The ministers entered Chongzheng Hall and saw the empress emerging from the side hall. They bowed respectfully, but Jeje, composed and dignified, instructed them to focus on state affairs and then left with her maids.
As she passed by Fenghuang Tower, she spotted Hairanju and Baoqing peeking around outside Qingning Palace. She must be worried about her sister. Although Jeje believed Hong Taiji had no right to say that Hairanju was innocent, she herself did — Hairanju truly was innocent.
Seeing Jeje, Hairanju immediately walked over and pleaded, "Aunt, please forgive Yuer. She's been kneeling for so long."
Jeje said coldly, "Take care of yourself and nurture the baby in your belly. Don't give me any more trouble."
Hairanju quickly promised, "I will, Aunt. I won't trouble you. But Yuer…"
"I understand. Go back. Yuer is to be confined for reflection these next few days — she can't even go to your quarters, and you are not allowed to visit her. If she doesn't learn a lesson, I won't be able to keep others in line either." Jeje's tone was sharp. She turned to Baoqing and ordered, "Take your mistress back quickly. Be careful in everything."
Baoqing didn't dare breathe too loudly. She gently tugged at Hairanju and helped her back to Guanju Palace. Only after they were inside did she whisper, "See? I told you, didn't I? Your Highness, the child in your womb is now the most important thing in this palace. You must be safe and well — only then can you support Her Highness Zhuang Fei, right?"
Hairanju sighed, worried, "What support? Yuer's status is beyond anyone's question. She's been kneeling all morning… she must be in so much pain, and she's still hungover."
In Qingning Palace, Da Yuer and Qiqige, after a subtle reminder from Adai, had straightened their postures and knelt properly.
When Jeje entered, she didn't say much and simply dismissed them: "Go back and reflect properly. If you act recklessly again in the next ten days, don't blame me for being heartless. It was you who disrespected yourself first."
The two bowed their heads and acknowledged her words. Supporting each other, they stood up carefully, their legs stiff and sore. Seeing Jeje standing with her back to them, clearly unwilling to speak further, they dared not linger and limped out of the hall.
"Ten days from now, when I come to offer thanks, I'll visit you again," Qiqige said softly. "Yuer, don't go against the emperor."
Da Yuer's expression was calm. "I won't. I don't care anymore, anyway. You take care of yourself… Dorgon is probably angry by now, isn't he?"
Qiqige straightened up with pride. "He wouldn't dare."
When the two parted, Qiqige carefully looked at Yuer again, feeling restless and uneasy. She worried she might have said something out of line the night before — what if she had accidentally spoken words of treason? But she let it go, convincing herself that Yuer wouldn't lie to her. Yuer's eyes wouldn't deceive her.
In truth, Qiqige hadn't said anything truly treasonous. She had only vented her frustrations, complaining endlessly about Dorgon and letting out her inner dissatisfaction. Ironically, it should have been Dorgon and Da Yuer feeling nervous now — what if Qiqige had overheard something? But Da Yuer hadn't even thought of that yet.
Dorgon, on the other hand, regretted it the moment he stepped out of the courtyard. What if Qiqige hadn't been fully asleep? What if she had overheard something? He stayed awake the entire night, yet had to face the day and carry out his military duties as usual.
By midday, Hong Taiji arrived at the Ten Kings Pavilion for discussions. He saw Dorgon giving orders in front of the Plain White Banner Pavilion and called him over.
Before Hong Taiji could speak, Dorgon immediately bowed and confessed:"Last night, Qiqige and Her Highness Zhuang Fei got drunk in my residence. It was my failure to manage my wife properly. Please, Your Majesty, punish me."
"It's no big deal," Hong Taiji said indifferently, then casually asked, "You saw them last night?"
Dorgon straightened up and replied seriously:"I was unaware the ladies were already heavily intoxicated. When I reached the bedroom door and saw them collapsed on the heated brick bed, I immediately withdrew and did not dare look directly at Her Highness's face."
"It's nothing — we're all family," Hong Taiji said with a faint smile. "But do tell Qiqige not to do it again. She nearly drove Jeje mad with worry. Qiqige has always been the most steady and composed, so what was all that about? Her punishing Qiqige to kneel and even confining her today is understandable. Don't take it to heart — Jeje cares about her."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I wouldn't dare think otherwise," Dorgon said, though his heart pounded. He had spent the whole night agonizing over how to explain himself to Hong Taiji. His return home couldn't be hidden — at least up until he reached the bedroom door, what he told Hong Taiji was the truth.
But as for Yuer...
It was too late for regrets. Dorgon decided to take things as they came. If Hong Taiji dared to harm Yuer because of this, he'd rebel, consequences be damned.
Meanwhile, in Yongfu Palace, the one suffering from hangover had passed out again the moment she got back. Da Yuer had plenty on her mind, but the strong alcohol knocked her out cold. She didn't wake up until evening, parched and desperate for water.
After chugging a large bowl of cold tea, she finally sobered up, her headache easing. Lazily leaning against the heated bed, she gazed at the twilight sky outside the window. When Sumala quietly entered the room, Da Yuer startled awake and quickly asked, "Aunt didn't punish you, did she?"
"Her Majesty asked me about last night, but I was with the concubines taking care of the little princesses. I don't know what happened with you and the Fourteenth Consort," Sumala replied. "When Her Majesty heard, she just sighed and didn't punish me."
"If you'd gotten punished because of me, I'd truly regret it." Da Yuer chuckled, beckoning Sumala over to help smooth her breath. "Were you scared? It's all fine now. Aunt has a sharp tongue but a soft heart — when has she ever really punished me?"
"Adai said you're to be confined for ten days. Apart from the little princesses, no one is allowed to visit," Sumala said cautiously. "Can the Emperor come?"
Da Yuer toyed absentmindedly with the jade pendant on Sumala's waist. "He won't come."
"But the Emperor came last night," Sumala said.
Da Yuer froze. "He came?"
Sumala nodded. "He stayed with you for a while and left only after you fell asleep. When I entered, it sounded like you were talking, but I didn't catch what you said. There was no one else around... do you remember what you said?"
"I don't remember anything," Da Yuer muttered, tilting her head in thought. "I just remember Qiqige cursing Dorgon, saying her love for Dong'e was too heavy... and then everything went blank."
She strained to recall if she had actually seen Dorgon the night before, but her memories blurred like fragments of a dream — indistinguishable between truth and illusion.
The sun dipped below the horizon, and darkness gradually enveloped the palace. The kitchen delivered the evening meal: plain congee and light dishes. It wasn't because the kitchen slighted Her Highness Zhuang Fei, nor was it a punishment from Jeje. It was simply to help her recover after her drunken episode.
Meanwhile, in Guanju Palace, two tables overflowing with dishes were laid out just for Her Highness Chen Fei. It was the Emperor's special instruction — he feared she might lose her appetite during pregnancy, so he ordered the kitchen to prepare every possible dish suitable for a pregnant woman and let Hairanju choose whatever she fancied.
Hairanju had never been a big eater, and even with her pregnancy, she had no severe cravings or aversions. But she couldn't ignore Hong Taiji's worries, so she obediently tried to eat more.
Thankfully, the pregnancy brought her a slightly better appetite, and on occasions when Hong Taiji dined with her, their laughter lightened the air, and she naturally ate a little more.
At this moment, Baoqing carefully picked fish bones out of a fillet and beamed. "Your Highness, every one of your meals is overseen by the imperial physicians. Every dish, every bite is checked before it reaches your lips. I've been in the palace for years, and I've never seen anyone treated like this — not even Her Majesty or Her Highness Zhuang Fei..."
She paused when she noticed her mistress's mood sinking, quickly biting her tongue. Softly, she asked, "Are you feeling unwell?"
Hairanju shook her head and slowly brought the food to her mouth. For the sake of her child, she knew she had to eat well. Yet, she also understood very clearly what kind of life her child would face if it were a little prince.
Khorchin had already sent an urgent message to her aunt, requesting additional people to look after Hairanju, fearing that someone might try to harm her. Even though she had always been low-key and gentle, she knew she was now standing at the eye of the storm.
Hong Taiji had given her everything — everything except the title of empress. He might not be willing to let the Khorchin bloodline inherit the throne, but he would surely want their child to do so.
Hairanju lowered her head and gently touched her belly. Her life had been a series of drastic ups and downs, and she never imagined she would end up where she was now.
"Are you worried about Her Highness Zhuang Fei?" Baoqing asked carefully.
Hairanju shook her head. It wasn't that she didn't worry; she just didn't want to say it aloud. Baoqing was fiercely loyal to her, but sometimes the truth would be too cruel for Yuer to bear.
She had been worried about Yuer the entire day. She could roughly guess why Yuer had gotten so drunk at Rui Qinwang's Manor — her heart must have been in agony. After all, everything that was happening now should have belonged to her.
Halfway through the meal, Hong Taiji arrived. He washed his hands and sat down. Baoqing asked if he wanted the imperial kitchen to prepare fresh dishes, but Hong Taiji waved her off.
"This is fine. You may leave," he said.
"The dishes must be cold," Hairanju said, "we should have them replaced?"
Hong Taiji chuckled, "It's hot enough outside — who needs hot food? This is just right, and you wouldn't finish it all anyway. Let's not waste anything."
Hairanju carefully served him soup and picked out dishes for him, gently urging him to eat slowly. She wanted to ask about Yuer's situation but couldn't bring herself to speak.
Hong Taiji was starving, eating silently until he was full. Afterward, he leaned back against the cushions, and Hairanju got up to pour him tea. As she glanced unconsciously toward the window, Hong Taiji asked, "Worried about Yuer?"
Hairanju nodded, lowering her eyes. "She must be feeling awful, hungover and punished. But Aunt won't let me visit her. She says Yuer needs to reflect behind closed doors."
Hong Taiji tapped his fingers lightly on the table — once, twice, over and over. When he finally took the tea from Hairanju's hands, he said, "I'll sit with you for a while, and I'll go see her later tonight."
Hairanju said nothing more. She wanted to ask him to go right away, to comfort her sister. But she sensed a subtle resistance in his demeanour. She didn't dare press him, afraid that her good intentions might only bring trouble to Yuer.
It wasn't until nightfall that Hairanju said she was tired. Only then did Hong Taiji respond with a quiet "oh," setting aside the memorial he had been reading. He asked Hairanju to put it away for him, instructed her to rest early, and then walked alone to Yongfu Palace.
The lights in Yongfu Palace had long been extinguished. Da Yuer, still overwhelmingly drowsy, had fallen asleep soon after dinner. She was already in a deep slumber when Hong Taiji arrived.
He sat down beside her, and Sumala lit the lamps. The gradually brightening light roused Da Yuer from her sleep. She blinked hazily at Hong Taiji, unsure if she was still dreaming.
"Awake?" Hong Taiji said, his voice the same as it had been the previous night. He smiled faintly, gently lifting Da Yuer's chin and placing a soft kiss on her lips. "Causing trouble again?"
The warmth of the kiss, which should have been comforting, pierced Da Yuer's heart like a blade.
She snapped awake, and along with her awakening, the memories of the previous night surged back — every detail, crystal clear. Last night, just last night, Dorgon had kissed her. Dorgon had said to her: "Yuer, I love you."
Terror gripped Da Yuer.
Seeing the fear in her eyes, Hong Taiji's expression darkened, his voice laced with quiet anger: "What is it? You don't want to see me?"