Palace Eaves

Da Yuer hadn't seen Hong Taiji for a long time. The last time was when he returned from leading troops, and she had only caught a glimpse of him at the Ten Kings Pavilion.

After that, with her pregnancy preventing her from serving, she hadn't seen him at night, and during the day, the busy Great Khan was always out of reach.

Hong Taiji gently pulled Da Yuer out of the snowbank. She wobbled until she stood firm, and his large hand began to lightly pat the snow off her.

After removing the snow, he playfully gave her a smack on the rear with a bit more force than usual. Da Yuer winced and let out a small, involuntary sound of pain, immediately blushing.

Hong Taiji grinned and teased, "If Jeje sees this, she'll scold you again."

Da Yuer lowered her head and murmured, "I didn't mean to."

Hong Taiji said, "This cloak looks very nice. Is it new? You look beautiful in red, Yuer."

As Da Yuer slowly lifted her gaze, Hong Taiji reached out to brush the snow from her hair. Just as he was about to speak, Adai emerged from the Qingning Palace and called out, "The Great Khan is back. Why are you back so early today?"

Hong Taiji immediately turned and walked towards the Qingning Palace, smiling as he replied, "It's rare to have some free time, so I came back to keep your mistress company. She's been cooped up in the room, and she must be feeling bored."

Meanwhile, Da Yuer stood still, watching her husband's figure disappear behind the cotton curtain. Adai performed a bow and went inside.

Da Yuer looked down and touched her red cloak. Sumala, standing beside her, hesitantly asked, "Miss, shall we still visit the Great Consort?"

Da Yuer shook her head and said, "No, let's go later. It's rare for the Great Khan to be back and spend time with my aunt."

Sumala bit her lip, not daring to say more.

Da Yuer and Sumala retreated to their own quarters. Yatu and Atu were sitting on the kang, playing with their baby sister, who was wailing loudly, oblivious to the affection of her older sisters.

Da Yuer approached and held the little girl in her arms. Seeing that the baby was pouting for milk, she instinctively began to unfasten her clothing. However, she had forgotten that she had stopped breastfeeding during her confinement period.

"Why are you feeding her yourself?"

Just then, Hong Taiji's voice interrupted. He stood at the door, lifting the curtain. Upon seeing her father, Yatu ran toward him, followed by Atu. Hong Taiji picked them both up effortlessly and walked over with them.

Da Yuer, with her clothing half open, felt embarrassed by her husband's sudden appearance. She quickly covered herself and turned away.

Sumala, noticing the situation, signalled the wet nurse to step forward. The wet nurse took the two older children away and then gently took the baby from Da Yuer's arms.

With everyone gone, Da Yuer slowly fastened her clothing and turned to see Hong Taiji sitting comfortably by the bright window, smiling pleasantly at her.

"Why are you here?" Da Yuer stepped forward, "Why aren't you with Auntie?"

Hong Taiji's smile vanished, and he said angrily, "I've told you many times not to call Jeje Auntie in front of me. After all these years, how long will it take for you to change this habit?"

Da Yuer lowered her head, her hands gripping the hem of her garment.

Seeing her remain silent, Hong Taiji's displeasure grew. He set down the teacup and stood up to leave.

But after only a few steps, his arm was gently but firmly held back. The grip was not strong but persistent.

He turned around and gave a firm slap on the back of her hand. Her pale skin immediately flushed with a hint of red. Da Yuer shivered but did not let go, her eyes gazing at him with a mixture of hurt and determination.

"If you don't change next time, I'll hit you again," Hong Taiji said sternly.

"...Yes," Da Yuer replied, her hand retreating into her sleeve. Despite her compliance, a stubborn look lingered on her face.

Hong Taiji's mood brightened. With a smile in his eyes, he pulled her hand from her sleeve and warmed it in his palm, gently rubbing it. "Are you still feeling wronged?"

"This month, you haven't come to see me at home. Now that we finally met, all you do is reprimand me," Da Yuer struggled slightly, but Hong Taiji pulled her into his embrace.

"When you gave birth to Yatu, I wasn't in Shengjing. When you had Atu, I made a special effort to come back and see you, but you said you were dishevelled and didn't want to see me, asking me to wait until after your confinement. Now, I'm doing as you asked and you're still blaming me?" Hong Taiji teased her lightly.

Da Yuer looked surprised and asked, "Did I really say that?"

Hong Taiji gave her a sidelong glance. "Shall I call Sumala to ask?"

Embarrassed, Da Yuer shook her head, feeling guilty. Seeing her husband's cheerful expression, she couldn't help but smile too. She led him to sit down and poured him another cup of tea.

"This year, I've been focusing on the Chahar, forcing Lin Dan Batur to be overwhelmed, and now you've given me another little princess. It's been a good year," Hong Taiji said with satisfaction. "Indeed, it's been a great year."

Da Yuer smiled and said, "Yatu and Atu both resemble you. I always felt a bit dissatisfied. Now that our little princess looks like me, what name will the Great Khan give her?"

"Let me think about that," Hong Taiji replied, glancing at her with a smile. "I thought you were going to apologize again for not giving me a son."

Da Yuer lowered her eyes, softly murmuring, "This time I didn't say it, so don't be angry, and don't leave me again."

Hong Taiji sighed, opening his arms. Da Yuer hesitated for a moment but then sat on his lap, resting her face against his chest.

"Yuer, you are my woman now, not a Princess from the Khorchin clan anymore."

"Yes."

"You always answer quickly, yet you always seem to forget..."

Outside the room, Sumala stood by the door, listening to the sounds. A young maid beside her tugged at her sleeve. She looked back and saw Adai at the entrance of the Qingning Palace looking their way, so she cleared her throat and stood up straight.

Meanwhile, Adai took a few glances and then returned to the side of the Great Consort Jeje was drinking a prenatal tonic from a maid's hand. After swallowing the bitter medicine, she asked, "How is it?"

Adai replied, "The Great Khan has been inside for a while. Sumala and the others have all come out, and the Princesses have been taken away. Only the Great Khan and the Side Consort are still in the room."

Jeje sighed in relief, "That's good. Although I am pregnant, I don't know if it's a boy or a girl. We mustn't let the Great Khan neglect Da Yuer. This might be my last chance, and Da Yuer is still young. She will surely give the Great Khan a son."

Adai handed a handkerchief to the Great Consort and smiled, "Actually, over the years, I can tell that the Great Khan likes the Side Consort a lot. When she gave birth to Atu, the Great Khan came back just to see her. But after that, for some reason, the Side Consort always seemed to upset the Great Khan. They were good sometimes, but also had their share of troubles, which made you worry."

Jeje understood everything and gestured for Adai to stop talking. She instructed, "Tell those outside that there's no important business today and not to disturb the Great Khan. He needs to rest well tonight. Also, keep an eye on the other concubines. Don't let them bother the Great Khan."