Palace Eaves

Seeing Hong Taiji's amused look, Da Yuer felt her curiosity piqued. She asked tentatively, "Then will you teach me? And promise that I won't mess it up. I can't afford to ruin this."

This matter involved the honour of Dodo and Dorgon, and Hong Taiji understood the importance. However, precisely because it affected their honour, he felt disinclined to care about it. Besides, Yuer seemed more interested in her lessons and in Fan Wencheng's stories.

He said, "Whether you mess up or not is up to you—how can I guarantee it? Worst case, I'll just say a few nice words for you to Jeje if things go wrong."

Da Yuer puffed out her cheeks. "Then I won't do it."

Hong Taiji just held her in his arms and laughed silently. Da Yuer realized she was already on board with this plan, like it or not.

After they returned to the palace that day, she sent people under her name as Consort Yu to Fan Wencheng's residence three or four times, urging him to come to the palace the next day to teach the girls. By morning, another messenger was sent to ensure he arrived. Under all these watchful eyes, Fan Wencheng had no choice but to enter the palace with his arm in a sling, limping heavily.

Though Fan Wencheng was a scholar, after years following the Jin forces on campaigns across the land, he was no longer as delicate as typical literati. Yet he was still no match for Dodo and his men. That he survived at all was something to be thankful for.

Once he reached the study, he found that the princesses weren't there; only Consort Yu sat at the desk. He sighed, struggling to step forward to bow.

Sumala quickly supported him with a smile, saying, "Mister, please, be careful—don't go frightening our side consort."

She and the other palace attendants helped Fan Wencheng to a seat, while Da Yuer closed her book and said, "I was worried your appearance might frighten the children, so I gave them a few days off. But they were good—they all copied two pages of writing this morning."

Fan Wencheng quickly said, "The princesses are clever and diligent. It's this humble one's fault if they're behind in their studies."

Da Yuer chuckled, "When you were in the Ming dynasty, did you call yourself 'this humble one' as well?"

Fan Wencheng froze, looking at Da Yuer, unsure how to respond.

Da Yu'er closed the book in her hands as Sumala tactfully led the palace attendants out. She then said, "After studying with you for some time and hearing the Fourteenth Consort tell me stories, I've come to understand that in the Ming dynasty, scholars like you held a proud, lofty demeanour. Yet here in the Great Jin, you've become a servant."

Fan Wencheng's gaze dimmed, and he smiled bitterly. "The Side Consort may not know—by the time the Ming dynasty was in decline, even the backbone of scholars was trampled underfoot by eunuchs and powerful officials. I am a practical man, only wanting my wife, children, and elderly mother to live in peace. Sixteen years have passed since I pledged allegiance to the Great Jin, thanks to our wise Great Khan's kindness. My family was safely settled here. I no longer remember who my ancestors were; Han or Manchu, people are just people, aren't they?"

"The Fourteenth Consort told me your family has been settled in Shengjing since your ancestors arrived here," Da Yuer said gently. "Your family is here, your ancestors were here—how could you forget who they were?"

Fan Wencheng understood that Consort Yu was well-prepared today. He harboured resentment over the insult and couldn't bear losing his beloved woman. If Consort Yu could step in, it meant that Hong Taiji supported her. With his support, why should he fear Dodo's arrogance?

"To answer the Side Consort," Fan Wencheng began, "my ancestors were exiled here under false charges. At that time, this place was still called Shenyang, an inhospitable frontier land. For generations, they dreamed of returning to the capital, but..." He sighed softly, "There was never a chance."

Da Yuer smiled. "Then someday, you'll march into Beijing alongside our Eight Banner army and stand in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. That would fulfil your ancestors' wish. No matter who sits on the throne, the people under Heaven remain the same. As long as the ruler loves the people and the ministers care for them, the country prospers, and the people want nothing more than a peaceful life. Isn't this what you once said?"

Fan Wencheng quickly stood up, "This minister is humbled."

"Sit, Fan Wencheng," Da Yuer said with a smile. "You've suffered an injustice. I have a way to bring your concubine out of the Fifteenth Beile's residence. However, to have Dodo return her to you openly or apologize to you—that's impossible. I told you before, now that you're in the Great Jin, you're no longer a proud scholar but a servant, and servants cannot make their masters bow down."

Fan Wencheng's throat felt as if something had lodged in it, and he replied hoarsely, "Consort Yu, if you can save her, I am willing to endure any humiliation."

Da Yuer smiled. "You'll need to wait. I can't simply march to the Fifteenth Beile's residence and demand her return. What I need you to understand is this: you Han people value a woman's purity. Since she was taken by Dodo, some things are clear. I only hope that when you take her back, neither you nor your family will look down on her or cause her suffering. If that's the case, it would be better for her to stay in the Fifteenth Beile's residence, where Dodo might still show her some tenderness."

Fan Wencheng quickly responded, "I have already made up my mind. No matter how long it takes, as long as there's a way, I must bring her home. How could I possibly harbour any concerns over her 'purity'? It's men who violate a woman's honour, so why should we turn around and judge the woman? Shouldn't it be the man who bears the blame and shame?"

Da Yuer smiled. "It seems, Sir, that your words are indeed different from others. But you shouldn't concern yourself with reprimanding Dodo—that's not for you to ponder."

"Yes, I misspoke." Fan Wencheng clasped his hands and said, "This minister will never forget Consort Yu's great kindness."

Da Yuer replied with a smile, "Save your gratitude for when she's safely out. I can't guarantee I'll succeed in helping you."

Noting how Fan Wencheng now referred to himself as "minister" instead of "this humble one," Da Yuer could tell that his spirit had not fully resigned to servitude; he did not truly see himself as a mere servant. A servant's very life, let alone a woman, belonged to his master, but Fan Wencheng aspired to be a minister, not a servant.

"Let's start the lesson," Da Yuer said, but then she sighed, her expression troubled. "Mr. Fan, were we Mongols truly so cruel back then?"

Their lessons had progressed from the Tang dynasty to the fall of the Song and the rise of the Yuan. The Mongols had conquered the empire on horseback, similar to the Manchu's ongoing conquests, but the suffering and humiliation that the Yuan had brought to the Han people were unimaginable. If the Eight Banners entered the Central Plains and unified the empire, it seemed the Han people might face more hardship.

Fan Wencheng responded, "Consort Yu, the cruelty was not in the Mongols but in the Yuan dynasty's rule."

They continued discussing that era of history, while outside, a servant quietly withdrew and returned to the Grand Politics Hall. Upon hearing the account, Hong Taiji chuckled and shook his head, murmuring to himself, "She's handling things rather well."

Niman brought warm tea for the Great Khan and commented with a smile, "Consort Yu has always been clever."

Hong Taiji was silent, holding the tea cup thoughtfully. He knew Yuer was intelligent, but he worried that, being too perceptive, she might see the world's complexities too clearly, carrying unnecessary burdens and sorrows. He didn't want his woman to live with such weight on her heart.

That night, Hong Taiji stayed in the side palace with Hairanju. He sat at the edge of the kang bed, watching her work by lamplight, until he grew impatient and said, "Working with needles at night—aren't you afraid of ruining your eyes?"

Hairanju looked up at him. "How about when the Great Khan reviewing documents at night?"

Hong Taiji retorted, "Are you learning to talk back now?"

Hairanju put down her needlework, walked over with a smile, and asked, "Are you angry?"

Hong Taiji lay down, looking at her with a faint smile. "How could I be? I feel reassured now that you're more at ease and true to yourself."

Hairanju carefully removed Hong Taiji's boots, then sat cross-legged, gently rubbing his feet in her embrace. Her warm and attentive smile seemed to dispel all of his fatigue from the day with just one glance.

"You didn't do this during the day?" Hong Taiji asked. "Even when I come, you still don't stop for even a moment?"

Hairanju chuckled. "During the day, I was busy with Atu and Azhe. Today, even Yatu stayed by my side instead of going to class, I couldn't stop for a single moment. But I promised to make them dolls, and they are waiting anxiously."

"Did Yuer really leave all the children to you?" Hong Taiji asked.

Hairanju lowered her gaze. "Yuer lets me be close to them because she cares for me. I love children, and her children are like my own. Atu and the others are always around me, and I'm more than happy to care for them."

Hong Taiji understood. Hairanju had always loved children, especially Yuer's. Although she was usually quiet, reserved, and rarely spoke to others, she always smiled and chatted freely when she was around children. Naturally, when she was with Yuer, they often shared light-hearted conversations as well.

"One day, we will have our own children," Hong Taiji said, his tone soft but firm. "Take good care of your health, and it will come in time. If not, there are always Yuer's children."

Hairanju blushed, looking at him shyly. The smile in her eyes was full of happiness and peace, as though, in his arms, she was living again—feeling truly alive for the first time.

"Come here," Hong Taiji said, opening his arms to her.

Slowly, Hairanju crawled toward him and gently settled into his embrace. Hong Taiji's hand lingered on her soft arm, and he smiled. "I only saw you being pulled out of the water from a distance, back then. How could I have known it would lead to this? Even if you hadn't willingly obeying Wukeshan, I still despise him for trying to plot against me."

Hairanju softly spoke, "But he still plotted against you, didn't he?"

Hong Taiji shook his head. "What's done willingly isn't plotting. He never had the right to do so."

Hairanju lowered her gaze. "Whether I live or die, I have no ties left to Khorchin."

Hong Taiji, full of tenderness, said, "My bad. Why bring up such things and upset you? I won't mention it again."

"Mm." Hairanju didn't want to feel sad over that person either. She got up, taking a warm cloth to wipe Hong Taiji's face. He asked, "Aren't you going to learn Chinese characters?"

Hairanju handed him the warm cloth with a gentle smile. "I can't learn them. If I look at them too long, I get dizzy."

Hong Taiji smiled. "It's fine if you don't learn them."

Hairanju thought for a moment and asked, "Is Yuer learning well?"

Hong Taiji nodded with a smile. "She's making real progress. The trouble is, she keeps asking more and more questions. It's starting to drive me crazy."

His words were said with a smile, but there was a certain pride in his eyes. Seeing that Hong Taiji still cherished his sister as much as ever, Hairanju felt a sense of relief in her heart.

She couldn't bring herself to ask him to be kind to Yuer, though. She didn't feel she had the right or the capacity to say such things.

Hairanju understood that she and Yuer were alike in their feelings. Despite the order of things, despite the fact that Hong Taiji originally belonged to Yuer, now that she had him, she couldn't bring herself to let him go.