Like Yuer, Hairanju grappled with conflicting emotions each day. The two sisters no longer spoke, not because of some unspoken tension, but because Yuer was making a final stand for her love. Just like she had said that day: "From now on, I am me, and you are you."
Gradually, Hairanju also built her own protective barrier around her love, though she had neither the initiative nor the right to demand anything. She could only quietly stay by Hong Taiji's side, for as long as life allowed—or until, perhaps, she was once again left behind.
She gazed intently at Hong Taiji, realizing she had fallen in love with an extraordinary man. He would have an expansive and powerful empire, and he would also have more women. Someday, he might no longer be able to spot her amid the thousands around him.
"What's on your mind?" Hong Taiji handed the warm cloth back to Hairanju, smiling as he asked, "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing," Hairanju replied softly. "I haven't seen you all day." She added, "I just wanted to take a good look at you."
Hong Taiji said, "I'm hungry; have them bring something to eat."
The imperial kitchen was always prepared with his midnight snacks, and soon, steaming dishes and even a small stove were sent over. Despite their best efforts to be discreet, the sounds still spread through the palace. The palaces were not too far away and everyone could hear everything in other palaces.
In her bed, Da Yuer lay with little Atu in her arms, listening to the servants' attempts at quiet movements outside her door.
Once, she wouldn't have cared about these sounds, but now, she lay awake, following every small noise, and eventually drifted to sleep with a hollow feeling.
At these times, she didn't feel anger or resentment, nor did she know exactly what she was feeling. It was as if she forced herself to stay consciously aware, reminding herself of the people and love she wanted to protect.
Whether it was Qiqige or her aunt, they always questioned why she couldn't be close to Hairanju. They pointed out that she let Hairanju take care of her children, that she stood up for her in private, so why was she so stubborn in distancing herself?
Every day, she resolved to make up with her sister, telling herself tomorrow would be the day. But at night, hearing these noises and knowing her sister was in Hong Taiji's arms, all the courage she'd gathered throughout the day would vanish.
Yes, the problem was with herself.
Da Yuer closed her eyes, just about to fall asleep, when little Yatu climbed into her arms. She whispered, "Still awake?"
"Mother, do I have to go to the study room again tomorrow?" Yatu asked softly.
Putting Atu down, Da Yuer turned to hold her eldest Daughter, smiling as she replied, "Is that what's keeping you up?"
Yatu nuzzled against her, pouting, "Mother, I don't like the study room. I don't like practicing writing."
Da Yuer asked, "What does Yatu like to do?"
Hesitantly, Yatu said, "I like playing with Auntie. I like learning to embroider."
Da Yuer thought for a moment and then coaxed her, "How about this: from now on, one day you go with Mother to study, and the next you play with Auntie. How does that sound?"
Yatu's eyes lit up. "Mother, really? Will Father hit my hands? He says he'll hit my hands if I don't study hard. He's so fierce!"
Da Yuer kissed her forehead. "Of course, it's okay." Then she asked, "Yatu likes Auntie that much?"
The little girl nodded, but after a moment of thought, she added, "But I like Mother the most."
Da Yuer regretted asking Yatu if she liked her aunt. She resolved never to ask again. Every time she did, it only added complexity to the child's feelings. All she wanted was for her daughters to grow up happy. Being born the daughters of Hong Taiji meant they should never have to suffer grievances.
Yet, despite her resolve, she held Yatu a little tighter, thinking of how one day her daughter would be married far away. "Even if you don't like it, you still have to study writing," Da Yuer said gently. "After all, Yatu, you're your father's daughter. And who is your father?"
The little girl beamed with pride and answered, "Father is the Great Khan of the Jin!"
The next day, Da Yuer went to see Hong Taiji in the Qingning Palace while he was having breakfast, bringing along a sleepy-eyed Yatu. She informed him that Yatu didn't want to study writing.
Holding his daughter, Hong Taiji asked her why, and Yatu, on the verge of tears, clung to her father's neck, saying she simply didn't like writing.
Adai was sent to call Hairanju, who, upon hearing that her niece would be spending some days with her, happily took Yatu from Hong Taiji's arms. With a little coaxing, Yatu quickly stopped crying in her aunt's embrace.
Hong Taiji sighed. "So be it. I figured the girls wouldn't last at their studies. As for this setup with Fan Wencheng teaching them, it will last as long as it lasts."
Jeje laughed and said, "Yatu is still young, but the older ones can't slack off. I'll be watching them. If Fan Wencheng becomes unavailable, there are others to take over; they can't neglect their studies."
After breakfast, Hong Taiji hurried off to the Grand Politics Hall, while Hairanju carried Yatu back to her own quarters. Da Yuer left without a second thought, while Jeje sighed, feeling a tinge of admiration for how calmly Hong Taiji and these sisters seemed to handle everything, coexisting as if nothing were amiss.
Jeje scoffed, "I'm the only one who seems bothered here. They don't even bat an eyelid. Why should I care?"
Across the courtyard, Zarut was being attended to by palace maids as they fixed her hair. She asked about the commotion outside, and one of the maids who had been dismissed and recently returned told her the story in a hushed voice.
When the maid mentioned that Hairanju had taken Yatu back with her, Zarut sneered, "She's already taken her sister's man—does she need to take her child too?"
The maid replied, "Aside from not speaking, those two get along well. Consort Lan even helps look after the children as if they were her own. As for taking over, it doesn't seem Consort Yu minds."
With a cold laugh, Zarut said, "Now that Hairanju is the apple of the Great Khan's eye, her love for the children is naturally his love as well. Bumubutai isn't foolish. She can't put the Great Khan in an awkward position over this. Even if she despises Hairanju's affection for her children, she has to put on a good show."
The maid whispered, "When do you plan to act on the matter you asked me to investigate?"
A murderous gleam rose in Zarut's eyes. "Within the next few days. I don't want them to enjoy the New Year in peace."
Meanwhile, after the court meeting in the Grand Politics Hall had ended, Dodo was called aside by Dorgon, who asked about Fan Wencheng's concubine.
Dorgon hadn't been overly concerned initially—although his younger brother was a bit reckless, he was fighting hard on the battlefield, and wanting a woman when he returned didn't seem like a big deal.
But after hearing that Yuer had sent people to look for Fan Wencheng several times and that Qiqige had mentioned how much she enjoyed his lessons, Dorgon realized that Dodo might have made a mistake. If Fan Wencheng lost interest in teaching, it would take away much of Yuer's enjoyment.
Dodo protested angrily, "I can give up that woman; steal her back or grab her if you want, but it can't be done openly. Are you actually concerned about Hong Taiji's face? What does he have to do with this? Fan Wencheng is only teaching his daughters some Chinese characters. What, do we have to treat him like Confucius now, as if he's some great sage? He's just a servant! And if I want his life, what of it?"
Dorgon pressed him, "What have you done to her?"
"Nothing much. She's so timid that even a loud voice would scare her to death. She doesn't resist, not even a sound, like a wooden doll—just soft, pleasant to touch, so now she's just a little maidservant at home," Dodo replied dismissively, speaking of the woman as though she were a mere plaything.
Dorgon warned, "If that's how it is, don't speak of it so freely. People will think you're frivolous and it will tarnish the honour of the Bordered White Banner. Dodo, you're no longer a child. You need to conduct yourself with more restraint."
Dodo respected his elder brother and, though annoyed, turned away, replying, "I'll listen to you, but don't make me lose face. I will not return that woman to Fan Wencheng."
"Understood. But remember, don't act this way again. You may think it makes you look powerful, but others see it as a joke," Dorgon cautioned him coldly.
Over the next few days, Dorgon learned that Fan Wencheng continued to come to the palace daily to teach the young princesses, and Yuer was in the study without fail. She was now spending a great deal of her time listening to Fan Wencheng's lessons on history and geography, and Qiqige said that Yuer was very happy, which put him at ease. He thought Fan Wencheng had likely made peace with the situation, unaware that Yuer was secretly devising a plan to retrieve her teacher's beloved concubine.
It was that day at the stables when Hong Taiji reminded her that the Fifteenth Consort's birthday fell just before the New Year at the end of the twelfth lunar month.
After hearing her husband's suggestion, Da Yuer asked her aunt to subtly bring up the idea of a celebration. Soon enough, the women of the households gathered to plan a visit to the Fifteenth Beile's residence for his wife's birthday.
The Fifteenth Consort, a gentle and somewhat naive young woman, readily agreed when her aunt, elder sisters, and sisters-in-law made the proposal.
On her cousin's birthday, Da Yuer brought her children to the gathering. Hairanju, who disliked crowds, was not pressured to attend, while Consort Doutumen sisters and the Borjigit women had little interest in mingling, so they too weren't invited.
The children raced ahead happily, accompanied by their nurses and attendants. Da Yuer walked with Sumala, but as they passed by the Fenghuang Tower, Zarut suddenly appeared, her face twisting into a mocking sneer. "Why didn't Consort Lan join?" she asked in a cold, eerie tone. "You're all from the Khorchin clan. Only she is absent. Don't let outsiders think you're bullying your elder sister, isolating her at every turn."
Da Yuer had once felt some guilt toward her, but seeing her smug expression, she cast those feelings aside and replied icily, "Have you recovered?"
Zarut chuckled bitterly, "Oh, I'm doing more than fine. Not only have I recovered, but I'll live well enough to avenge my child."
Da Yuer replied with a chilling tone, "You know perfectly well that I never laid a hand on you. You fell on your own."
Zarut sneered, "Isn't that just the truth? That's why I'm here to return the favour of your 'innocence.'"