Da Yuer was Completely Satisfied

After leaving Qingning Palace, Da Yuer hurried toward her room. Hairanju wanted to say a few words to her, but before she could open her mouth, Da Yuer dashed off like a gust of wind.

Standing under the eaves, Sumala dared not move and timidly asked, "Older Princess, did the Great Consort reprimand Miss?"

Hairanju shook her head, "It's nothing. You focus on your punishment and stop making Auntie angry."

She hesitated, debating whether to comfort Da Yuer. Unlike Qiqige, she wasn't eloquent. Simple matters she could handle, but anything more complex—she feared her words would only make things worse, deepening Da Yuer's sadness.

Besides, her mere presence was a source of pain for Da Yuer.

Inside her chamber, Da Yuer stormed back in. Seeing the kang bed piled with children's toys in utter disarray, she suddenly flew into a rage and reached out to sweep the toys onto the floor.

But she abruptly recalled the image of Qiqige, the pitiful woman who had once clung to her in a frenzy of sobs and cries. She couldn't become that. She couldn't lose her mind. She wasn't suffering as much—her burden wasn't that heavy.

Taking a long, deep breath, Da Yuer sank down onto the bed, exhaustion washing over her. She casually picked up a cloth tiger and began to toy with it. The intricate stitching, vibrant colours, soft fabric, and cotton stuffing—such a fine piece of work could only come from her elder sister's hands.

Her sister was not only beautiful but also skilled, crafting things of equal beauty.

It was said that her sister had already completed the dragon-patterned robe for the Great Khan to wear upon his coronation. Though Sumala had been assigned to assist her, most of the work had reportedly been done by her sister, with Sumala merely offering suggestions and organizing the materials and threads.

If she had the skills, Da Yuer would also want to make a dragon robe for her husband herself.

But then the thought struck her: from tomorrow onward, she might once again have to take fertility medicine like her daily meal. Thinking of how every dose of that medicine over the years had severed Qiqige's hopes for descendants, Da Yuer's stomach churned violently, as if even her bile was rising to her throat. She clutched her mouth tightly, tears welling in her bloodshot eyes.

Why was it that her sister could avoid all expectations because of poor health? Why could her sister love him without any burden? She wanted that too... But she couldn't keep comparing herself to her sister. Was it because her sister was easier to pick on?

After finishing her punishment, Sumala returned to find Da Yuer curled up on the kang bed, surrounded by a chaotic pile of the little princesses' toys. Unable to hold back, she scolded the maids, "Why haven't you cleaned this up? If the Great Consort sees this mess, what will happen?"

The young maids, trembling with fear, replied, "The mistress wouldn't allow us to touch them. We were going to tidy up."

Sumala approached. Da Yuer wasn't asleep. She reached out and tugged on Sumala's arm. "It's good you weren't punished today. If you'd suffered, I honestly don't know if I could've restrained myself."

"Miss, I was wrong." Sumala knelt down, choking back tears. "Please punish me. Did the Great Consort reprimand you? It's all my fault, isn't it?"

"Don't cry." Da Yuer pinched Sumala's cheek. "That didn't happen. Why would Aunt blame me? She just brought up old matters, which made me feel sick for a moment. I'll get over it. After so many years, I'm used to it."

Frowning, Sumala asked softly, "Did the Great Consort force you to..."

"Shh." Da Yuer pressed a finger to Sumala's lips. "Don't say it. Just hearing those words makes me want to vomit."

Days later, news spread throughout Shengjing—and even reached southern Mongolia—that Nam Jung was pregnant. Yet with the tragedy of Zarut still fresh in everyone's memory, every visitor to Nam Jung chose their words carefully, their remarks filled with unspoken implications.

Nam Jung received them all with a polite smile, maintaining her dignity and composure. But deep down, she despised being compared to that foolish woman.

Since arriving in Shengjing, she had heard of Zarut's actions in the palace and scoffed. If such a woman had been around Lindan Khan in the past, how could she have ever had the chance to conceive? Jeje had been too lenient—so lenient that she'd granted opportunities to others.

This Great Consort, so lofty in status, didn't even have the means to slip contraceptive medicine to other women. She had handed a golden opportunity to someone else for no reason.

Now, Nam Jung caressed her belly, standing at the side palace gate and gazing at the blazing sun. The days passed swiftly, with the sun rising and setting. If her guess was correct, by this time next year, Hong Taiji would surely have ascended the throne.

And the child in her womb would be the first prince born in the founding year of the new dynasty. His name would be remembered by all.

After her son was born, she would begin forging ties with the beiles and ministers, paving the way for a secure future for herself and her son. She had no time to bicker with Da Yuer over jealousy or affection.

In her months here, Nam Jung had noticed that the two sisters across the courtyard valued their feelings for Hong Taiji above all else. They truly loved him. How foolish.

"Ridiculous…" Nam Jung clicked her tongue. As a woman of an emperor, the last thing one should have is a genuine heart. Otherwise, defeat was inevitable from the start.

During these days, Jeje had indeed started administering medicine to Da Yuer. Hong Taiji had been staying home for nearly a year, and Da Yuer had frequently spent nights in his bedchamber. Consulting the records, Jeje noted that if Da Yuer were fortunate, she should have already given birth by now.

Over the past year, however, both Zarut and Nam Jung had become pregnant, proving that Hong Taiji was healthy and virile.

Though Jeje had long realized she couldn't keep pressuring her niece, a new concern emerged: while Zarut had been inconsequential, what about Nam Jung? If Nam Jung were to give birth to a son...

Every time Jeje considered this, her heart tightened. She had no desire to resort to killing or harming others, but if circumstances became unavoidable, she wouldn't hesitate to act ruthlessly.

As the summer heat faded after mid-July, the weather cooled, and the palace windows were no longer left wide open. The scent of medicinal herbs lingered in Da Yuer's quarters, just as it had in the past.

One day, when Hong Taiji entered her chamber, he immediately wrinkled his nose at the overpowering smell of medicine. He knew Da Yuer wasn't ill and was fully aware that Jeje was making her take fertility medicine. What distressed him even more was the sight of Da Yuer sitting on the kang bed, struggling to swallow the bitter decoction.

"Greetings, Great Khan," the palace maids said, bowing and retreating from the room. Da Yuer sat there blankly, holding the half-finished bowl of medicine in her hands, staring at him with a dazed expression.

Hong Taiji felt a pang in his chest, stirred by both the suffocating scent of the medicine and the fact that, in just a few days, she had visibly lost weight.

Lowering her head, Da Yuer clutched the bowl, afraid her tears might fall and ruin the painstaking efforts of her aunt. She dared not cry.

She no longer propped up her legs after their intimate moments, but that was the extent of her rebellion. She couldn't bear to upset her aunt. No matter how much she despised it, she continued to take the medicine without protest.

Hong Taiji stepped forward, snatched the bowl from her hands, and poured its contents onto the floor. Without hesitation, he shattered the bowl against the ground.

Da Yuer jumped up in fright, unsure of what to do. Instinctively, she glanced toward the window, fearing someone might hear the commotion, fearing her aunt...

"The smell is so strong, and you're drinking bowl after bowl of it every day. Aren't you afraid people will notice and gossip about how desperate you are to conceive?" Hong Taiji fumed. "I merely broke a bowl—what's there to fear?"

Da Yuer pleaded anxiously, "I don't care what others think. I just don't want Aunt to be upset. I'm drinking this for her sake. Don't act like this. What do you want me to do?"

Outside, the sound of the shattered bowl was unmistakable. When the maids reported it to Baoqing, she didn't wait to hear the full story before passing the news on to Hairanju.

Hairanju, unaware that Hong Taiji was there, worried that Da Yuer might have broken down under the pressure of taking the medicine. She hurried over to check but froze at the doorway when she saw Hong Taiji holding a tearful Da Yuer in his arms. Flustered, she quickly stepped back out.

"My lady?" Baoqing whispered nervously.

"It's nothing... nothing," Hairanju replied, grabbing Baoqing and walking away.

Meanwhile, in Hong Taiji's arms, Da Yuer sobbed uncontrollably. He waited patiently for her to calm down before leading her to Qingning Palace to speak with Jeje. Jeje hadn't expected her husband to personally intervene on Da Yuer's behalf, pleading with her to stop forcing the fertility medicine on his niece.

After Jeje reluctantly agreed, Hong Taiji instructed Da Yuer to leave the room, then spoke to Jeje alone. "I understand the weight you bear," he said. "I married you, and then I took Yuer and Hairanju. Do you think I won't hold Khorchin in the highest regard in the end? Or are you afraid that I'm growing old, and that's why you're so impatient?"

Jeje was stunned. Dropping to her knees, she quickly said, "Great Khan, I would never think such a thing."

Hong Taiji helped her to her feet. "Jeje, you and I share a deep connection. With a single glance, you know what I intend to do. Can you not also understand my feelings toward you, toward Yuer, and toward Hairanju?"

Tears filled Jeje's eyes. "But Great Khan, neither Yuer nor I have been able to give you…"

"Enough," Hong Taiji interrupted gently, shaking his head. "Don't burden yourself with such thoughts. Jeje, you've worked too hard."

Outside the room, Da Yuer lingered near the door, torn between curiosity and decorum. She dearly wanted to know what Hong Taiji and her aunt were discussing. But today, her heart felt full—she hadn't expected Hong Taiji to personally stand up for her.

Tears still clung to her face, but a faint smile broke through as she turned and saw her sister anxiously standing nearby. She ran over to Hairanju, saying, "The Great Khan spoke up for me! Sister, Aunt won't force me to drink the medicine anymore."

Hairanju's face lit up with joy. "That's wonderful! Truly wonderful!"

At that moment, Niman hurried toward them, casting a brief, awkward glance at Hairanju and Da Yuer before rushing into Qingning Palace.

Inside, Jeje was dabbing her eyes when Niman addressed Hong Taiji directly: "Great Khan, the Fourteenth Beile is approaching Shengjing."

Unperturbed, Hong Taiji responded, "I know. What of it?"

Niman hesitated before continuing, "The Fourteenth Beile has brought a child with him—rumoured to be his own, born of a woman outside the palace."