As Da Yuer stormed into her sister's room, Hairanju was standing in front of a mirror, inspecting her wound. When she saw her sister, she smiled warmly. "Have you come to fetch me for dinner? I just changed my bandage—the smell is quite strong."
Da Yuer, her expression grave, asked directly, "Sister, they're saying that yesterday, in the grand hall, you asked the Great Khan to kill our brother. Is that true?"
Hairanju had anticipated this question, as Jeje had already sent Adai to warn her. With a calm smile, she replied, "That's not true at all. You must have misunderstood. What I asked the Great Khan was to not worry about me and deal with that man first."
"They heard it wrong?" Da Yuer's tense heart began to relax. She rushed over to her sister, clinging to hope. "So, it wasn't to kill our brother?"
Hairanju chuckled, feigning irritation. "Why would I want to kill our brother? What grudge do I have against him? Whoever spread that rumour is truly imagining things."
"I knew it…" Da Yuer sighed in relief, almost convincing herself. "I thought, why would you hate our brother? He hasn't forced you to bear sons or done anything to make you resent him."
Hairanju's heart ached. She couldn't tell the truth, so she continued smiling, gently patting her sister's head. "You're so quick to believe everything you hear—no wonder Aunt Jeje says you've yet to grow up, silly girl."
Da Yuer, her mood softening, sat down beside her sister and leaned into her. "I just can't stand to see you suffering."
The two sisters sat close, Hairanju gently stroking Da Yuer's hand. "Yuer, you must live well. Live for me, too. If the heavens have taken away my happiness to give it to you, I have no complaints."
Da Yuer shook her head in protest. "No, we'll both live well. You're still young, sister. I know you may not want to hear this, but life is long. There will be someone who can take Brother-in-Law's place and care for you."
Hairanju lowered her gaze, a sad smile forming on her lips. "No, my luck has run out."
That night, the lamps at the Ten Kings Pavilion shone as bright as day, signalling some important matter that would require discussions with ministers throughout the night.
Da Yuer, back in her room, fell asleep with her daughters in her arms, unsure when Hong Taiji would finish his business and return.
After midnight, when the palace was steeped in silence, Hairanju was suddenly woken up from her dreams. Without a word, she was quietly led out of her room and taken all the way to the Fenghuang Tower.
Through the screen, she could hear the soft rustle of Hong Taiji changing clothes. After a short while, Niman, along with the other attendants, retreated, leaving the room in silence. Hong Taiji emerged from behind the screen, his presence filling the space as he approached.
"Great Khan..." Hairanju's heart pounded as she spoke, her voice hoarse.
Meeting the Great Khan at such a late hour was inappropriate, but Hong Taiji had no time to waste and no better opportunity. His intentions were clear—there was no desire for anything improper between them.
"Did I frighten you?" he asked calmly. "I have no other purpose but to ask you a few questions. Answer truthfully, but if you feel burdened and don't wish to speak, that's fine too."
"Yes," Hairanju murmured, unconsciously clutching her chest. Her soft, sorrowful eyes glistened in the candlelight, appearing so delicate and fragile.
"Why did you ask me to kill Wukeshan?" Hong Taiji's voice was steady, but his gaze was sharp. "And why did you come to Shengjing?"
Hairanju, her beauty laced with despair, lifted her head to meet his eyes.
"He killed my child," she whispered, her voice trembling with hatred, her teeth nearly chattering from the intensity of her emotions. "In order to send me here to become your woman, Wukeshan tricked me into drinking an abortive medicine… he killed my child."
Hong Taiji's expression remained cold and unreadable. "To be my woman?"
Hairanju nodded, her body trembling. "He wanted me to win your favour, to capture your heart along with Da Yuer. Wukeshan couldn't wait even a moment longer." Her legs gave way, and she collapsed onto the carpet, tears streaming down her face. "My child…"
Hong Taiji's voice remained steady. "Does Jeje know?"
"Yes," Hairanju answered, but panic crept into her heart. She quickly added, "Great Khan, Yuer doesn't know. She knows nothing—please, she knows nothing."