Ranking in the Inner Palace

Qiqige didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "So, are you going?"

Da Yuer set down the teacup and raised her eyes proudly. "Why wouldn't I go? It's such a significant event; of course, I must. I'm going to see the Imperial Seal of the Mandate of Heaven. As for that woman, she just happens to be there. The seal isn't hers; she pried it off Lin Dan Batur to save her own life. Does she really think of herself as some kind of hero?"

Qiqige smiled and said, "I know, I know."

The palace maids brought over her favourite milk tea, offering a bowl to Da Yuer as well. Watching Qiqige drink the tea without a second thought, Da Yuer recalled how, on New Year's Eve, Qiqige had also drank the infertility potion just as unsuspectingly. A pang of pain struck Da Yuer's heart, but such pain no longer even made her frown. She had once asked Hong Taiji why it had to be this way, and his answer was only, "It's always been so."

"There's still chatter about this matter outside," Qiqige remarked dismissively. "And as they talk, they go further afield. They're saying that after the Great Khan takes the seal, he'll inevitably declare himself emperor. Once he's emperor, the harem will need to be established formally. Aunt will become the empress, and you will be the imperial consort."

"What are they saying?" Da Yuer said indifferently. "Do they think I want to be empress?"

"Not quite. It's just that, in the future, there will be distinctions of rank among the consorts, and the harem will need an official system. All these things will need to be implemented step by step," Qiqige mused, resting her chin in her hand. "In the future, under Aunt, counting in Nam Jung, among the current four women in the inner palace, where do you think you'll rank?"

Da Yuer was momentarily stunned. She hadn't really thought about it. Over the years, she had always been the most esteemed person in the palace after her aunt. Even though the title of Grand Consort of the Eastern Palace had never been officially bestowed upon her, aside from titles, Hong Taiji's harem had always been dominated by the Khorchin.

"Aunt has set many rules over the years," Da Yuer said. "I've gradually gotten used to them. In the future, even if things become stricter, it won't be just for me—everyone will be the same."

"And what about your rank?" Qiqige asked.

"How would I know?" Da Yuer genuinely didn't have a clear idea, but she replied, "I'm not someone to be trifled with. Even if Nam Jung is formidable, she can't bully me. I only hope that Sister can stay a step ahead. If she's secure in her position, the Great Khan will be at ease, and so will Aunt and I."

"Are you willing to accept this?" Qiqige asked immediately.

"How could I be?" Da Yuer responded without hesitation. "If it were you, would you be willing? But life has to go on. They're all people I deeply care about, so I choose not to dwell on it. But willing? Of course not."

Qiqige couldn't think of anything comforting to say and simply replied, "Just think of it this way: your elder sister is older than you."

As they chatted idly, Da Yuer suddenly remembered something. She had once mentioned to Hong Taiji that after he ascended the throne, new ceremonial attire should be designed for the emperor, empress, consorts, princes and princesses.

Naturally, Jeje would oversee this with the help of the harem. Eventually, the Six Ministries would be established, and officials from the Ministry of Rites would collaborate to finalize these matters. Da Yuer hadn't delved into the complexities, but she had always been curious about the ceremonial garments of the Ming emperors and empresses.

She said to Qiqige, "Can you get some illustrations for me? I'd like to see what Chongzhen and his empresses and consorts wore."

Qiqige agreed but felt a pang of sadness in her heart.

The Han people had a saying: weaving wedding clothes for others. What was she doing, then? Making dragon robes for someone else?

She knew all too well why Da Yuer wanted those illustrations. If Heaven had granted Nurhaci more time, or if Dorgon had been given the chance to grow into his potential, then those dragon and phoenix robes might have been meant for Dorgon and herself.

In truth, she didn't know whether she should feel regret or resignation. Either way, her life was now bound to Dorgon's. Their fortunes were shared—if one rose, so would the other; if one fell, both would.

As Qiqige was leaving the palace, she encountered Dodo. Dodo had always been respectful toward her and offered to personally escort her back to her residence. Qiqige smiled and said, "It's just a short walk. Don't let me delay you from your important duties."

Dodo sneered, "There's no 'important duty' nowadays. Hong Taiji only wants us to risk our lives in battle, but when it comes to decisions in the court, we're irrelevant. When my brother isn't here, it's like I don't even exist to him."

Qiqige replied, "That's not true. You're a prominent figure in the Great Jin army."

Dodo escorted her back to the Fourteenth Beile's residence. Just before they parted, he couldn't help but ask, "Sister-in-law, is it really true that Bumubutai has nothing to do with my brother?"

Qiqige said, "Don't listen to baseless rumours. There's no truth to it. Think about it yourself—what opportunities would they have had to form a private connection? Over all these years, they've probably exchanged fewer than ten sentences."

Dodo impatiently said, "That Bumubutai woman is truly troublesome. I know she's your cousin, Sister-in-law, but don't get upset. You're always thinking of my brother, and if anything else happens in the future, perhaps it would be better to just…"

"Dodo, absolutely not!" Qiqige was startled. With Dorgon away, if Dodo acted impulsively and did something irreparable, how could she answer to her husband?

More importantly, how could she bear to see Yuer hurt? In this vast city of Shengjing, her only confidante was this cousin, and Yuer had always been sincere and loyal to her.

"Sister-in-law, my brother is just too cautious. Otherwise, he wouldn't be bullied by Hong Taiji like this."

"Dodo, if you still respect me, you must listen to me," Qiqige said sternly. "Your brother has his own plans. You're both still young. To be blunt, you can even outlast Hong Taiji. Don't let a moment of impulsiveness ruin the achievements you and your brother have fought for with your lives. Think about your wife and your children."

"You're right, Sister-in-law," Dodo conceded. Bowing his head, he said, "I was reckless. Please don't take it to heart or worry about me."

Qiqige said, "Your brother cares about you most of all. If anything happened to you, how could he bear it? Dodo, you must be prudent."

A few days later, Qiqige obtained portraits of a Ming emperor and empress. She didn't know which ancestors they depicted, but the ceremonial attire was likely accurate. After bringing them to the palace, she and Da Yuer studied them together, examining the patterns and designs and discussing how their future ceremonial garments should look.

Jeje instructed them to keep a low profile, warning them not to let outsiders see. "The Khan hasn't said anything yet, and here you women are already busy with such matters. It's completely inappropriate."

Despite her words, Jeje took an interest in the matter. After consulting with Hong Taiji, she selected a dragon pattern design submitted by a court painter. She summoned Hairanju and said, "You should embroider these to see which style and colour combination works best."

Da Yuer, standing nearby, remarked, "With so many to do, Sister's eyes will surely go blind from all that embroidery."

Hairanju laughed. "It's nothing. You only think it's troublesome because you're not the one doing it. If you're worried about me tiring, why not come and help?"

Jeje quickly interjected, "Better not. She'll probably end up turning your dragons into worms—how inauspicious!"

Unwilling to back down, Da Yuer called for Sumala with a triumphant wave of her hand and said, "Let Sumala assist Sister with the embroidery. You know how skilled she is, Aunt."

Sumala was more than willing but couldn't help asking Da Yuer with a troubled expression, "Miss, will I still have time to study?"

Da Yuer smiled sweetly and said, "Perfect. From now on, you'll spend one day with Yatu and Sister, and the next day with me. That way, neither side will be neglected."

Qiqige, watching from the side, sighed, "Sumala, what sins did you commit in your past life to end up serving such an unreasonable and headstrong mistress in this one?"

The room burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the corridors. Far away, Consort Doutumen, returning from her walk, heard the lively commotion.

She felt a mix of longing and helplessness. Glancing at the palace maids by her side, she knew that every action she took would be reported to the Great Consort. Restraining her gaze, she turned toward her side palace.

"The Great Consort is coming soon," she thought nervously.

Would Nam Jung treat her well? Could Nam Jung become her support? But Hong Taiji had already made things clear—she was to behave and remain obedient.

Sitting on the kang, Consort Doutumen watched as the maids removed her shoes and brought warm water for her to wash her hands. Truth be told, ever since she arrived, Jeje and Bumubutai had treated her fairly, and the palace maids served her attentively. If she had no desires or ambitions, she could certainly live a peaceful life. But...

"If only she didn't come," Consort Doutumen murmured, clutching her chest. Just thinking about Nam Jung's piercing gaze made her heart tremble with fear.

Meanwhile, Dorgon and Hooge were nearing their destination. Delegates from the Chahar tribe had arrived to greet them, and the two men, riding tall horses, proceeded forward with an entourage surrounding them.

Hooge suddenly asked, "Fourteenth Uncle, do you think Father will adopt that posthumous child?"

Dorgon replied, "Even if he does, it would just be to provide food and shelter. How could that child compare to you and your brothers? It would create chaos in the Aisin Gioro bloodline."

Hooge nodded. "I thought so, too. As for that woman, keeping her along with Lin Dan Batur's son—she certainly won't have her heart aligned with Father's. Leaving her in the harem would only bring trouble."

Dorgon glanced at Hooge, his expression unreadable. Was Hooge scheming something? Was he saying these things to lower Dorgon's guard, perhaps to make it easier for him to secretly align with Nam Jung?

With a faintly mocking smile, Dorgon said calmly, "The affairs of the Great Khan's household are not ours to meddle in. She will be your stepmother. We should show her some respect."

Hooge smirked and said, "I've heard Nam Jung is very beautiful. Father truly has great fortune. The most stunning women in the world all flock to him. Beauty and heroism do make a perfect match."