Hong Taiji turned and met Dayu'er's gaze. What he saw was a pair of calm and serene eyes. Su Mala followed Dayu'er inside, placing the fresh
Hong Taiji turned and met Da Yuer's gaze. What he saw was a pair of calm and serene eyes. Sumala followed Da Yuer inside, placing the freshly cooked sweet soup on the table. She hadn't witnessed the emperor and the older princess kissing, but just realizing the emperor was there made her feel embarrassed and nervous.
"This is sweet fermented rice sent by Qiqige," Da Yuer explained, glancing at Hong Taiji and sensing his unease. "She said that women in Jiangnan of the Ming Dynasty consume it after childbirth to replenish their bodies. It's made from glutinous rice." She glanced at Hong Taiji and knowing that he was concerned, she continued, "I've already asked the imperial physician to check it, and he said it's very suitable for my sister."
Hong Taiji ordered Sumala to fetch the wet nurse and handed the little prince to her. Meanwhile, Da Yuer carefully spoon-fed the sweet soup to Hairanju, one mouthful at a time.
"Rest well, I will come to see you later," Hong Taiji said, glancing at Da Yuer. "If there's anything you need, let the servants do it. Don't tire yourself out."
"Yes," Da Yuer responded with a slight smile. "I didn't know Your Majesty was here, so I had your portion sent to Chongzheng Hall. If you go back, please have some."
"Got it," Hong Taiji replied, but there was clearly something he wanted to say. Yet, the words lingered on his lips and, in the end, he said nothing and left.
Hairanju quietly drank the sweet soup, obediently allowing her sister to take care of her. Before leaving, Da Yuer smiled and said, "Sister, now that you're feeling better these past few days, I'm relieved. Starting tomorrow, I won't be coming over. Fan Wencheng is returning to Shengjing with the main troops, and I'm not sure when he'll be sent on another mission. So, I plan to have him give me a few lessons while he's still here. Once he leaves, I'll come back to take care of you."
Hairanju understood everything clearly. If Da Yuer encountered such an awkward moment again, it wouldn't just hurt Yuer's feelings—it might also give the emperor some unwelcome thoughts. She didn't want her sister to feel uncomfortable, and she certainly didn't want Hong Taiji to misunderstand Yuer.
"Go and listen to your lessons carefully," Hairanju said softly with a gentle smile. "If you hear something interesting, come and tell me about it. You've been taking care of me every day—thank you so much, Yuer."
As they left Guanju Palace, Da Yuer heard Sumala let out a sigh of relief. She chuckled, "Silly girl, it's nothing. The palace is only so big. If we don't meet today, we'll meet tomorrow. Just be more careful next time."
Sumala scolded the little palace maid at the door: "The emperor was inside. Why didn't you report it? Next time, you must speak up, understand? How did Baoqing teach you?"
Da Yuer paid no attention to these trivial matters. Afterward, she went to the study to bring Yatu and Atu back, and they all dinner together at Qingning Palace with her aunt.
Jeje had already heard about what happened that afternoon. Seeing Da Yuer behaving calmly and indifferently, she refrained from asking further questions. Moreover, she had already made up her mind not to interfere in matters between the emperor and Da Yuer ever again.
While they were dining, Adai came to report that Niman had sent someone to Yanqing Palace—apparently, the emperor was going to spend the night with Shu Fei.
Jeje glanced quietly at Da Yuer, but she remained unfazed, calmly feeding Aje and chatting and laughing with the children as if nothing had happened. Jeje increasingly felt that Da Yuer had truly let go. Ironically, the ones who hadn't were probably herself—and perhaps the emperor.
As night deepened, Qiqige waited at the doorway for Dorgon to return. As soon as Dorgon arrived, Dong'e spotted her father and immediately ran toward him. Dorgon tightened the reins nervously, afraid that the horse's hooves might accidentally injure the little girl.
Qiqige, seeing Dong'e darting around under the horse's hooves, was frightened and quickly caught up to grab the little one. She scooped her up and gave her a smack on the bottom. "How many times has mommy told you not to run under the horse? Why don't you listen?"
Dong'e whimpered and reached out toward Dorgon, calling for her father to hold her, but Qiqige carried her straight back into the house. Once inside the bedroom, she gave the child a few more spanks on her bottom.
This time, the little one wouldn't have it and cried so loudly that it shook the house. Dorgon paced outside the door, occasionally peeking in, but he didn't enter until Dong'e had finally quieted down.
He had made an agreement with Qiqige that when she was disciplining the child, he wasn't allowed to interfere. Otherwise, if Dong'e fell into his hands, she would be utterly spoiled.
The little girl snuggled in Dorgon's arms, still hiccupping with grievance. Dorgon kissed her and held her close, then casually picked up a handkerchief from the kang bed and folded it into a little mouse to amuse his daughter.
Qiqige, tidying up her husband's clothes, smiled and asked, "You know how to fold that?"
Dorgon replied, "When I was little, my mother used to play with me like this. Dodo knows how to do it too."
At the mention of his mother, Qiqige felt a pang of sadness and said softly, "If Mother were still here, she would have adored Dong'e. I wouldn't even dare to spank her. The moment she cried, Mother would have skinned me first."
Dorgon laughed heartily. "That's not true. Mother was strict in disciplining us. I was spanked plenty when I was little. When she couldn't do it herself, she'd call Father to punish me."
"Dong'e, come here." Qiqige ordered the maid to bring hot water. She held her daughter and washed her face, then applied a fragrant balm to her. The little girl, who loved being pampered, immediately smiled, her eyes curving with delight.
Qiqige let Dong'e play by herself for a while so that Dorgon could finally eat in peace. When the servants brought the food, the couple sat facing each other. Qiqige carefully picked out the fish bones and separated the meat from the marrow bones for him. As they ate, they talked about what had happened during the day.
When the conversation turned to Daisan being snubbed again and refused an audience by Hong Taiji, Qiqige sneered, "What Hong Taiji really means is, 'Deal with your own son. If you want to see me, bring his head with you.'"
Dorgon also sneered. "The person who wants Yoto dead the most right now is Hooge."
Qiqige nodded in agreement. "Exactly. If Yoto says even one wrong word, Hooge is finished. Hong Taiji refusing to see Yoto is actually giving his son a chance. If they don't meet, there's no conversation. Even if Yoto wants to drag Hooge down with him, he can only talk to the lamps at home."
"Were things calm in Shengjing and the palace those days?" Dorgon asked his wife.
"I went to the palace afterward, and everything was fine. Except for Aunt and Da Yuer, who knew what had happened, most of the palace staff thought it was just an outbreak of illness. The palace was disinfected and cleaned for several days, which made it look convincing." Qiqige placed a piece of tender meat into her husband's mouth and continued, "After that, we barely celebrated the New Year. Using disease prevention as an excuse, they didn't allow the noblewomen and relatives to enter the palace to pay their respects. Only the commoners in the city enjoyed a lively festival, while the palace remained cold and quiet. Aunt and the others, however, seemed quite content with that."
Dorgon listened silently, finishing all the food before getting up to stretch. He asked the servants about the time and ordered them to summon Eshuo.
Qiqige smiled and asked, "Did you specifically arrange for Eshuo to protect us?"
Dorgon nodded. "I don't feel at ease otherwise."
Qiqige was satisfied, her gaze turning warm and suggestive as she looked at her husband. "Finish early, I'll wait for you to come back before I sleep."
Dorgon agreed, teased his daughter for a while, and then went to the study. An hour later, Eshuo arrived.
"Can we trust Sonin?" Dorgon's demeanour shifted entirely from the warmth he showed his wife and daughter. His gaze was now icy as he asked, "Will Sonin pretend to cooperate with us, only to turn around and report everything to Hong Taiji?"
Eshuo clasped his hands and replied, "Sonin said that whether we trust him or not, we wouldn't report the truth to the emperor himself. So, if he were to inform the emperor, it would be unnecessary to come and discuss things with us. The fact that he came and spoke with us means that he intends to follow through. He assured both me and Tung Tulai that he would keep his word."
"What do you think Sonin's attitude is?" Dorgon motioned for Eshuo to come closer and warm himself by the fire. "Do you think he's trying to play both sides to secure his future?"
"Both Tung Tulai and I think the same." Eshuo replied, "Sonin is likely considering what might happen in the future and is laying the groundwork to protect himself."
Dorgon gave a cold laugh and asked again, "What about Tung Tulai? Can he be trusted? Will he waver between me and the emperor?"
Eshuo responded, "Tung Tulai is honest and straightforward. He can't hide anything in his heart. If he harboured disloyalty toward Your Lordship, I would be the first to eliminate him."
"But he's your brother, isn't he?"
"Your Lordship is my master."
Dorgon burst into laughter. "Good! Stay loyal to me, and I will never treat you unfairly. Eshuo, let's be clear—everyone is doing this for the sake of the Great Qing. In the end, who sits on the throne doesn't matter. All I want is to lead the Eight Banner Army into Beijing and fulfil the late emperor's wish."
After that, they discussed several significant military matters. By the time Eshuo left the Rui Qinwang Mansion, most of the lights on the street had gone out. Even the lights in the palace were gradually dimming in the distance.
Inside the Inner Palace. Da Yuer was holding Aje, telling her a bedtime story. She was so engrossed in the story that she didn't realize her daughter had already fallen asleep. Suddenly, she heard footsteps outside the door. Knowing that Hong Taiji had returned to rest, she turned and saw Aje sleeping soundly.
She knew that Hong Taiji was going to Yanqing Palace tonight. The lights in Yanqing Palace had been burning late, yet now, the door suddenly opened, the curtain lifted, and a cold gust of wind swept in. Hong Taiji's figure appeared at the doorway.
"Your Majesty?" Da Yuer looked at him calmly.
Hong Taiji entered, carrying the chill of the night with him. The palace attendants followed closely behind to light the candles. He glanced at Aje, sleeping at the head of the bed, and then motioned for the wet nurse. "Take the little princess away."
The wet nurse dared not disobey. She quickly wrapped Aje tightly in the quilt and withdrew.
Da Yuer asked composedly, "Why has Your Majesty come to my chambers? Would you like some late-night supper?"
Hong Taiji frowned as he looked at her. Since when had her calm and composed demeanour become such an irritation to him? He couldn't stand it, no matter how hard he tried.
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