Jeje's Majesty

"Side Consort, please step down from the carriage."

The repeated address of "Side Consort" pierced through Nam Jung's composure, causing her to clench her fists tightly. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, steadied herself, and reached out to lift the curtain.

Palace maids rushed forward to assist the bride, dressed in her wedding robes, out of the carriage. Jeje was already waiting with a group of noblewomen.

Nam Jung stepped forward, knelt, and respectfully greeted, "This concubine, Nam Jung, pays her respects to the Great Consort."

Her etiquette was flawless—neither servile nor arrogant. Known for her magnanimity, Jeje had no intention of embarrassing her in public. She gestured for Adai to help Nam Jung up and spoke kindly, "From now on, we are all family; there's no need to be so formal. Today is your special day—congratulations. However, the Great Khan is occupied with state affairs and has already returned to the Grand Politics Hall for discussions with the ministers. If there are any grievances, I trust you will understand and bear with it."

"This concubine dares not," Nam Jung replied. Yet inwardly, she laughed. Grievances? Clearly, this was a deliberate slight. The Emperor had only offered her the symbolic gesture of the Imperial Seal; any personal requests she made had been blatantly ignored.

"Others will be sent to their husbands shortly, so there will be plenty of opportunities for future reunions. You needn't worry too much," Jeje continued. With that, she prepared to board her carriage, taking Hairanju and Da Yuer with her.

Left behind, Nam Jung was presented with an ordinary carriage. The palace servants approached her respectfully and said, "Side Consort, please board the carriage."

She glanced back at the exquisite wedding carriage she had meticulously prepared, then at the plain vehicle in front of her. The pride in her heart was crushed underfoot.

The palace attendants, anticipating her displeasure, explained politely, "Side Consort, all carriages in Shengjing are regulated. Foreign carriages must be inspected before entering the city. However, searching your carriage today would be disrespectful to you, so we've left it outside the city and will send it in later."

Nam Jung said nothing. With the help of her maid, she boarded the carriage and departed in a huff.

Meanwhile, the Great Consort's procession headed toward the inner palace, surrounded by a crowd. Hairanju and Da Yuer accompanied Jeje, all three remaining silent. It was only when the carriage suddenly stopped with a violent jolt, throwing them off balance, that they broke their silence to check on each other.

"Great Consort, a child suddenly dashed onto the road. The guards have apprehended her," came the report from outside the carriage.

"Don't trouble the child," Da Yuer interjected. "Let them go, and let us continue on our way."

Jeje, noticing Yuer's calm and composed demeanour, felt a sense of relief. Since the others had spoken, she added her thoughts as well: "You've all seen it—Nam Jung's beauty, poise, and that unyielding pride."

"Yes," Hairanju and Da Yuer responded in unison.

"She will never be as compliant as the Consort Doutumen, nor as reckless as Zarut. For someone who can make such bold demands of the Great Khan and still kneel submissively to me, hiding everything behind a façade of composure while harbouring boundless ambition underneath—that kind of person is the most hateful and dangerous."

Jeje didn't shy away from voicing her thoughts. She calmly instructed her nieces, "You must be wary of her. Treat her with courtesy but maintain your vigilance."

Da Yuer, always candid, said directly, "Sister, you can't let yourself be bullied again."

Hairanju wore a serious expression. She understood her younger sister wasn't joking, but she couldn't quite grasp what "being bullied" entailed. If someone as brazen as Zarut left her unsure of how to respond, then someone as covert as Nam Jung would be even more perplexing.

With her own worries in mind, she cautioned her sister, "Yuer, don't let others provoke you into a confrontation with her. It might make you seem strong, but in reality, it's just another way of being manipulated."

"I understand. I've changed now," Da Yuer replied earnestly. "Sister, don't worry about me."

Jeje sighed softly, taking both of her nieces' hands into her own. With a comforting tone, she said, "You might not like hearing this, but I know each of you has your own pride. Still, it warms my heart to have you both by my side. Without you, life in this palace would truly be..."

Hairanju gently added, "Yuer always says that whenever she feels aggrieved, you've already endured a hundredfold more for her."

"Is that so?" Jeje asked with mock disbelief, her eyes twinkling as she looked at Yuer. "Could you really be so considerate?"

Da Yuer pouted slightly, moving closer to snuggle against Jeje. "Of course, I care for you, Aunt. Truly, so much."

Jeje patted her hand with satisfaction and said, "I brought you here hoping for nothing but your happiness."

"I'm doing just fine," Da Yuer said confidently.

Before long, the carriage arrived at the palace gates. The three women switched to palanquins to return to the inner palace. As they entered Fenghuang Tower, Hairanju glanced back but saw no sign of Nam Jung.

"Wasn't her carriage here too?" Hairanju asked Yuer. "Why hasn't she come in?"

Da Yuer sneered, her tone icy. "The palace rules are strict, after all."

At that moment, Nam Jung was being stripped of her bridal attire, subjected to a thorough body search by two elderly matrons.

Their coarse hands brushed over her soft, graceful figure, leaving no inch of her skin unchecked. Nam Jung's heart felt as though it were being shredded; the pain was unbearable, and the humiliation made her want to kill. Yet, she endured it.

The matrons, ever respectful, said to her, "Please forgive us for the offense, Side Consort. This is the rule of the palace."

Nam Jung offered a faint smile, her voice calm. "I understand. Please, do as you must."

Even her hair was parted and inspected, as if they feared she might be hiding a weapon. By the time she was allowed to redress, her clothing had gone cold, and she had to use her body heat to warm it again.

Walking step by step along the palace pathways, Nam Jung had initially intended to take in the splendour of this palace, but now her mind was consumed by thoughts of vengeance—how to trample every woman in this palace beneath her feet, how to dismember the servants who had dared to touch her.

Still, when she reached the base of Fenghuang Tower, she couldn't help but be awestruck. Gazing up at the tallest structure in the palace, she imagined herself one day standing at its pinnacle, bathed in light.

"Side Consort, this way, please. The Great Consort is waiting for you to pay your respects. Afterward, the concubines and the Consorts of the Beiles will also come to greet you. We mustn't delay the schedule," a servant respectfully reminded her, leading the way.

Walking past Fenghuang Tower and into the platform of the Five Palaces, Nam Jung noticed the characters Qingning Palace above the central hall—these she recognized. The other four chambers on the east and west sides were still without plaques.

Palace maids stood in neat rows within the courtyard, their faces unfamiliar. Nam Jung had anticipated that bringing her own maids might be met with resistance, so she had only brought one trusted personal attendant.

She was invited into the palace. Jeje sat at the head of the room, her posture regal and commanding. Nam Jung had already memorized Jeje's appearance, but now her attention was drawn to the two young women standing behind her—both strikingly beautiful.

It made sense. The women of Khorchin were famed for their beauty, and Nam Jung had heard of Hairanju's renown years ago. As for the unfamiliar face, that must be the legendary Bumubutai—the woman Wukeshan had sent to bear sons for Hong Taiji, yet who, despite her efforts, had only ever borne daughters.

Does she really have three children? Nam Jung wondered. She shows no trace of it. This thought stung her even more. She remembered the starvation and suffering she had endured over the past year, just to restore her figure after giving birth to a son.

"Nam Jung pays her respects to the Great Consort. May the Great Consort be blessed with fortune and health," she said as she knelt and bowed deeply before Jeje, performing the grand ceremonial obeisance.

Once, she had sat at the highest seat, receiving the bows of Lin Dan Batur's women. In her lifetime, she had only ever bowed to her own mother.

"This is Side Consort Hairanju, and this is Bumubutai," Jeje introduced them warmly. Gesturing toward the Consort Doutumen, she added with a smile, "And this one, you must already be very familiar with."

Consort Doutumen didn't dare lift her eyes to meet Nam Jung's. She gave a small bow, careful not to be overly respectful, for in the Shengjing Imperial Palace, there was only one true mistress: Borjigit Jeje.

Nam Jung greeted Hairanju and Da Yuer in turn. Yuer, straightforward and composed, remarked, "It must have been a tiring day for you. Soon, the concubines and the consorts of the Beiles and Beizis will come to pay their respects. Please return to your side palace early to rest and prepare to receive their congratulations."

Jeje added gently, "The Great Khan is busy with affairs of state and won't be able to see you for the time being. I hope you'll understand and wait patiently."

"Yes, Great Consort. I'll take my leave," Nam Jung replied with impeccable manners, flawless in every gesture and word.

To Jeje, Nam Jung's bright and charming eyes stood out. In terms of beauty, she was more composed than the frivolous Zarut and more alluring than the gentle and serene Hairanju. Yet, in terms of aura, she seemed to share an inexplicable resemblance to Yuer, a likeness Jeje herself found peculiar.

"You're familiar with the palace, having arrived early," Jeje instructed Consort Doutumen. "Take Nam Jung and show her around." She thought to herself that the two would inevitably form ties, so she might as well handle it graciously and keep control of the situation.

Consort Doutumen hesitated, conflicted. She had resolved to follow Hong Taiji's orders and avoid any entanglement with Nam Jung, but there were some things one couldn't escape.

Nervously, she agreed, glancing at Nam Jung with her heart pounding, and addressed her cautiously, "Please, this way."

Jeje's lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. She watched them leave with an air of calm detachment, her expression betraying no inner thoughts.

Nam Jung's side palace had previously belonged to Zarut. Though it had been refurbished, it still felt eerie, as if carrying a lingering chill that made one uneasy. Perhaps it was because the rooms hadn't been heated since January, leaving the place thoroughly cold.

"This palace is quite large," Nam Jung remarked to Consort Doutumen, no longer holding back. "Is your room as big as mine?"

"Yes, yes… mine is right next door," Consort Doutumen stammered nervously. In her panic, she added, "Great Consort, please wait a moment. They'll be here soon to—"

"Hah!" Nam Jung let out a cold laugh. "Great Consort? Who are you calling Great Consort?"