Distance to the Emperor

After watching Hong Taiji leave, Jeje returned to the Qingning Palace. She looked at Dong'e, who was sound asleep on the kang, and still felt a faint unease. With calculations in her heart, she resolved to keep a close eye on this matter. If anything were to happen in the future, she could protect Yuer as much as possible.

"What a cursed fate…" Jeje sighed.

"Don't overthink it, my lady," Ada tried to console her. "No matter what, the Great Khan understands Consort Yu's loyalty. He won't take out his anger on her. As for the Fourteenth Beile, he doesn't have the courage to—if he ever dared to openly act against Yuer, it would be like the sky—"

"Ada!" Jeje glared at her. "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"I deserve to die! I deserve to die!" Ada repeatedly slapped herself.

Jeje stopped her and sighed. "Enough, enough. It's just me overthinking and worrying unnecessarily."

Not long after, Dong'e woke up from her nap. The little girl was in a wonderful mood, giggling in Jeje's arms. Such a lovable child could soften anyone's heart—even Qiqige couldn't stay angry. Dong'e gave her a sweet smile, and all her irritation melted away.

After Qiqige left the palace, Jeje spoke to Hairanju and Da Yuer, mentioning that the Great Khan intended to select titles for the future consorts. She asked if they had any preferences for their own titles.

Hairanju didn't quite understand, and Yuer couldn't think of anything on the spot. Jeje suggested, "It might be better to follow the Ming dynasty's convention with titles like 'Gui (Virtuous),' 'De (Gracious),' 'Shu (Gentle),' and 'Xian (Kind).'"

"Why must we follow the Ming dynasty? Why not emulate the Jin or Tang dynasties instead?" Da Yuer wasn't pleased and began ranting, "Zhu Yuanzhang said that while empresses may serve as role models for the empire, they shouldn't interfere in state affairs. As for concubines, they are merely there to serve and assist with trivial matters. He even claimed that excessive favour leads to arrogance and disorder, disrupting the hierarchy. Throughout history, palace intrigues often caused political turmoil. To him, women were nothing more than tea servers. Even such a so-called great hero like him had such narrow-mindedness."

Hairanju looked at Yuer with a blank expression, while Jeje sighed. "It's not without reason. In the Han Chinese dynasties, how many favoured concubines met a good end? When the palace entangles itself with state affairs, everything must be approached with caution."

Da Yuer refused to concede. "So emperors aren't allowed to love their women? This is just men shifting the blame, pinning everything on women to shirk their own responsibilities. If an entire nation or dynasty could truly be thrown into chaos by one woman, then wouldn't that reflect worse on the men? How could it be the women's fault?"

Jeje shook her head: "You've been reading for a few days and now you're acting recklessly. It's not that a country or dynasty would fall into chaos because of a woman, but what about the origin of trouble? Every person, every word, can change the world. Everything has its source, doesn't it?"

Da Yuer wanted to argue but realized that her aunt was in a bad mood today. She didn't want to get into trouble in front of Nam Jung, so she obediently kept quiet and didn't speak anymore.

The two of them left Qingning Palace, and Da Yuer went back to the study while Hairanju returned to her room alone. She stood still for a long time, lost in thought.

Baoqing couldn't help but ask, "My lady, what's wrong?"

Hairanju shook her head and smiled, "Nothing."

She didn't want to tell Baoqing, or anyone else. She couldn't understand what Yuer and her aunt were talking about.

She was increasingly feeling that being a woman of Hong Taiji was not just about staying in this room. She felt the growing distance between herself and the emperor.

Hong Taiji would tell her everything, but when it came to matters involving politics or the country, he would start a conversation and then stop abruptly, changing the subject.

They had endless things to talk about, but Hairanju understood that Hong Taiji was considerate of her feelings, so he also knew that she didn't understand many things.

Hairanju felt a heaviness in her heart. This matter had been weighing on her for a long time, and day by day, it felt heavier.

She thought she wouldn't have any worries in her life, thinking she would be content hiding in Hong Taiji's arms. But in the end, she was still afraid of losing him. Moreover, she had already wondered whether one day she might be abandoned again.

As for the rumours about Dorgon bringing back his illegitimate daughter, there were many versions circulating in Shengjing City. Naturally, many of them were spread by Jeje's people. All along, Hong Taiji had been in control of the so-called "public opinion."

They were certain that Qiqige would not easily turn against Dorgon. As the rumours outside grew worse, Qiqige would step forward to defend her husband's honour. Sure enough, after the August ritual for Nurhaci, the couple, holding their child, went to pay respects to the late Great Consort Abahai, comforting their mother. Dorgon had a child now.

Every year, the ritual for Nurhaci kept everyone busy both inside and outside the palace, but amid the solemn atmosphere, when recalling the past, it had already been a year since Hong Taiji first entered Hairanju's heart.

Thinking back to the scene in the imperial mausoleum a year ago, Hairanju still felt a chill.

Though grateful for her encounter and understanding with Hong Taiji, she was naturally timid and easily frightened. The more she thought during the day, the more she was disturbed by nightmares at night. That night, she suddenly woke up from a nightmare, drenched in cold sweat.

Especially that night, when Hong Taiji stirred her will to live, it was when he said: "Yuer is waiting for you outside."

Hairanju's tears fell like rain, feeling she had failed him completely.

Hong Taiji turned over, as if sensing something in his dream. Suddenly, he opened his eyes and saw the face beside him shimmering with tears. He reached out and touched it, and sure enough, it was tears. Hairanju trembled slightly.

"What's wrong?" Hong Taiji gently turned her body towards him. "Where do you feel uncomfortable?"

She shook her head, hurriedly wiping away her tears. "I just had a nightmare."

Hong Taiji laughed and pulled her close, gently patting her to comfort her. "You're even afraid of dreams? I'm right here, what's there to fear?"

Hairanju's body gradually relaxed as she leaned against his chest and whispered, "I dreamed of what happened a year ago. I dreamed that I didn't survive, that I was covered in blood…"

"You see, dreams are often the opposite," Hong Taiji said with a smile. "You survived, and here you are beside me, safe and sound."

"Mm..."

"However," Hong Taiji paused, his tone becoming slightly serious. "I heard from Baoqing that you've been absent-minded these days, occasionally sighing with sadness."

"It's not true, don't listen to Baoqing's nonsense." Hairanju immediately denied it.

"So, are these feelings you can't even share with me?" Hong Taiji's expression grew more serious. "Aren't you afraid I'll be angry?"

"Don't be angry, please don't," Hairanju became anxious. "Baoqing is lying, I'll ask my aunt to punish her tomorrow."

Hong Taiji pushed Hairanju away, turning over and sitting up. He called out loudly, "Guards!"

The guards outside, nervous, rushed in. Hong Taiji instructed them to light candles and bring tea. Hairanju curled up in the corner, anxiously watching them move about. She had heard from Yuer that Hong Taiji had once stormed out in anger in the middle of the night. Could he be leaving again tonight?

"Would you like some tea?" However, Hong Taiji poured himself a cup, then handed it to Hairanju. "Come on, drink some water."

Hairanju unconsciously buried her face in the blanket.

"Everyone, leave," Hong Taiji dismissed the palace servants with a wave of his hand. He pulled Hairanju to his side. "Alright, they've all left now."