Niman's scalp tightened as he cautiously said, "The Great Consort wishes... for the Great Khan to make a decision."
Hong Taiji irritably closed the document in front of him. Still unsatisfied, he slapped the table heavily and shouted at Niman, "Who spoiled her like this? Who gave her the audacity to push her luck again and again?"
Niman held his breath, fearing that even the sound of his breathing might irritate the Great Khan. Hong Taiji was in a foul mood. No, to be precise, his anger had barely subsided over the past few days. Keeping someone he favored should be something to rejoice over, yet he seemed to be harboring a storm within.
Hong Taiji rose and stepped out onto the snowy ground in his indoor clothes, oblivious to the icy landscape outside. Niman quickly ran after him with a cloak, but Hong Taiji, still irritable, pushed it away with an impatient gesture.
In front of the Ten Kings Pavilion, Ajige had just stepped out from the Plain White Banner Pavilion when he spotted Hong Taiji striding angrily toward the inner palace. Seeing the fierce expression on Hong Taiji's face, Ajige raised his eyebrows, craned his neck, and watched the scene with curiosity. He muttered something under his breath, a hint of amusement in his voice, then chuckled to himself as he tucked his hands into his sleeves and walked away with a deep, knowing smile.
In the side palace, Da Yuer was packing her luggage. As Sumala prepared to take along a few newly made padded robes and winter coats, Da Yuer said, "The new ones aren't as comfortable as the old ones. It's better to wear something familiar on the road."
Just as Da Yuer was finishing her words, the thick cotton curtain was suddenly thrown open, and Hong Taiji strode in, bringing a gust of cold air and visible anger. He walked straight over to Da Yuer, his gaze fixed and intense.
The kang was strewn with clothes—Da Yuer's, the children's—and seven or eight pairs of winter boots were already packed into a trunk. Nearby, two more boxes stood half-empty, though goodness knows where she'd found so many empty trunks.
"Have you completely lost your mind?" Hong Taiji glared at her, his finger jabbing firmly at her forehead, a gesture so forceful that she instinctively leaned back, landing on the edge of the kang.
Da Yuer's heart raced, each beat like a throb of pain.
This morning, she had gulped down a scalding bowl of milk tea, burning her throat until she could still taste a hint of blood, as though it had left a raw wound in her stomach. And yet, even with all that, it still hadn't warmed her heart.
"Put everything away right now," he barked at Sumala. "If you're just going to indulge her whims, I'll have you dismissed and replaced in no time."
Sumala trembled, holding onto Da Yuer's coat, looking torn between staying and leaving. Just then, she caught sight of Niman, who subtly gestured for her to step back, and she took her leave without further delay.
Hong Taiji loosened his collar, sitting down with barely concealed agitation. "You're unhappy, so you want to go hide in Hetu Ala. Tell me, are you hiding from me or from your sister?"
Dazed, Dayu'er felt a sharp pain on her forehead where she'd been poked.
Memories rushed back—how she used to be, obediently listening to her aunt and brother, cautious and respectful around Hong Taiji. Since they saw each other so rarely, each reunion felt unfamiliar at first, and it took a while for her to feel at ease again.
But Hong Taiji cherished her, always patient, coaxing her back to comfort within a day or two, until she could act like she did now.
She had been loved by him for so long. When she was thirteen or fourteen, her aunt had tried to teach her etiquette, but she struggled and was often punished. Back then, she was so young, afraid rather than ashamed, crying her heart out each time. Hong Taiji would come and plead on her behalf, and she would hide behind him, just like that day in the kitchen when Yatu clung to Hailanzhu.
"Did you hear me?"
The sudden outburst from Hong Taiji startled Da Yuer, causing her to shudder. She stared blankly at her husband, but she couldn't recall what he had just asked her.
This wasn't the first time he had lost his temper. After every moment of intimacy, whenever Da Yuer showed any sign of wanting a child, he would scold her. He never hid his anger, and because of that, she knew what he liked and what he despised.
There was a time in Qingning Palace when Adai had jokingly said, "You and the Great Khan seem to have a lot of ups and downs, like an ordinary married couple arguing. It's quite amusing."
Da Yuer had scolded her playfully, but in her heart, she felt sweet.
"Put everything away. Stop causing a scene," Hong Taiji ordered sharply, his voice full of frustration. "I'm afraid that before you even leave the palace, they'll start gossiping. Do you know how much effort I've put into getting them to submit? And yet, you go against it all. Do you know how they spoke about you after what happened in the hunting grounds?"
Da Yuer's ears buzzed with his words, but she only heard what she wanted to hear.
Was it guilt and an apology from him? A sister's weeping and remorse? Perhaps they would both come to her, saying sorry?
It was laughable. What right did she have? She was just a concubine who came halfway into this man's life.
When she remained silent, Hong Taiji's anger flared again. He stood up to leave, but not before he jabbed her in the head, "Think it over carefully. Stop this nonsense, now."
He walked toward the door, as if the side palace could no longer contain his fury. But just as he took a few steps, someone spoke behind him.
He turned to see Da Yuer looking at him with a steady gaze. "I want to go to Hetu Ala. I'll leave today."
"If you want to walk there on your own, go ahead," Hong Taiji snarled, his forehead veins throbbing. "If you have the courage, walk there by yourself."
In Qingning Palace, Jeje stood by the window, clutching her chest in nervousness. Sure enough, Hong Taiji stormed out, his anger still palpable until he disappeared from sight.
Jeje clenched her fist and slammed it against the window frame. Adai hurried over to her, "Consort, be careful, your hand."
Through gritted teeth, Jeje said, "Adai, go and find out what happened."
When Adai returned with the news from the side palace, the result nearly caused Jeje to faint. She had invested so many years nurturing Da Yuer, but when had she completely freed herself from her control?
Outside the window, Da Yuer was seen walking alone, each hand carrying a bundle, her steps determined as she headed out of the palace.
Zarut, who was originally sitting by the window eating a chicken leg and secretly watching, couldn't help but walk outside, craning her neck to see. She muttered in disbelief, "Has Bumubutai eaten the heart of a bear and the guts of a leopard? Is she seeking death?"
She saw Jeje come out of the main palace, and quickly hid the chicken leg behind her back. But Jeje was too focused to notice her, and ordered, "Take her back and lock the door. Don't let her take another step out."
In the palace courtyard, a commotion broke out, but Da Yuer made no resistance. She was carried back by two strong middle-aged maids and was quickly shoved into the room. The door was locked with a heavy bronze bolt, as if she were a prisoner.
Zarut stood outside, staring in astonishment. Next to her, Consort Doutumen came out as well, but Hairanju in the corner didn't show up.
Jeje's cold gaze swept over them, and she said in a stern voice, "If anyone says a word of what just happened, I will hold you responsible. Whoever speaks out, I'll have them killed."
"Yes," Zarut replied reluctantly, but after Jeje left, she resumed eating the chicken leg, though now it had gone cold and greasy. She spat it out onto the ground. "Is this what the beautiful women of Khorchin are like? They've got nothing but their faces."
The noise outside continued, but Hairanju remained standing inside. She could hear the sounds but saw nothing.
Her mind was filled with her aunt's stern words, wondering what had really happened. Who dared to speak of this outside? Could they really risk their lives?
The palace grew quiet again. Baoqing came in with the tea, which had already gone cold. She had been on her way to fetch Hairanju's tea after dinner, but she ran into Da Yuer walking out with her bundles.
Then, the Great Consort came out and ordered two maids to carry Da Yuer back. Baoqing was so shocked she didn't know what to do. By the time she came to her senses, the tea was already cold.
"I've never seen the Great Consort this angry," Baoqing murmured, holding her chest. "I've been with Consort Yu for so many years, how did she suddenly change like this?"
Hairanju sat back on the warm kang bed, quietly embroidering a hat for Yatu. She calmly worked, stitch by stitch, embroidering little flowers. The children all liked flowers, and Da Yuer had liked them when she was young too.
After a while, the palace returned to silence. After Da Yuer was locked in her room, she didn't make a scene, as if the heavy bronze lock wasn't needed. But the Great Consort still insisted on keeping her locked up, and no one dared speak out.
As night fell, Hairanju was having dinner with Yatu and the others. Yatu quietly asked her, "Aunt, is my mother locked up?"
There were many people spreading rumours in the palace, and even the children overheard. Yatu looked worried, and her eyes were red. "Aunt, I miss my mother," she said.
Hairanju hugged the child and gently patted her to comfort her.
After Da Yuer was locked up, she sat on the floor for a while in a daze, then got up and lay down on the kang, wrapping herself in the quilt to sleep.
She slept for a long time, and her dreams were chaotic. All sorts of people appeared, and when she heard the sound of the bronze lock, she groggily opened her eyes and saw a familiar figure approaching her.
It was hard to tell if it was a dream or if she was awake, but tears kept flowing from her eyes. She felt extremely wronged. She knew it was all her own doing, but how had she ended up like this? What was she hoping for?
"Have you figured it out?" The voice of Hong Taiji came as he stood still. The room was dark, and neither of them could see the other's figure.
"I want to go to Hetu Ala," Da Yuer cried. "I want to go there."
Hong Taiji walked over, and in the dim light, pulled her out of the bed. She was burning with fever, and it made him feel heartbroken. His hand gently traced her back, again and again.
"Go ahead. I'll send someone with you," Hong Taiji said. "Go and calm down, let us both calm down."