Qiqige could sense something was off with Dorgon. Something must have happened at the palace, but whatever it was, she decided to deal with it later. For now, she pulled him inside and warmed him by the charcoal brazier.
From behind, she embraced him tightly. Dorgon neither resisted nor responded, standing still for what felt like an eternity. Only when Qiqige began to sweat from the heat and effort did she relax.
"I'm fine," Dorgon finally said, as if snapping out of a daze. He lightly patted her hands. "Are you tired?"
"I'm not tired. I'm just heartbroken for you," Qiqige said, her voice choking with emotion. "Why torment yourself like this? Are you foolish? No matter what happens, we'll face it together. I've tied my fate to yours long ago. What do I have to fear?"
"Foolish talk," Dorgon scolded gently. "You, of all people, saying such nonsense."
He turned to face her, his expression softening into a smile. "I'm warm now. I'm fine. Don't worry."
Qiqige cupped his chin, her heart aching. "No matter what happens, don't punish yourself like this. Promise me."
They gazed into each other's eyes. Tears welled up in Qiqige's as she tiptoed to kiss him. Dorgon hesitated briefly before pulling her closer, wrapping his arms around her waist, and kissing her deeply.
"Qiqige, I'm sorry…" he murmured between breaths, his apology layered with unspoken emotions. But Qiqige, ever the devoted wife, never suspected that her husband's heart might harbour feelings for another woman. She merely smiled through her tears. "Just remember this—if you fall ill, so will I. If you let the wind chill you, I'll stand in it too."
Her robe had slipped halfway off, exposing her pale shoulder. Dorgon held her close and teased, "Then why don't we go stand in the wind together?"
Before she could protest, he scooped her up and made as if to carry her to the door. Qiqige shrieked, half-laughing and half-pleading, as they tumbled into each other's arms, passion igniting despite the freezing weather outside.
The next morning, as Qiqige helped Dorgon dress and prepare breakfast, she suddenly remembered Da Yuer and her aunt's message. "By the way," she said, "when you go to escort Nam Jung, don't stop her from bringing her maids into the palace."
Dorgon nodded. Qiqige added, "Hong Taiji arranged it this way partly for appearances. But I suspect he also wants you and Hooge to keep an eye on each other. He neither wants you to have any connections with Nam Jung nor allows his son to become too familiar with his stepmother."
Dorgon felt a jolt in his heart as he realized something—keeping an eye on Hooge, ensuring he didn't secretly ally with Nam Jung, would indeed be a favour to Yuer. Hooge had long struggled to find a reliable messenger within the inner court, and now it made sense why he had so eagerly volunteered to escort Nam Jung. That fool, Dorgon thought bitterly. He always wears his schemes on his face.
"Go tell Fourth Sister-in-law that I understand," Dorgon said to Qiqige. "I'll keep an eye on Hooge, but I can only watch for so long. She needs to stay vigilant too."
Qiqige laughed lightly. "You really care for Aunt, don't you?"
Feeling a pang of guilt, Dorgon quickly replied, "It's not like Fourth Sister-in-law had anything to do with Mother's death."
Not wanting to delve into such a sorrowful topic first thing in the morning, Qiqige urged her husband to eat a few bites of breakfast before seeing him off.
After he left, she sighed with relief and lazily returned to her chambers. Thinking of the passion they had shared the previous night, she gently touched her abdomen. What's the point of hoping? she mused. I shouldn't force what isn't meant to be.
As February drew to a close, the date for Hooge and Dorgon's military exercise approached. Dorgon had already grasped the real purpose behind Hong Taiji's arrangements: he wasn't looking for a victor but for the best training strategies. "It doesn't matter whose methods are better," Hong Taiji had once said. "The soldiers you train will all serve you."
But Hooge lacked such perspective. He failed to comprehend his father's intentions and tirelessly drilled his troops day and night, neglecting even his household matters. On this particular day, Hooge's consort, Hada Nara, visited the palace to report joyous news—another son had been born to the household.
Jeje maintained her courteous demeanour, instructing Adai to prepare lavish gifts and extending her congratulations. She briefly considered sending someone to visit Hooge's estate but decided against it. The relationship between Da Yuer and Hooge was currently strained, Hairanju was too fragile, and consort Doutumen were unlikely to suffice for such a task. Ultimately, Jeje chose to forgo the gesture altogether.
After Hada Nara departed, Jeje sighed to Adai, "While children and grandchildren are blessings, the Great Khan is only forty. He's hardly eager to be called 'Grandfather.' If anything, he'd wish to be ten years younger. Who doesn't dread aging?"
Adai responded softly, "Speaking of family matters, you haven't mentioned Wukeshan Taiji's recent letter to Consort Yu and Consort Lan."
Jeje frowned deeply, a look of worry crossing her face. "He's pressuring me again about producing heirs, demanding I make Hairanju and Yuer take fertility treatments. He's utterly heartless, treating his own sisters as pawns. It's pitiful—though I resent his coldness, I cannot deny that for the sake of Khorchin, those two must bear a son for the Great Khan."
Adai looked concerned. "But, my lady, the Great Khan has been frequenting both their chambers lately. While he spends more time with Consort Lan, he still laughs and jokes often with Consort Yu. I've even overheard him laughing heartily in her quarters a few times. If things are going so well, why is there still no news from either of them?"
Jeje said, "Yes, I'm just afraid the Great Khan might have his own plans or that his health hasn't been good lately. Either way, it's not something we can bring up."
As she spoke, she stood up and walked to the window, looking toward Da Yuer and Hairanju's quarters. With a smile, she said, "Adai, when we enter the Central Plains and move into the Forbidden City, we'll no longer be able to stand by the window and see them like this. After that, they'll have their freedom. But when I think about managing such a vast harem for the Great Khan, I can't help but feel nervous. At that time, there will certainly be more beauties by the Great Khan's side."
"And so what? You are the Great Consort of the Central Palace and will be the Empress of the Central Palace in the future," Adai said as she stepped forward to support her. "The Great Khan will never waver in your position."
Just then, they saw Hairanju leaving with Baoqing. Surprised, Jeje remarked, "It's rare to see her stepping out, but it's wonderful that her health has improved."
Hairanju had gone to the kitchen to prepare some snacks herself. Last night, she promised Yatu to make some for her, and Da Yuer had also approved, mentioning that today was Sumala's New Manchu script exam day. If she passed, she deserved a reward.
In the study, Sumala was nervously watching the teacher review her exam paper. She secretly glanced at Da Yuer, who was sitting nearby with a gentle smile. Suddenly, Da Yuer lightly patted her back, startling her. Sumala pouted, feeling wronged.
Fortunately, she passed. Over the past few days, under Da Yuer's combination of cajoling and scolding, she had finally managed to memorize the new script. Next, she would delve into grammar and learn how to read and write articles.
"You're very talented," the teacher praised. "To have learned so much in such a short time shows great aptitude. Fortunately, Consort Yu recognized your potential and ensured your talents weren't wasted."
Sumala was so delighted by the praise that her eyes crinkled into crescents. Just then, Baoqing arrived at the door with a smile, holding a food box. She said it was for the teacher, while snacks for Consort Yu and the princesses had been prepared in the next room.
"Please take a short break and enjoy these snacks. They were made by Consort Lan herself and are also the Great Khan's favourite," Da Yuer said graciously. After that, she took Sumala and the children to see her sister.
The children swarmed in. Though these little noble ladies lacked for nothing, eating snacks was far more fun than studying. Their chatter and laughter filled the air.
Hearing that Sumala had passed her exam, Qiqige praised her for her intelligence while inviting Da Yuer to join in enjoying the snacks.
Yatu held up a bun, offering it to her mother. However, the moment Da Yuer caught the smell, she felt uneasy. While she could handle other foods, the aroma of these buns, identical to those from that night, turned her stomach. Though it had been her favourite taste as a child, the scent now carried unpleasant memories.
It brought back the vivid image of Hong taiji and her sister's intimacy beneath the Fenghuang Tower. At that moment, as the smell resurfaced, so did her heartache. She realized once again that she had never truly forgiven her husband or her sister.
But seeing her sister and the children laughing and smiling with peace and happiness, Da Yuer didn't want her loved ones to be hurt. She forced a smile, avoiding the bun and eating just a few bites of other food, enduring until the break was over.
Hairanju, not wanting to delay the children's studies, had Baoqing pack up once the time came. She arranged with Yatu and Atu to sleep with them tonight and happily left.
As they walked toward Fenghuang Tower, Hairanju recognized the figure approaching from afar. Before Baoqing could even say it was the Great Khan, Hairanju had already recognized him.
Hong Taiji, too, spotted her and, pleased, walked over, saying, "It's rare to see you out. I thought you'd be stuck in the house all the time."
Hairanju weakly replied, "Would I have taken root and sprouted? The Great Khan only bullies me."
Seeing how good her complexion was and how clear and bright her eyes were, Hong Taiji felt fondness in his heart.
The wind had died down today, and the sunlight, breaking through the winter chill, began to feel somewhat warm. He took Hairanju's arm and said, "It's good to get out for a walk. Don't stay cooped up indoors all the time. I was just thinking of stretching my muscles. Let's go for a stroll together."
Hairanju was delighted and smiled, saying, "I heard that the plum blossoms are blooming well in the east. I wanted to pick a few branches, but my aunt said I shouldn't go to the Ten Kings Pavilion for no reason, so I didn't dare sent Baoqing either."
"I'll take you there," Hong Taiji said with a smile. "Although Jeje is cautious, you don't have to be so careful. You can go anywhere in the palace. This is your home."
Hairanju's heart warmed, and her eyes almost welled up. She quickly walked a few steps to catch up with Hong Taiji, staying by his side.