"Don't overthink it. Dorgon is risking his life on the battlefield; how could he have the time or energy to be entangled with other women?" Da Yuer tried her best to comfort her cousin, but her words were limited and repetitive.
Qiqige's emotions were unstable, but after such a dramatic outburst, exhaustion finally took over, and she collapsed into Da Yuer's arms, falling into a deep sleep.
The maids helped carry the sleeping consort to the kang, and Da Yuer stayed a little while longer before leaving to return to the palace.
On the ride back, Da Yuer remained silent, still caught up in the emotional storm Qiqige had unleashed.
Who could have imagined that the most prestigious and proud consort in Shengjing would harbour such bitterness behind closed doors?
Among the wives, they often laugh at Qiqige for her outward show of glory, but she never reveals any cracks in her façade, always so proud and dignified. Yet, every word the others say is true.
"Let me fix your hair, Miss. If the Grand Consort sees you like this and asks, and you can't come up with a good excuse, she'll know something's wrong."
Sumala knelt beside Da Yuer, carefully adjusting her hair. As she worked, she sighed, "Who would've thought the Fourteenth Consort could act like that—like she's gone mad."
"Today, Dodo's consort announced her pregnancy. Everyone else can have children, but she can't, and it's too much for her to bear." Da Yuer's voice trembled with emotion, her eyes reddened. "She understands everything, even telling me not to make myself suffer or to think of myself as just a tool for childbirth. But the moment she turns around, she forgets it all…"
"Miss?"
"Sumala, sometimes, listening and obeying is actually quite good," Da Yuer said with a bitter smile. "Being a little more naïve, a little more foolish—pretending not to see what's right in front of you, acting like you don't know what you know—it makes life much easier, doesn't it? Qiqige, she just lives too clearly."
Sumala, however, asked, "But, Miss, whose words should you truly listen to?"
This question pierced straight into Da Yuer's heart. She forced a smile, avoiding Sumala's gaze, unable to answer.
Upon returning to the palace that day, Da Yuer was relieved that Jeje, feeling unwell, was too distracted to inquire about the outside world or press her for details. This gave her some peace of mind.
It wasn't until the New Year that Da Yuer saw Qiqige again. She appeared as dignified and proud as ever, holding her place among the wives with her usual grace. When they met, Qiqige greeted Da Yuer with the same composed demeanour, never mentioning what had happened that day, as if it had all been forgotten.
Time flew by, and by early February, a banquet was being held at Second Beile Daišan's residence. Da Yuer, along with her daughters Yatu and Atu, attended on behalf of Jeje, joining the other ladies in the rear courtyard.
Just as everyone was enjoying themselves, a palace servant rushed in with urgent news: the Great Khan had passed through Shengjing with his troops and was stopping just outside the city for the night. He had summoned the Side Consort to meet him at the military camp.
Da Yuer's heart pounded in her chest. Her sisters-in-law teased her, laughing, "The Great Khan misses you! Hurry up and go."
Da Yuer, still in a daze, replied, "I should go back and report to the Great Consort first."
But her second sister-in-law pushed her right out the door and into the carriage, smiling warmly as she said, "I'll look after Yatu and Atu. I'll tell the Great Consort for you. You must go now—don't keep the Great Khan waiting!"
Sumala was the only one accompanying her, and as the carriage sped towards the outskirts of the city, she noticed how excited and nervous Da Yuer seemed. Gently rubbing her arm, Sumala reassured her, "What are you afraid of? You're going to see the Great Khan, not anyone else."
"Yes, what am I so nervous about... It's been so many years." Da Yuer laughed at herself but, unable to hide her feelings from Sumala, she whispered, "But after all these years, we've spent so little time together. If you add it all up, it probably doesn't even amount to a year. Every time I see him, I get so nervous… and so happy. Don't laugh at me…"
"Miss, you love the Great Khan, and he loves you too. When the wars are over, you'll be together every day," Sumala smiled. "That day will definitely come."
As they spoke, the carriage arrived at the camp. Niman led the people to escort the Side Consort into the main tent, but Hong Taiji was nowhere to be seen.
Da Yuer glanced around uneasily and was about to go outside to search for him. Just as she turned, the curtain was lifted, and Hong Taiji strode in, tall and imposing. She nearly bumped into his chest.
"Where are you going?" Hong Taiji asked with a smile.
"I didn't see you..." Da Yuer looked up at him, her face flushed from the cold, making her even more radiant. Her eyes gleamed with happiness, her smile sweet and full of joy at seeing her husband again. "I was going outside to find you."