Palace Eaves

Sumala sniffled, "But, Miss, how are we supposed to go on from here?"

Da Yuer helped her up, saying, "I don't know either, but no matter what, we need to sleep tonight." She patted Sumala's head. "Tomorrow, wash the clothes and send them back to Qiqige. Also, ask her for two bags of honey dates. Tell her it's the same ones that the concubine gave Yatu today—Yatu kept asking about them on the way back."

Sumala nodded. Once Da Yuer lay down, she quietly left the room. Though the wind had died down outside, it felt as though winter had suddenly arrived, with a chill that seemed to bite at her face.

As she stepped out, Baoqing emerged from the other side and, noticing Sumala's shivering, quickly handed her the hand warmer she was holding.

The two of them jogged together back to their quarters. In the warm glow of the lights, Baoqing saw Sumala's red, swollen eyes. It wasn't from the cold—she'd been crying. Baoqing asked softly, "Did Consort Yu cry too?"

Sumala shook her head. "If she had cried, I'd actually feel more at ease… but staying so quiet—I don't even know if she'll go out again tomorrow."

Baoqing lowered her head and murmured, "Now that I'm serving Consort Lan, will we still be friends, Sumala?"

"Don't be silly," Sumala replied, stamping her feet around the brazier. The sudden chill had made her feet numb from her time outside. She rubbed her warmed hands over her face, saying, "Baoqing, you need to look after older Princess well and not let anyone mistreat her. Those sisters across the way are tough to handle, and older Princess's so soft-spoken."

Baoqing nodded, watching Sumala intently. Sumala chuckled, "Miss assigned you there because she trusts you, Baoqing. Don't disappoint her."

"I know, but…" Baoqing muttered, "can Consort Yu and Consort Lan ever reconcile?"

Sumala warmed her hands over the fire, watching the embers glow as she felt the warmth seep into her fingers. She replied softly, "They haven't argued or fought—why wouldn't they make up? Baoqing, let's just do our best for each of our mistresses and stay out of everything else."

The night grew deeper. At the Fourteenth Beile's residence, lanterns lit the path as they escorted Dorgon indoors, his coat heavy with frost. Qiqige helped him remove it, teasing, "Did you fall into an ice hole?"

Dorgon replied, "It's freezing out. Remember to dress warmly if you go out tomorrow."

Qiqige smiled, "I have nowhere to go these days. I can't go to the palace, and who knows when things will settle down. I'd rather stay here and keep the place open, so Yuer has somewhere to go if she needs it."

Dorgon's heart sunk. "She came today?"

"You didn't know?" Qiqige said, pouring him tea. "We even went riding outside the city before the snow hit, but it got so bad she couldn't go back. She ended up spending half the day here."

Dorgon murmured an acknowledgment as he washed his hands and removed his outer layers, the room as warm as spring. Just a moment ago, he had been freezing outside, barely able to open his mouth, but now he felt almost uncomfortably warm.

"I kept wondering how Yuer would react," Qiqige approached, handing him a cup of steaming tea. "In the end, she's really made my heart ache for her." She sighed heavily, saying, "She even coughed up blood." 

Dorgon took a sip, only to choke and cough as Qiqige sighed, "Blood?"

Qiqige nodded, "She must have been truly enraged—it terrified me. Luckily, she's alright, though she got quite the scare herself."

"Does the palace know?" Dorgon asked.

"Yu'er made me promise not to say anything, but I'm thinking of telling Aunt in a few days, so a doctor can look after her properly," Qiqige said. "Aunt must be feeling terrible too. If Hairanju were really forced into the palace, or if there was no bond between her and Yuer, Yuer wouldn't be this heartbroken. Think about it—if I had to watch my own sister fall in love with you..."

She frowned deeply, her heart twisting just at the thought. She shook her head repeatedly. "No, no, just imagining it drives me crazy."

Dorgon turned his back uncomfortably and said, "Don't get carried away with wild thoughts."

Qiqige laughed. "I don't even have a sister to worry about taking you."

Before long, the candlelight in their bedroom was extinguished, and the two lay side by side. Qiqige then mentioned running into Hooge's wife recently. "They all seem to be bustling around lately," she said. "It's true, when people stay home and don't go out, they start plotting in their heads."

Dorgon murmured in agreement. "Everyone's fighting for a future. Every one of them is my Father's son or grandson; they all see themselves as heirs to the Jin Dynasty."

Qiqige sighed, "Hooge is older than you, but by the time the Great Khan passes, he'll be no spring chicken either. And if he falls ill or meets some misfortune, the Great Khan would never hand over the throne to him. The younger brothers beneath him don't look particularly promising either. The future… it's hard to predict."

Dorgon replied, "The war's not over. There's no turning back now. The Jin Dynasty has to cross the pass. Until then, there's no point in them exhausting themselves over something that's not settled."

In a gentle tone, Qiqige asked, "Dorgon, when the time comes, will you fight for it?"

Dorgon lay quietly, eyes closed, without a word.

Qiqige moved closer and kissed him. "Whatever you decide, I'm with you. Whatever I can do for you, don't hesitate to ask. In this life, even if it meant dying for you, I'd do it willingly."

Dorgon opened his eyes, gently tapping her forehead. "Don't speak of death."

Qiqige looked at him, earnest. "I'm not joking. Hong Taiji is ruthless, and sooner or later, it'll be a matter of life or death between the two of you."

Yes, Hong Taiji was ruthless. To this day, Dorgon couldn't fully grasp the depths of his cruelty, a cruelty that lay hidden, tearing at people's hearts in silence.

Morning came, and when they opened the doors, Shengjing was blanketed in a pristine layer of white snow.

In the palace courtyard, the servants were busy sweeping the snow, and breakfast had been prepared in Qingning Palace. On normal days, if the Great Khan was having breakfast in the inner palace, he would always come to Qingning Palace, no matter which of the consort' rooms he had been in, to talk with the Great Consort before heading to court.

Over the years, Jeje had grown accustomed to waking up early and used to the sight of Yuer lifting the curtain to come in, laughing and chatting. However, today, when the curtain was lifted, she instinctively glanced toward the door, only to see Hairanju following Hong Taiji inside.

Hong Taiji remarked, "It's truly cold today. I heard that in the southernmost parts of the country, people are still wearing single-layer clothes. In the future, we will go there to spend the winter."

Jeje laughed, "Even there, winter is cold. I've heard a few Han doctors say we should go to the farthest southern place. There, there are no seasons, only summer."

Hong Taiji clicked his tongue. "How big is this world, sometimes thinking about it makes me feel a little scared."

Jeje smiled, "What do you have to be afraid of? There are many who are afraid of you."

Hairanju, standing quietly to the side, couldn't join in the conversation and simply passed tea to Hong Taiji. If one didn't pay attention, it was easy to overlook her presence.

But after so many years, unless it was in Yuer's room, the women from other rooms never joined breakfast unless invited by Jeje. Hong Taiji would never bring them along. So what should be said about today? Was it because Hairanju was her niece?

"Where's Yuer?" Hong Taiji suddenly asked. Jeje's heart skipped a beat. She looked over at Hairanju, who just followed his gaze to look at Adai.

Adai spoke up, "It seems that Consort Yu hasn't woken up yet. I'll go check."

Before she could finish speaking, a gust of cold wind blew into the room, accompanied by the sound of children's laughter. Yatu and her younger sister rushed in, clinging to Hong Taiji. Yatu proudly showed off to Hairanju, "Auntie, my little braids were done by Mother!"

The curtain was still raised, and a person dressed in bright red slowly entered. The vivid red colour caught the eye immediately. Jeje spoke up first, "I was just about to call for you, but you've come."

Da Yuer stepped forward and calmly said, "It was Azhe making a fuss, which caused the delay."

She then turned to Hong Taiji, bowed respectfully, and said, "Great Khan."

Hong Taiji nodded, "Sit down."

At this moment, Niman approached, reminding Hong Taiji that the court meeting time was approaching. Jeje stood up and began to help her husband put on his formal robes.

On most days, Da Yuer would assist, but today, she simply stood and watched. To her left, her sister stood as well, her gaze fixed on Hong Taiji, so peaceful.

After Hong Taiji left, Jeje escorted him to the door. Da Yuer did not move, nor did Hairanju. The thick cotton curtain was drawn open, and the cold wind blew in with gusts. Da Yuer suddenly spoke: "Sister, that day I asked you to promise me not to become Hong Taiji's woman. Do you remember?"

The cold wind cut through to the back of her neck, as if right beside her heart. Hairanju was flooded with memories of the intimate moments between sisters. She replied quietly, "But I... didn't promise you."

The curtain fell, and the cold wind no longer rushed at them. Da Yuer sat down, picked up the cup of milk tea in front of her, and drank it slowly, sip by sip. The tea was still scalding hot, burning her throat, and making her stomach feel like it was on fire. Yet, it only made her heart feel even colder.

Another gust of cold wind blew in, and Jeje returned. She saw Da Yuer drinking the milk tea in large sips, while Hairanju stood like a wooden post at the side. Jeje furrowed her brows, unsure of what to do in this situation.

After the court session, Hong Taiji met with more than ten ministers individually, staying busy until noon. Only then did he drink a sip of tea. Niman came in, bringing lunch prepared by the Great Consort. Hong Taiji glanced up briefly, but quickly returned his focus to the documents on the table.

However, Niman spoke again: "Great Khan... the Great Consort said, the Side Consort requests permission to go to Hetu Ala."

Hong Taiji frowned, "Side Consort?"

Niman hurriedly explained: "I am at fault for not explaining properly. Great Khan, it is Consort Yu, Consort Yu wishes to go to Hetu Ala."

Hong Taiji's gaze turned cold: "Hetu Ala is already covered in heavy snow and the mountains are sealed. How can she go there? Is she not afraid of freezing to death on the way?"