Jeje then turned to Hairanju and said, "Don't let your mind run wild. Don't think that I'm neglecting palace matters just to ease your thoughts. I have my own plans. Why should we let such a woman disrupt our peace? She doesn't deserve it."
Hairanju remembered how her younger sister once said that no matter what happened, she always hid behind their aunt, under her protection, while their aunt carried everything on her shoulders.
Now it seemed truer than ever. Aunt was not only bearing the burden for Da Yuer but also for Khorchin and for the Great Khan.
Some people are destined for greatness—like the Great Khan, like aunt.
As time passed, in the Shengjing Imperial Palace, Hong Taiji finally issued an edict, officially conferring the title of Eastern Palace Side Consort to Zarut. No one knew exactly what charm she had used to make Hong Taiji so fond of her, but her beauty was undeniable.
This made people wonder—whatever happened to the beauty sent by Khorchin?
By early October, snow had fallen in Hetu Ala. Sumala and Baoqing were already packing for their return to Shengjing, while Da Yuer and Hairanju played with their children, rolling snowballs in the palace gardens. The sun was shining brightly today, and Jeje stood under the palace eaves with a hand warmer, watching them.
Adai handed her a cup of ginseng tea, glancing at the joyful scene outside, and remarked, "Since Princess Lan arrived, the Side Consort has been much happier. Princess Lan herself doesn't look as sorrowful as she did when she first came. The bond between the sisters is truly close."
Jeje smiled and said, "When Yuer was born, I attended her 'three-day' ceremony and saw Hairanju standing by the cradle, looking at her baby sister like she was a rare treasure. Hairanju was about as big as Yatu back then, already so well-behaved and thoughtful, even helping care for her younger sister at such a young age."
As she slowly sipped her ginseng tea, she listened to Adai whispering, "Great Consort, what will become of Princess Lan? If she is handed over to Wukeshan Taiji, her days will be miserable."
Hearing this, Jeje suddenly found today's tea unbearably bitter. She didn't know whether the bitterness came from her own heart or from the thought of Hairanju's suffering.
Even though she was the Great Consort of Hong Taiji, under Khorchin's customs, matters concerning Hairanju's fate were still within the control of her brother Wukeshan, a situation Jeje couldn't easily intervene in.
"Great Mother, save me..." Yatu came running to Jeje, complaining that her mother had stuffed snow down her neck, freezing her to the core.
Da Yuer couldn't escape a scolding, but in the blink of an eye, she threw a snowball right at Jeje's forehead.
Everyone was stunned, only to see Jeje dropped her hand warmer, grabbed a pile of snow from the nearby steps, and pointed at Da Yuer, saying, "You, come here!"
The children burst into laughter and all rushed to play. It had been years since anyone had seen Jeje let go of her dignity and join in the fun with the children.
That night, as Da Yuer slept with her children, she laughed in her dreams. Hairanju watched her sister talk in her sleep with great interest, thinking how wonderful it would be if time could forever remain in this moment. But alas, they were returning to Shengjing the next day.
"Yuer, you must take care of yourself," Hairanju whispered, gently touching her sister's cheek. "If I can, I will always protect you."
The next day, Oboi had prepared everything, respectfully inviting the Great Consort and Side Consort to return to Shengjing. The returning entourage was even grander than when they had arrived. Oboi, despite his rugged appearance, was meticulous and thoughtful in his arrangements.
Word of the Great Consort's return reached Shengjing, and Hong Taiji, estimating the time of their arrival, set aside his duties and decided to personally go and greet them.
Meanwhile, inside the inner palace, Zarut heard that the Great Consort was returning. She ordered the palace maids to gather all the gold, silver, and jade in her chambers, making the room look simple and modest. She herself dressed down, choosing a plain robe instead of her usual dazzling attire, and even put away her white fox-fur scarf, presenting herself with the utmost humility.
The sight surprised her elder cousin, Consort Doutumen, who nearly didn't recognize her. Zarut smiled faintly and said, "Sister, this is just the beginning. Jeje and Da Yuer will definitely try to push me out, but I intend to see who will have the last laugh."
Hong Taiji greeted them personally outside the city. Jeje was naturally delighted, and Da Yuer, following behind her aunt, smiled happily at her husband. Hong Taiji said, "I hear you've been turning Hetu Ala upside down?"
Da Yuer pouted angrily at her husband, feeling unfairly teased as soon as she got home.
Hong Taiji jokingly said to Jeje, "You should have left her behind in Hetu Ala—bringing her back is nothing but trouble."
In the rear of the group, Hairanju walked up with her nieces. The moment the children saw their father, they clung to him, chirping and chattering, making it hard for Hong Taiji to decide which one to hold first.
Hairanju watched with a gentle smile, but when her eyes met Hong Taiji's, her heart trembled. Still, she didn't look away. Instead, she lowered her head with a graceful smile and softly greeted, "Great Khan."
After the two groups met, the procession continued onward. As they approached the outskirts of Shengjing, they saw a vast, open area where numerous Mongolian yurts had been set up.
Hairanju felt a slight tension in her heart. Unaware of her sister's thoughts, Da Yuer said, "Could it be that the Khorchin people have arrived?"
Up ahead, in the leading carriage, Hong Taiji was explaining to Jeje that so many yurts were being erected to welcome the Qinwangs and Taijis of the Mongol tribes, including those from their own Khorchin tribe. Hong Taiji intended to meet with the tribal leaders and Qinwangs to discuss the political landscape for the upcoming spring, which was of great importance.
Jeje understood and reassured her husband, "Don't worry, I will take good care of the women."
Hong Taiji said, "There's no need for you to leave the palace. Just attend the grand banquet when the time comes. They'll be staying for a while, won't leave for at least two weeks."
As they continued speaking, the procession arrived back at the palace. As they dismounted from the carriages, Hong Taiji asked, "Have you heard about the matter with Zarut?"
Jeje replied, "As long as you know what's going on, that's enough. There's nothing too important on my end. As for that little jealous one, I've said all that needs to be said. If she insists on making trouble with you, just send her off to Hetu Ala."
Hong Taiji laughed and glanced back at Da Yuer, who had just gotten off her carriage and was beaming as she looked in his direction. He extended his hand to her. Da Yuer was briefly surprised but then ran over joyfully.
The Great Khan personally welcoming back the Great Consort and Consort Yu was a strong signal to the women left in the palace.
Over the past month, whatever they had done or said, Hong Taiji had turned a blind eye. But this moment served as a stern warning, reminding them of their place.
In the Qingning Palace, the maids set out kneeling cushions as Zarut formally paid her respects to Jeje. She had transformed from a guest into the esteemed Eastern Palace Side Consort, so Jeje had to give her the appropriate recognition.
Jeje spoke with grace, offering some advice, and instructed Adai to hand over the prepared gifts to Zarut. She then smiled and asked Consort Dutuomen, "Do you remember what I told you the day you first arrived?"
The frail woman froze, her mind blank, and looked at the Great Consort in a panic.
Jeje smiled and said, "I told you then: the Great Khan doesn't like women who stir up trouble. What the Great Khan dislikes, I naturally dislike as well."
Zarut, being clever, understood instantly that the Great Consort was speaking to her. She stepped forward and respectfully said, "Great Consort, rest assured. My cousin and I will serve both you and the Great Khan well. Our fate, to have reached this point, is all thanks to the Great Khan and the Great Consort's kindness. If we do not cherish this, we would be deserving of death."
Da Yuer stood off to the side, her face expressionless. She still carried the exhaustion from the journey, and the joy she had felt upon seeing Hong Taiji had mostly faded by now. She truly loathed this woman from the bottom of her heart.
Suddenly, Zarut's face paled, and she covered her mouth, leaning on the maid beside her as if feeling nauseous. Jeje's brow twitched slightly, but her mind was already calculating. As expected, the cunning woman spoke up, "Great Consort, there's something I haven't yet reported to you... I believe I might be pregnant."
Da Yuer's head buzzed, her body swayed involuntarily. Only Jeje remained as steady as a rock, responding calmly, "Have you seen a doctor? Adai, go and fetch one. The Fourteenth Beile has a Ming dynasty physician under his banner—let's have him teach the side consort how the imperial family of Ming nourished their pregnancies."
The news quickly spread, and Hong Taiji sent Niman over to check. Several physicians took turns feeling Zarut's pulse, confirming she was indeed pregnant. The women of the court sighed in admiration and rushed to congratulate the Side Consort.
From the moment Da Yuer had heard the news, her mind went completely blank. She remembered nothing of what happened afterward, only coming to her senses when she found herself sitting on her own kang bed. She saw her well-behaved daughter, Yatu, taking her younger sister away, saying, "Mother is tired, we mustn't disturb her."
Da Yuer looked up. Outside the window, she could see the bustle in the side palace across from hers. The other concubines were all rushing to congratulate Zarut. In just a month, this woman had already won the hearts of the court.
That night, Hong Taiji stayed at Qingning Palace. Da Yuer had no idea what he would discuss with Jeje. She hadn't expected that her first night back in the palace would be a sleepless one. Hugging her blanket, she tossed and turned. Was the kang in Shengjing Palace really less warm than the one in Hetu Ala?
The next morning, groggy from lack of sleep, Da Yuer woke to the sound of laughter. The wet nurses had already taken the children for breakfast. She had no idea what time it was and got up to walk to the window. Zarut's quarters were still as lively as ever—today, it seemed the wives of the Beiles outside the palace were coming to offer their congratulations.
"You're still not up? Do you know what time it is?" Qiqige burst into the room, shaking off her fur coat and warming her hands by the fire. "Get up quickly. There's a banquet at aunt's at noon, and everyone will be there."
"I don't want to go," Da Yuer replied coldly. "I don't even want to offer fake congratulations. She doesn't like me anyway."
Qiqige sighed. "If you keep this up, eventually it's the Great Khan who'll lose face. Why make things harder for yourself?"
Da Yuer understood deep down. Though her words were stubborn, she knew she would do what was expected of her.
But suddenly, a thought struck her, and she fixed her gaze on Qiqige, who knew exactly what she was thinking. With a bitter smile, she said, "There's nothing yet. My monthly cycle came just a few days ago. I've come to terms with it—perhaps Dorgon and I are destined to have no children. As long as I remain in his heart, we'll live our lives well together."
"You've come to terms with it?" Da Yuer asked. "Don't tell me you're just pretending to be strong again. Last time, you really scared me."
Qiqige replied, "What else can I do? Drive myself mad, or drain the life out of Dorgon?"
Da Yuer was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing, playfully hitting Qiqige. "You! Talking like this in broad daylight..."
At that moment, Hairanju walked in and saw her sister laughing. Feeling relieved, she asked, "What are you two talking about, to be this happy?"