Snow clung to the plum branches, and with a snap, it tumbled down in a cascade. Hong Taiji deliberately snapped a branch over Hairanju's head, but the snow, hardened by the wind, fell as a chunk and struck her forehead. Her fair, tender skin quickly flushed red. Stunned by the blow, she blinked in confusion.
"Does it hurt?" Hong Taiji, now regretful and frustrated, scolded, "Why didn't you dodge?"
Hairanju gazed at him blankly, seemingly still trying to grasp what had happened. Then, with delight, her eyes shifted to the plum branch in his hand, and she reached out for it.
"It doesn't hurt?" Hong Taiji asked again, rubbing her forehead gently. "You always endure everything in silence. I can bully you, sure, but if anyone else dares, you mustn't just take it! Are you foolish?"
Hairanju, holding the plum blossoms in her hands, said softly, "With you around, no one dares bully me. Ever since I stayed with you, I've never been afraid."
Hong Taiji felt somewhat comforted but still dissatisfied. "Yet when Zarut crushed your hand like that, you didn't utter a word. The moment I'm not home, you end up hurt. How am I supposed to feel at ease with you?"
Hairanju pointed to a higher branch, gesturing for Hong Taiji to pluck it for her. Folding his arms, he responded, "Answer me properly first."
"But..." Hairanju lowered her eyes. "If only such women wouldn't come, it would be fine."
Huang Taiji chuckled knowingly. "So, you've heard about Nam Jung entering the palace?"
Hairanju nodded lightly, her pale fingers brushing the crimson blossoms on the branch. Her eyelashes quivered subtly, betraying her hidden displeasure.
"Jealous?" Hong Taiji leaned in slightly, chasing her gaze.
"Yes," she whispered timidly, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible. When she raised her eyes, she saw Hong Taiji's face lit up with a broad smile. Embarrassed, she added in a small voice, "Just a little."
Hong Taiji laughed heartily. "A little more jealousy wouldn't hurt." He reached up to pluck the higher branch, tapping it gently on Hairanju's head. Snow fell into her eyes, and as she rubbed them, her cheeks flushed even more beautifully. The plum blossoms in her arms seemed to pale in comparison.
She happily accepted the branch of plum blossoms, and Hong Taiji pulled her close, saying, "That woman is nothing more than a political pawn. I won't feel anything for her. Maybe one day she'll become favoured or gain status, but that's just for show. If you ever feel upset, tell me. Don't keep it bottled up."
Hairanju lovingly cradled her plum blossoms as she walked slowly back with Hong Taiji. However, these words were no longer new to her. "Yuer has already told me. I know, that is why I'm only a little jealous."
Huang Taiji raised his eyebrows. "Yuer told you?"
Hairanju nodded. "Yuer has shared many things with me. She knows so much."
Hong Taiji sighed. "In just these six months, Yuer has grown so much, so quickly that it pains me."
Hairanju understood his sentiment. As they approached the Fenghuang Tower, she couldn't help but recall the day Yuer had stumbled upon their intimate moment there. The memory of her sister's pain still filled her with guilt.
"Don't tell Yuer these things. Don't let her know I feel this way," Hong Taiji said. "Let her grow freely. Let her see a broader world."
Hairanju nodded gently. "I understand."
Hong Taiji felt reassured. He glanced again at the red mark on Hairanju's forehead, evidence of the earlier mishap. Shaking his head indulgently, he murmured, "Silly girl."
Hairanju pouted in shy protest, pushed him lightly aside, and carried her blossoms away.
At the Ten Kings Pavilion, Yoto stepped out of the Bordered Red Banner Pavilion, trailed by an entourage of officials jogging to keep up with him. One of them whispered, "The Great Khan truly dotes on that Consort Lan, bringing her here for romantic strolls."
"He's getting older and growing fond of home," Yoto chuckled. "Then again, the bitter fruit of past actions must eventually be reaped."
His followers seemed puzzled by his words, but Yoto's increasing closeness to the first prince in recent days had raised eyebrows. It seemed they were plotting something, though repeated reminders to tread carefully had gone unheeded. They feared Yoto might inadvertently alarm Hong Taiji.
At sunset, Da Yuer returned from the study with Yatu. Upon entering the room, she noticed a table adorned with plum blossoms. A maid explained that Consort Lan had sent them. Da Yuer stepped closer, examined the arrangement, and praised, "Sister's hands are truly skilled."
After changing into fresh clothes, Yatu headed to the next room to find her younger sisters and aunt. When Da Yuer joined them, her elder sister was teaching the children how to trim branches and arrange them in vases. With a smile, Yatu carefully placed a plum blossom in Da Yuer's hair.
Da Yuer teased, "Yatu, tell me—does Mother look better, or does Auntie look better?"
Yatu froze in surprise. Hairanju chided gently, "There you go again, asking silly things like that to a child."
Da Yuer, feigning seriousness, added, "Yatu, you must be honest."
The little girls, Yatu and her younger sister, whispered back and forth before coming to a decision: Yatu said their mother was prettier, while Atu declared their aunt was more beautiful. Hairanju scolded her younger sister gently, "Look at you, putting them in such a tough spot!"
While they spoke, a palace maid arrived to report that the Great Khan would be dining tonight in Consort Doutumen's quarters. Both women acknowledged the news. Da Yuer walked to the window, gazed out briefly, and said softly, "She seems so pitiful."
Hairanju replied, "I've been here so long, but I've hardly spoken with her."
"Same here. I often forget she's even around." Seeing no activity from the residence across the way, Da Yuer returned to sit by her elder sister. She mused, "Do you think she used to get along with that Nam Jung? If not, now that Nam Jung is back, will things remain peaceful? But if they did get along, would that give her support and lead to trouble in the palace later?"
Hairanju carefully trimmed the flower branches and replied indifferently, "With Aunt here, who could stir up trouble?"
Da Yuer shot her a look of disdain. "Someone still ended up with her fingernails broken after being stepped on by Zarut."
Hairanju looked at her sister. Yuer often said things that mirrored Hong Taiji's words. It amused her, and she felt a twinge of envy. But Yuer was Yuer, and she was herself. They were inherently different.
"Nothing to say now, huh?" Da Yuer said smugly. "Sister, you must listen to me from now on. Don't let yourself be bullied so foolishly."
"And you shouldn't be so impulsive and reckless," Hairanju advised. "If you let others plot against you, there's nothing I can do to protect you. I'm no good at arguing or defending myself, let alone shielding you."
Da Yuer waved her hand dismissively. "I've lived in Shengjing for ten years. I know everyone in the palace, young and old. Naturally, it's my job to protect you. What protection do I need from you?"
Just then, the curtain at the door lifted, and Baoqing peeked in. "Consort Yu, My Lady, the Great Consort asks if you're joining her for dinner."
Da Yuer waved lazily. "Not going, not going. Aunt has so many rules at her table that I can't even drink soup without being afraid to slurp. She disapproves of everything I do."
The words had barely left her lips when Jeje appeared in the doorway. Da Yuer's heart skipped a beat as Hairanju covered her mouth to stifle her laughter. Jeje entered with an imposing presence that radiated authority, prompting Da Yuer to duck behind her elder sister.
"Tell me," Jeje said, her voice calm but commanding, "who disapproves of you? I'll handle it for you."
Hairanju couldn't hold back anymore and burst into laughter. Even Jeje's stern demeanour softened into a smile as she pointed at Da Yuer. "Come here. Why are you hiding? It's been a while since I taught you the proper rules."
On his way to Consort Doutumen's quarters, Hong Taiji walked with a detached expression. Suddenly, he heard laughter coming from Hairanju's residence. He paused, glanced toward the sound, and noticed Jeje and Yuer's attendants standing at the door. Realizing they were together, his brows relaxed, and his mood brightened. Turning to the nervous figure waiting at the door of Consort Doutumen's quarters, his tone softened slightly as he said, "It's quite cold. Go inside."
Consort Doutumen obeyed, stepping aside as Hong Taiji entered and took his seat. After she approached to serve tea and water, Hong Taiji gestured for her to sit. He casually ate a few bites before saying, "Nam Jung is coming soon. You'll have some company. Zarut's death must have been hard on you, right?"
Consort Doutumen nodded, then shook her head, fumbling for words.
Hong Taiji put down his chopsticks and told her to look at him. His sharp gaze held hers as he said coldly, "There are things I should remind you of now, so you have time to think them through. I want peace in this palace. Everyone should live their own lives in harmony. Bringing you here means I will see to it that your future is well cared for. The Great Consort, Yuer, and Hairanju are kind and easy to get along with. As long as you don't betray their goodwill, they will treat you well in return."
The frail woman's heart raced as she knelt on the kang and stammered, "Great Khan… I—I understand your meaning."
"Sit down," Hong Taiji instructed. "There's no need to be so formal. We're just talking."
Yet as soon as she sat, he added, "But if you betray their kindness, I won't be so merciful."
Terrified, her face turned pale, and tears welled in her eyes. Hong Taiji reached out, gently lifting her chin, and smiled. "Don't be afraid. As long as you know what to do and say, and don't stray from the right path, no one will harm you while I'm here."
On the morning of February 20th, Hong Taiji left the city to inspect Dorgon and Hooge's final three-army drills. The occasional roar of the red-cloak cannon blasts echoed back, but the palace residents were no longer as startled as they had been the first time they heard them.
Da Yuer dragged her sister to the palace gardens, where they strained to see anything happening in the distance. Hairanju, shivering, urged her, "Yuer, it's cold. Let's go back inside."
"He refused to take me, no matter how I begged!" Da Yuer said angrily. "I really want to see it. Do you know how frustrating it is to only see part of it last time and be left with the rest stuck in my mind?"
Hairanju nervously replied, "You mustn't sneak out on your own. If Aunt finds out, she'll break your legs."
Da Yuer gestured toward Qingning Palace with a smirk. "I'm not that foolish."
Still unconvinced, Hairanju clutched her sister's hand and insisted, "You're coming back with me. I need to keep an eye on you."
Before they reached the door, the First Prince's wife arrived with her child. From a distance, she called out warmly, "Consort Yu, Consort Lan…"