"Yes," Da Yuer stood, her hands hanging down. Over the years, she had grown accustomed and numb to her aunt's constant admonitions.
"Adai said the Great Khan is staying home for the winter, and you're so happy you're practically spinning around the house, but look at Qiqige." Jeje's expression was serious, unsure whether she was disappointed in Da Yuer or herself. After eight years of close guidance, why couldn't she teach her better?
"I know, Qiqige is very composed, even just now when she heard about Dorgon's fight, she didn't panic," Da Yuer said, her head bowed, "Aunt, I'm not like her."
"Qiqige isn't even a mother yet, and if she were, with her own children, she would be even more remarkable," Jeje said earnestly. "You are the same age, but standing together, you seem like a child."
Adai and Sumala returned from seeing off the guests, and seeing the Great Consort scolding, they quietly withdrew. Sumala felt pity for the princess, and Adai advised her, "You should take more note while serving the Side Consort."
Sumala dared not talk back, only nodding vigorously.
Da Yuer, scolded, lost all her good mood, leaving the Qingning Palace to return to her own room, sitting by the window sewing a winter hat for her daughter.
Sumala tried to cheer her up several times, but she replied glumly, "Be careful, in case aunt thinks I'm ignoring her words again."
So it went until sunset, and Da Yuer did not go out again. Yatu and Atu were playing at Hairanju's place and came back with their aunt, encountering Hong Taiji on the way.
The two little ones ran to their father for hugs, and Hong Taiji, holding one in each arm, steadied his daughters against his chest.
"I'll take them back, do you want to meet Yuer?" he said, glancing at Hairanju, who bowed slightly, "Thank you, Great Khan, I will take my leave."
Hong Taiji then carried his daughters towards the side palace. Upon entering, however, he saw Da Yuer, her sewing fallen to her side, asleep by the window.
The daughters motioned to their father to be quiet, and Hong Taiji whispered, "Then you go to your Great Mother's room to play with your sisters, and father will rest a bit too."
Yatu obediently took her sister and left as Hong Taiji handed his coat to Sumala, asking softly, "Did she get scolded again today?"
Sumala hurriedly replied, "There's nothing you don't know, Great Khan."
Hong Taiji smiled with his eyes, instructing her to leave, and then he moved forward to embrace the sleeping figure in his arms.
Da Yuer, half-awake, gazed at Hong Taiji, thinking she was still dreaming, and smiled contentedly.
Hong Taiji kissed her, his rough stubble pressing against her delicate skin, causing her pain and bringing her fully to consciousness, realizing her husband was truly by her side.
"Useless, did Jeje scold you again?" he said.
"You told me to live as I wish, but I end up being scolded every other day. What if the Great Consort gets really angry and hits me next time?" Da Yuer puffed her cheeks and muttered, "You should go and tell the Great Consort to stop bothering me."
Her rebelliousness only made Hong Taiji love her more; his heart warmed, he gently began to unfasten the buttons at her neckline, craving her soft, white skin.
Da Yuer, unable to withstand the torment, initially pleaded softly, but soon lost herself.
This sudden display of affection cleared away the shadows cast by her aunt's reprimands. Nestled in her husband's arms, her heart gradually settled into a calm rhythm. She looked up at Hong Taiji: "So, you're not leaving this winter?"
Hong Taiji nodded, "I'll leave in the spring. Four or five months at home, don't make me angry."
Da Yuer, overjoyed, smiled naively, "Would you ever get angry with me?"
In the side palace, their sweet moments meant that even dinner was delayed in being served. In the kitchen, where many hands were busy, words inevitably slipped out.
Hairanju and several concubines shared a courtyard. As the palace servants delivered dinner, they overheard under the eaves, "What's with the Great Khan? During mealtime, he's all over Consort Yu, so eager."
One remarked, "He'll be home for the next four or five months; will the Great Khan even remember us?"
As Hairanju's maid collected their meal, they were about to return, but suddenly someone caught up asking, "Princess Lan, I heard that you went to the Fenghuang Tower last night, is that true?"