Palace Eaves

Time quickly passed, and before long, the twelfth lunar month was halfway through. One day, Dorgon was summoned to the palace. Qiqige saw him off early in the morning and, upon turning back, noticed a maid from the side courtyard waiting by the road. Her heart tightened, sensing it wouldn't be good news.

Indeed, both concubines had begun their monthly cycle; they hadn't conceived Dorgon's child during that half-month period. It seemed likely, then, that perhaps Dorgon was unable to father children.

Qiqige had always enjoyed her husband's strength and vigour during their time together, and to her, no man could possibly be more powerful or virile than Dorgon. If that were the case, then why couldn't he father a child?

She couldn't conceive, and neither could the concubines. Did they need to bring in more women to try?

No secret lasts forever. If she sought a physician to examine Dorgon, rumours would surely spread. And over these years, had there not already been enough talk suggesting that Qiqige herself was infertile?

In the afternoon, Qiqige entered the palace. Ever since Da Yuer had started attending classes with the girls, the palace had become much quieter. After exchanging a few words with Jeje, she made her way alone toward the study.

Along the way, she encountered Consort Doutuomen sisters, Zarut stared at her intensely, giving Qiqige an uneasy feeling.

When she finally reached the study, she found Da Yuer teaching the children, prompting her to ask, "Hasn't Fan Wencheng come today?"

Da Yuer replied, "He was here in the morning, but I haven't seen him since midday. I've sent someone to inquire."

Qiqige chuckled and asked, "So you're a teacher now too?"

Da Yuer smiled sheepishly. "Just fooling the little ones."

As the children practiced their writing, the two women stepped outside to enjoy the sun. It was that time in the afternoon when the sunlight was warm and bright, though it couldn't quite fend off the winter chill. Da Yuer had the servants bring a brazier to provide some warmth.

Once they were alone, Qiqige looked around before saying softly, "Even the concubines at the other courtyard couldn't conceive. My heart feels hollow; although it's no longer my responsibility, I don't feel happy about it."

Da Yuer asked sympathetically, "Their monthly cycles both came?"

Qiqige nodded, taking hold of Da Yuer's sleeve. "Good Yuer, please don't mention this to the Great Khan. You and I understand our respective roles, but I have no one else to confide in."

Da Yuer smiled gently. "Don't worry. Besides, the Great Khan has never inquired about our matters, and he knows I don't have anyone I'm particularly close to. Now that my sister and I no longer speak, you're really the only one I have."

Qiqige teased, "With such a close sister right by your side, yet you ignore her—don't you think you deserve it?"

Da Yuer lowered her gaze. "Then you might as well bring your own sister here and have her marry Dorgon."

The conversation took a turn that felt increasingly pointless. Even the Great Khan didn't concern himself with Da Yuer's actions—so why should anyone else?

Returning to her own concerns, Qiqige sighed, "I've taken endless fertility medicines, bitter on the tongue and bitter in the heart. But as much as I torment myself, it's my own business. Can I force Dorgon to do the same? If he had to take medicine or seek treatment, people would laugh, and even those who battle alongside him would look down on him. How could he maintain his pride?"

Da Yuer listened, feeling sympathetic but helpless. She had always thought that bearing children was a burden imposed on women—at least, that was why she had been married off to bear heirs for Hong Taiji. But now she realized that men, too, sometimes carry unspoken burdens.

"So..." Qiqige clutched Da Yuer's hand and said, "I've come up with a rather foolish plan, but I haven't talked to Dorgon about it yet. Yuer, can I discuss it with you first?"

"What is it? Don't be so nervous." Da Yuer had never seen Qiqige so flustered and anxious.

"I... I want one of the concubines to fake a pregnancy and then bring a baby girl home to raise." Qiqige blushed deeply. "This way, everyone would believe that it's me who can't bear children, not Dorgon's fault. What do you think?"

"Qiqige..." Da Yuer felt her heart ache. It seemed that Qiqige would gladly sacrifice everything for Dorgon's sake. How could there be such a foolish woman in this world, willing to give up everything for her husband? Qiqige was one such woman, and Da Yuer realized she was, too.

"We could bring home a little girl; she wouldn't be part of the royal line, so it wouldn't impact the family lineage," Qiqige said hesitantly, watching Da Yuer. "Yuer, do you support me?"

"I don't know," Da Yuer replied. "But I think Dorgon might be angry. How could he bear to see you carry such a burden?"

"I'm his woman. If I don't take on this burden for him, who will?" Tears welled up in Qiqige's eyes as she gripped Da Yuer's hand. "Good Yuer, please, please don't tell the Great Khan. I beg you."

"If you didn't trust me, you wouldn't have told me this," Da Yuer said with a smile. "You know deep down that there's no need for such promises between us."

At that moment, palace servants arrived with a brazier and refreshments, so they could no longer continue their conversation. Oddly, however, they waited for a long time, and Fan Wencheng still did not appear. The messenger sent to inquire returned, saying that something had happened in Fan Wencheng's household.

The next day, Fan Wencheng still hadn't shown up, and even Hong Taiji became aware of it. Upon investigation, it turned out that Fan Wencheng had been disrespectful to Dodo, and the two had even come to blows. Fan Wencheng had been severely beaten by Dodo and his men, and was now nursing his injuries at home.

Fan Wencheng was a member of the Plain White Banner, and the leader of a banner had authority over its members' lives. Though Dodo was the head of the Bordered White Banner, Dorgon would always side with him in all matters. If they truly wanted to punish Fan Wencheng, Hong Taiji could interfere, but he didn't see a need to damage the brothers' reputation over this matter.

Later that afternoon, after finishing his work, Hong Taiji decided to go riding outside the city to stretch his muscles. As he stepped out of the Grand Politics Hall, he saw Da Yuer talking to Niman.

"What's going on?" he asked, standing with his hands behind his back and smiling at her as she ran toward him. "I'm going for a ride. Will you join me?"

"Yes, I'll go," Da Yuer replied, delighted, but quickly added, "But I came to ask you about why Fan Wencheng hasn't come recently. I heard that he was beaten by Dodo?"

Hong Taiji touched her hand, feeling her fingers icy cold, so he held them warmly in his palm as they walked toward the palace gates. Casually, he said, "Don't worry; I'll find someone else to teach you if necessary. I know you've been studying hard lately. Even Jeje praised you."

"Fan Wencheng's lessons are especially interesting. No wonder Qiqige learned so well," Da Yuer replied. "Remember when we studied Chinese characters before? That old teacher was just so dull—I couldn't focus at all."

Seeing her bright expression, free from her earlier gloom, Hong Taiji was pleased. "Then we'll let Fan Wencheng teach you again once he's recovered."

"Is he badly hurt?"

"Let's go ride first; when we return, I'll send someone to check on him."

"Why would Dodo beat him? Fan Wencheng is such a gentle person."

"You…" Hong Taiji shook his head. "Not another question until we reach the riding grounds. Why do you have so many 'whys'?"

When they arrived at the horse grounds outside the city, the area was already on high alert due to the Great Khan's presence. Inside, however, the atmosphere was lively.

Some of the beiles and beizi had arrived earlier, surprised by Hong Taiji's sudden appearance. Initially tense, they quickly began competing, each doing their utmost to show off in front of him.

Some female relatives had also come along, and before long, Da Yuer was surrounded by them. Although she wanted to follow Hong Taiji, she couldn't avoid interacting with her sisters-in-law.

With more people came more gossip. Things Da Yuer never heard in the palace were suddenly whispered all around her.

One of the women told her, "Consort Yu, have you heard? Fifteenth Beile took Fan Wencheng's concubine, and when Fan Wencheng went to get her back, Dodo beat him black and blue."

Da Yuer was stunned. "Dodo took Fan Wencheng's concubine?"

The women chattered excitedly. "It's said she's a beautiful Han girl, with skin as fair as goat's milk. She escaped from the Ming with her family and was rescued by Fan Wencheng on the way. They'd only been married a few months."

Da Yuer finally understood why Qiqige seemed to know everything. She herself was blocked by the palace walls, protected by both her aunt and Hong Taiji. In her small palace courtyard, she had thought herself quite important. But outside those gates, it was clear there was so much she hadn't seen.

"What will they do about it?" Da Yuer asked.

"What's to be done? Never mind just wanting a concubine—Dodo could make Fan Wencheng serve him as a grandson if he wanted," the women said, clicking their tongues. "But Dodo can't keep doing this. The Great Khan has repeatedly ordered us to treat the Han officials and people kindly."

Da Yuer glanced out at the riding grounds, where Hong Taiji was leading a group of Eight Banners riders at full gallop. He was so tall and imposing—a true hero.

She gazed at him with a soft smile until she realized she was surrounded by others, quickly averting her eyes.

One woman turned to her and asked, "Consort Yu, I heard you're learning Chinese characters with Fan Wencheng. Can you write my name?"

Da Yuer humoured her and chatted with the women for quite some time before finally returning to Hong Taiji's side. Annoyed, she said, "Now I understand why you brought me here. They chatter so much my ears are going deaf."

Hong Taiji chuckled, lifting her onto his lap in the saddle. "Hold tight. Let's take a couple of laps."

Da Yuer smiled in delight, staying by his side until the cold wind left her cheeks frozen. Finally, they dismounted to rest.

Hong Taiji guided her carefully through the deep snow, but at one point, he slipped, pulling her down with him. He scooped up snow and tossed it playfully at her, and she, exasperated, refused to get up from the snow.

Once they were back inside, warmed by the fire, and with fresh shoes and socks, they prepared to return to the palace. Da Yuer heard Hong Taiji order someone to check on Fan Wencheng's injuries. She sat beside him, saying, "They told me Dodo took Fan Wencheng's woman—that's why Fan Wencheng was disrespectful to him."

"Mm."

"You knew?"

"Yes." Hong Taiji replied calmly, "It's nothing unusual."

Da Yuer hesitated, holding back her thoughts.

Hong Taiji noticed her discomfort and said, "If you have an idea, why don't you take care of it?"

Her eyes widened, and she quickly waved her hands. "If I mess it up, you'll scold me. This is an important matter for the court. Aren't you afraid I'll embarrass you? I definitely don't want to cause you any trouble."