Palace Eaves

At the breakfast in Qingning Palace, it wasn't just Da Yuer and Hairanju present—Consort Doutumen was also in attendance. From the conversation, it became clear that she had been favoured by Hong Taiji the previous night.

This unsettled Da Yuer. While she had long grown accustomed to the many women who shared the Great Khan's bed, and the ever-increasing number of concubines year after year, it still stung. After all, even she was just one among the many wives of Hong Taiji.

The love she held in her heart for him, in the eyes of others, was reduced to nothing more than the privilege of "favour." Da Yuer resented that notion. 

The meal passed uneventfully. Consort Doutumen was a quiet and reserved woman, and Da Yuer had never managed to establish a warm connection with her. There was always an underlying sense of resistance between them, perhaps because deep down, they were both aware that they were rivals in a world where affection and attention were finite, constantly at risk of being taken by someone else.

Even though the breakfast was cordial, Da Yuer couldn't shake the feeling of distance between them, a reminder of the unspoken competition that lingered beneath the surface of the palace's delicate hierarchy.

After leaving their aunt, Da Yuer took her sister Hairanju and her children, Atu and Yatu, on a quiet tour around the Shengjing Imperial Palace. The Ten Kings Pavilion loomed large and imposing, and the group stood at a distance, watching from the base of the walls, too awed to approach.

Hairanju looked at the grandeur before her and sighed, "Your brother-in-law once visited Shengjing. He saw the Grand Politics Hall and the Ten Kings Pavilion. When he learned that you had married here, he promised to bring me to see you one day, so I could witness the beauty of Shengjing myself. Now I've finally come, but he is no longer with us."

"Older sister..." Da Yuer's heart ached at the sight of tears welling in Hairanju's eyes. She wanted to comfort her, but didn't know how to ease her sister's sorrow.

Atu and Yatu, noticing their aunt's sadness, approached and began gently coaxing her with their soft words and affectionate gestures. Hairanju, who adored her nieces, couldn't help but smile again as their tender efforts lifted her spirits.

The Shengjing Palace wasn't large, and before long, they had toured all the key sights. Venturing beyond the palace walls into the city would certainly offer more entertainment, but Da Yuer couldn't leave freely as she wished. She reassured her sister, saying, "Once the memorial ceremony is over tomorrow, and when Qiqige comes, we can all go out together."

At this moment, the wife of the Twelfth Beile, Ajige, who was the full brother of Dorgon and Dodo, was visiting the Fourteenth Beile's residence with her two children. 

As the preparations for Nurhaci's memorial ceremony the next day were underway, there was growing uncertainty about whether Dorgon and Dodo would return in time. Ajige had sent his wife to remind Qiqige to tread carefully during the event.

"This is such a major affair, yet the Great Khan hasn't urged them to hurry, and those two are in no rush to return either," the Twelfth Consort said. "The Beile thinks the Great Khan is deliberately showing that he doesn't value the three brothers, and by extension, he's disregarding the Empress Dowager. The more this happens, the more we need to be careful. Qiqige, tomorrow, make sure you stay close to the Great Consort and secure a place for Dorgon. What can she do—drive you away?"

Qiqige, however, remained indifferent to these matters. She had no desire to involve herself in the men's power struggles, and no one could command or direct her. She only answered to Dorgon. Since he wasn't rushing back, both he and Dodo clearly had their own plans, and that reassured her. She had complete faith in their strategies.

"Have you heard?" the Twelfth Consort said, her eyes gleaming with interest. "Yesterday, when the Great Khan returned, he brought a beauty with him—Consort Yu's elder sister." Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she spoke. Although she was older than Da Yuer, by rank she was still considered her younger sister-in-law, so she dared not address her by name. Nevertheless, in her heart, she had never accepted Da Yuer's position. Emboldened by the fact that her husband was a full brother to Dorgon, she assumed a certain privilege in speaking her mind in front of Qiqige.

Qiqige was fully aware of the intricate dynamics between the numerous brothers, uncles, and cousins of the Eight Banners, as well as the underlying intentions and personalities of her sisters-in-law. She knew exactly when to open her heart and when to engage in mere polite exchanges, always managing these interactions with impeccable skill. She never offended anyone, nor did she ingratiate herself to anyone. At this moment, she maintained her usual calm demeanor, offering a gentle smile. "I understand, sister-in-law. Please tell the Twelfth Beile to rest assured."

The Twelfth Consort, however, seemed eager to stir the pot, her expression one of smug amusement. "Qiqige, your cousin coming to Shengjing—was it really just for recuperation?"

Qiqige smiled, unaffected. "Who knows? I haven't had the chance to see her yet. With so many people around tomorrow, why not ask her yourself, sister-in-law?"