Da Yuer shook her head, saying, "I don't want to go, Aunt. I'll go back and change my clothes first. Once the children arrive, I'll come over."
Jeje hesitated, wanting to persuade her, but after spending time with Hairanju recently, she had found it increasingly hard to understand her intentions. Da Yuer had been outside for more than half a month, and she must have sorted out everything in her mind by now, so there was no need to disturb her thoughts.
"I understand, go on then," Jeje said reluctantly, giving instructions. "When you get outside, tell Adai to find out where the Great Khan will be dining tonight."
Da Yuer agreed, left the room, and gave Adai the message before heading alone to her own quarters.
As she passed by her sister's room, she wanted to glance up but resisted. Sensing someone might be coming out, she continued on without looking back.
"Did Consort Yu not... see us?" Baoqing supported Hairanju under the eaves.
"It's fine; she's tired from the long journey," Hairanju replied. "As long as she and Aunt are good, it's all that matters."
Meanwhile, back in her quarters, Da Yuer returned so unexpectedly that the palace servants hadn't prepared to welcome her. The underfloor heating had just been lit, leaving the room still chilly.
She sat on the edge of the kang, the bedding icy and seeping into her bones, yet she knew that if she sat long enough, her body would warm the quilt. Over time, would she grow accustomed to any amount of suffering?
The palace maids brought in hot water and tea, and life returned to her side palace. Before long, Qiqige arrived with the children, exchanging a few words with Jeje.
As evening approached, Jeje urged Qiqige to return early. Qiqige's heart tightened, her eyes meeting Da Yuer's with a look of grievance and helplessness.
Da Yuer offered to see her off, walking with her to the palace gate, saying softly, "Go back. Whatever happens with you and Dorgon, maybe time will reveal the truth. Don't be afraid—Dorgon won't mistreat you. He cares for you deeply."
"Yuer, I'll visit again in a few days. Please take care of yourself, and don't stir up any trouble," Qiqige replied, comforting one another. Relieved, Qiqige left in her carriage before Dorgon returned from the Grand Politics Hall.
As Da Yuer re-entered the palace grounds, she happened to see Yatu and Atu running into her sister's quarters, calling out "Auntie!" with affection. Her sister quickly brought them inside, shielding them from the cold wind, without noticing her.
Da Yuer paused to watch, but soon noticed the head of Zarut peeking out from across the courtyard. Da Yuer couldn't help her dislike for this woman; seeing her sly smile, she returned the look with a disdainful, cold smirk, then walked away.
"Ugh!" Zarut didn't expect Da Yuer to look at her that way, dropping the curtain with a curse. Her maid, aware of the tension, urged, "My Lady, let today's matter pass first. What bad timing; I bet Consort Lan's finger still hasn't healed."
Zarut muttered with a hint of unease, "I didn't expect such unlucky timing either."
That night, Hong Taiji dined at the Grand Politics Hall with a few brothers, occupied with endless matters. Rumour had it that the army would mobilize immediately after the New Year's day, though it was just hearsay. Whether early or late, both Jeje and Da Yuer had long grown accustomed to military campaigns.
In Da Yuer's side palace, the lights went out early. After a day of travel, everyone, adults and children alike, were exhausted. Sumala knew that her Mistress deliberately turned in early, understanding such things without needing to spell them out.
Lying on the warm heated kang, Atu was already drowsy, snuggling close and dozing off. Yatu, imitating her mother, gently coaxed her little sister, then cuddled into Da Yuer's arms, wanting to share secrets with her.
Da Yuer chuckled softly, "What little secret do you want to tell Mother? Has our Yatu grown up and started having secrets?"
Yatu obediently asked, "Mother, are you and Aunt not close anymore?"
Da Yuer's heart gave a slight tremor. She gently stroked her daughter's cheek but said nothing.
Yatu continued, "Mother, has Aunt become Father's wife too, like Brother Yebusu's mother?"
Children always grow up eventually; Da Yuer had prepared herself for this. She asked, "Does Yatu like Aunt?"
"I love her," Yatu replied. "Atu and I both love Aunt—and the Fourteenth Aunt too."
"That's good. As for grown-up matters, Mother will tell you when you're older. For now, as long as you get along well with Aunt and she adores you, everything is fine. Do you understand what Mother is saying?"
Yatu nodded, understandingly. "I know; little kids shouldn't worry about grown-up things. But Mother, I really like Aunt."
Da Yuer nodded and held her fragrant little daughter close, kissing her cheek and tummy, making Yatu giggle. The two shushed each other, careful not to wake Atu and Azhe.
Then, in a moment of quiet, light flickered from outside the room, accompanied by footsteps she knew all too well.
Yet the steps didn't come closer—they passed by, growing fainter.
Not long ago, she had watched from the window, observing the movements on the other side. Her sister had been there, comforting her, yet now, in a blink, her sister had become a mistress in the adjoining residence.
At least it wasn't right across from her, she thought. If she couldn't see it, perhaps it would hurt a little less.
Da Yuer held her daughter, gently patting her back to soothe her. She had thought it all through before returning; be it pain or sadness, she would bear it. With time, she was certain she would grow numb.
"Mother."
"Hmm?"
"Aunt's finger is all swollen and purple, but she says it doesn't hurt."
Da Yuer's brow furrowed as she asked, "Is Aunt's injury serious?"
Yatu gestured with her hands, indicating the swelling. "It's this thick."
In Hairanju's side palace, the lamps were still lit late into the night. She was so absorbed in cutting fabric that she hadn't noticed the time. She was making new clothes for her nieces; from the moment she chose this fabric with her aunt, she had known what she wanted to make.
Hong Taiji walked up to the table, but Hairanju didn't notice him. Just as he was about to speak, he saw her hand holding the scissors—a fingernail was broken, swollen, and bruised.
"What happened to your hand?" he demanded, catching her hand firmly.
Hairanju froze, startled, unaware that anyone had entered. Her fragile courage was shaken.
Hong Taiji anxiously asked, "How did you hurt yourself so badly? Did the scissors do this?"
Hairanju shook her head and pointed toward Zarut's quarters. "She stepped on it."
Hong Taiji's anger flared. "That woman stepped on your hand?"
Hairanju recounted the morning incident truthfully. Hiding the injury would only lead Da Yuer to confront Zarut in anger, so it was better to tell Hong Taiji the truth.
"If you can't argue with her, why didn't you stay away? You actually offered her your hand to stomp on?" Hong Taiji held her hand and blew on it gently, his voice laced with frustration but softened by his concern. "Does it still hurt?" he asked with a hint of impatience, clearly unsettled.
Hairanju shook her head. "It hurt badly this morning, but it's fine now—I can still use the scissors."
Hong Taiji shot her a glance. "Are you thinking of that incident at the hunting grounds and assuming I won't do anything to her? Don't misunderstand. What happened there wasn't what you thought."
Hairanju gently pushed him down to sit, went to the door to pat off stray threads from her dress, then returned and tried to pour him tea, but he stopped her, saying, "Just seeing your hand irritates me. Don't do anything more."
"Yes…" Hairanju hid her hand behind her back, smiling brightly at him. "It will heal in a few days."
"If she harms you again, I'll kill her," Hong Taiji said with veiled fury.
"Wait until she has her child. Then kill her," Hairanju replied with a faint smile, saying something unexpectedly chilling for her gentle demeaner.
Hong Taiji paused, looking at her with surprise. He had thought Hairanju wouldn't dare harm even an ant, but he was reminded of that moment in the royal mausoleum when she had demanded that he kill Wukeshan.
"I understand." Hong Taiji chuckled, pulling her hand back to examine it, remarking disdainfully, "If I had come back a few days later, would you have lost an arm or a leg by now?"
At that moment, in the residence of the Fourteenth Beile, Dorgon was in his study, discussing important matters with others. Qiqige had been waiting for him to return for a long time, and, seeing no sign of him, she sent someone to check if the two concubines had gone to bed before draping herself in a heavy fur cloak, holding a hand warmer, and personally heading over.
Sitting on the warm kang, with the two concubines standing respectfully below, she boldly inquired about their intimate affairs with Dorgon. The two women, nervous and trembling, replied that they had both served him with dedication.
Qiqige nodded, her heart twisting painfully, though she maintained a composed expression. "Tomorrow, ask the doctor to prescribe some fertility medicine," she instructed. "If it works quickly, there should be results within two months. But if your monthly cycle comes, let me know."
"Yes, My Lady," they replied, visibly tense. In recent days, they had gone to great lengths to win Dorgon's favour. They understood their roles well, but in the process of fulfilling their duties, it had become clear that his heart would never truly be theirs.
As they spoke, one of Qiqige's maids entered, saying, "My Lady, the Beile has dismissed his guests from the study. Shall we return?"
Rising to her feet, Qiqige walked to the door, allowing her maid to drape her cloak around her shoulders. Glancing back at the two submissive concubines, she suddenly understood her aunt's feelings—she, too, was a woman. Why must women oppress one another?