiful love song was sung,
The stunning woman gazed deeply at Zhang Shihao with her beautiful eyes and said sweetly, "This song... Brother Hao, you're amazing!"
Hearing the charming, sweet voice of the beauty that made his heart tremble, Zhang Shihao shivered, a sense of accomplishment rising within him. He unhesitatingly pulled the beautiful woman into his arms, kissed her cherry-red lips, and laughed loudly, "Haha, who told you I'm your Brother Hao!"
"Lian'er..."
Suddenly, Zhang Shihao's gaze became fervent, sweeping over the enchanting woman's face and figure.
"Hmm?"
"Brother Hao~"
The beautiful woman responded sweetly.
...
"Wake up!"
"Wake up quickly!"
"Xiao Haozi, are you getting bold? Who's your Brother Hao here? What kind of daydream are you having, smiling foolishly while holding a broom?"
Just as Zhang Shihao was getting excited, a sensation of weightlessness came, followed by his entire body crashing to the ground, instantly waking him up in pain.
Zhang Shihao opened his eyes in a daze.
What met his eyes was no phoenix bed or soft couch.
Instead, there was a broom under a large tree, which he was clutching tightly in his arms.
And a chubby Little Eunuch, dressed in the same Eunuch attire as him, was looking at him with a grin.
A huge sense of disappointment and anger surged into his heart.
Zhang Shihao suddenly sprang up from the ground and directly kicked the still-grinning Little Eunuch.
"Bang!" The grinning chubby Eunuch, seeing Zhang Shihao's sudden anger, couldn't dodge in time and was directly kicked to the ground.
Zhang Shihao didn't stop, kicking and cursing:
"Who did you say is your Brother Hao? I am your Brother Hao!"
"Didn't you see I was sleeping soundly? You even disturb my dreams, and 'Xiao Haozi' is not something you can call me! Get lost!"
"Zhang Shihao, just you wait, how dare you hit me, I'll tell Yellow Gate Attendant Sir... Wuwu..."
After being kicked several times by the tall and strong Zhang Shihao, the chubby Eunuch scrambled to his feet in a sorry state and ran into the distance, not forgetting to cry and threaten Zhang Shihao over his shoulder.
"This is so annoying, I was just about to succeed, about to get a kiss, but I was interrupted..."
Looking at the chubby Eunuch's pathetic figure, Zhang Shihao spat, his face full of impatience.
He wasn't afraid of the other party complaining.
The other party was just chosen to enter the palace a batch earlier than him; they were both 'three-no' Little Eunuchs with no power, no influence, and no background.
Who's afraid of whom?
On the contrary, complaining and being meddlesome over a trivial matter would undoubtedly make one disliked.
Zhang Shihao picked up the broom from the ground, glanced back at the magnificent, grand, and luxurious Changle Palace complex, guarded by Eunuchs and guards, and came to the stone steps under a large tree, staring blankly at his reflection in the stream with a complicated expression.
What met his eyes was a tall young man, about 1.85 meters tall, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, handsome and dashing.
"Damn it, I transmigrated to the Late Han Dynasty, even entered the palace and became a Eunuch. The key is, I'm so damn handsome, how am I supposed to live like this?!"
Looking at his handsome, tall reflection in the stream, Zhang Shihao felt no joy at all; instead, his face was covered in an lingering sorrow.
That's right, he, Zhang Shihao, was not from this world.
He was originally a 'social animal' from a later generation, who had just graduated and experienced the harsh realities of society.
Average height, average looks, average education, and even average salary; he was just an ordinary person.
If you threw a brick on the street, you could hit seven or eight people like him.
He worked diligently from seven in the morning to eight at night every day, and his salary in a big city was barely enough to live on; he didn't even have a girlfriend.
And he didn't dare to have one.
Zhang Shihao originally thought his ordinary life would continue like this.
Who knew that day, after working overtime for free for his boss until eleven at night, he was just leaving the company, dragging his exhausted body.
Walking on the roadside, he was directly crushed to death by a falling 'GG' sign.
His head was bleeding, the world gradually darkened, and his life force rapidly drained away.
At that moment, Zhang Shihao regretted it.
He still hadn't had a girlfriend!!
And just because he was too honest.
He died just like that??
At that moment, Zhang Shihao had only one thought.
If he had another chance, he would definitely not be as honest as before!!
However, what shocked Zhang Shihao was that after being enveloped by boundless darkness and opening his eyes again, he had transmigrated, and he was alive again?
He had actually transmigrated to the Late Han Dynasty, into the body of a Little Eunuch with the same name and surname who had just entered the palace, been castrated, and died from an infected incision.
Soul transmigration, inheriting all of the original owner's memories.
Now, he had lived in the Imperial Harem for more than half a year in a daze, barely adapting to the life of a Eunuch in the palace.
And he had also enjoyed the convenience brought by his predecessor's handsome, tall, and dashing appearance.
He was loved and favored by palace maids and even concubines!
Indeed, just three months after entering the Imperial Harem, he was selected to live in Changle Palace, where the current Empress resided.
As a menial Little Eunuch responsible for cleaning.
This was the sleeping quarters of the Empress, the mistress of the Imperial Harem.
Its importance was far beyond what many concubines' sleeping quarters could compare to.
In the vast Imperial Harem, Zhang Shihao's work and status were definitely envied by other menial Little Eunuchs of the same rank who were also responsible for cleaning.
However, looking at his handsome, tall, and dashing appearance reflected in the stream, Zhang Shihao showed no joy; instead, his face was full of worry.
Because he had a secret that he couldn't let anyone else know!
That was, perhaps as a side effect of his transmigration, his body had begun to recover.
From initial despair, seeing his injured body slowly recovering, Zhang Shihao was both surprised and delighted.
However, as of today, Zhang Shihao had become terrified.
This was the Imperial Harem!
If he were discovered, he would surely not escape the fate of being beheaded.
Moreover, as a 'three-no' Little Eunuch with no power, no influence, and no background, escaping the Imperial Harem was even more unrealistic.
Especially since his handsome appearance brought unexpected joy to palace maids of all ranks in Changle Palace, who intentionally approached him, gathering around him whenever they had time, joking and playing with him.
Zhang Shihao was both anxious and flustered; he dared not expose himself, otherwise, there would be a risk of execution.
If things continued like this, something was bound to happen. Zhang Shihao's most urgent priority now was to save his own life.
"Alas, it's the fourth year of Guanghe, which is 181 AD. There are still eight years until Dong Zhuo enters Luoyang and the Imperial Harem falls into chaos."
"That means I still have eight years before I can escape the Imperial Harem?"
"But can I last eight years without being discovered?"
Zhang Shihao calculated the days, feeling inexplicably anxious.
"【Ding! Detecting host configuration repair, and an imminent survival crisis, the Ultimate Life Winner System is activated!】"
Just as Zhang Shihao was deeply worried, an electronic voice sounded in his ear.
Zhang Shihao froze.
Survival crisis, the System has arrived?
The next moment, Zhang Shihao snapped back to reality and was instantly overjoyed.
Having read many novels, he immediately understood what was happening.
"Ultimate Life Winner System, what are your functions?"
【Ding! Host, the Ultimate Life Winner System aims to help the host escape survival crises and become a life winner!】
【Ding! Host, the System has two main functions: First, it can formulate growth tasks for the host based on the host's current situation. Second, check-in. The host can check in daily and will receive rewards. Check-in rewards will be more generous on holidays and important days!】
【Given that the host is new, a Newbie Gift Pack is specially issued. Does the host wish to open it?】
Hearing the System's functions introduced, Zhang Shihao became excited, his eyes lit up, and he said without hesitation, "Open the Newbie Gift Package!"
【Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining Headache, Cough, Pneumonia, Cold, Fever Special Medicine × 1 pill!】
【Headache, Cough, Pneumonia, Cold, Fever Special Medicine: Can cure patients suffering from headaches, coughs, pneumonia, colds, and fevers within two hours!】
【Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining Marvelous Item • sleep-aid incense × 20 sticks, with 40 antidote pills included!】
【sleep-aid incense: A magical mosquito coil. After burning, all kinds of mosquitoes and insects in the room will avoid it, and people who inhale the scent of the mosquito coil will fall into a deep sleep, releasing all their mental stress. After waking up, they will be refreshed, radiant, and in a pleasant mood. Hint: Only the antidote can prevent falling into deep sleep!】
【Ding! Reward items have been placed in the host's warehouse. The host can retrieve or store them at any time!】
"Uh, Newbie Gift Package, is that all?"
Listening to the System's Newbie Gift Package, Zhang Shihao was stunned. After waiting for a while and seeing the System remain silent, he couldn't help but ask.
【Yes, host, the Newbie Gift Package only contains these two rewards.】
"Holy cow, that's it?"
Hearing the System's affirmative answer, Zhang Shihao instantly couldn't help but blurt out a curse.
Originally, the special medicine and that mosquito coil were indeed good. The special medicine, in this ancient era, could even be called a miracle drug, but he wasn't sick now, and it was only a pitiful one pill. The mosquito coil was also good, but it didn't seem to be of much use to him.
Now, what he, Zhang Shihao, most wanted was the ability to protect himself.
This was the Imperial Harem; he might be discovered at any time, and then, even two heads wouldn't be enough to be chopped off.
【Ding! Host, you still have one check-in opportunity today. Do you wish to check in?】
As if sensing Zhang Shihao's emotions, the System's prompt sounded again, immediately making Zhang Shihao suppress his inner feelings, take a deep breath, and say:
"Check in immediately!"
【Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining one bar of Tulip-scented Soap! It has been stored in the host's warehouse and can be retrieved at any time!】
Zhang Shihao: "..."
In an instant, Zhang Shihao had a misconception that this System seemed a bit unreliable.
"Xiao Haozi, you're here. His Majesty will be coming to Changle Palace to visit the Empress later and might be sleeping in Changle Palace. You come with me to clean the Empress's sleeping quarters again and see if there are any unclean spots!"
Just as Zhang Shihao was feeling displeased, a captivating, mature female voice came.
He saw a palace maid, looking like a mature woman in her twenties, surrounded by several other palace maids, smiling sweetly at Zhang Shihao from afar.
Zhang Shihao immediately stopped bickering with the System and quickly stepped forward, saying:
"Aye, I'm coming, Sister Chun Ying!"
Zhang Shihao couldn't afford to be negligent, because this mature-looking palace maid was the Empress's personal attendant, the Phoenix Official.
It could be said that in the entire Changle Palace, besides the Empress, this woman held the highest position.
"Hmm!"
Looking at the handsome, bright-eyed, and rather obedient Zhang Shihao, the mature Chun Ying nodded.
Her eyes lingered on Zhang Shihao, observing his handsome, well-defined face, which was completely different from the delicate and slender figures of other Eunuchs. A look of satisfaction appeared on Chun Ying's face.
Her eyes flickered, wondering what she was thinking.
Immediately, the Empress's personal attendant, the Phoenix Official, walked in front, followed by several young palace maids, with Zhang Shihao bringing up the rear.
Facing the several young palace maids who turned back and giggled at him, Zhang Shihao smiled in response.
However, suddenly, Zhang Shihao, who was walking, paused.
【Ding! Task triggered: Gain the favor of both the Emperor and the Empress, establish yourself in the palace, and increase your chances of survival. Rewards: The lifelong medical skills of the divine physician Bian Que, and the physical talent of Li Cunxiao, the Flying Tiger General, the strongest general of the Five Dynasties.】
"This... rewards the medical skills of the divine physician Bian Que? And also rewards Li Cunxiao's physical talent? Li Cunxiao's physical talent?? This... this..."
Zhang Shihao was frozen in place, both surprised and delighted by the task issued by the System.