Palace Eaves

Hairanju turned to look at her aunt, and Jeje nodded: "Don't wander off to deserted places; this is someone else's home. Qiqige, Yuer has lost her sense of restraint in her excitement. Keep an eye on her and come back after a short walk."

The three beauties left the banquet together, and all eyes followed them. Hada Nara immediately approached, eagerly asking what was the matter.

Since they were all elders, Qiqige replied, "We're just taking a walk in front of the door; it's stuffy in here. Don't trouble yourself; there are so many guests you need to attend to."

The First Prince's wife respectfully said, "The servants outside are at your disposal. If there is any negligence in their service, please inform me immediately. The wind has picked up again today, and it's quite cold outside, so be sure to dress warmly."

"We know, you can go back to your duties," Qiqige replied with a gracious smile. Then, she walked toward the door with Yuer and Hairanju.

The three women, all first-class beauties who dazzled wherever they looked, seemed to bring the most beautiful scenery of Khorchin to Shengjing. Unconsciously, all eyes fell on them as they left the banquet hall.

It was one thing for the women to stare, but even the men couldn't tear their eyes away. Today, with Hong Taiji absent, their audacity reached new heights, though they still had to contend with their wives, who pinched them hard under the table and glared until their eyes nearly popped out.

Jeje pretended not to notice but sighed inwardly. The Han often said that beauty was a curse, and beautiful women lived short lives, as if calamity always befell the most attractive.

But why should women be so pitiable? One's fate is hers to decide, not the heavens, Jeje thought. Why couldn't women lead a bold and open life?

The three women, however, paid no attention to the stares. Perhaps they had long grown accustomed to the amazement their looks evoked. In their view, one's place in the world wasn't determined just by a pretty face.

At the entrance, the household maids brought windbreakers for the three women, handing them to each one's personal attendants. However, unfamiliar with the household, the maids mixed up the coats: Qiqige's was given to Sumala, and Da Yuer's to Qiqige's maid.

When Sumala tried to exchange the coats, Da Yuer waved her off: "Don't bother swapping. I've been eyeing Qiqige's windbreaker—it looks great. Let me try it on, and if it looks good, I'll keep it."

She stepped forward, letting Sumala drape it over her shoulders, and smugly turned to Qiqige: "Doesn't it look better on me?"

Qiqige rolled her eyes. "Who cares?" She personally helped Hairanju into her windbreaker and walked alongside her sister.

Da Yuer happily followed and asked: "Between the First Prince's estate and your family's, who has the larger household?"

Qiqige replied, "There's not much difference—they both follow strict rules. But our house is square-shaped, while Hooge's is longer from north to south. When they chose the location, each consulted a feng shui master, and every family has its own beliefs."

Da Yuer marvelled: "How do you even know what other people's houses look like? Is there anything in Shengjing you don't know?"

Qiqige teased her with a laugh: "You'd know too if you ever went out. What's so surprising about this?"

As the two bickered, Hairanju simply smiled, curiously taking in the gardens of the First Prince's estate.

Just as Qiqige described, the estate stretched narrowly from north to south. By the time they reached the garden, they were far from the banquet hall, where the music and chatter faded away, leaving only quiet tranquillity.

Hairanju had grown up in Khorchin, living her entire life on the vast Mongolian steppe. Even after her marriage, she remained on the grasslands, though further from her family. She had always lived in yurts, occasionally moving with the herds, surrounded by boundless skies and open fields.

When she first arrived in Shengjing, the grandeur of the imperial palace amazed her. Yet, the towering walls enclosing every side made her feel restrained, as though even her movements were confined.

While staying at Qiqige's home, she mostly stayed indoors, seldom venturing outside, and had never even seen what the Fourteenth Beile's residence looked like. Now, standing in the First Prince's estate, she marvelled at how such a small space could be transformed into a garden with rocks and flowers of every kind.

"The Manchu lifestyle is so refined," Hairanju remarked. "Far more intricate than ours."

Qiqige laughed. "This isn't a Manchu custom. The gardens are all designed by local Han artisans here in Shengjing, like Fan Wencheng and his circle."

Hairanju listened intently. After a brief explanation, Qiqige added, "When we cross into Beijing in the future, you'll understand better."

Da Yuer chimed in, "When the time comes, I'll ask the Great Khan to grant the largest residence in Beijing to you and Dorgon."

Qiqige's face wore a serene smile, but inwardly, she felt bitter amusement. The largest residence? That would be the Forbidden City itself. Would you all truly relinquish it? If Hong Taiji permitted it, we would certainly live there.

As they strolled through the garden, Da Yuer tossed a pebble into the pond, prompting fish to surface curiously. Qiqige asked a servant for fish food, and soon the three women were amusing themselves by feeding the fish at the water's edge.

Meanwhile, Dorgon came to pay his respects to Jeje. He had military matters to attend to and couldn't stay long. Jeje offered some words of care, advising him to take care of his health and promising to pass on his regards to Qiqige, urging him to leave without worry.

Dorgon, however, smiled and said, "There are some matters at home I must convey. I told her when I arrived that I'd let her know before I left. If I leave like this, Qiqige might get upset."

Jeje chuckled. "Our Fourteenth Brother has grown up and learned how to care for his wife."

Dorgon looked slightly embarrassed. "I must rely on you, Fourth Sister-in-law, to guide Qiqige more often."

After exchanging these pleasantries, Dorgon bid farewell to Hooge. The uncle and nephew had been relatively harmonious recently. It was Hooge's special day, and he acted with due courtesy. As he escorted his uncle to the exit of the banquet hall, Hooge mentioned that the three consorts were feeding fish by the pond and directed a maid to lead Dorgon there.

Noticing the maid's thin clothing and apparent discomfort, Dorgon told her to find somewhere warm instead. Thinking that the pond area would surely have others present, he decided to make his way there alone.

When he reached the pond, however, he found only one figure standing there. The woman held a handful of fish food, sprinkling it into the water little by little.

Dorgon clearly remembered that earlier today, when the Great Consort had appeared with Yuer and Hairanju, Yuer had been wearing that bright red windbreaker embroidered with golden threads. His heart raced as he realized the pondside was empty except for someone wearing that very coat.

For a moment, he hesitated, unsure whether to approach. Just as his thoughts tangled, the person by the pond turned around, saw him, and broke into a radiant smile. "Why are you here?"

Qiqige? Dorgon blinked, wondering if his eyes were playing tricks on him. Looking closer, it was indeed his wife. He felt a mix of disappointment and relief—disappointed at the fleeting thoughts that had crossed his mind, yet reassured by her presence.

"Are you leaving already?" Qiqige asked, stepping toward him. But the ground near the pond, softened by melted snow, was slippery. She lost her footing and tumbled backward toward the water. Dorgon rushed forward and caught her around the waist just in time.

"Hehe..." Qiqige looked at him with lingering fear. "Good thing you were quick, or I'd have fallen in!"

Dorgon scolded her for being careless. He had intended to ask why she was wearing Da Yuer's windbreaker but hesitated, worried she might catch on to why he remembered what Yuer had been wearing. He decided to let it go.

Leading her to a flat and dry spot, he cautioned her to stay away from the pond. Then, adjusting the hairpin in her hair, he said, "I'm leaving now. Don't drink too much, and head back early. I've left attendants outside to escort you home."

"Got it, got it. I'm not a child," Qiqige replied with a smile. Looking around to make sure no one was watching, she suddenly stood on tiptoe and planted a kiss on his lips.

Dorgon frowned. "Stop that! It's broad daylight, and we're in someone else's house."

But Qiqige simply grinned and whispered, "Under heaven, all land belongs to the emperor. One day, when you rule the world, where won't feel like home to us?"

"Are you mad? Talking nonsense like this here!" Dorgon was genuinely annoyed. He flicked her forehead. "If you keep this up, I won't go easy on you."

Qiqige had been stirred by Da Yuer's earlier remarks into entertaining such thoughts. Seeing that Dorgon was getting upset, she quickly backed down and urged him to leave.

After Dorgon departed, Qiqige returned to feeding the fish by the pond. Not long after, Da Yuer and Hairanju finally returned, bringing with them Sumala, Baoqing, and the other attendants.

Earlier, Da Yuer had needed to relieve herself, and all the maids decided to accompany her, dragging Hairanju along. With everyone gone, Qiqige had been left alone. Now that they were back, Da Yuer playfully teased her. "You're really not tempted?"

Qiqige shook her head. "Not everyone's as bold as you. I wouldn't dare act out in someone else's house."

Da Yuer echoed her earlier sentiment as if intentionally directing her words at Qiqige: "The entire Great Jin belongs to the Great Khan. Where isn't my home?"

Qiqige smiled awkwardly. "Indeed, Consort Yu is absolutely right."

They wouldn't truly quarrel, of course. Both women were well aware of each other's positions. Da Yuer's sudden remark was prompted by a realization earlier. When she had blurted out about giving Beijing's largest residence to Dorgon, it struck her that the largest residence was none other than the Forbidden City.

This unsettling thought made her uneasy, and she was determined to regain her footing in the conversation.

Hairanju, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension between them, noticed nothing unusual. Before long, the two women were once again laughing and teasing each other, their camaraderie seemingly intact. They continued like this until Jeje sent someone to summon them back to the banquet, and they returned together.

The banquet celebrating the First Prince's second son's one-month anniversary was a great success, leaving guests and hosts alike pleased. However, Hooge felt a lingering discontent. That night, he stayed in his concubine's quarters, but even after a fervent bout of passion, he found himself sighing deeply.

The concubine, eager to please, asked cautiously, "Have I not served you well, my lord?"

Hooge waved his hand dismissively. "It's not you. My father didn't attend today. The whole point of hosting this feast was to showcase his grandson, yet he refused to give me the honour."

The concubine thought to herself, The Great Khan likely isn't ready to embrace the idea of aging. How could he be delighted about holding a grandson? But she dared not voice this thought. After a moment's pause, her eyes flickered with an idea, and she whispered, "My lord, I saw something today that I don't know if I should mention..."

Late into the night, in the Grand Politics Hall, Hong Taiji had just finished attending to state affairs. He was about to leave when a subordinate arrived to report on the day's events at the First Prince's residence.

Standing by the sand table, holding a tea bowl, he listened intently. Suddenly, he spilled the tea into the sand table. He turned, his expression dark with anger. "Is it true?"

"Yes, Great Khan," the subordinate stammered. "It was indeed Consort Yu." Hong Taiji's gaze grew colder. The subordinate added nervously, "When the Great Consort, Consort Yu and Consort Lan were leaving, I carefully observed again. The one in red was undoubtedly Consort Yu."