Sumala's Trouble

Hairanju had a restless night, sleeping fitfully with a heavy heart. As spring transitioned into summer, she caught a slight cold. Fortunately, the symptoms were mild—only nasal congestion and a headache—so she didn't trouble Baoqing to summon a doctor.

Most of Hong Taiji's time was occupied with state affairs, leaving little opportunity to visit the inner palace during the day. Even Da Yuer, who was often sent by Jeje to inquire about the emperor's meals, could only exchange a few words with Niman outside the Grand Politics Hall.

Moreover, the inner palace ladies were not allowed to visit the Ten Princes Pavilion unless there was a significant reason. So it was not until the afternoon that Hong Taiji learned about Hairanju's cold.

Worried, he made time to visit her personally. Seeing her delicate figure looking both apologetic and fragile, he was a mix of distressed and annoyed. "Sick again? You might as well take medicine as your meals if you're not going to take care of yourself," he chided.

Hairanju smiled weakly, pleading with him not to be upset. Hong Taiji touched her forehead, relieved that she didn't have a fever, and said, "Get some proper rest for a few days. Once you feel better, I'll take you outside for a walk. Staying cooped up indoors is what made you sick."

Meanwhile, in the palace courtyard, Nam Jung returned from a stroll. Noticing Hong Taiji's guards stationed outside Hairanju's quarters, Lixin whispered by her side, "That woman really knows how to feign illness. Seeing the Great Khan treat you well, she suddenly falls sick. I bet she caught a chill last night watching us from her window."

Nam Jung glanced at her and replied, "Don't speak carelessly outside. We must endure everything here—the days ahead are still long."

As they approached the front of Qinging Palace, they saw Jeje coming out with the little princess and went forward to pay their respects. Jeje exchanged polite words with Nam Jung before taking the child to visit Hairanju's quarters.

Returning to her own side palace, Nam Jung changed into soft shoes. While helping her, Lixin remarked, "The palace is filled with women, yet none seem able to bear sons."

Mentioning sons, Nam Jung couldn't help but think of her young son, Abunai, who was being raised outside the palace. Although Consort Sutai had promised to care for him, Nam Jung knew she couldn't truly rely on anyone.

Sensing her mistress's thoughts, Lixin said sorrowfully, "I wonder if our little prince is able to drink his milk properly."

Nam Jung's heart tightened. Clenching her fists, she replied firmly, "Never mention this again, Lixin. In this palace, we must never speak of Abunai. I will not let anyone plot against him. All I want is for him to survive."

"Yes..."

Nam Jung's voice was firm. "In the future, I will ensure his younger brother supports him, restoring everything he has lost. I will make him the King of Chahar." Her eyes shone with determination. "I will make it happen."

After calming herself, she continued, "Even though they've humiliated me countless times, Hong Taiji has treated me relatively well. He is strong and captivating. If I had met him ten years earlier, I would have undoubtedly followed him. But now, it's too late to dwell on such things. Aside from the support of the Abahai clan, I have nothing else to rely on."

Lixin looked nervously at her mistress, but Nam Jung had already calculated everything. "I missed the chance to bear a son for Lin Dan Batur. I cannot let this opportunity slip away with Hong Taiji. The women of Khorchin are useless—that is their fate."

A few days later, Qiqige visited Hairanju, who had already recovered. Hairanju greeted her with a smile. "Thank you for your concern."

Qiqige replied with a playful smirk, "If I'm only concerned now, that would make me insincere. But what could I have done if I had come earlier? The Great Khan must have been by your side, and he'd probably glare at me if I showed up."

Hairanju playfully scolded her, "You've learned to speak nonsense like Yuer."

Qiqige laughed. "It's Yuer who learned from me. But now she doesn't bother with that anymore. She spends her days holed up in the study doing scholarly work. If our Great Jin establishes an imperial examination system someday, she might even try to pass it and become an official!"

Hairanju paused, then asked, "Qiqige, what is an imperial examination?"

Qiqige hesitated, slightly embarrassed, and then briefly explained how the Ming dynasty used the imperial examination system to select and appoint officials for the court.

After hearing this, Hairanju felt overwhelmed. Seeing the expression on her face, Qiqige guessed her thoughts. Hairanju forced a smile. "You must think I'm foolish, don't you?"

Qiqige quickly shook her head. "Everyone has their strengths. Yours are all in the eyes of the Great Khan."

Hairanju sighed. "But I often can't keep up with the things he talks about, and over time, he stops saying them." She hesitated, unsure whether she should confide in Qiqige, but after deliberating, she knew she couldn't speak to Yuer about this.

"I know palace life can be stifling." Qiqige, sensing her feelings, replied thoughtfully. "It's true. Yuer used to feel the same way. She's told me things like this before, just as you're telling me now. But people are different, and that's fine. Look at the Great Khan's ministers—don't they each have their own roles and talents? Speaking of which, if you asked my dear Dorgon to translate books in the library, would that work?"

Hairanju's heart suddenly felt much lighter. Qiqige gently held her cousin's hands and said, "Sister, you must take care of yourself. The Great Khan cherishes you, and Yuer cares deeply for you. Those difficult moments? Even Yuer has endured them, so what is there for you to hold on to? As for the Great Khan taking new concubines, it's inevitable. Your husband is no longer just a tribal taiji—he is the ruler of an empire, and this comes with the territory. In truth, you and Yuer are alike. Perhaps all women who belong to a monarch share the same fate."

"Qiqige, you're so kind..."

Qiqige smiled warmly. "Sister, whose life is truly perfect? There's no need to feel troubled over your own desires and ambitions. Who doesn't have a little selfishness now and then? Gains are gains, and losses are losses. Be a bit more carefree, more open-minded. Don't fight with yourself."

Hairanju's mood improved significantly. Qiqige was such an understanding and kind-hearted person. Feeling moved, she said, "All these years, it must have been you who stayed by Yuer's side and influenced her, making her the wonderful person she is today."

Qiqige thought of the time she had pinned Da Yuer to the bed, sobbing uncontrollably—a memory that still made her heart race. But Da Yuer had kept the incident a secret, likely not even mentioning it to Hong Taiji.

"Yuer treats me well too. Compared to others, we're much better off. At least here in Shengjing, we have family support, don't we?" Qiqige smiled radiantly. "Sister, hurry up and get better. Let's go horseback riding together. Dorgon isn't home, and I'm bored."

As they spoke, Da Yuer ran over from the study. She had heard Qiqige was there and had come specifically to find her. The two leaned in close, whispering secrets that made Qiqige's cheeks flush red. She playfully slapped Yuer on the forehead. "You're outrageous, asking me to find something like that!"

Yuer shot her a sidelong glance. "Don't pretend. I bet you already have something like that at home."

Hairanju watched them, amused, and scolded gently, "Yuer, stop teasing Qiqige."

Qiqige turned to Hairanju in mock complaint. "Sister, Yuer asked me to find... um, a spring... picture..."

Da Yuer quickly clamped her hand over Qiqige's mouth to stop her from speaking. The fragmented words "spring palace picture" were uttered in bits and pieces. Hairanju didn't understand what those three Chinese characters meant but made a mental note of them.

That night, when Hong Taiji came to spend time with her, Hairanju thought of the day's events and mentioned, "Yuer seems to be looking for a book. She even asked Qiqige for help, likely because she didn't want to trouble you. Why not find it for her and make her happy?"

Hong Taiji, uninterested, asked, "What does she want?"

Hairanju thought hard and muttered, "Something... spring... something... picture..."

Hong Taiji silently pieced it together in his mind: Spring Palace Picture. He nearly choked, barely stopping himself from spitting out a mouthful of tea. Hairanju hurried to pat his back and soothe him. "Drink slower, drink slower."

"Do you know what that is?" Hong Taiji asked, stifling a laugh.

"Is it a painting?" Hairanju replied nervously. She already felt that she could never quite keep up with Hong Taiji.

Hong Taiji put down his teacup, gently pushed her back, and began unfastening the buttons of her collar. "Let me teach you slowly what it is."

Hairanju trembled, both delighted and nervous. Suddenly, she understood why Qiqige had scolded Yuer earlier for being so bold. How could she have been so naive, not realizing what they had been talking about?

"Great Khan..." she whimpered, feeling his hand slipping into her robes. She pleaded softly, but it was already too late.

Naturally, Da Yuer had no idea that her comment had given her sister an unexpected night of passion. She was still eagerly waiting for Qiqige to fulfill her request.

Qiqige, however, could not be so frivolous. It wasn't until mid-June, after several reminders from Yuer, that she finally brought back two handkerchiefs embroidered with suggestive scenes. Da Yuer treated them like treasures, carefully hiding them. If her children ever stumbled upon them, she would certainly face the wrath of her aunt and Hong Taiji.

By late summer, Hooge returned with his troops. He had destroyed Ningwu Pass and the surrounding towns and fields, causing devastation and forcing Ming civilians into displacement. Afterward, he stopped by Korchin and brought back a new consort that Hong Taiji had arranged for him, a Borjigit woman.

Given the family ties, this new "wife of the first prince" was also a cousin of both Da Yuer and Hairanju, but now, she became their "daughter-in-law". Da Yuer, never one to hold back, remarked openly in front of Jeje, "If there would ever be a year when Korchin stops producing daughters, the men of Aisin Gioro will all die bachelors!"

In early July, Hong Taiji finally found time to fulfill his promise to Yuer, taking her out alone for a horseback ride in the countryside. Yuer herself had almost forgotten about this promise, so she was overjoyed that Hong Taiji had kept it in mind.

Once they arrived at the pasture, she transformed into a wild, untamed spirit, galloping at breakneck speed. Hong Taiji, terrified by her recklessness, scolded her until she finally slowed down.

After dismounting, they decided to check on the new horses in the stables. As Yuer rolled up her sleeves, ready to pitch hay for the horses, a palace attendant came rushing towards them.

Yuer sighed inwardly, knowing that urgent state affairs were likely to pull Hong Taiji away again. But instead, the attendant said, "Consort Yu, your servant Sumala, and Consort Nam Jung's maid got into an argument. Consort Nam Jung was pushed and fell, losing consciousness. The Great Consort requests that the Great Khan and Consort Yu return to the palace immediately."

Yuer frowned deeply. "You're saying Sumala pushed Nam Jung?"

The attendant stammered nervously, "I... I'm not sure..."

Hong Taiji didn't seem overly concerned, but noticing Yuer's tension, he clasped her hand gently. "Don't worry, it's nothing serious. With Jeje there, Sumala won't be at a disadvantage."