Jeje's heart skipped a beat, and after a moment's hesitation, she nodded, "Send her over, otherwise you won't feel at ease, and it'll be troublesome going back and forth."
Not long after, the unconscious Hailanju was carried into the palace and placed in Da Yuer's side palace.
As they left, a few of the concubines stood under the eaves, glancing over and whispering to each other: "Did you see? She's so beautiful even with her eyes closed. Her skin is like white jade. Why are the women from Khorchin all so stunning?"
In the side palace, a few doctors came to treat Hailanju. She had a slight fever and remained in a deep sleep, unwilling to wake. The medicine prescribed by the doctors had to be forced down her throat by Da yuer and Sumala, as they pried her mouth open.
Hong Taiji had not returned from the Ten Kings Pavilion for a long time. Da Yuer was worried about her elder sister and also feared that Hong Taiji might miss his meal. As the sun was setting, she personally went to Fenghuang Tower to make arrangements, ensuring the food was sent to her husband before she could feel at ease.
When she returned and lifted the curtain, she saw that her sister, who had been unconscious throughout the day, was now sitting up, holding little Azhe in her arms, radiating an aura of maternal love and serenity.
"Sister..." Da Yuer was overjoyed and hurried over. Sure enough, her sister had opened her eyes, and the familiar look from the past could be seen on her face. Childhood memories surged back as her sister's soft gaze washed over her.
"Bumubutai?" Hairanju, stunned, called out Da Yuer's original name, her eyes brimming with tears, "My little sister, you've grown up so much."
The reunion of the sisters was filled with endless longing and affection. Over the years, they had kept in touch through letters. Da Yuer knew that her sister's children had tragically passed away, and Hairanju was aware that her sister has three adorable daughters.
Da Yuer's youngest daughter, Azhe, was almost one year old—a chubby, cheerful baby who loved to smile. The first thing Hairanju saw when she awoke was her little niece lying beside her. Reminded of her own children, she felt immense comfort and held Azhe in her arms, unwilling to let go.
The bond of blood quickly erased any sense of unfamiliarity between the sisters. Da Yuer, filled with joy, didn't think to ask why her sister had fallen into the water. Since she didn't ask, Hairanju naturally felt relieved.
However, when night fell, Jeje came over from Qingning Palace, using the excuse of asking Da Yuer to bring some ginseng soup to Hong Taiji to send her away.
"Greetings, Aunt," Hairanju bowed slightly to Jeje, but when she looked up, she was met with an angry and stern face.
"You tried to drown yourself?" Jeje got straight to the point. After so many years apart, their reunion was devoid of any warmth. "You wanted to end your life?"
Hairanju's pale face carried a cold expression of finality. "You knew?"
Jeje nodded. "Wukeshan told me everything in his letter."
Hairanju responded with a desolate smile, saying nothing as she averted her gaze from her aunt.
The room was silent, so quiet that the sound of a baby crying from Qingning Palace could be faintly heard. Hairanju instinctively glanced at Azhe beside her, gently wiping the drool from her sleeping niece's face with a practiced, tender hand, exuding a sense of peace and serenity.
"Take care of yourself," Jeje said coldly, "If you really want to die, at least don't make trouble for me and Yuer."
"Yes..."
Meanwhile, at the Ten Kings Pavilion, Da Yuer had brought ginseng soup for Hong Taiji. She stood outside, waiting for the empty bowl to be returned before leaving.
Niman, hesitated to rush the Great Khan to drink the soup, awkwardly said to her, "Side Consort, please rest assured, once the Great Khan drinks the soup, I will immediately inform you."
Da Yuer, dissatisfied, responded, "If you wait any longer, it'll get cold. How long does it take for him to drink a bowl of soup? Go get the empty bowl, and I'll leave once I have it."
Niman, left with no choice, steeled himself and went back inside. Da Yuer, feeling bored, kicked the small stones at her feet absentmindedly. Suddenly, she heard Hong Taiji's voice behind her, "Look at how you're standing. How are you going to teach Yatu proper manners?"
Overjoyed, Da Yuer rushed to her husband's side. Hong Taiji, however, stuffed the empty bowl into her hands with an exasperated expression and muttered, "Such a bother."
"Good that you drank it," Da Yuer said as she carefully observed her husband, filled with joy at his safe return. Feeling a bit proud, she asked playfully, "Take a look at me, don't you think I've put on some weight?"