Upon hearing the news of Lin Dan Khan's sudden death, Da Yu'er felt as though something had lodged in her throat. She stared blankly at Sumala, the brightness in her demeanour slowly dimming. As a maid brought in hot water and tea, Da Yuer quickly composed herself, forcing her spirits back up.
On the way back to the palace, Da Yuer remained silent, and Sumala quietly kept her company.
Lately, Sumala had overheard various rumors and knew that the Great Khan planned to take Lin Dan Khan's widows as consorts.
At least one, if not more, of these women would stand equal to Da Yuer in the inner palace. Since the death of Side Consort Yehe Nara, Da Yuer had been the only Side Consort under the Great Consort, with the concubines hardly worth mentioning.
When they arrived at Qingning Palace, Jeje furrowed her brow, listening carefully to Da Yuer's report. She murmured softly, "The death of Lin Dan Khan is such a significant event, yet there hasn't been any commotion. The Great Khan must have his own plans. Make sure you two don't spread this news outside."
Da Yuer and Sumala nodded, turning to leave when Jeje suddenly asked, "Yuer, last night with the Great Khan, was everything... as it should be?"
Da Yuer's heart skipped a beat. She knew what her aunt was really asking. With a stiff nod, she replied, "The Great Khan treated me very well."
Jeje counted the days on her fingers and then instructed, "Go and rest well. Perhaps there will be good news soon. Don't run around with Yatu and Atu; you must take care of your own health."
"Yes," Da Yuer replied, though it was the same conversation she'd had countless times over the years, a dialogue that filled every day after those nights spent in her husband's embrace.
In the arms of Hong Taiji, she was the happiest woman in the world, but once she left his embrace, she had to face the most unfeeling and cruel reality.
She needed to give birth to a son, a son…
That afternoon, Yatu and Atu were sent back from Daišan's residence. While the women gathered in Qingning Palace to speak with the Great Consort, the children ran off to find their mother. Entering the room, they saw their mother lying on the kang, her legs propped up high on pillows stacked layer upon layer.
Yatu had often seen this scene but, being so young, didn't yet understand why. Every time, she would gleefully mimic her mother, and now she had Atu as a little companion, with the two sisters playing and laughing, completely unaware of the weight their mother carried.
Seeing the little Princesses mimicking their mother, Sumala rushed over nervously, clearly afraid that Da Yuer would get upset. However, Da Yuer had a kind nature. Though she understood the underlying sadness, she never let her frustration spill onto the children. She motioned for Sumala to leave them be, smiling as she said, "They don't understand yet. Let them play. When the time comes for them to understand, I won't let them suffer."
Sumala hesitated, but after the little girls tired of their game and ran off, she knelt by the kang and quietly said, "Why not resist the Great Consort, just once? What's the worst that could happen? Would she really harm you? Would the lords of Khorchin come to scold you? After that one time, you could finally be free. And believe me, the one who would be happiest would be the Great Khan."
Da Yuer slowly closed her eyes. With her eyes closed, she could see the Khorchin grasslands, her people, the herds of cattle and sheep, and her aunt's lifelong struggles.
She calmed herself, as she always did, and softly replied, "Sumala, listen and obey."
But this time, Da Yuer's body did not meet Jeje's expectations. Two months passed, and there was still no sign of pregnancy. Instead, her monthly cycle, absent since the last birth, had returned.
Jeje sighed, thinking that perhaps Yuer had not conceived because it was still too soon after childbirth. She ordered doctors from the Mongol, Han, and Manchu regions to treat her body. Throughout the spring, the air in the side palace was thick with the scent of medicinal herbs. Da Yuer, who had yet to enjoy the fragrance of spring blossoms, realized they had already withered.
By early summer, Hong Taiji returned from his campaign, staying for just five days before setting out again. At that time, Jeje was nearing childbirth, her belly high and heavy. Hong Taiji, full of affection, stayed by her side whenever he could. Jeje, wishing to give him more time with Yuer, gently suggested he visit her. However, Hong Taiji simply remarked, "Why has she become so thin?"
Da Yuer herself was shocked when she changed into her summer clothes. She hadn't realized just how much weight she'd lost until her usual dresses hung loose on her.
Sumala, feeling sorry for her, said, "Miss, for the past few months, you've taken more medicine than food—how could you not have lost weight?"