Palace Eaves

"Yuer, are you drunk? Don't cry, don't cry..." Hairanju cupped her sister's face, seeing her dazed and hollow expression. She thought Sumala must be right, so she helped her sister to stand. But Da Yuer was unsteady, wobbling and unable to walk straight, so they had one of the stronger nursemaids carry her on her back.

Once back in her own quarters, Da Yuer sat on the edge of the heated kang bed, head lowered, still sniffling, clutching Hairanju's sleeve tightly, calling out, "Sister," every so often.

Hairanju couldn't remember the last time her sister had called her "sister" like that. Seeing Da Yuer like this made her heart ache, but she felt lost, unsure of how to comfort her.

Just then, a maid from Hairanju's palace rushed in, worriedly saying, "Side Consort, Baoqing is looking for you. Little Princess and Princess Atu are both awake and crying for you."

When Da Yuer heard her daughter's name, she seemed to snap out of her tears and tried to stand, eager to go to the children. But she was still quite drunk; as soon as she stood, her legs gave way, and she collapsed onto the ground.

The servants quickly helped her back onto the kang bed. Hairanju coaxed, "Yuer, I'll go look after the children. You stay put, and I'll come back to check on you soon. You're drunk—have Sumala bring you some sobering tea. You might end up feeling nauseous later."

Da Yuer sat there, dazed, and Hairanju, with no other option, instructed Sumala on how to care for her sister before heading off to calm the children.

She held little Azhe in her arms by the window, rocking him. Just a little over a year old, she was at that clingy stage. Lately, she had spent most of her days with Hairanju, and tonight, no one else could soothe her. But as soon as her aunt arrived, she quieted down.

On the bed, Atu was also there, softly calling for her aunt. Though the children kept her busy, Hairanju didn't mind. She loved children, especially those of her dear sister.

Baoqing peeked into Da Yuer's room, then returned, shivering as she stood by the brazier, rubbing her hands and stomping her feet. "Consort Yu has lain down. She seems to have stopped crying. Sumala said she drank half a bowl of sobering tea and didn't say anything. She lay down without a fuss."

Hairanju's concern didn't ease. "I hope she doesn't feel sick later tonight. How uncomfortable that would be...why did she drink so much?"

Baoqing sighed, "It's the first time I've seen the Side Consort cry when she's drunk. What could make her so sad?"

Hairanju's gaze dimmed as she gently rocked little Azhe, murmuring, "What else could it be? It's the hurt I caused her...a hurt that won't heal in a lifetime."

Realizing she'd misspoken, Baoqing quickly tried to console her. "Please, don't think that way. If the Consort was sad because of you, would she call out to you as 'Sister' and seek your comfort? She must have felt truly aggrieved. Only you could soothe her—it can't be because of you."

Hairanju gave a faint smile. "Is that so?"

She held little Azhe until she drifted off to sleep, though her arms were sore and numb. The only thing she could now do for her sister was to look after her children. And for her sister, the children were the last thread keeping their bond intact.

Yuer was kind-hearted; even though Hairanju had hurt her, she couldn't bear to let her sister feel despair.

As she looked at the children, sleeping soundly on the kang bed, tears filled Hairanju's eyes. She tenderly held little Atu's hand, kissed it, and choked out, "Yuer, I'm so sorry…"

Amid the crackling firecrackers, dawn broke on the first day of Tiancong's ninth year. Last year, the Great Jin had established a new protocol for New Year's greetings, and early in the morning, Jeje was already dressed and prepared to lead the consorts in greeting Hong Taiji.

Hairanju and Consort Doutumen had arrived early, but there was no sign of life from Zarut's quarters, and over in Da Yuer's quarters, her attendants were rushing to get her dressed.

Standing at the gates of Qingning Palace, Jeje, who knew about the events of the previous night, asked Hairanju, "How is Yuer?"

Hairanju answered quickly, "She was just drunk. She had some sobering tea last night and fell asleep, so she's fine now."

Da Yuer, still somewhat intoxicated, was awakened by Sumala early in the morning to prepare for the New Year's greetings. This year's ceremony was particularly grand, with newly tailored court attire for everyone.

Though mostly sobered up, Da Yuer still felt dizzy as the palace maids hurried to dress and groom her. The cold, biting air that greeted her as she left her quarters finally brought her to full wakefulness.

"Miss, the Great Consort is waiting," Sumala urged, fearful of drawing Jeje's ire. Practically pushing Da Yuer toward Qingning Palace, she moved with haste, but Da Yuer, still unsteady, struggled to keep up.

Just before reaching her aunt, she slipped on the icy snow and nearly fell. Hairanju hurried down to steady her, saying worriedly, "Yuer, be careful."

Da Yuer steadied herself, looked at her sister, and felt her sister's cold hand against her fingertips, suddenly recalling the events of the previous night. Yet perhaps her indifference to her sister had become such a habit that her body instinctively drew her hand away.

In the brief moment when their fingers parted, a sharp pain pierced Hairanju's heart, but she concealed it, returning to Jeje's side with a poised smile, watching her sister greet their aunt respectfully.

"Let's go greet the Great Khan first," Jeje said, observing everything without pressing any further. She spoke calmly, "We can't be late."

With that, Adai helped her down the steps. Suddenly, a loud crash of shattered porcelain echoed from Zarut's quarters, startling everyone but Jeje, who merely continued forward, unaffected.

"G-Great Consort…" Consort Doutumen, usually overlooked, hurried timidly forward and said, "Great Consort, I'm very worried about my sister's health. I'd really like to see her…"

Jeje's authoritative gaze fell on her, and she immediately shrank back, her voice trembling, "Yes…yes…"

"Let's go," Jeje said to the others, "We mustn't keep the Great Khan waiting."

The group followed Jeje in a long procession. Outside the Grand Politics Hall, the ministers and beiles were already waiting, along with the noblewomen lined up in order. Da Yuer spotted Qiqige right away.

Qiqige secretly waved at her, her eyes bright and warm, still as friendly as ever. She had drunk too much last night but had held herself together impeccably in front of others. Even when inebriated, she kept her composure.

Her reserved but passionate nature, almost childlike, was something only Da Yuer ever saw. Although they stood on opposing sides due to their respective husbands, Qiqige's affection for her was unwavering...

"Yuer?" Jeje suddenly reminded her niece, "Don't let your mind wander. Do you still remember the etiquette you practiced?"

"Yes, Aunt," Da Yuer replied, snapping back to attention, "I remember."

The New Year's ceremony was solemn and grand. Hong Taiji stood at the highest point, looking down on everyone. His gaze held the image of his beloved women and children, his trusted ministers and generals, and his blood-stained vendettas.

Da Yuer knelt and rose, looking up at her man. They hadn't crossed paths in the palace last night, and today, his eyes were focused solely on the empire.

The man she loved possessed the world; he was her one and only, but she could never be his.

The elaborate ceremonial rites blurred for Da Yuer as she mechanically went through the motions. When she returned to awareness, she was already standing in Qingning Palace with the other noblewomen. Her sister was beside her as they all bowed before their aunt in unison.

Though the New Year's greetings outside the Great Political Hall came with many new customs, the routine with her aunt remained the same. After the usual congratulatory words and reminders, the atmosphere became lively. Da Yuer had never been fond of socializing with the Beile consorts, so rumours spread that she didn't care for anyone. Today was no different, and the headache from her hangover was splitting her head.

Quietly slipping out of Qingning Palace, the cold air outside eased her pain a little. She walked along the path cleared from the snow by the palace servants toward her chambers. From behind, she heard Qiqige's voice, and saw her smiling as she hurried over.

"I was drunk last night, and I collapsed straight into bed when I got back. It was only early this morning when Dorgon had to drag me out of bed," Qiqige said, linking her arm with Da Yuer's as they walked toward the side palace. She was in a good mood, clearly something happy had happened, and she whispered, "I couldn't get up this morning, no matter how much Dorgon called me. I told him to kiss me, and he did. I told him to hug me, and he did. He even shouted at me in frustration, but then immediately apologized. It was such a mess this morning."

Hong Taiji had asked for Yuer to treat Qiqige the same as before, and Da Yuer's smile at that moment was no different from before. She scolded Qiqige for being shameless, but each time she smiled, her heart hurt more.

How could she be so good at pretending? Had she really grown up?

"Sigh..." Qiqige suddenly sighed again. "But these days won't last long. The other day, I overheard him talking with his brothers about state affairs, and I know that after the New Year, once he leaves, he probably won't be back for a year or two."

"He'll come back eventually. He'll come back once the war is won," Da Yuer replied.

At that moment, Hong Taiji, accompanied by Niman and several palace servants, was walking down from the Fenghuang Tower. Qiqige, upon seeing him, greeted him with elegance and composure, while Da Yuer froze, unable to move.

Hong Taiji gave her a slight smile, his eyes seemingly praising her for what she had done the night before. He appeared to be satisfied.

Da Yuer stood there, dazed, wondering if he knew she had cried last night. Did he know?

Just then, Hairanju, holding Yatu and Atu, emerged from Qingning Palace, and they encountered Hong Taiji. The two daughters ran towards him, begging for New Year's blessings and red pockets. Hong Taiji smiled and, patting his chest, magically produced two pieces of gold to give to them.

Yatu happily ran to Da Yuer, saying, "Mother, look! Father gave me gold!"

Hong Taiji glanced at Da Yuer, then at Hairanju standing by the door. He walked towards Qingning Palace.