Who Did the Child Look Like?

Seeing Da Yuer lost in thought, Hong Taiji reflected on his earlier words, particularly about how Qiqige would look after Dorgon's interests, and silently noted it.

After leaving Qingning Palace, walking with Da Yuer to the Fenghuang Tower, he casually asked, "Is there a new teacher coming today?"

Da Yuer nodded: "A painting teacher."

Hong Taiji said, "Don't paint your face all messy."

Da Yuer protested: "You always look down on me."

"I do look down on you," Hong Taiji laughed, "but everything you do for me, I keep in my heart, always remembering."

Da Yuer's heart trembled - why could this man always see through her thoughts?

Seeing her expression, Hong Taiji knew he'd guessed correctly and lightly tapped her forehead: "Don't overthink things right under my nose. I know everything you're thinking. Instead of guessing, just ask me."

"You really know everything?" Da Yuer's question seemed cheerful, but she was asking sincerely.

"I do," Hong Taiji answered without hesitation.

Her bright, clear eyes held only her husband's image. Yuer was indeed happy, but she also understood that Hong Taiji couldn't really read all her thoughts.

But those thoughts, before she could prove them to herself, she wouldn't tell anyone.

"If there's anything I can do about Qiqige's situation, just tell me," Da Yuer said seriously. "I'm willing to do anything."

Hong Taiji smiled: "I know, how many times did you say that last night? Aren't you tired of repeating it?"

They parted in good spirits. Da Yuer watched her husband head toward the Ten Kings Pavilion, waiting until his figure disappeared through the small door before turning back to the inner palace. But when she looked up, she saw Nam Jung's maid Lixin sneaking through the side palace door.

Yuer felt a surge of anger - she had already decided that if Nam Jung dared to do anything to her, her sister, or their aunt, she would ensure Nam Jung met the same fate as Zarut.

She had once sighed at the power struggles between women in imperial courts throughout dynasties, forgetting that she herself was now in the midst of one.

The appearance of Zarut and her sister made Da Yuer feel threatened, and she was not one to hide in fear - she would bravely charge forward to eliminate anything that threatened her.

Perhaps being spoiled by Jeje and Hong Taiji while growing up had given her this presumptuous personality, but it was too late to change now.

After court that day, Hong Taiji issued an imperial decree conferring the title of Princess Duolo on Dorgon's daughter, naming her Dong'e, and posthumously bestowing the title of Side Consort on her mother, granting great honour to both Dorgon and the child.

The decree arrived home before Dorgon did. Qiqige led everyone in receiving it and expressing gratitude. Dong'e was held by her maternal grandmother behind her, but even until today, Qiqige hadn't looked at the child once.

The palace sent two new wet nurses, and Qiqige arranged their accommodation. Dong'e's maternal grandmother lived with her and several wet nurses and maids in a small courtyard by the garden. Everything was arranged perfectly and considerately, except that the consort had never held the child.

Afterward, Dorgon would return from court each day and spend most of his time in the study, returning to the main courtyard at night. Qiqige didn't drive him away, but the couple hadn't spoken since that night.

Hong Taiji knew every detail of what happened in the Beile's mansion but didn't tell Yuer, fearing she might accidentally reveal something when next meeting Qiqige.

Days later, owing to Hong Taiji's grace and the Great Consort's care, Qiqige had to enter the palace to express gratitude. But upon seeing Jeje, her eyes immediately reddened.

"Silly girl," Jeje pulled Qiqige close, saying gently, "Just think of her as born to a concubine. Even if you can't accept it, you're only hurting yourself. Let it go sooner rather than later, raise her as your own daughter. Didn't you always say little girls are the most endearing?"

Qiqige choked with grievance: "I haven't even seen what that woman looked like, Aunt. You know what kind of person Dorgon is - what kind of woman could move both his heart and emotions? I can't accept it, I just can't."

Jeje said: "What's the use of seeing her? Her unfortunate fate wasn't your fault. If you raise her child well from now on, her spirit in heaven will surely repay you. Qiqige, you're the most perceptive person - you probably already understand what I'm saying in your heart, don't you?"

"Aunt, when Yuer was upset before, we didn't understand her, always advising her to think more positively," Qiqige said. "Only now do I understand what it means when the pain isn't your own."

"Hairanju said she looked like Dorgon, I don't believe it."

Qiqige nodded reluctantly, but said, "Actually, I haven't seen her myself."

After bidding farewell to Jeje, she came to the study, wanting to talk to Da Yuer about her feelings, but through the window, she saw Da Yuer listening attentively to the teacher's lecture.

Her beautiful and delicate profile, solemn expression, confident eyes, and straight back made Qiqige unconsciously cheer up.

Comparing herself with Yuer to see who was more miserable was just a joke.

They lived in luxury, being mistresses in a growing powerful nation, without having to worry about anything. What could they possibly be dissatisfied with?

Qiqige didn't disturb Yuer and left the palace directly.

On her way home, she kept thinking that the peace emanating from Da Yuer was different from that of Hairanju. Hairanju seemed otherworldly, while Yuer's every peaceful gaze contained a stubbornness to compete.

Qiqige couldn't lose to her, absolutely not.

That night, after Dorgon returned, he quietly changed and washed up in the outer room. Qiqige came out of the bedroom, collected his discarded clothes, and took care of him personally.

Everything that followed was the same as usual, except that the couple still didn't speak to each other until they lay down side by side.

The small courtyard where Dong'e lived was separated from the main courtyard by a garden. During the day, no sound could be heard, but when the night was quiet, a few faint sounds seemed to be heard.

These days, Dorgon hadn't gone to see his daughter. He didn't know what he could do to make Qiqige calm down and accept the child. He could only wait.

After a long time, Dorgon hadn't fallen asleep. He felt that Qiqige hadn't slept either. He turned over and held his wife in his arms.

"Is the child really yours? Why are you willing to believe that woman?" Qiqige asked.

"You'll know when you see her, she looks like me," Dorgon said.

"Can you take me to see her? I haven't seen the child yet."

"..." Dorgon hesitated for a moment, "Okay."

The maids at the courtyard gate were very surprised to see the Consort and the Beile suddenly arrive. They hurriedly lit the lanterns and candles and escorted them into the room.

Dong'e's maternal grandmother stood up and said timidly, "My lord, my lady, the young princess is in the cradle."

Dorgon said, "Bring her here, give her to the Consort..."

Before he could finish speaking, Qiqige walked to the cradle. The little baby was fast asleep. The maids brought candles, but Qiqige ordered them to step back, "It's too bright, don't wake the child."

She gently picked up the infant. She had held Yuer's children countless times in the palace, and she knew how to support this soft little creature. The sleeping child was not disturbed at all, resting snugly in Qiqige's arms.

"Dong'e, Dong'e..." Qiqige whispered the child's name, with tears in her eyes, "Do you know your name is Dong'e? I am your mother, Dong'e, I am your mother."

Seeing his wife in tears and holding the child so lovingly, Dorgon couldn't bear it and clenched his fists tightly.

Qiqige held the child for a long time. Her trusted maid came and said with a smile, "My lady, look, the young princess's brow bone and nose are exactly like his lordship's."

Qiqige nodded, "They are similar, extremely similar."

Her gaze fell on the child's maternal grandmother, and she assumed the air of the Beile's Consort, saying coldly, "From now on, Dong'e will have wet nurses and maids to take care of her, you don't need to be around. You are the mother of the Side Consort, his lordship will surely take care of you. Now you have two choices: one is to have a house prepared for you in Shengjing where you can live alone and come to see your granddaughter during the New Year and other festivals. The other is to return to your hometown. Choose for yourself."

The next day, Qiqige took the child into the palace. Unfortunately, Jeje and Hairanju had gone to the Buddhist hall to pray. Da Yuer rushed back from the study and sat with Qiqige on the heated kang in Qingning Palace to look at the child.

"She does look like Dorgon, the nose is exactly the same," Da Yuer said, holding the child. "Her skin is snow-white, even whiter than Atu's. She will definitely be a little beauty in the future."

Qiqige was not very happy. Da Yuer smiled and said, "Are you thinking that her mother must also be a beauty?"

"Yes..." Qiqige said, "I still hate Dorgon."

Da Yuer teasingly said, "Are you willing to lose to an ugly woman?"

Qiqige said angrily, "What are you talking about? Even if her mother was a fairy, I haven't lost. How could she compare with me?"

Jeje and Hairanju entered from the outside and heard them bickering. Hairanju laughed and said, "It's still Aunt who understands. No wonder she didn't let Yuer go to your house to see you. She just bullies you."

Da Yuer, however, smilingly handed the swaddled baby to Jeje, "Aunt, look, this child really looks like Dorgon."

Jeje happily took the baby and looked down, but was startled. Her gaze quickly swept across Da Yuer's face, and then she hastily withdrew it.

Hairanju said from the side, "Qiqige, don't be unhappy. Actually, I think this child looks quite like you. Why don't you take a closer look?"

Jeje hurriedly said, "Looking at her, she really does resemble you a bit. Qiqige, come here."