Palace Eaves

Zarut had once told her cousin that she was putting on an act, and she advised Consort Doutumen to "wait for the show."

However, the act she was preparing wasn't about blaming Da Yuer for her miscarriage; rather, it was about dismissing her own attendants so they could gather information on her behalf.

In those chaotic days, Zarut told anyone who would listen that Da Yuer had killed her child. She even wept before Hong Taiji, who didn't care for her at all, so that they would all believe she truly blamed Da Yuer, thus lowering their guard.

She was no naive maiden; she had a daughter from her previous marriage and, as a woman who had gone through childbirth, she knew well how she had lost her child. Even if Da Yuer had indeed pushed her that day, it wouldn't have caused such harm.

After the painful experience of induced labour, she thought back to the events of her two days in recovery, recalling how she had devoured nearly an entire box of delicacies—a treat she had never tasted before. It had been prepared by a Han chef at the suggestion of Qiqige, who was known for her worldly experience. Meanwhile, her "dismissed" maids reported to her that many items had been thrown out from the Qingning Palace. Although they didn't know the origin of the items, such disposal during this time seemed suspicious.

Zarut had now deduced two things: the food Qiqige sent her was almost certainly tainted, and, secondly, that the Fourteenth Beile's household's long-standing lack of an heir was also no coincidence.

Though she lacked concrete evidence, she understood Da Yuer's mind well enough. Da Yuer was very close with Qiqige; even with the obvious political rift between Hong Taiji and Dorgon, Da Yuer wouldn't have wanted her cousin to suffer harm.

Now, Zarut spoke in a chilling tone to Da Yuer, "If it wasn't you, it must have been the Fourteenth Consort who wanted to harm me. And that would mean she has harmed herself as well. All these years without a child... it's because the things she eats every day make it impossible for her to conceive."

"What are you saying…" Da Yuer's head felt like it was buzzing as Zarut's words sank in, especially her final statement.

"Let's just say it's my misfortune to be caught up in all this. But since I now know why it happened, it's only right to clear your name as well." Zarut gave her a meaningful smile. "That way, you won't feel guilty toward me."

Da Yuer was no fool; she understood this was a threat. "What do you want?"

Zarut spoke coldly, "You know I have no hard evidence, but isn't it a strange coincidence? I ate the food from her household, and then I lost my child. You could go to Qingning Palace yourself—see if there's anything left sent by the Fourteenth Consort. I wouldn't be surprised if the Great Consort is already aware of this."

She circled Da Yuer, continuing, "But that's for later. For now, I'm just telling you that I'll speak to the Fourteenth Consort and advise her to be more cautious, to stop sending things around recklessly. If she's the one suffering, she shouldn't be dragging others down with her."

The thought of what Zarut suggested was terrifying. If Qiqige found out she'd been unknowingly drugged for all these years, it would crush her. Every memory of every bite she'd taken would become a new wound, cutting at her soul.

Da Yuer suddenly remembered how, after consuming dates prepared by Qiqige's kitchen, her children Atu and Yatu had experienced vomiting and diarrhoea. Could it be…?

"You tell me—was it the Great Khan who ordered the Fourteenth Consort to be drugged, or was it Dorgon who poisoned his own woman?" Zarut's sinister smile distorted her once-beautiful face into something monstrous.

"What are you implying?" Da Yuer clenched her fists. "Do you think I won't tell the Great Khan about this? He wouldn't tolerate your meddling!"

But Zarut appeared unfazed, her smile twisting. "If it was Dorgon, the Great Khan wouldn't harm me, I was the victim after all. But really, can you imagine Dorgon doing that? Everyone knows how deeply he loves his woman—everyone, even a newcomer like me, sees it. Now, think: who else has the power to ensure the Fourteenth Consort is fed a steady diet of poison, preventing her or any of Dorgon's women from bearing children?"

Da Yuer took a step back, visibly shaken. Sumala, who had been standing a little distance away, noticed her mistress's distress and grew concerned, but dared not approach without a summons.

"It was the Great Khan?" Zarut's gaze locked intensely onto Da Yuer's eyes.

"So what? You should keep silent. Or do you really want me to tell the Great Khan?" Da Yuer's heart ached, painfully confronted with the possibility that she was willing to believe Zarut's words.

She recalled how the Great Khan had been visibly displeased when he learned of the incident with the dates Qiqige sent. If all these pieces fit together, it would explain why Qiqige had not borne children in all these years… because…

"But do you think the Great Khan would want you to know this?" Zarut sneered. "If he truly is behind it, do you think he'd be pleased with you for exposing a secret he's hidden for so long?"

Da Yuer glared at her, her heart twisted in fear and confusion.

Zarut said: "You should understand, after Hairanju arrived, how much weight do you still hold in the Great Khan's heart? You've been careful in protecting your position, haven't you? If this matter comes to light, adding another layer of misunderstanding between you two, wouldn't that just hand the Great Khan over to your sister?"

Da Yuer turned around, intending to leave and no longer waste time with Zarut. But Zarut reached out and stopped her, saying: "It's simple. If you agree to my request, I'll keep this matter secret, not telling the Fourteenth Consort or anyone else."

Da Yuer glanced sideways at her: "What do you want?"

Zarut said: "We can benefit each other. First, get your sister out of here."

"She has no grievances with you."

"But the Great Khan likes her, and that's enough to be my enemy."

"Since you know, why would you want to expel her? You must be dreaming."

"As long as you nod, as long as you cooperate, I have the ability to force your sister out. Even if the Great Khan doesn't allow her to leave, she will definitely leave." Zarut sneered, "I'm willing to take the risk. Worst case, you can tell the Great Khan, and let him deal with me. But before that, I will definitely make your beloved cousin suffer crazily, exposing the conflicts between the Great Khan and Dorgon to everyone. Even if I die, I won't let you have it easy."

"You're crazy." Da Yuer pushed her hand away and walked forward without looking back.

"Bumubutai, I'm waiting for your response…"

A nauseating sound came from behind. Da Yuer's head was blank. Her children, who had run ahead and then come back looking for her, urged her to hurry up and go out.

Da Yuer didn't even realize how she left the palace and arrived at the Fifteenth Beile's mansion. She even forgot that today she was supposed to find a way to get Fan Wencheng's concubine back.

Until she saw Yatu and Atu rushing towards their aunt, and Qiqige sitting on the ground, holding the children. The three of them laughed together in a circle, and the maids hurried to help. Qiqige picked up Atu and said, "Little girl, you're so strong! You knocked Aunt down."

She loved children so much. She longed to have children for Dorgon, but for so many years, she had been taking medicine that severed her connection with her children. Da Yuer could even imagine that the so-called pregnancy medicine Qiqige had been drinking all these years was actually contraceptive.

"Why did you come so late?" Qiqige waved at Da Yuer. "Everyone's been waiting for you. Dodo brought a troupe, and there are monkeys performing tricks, just waiting for you."

Da Yuer stiffly followed everyone to their seats. The temporary stage set up in the yard, with its red and green decorations, was very eye-catching against the snowy backdrop. The children were overjoyed, especially Atu, who kept pulling on her hand, saying, "Mother, they will do somersaults."

Qiqige noticed Da Yuer's odd behaviour and quietly asked, "What's wrong with you today? You look so listless. Did aunt scold you before you left? Or... did the Great Khan make you angry because of Hairanju?"

Da Yuer stared at her, not knowing how to answer. Should she say it was because of you?

"I'm fine. Azhe was restless last night, and I didn't sleep well." She finally came up with an excuse, "I was thinking, I should have the nurse take them away earlier, or else they'll keep tormenting me."

Qiqige chuckled, "You've sent them off several times, but you always bring them back and raise them yourself. The Great Khan and your aunt spoil you too much."

As they were talking, the maids came with tea. Da Yuer, distracted, lost focus and the tea spilled onto her. The scalding liquid splashed across her, but luckily her thick winter clothing prevented any burns.

She looked up and saw the girl who had brought the tea. The maid had a beauty mark between her brows, pale skin, and a pretty face. Wasn't she Fan Wencheng's concubine? Fan Wencheng had said this girl was easily recognizable because of the red mole between her brows.

Da Yuer's mind hardened, and without thinking, she slapped the maid, sending her to the ground.

Everyone froze in shock. Da Yuer, brushing off the tea from her clothes, turned to Fifteenth Consort and angrily said, "How do your servants serve others in your house?"

Fifteenth Consort, frightened, quickly stood up and said, "Sister Yu, forgive me! I-I'll have someone punish her right away..."

At that moment, a side consort from the estate hurried over to whisper in Fifteenth Consort's ear. She glanced at the maid kneeling on the ground, looking embarrassed, and said hesitantly to Da Yuer, "Sister Yu, this girl isn't just a maid. She... she's Dodo's new concubine."

Da Yuer deliberately sneered, "I don't care who she is. I'm asking if you manage your household properly. Today it's me. If it were the Great Consort or the Great Khan, would they tolerate such a lack of manners?"

Among the many wives of Qinwang and Beile, there were ones that were older than Da Yuer. But since Da Yuer was the Great Khan's side consort, her status was the highest. If she chose to act, no one dared speak up. They all exchanged glances, thinking that Da Yuer's temper had grown even fiercer.

"Sister Yu, how should we handle this? I'll listen to you."

Fifteenth Consort was frightened, especially with Dodo avoiding the situation and not being at home. She had no idea how to handle the matter. She understood that Dodo didn't care much for this concubine, so he had left her to do menial work in the estate. In truth, she wasn't even really a concubine.

"Today is your birthday, it's bad luck to draw blood." Da Yuer held on to Sumala to go change clothes, glancing at her and saying, "Kick her out. It's freezing cold outside, and life and death are in fate's hands."

"Yes, yes." Fifteenth Consort immediately agreed, instructing the maids to throw the girl out, while also ushering Da Yuer to change clothes. Once they left, the women remaining behind immediately started talking, some even pulling Qiqige aside, asking, "Is Consort Yu on something today?"

Qiqige also felt something was off. What was going on with Yuer today?

But then she suddenly thought of Dodo's new concubine. Could it be...? She pointed to a concubine and asked her to come over. "Was that concubine the one Dodo took in a while ago?"

The concubine looked around nervously and spoke in a low voice, "Yes, she's the woman from Fan Wencheng, Fourteenth Consort. You know her, don't you?"

Qiqige's heart skipped a beat. She felt like she was beginning to understand.

In the room, Fifteenth Consort was changing Da Yuer's clothes, repeatedly apologizing. The innocent little Consort hadn't realized anything yet, afraid she might have offended someone.

Da Yuer felt a little pity for her but didn't want to stay any longer. She didn't even know if today's matter had been resolved. In fact, before seeing the maid, she had already forgotten everything she needed to do.

"I'll go back to the palace. You don't need to fuss about it." Da Yuer stood up and said, "Leave the children here. Someone will come to pick them up later."

Fifteenth Consort didn't dare try to keep her. She accompanied Da Yuer to the door, nervously watching her leave. Turning back, she saw Qiqige had arrived, and hurried over to ask, "Sister, do you think Dodo will blame me?"

Qiqige comforted her for a moment before instructing her people to keep an eye on things. Later, the news came that the maid had been thrown out of the Fifteenth Beile's residence and was quickly picked up by someone. While they didn't follow her to know where she was taken, it was clear that the whole thing had been well-planned.

That night, Qiqige went home and told Dorgon everything. Dorgon frowned deeply: "So, Consort Yu was here to get back Fan Wencheng's woman. What did Fan Wencheng say to her?"

Qiqige shook her head: "I don't know what Fan Wencheng said, but regardless of what it was, Dodo's actions were wrong. Especially since it's one of Yuer's teacher's women. You know how Yuer's temper is—she can't stand it!"

Dorgon clenched his fists: "That little brat, Dodo..."

Qiqige laughed: "So this is the reason. Today, Yuer seemed so nervous, like her soul was floating outside her body. If she was pretending, then it was too convincing; if not, it's kind of funny."

As night deepened, Da Yuer sat alone in the side palace. Her outburst at the Fifteenth Beile's residence earlier had earned her a scolding from her aunt, who accused her of being petty and immature. But today, she hadn't listened to a word of it.

When she left Qingning Palace, she saw Zarut standing under the eaves, smiling at her... that smile so twisted and sinister.

"Why aren't you lighting the lamps?" The curtain lifted, and a gust of cold wind blew in. Da Yuer looked up and saw Hong Taiji standing there, smiling as he said, "I heard you were quite fierce today?"

Da Yuer stared at him blankly. What should she do now?