Hairanju froze, her head hanging low. She had almost no strength to lift her gaze to look at Hong Taiji. What did he mean? Could it be that everything last night… was orchestrated by Wukeshan?
How could he be so cruel, trampling on his own sister's body and dignity, all to grind any hint of care or pity others might have for her into the dirt?
"So, it was just as I thought." Seeing her silence and the way her head hung low as if it would never rise again, Hong Taiji's doubts turned into certainty. Furious, he scolded, "You were a decent person, and yet you've chosen to disgrace yourself."
Those words struck her like thunder. The last bit of hope she held in her heart drained away.
Yes, she was nothing more than Wukeshan's pawn. She had made a mockery of Hong Taiji's goodwill; she had turned everything last night into a joke, pulling the one man willing to extend a hand to her into a trap, leaving him humiliated.
Her pitiful, silent plea for help—now seemed even more disgusting than the allure of a temptress…
"Take care of yourself." Hong Taiji spat out these cold words, turning on his heel and leaving.
The door opened, letting in a cold gust of wind, as harsh as last night's chill. Hairanju shivered, snapping back to reality. She watched as the door banged repeatedly against the frame, pushed by the harsh wind.
She rose, intending to close it, but a quick-witted maid had already rushed over, shutting it firmly and saying gently, "Princess Lan, you should rest early. You just took a hot bath, and it's not good to stand in the cold. Don't let the chill get to you."
But Hairanju felt unworthy even of the concern shown by this maid.
Outside, Dorgon and Qiqige waited for Hong Taiji. Qiqige was shivering, stamping her feet to keep warm, so Dorgon opened his cloak, pulling her close. She had barely started to warm up when, to their surprise, Hong Taiji emerged from the house, looking furious and storming off without a word.
The couple exchanged confused glances. Dorgon followed, while Qiqige stayed behind, glancing between the distant figure of the Great khan and her elder sister Hairanju's room, unable to make sense of what had just happened.
Back at the palace, Hong Taiji could see a figure standing by the Fenghuang Tower even from a distance. Tonight was bitterly cold. The slight figure was shivering but, upon seeing him, immediately ran toward him.
Da Yuer had been waiting for her husband for a long time. She didn't ask where Hong Taiji had been; the entire day had passed without her seeing him, and finally, with her aunt asleep, no one could stop her from slipping out into the cold night to find him.
"Aren't you afraid of freezing to death?" Hong Taiji scolded immediately, his tone harsh. "When will you finally grow up?"
But Da Yuer didn't mind a few harsh words tonight. She wanted him to explain himself. She wanted justice for her sister and, in her urgency, asked bluntly, "What will you do to Wukeshan?"
Just hearing Wukeshan's name brought out his disdain, and he shot back, "What, are you here to plead for him? Afraid I'll kill him?"
Da Yuer was stunned, finally realizing just how much her husband despised her brother. She replied, "He and Suhebat should both be killed, their bodies torn apart."
Hong Taiji's frown softened slightly, his anger fading. This little creature was freezing in the middle of the night, and it turned out it wasn't to plead for her brother.
Hong Taiji knew if it was Jeje, she'd defend Wukeshan, carrying the burden of her responsibilities. But Da Yuer, standing before him, had nothing but honesty.
"Reckless," he muttered in a resigned tone, wrapping her in his cloak as she shivered. Da Yuer finally noticed her husband's bad mood, but she didn't think her foolish brother was worth his anger. To be this upset, she suspected he must have had other troubles.
That night, Da Yuer stayed with him at the Fenghuang Tower. Yet Hong Taiji's desire felt different from usual; he still held her like a treasure, but she sensed that something was missing.
The next morning, Hong Taiji rose early to dress and leave for the morning assembly at Ten Kings Pavilion. Da Yuer didn't get up to help him; she stayed wrapped in her quilt, watching from the corner of the bed.
The bedroom at the Fenghuang Tower was not like the large kang beds of the inner palace; instead, it had a beautifully carved wooden frame. Last night, whenever their passion grew heated, the bed frame creaked, a mix of embarrassment and thrill for Da Yuer.
Now, seeing him look so sombre, she wondered if it was only the upcoming assembly. She knew that on past mornings when he left the side chambers, he'd always playfully coax her, his mood lifted.
Was there some critical national matter today? Da Yuer tightened the quilt around her body, wanting to speak but ultimately holding back. The quilt covered her mouth, and she didn't know why—perhaps because she wasn't used to this room—she couldn't say her usual sweet words.
Hong Taiji, however, walked over to her. He brushed the hair from her forehead, caressed her cheek, and gave her a gentle kiss. His stern expression softened with affection as he said, "It's even colder today; don't freeze yourself senselessly."
Hong Taiji turned to leave, but Da Yuer suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist from behind. He chuckled, half-serious, "What's this now?"
Da Yuer, her voice soft and dreamy, replied, "I don't know... I just wanted to hold you."
Hong Taiji slowly turned around and poked her forehead, laughing, "I'd like to see if you're still this clingy when you're an old lady."
Da Yuer's mood brightened instantly. She gazed up at him with a smile, eyes twinkling. "You just wait and see," she teased.
He kissed her gently, patted her hand to loosen her hold, and wrapped her snugly in the quilt, reminding her to stay warm. He left hurriedly, leaving Da Yuer feeling content, her smile lingering.
As soon as he was gone, palace maids arrived to help her prepare for the day. When Da Yuer returned to her quarters, Zarut, pregnant and standing in the sun, cast her a scornful look as if accusing Da Yuer of taking advantage of her condition to lure Hong Taiji.
Da Yuer didn't even bother to glance her way. She had long ignored the many women who had come and gone around Hong Taiji over the years. But Zarut's presence was different—it stirred a disgust in her she'd never felt before.
Meanwhile, Wukeshan finally had his audience with Hong Taiji, who discussed the affairs of the steppe tribes but avoided any mention of Hairanju. Nervously, Wukeshan dared not bring it up himself.
He left the palace feeling uncertain, and as he passed by Fourteenth Beile's residence on his way out of the city, the sight of the tall, imposing guards at the gate made him retreat.
Neither Hong Taiji nor Dorgon was easy to deal with; as Jin grew stronger, Wukeshan knew he needed to protect his clan's legacy carefully.
Two days passed, yet Hong Taiji hadn't decided how to deal with Wukeshan and Suhebat. Da Yuer, growing impatient, visited her sister whenever she could. Hairanju only smiled weakly and rarely spoke, her fragile state making Da Yuer reluctant to disturb her further.
Noticing her niece's agitation, Jeje sighed and eventually called her over. She spoke frankly, "The Great Khan has decided to let the matter go. The Zhalite Tribe's internal feuds are best handled within the steppe. If the Great Khan intervened, it could easily provoke resentment among other tribes. It would do more harm than good."
"Just let it go?" Da Yuer's anger hadn't cooled in the slightest. She had wanted Suhebat's blood as retribution for her sister's suffering.
Jeje's expression turned cold. "And what do you intend to do? Announce to the entire world that your sister was nearly defiled?"
Da Yuer froze, stunned by Jeje's words.
Jeje continued, "I, too, wish they could be punished, to pay the price for their actions. But we must also think of Hairanju. Right now, this matter hasn't spread, and only a few people know. But if the Great Khan takes action, everyone will know what your sister endured. Consider this carefully, Yuer. What's more important?"
Da Yuer nodded, accepting her aunt's wisdom. "Yes, you're right, Aunt. I don't want my sister to become a subject of gossip or pity." Though the anger still simmered in her, she had to admit that Jeje's words were sensible.
Relieved that Da Yuer was now calm, Jeje shared, "They'll be leaving soon, and the Great Khan has arranged a farewell feast outside the city. Prepare yourself."
Lost in thought, Da Yuer didn't fully hear Jeje's instructions and was called back to attention, receiving a gentle reprimand. She was too preoccupied to feel slighted, and by midday, after a bit of coaxing, she persuaded her aunt to let her leave the palace and visit Hairanju.
Arriving at the Fourteenth Beile's residence, her daughter Yatu couldn't contain her excitement and started calling out loudly, "Fourteenth Uncle! Fourteen Uncle!"
Hearing the little girl's call, Dorgon rode over, spurring his horse to reach them faster, and his delighted gaze landed on Da Yuer. "You've come!" he said warmly.
"I'm here to see my sister," Da Yuer replied, then added, "Dorgon, thank you for helping take care of her these past few days."
Dorgon dismounted, smiling. "Princess Lan is also Qiqige's cousin. It's only right."
Little Yatu clambered onto him, begging for a ride, and with a chuckle, he lifted her onto his horse. "Go on inside," he told Da Yuer. "I'll take Yatu for a ride and be back shortly."
She agreed with a smile, giving her daughter a gentle warning, "Be on your best behaviour, alright?"
But when Dorgon returned with Yatu, he was taken aback to find Da Yuer sitting alone under the corridor, not in a sunny spot, but in the shadowed, cold area where the chill could easily get to her. His heart ached as he approached her. "Why are you sitting here?"