It turned out that the maid and the house servant had been secretly involved in a relationship in the backyard storeroom. When someone discovered them, the housekeeper apprehended them.
Although Qiqige was angry, she thought that if they were truly in love, it would be better to let them be. However, when it came to punishment, the servant pushed all the blame onto the maid, which infuriated Qiqige.
Dorgon watched her for a while, amused, and Qiqige finally asked, "Was your journey smooth?"
"Smooth," Dorgon replied, "But regarding the spy matter, I was a bit anxious. I couldn't hold myself back and ended up resolving it. Now that I think about it, it might not have been well-received by Hong Taiji. Perhaps I should have handled it better."
Qiqige asked, "Do you want me to go into the palace and find out?"
Dorgon shook his head, "No need. With the grudges I have with them, would I care about such a small thing?"
"But Hooge has a narrow mind. Who knows what trouble he might stir up?" Qiqige sneered. "Hong Taiji is a true hero, yet he couldn't produce a worthy son."
Dorgon scolded, "Don't be so arrogant. Hooge has his own abilities, but his position and status require him to consider many things. In contrast, I'm more carefree."
Qiqige said, "That's true. Hooge must be thinking that by the time his younger brothers grow up, he'll be old, and who knows if he'll live long enough to inherit the throne. Who knows if he'll be as fortunate as his father."
"Is Hong Taiji fortunate?" Dorgon shook his head. "There's certainly some luck involved, but he is truly remarkable."
Qiqige smiled and asked, "If there were no grudges, would you be willing to bow down to him?"
Dorgon replied, "I wouldn't. The Great Jin should be mine."
At that moment, the housekeeper came to the door and asked how to deal with the couple. Qiqige stood up and gave an order, "Kill the man, and keep the woman to serve as a maid."
Dorgon was stunned. He knew Qiqige managed the household well, and the stories of the strictness of the Fourteenth Consort were well known throughout the Eight Banners, but he didn't realize her methods were so ruthless.
"Qiqige, to kill him like this, isn't it..." Dorgon hesitated, feeling uneasy.
"You don't need to worry, I know what should be done," Qiqige said confidently. She clearly understood who deserved punishment. After the interrogation, she discovered that several maids had nearly been mistreated by him. The man had used his position of power in the household to take advantage of them, thinking no one would dare to report him. Such a beast didn't deserve to live.
This kind of incident happening in her household was an absolute disgrace to her, and she couldn't tolerate it.
Since this was the case, Dorgon didn't say anything more. Household matters were best left to his wife, especially considering that he himself was currently in trouble.
Qiqige, not wanting him to be upset, decided to bring up something more positive: "Did you know? Yuer and Hairanju have made up, so the palace is peaceful now."
Dorgon responded indifferently, "Really?"
That night, Hong Taiji had dinner in the Qingning Palace. Jeje was at her monthly circle, didn't want him to stay and subtly suggested that he go elsewhere. Naturally, she couldn't mention whether he should be visiting Hairanju or Da Yuer.
Hong Taiji didn't clarify either, discussing some palace matters with her. Unexpectedly, Jeje only later learned why Yatu was beaten as well, and, like Yuer, she remarked, "Perhaps you should ask Hairanju. But the matter is already over, there's no need to make a big fuss about it. Yuer handled it well, and it also gave her a chance to reconcile with Hairanju."
Hong Taiji smiled, "I understand."
After the meal, Yebusu and Sose came to pay their respects. Having been scolded by Hong Taiji earlier in the day, the two children were trembling at the sight of him.
Hong Taiji couldn't help but feel helpless, remembering how, as a child, he had also been terrified of his father. Back then, his father's discipline had been even harsher. He had often been beaten with a horsewhip, and even the most favoured Dorgon had once been beaten so badly that he was covered in bruises.
After leaving Qingning Palace, the two young princes were taken by their wet nurse. Yebusu returned to his mother's side. Yanja looked him up and down, anxiously asking, "Did your father beat you?"
Yebusu shook his head. "No, he was quite gentle at night. The Great Consort also gave us a few words of advice about studying hard."
Yanja placed her hand over her heart and then poked her son's head. "If only you were more capable. No matter what, you should at least be better than Sose."
Yebusu replied, "What good would that do? Even if I'm better than my older brother, once Consort Lan or Consort Yu give birth to a younger brother, Father will no longer care about us. You always tell me to be capable, but why do you still live here? There's a vacant room in the side palace; why don't you move there?"
Yanja was so angry she couldn't find a word to say, but she was unwilling to hit her son. Just then, a palace maid came in to deliver a charcoal heater, and Yanja, in her frustration, scolded the maid without thinking.
These trivial matters, the palace servants didn't care to report to their masters, and as soon as they saw the Great Khan enter Consort Lan's room, they knew the day had come to an end. They tidied up and prepared for the night shift.
In the side palace, Hairanju was resting against a soft cushion, holding an embroidery frame. As soon as Hong Taiji arrived, she quickly hid it under the blankets. However, Hong Taiji retrieved it and pretended to throw it into the charcoal stove. Hairanju, holding his hand, pleaded, "Great Khan, please spare me this time."
Hong Taiji glared at her. "Have you recovered?"
Hairanju nodded. "I'm better."
Seeing her like this, Hong Taiji couldn't bring himself to be angry. During her illness, Yuer had taken care of her, and Hong Taiji only occasionally spoke with her, as though they had been apart for a long time. He reached out to touch her forehead, still a little worried, and then pressed his own forehead against hers.
Hairanju, feeling shy, gently pushed him away. Her eyes were soft and affectionate as she said, "I'm really better. See, I'm not coughing anymore…Ahem, Ahem..." She quickly covered her mouth, but her slender fingers couldn't hide the smile in her eyes.
Her smile melted all the restlessness in Hong Taiji. He moved her aside a little and sat beside her.
This illness had almost taken her life, but it had also relieved her of her greatest burden. He knew that although Hairanju never mentioned Yuer in this room, and despite her saying she wouldn't interfere in matters between him and Yuer, she still cared for her sister. Only Hairanju would say: "Yuer is afraid. Don't be too harsh with her."
"What is this you're embroidering? A duck?" Hong Taiji asked as he shook the frame roughly.
"It's a mandarin duck," Hairanju replied, quickly snatching the frame back from him and hiding it carefully. As she turned around, she was met with a kiss. After a light peck, Hong Taiji deepened the kiss, but Hairanju pushed him away and anxiously said, "Great Khan, my illness isn't completely over yet."
"Is it really over or not?" Hong Taiji scolded her lightly.
"Even if I'm better, I still need to rest…" Hairanju lowered her eyes, feeling shy. "I don't have the strength yet."
Hong Taiji took her hand and said, "You need to regain your strength quickly, don't make me wait."
Hairanju nodded shyly. "I understand."
Seeing Hong Taiji resting with his eyes closed, Hairanju stared at him for a while before gently resting her head on his shoulder.
"Yuer is still willing to pay attention to me, I'm so happy," Hairanju said, "I thought I wouldn't be able to hold on anymore…"
Hong Taiji slowly opened his eyes and said, "I'm sorry for everything."
Hairanju replied, "You haven't wronged me, Great Khan. It's both you and I who have wronged Yuer."
Hong Taiji squeezed her hand tightly. "Don't overthink it, and don't force yourself. You and Yuer are sisters; even if you set me aside, what's the difference?"
"But I can't set you aside," Hairanju said, tears in her eyes. "When I saw you galloping towards me that day, I knew, I would never be able to make up for everything I owe Yuer. I've wronged her, and I'll never be able to repay her."
Hong Taiji held her in his arms. "Stop thinking about it."
But Hairanju continued, "Aunt told me to live well for my own sake, but I thought, no matter what, I need to be well. I'm afraid if I'm not, people will say Yuer bullied me, and I'm afraid you'll blame her, so I've been trying to be good. But it's so tiring, every day it's painful, and I finally can't hold on anymore."
"That's impossible," Hong Taiji said. "Even with you, my feelings for Yuer won't change."
"Yes, I've been too self-righteous," Hairanju said. "I won't think like that anymore. Thinking like that is what truly wrongs Yuer."
When Hong Taiji saw her cough, he scolded her gently. "You shouldn't strain yourself."
"I won't," Hairanju replied. "I won't force myself anymore. From now on, if I'm happy, I'll be happy; if I'm not, I won't. She's my sister, why should I worry about my own sister? She cares so much about me."
On the other side of the palace, in Yuer's room, she was holding both Yatu and Atu, telling them a story. Atu had already fallen asleep, while Yatu still had her eyes wide open, listening attentively.
When the story ended and it was time for bed, Yatu asked, "Didn't Father go to Auntie's room?"
Yuer replied calmly, "Father will come here too, and he'll go to your Great Mother's room, and to the other concubines' rooms. You know this, Yatu."
Yatu pouted slightly, feeling sorry for her mother, and cupped her face gently. "Will Mother not be able to sleep?"
Yuer shook her head. "I'll sleep soundly with you by my side, but you mustn't kick or punch in your sleep."
Yatu smiled and pulled Yuer down to lie beside her, snuggling into her mother's arms. "Mother, I'll always stay with you."
Da Yuer gently patted and comforted her, but her heart still felt empty. Perhaps, in a way, it was for the best; at least she still cared.