Hong Taiji was preparing for a personal expedition, and for the time being, only Dorgon and a few others knew about it. To ensure the success of the campaign, they would never let this information leak. That day, after leaving the palace, they went to secretly plan the routes for the army's departure.
As they exited the palace, Jirgalang took the lead, while Dorgon and Dodo followed behind. Dodo said, "Hong Taiji will probably take Hooge along, right? Later, he'll casually grant him military merits and restore his title of Qinwang"
Dorgon was eager for Hooge to be taken away and replied, "Why leave him here alone? To oversee the kingdom? Is he even worthy?"
Dodo sneered, "Exactly. If he turns against his own father, are we supposed to help Hong Taiji come back and fight his son?"
That night, Hong Taiji went to Guanju Palace to be with Hairanju. When he asked about the events of the day, Hairanju had already been to Yongfu Palace to see her sister. She said that when she arrived, Yatu was being punished, her little bottom in the air as she was spanked—though it wasn't too harsh, just a few pats.
"Apparently, Yatu refused to greet Gui Fei," Hairanju said softly. "Yuer disciplined her, and Yatu has already admitted her mistake."
Hong Taiji nodded. "Yuer has always been meticulous in teaching the children. I've never had to worry about that. But she went too far this time. Beating Sayin Noyan like that—if anything happens to the baby in her belly, what should I do with her?"
Hairanju asked gently, "What would Your Majesty do?"
Hong Taiji was stunned and, after a moment of reflection, said, "Naturally… I would let it go."
Hairanju smiled. "Since that's the case, why should Yuer show weakness? Why let her daughter suffer humiliation for nothing?"
Hong Taiji glanced at her and said, "You just keep indulging her."
Hairanju merely smiled without a word, then placed the new insoles she had just sewn into his boots. "It's getting cold, Your Majesty should wear warmer clothes."
Hong Taiji said casually, "If you still have the energy, make me a few more pairs of thick insoles."
Hairanju looked at him, sensing something unusual. Sure enough, Hong Taiji said, "At the end of the year, I will lead a campaign to Joseon. It's cold there."
Her heart tightened. The days when the emperor would be gone from home for long stretches, just as Sumala and Baoqing had once said, were finally upon her.
"I understand." Hairanju said softly, "I'll urge them to make a few more pairs of new boots. New shoes may not fit well at first, so you should wear them around now. By the time you take them with you, they will be comfortable."
She was not afraid of separation, but she worried deeply about Hong Taiji's safety. War was no child's play.
In the past, she had only heard stories of Hong Taiji's conquests, how the Jin army swept across the land, expanding its borders. Back then, she merely thought of her sister and aunt in Shengjing, wondering if they were safe. She had never imagined that the legendary, god-like figure would one day become the deepest worry in her heart.
"Don't be afraid. I'm only going to assert authority. I won't be at the front lines, and I won't be in any danger." Hong Taiji reassured her gently, "I'll be back soon. Your due date is in the spring—by spring, I will be back."
Hairanju smiled softly, her voice calm and composed. "I'm not afraid. I have my aunt with me, and Yuer too."
"Her…" Hong Taiji sighed lightly, his expression complex. "Don't tell Yuer yet. I'm planning a secret campaign to catch King Yi Jong off guard. The fewer people who know, the better."
Hairanju hesitated, her words stuck in her throat. She dared not ask if Hong Taiji was keeping it from Yuer because he didn't trust her or because he thought it unnecessary. Either reason would be too cruel for Yuer.
After dinner, Hong Taiji specially went to see Yatu. Upon hearing the news, Sumala ran excitedly to inform Da Yuer.
Da Yuer only responded indifferently with an "Oh," and asked, "Yatu didn't misbehave in front of His Majesty, did she?"
Sumala had hoped that Princess would take the opportunity to go see Yatu with His Majesty. Perhaps they would have a chance to talk, and maybe His Majesty would stay the night. But Princess' detached attitude made it seem as though none of this had anything to do with her.
The only thing that comforted Sumala was that Princess no longer cried at night. She didn't secretly shed tears anymore.
When Hong Taiji returned from his daughter's residence, Yongfu Palace was dimly lit, with only a single lamp flickering in the darkness. The palace maids stood silently at the entrance, heads bowed, the atmosphere lifeless and cold.
Hong Taiji felt an inexplicable surge of irritation, though he couldn't quite pinpoint why. With his hands clasped behind his back, he turned away and returned to Hairanju's side.
Inside Yongfu Palace, Da Yuer lay quietly on the kang, the blanket covering half her body. She was playing with a string Yatu had left behind, weaving intricate patterns with it.
She heard Hong Taiji's footsteps. Once, that familiar sound would tug at her heart, but now, it no longer stirred even the slightest ripple. She quietly put the string away and turned over to sleep.
A few days later, Qiqige entered the palace and happened to encounter Tesina, who had also come to greet the Empress and the four consorts. Tesina was not the consort of the First Prince, yet she was performing these duties on behalf of the consort. Considering Tesina's relationship with Nam Jung, the situation was crystal clear. Qiqige watched coldly and sneered in her heart: "How is it that Haoge can never find someone suitable to handle these matters for him?"
Qiqige wandered through the study and finally found Yuer. The two of them sat across from each other, drinking tea. Outside, the autumn wind was bleak, and fallen leaves rustled continuously, making a faint swishing sound.
As they spoke about recent events inside and outside the palace, Qiqige spoke bluntly: "Everyone outside says you're formidable. But why bother? Those young concubines may not amount to much, but they're still lying beside His Majesty. In the future, it's better to just turn a blind eye."
Da Yuer gave a cold laugh. "And the two concubines in your household—aren't they all obedient and well-behaved?"
Qiqige scoffed. "Are you blaming me now? Fine, but what about Nam Jung? Can she be compared to those young concubines? Right now, her connections are thriving, especially… with the First Prince's household."
Da Yuer looked at Qiqige calmly. Every blade of grass and every tree in Rui Qinwang's residence was under Hong Taiji's watchful eye. Could Hong Taiji not be wary of his own son?
If the reason for his anger at the imperial tomb that day, when he demoted Hooge to a Beile, was merely because of a single remark about the women of Khorchin being barren or that the Empress Dowager Abahai was a lowly woman, then Hong Taiji would have been far too quick-tempered.
Clearly, he had long been displeased with Hooge and Yoto acting in unison, and he intended to separate these cousins. So if Hooge was colluding with Nam Jung, there was no way it could escape Hong Taiji's eyes.
"I know what I'm doing. Don't worry about me." Da Yuer spoke lightly. "Nam Jung and I have been at odds since the day she entered the palace. If she's willing to endure and swallow her pride, let her endure. Look at how Shu Fei is now. His Majesty selected an orphaned girl from the imperial clan for her to raise. She's living a quiet, content life in her own quarters. Isn't that better?"
"Can't she have ambition and desires?" Qiqige teased deliberately. "You're His Majesty's Zhuang Fei, but she's also a legitimate Gui Fei."
"That depends on whether she's worthy and if she's fated for it." Da Yuer cut the overly sweet pastry into small pieces, tasting only a bite with Qiqige, her tone cold. "If Nam Jung refuses to accept her fate, she's just waiting for death."
Qiqige's heart trembled. She whispered softly, "Yuer, what's wrong?"
Da Yuer looked at her. "What's wrong with me?"
"Nothing… I just…" Qiqige reached out her hand, expecting to touch cold fingers, but was surprised to find Da Yuer's hand was warm—solidly warm. "Yuer," she said softly, her voice carrying a trace of unease. "Take care of yourself."
Qiqige left the palace with a heavy heart. When she returned home, she happened to encounter several deputy commanders from the Plain White Banner coming to pay their respects to Dorgon. Though Qiqige rarely set foot in the military camps, she could recognize every one of Dorgon's trusted men.
"General Eshuo, it's been a long time." Qiqige stood on the steps, addressing the man who was bowing to her. "The last time I saw you was two years ago, wasn't it? How are your wife and children?"
"Thank you, My Lady, for your concern. My wife and children are all well, thanks to the blessings of His Lordship and My Lady." Eshuo replied respectfully. "But at this moment, His Lordship has summoned me urgently. I beg your forgiveness, My Lady."
Qiqige raised her eyebrows slightly and stepped aside. "Go quickly then, don't delay."
The men filed in one after another, and Qiqige watched as their horses were led away, her heart sinking with a heavy sigh.
What Dorgon had predicted was coming true—there was really going to be a war. Her heart felt restless. Her aunt had been right—after two years of peace, she had become less steady than before.
Two hours later, the meeting in the study finally ended. The men left in small groups, but Dorgon kept Eshuo behind.
Eshuo had not been assigned any task today, and he was puzzled as to why Dorgon had summoned him so urgently. It was only now that Dorgon spoke. "You've been running around for the past two years. It's time to stay in Shengjing and rest for a while."
"Thank you, My Lord, but I'm not tired," Eshuo replied. "Whatever task My Lord assigns, I am ready to carry out."
Dorgon gestured for him to be patient. He walked to the door, looked around, and then spoke in a low voice. "There will be a campaign against Joseon at the end of the year. Have you heard any rumours?"
Eshuo dared not conceal anything. "I have heard a little."
Dorgon continued, "When that time comes, you will stay behind to guard Shengjing. If anything happens in the palace, you must protect the inner court for His Majesty."
Eshuo's heart trembled. He sensed that Dorgon's words carried deeper meaning. But Dorgon was his banner lord, and he was Dorgon's loyal servant. If Dorgon wanted him to advance, he could not retreat.
"But…" Dorgon's brows furrowed. "If I remember correctly, you and Tung Tulai were taught by the same master, weren't you?"
"My Lord remembers correctly," Eshuo replied. "Tung Tulai is my junior. We are as close as brothers. He is now serving as the commander of the Han Banners' Plain Blue Banner."
Dorgon said coldly, "Remember this—if anything unusual happens in the palace, have Tung Tulai take the Han Banners to protect the consorts and the princes. The men of my Plain White Banner are not to get involved."
"I understand, My Lord," Eshuo answered firmly. "My Lord, the expedition to Joseon will be in the dead of winter. Please take care of yourself."
Dorgon gave a cold laugh. "The one who needs to take care… is not me."
The northern wind blew bitterly, and the year-end approached in the blink of an eye. By the end of November, Hairanju's belly had grown high and round. On the day of Hong Taiji's birthday, she was supported by Yuer and surrounded by a group of palace maids as she made her way to the Ten Kings Pavilion, watching as the emperor personally led the army on the expedition.
Today, the women were not permitted to attend the send-off. Seeing her sister's unease—this was, after all, Hairanju's first time experiencing Hong Taiji going off to war since coming to Shengjing—Da Yuer suggested that she wanted to go and watch, asking if Hairanju would like to come along. Hairanju immediately nodded.
In the wind and snow, they wrapped themselves tightly, leaving only their pale faces exposed. In the distance, atop a tall horse, Hong Taiji looked majestic like a god, his gaze sharp like an eagle's, commanding awe and respect. Hairanju unconsciously straightened her back.
Out of nowhere, Qiqige appeared, grinning as she squeezed in with them.
On the other side, the war drums thundered, and Hong Taiji rode off, followed by the resounding shouts of the ministers and soldiers, echoing to the heavens.
Dorgon galloped closely behind, and as his eyes swept past the crowd, they landed on Da Yuer's face. Though it was only for a moment, he felt as if Da Yuer had met his gaze.
"Dorgon, come back early!" Qiqige waved at her husband, but Dorgon was already riding away.
"Sister, let's go back. It's freezing out here." Da Yuer supported Hairanju, who nodded stiffly, holding her sister's hand tightly. Da Yuer smiled gently. "It's really fine. The Emperor will be back soon. Don't get so anxious that you bring the baby out early!"
Hairanju laughed through her tears. "Don't scare me like that!"
When they returned to the inner palace, they happened to see Shu Fei leaving Linzhi Palace with her adopted daughter. The child was an orphan from the imperial clan, adopted by Hong Taiji and entrusted to Shu Fei's care at Jeje's suggestion. The little girl, around three years old now, was at the most adorable age.
Shu Fei guided the child to greet the elders. Hairanju was surprised and asked, "Why is her little face so red? Is that… a slap mark?"
"No… it's not…" Shu Fei tried to hide the child behind her, but the frightened girl, only realizing the situation now, suddenly burst into loud sobs.
Da Yuer glanced toward Linzhi Palace and smiled, "Come sit in my room for a while. Let the child have some sweets."
They took Shu Fei and the little girl to Yongfu Palace. Hairanju gently coaxed the little princess. She was best at comforting children, and the little girl snuggled against her belly, asking softly, "Your Highness, is there a little sister in there too?"
Hairanju smiled and said, "Yes, she'll be out soon to play with you, okay?"
Qiqige and Da Yuer chatted with Shu Fei and finally learned what had happened. It turned out that while the children were playing together, hot water had accidentally spilled on Nam Jung's daughter. Although it hadn't caused any real harm, Nam Jung had overheard the commotion and demanded that Shu Fei take the child to Linzhi Palace, where she slapped the little girl twice right in front of her.
Qiqige gritted her teeth and said angrily, "His Majesty hasn't even left Shengjing yet, and she's already acting arrogant."
Da Yuer turned and saw the child chatting peacefully with her sister. She gently advised Shu Fei, "Don't bother with her. If she troubles you again, come to me or go to Her Majesty. Now, she's no longer your superior. You're raising an orphan for the Emperor—you represent him. Don't let the child suffer."
Shu Fei was deeply grateful. Since coming here, the Empress and her two nieces had treated her with nothing but kindness. She only wished to live out her remaining years in peace and had no desire to be dragged into Nam Jung's schemes.
When Qiqige went off to play with the child, Shu Fei gently took Da Yuer's hand and whispered, "You must be careful. She's been very close to Tesina lately, and it seems like she's been receiving instructions from the First Prince's household. Just now, when I was at Linzhi Palace, as she was hitting the child, a wad of paper fell from her sleeve. She immediately stepped on it and hastily drove us away."
Da Yuer frowned slightly. Wasn't Hooge supposed to have gone to Joseon?
=============================================================
For more chapters, please visit my Patreon page: www.patreon.com/c/Yukisworld