Palace Eaves

Of course, Da Yuer wasn't the first to call Hong Taiji "Your Majesty," but her soft murmur stirred his ambition and affection, making him turn to her with renewed passion.

The thrill of his imperial pursuits was almost more than she could handle, and even in her dreams, she was swept into blush-inducing scenes. When she finally awoke, her heart racing, daylight was already streaming through the window.

The space beside her was empty—Hong Taiji had already left. She clutched the blanket, surprised she had slept so deeply after last night's intensity.

As Sumala entered, grinning and hovering at the edge of the bed, Da Yuer playfully tapped her on the forehead. "Keep laughing!" she teased, but then a thought flashed through her mind, and she asked with a tinge of concern, "How's Atu? And Yatu?"

Finally she remembered her daughters, but they were already with her sister. Early that morning, Hairanju had come to check on them, and, clinging to their aunt, the little ones had happily followed her back.

At that hour, Da Yuer was still sound asleep, exhausted from tending to the children all day and then having her strength thoroughly sapped by Hong Taiji during the night. Before leaving, he'd ordered Sumala not to wake her, so she slept soundly until mid-morning.

Rising leisurely, she dressed and groomed herself, then casually eating a spring roll at the window, observing the scene in the palace courtyard.

Sumala mentioned, "The palace maids who were made to kneel yesterday all fell ill. Today, the Great Consort sent others to serve her, and she didn't dare make a fuss."

"Mmm," Da Yuer replied indifferently, finishing her spring roll. Then she ordered Sumala, "Go and keep an eye on those two little ones—they can be quite a handful."

Sumala teased, "Miss, why not go yourself? She's your sister, after all. One word, and all is well. It's not such a big deal if you two are like this, but isn't it difficult for the Great Khan if the two of you refuse to speak at all?"

Da Yuer, unfazed, picked up another spring roll. "If you won't go, I'll find someone else."

Frustrated, Sumala huffed and stormed off.

Da Yuer slowly swallowed the last bite, finding herself unable to taste the food's freshness. She felt confused, unable to define the situation between her and her sister. It would be easiest to just cut ties forever, but life wouldn't allow it.

Did she still hate her sister? She didn't know. Perhaps she'd never hated her—or maybe it was something she'd carry all her life.

After a few days of being fed light congee and simple dishes, the children regained their strength. During that time, however, Zarut's behaviour in her quarters grew unbearable. She tormented each set of maids assigned to her until they couldn't take it.

Even the mild-tempered Jeje grew exasperated and ordered Consort Doutumen to look after her cousin herself, leaving Zarut's fate in her hands.

Three days later, Hong Taiji finally paid Zarut a visit, only for her to weep bitterly, accusing Da Yuer of being responsible for her lost child.

After he left, Zarut continued sobbing, prompting Consort Doutumen to offer her medicine while gently advising, "Save your energy. The fact that the Great Khan even made a brief visit is already more than you could expect. Didn't you notice? During the days after your accident, he was with Da Yuer every night. He even neglected Hairanju, afraid of a single word of reproach directed at Da Yuer. Did his expression change even once while you were talking?"

Zarut merely let out a cold laugh. "Sister, I'm just putting on a show for them. Don't worry; when the time is right, I'll tell you everything. For now, just take care of me."

Her cousin didn't understand, but only advised: "Calm down. If you still want to conceive, it'll be hard now. The Great Khan kept us here, but we're just decorations."

"Decorations?" Zarut sneered, wiping away her tears, then picked up a mirror hidden under her pillow to check her appearance. "So what if we're just decorations? As long as we're still in this palace, there's hope."

As for this matter, in the palace, due to Jeje's authority and Hong Taiji's indifference, aside from Zarut's loud complaints, everyone else seemed rather indifferent, and no one dared to openly criticize Da Yuer.

However, outside the palace, things were not so simple. All kinds of rumours were spreading, and the accusations were directly aimed at Da Yuer. The once-beautiful woman, who had been a legend in the past, had now become the subject of mockery among the Beiles and ministers.

Though Dorgon had not been entering the palace recently, he could still hear many unsavoury rumours at home. Despite that, he was no longer as restless and upset as before.

The funny thing was that he could remain calm because he knew that Hong Taiji was fully protecting Da Yuer in this matter.

Today was another day for Qiqige to enter the palace to teach Da Yuer how to read. Dorgon, having some free time at home, personally sent her to the palace gates. On the way, he encountered a few ministers coming in and out of the palace and even saw Hooge and Yoto walking together from a distance.

When they saw Dorgon, they exchanged glances and approached him with courtesy: "Fourteenth Uncle, greetings."

Although both Hooge and Yoto were older than Dorgon, their status demanded they bow to him. Dorgon responded politely and exchanged a few casual words before moving on.

Hooge quietly asked Yoto, "Why did my father suddenly tell Dorgon to stay home?"

Yoto sneered, "So he can stay home and have children."

Hooge scolded, "What nonsense, I'm asking seriously."

Yoto, stroking his chin, clicked his tongue and said, "I don't know whether he's having children or not, but First Prince, don't say I didn't warn you. Now in the palace, there are three women from the Khorchin tribe—Hairanju and Da Yuer share the Great Khan's favour evenly. Even if they never have sons, they will never support you. As for what happened to the child of the Eastern Palace's side consort, Hong Taiji hasn't said a word, and no one dares to ask. But if you ask me, those three women must have something to do with it."

At this point, more ministers were coming and going, and it wasn't appropriate for them to continue discussing this, so they quickly left together.

Meanwhile, Qiqige had been picked up by a palanquin and entered the palace. As she passed the Fenghuang Tower, she saw Da Yuer waiting for her. Smiling, she said, "Why the special treatment today? Sending a palanquin to pick me up. Dorgon just saw this and said I was being rude."

Da Yuer smiled and said, "Now you're my teacher, so it's only right for a student to ask the teacher to ride in a palanquin."

Qiqige patted the small bundle in her hands and said, "Fan Wencheng has brought new books. I'll read them to you."

They were about to go to Qingning Palace to pay their respects to Jeje, when Da Yuer curiously asked, "Have I met this Fan Wencheng before?"

As they were nearing the entrance to the Qingning Palace, they suddenly heard the sound of a cup being smashed from a nearby side palace. Zarut was shouting angrily, and soon a palace maid, drenched in water, came running out. Upon seeing Da Yuer, she rushed over and knelt, begging, "Consort Yu, please save me."

Zarut was throwing another tantrum. Despite lying in bed, she still had such a fiery temper. These days, many palace maids had been tormented by her, even those sent by Jeje. She paid no attention to them.

"Go on. She won't make things difficult for you with me here," Da Yuer said, then glanced at the scene. Consort Doutumen poked her head out, and upon seeing Da Yuer, awkwardly stepped forward and said, "It's nothing. I just dropped the cup by accident, no harm done..."

At that moment, Adai supported Jeje and came out from behind the curtain. Da Yuer and Qiqige quickly approached, and Consort Doutumen had no choice but to follow, bowing respectfully.

"Qiqige is here?" Jeje, ignoring the commotion in the side palace, said amiably, "I've been thinking of having the children learn Chinese characters. This task is for you. Find a suitable teacher, and once I've seen him, I'll consult with the Great Khan."

Qiqige accepted the task and smiled, "Aunt, are you going out?"

Jeje nodded, "Just going for a walk. You don't need to follow me, hurry up and read. If you can keep some people calm for a few hours, that will be your achievement."

Da Yuer lowered her head and muttered, "I'm always calm."

"Really?" Jeje shook her head and, with Adai, walked away.

Once her aunt left, Qiqige sighed in relief, linking arms with Da Yuer and laughing, "Aunt really cares about you. Are you and Aunt doing well, but still not speaking to sister Hairanju?"

Da Yuer, clearly irritated, said, "It's fine if others nag, but you don't understand me?"

Consort Doutumen, completely ignored, hurried back to her younger sister's room and said, "The Great Consort didn't even glance at me. Sister, stop making trouble."

Zarut then asked her cousin, "Did the Fourteenth Consort come?"

"She came, what's wrong?"

Over here, Jeje was taking a stroll through the palace and unknowingly walked all the way to the Ten Kings Pavilion.

The ministers and Beiles who passed by saw her and immediately stopped to bow. Jeje returned the greeting with a smile, and as she looked up, she saw Niman walking out from the Grand Politics Hall. She then instructed Adai, "Go and send a message. I'll be waiting to see the Great Khan at the Fenghuang Tower."