Qiqige hadn't noticed how serious Yatu was and jokingly said, "Alright, Yatu can come home with Auntie."
However, Yatu took it to heart. When the day came to depart for Hetu Ala, she threw a tantrum, crying and refusing to go with the adults. Hong Taiji came to see them off, and Yatu clung to her father's leg, insisting she wanted to stay with her Fourteenth Uncle to learn wrestling.
Jeje scolded jokingly, "It's all Qiqige's fault for making promises so light-heartedly. Now the little one is serious."
Hong Taiji, doting on his daughter, felt even more sympathetic when he saw the scratch marks on her cheek. He asked her, "Learning wrestling is tough, are you afraid, Yatu?"
The little girl, already showing signs of her imperial bearing, lifted her head confidently and replied, "I'm not afraid, I'm my father's daughter."
Hong Taiji was overjoyed and looked over to Yuer, asking, "Can you bear to leave Yatu behind?"
Da Yuer smiled and replied, "With Father doting on her, how could Mother even matter anymore?"
She waved Yatu over, calling her daughter close and giving her a series of instructions before allowing the wet nurses to take her away, planning to send her to the Fourteenth Beile's residence later.
Hong Taiji advised Jeje to be careful on the journey, personally helping her into the carriage. He watched the group leave the palace before returning to the Ten Kings Pavilion.
In the palace garden, Zarut stepped out of the side palace and stood in the empty courtyard, gazing at the silent and serene Qingning Palace and Yuer's side palace. She imagined what it would be like to take charge of the palace one day.
Her older cousin hurried over, grabbing her hand and saying, "What are you doing? Not everyone has left yet; there are still many eyes watching."
Zarut sneered, "They chose to leave themselves; don't blame me for being unkind. Sister, when I have established myself here, you'll have good days too. The Khorchin' luck has run out."
The day after Jeje and Da Yuer's departure from Shengjing, Zarut moved out of her sister's quarters and into the vacant side palace next to the Qingning Palace. All she needed was a decree, and she would officially be one of Huang Taiji's side consorts.
Regardless of the positioning of the four side palaces, living here already signified an established status within the Jin court. Even in the eyes of the noble beiles and ministers, Zarut and her sister were now women of great favour.
The concubines, taking advantage of Jeje and Da Yuer's absence, flocked to curry favour with the new favourite. Yanja, bitter over her son's whipping, had long harboured hatred for Jeje and Da Yuer. Seeing Zarut rise in favour, she eagerly strengthened her ties with her.
Hong Taiji remained silent on the matter, and no one dared to speak out. All they could do was watch as Zarut became more favoured, giving orders throughout the palace.
Interestingly, after spending a couple of days at the Fourteenth Beile's residence, playing with Dorgon and Qiqige, Yatu suddenly realized that her mother wasn't around anymore.
Losing interest in wrestling, she began crying for her mother.
Despite Qiqige's efforts to comfort her, it was no use. Exhausted, she carried Yatu to the palace, where Dorgon, hearing the commotion, rushed from the Plain White Banner Pavilion to the palace gates. There, he found his wife holding their tearful niece.
"Go talk to Hong Taiji yourself," Qiqige said wearily, handing Yatu over to Dorgon. "I can't do anything with her—she's been crying for four hours. This stubborn girl is just like Yuer. Let the Great Khan decide what to do."
Dorgon, both amused and exasperated, took Yatu in his arms and walked toward the Ten Kings Pavilion. Just as they passed by, Hong Taiji emerged from the Grand Politics Hall. Yatu, seeing her father, wriggled out of her Fourteenth Uncle's arms and ran straight to him.
Hong Taiji listened to Dorgon's explanation, then gently patted his daughter's bottom and indulgently asked, "Who was the one that wanted to stay behind? Have you already forgotten? Don't you want to learn wrestling anymore?"
Yatu whimpered, cuddling up to him and sweetly pleading, "Father, I want Mother, I want Mother..."
Jeje and her group were not due back in Shengjing until early October. While Yatu could be comforted for today, there was no telling about tomorrow. A child doesn't understand much; when she can't find her mother, it's only natural for her to cry and fuss.
Hong Taiji turned to Dorgon and said, "Since this is trouble caused by your household, you handle it."
Dorgon was momentarily taken aback. "Great Khan, what—?"
Hong Taiji replied, "You and Qiqige should take Yatu to Hetu Ala. Be careful on the journey."
Dorgon swallowed hard. What kind of order was this? He had military and court affairs to handle—was he just supposed to drop everything?
But Hong Taiji added, "It's for the best. You can assist Jeje with the ancestral rites and make sure no one there looks down on us."
As soon as Yatu heard she was going to Hetu Ala, her tears dried up instantly. Hong Taiji teased her, "Just like your mother. Next time you don't listen, Father will be upset. Yatu, even though you're a girl, you must keep your word and not break promises. Understand?"
The little girl, not fully comprehending, giggled and gave her father a kiss, joyfully exclaiming, "Go see Mother, go see Mother!"
In the royal city of Hetu Ala, Jeje had already settled in with her two nieces. Hetu Ala was the birthplace of the Jin dynasty. The last time Da Yuer visited was ten years ago, shortly after she was married.
Now, she was no longer the young, naïve consort of those days.
Here, Hairanju also felt at ease. Her younger sister had told her the trip was meant to help her relax, and the peacefulness of Hetu Ala was indeed soothing.
The two sisters accompanied Jeje, meeting several elder beiles and their consorts, along with their children. Since they were not familiar with the happenings in the Shengjing palace, many believed that Da Yuer and Hairanju were both consorts of Hong Taiji, addressing them as "side consorts" out of respect.
Hairanju felt awkward, but Jeje casually explained their true identities. Despite the clarification, there was still some confusion among the group, as if they didn't quite understand.
Da Yuer didn't mind at all, as the thought of her sister having anything to do with Hong Taiji never crossed her mind. Since her sister had denied the rumours from the Fenghuang Tower incident, Da Yuer naturally believed her.
In the following days, while Jeje was busy preparing for the ancestral rites, Da Yuer took her sister on leisurely strolls around Hetu Ala.
The sisters initially planned to travel incognito to avoid disturbing the locals. However, their stunning beauty made them impossible to overlook, and wherever they went, they drew attention. When Jeje found out, she forbade them from going out on their own again.
But Da Yuer had tasted the sweetness of freedom—being able to walk around freely was something she had always dreamed of. Unable to resist her younger sister, Hairenju relented, and the next day, they sneaked out again with Sumala and Baoqing.
It was market day in the city, and everywhere was bustling with activity. But with large crowds came trouble. Hairanju and Da Yuer, with their radiant beauty and glowing skin, attracted attention wherever they went. Unless they completely covered their faces, leaving only their eyes exposed, they couldn't avoid the gaze of onlookers. Soon, a group of shady men began following them, closing in unnoticed.
Meanwhile, Dorgon, Qiqige, and Yatu had arrived in Hetu Ala with a simple entourage. After delivering Yatu to Da Yuer, they were preparing to return to Shengjing.
It had been ten years since Qiqige last visited Hetu Ala, and she was fascinated by everything she saw along the way. She asked Dorgon, "Remember when we came here last time? You barely spoke to me, and Mother scolded you. Do you remember?"
Dorgon chuckled, "We were young then. Thought we were above it all. My brothers and I used to think that being controlled by a wife was humiliating—everyone acted the same."
As they chatted, they entered the marketplace. Yatu had just woken up and, seeing all the excitement outside, clamoured to get out of the carriage.
Qiqige, tired from the ride, suggested they stop the carriage and take a walk before heading to the palace.
Dorgon, who hadn't strolled through the streets in years, found everything novel. They turned a corner, just as they were about to find something to eat, when they heard a commotion ahead, along with a woman's scream.
Yatu, sitting on Dorgon's shoulders, could see farther and started shouting excitedly, "Mother! Mother!"
Dorgon and Qiqige exchanged glances and immediately hurried toward the noise.
In the crowd, a tall and imposing man had Da Yuer in his arms. Dorgon's blood boiled, and without a second thought, he rushed forward, landing a punch on the man's face and pulling Da Yuer away.
The man, enraged by the blow, prepared to fight Dorgon. But before they could exchange more blows, Da Yuer recognized Dorgon and quickly shouted, "It's a misunderstanding, Dorgon! He's a good man."
Upon hearing this, Dorgon immediately lowered his fist. The man, upon hearing Da Yuer call out Dorgon's name, froze.
He studied Dorgon's noble bearing and handsome features, and once he was convinced of who he was, he knelt on one knee and said, "Your servant Oboi greets the Fourteenth Beile. I didn't know it was you, my lord. Please forgive my offense."
Dorgon frowned slightly, realizing that this Oboi, knowing his status and possessing remarkable martial skills, must be from a noble Eight Banners family. Seeing four or five unsavoury-looking men lying on the ground, Dorgon surmised that Oboi had saved Da Yuer rather than harmed her.
"Mother..." Yatu called out loudly.
Startled by her daughter's voice, Da Yuer turned and saw Qiqige holding her daughter, looking both amused and exasperated. She rushed over, smiling, "I was wondering why you all came—so it's to bring Yatu!"
Baoqing and Sumala helped Hairanju over. Sumala, still shaken, exclaimed to Dorgon, "My lord, you saved us just in time!"
Noticing the crowd gathering, Dorgon knew they needed to leave quickly. He turned to Oboi and said, "Take care of things here. Come to the palace first thing tomorrow."
Oboi clasped his hands in salute. "Understood, my lord."
Dorgon escorted everyone back to the royal palace. Jeje, already furious because her nieces had gone missing, was now livid upon hearing they had caused trouble in the city.
Poor Sumala and Baoqing were punished with a beating, while Hairanju and Da Yuer were made to stand outside under the eaves as punishment.
Seeing her younger sister still grinning while standing in punishment, Hairanju scolded her, "This is all your fault. I've lived for twenty-six years, and this is the first time I've been punished like this!"
Da Yuer, already used to such things, wasn't afraid or embarrassed. She laughed cheekily, "We're sisters, right? We share good times and bad. You're the best!"
Hairanju, exasperated, retorted, "I'm not listening to you anymore. If I keep listening, our aunt will be driven mad by us! One of us has to start obeying her."
But Da Yuer's smile faded. Leaning against the wall, she looked at the sunlight streaming into the courtyard and at the maids bowing respectfully. She said softly, "Sister, I don't want to listen to Aunt anymore. I don't want to listen to anyone from Khorchin. I want to listen to my husband and live according to my own wishes. Sister, marrying Hong Taiji, being his woman—it makes me truly happy."