In the Fourteenth Beile's Mansion, Dorgon was standing in the bedroom, watching a Han doctor from the banner diagnose Qiqige's pulse.
After the New Year, Qiqige had been experiencing recurring lower abdominal pain, resembling menstrual cramps. She rested at home for two days; she felt better yesterday, but the symptoms returned today, causing her much discomfort.
"How is it?" Dorgon asked worriedly, "What's wrong with the consort's health?"
The doctor, after checking her pulse and consulting his medical books, finally replied, "The Consort has cold accumulation in her body, which has caused stagnation. I will prescribe a remedy to alleviate it; she should recover within four or five days."
Dorgon, seemingly doubtful, ordered his subordinate, "Go to the street and find out which clinic is open, and bring the doctor here."
Qiqige smiled and said, "Why such a fuss? You'll only make people laugh at us."
Dorgon sat by her side and reassured her, "Your health comes first. Who would dare to laugh?"
Before the doctor from the streets arrived, however, a messenger from the palace came with an urgent summons for Dorgon from Hong Taiji. Qiqige instructed her maids to help him dress, though she was clearly dissatisfied and would have preferred to assist herself.
"I'll be back soon. Whatever the doctor says, don't hide it from me," Dorgon instructed before hurrying to the palace.
While waiting for Dorgon's return, Qiqige felt drowsy, and the hastily summoned street doctor eventually arrived, visibly nervous. She calmed him down and let him examine her.
His diagnosis was consistent: her condition stemmed from internal coldness and required nurturing warmth to recover.
Qiqiqge reflected on the time since traveling with Da Yuer to Hetu Ala, she had not taken the conception medicine. This led her to question if her body had grown dependent on its effects, and without it, had developed internal coldness.
The doctor, upon hearing Qiqige's concerns, advised, "Medicines are three parts poison. The Consort originally had no illness, but long-term reliance on such remedies has harmed your body instead. After these few days of nurturing warmth, it would be best to avoid taking unnecessary medications if possible."
Hearing the doctor's advice, Qiqige found it reasonable. She reflected on her past habits—she had nearly treated conception medicine as a staple in her diet. Before Dorgon returned to Shengjing, she was so desperate that she felt as if she wanted to consume every "miracle remedy" available.
She lamented her past choices, thinking, "How foolish I was! Taking so much medicine— even if I did conceive, the child would likely be harmed by the drugs. In the end, it seems I'm just not destined for this."
Qiqige rewarded the doctor with silver for his advice and then sent a messenger to the palace to deliver a message to Jeje and Da Yuer. She informed them that she intended to rest and recover at home for a while and would not visit the palace in the coming days.
The palace received word of Qiqige's decision. Adai placed down some snacks brought by Hairanju and said, "These were made by Consort Lan and Princess Yatu."
After the indulgent New Year's feasting, Jeje, having lost her appetite for rich foods, waved dismissively. "You can have them," she said.
Adai added, "I heard that earlier, Consort Lan took Princess Yatu to the study to see Consort Yu, but as it happened, the Great Khan was there. Consort Lan then quietly took her leave with the young lady. You have to admit, Consort Lan is truly considerate and tactful. Despite how Consort Yu treats her, she doesn't so much as frown."
Jeje sighed, "Indeed, the more I observe, the more I realize how sensible Hairanju is. It's no wonder the Great Khan is so fond of her. In contrast, Yuer still behaves like a child. What good is literacy if she doesn't learn to broaden her perspective? She acts so recklessly simply because Hairanju is her sister. But then again, it's because Hairanju is her sister that she struggles to see things clearly."
Softly, Adai responded, "If that's the case, how do you think Consort Yu perceives her relationship with you?"
Jeje smiled bitterly and said, "Of course, it's different. I was the one who brought her here, the one who arranged her marriage to the Great Khan, and the one who pressured her to bear a son. As for Hairanju, if I had explained early on to Yuer why her elder sister was coming, perhaps things might have been better."
She paused, her face clouded with worry. "It's been several months, and Yuer has spent much time by the Great Khan's side, but there's still no news. Hairanju's health is poor, so I have no expectations there. But Yuer..."
She sighed, clutching her chest. "There I go again, losing control and wanting to pressure Yuer into having a child."
Adai quickly comforted her, "Please don't feel bad, My Lady. You've only spoken about it to me and have refrained from saying such things to Consort Yu for a long time. You've been very restrained."
Jeje sighed deeply, "The palace will inevitably see new additions this year. Who knows what the future holds."
Adai, with a hint of coldness, remarked, "That one should be relocated soon enough."
Jeje frowned. "Zarut's a foolish woman who brought this on herself. But the one coming, Nam Jung... She once stood on equal footing with me, as the esteemed great consort. Now, she's demoted to a side consort. A clever woman like her won't take this lying down. It won't be easy to keep her in line."
Meanwhile, the snacks Hairanju made with Yatu had been sent to the Grand Politics Hall, but they were intercepted by Niman, who instructed, "Return them to Consort Lan's quarters. The Great Khan will visit when he has free time; he's busy now."
Inside the Grand Politics Hall, Hooge and Dorgon joined Hong Taiji to review reports about increased Ming border defences. The mood was grim.
Years ago, Hong Taiji had succeeded in creating discord between Emperor Chongzhen and General Yuan Chonghuan, leading to Yuan's execution by the suspicious Chongzhen.
Yet the Ming Empire, resilient and resourceful, continued to produce capable leaders. Despite Yuan's death, the Jin forces had failed to achieve decisive breakthroughs, only capturing a few border towns in five years.
Hooge, fuelled by youthful zeal, clenched his fists and declared, "Father, let me lead the troops and crush them completely!"
Hong Taiji glared at him, replying sharply, "It's easy to boast. If our Jin forces were invincible, would Chongzhen still sit on his throne?"
Chastised in front of Dorgon, Hooge simmered with resentment but dared not argue. He swallowed his pride and remained silent.
Dorgon, ever the strategist, studied the crowded markers on the sand table and asked, "Great Khan, do you have a different plan in mind?"
Hong Taiji addressed both Dorgon and Hooge, saying, "The task I'm giving you both is not urgent—attacking Joseon can wait. With the icy conditions, we cannot enter, and they cannot come out. For now, use these two months to train your soldiers. I need a detailed and effective military strategy for a combined force of cavalry, artillery, and infantry. On the 20th of February, I will inspect your troops."
Dorgon and Hooge exchanged a glance. Hooge, knowing his skills in military strategy were not as sharp as Dorgon's, realized that his father was giving him an opportunity to prove himself, while also maintaining his dignity.
"Before that, if you have any ideas, feel free to consult with me," Hong Taiji continued. "You have the freedom to command the ministers, but make sure not to treat them harshly. When you ask for advice, it's a request, not a command." He added seriously. "You may leave if you understand my command, if not, ask now."
Hooge turned to leave, but noticed Dorgon stayed behind to speak with Hong Taiji. Dorgon immediately asked what kind of military formation Hong Taiji expects, demonstrating his strategic thinking. Hooge also didn't fully understand Hong Taiji's intentions, so he remained to listen carefully.
The three of them discussed the matter until the sun set down. Leaving the Grand Politics Hall, Dorgon, remembering Qiqige still at home sick, hurried off.
Hooge saw Dorgon left in a hurry, as if avoiding him, spat on the floor. "What's the hurry? I don't believe I can't train my soldiers better than you. Are all my victories fake?"
Meanwhile, Hong Taiji stood up and asked Niman, "Is there anything ready to eat? I'm very hungry."
Niman replied "Consort Lan made some snacks. I didn't take them just now and sent them back to Consort Lan's room. If you go over there now, they would be ready."
Hong Taiji stretched his limbs, walked to the door, and breathed in the cold air. He then strode into the snow without saying where he was going. Niman, still needing to tidy up the documents inside the hall, could only order his subordinates to follow the Great Khan.
After finishing organizing the memorials and official papers in the Grand Politics Hall and locking the door, Niman hurried to the inner palace. His disciple came to inform him that the Great Khan was in the Great Consort's quarters.
"What is the Great Khan eating?"
"It's a meal sent by the Great Consort."
Niman thought for a moment and glanced toward the side palace. The rooms of Consort Lan and Consort Yu both had their lights on. At that moment, Adai came out from inside and, upon seeing him, smiled and said, "You've just arrived?"
Niman replied, "Where is the Great Khan resting tonight?"
Adai understood his meaning and softly said, "Great Consort invited the Great Khan to Consort Yu's room, but the Great Khan said he was too lazy to move, so tonight he is resting in Qingning Palace. As for the matters in that room, you should prepared, and tomorrow the news needs to be released. The funeral arrangements should be made, not too extravagant, but it should look proper."
"In the middle of the first month, who arranges a funeral?" Niman said. "I will handle it. Anyway, the Great Khan and the Great Consort don't mind, and her maternal family has no one to speak for her."
Adai laughed and said, "At least make it a little presentable, otherwise, the resentment will fall on us."
In the side palace, Baoqing saw Niman and Adai talking under the eaves of Qingning Palace. Turning around, she saw Hairanju leaning over the kang, playing with Princess Azhe. Baoqing came over and said, "Why did you keep the little princess behind? The little princess wakes up and cries at night, and when the Great Khan arrives, he won't be able to sleep well."
Hairanju ignored her and kissed Azhe again. Baoqing mumbled from the side, "Princess Yatu and the others went with their wet nurse tonight. Consort Yu shouldn't do this, always leaving the child with..."
"Baoqing, I'm hungry," Hairanju interrupted her. "Go heat up the snacks."