"This woman is to be sent to Hong Taiji," Dodo urged as he moved his horse closer, lowering his voice. "If you treat her like this, aren't you worried she'll run to him and speak ill of us? You've always advised me not to go against petty people, so why provoke her? If we treat her well now, it might benefit us later when dealing with Hong Taiji."
Dorgon's grip tightened on the reins, his eyes burning with restrained anger as he glared at his younger brother. In a cold tone, he replied, "Do as I say. Tell her to walk over alone. If she is to be the Great Khan's woman from now on, she must leave everything behind. She should come here clean and free of her past."
Dodo, stunned by his brother's response, looked at him in surprise. "Older Brother, what's wrong with you…? Fine, fine, I'll do it," he muttered as he rode off to carry out the order.
A rider on a white horse moved past the group, and it was clear that the people in the approaching party were trembling with anxiety. Soon, a finely dressed noblewoman was helped down from her carriage, glancing nervously back at her servants with every few steps as she slowly approached Dorgon's horse.
Dorgon dismounted, showing no arrogance or rudeness, and respectfully said, "Consort, please mount the horse. I will personally escort you to the main camp."
The timid woman, clearly frightened, hesitated and asked, "What about my servants, and…"
Dorgon quickly reassured her, "Rest assured, our nation treats all who surrender with kindness. Your people and servants will be properly cared for."
"Thank… you," she replied weakly. The poor woman, lacking the strength to resist, had no choice but to follow Dorgon's instructions. With trembling hands, she climbed onto the large horse. Dorgon took hold of the reins and began leading the way.
Behind them, Dodo and his men watched over the people brought by the Consort. As Dodo observed the frail woman seated on his brother's warhorse from a distance, he shook his head, muttering, "What's the point of all this? In the end, she'll be Hong Taiji's woman. Why bother getting involved?"
Dorgon led the horse step by step toward the camp, knowing that by tomorrow, he would send this woman back to Shengjing. It wasn't originally a task assigned to him by Hong Taiji, but he had claimed he was simply passing by and could escort her.
He understood that this woman would soon become part of Hong Taiji's harem, and because of that, one person would be heartbroken. He couldn't bear to see her in pain.
By the time the group finally arrived at the camp late into the night, Dorgon had already arranged for people to care for and keep an eye on Consort Doutumen. Watching her surrounded and led into the camp, his hands clenched into fists behind his back without him realizing.
He had no right to interfere in the matters of the inner palace, but as long as it was within his ability, he wouldn't allow anyone to hurt her.
Suddenly, footsteps approached from behind. Dorgon, ever alert, quickly turned around, only to relax slightly upon seeing his younger brother, Dodo.
Dodo, having long been accustomed to his brother's wariness, was unfazed and said, "We passed by a cemetery earlier, and it reminded me that after this summer, it will have been eight years since Father and Mother passed away. Brother, Hong Taiji plans to build a tomb for Father this year, which is a good thing, but if he doesn't leave a place for Mother in Father's tomb, I won't stand for it."
Dorgon patted his brother's shoulder. "You're still young and easily swayed by others, Dodo. From now on, consult with me before making any decisions. Do you understand?"
"And what about this matter?" Dodo, still brimming with anger, questioned.
"I have my reasons. Hong Taiji wouldn't dare." Dorgon's expression darkened, his eyes filled with deep-seated hatred. "He wouldn't dare disrespect Mother."
After sending his brother away, Dorgon walked alone toward the main tent. Looking up at the deep night sky, he saw a nearly full moon hanging above.
Eight years had passed, and under a similar moonlit night back then, the girl who had wiped his tears away had now fallen deeply in love with the man who had killed his mother.
"Yuer... why?" Dorgon's heart clenched in pain. "Why did you have to appear before me on that day?"