"Qiqige, please don't do this..."
Da Yuer felt her wrist being tightly gripped. How could such a delicate woman have such strength? She instinctively struggled, pleading, "Qiqige, you're hurting me."
But Qiqige was determined to get an answer, relentlessly pressing forward. The force in her hands was nearly enough to break Da Yuer's wrist, and she kept asking, "Yuer, do you understand what I'm saying? Yuer, don't keep wronging yourself, do you hear me?"
"Qiqige!" Da Yuer was driven to retreat, desperately trying to escape her cousin. But Qiqige seemed like she'd gone mad, crawling over the table to get to Da Yuer, even knocking the small table to the floor in the process.
Sumala heard the commotion outside and immediately rushed in. She saw her mistress, Da Yuer, being pinned down by Qiqige. Sumala was about to rush forward to help, but Qiqige angrily shouted at her, "Get out! This is none of your business. Get out!"
At that moment, Da Yuer used all her strength to push Qiqige away. She scrambled off the warm kang, but just as she was about to run towards Sumala, Qiqige grabbed the hem of her robe.
"Qiqige, please stop, I... I..." Da Yuer trembled all over, terrified by the scene.
"Yuer, I'm in so much pain," Qiqige wept, her voice filled with anguish. "Dorgon won't even touch me, he refuses to touch me..." Qiqige broke down in sobs, a stark contrast from the fierceness she had shown earlier. Her tears carried sorrow, despair, and unbearable heartache. She let go of Da Yuer's robe, curled up into a ball, and continued to cry, her sobs wracking her body.
"Let's go, my lady," Sumala, also shaken, softly urged while supporting her mistress. "Let's leave."
Da Yuer nodded, and the two leaned on each other as they walked toward the door.
But just as they reached the entrance, they were blocked by Qiqige's maid, who knelt and pleaded, "Side Consort, I beg you, please stay with my mistress. She is in so much pain, too much pain."
Da Yuer glanced back and saw her cousin curled up on the warm kang, still sobbing. Although she had been frightened earlier, this was still her cousin, and seeing her in such pain stirred her compassion. She gently let go of Sumala's hand and instructed, "Bring some hot water. Don't worry, everything will be fine."
Sumala hesitated, reminding her, "My lady, if you're late returning to the palace, the Grand Consort will definitely ask questions."
Da Yuer replied calmly, "I'll just say I lingered a bit longer. It won't seem unusual."
She walked over to Qiqige, helping her sit up from the kang. Qiqige collapsed into Da Yuer's arms, crying with heart-wrenching sorrow. Da Yuer gently stroked her back, offering silent comfort. After all, there were no words left to say—her cousin had long grown weary of hearing them.
For two full hours, Qiqige cried until her strength was spent. Finally, when her sobs had quieted and she was utterly exhausted, she lay limply in Da Yuer's arms. With Da Yuer's help, she managed to drink a few sips of warm milk tea.
"I'll stay with you," Da Yuer said softly, smiling with warmth. "If it gets too late, I won't go back tonight. After all, the Great Khan isn't home, and Dorgon isn't either. Aunt won't scold me."
Qiqige forced a sorrowful smile. "If Aunt scolds you, it will be my fault. You should leave before sunset. Besides, can you really leave your three children behind?"
Da Yuer replied, "If you promise me you won't cry anymore, I'll go."
Tears welled up in Qiqige's eyes again as she choked out, "I'm afraid my tears have long dried up." After taking a deep breath, she continued, "Aunt asked me if Dorgon and I had been intimate since he came back, and I made the excuse that he was too tired and I didn't want to burden him. But deep down, I know the truth. Yuer, when the Khan returns home, does he think of you? Does he want you?"
Da Yuer's cheeks flushed, and she answered shyly, "Yes...he does."
"Of course he does," Qiqige said bitterly, her voice tinged with desperation. "Any man, after being away from home, would want to be with his wife. But Dorgon... He treats me well, he cares for me, but why won't he touch me?" She laughed miserably, her eyes suddenly lighting up as she grew agitated. "Yuer, do you think Dorgon has another woman out there?"