Hong Taiji, however, simply gazed at Hairanju, a faint smile on his lips, his expression calm and content. He looked at her for a long, long time.
"I've been holding the tea like this... it's quite tiring," Hairanju said, feeling a little uneasy under his gaze. She lowered her eyes and softly asked, "What are you looking at, Great Khan?"
Hong Taiji chuckled softly. "I forgot you were still standing."
He took the tea cup, now no longer hot to the touch, and casually set it aside. Then, he pulled the beauty into his embrace.
He held her hand again, noticing the swelling and redness from the needle prick earlier. The injury had been rather deep, and now it was still visible.
"It's fine now," Hairanju said, "It still hurts a little, though."
"Be careful next time, with needlework, let the palace maids do it," Hong Taiji said, "Don't hurt yourself."
"Needlework is the best way to pass the time," Hairanju replied, "Before you know it, the day is already over."
"Is your neck sore too?"
"Yes," she answered.
Hong Taiji scoffed, "It hurts your hand and your neck—what's the point of doing it?"
Hairanju simply responded, "I like doing it."
Hong Taiji gazed at her, his large hand gently holding her cheek, and he kissed her softly: "If you like doing it, then do it. I'll have them find you the best silk thread."
Outside the room, Baoqing had been standing guard for a while. Seeing that there was no movement inside, she instructed the night-shift maid and then went off to rest.
As she entered the courtyard, some palace maids came up to her, particularly those who were close to Zarut's maids. They were cautious, not approaching her directly but instead indirectly asking through others.
"How does Consort Lan serve the Great Khan to make him like her so much?" they asked. The questions were repetitive—some were subtle, and others outright blunt.
It wasn't that Baoqing refused to engage; she genuinely didn't know how to describe how Consort Lan served the Great Khan. Aside from their night-time activities, when they were together, they only exchanged ordinary words. There was nothing remarkable that she could use to satisfy the maids' curiosity.
They then asked, "Consort Yu has been gone for so long, does the Great Khan not plan to bring her back? Has Consort Lan said anything about it?"
Baoqing washed her face with water just the right temperature, dabbing it gently, as she recalled the times when the Great Khan and her Mistress were together. Her mind was blank, and she really had nothing to say.
As for Consort Yu, Baoqing clearly remembered, but aside from a mention between her and Consort Lan, there was not a single word between the Great Khan and her Mistress.
"Consort Lan is really something," one of the maids said before Baoqing could answer. "She quietly pushed her own sister out of the picture. How must the Great Consort feel about this? Consort Lan could at least have said a few kind words instead of focusing solely on herself."
Baoqing, with her wet face, sneered, "You might as well go say that to the Great Khan. What's the use of talking like this in front of me? You're not even Consort Yu's maid. Who are you trying to defend here? Don't you dare speak ill of my Mistress in front of me. Are you looking to get yourselves into trouble?"
The maids awkwardly fell silent, exchanging glances, and quickly left Baoqing's room.
Finally, Baoqing sighed in relief. She looked at Sumala's bed and couldn't help but say, "Is Consort Yu doing well? Sumala, you must take good care of Consort Yu and bring her back soon."
As night deepened, the gathering at the Fourteenth Beile's residence broke up. The drunkards were picked up by their families. As Ajige was leaving, he patted his younger brother's shoulder, drunkenly saying, "It's rare that Qiqige isn't at home, and the two women in your house are also beautiful. Don't neglect them. Maybe both of them can bear you a son. You're already over twenty and still don't have any children. Mother must be really worried."
Dorgon having no children was a joke among the Eight Banners, but honestly, he wasn't in any hurry.
However, realistically speaking, the lack of children was a weakness when it came to future ambitions. On the other hand, if he could win the throne even without an heir, what meaning does it have for those who has an heir?
But before Qiqige left, she had given clear instructions to the two concubines, telling them to serve the Beile well and to ensure they had children. The two concubines understood this well.
At this moment, Dorgon returned to the inner courtyard. A frail woman stood by the side of the path. She was one of the women his mother had chosen for him, and lately, they had been taking turns attending to him.
Dorgon paused, a heavy feeling in his heart, then reached out and pulled her along, leading her back to his room.
Two days later, Dorgon received word from Qiqige, asking him to investigate everything that had happened before Hairanju came to Shengjing. Dorgon knew that it was likely Yuer who wanted to know, so without a second thought, he sent someone to inquire.
This time, however, Dorgon truly let his guard down. As soon as there was any movement, the information reached Hong Taiji.
Niman cautiously reported to the Great Khan: "Fourteenth Beile is investigating Consort Lan's past. Could it be that Consort Yu asked Fourteenth Consort to do this, and then…"
Hong Taiji didn't even look up, his eyes fixed on the map in his hands. He traced circles with a red pen before finally speaking to Niman: "Go tell Wukeshan, from now on, neither the Khorchin nor Hairanju's former husband's family is allowed to speak of anything related to Hairanju. All records of her past ten years must be erased."
"Great Khan?" Niman was clearly confused, "Are you saying…?"
Hong Taiji looked at him, seemingly displeased, "Have you truly gotten old and confused? Can't you understand?"
Niman, still puzzled, trembled and knelt down: "Great Khan, please clarify."
"Didn't I just give clear instructions?" Hong Taiji said coldly. "Have someone warn them not to mention anything about Hairanju's past. Her dead husband and her dead children—none of it should ever be spoken of again."
"But…"
"Wukeshan will handle it."
Hong Taiji sneered. "He's capable, and all you need to do is tell him. If I hear another word about Hairanju, I will give the Khorchin land to the Zhalite Tribe."
"Yes, yes." Niman immediately agreed, though still confused, he now understood what needed to be done. He couldn't figure out what the Great Khan was planning, but he knew that people like Consort Lan didn't care about such matters.
In the inner palace, Hairanju and Consort Doutumen sisters were all in front of the Great Consort.
Today was the day to select fabric for the new clothes for the New Year. Zarut was eager for everyone to know that she was pregnant, loudly declaring: "You need to size me up a bit. By the time the New Year comes, my belly will be even bigger."
Jeje ignored her, and Hairanju didn't care either. After they had selected their fabric, Jeje made an excuse that a pregnant woman needed more rest and sent Zarut away.
But Zarut, unable to stop herself, brought up a sensitive topic: "Great Consort, will they still be making new clothes for Consort Yu?"
Before Jeje could respond, Consort Doutumen pulled her cousin away, and as soon as they were outside, she scolded her: "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
Zarut scoffed: "What can they do to me? I'm carrying Hong Taiji's child. Ugh… It's so boring. With Da Yuer not here, I don't even have anyone to argue with. Hairanju, she's like a silent gourd. You can't get any response from her, even with a hundred hits."
Inside, Jeje praised Hairanju: "You have a good temperament. Ignoring people like her is the best. If you argue with her, she'll just feel proud."
"Yes." Hairanju responded quietly.
"Yuer wasn't like that. She was fine in the past. There were no women like her in the palace back then." Jeje sighed. "In the last two years, her temperament has changed. A few words and she gets agitated, her face turning red and neck thick with anger."
Hairanju didn't speak, quietly folding the fabric that was hers. The fine brocade and silk would be used to make clothes by the palace maids skilled in needlework, while the rest would be kept for themselves. As she folded, she thought about whether there was enough fabric to make small coats for Yuer's three daughters.
"Hairanju." Suddenly, Jeje called her.
"Aunt." Hairanju looked up in confusion.
Even Jeje, who was usually so composed and restrained, couldn't sit still. She frowned and asked, "All this time, haven't you thought about asking the Great Khan to bring Yuer back?"
Hairanju quietly looked at her aunt and shook her head. "I've never mentioned it."
Jeje asked, "You haven't even mentioned Yuer's name?"
Hairanju replied, "The Great Khan has his own intentions, and Yuer has her own thoughts. This is between the Great Khan and Yuer. Aunt, what right do I have to speak of it?"
Jeje squinted her eyes, trying hard to observe Hairanju. She could feel that beneath Hairanju's calm and gentle demeanour, there was something distinct, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.
"Then consider this a command from me," Jeje said. "In the next few days, when you have the chance, bring it up to the Great Khan. Ask him to send someone to bring Yuer back."
Hairanju lowered her head and said softly, "Aunt, I don't want to mention it."
Jeje became angry: "What? She's your sister. Aren't you the least bit worried about her?"
Hairanju replied, "Yuer is my sister, but she is also the Great Khan's woman."
Jeje was confused. She glanced at the maid beside her, Adai, who also looked puzzled. Then, Hairanju gathered her things, bowed to Jeje, and left with Baoqing.