Hairanju felt utterly hopeless as she followed her sister-in-law out of the palace like a walking corpse. In the jolting carriage, she could hear the bustling streets and smell the smoke of everyday life.
Shengjing City was so beautiful, and being alive felt so precious. But if anything happened, she had already prepared an escape route for herself.
As the sun sank low in the west and the city lights began to twinkle, Dorgon rushed into the palace with several memorials from Han minister Fan Wencheng, discussing the areas occupied by the Jin army and the local people's resistance and methods of handling the situation.
Hong Taiji had always prioritized appeasement, while generals like Dorgon at the front lines often favoured intimidation and violent measures.
Dorgon understood that the role of a benevolent ruler was reserved for Hong Taiji.
"These Han people say they are not the servants of the Ming Emperor, so they can't exactly be called our Jin captives," Dorgon said with a smile. "It seems they are a group of enlightened folks. The first delegation sent to negotiate with Fan Wencheng didn't even point their fingers at him and call him a lackey."
After reading Fan Wencheng's memorial, Hong Taiji noted that the area was situated on the border of the Ming Dynasty. Although it was closer to Beijing than the southern regions, it was barren and unproductive in the harsh winter.
The Ming court hardly valued these places, often neglecting to provide relief or supplies. If it weren't for the hardworking locals, they would have starved long ago.
"This is indeed the border," Hong Taiji said with a sigh. "Do they think that simply sending troops to defend will hold the territory? Troops can be withdrawn at any moment, but the common people are the ones who are truly rooted there. They are the ones who can defend the city."
Dorgon replied, "Great Khan, Fan Wencheng's suggestion is to leave them be for now, allowing them to witness the might of our Jin and our sincere efforts to pacify them. Our army will continue to advance, and we can circle back later to subdue them."
Hong Taiji countered, "They know that the choice of allegiance is not theirs to make. Even if they are unable to resist, we must make our position clear. Dorgon, you should instruct Fan Wencheng to investigate who is educating the children in their villages and what kinds of books they are reading."
Dorgon cupped his hands and said, "Yes, Great Khan."
As he turned to leave, Hong Taiji suddenly called out, "Has Qiqige's family arrived?"
Dorgon replied, "Yes, they have arrived. Qiqige is currently outside the city gathering with them. I'm going to retrieve her afterwards."
Hong Taiji said, "Jeje is also entertaining guests, so it's not convenient for me to go over."
Dorgon didn't quite understand, but he saw Hong Taiji get up and smile, "I was just thinking of taking a stroll. Let's not disturb anyone; I'll just go for a quick walk with you."
"Great Khan, this…" Dorgon hesitated, but Hong Taiji dismissed his concerns. "It doesn't matter. They'll just pull us in for drinks when they see us. Why would they be afraid?" Hong Taiji said disdainfully.
He then called for Niman, instructing him to stay behind at the Grand Politics Hall and to report any urgent matters immediately to the camp outside the city. Wrapping himself in a heavy cloak, he and Dorgon rode into the night towards the outskirts of the city.
Outside Shengjing City, where the Khorchin tribe was located, Hairanju sat alone in a yurt, having just changed out of her prairie clothes. She sat blankly on the couch.
"Have you changed your clothes, sister?" came the voice of her sister-in-law from outside the tent.
"I… I'm done…" Hairanju replied, her eyes filled with panic as she stared at the door curtain. Her sister-in-law entered with a smile, "Sister, let's go drinking; it's a lively night."
"I don't want to go," Hairanju said, her gaze lowered, her fingers tightly intertwined.
"Your brother wants you to come; it's a rare family gathering," her sister-in-law coaxed, pulling Hairanju's hand firmly, leaving her no room to refuse.
Hairanju felt too weak to resist, nearly dragged out of the door by her sister-in-law. She couldn't bear to think about what might happen next, but she had resolved that if it came to the worst, she could always end it all.
Between the tents, people came and went, and despite the deepening night, the hospitable Mongolians gathered together to sing and dance, creating a lively atmosphere.
Hairanju was pulled along by her sister-in-law, uncertain of where they were headed. Her heart was already a void, but at that moment, a few men approached them.
Her sister-in-law was too focused on moving forward, perhaps not recognizing the unfamiliar faces, and didn't pay much attention to the people passing by. However, Hairanju recognized him. After countless encounters in the palace, she could identify Hong Taiji even in the darkness.
As they brushed past each other, the torches that illuminated Hong Taiji also cast light on Hairanju's eyes. She was being dragged along by her sister-in-law, yet her gaze lingered on Hong Taiji's face.
What Hong Taiji saw was not the desperate person who had begged for death in the imperial mausoleum that day. At that moment, Hairanju still felt despair, but within her beautiful, sorrowful eyes, there flickered a glimmer of hope for survival.
In the inner palace, Da Yuer accompanied her aunt to see off the guests. She smiled and said, "When you can't see them, you miss them; when they're here, they're a hassle. How can there be so many people? Aunt, let's just remember them from afar and not meet again in the future."
"Such nonsense," Jeje chided, but as she looked at Da Yuer, she suddenly noticed the empty space beside her, no longer filled by Hairanju's presence, and felt a bit unaccustomed.
More importantly, she worried about Wukeshan going back on his word, concerned that he had spoken kindly only to take Hairanju away from her.
Jeje regretted allowing Wukeshan to take Hairanju away; no matter what, there would have been ways to provide for her, and it would have been far better than sending her back to Khorchin.
"Aunt?" Da Yuer noticed Jeje lost in thought and smiled, "Once they enter the palace, everyone is so formal and tiresome. How about we go out for a stroll? It would definitely be more comfortable than staying in the palace."
Jeje replied faintly, "You should sleep early; don't spend all day thinking about playing."
Da Yuer dared not argue further. After sending off her aunt, she returned to her own side palace, where Yatu, who was still not ready to sleep, kept asking where her aunt had gone.
Remembering her sister and seeing Baoqing return to serve in the side palace, she suddenly realized that her sister wasn't just going out to meet family for a few days—she was going back to Khorchin with them.
Da Yuer's heart sank heavily. Embracing Yatu, she soothed her, "You be good; tomorrow, Mother will take you to her."
Outside Shengjing City, the singing and dancing continued. Sitting in the unfamiliar yurt, Hairanju could hear the sounds of laughter and music.
Once, these were her favourite sounds. As a child, she had followed her elders, singing and dancing with her sister, so happy that she refused to sleep at night. Khorchin was her hometown, and even at this moment, she still believed that the grasslands there were the most beautiful place in the world. But then—
With a whoosh, the curtain at the door was lifted, and a cold wind rushed in, carrying a strong smell of alcohol.
Hairanju vaguely heard a familiar voice; it was her brother speaking, but as the curtain fell, Wukeshan did not appear. Instead, standing before her was Suhebat Taiji, the chieftain of the Zhalite tribe.
"What… do you want…" she stammered, her eyes filled with tears as she sensed the threat.
Hairanju knew all too well what was about to happen in this yurt. Wukeshan did not disappoint her; he could not even wait to return to Khorchin. Since she could not become Hong Taiji's woman, he was now ready to offer her to more men, using her body to exchange for greater benefits.
The entire grassland knew that Princess Hailanzhu from Khorchin was a pearl bestowed by the heavens. Her beauty could illuminate the night, and her gentleness could bring spring back to the earth.
These inexplicable legends once granted her unparalleled glory, allowing her to find a husband among numerous admirers. Yet, at the same time, these same legends made the wolfish men obsessed with her, lusting after her endlessly.
"Don't come near me…"
Hairanju's heart was already filled with a desire for death. But the tall, muscular man lunged at her suddenly, his powerful arms locking her hands like iron chains, his coarse mouth greedily claiming her lips.
The man was nearly drunk, driven purely by desire, completely oblivious to the idea of cherishing her. With a tearing sound, he ripped open Hairanju's clothing, exposing large patches of her jade-like skin, which drove him mad with lust.
Her body and dignity were trampled upon, and Hairanju no longer wished to live. Was the act of biting one's tongue to die just a legend? Why did the excruciating pain only awaken her will to survive?
"Let me go, please, I beg you…" She struggled desperately, pleading frantically. Just as the man was about to tear away the last remnants of her clothing, a shadow darted in front of her. A heavy blow struck the back of Suhebat's neck, and the man let out a muffled groan, collapsing to the ground.
Hairanju was left in a state of shock, retreating with her hands over her breasts. The man dressed in guard's attire, however, left coldly, and at the moment he vanished from the doorway, a familiar figure walked in.
Hong Taiji approached with a detached expression, casually removing his outer garment and draping it over Hairanju. She trembled uncontrollably, her expression dazed, tears smearing her features, her face marred by bite marks.
"Help… me…" Hairanju uttered those painful words, extending her hand toward Hong Taiji.
He held her securely in his arms, and in his deep, penetrating gaze, repressed anger simmered beneath the surface. Without a word, he covered Hairanju's face with his garment and carried her out of the yurt.
Outside, Dorgon, having witnessed the scene, immediately approached. Hong Taiji exchanged a glance with him, and Dorgon understood at once. Under the cover of Dorgon and his men, Hong Taiji arrived quietly and left just as quietly. As for the beast inside the yurt, he would likely forget tonight's events once he sobered up.
Reassured that she would no longer be harmed, confident that she was safe in Hong Taiji's embrace, Hairanju fainted halfway along the way. She did not know where Hong Taiji would take her, but being with this man made her feel secure and at peace.
Hong Taiji found it inappropriate to bring such a dishevelled Hairanju back to the palace, so he took her to the residence of the Fourteenth Beile. After ensuring that he and Hairanju were settled, Dorgon returned to the city to fetch Qiqige, who had been waiting for him for a long time.
Upon hearing about the incident, Qiqige was furious, grinding her teeth in anger. She stormed into the bedroom just as Hong Taiji was sitting by the bed, gently wiping the sweat from Hairanju's forehead. When she entered, he said, "Qiqige, she has a fever. You'll need to take care of her for a few days."
"Yes," Qiqige replied, rushing to the bedside. Hong Taiji moved aside to give her room and turned to Dorgon, instructing, "Have someone keep an eye out. We can't let Wukeshan cause any trouble."
Dorgon coldly responded, "Your Majesty need not worry; Wukeshan is very cunning."