Da Yuer knew that her panic would embarrass Hong Taiji and disappoint her aunt. But with her sister trapped in the grand hall, facing life and death, how could she act as if nothing was wrong? She didn't expect others to share her urgency, but to leave without a care—she couldn't.
"I'll wait for my sister," Da Yuer said quietly. Quickly, she sidestepped her aunt and ran back to Hong Taiji's side. "Great Khan, please save my sister," she pleaded, her voice filled with desperation.
Hong Taiji's brows furrowed in frustration, anger flashing in his eyes. He turned to Jeje, she approached him with an expression of guilt, ready to take Da Yuer away.
Yet, Hong Taiji laughed. "Stay here quietly and don't cause me any more trouble. I'll deal with you later—can't even look after your own sister?"
His words were scolding, but they steadied Da Yuer's heart. She watched her husband as he made his way through the crowd toward the grand hall, knowing that he would bring her sister out.
But the unwavering gaze Da Yuer kept on Hong Taiji, filled with faith and hope, pierced Dorgon's heart like a dagger. It had been eight years, and every time he asked himself what he felt for this woman—this woman he could never have—the answer was always the same: he still liked her. Yet now, seeing her attention solely on Huang Taiji, the pain was sharper than ever.
Inside the hall, the man strapped with explosives held Hairanju tightly, pressing a small blade to her throat.
In the earlier panic, as the women scattered in all directions, Hairanju had been pushed and jostled, just like Da Yuer. But while Da Yuer had Dorgon to protect her, Hairanju had been left alone, and before she realized what was happening, she had become the hostage.
The sharp point of the knife grazed her skin intermittently, the stinging pain reminding her that she was teetering on the edge of life and death. Yet, Hairanju did not fear death. If the knife moved just a little further, she could be reunited with her husband in the afterlife.
The hall was filled with the acrid smell of gunpowder, and the once-opulent carpet was now scorched black. Those who were injured had already been carried out. Hairanju scanned the room and saw no sign of her sister—Da Yuer must be safe. With that thought, her heart felt lighter, freed from any lingering concern.
Closing her eyes, she leaned forward, inviting the blade to pierce her throat.
The knife suddenly pulled away, and Hairanju was dragged back a few steps. At that moment, a tall figure appeared in the doorway, steadily walking toward them.
"Hong Taiji, you damned barbarian, you wretched beast!"
The man's insults echoed through the grand hall. Hairanju, though not fluent in Chinese, could grasp enough to understand that he was cursing Hong Taiji.
As Hong Taiji approached, Hairanju finally saw him clearly—it was indeed the Great Khan.
"If you take one more step, I'll kill her! Kneel! Hong Taiji, kneel before me!"
The man's language switched to Manchu, and Hairanju couldn't help but inwardly scoff at the absurdity. This fool, she thought.
Her eyes turned to Hong Taiji. On her pale face, a serene smile formed. Her gaze was calm and detached, as though she was already beyond the tension of the moment.
There was no grand heroism in Hairanju's demeanour—she simply longed to reunite with her husband and children, to join them in the other world.
The knife pressed against her throat again, the slight sting bringing her an odd sense of peace. With her soft smile, she conveyed her gratitude to Hong Taiji and closed her eyes, inviting the blade to finish its work.
"Uyundai."
Her eyes snapped open. Hong Taiji had called her by name in Mongolian, the sound of his voice startling her. For a moment, it felt as though...
"You must live," Hong Taiji said firmly. "Dying won't bring you to your husband or children. Yuer is waiting for you, just outside the door."