In recent years, every August, unless the war situation was critical, Hong Taiji and his brothers would inevitably return to Shengjing, even if only for a brief two-day visit, to mark the anniversary of the Great Ancestor's death.
Now, with the completion of the mausoleum built for the Great Ancestor, Nurhaci's coffin was to be moved into the imperial tomb. Hong Taiji left his eldest son, Hooge, on the front lines and returned to Shengjing with a team of elite troops.
Along the way, he met up with his brothers and listened to their reports on the military situations under their command. With ample time, they traveled leisurely and did not rush.
One day, as they neared Shengjing, Hong Taiji took the opportunity to inspect the river routes. Accompanied by his brothers, the Great Khan went to the riverbank and listened to the Han Chinese under his command explain how the Ming Dynasty had developed river transport and how goods from both the Yangtze River and the Yellow River regions were transported nationwide via the waterways.
Hong Taiji was listening attentively when suddenly, a scream from a distance disrupted the group's mood.
His gaze followed the commotion, and he saw four or five people jumping into the river as if to save someone. Judging by their attire, they were Mongols, likely from the grasslands.
Soldiers quickly moved to question them and investigate, while Hong Taiji's guards surrounded him, cautious of potential spies or assassins, unwilling to take any chances.
Soon, the men pulled a woman from the river, barely alive, her fate uncertain. Hong Taiji, uninterested, turned to leave, but one of the soldiers rushed forward to report: "Great Khan, they are people of Khorchin's Tayiji Wukeshan. The woman who fell into the water is his sister."
"Wukeshan's sister?" Hong Taiji's mind naturally turned to Da Yuer.
In Shengjing, preparations had long been made for the Great Khan's return, with roads cleared and a direct path leading to the palace.
Jeje, having learned of his arrival, had risen before dawn, dressed herself meticulously, and waited patiently for her husband's return.
In the Qingning Palace, all the consorts were gathered. Da Yuer, dressed in a vibrant red robe, occasionally glanced out the window, while the other concubines sat quietly, not daring to move. The recently arrived Consort Doutumen, wearing a modest light brown robe, also kept a low profile. However, Hong Taiji did not come to the harem. Upon his return to the imperial city, he went straight to the Ten Kings Pavilion to discuss state affairs. When the news reached them, Jeje, who was already used to this, casually dismissed everyone with, "You may go. The Khan is busy."
The women stood up, preparing to leave. A few of the little princesses ran in, asking where their father was, and Da Yuer took them aside to have some snack. Just then, Adai hurried over and whispered something to Jeje.
Hearing that Hairanju had been carried into the palace, Jeje was confused and stood up, calling for Da Yuer: "Your sister has arrived. It seems something has happened. Let's go check on her."
Da Yuer was surprised. "Sister has arrived? I thought she wasn't due until the day after tomorrow?"
But seeing the displeasure on her aunt's face, Da Yuer dared not say more and followed Jeje out of the courtyard. They made their way to a secluded part of the compound where the concubines resided and found Hairanju lying weakly on a bed, barely clinging to life.
The woman in simple clothing, weak and pale, had her long, slender eyebrows tightly furrowed. Even in her unconscious state, her face showed deep sorrow and pain.
"Sis... Sister..." Da Yuer looked at her elder sister, feeling a sense of unfamiliarity. After more than ten years apart, her sister was no longer the person she remembered.
Jeje's gaze swept over Hairanju, her authority apparent even in her silence. She then turned her sharp eyes to the clan members who had accompanied Hairanju. The clan members, trembling, explained, "We were resting by the river when suddenly, the Princess fell into the water. Luckily, the Great Khan happened to pass by and saved her, escorting her into the city. But she hasn't regained consciousness since then..."
Jeje asked further, "Why did you arrive ahead of schedule?"
Da Yuer, however, was too worried about her sister's condition to care about the details. Anxiously, she said, "Aunt, we can't leave my sister here. This place is too small. If the doctor comes, there won't even be enough room for him to work. Can we move my sister to my quarters?"