Da Yuer sobbed against Hong Taiji's shoulder, her tears soaking his clothes. His embrace was still warm and reassuring. No matter how confused or cold her heart was, Hong Taiji was still the man she loved and depended on.
"Once you've calmed down, send someone with a message, and I'll come to pick you up," Hong Taiji said. "Take good care of yourself there. If you want to bring Yatu, you can, but the journey is long, and it's so cold."
Da Yuer sniffed, slowly moving down and pressing her face to her husband's chest. She loved hearing his heartbeat, as if the thumping sound in his chest was what commanded the world.
Hong Taiji held Da Yuer, kissing her forehead. "I'll send someone to take you tomorrow. Whether you bring the children or not, it's up to you. I'll talk to Jeje, and no one will stop you."
Da Yuer didn't say anything, quietly listening to his heartbeat. Hong Taiji sighed gently, letting her be.
They remained silent for a long time, which caused concern for those outside. Niman and Sumala quietly entered, and the cold wind followed in. Da Yuer shivered, opening her eyes.
She left Hong Taiji's embrace and said calmly, "I'm hungry. I also want to take a bath."
Hong Taiji grunted in response and pointed to Da Yuer's head. Seeing her involuntarily shiver, he gently rubbed her forehead, scolding her lightly: "Did I hurt you at noon? You deserved it."
Da Yuer lowered her head and spoke softly, "I'll travel slower on the way. I want to take Azhe with me as well. They can't do without me. I can't leave them behind."
Hong Taiji replied, "Didn't you drag your bundle out by yourself today, planning to leave them? Now you're saying all these pretty words?"
Da Yuer didn't respond, her hands clutching the hem of her coat tightly.
Hong Taiji scolded, "You're relying on the fact that I won't let you walk out on your own, relying on the fact that Jeje would never agree. Are you just showing off your resolve and determination to me?"
Da Yuer looked up at him, her eyes filled with grievance. Hong Taiji sighed deeply, suppressing his irritation. How had he started scolding again?
After leaving the room, Hong Taiji asked Sumala, "Are Yatu and the others in Qingning Palace?"
Sumala quickly replied, "Answering to the Great Khan, they are in Consort Lan's room."
Hong Taiji glanced to the side and was about to walk over, but his foot froze in midair. He took a step back instead and instructed, "Take good care of Yuer."
With those words, he headed alone towards the Fenghuang Tower.
Sumala let out a sigh of relief, and Niman quietly said, "Be cautious. We can't afford another incident."
Sumala almost cried out of frustration, "Chief Steward, I'm really scared. When will this matter be over?"
All day long, she had watched as the princess was locked away by the Great Consort, and Sumala was completely shaken.
She thought the princess might go mad in the room, but to her surprise, there wasn't a sound. She peeked through the window and saw the princess lying alone, and her heart ached for Da Yuer, her tears falling.
Not long after Hong Taiji left, Sumala came to Hairanju's room, hoping to bring the princesses back.
But only Yatu was awake, while Atu and Azhe were both asleep. Taking the sleeping children out might cause them to catch a cold. Though it was only a few steps, Hairanju was still concerned, saying, "I'll take them. Let Yuer rest easy."
Sumala didn't dare to insist. She carried Yatu back and relayed Consort Lan's words. Da Yuer didn't react much, only continuing to comfort Yatu.
Hong Taiji stood by the window of the Fenghuang Tower, watching as the lights in the two side palaces gradually went out. He slowly drank the wine in his cup, then turned around and saw Niman still there. He ordered, "Go to bed early. You're getting old. From now on, let your disciples handle the night work."
Niman replied, "Thank you, Great Khan. I still feel quite energetic. I can serve you for many more years without a problem."
Many more years? Hong Taiji bitterly smiled inwardly. He was already over forty. How many "many more years" could he possibly have left in this life?
That night, the palace finally became quiet. The next day was still sunny. Early in the morning, the Fourteenth Beile's residence was already awake, preparing for the Beile to enter the palace for court.
Qiqige, yawning and half-closing her eyes, was helping Dorgon button his clothes. He teased her, "Go back to sleep. I can dress myself."
Qiqige replied, "No, I'll button it for you. That way, the wind won't blow it open."
"You see, your eyes are half-closed. Don't mess up my buttons," Dorgon chided, but he let her do it anyway.
The servants brought the breakfast. Dorgon hurriedly stuffed food into his mouth, while Qiqige sat beside him, adjusting the tassels on his hat. When she saw his close bodyguard arrive, she said, "It's still early. Have your master eat another bowl. He won't eat lunch later when he gets busy."
The bodyguard replied, "Consort, I'm here to report on palace matters. There was a big incident in the inner palace yesterday. Consort Yu wanted to go to Hetu Ala, but the Great Consort wouldn't agree and locked her up. It wasn't until late at night that the Great Khan went to release her. After that, somehow, the Great Khan agreed, and this morning there were already preparations in the palace to send Consort Yu to Hetu Ala."
Qiqige sighed, "The snow in Hetu Ala must be as high as half a person by now."
Dorgon choked on a piece of steamed bread, forced it down, and clutched his chest in pain. He gulped down milk tea, though it wasn't out of hunger—inside, he was filled with a mix of anger and resentment.
Qiqige was deeply worried: "What is Yuer thinking? Her aunt has repeatedly warned her to consider the Great Khan in everything. Now, she's leaving like this, and everyone will know it's because she's unhappy. Last time, she caused such a scene over Zarut, and now this again. Would the Great Khan care about her mood when he is taking a concubine? Does she really not understand, or has she forgotten?"
After finishing his meal, Dorgon stood up, put on his hat, and prepared to head to the palace. He didn't want to say anything more. He was afraid that if he spoke another word, Qiqige would start suspecting him.
After sending her husband off, Qiqige slowly walked back to the courtyard. Seeing the maids cleaning the dining table, she gave an order: "Go and invite the concubines over."
In the palace, Da Yuer woke up early. She had already packed half of her things yesterday, and today she finished organizing everything. Soon, everything was in order.
Sumala came to Hairanju's room to pick up the little princesses. Hairanju was combing Atu's small braid, gently spoiling her niece, when she looked up and saw Sumala. She asked, "Leaving soon?"
Baoqing had already informed her that Hong Taiji had agreed to send Consort Yu to Hetu Ala. She asked, "Are Atu and the others going?"
Sumala nodded. "The little princesses are all going to stay for a while. Miss can't bear to leave the children."
"Understood," Hairanju replied. She put a small flower on Atu's hair, and Sumala took Azhe in her arms. Hairanju held Atu's hand, and together they headed toward Qingning Palace.
Da Yuer was standing by the table, listening to Jeje. When she saw her sister bringing the children, her gaze stopped only on her daughter.
Jeje saw how distant the two sisters were and felt helpless. She said, "You should leave early. The weather is perfect. Be careful on the way, don't be reckless. If you change your mind halfway, it's fine. No one will laugh at you."
Da Yuer nodded and took a few steps back, bowing deeply to her aunt to say farewell. She then left with the three children, who were still confused about what was happening. Hairanju stood there, staring blankly at her sister as she took Atu's small hand and walked away. She softly said, "Come back soon."
Da Yuer seemed not to hear, and walked away with the children. The door curtain lifted and fell, and one could hear Atu's clear voice asking, "Mother, where are we going?"
Jeje picked up her chopsticks but accidentally dropped them on the floor.
The dining area wasn't carpeted, and the ivory chopsticks, which seemed to have been a tribute, made a crisp sound when they hit the ground. The maids quickly rushed over to pick them up, but Jeje waved them away. "All of you, leave."
Hairanju heard her and turned to leave, but Jeje said, "Stay. I need to ask you something."
"Yes?"
"Have you not spoken to Yuer in the past couple of days?" Jeje asked.
"I did, yesterday morning, here with you," Hairanju replied.
"What did you talk about?" Jeje knew something must have happened.
"Before going to Hetu Ala last time, I don't know who it was, but someone spread the word about me going to the Fenghuang Tower in the middle of the night to Yuer." Hairanju spoke calmly. "At the time, Yuer asked me if it was true, and I firmly denied it, because Zarut's words had hurt her. Yuer asked me to promise that I would never become the Great Khan's woman, but before I could finish speaking, the children interrupted."
Jeje's expression grew serious. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Hairanju remained calm as she continued. "Later, Yuer seemed to forget about it, but yesterday, she asked me if I remembered the promise she asked of me."
Jeje felt a dull pain in her chest. "What did you say?"
Hairanju replied, "I said I remembered, but I didn't agree to it at the time."
"You…" Jeje seemed dazed. Was this really Hairanju?
Outside the palace, a large escort of dozens of people slowly made their way to the city gates. Da Yuer and Sumala, with the children, were in a carriage, while several other carriages followed, carrying luggage and wet nurses. The whole setup seemed as if they were going away for a year or more.
Sumala felt uncomfortable, but the mistress and the children were chatting and laughing, as though they were just going on a trip. She silently sighed in her heart. Suddenly, the carriage stopped.
"Side Consort, it's the Fourteenth Consort coming," someone reported from outside.
Da Yuer lifted the curtain and saw Qiqige, wrapped in a cloak, walking toward her step by step.
"Are you here to see me off?" Da Yuer asked. "Or did my aunt send you to stop me?"
Qiqige smiled brightly, waved her hand, and the maids behind her brought several bundles of luggage and walked around the carriage. Qiqige asked, "Where should I put these?"
Da Yuer was stunned, but Qiqige immediately ordered the coachman to move a stool for her to get on the carriage. With swift movements, she climbed in, took off her hood, and smiled. "I'm going with you to Hetu Ala."
Da Yuer scolded, "Don't be ridiculous. If you're just seeing me off, get off at the city gate later. If you really follow me, aunt will be furious to death."
"Aunt won't be furious to death. Who will look after the Great Khan's house if she's dead?" Qiqige laughed, holding Atu in her arms, kissing her and asking, "Is it okay if I go with you?"
The children, of course, were happy. Qiqige moved over to sit beside Da Yuer. Still uneasy, Da Yuer said, "Stop fooling around. People will laugh at us."
Qiqige said, "I was thinking, out of sight, out of mind. I've already instructed the two at home to take good care of Dorgon these days. I'm waiting to see if they can give him a child."
Da Yuer was stunned, seeing the glint of something wet flash in Qiqige's eyes. She laughed and said, "After all, We have to try and see, whether it's him who can't do it, or if it's me."