Revenge for Yuer

Thinking of Hooge's malicious intent toward Yuer, Dorgon felt a surge of rage, wishing he could tear him apart. His fists clenched so tightly they cracked. Killing Hooge would be easy, but he couldn't do it.

For one, Hooge's military capabilities, though overshadowed by his foolishness, were still indispensable. For another, Hong Taiji likely already had a clear grasp of what had transpired the day before. If anything happened to Hooge, the ever-suspicious Hong Taiji might turn his doubts toward Dorgon.

He admitted that because of Yuer, many of his plans were hindered and restrained, but he didn't regret it. Nor would anyone ever know that Dong'e's mother, who had stirred his heart, did so partly because she bore a faint resemblance to Da Yuer.

Dorgon knew he had wronged that woman. Even without Hong Taiji's sudden military orders, he wouldn't have dared to bring her home.

When he first saw the child, he had been overwhelmed with fear. But upon learning that the mother had passed away in childbirth, he felt a strange sense of relief and didn't hesitate to bring Dong'e home.

"My lord," his trusted aide interrupted Dorgon's thoughts, speaking softly, "should we assign more men to watch Hooge? His actions are becoming increasingly reckless, and with his rashness, it's hard to say if one day he might even act against the Great Khan. He could well be bold enough to harm his own father."

Dorgon replied, "Hong Taiji likely won't let him off easily in the near term. We should avoid interfering and inviting suspicion. Additionally, once Nam Jung in the palace gives birth, whether it's a boy or girl, I'll instruct you on what steps to take."

Seated on his horse, Dorgon glanced back toward the large tent and caught sight of Da Yuer's figure sitting gracefully to one side.

Perhaps, for the rest of his life, his feelings for Yuer would go unreciprocated, but he didn't care. From the moment he realized he couldn't forget her, he had never expected anything in return. All he wanted was for her to live well.

Beside Hong Taiji, Da Yuer seemed unbothered, chatting and laughing with her elder sister and aunt, and playing with the children. The incident of her fall from the horse, though gradually known, was generally dismissed as an accident caused by her own carelessness.

Over the past two years, Consort Yu had always been fiery and spirited, so no one found it particularly strange. What truly surprised the womenfolk, however, was how the once-estranged Da Yuer had reconciled with her elder sister.

Meanwhile, Nam Jung, unable to wait for the riders to return, was growing restless. Her face was deathly pale, and she seemed weak and frail. Consort Doutumen hurriedly went to inform Jeje, who personally came to check on Nam Jung and escorted her back to her tent.

Two doctors arrived and examined the side consort, stating that her pulse showed no abnormalities and that she was merely experiencing pregnancy-related sickness. Apart from resting and enduring it, there was no other remedy.

Jeje observed Nam Jung's complexion, which had visibly worsened. Her sunken eyes and haggard appearance were far from her initial beauty when she first arrived. Jeje knew this wasn't something that could be feigned; the hardships of pregnancy and childbirth were evident.

"Just rest well," Jeje said with self-reproach. "It's my fault for insisting on bringing you here. I thought you'd be bored at home, and coming out for some fresh air would do you good. But for the next couple of days, don't come out. Stay in the tent and rest. I'll check on you often."

"Thank you, Great Consort," Nam Jung replied obediently on the surface, though her heart was filled with hatred. Once Jeje left, her gentle demeanour vanished, replaced by a menacing expression. Through gritted teeth, she cursed, "That woman deserves a terrible end."

Lixin, who stood nearby, cautiously suggested, "My lady, perhaps it's because you haven't been taking the prescribed pregnancy tonics. Maybe if you took them, you'd feel better?"

"Shut up!" Nam Jung snapped angrily. "If I drank those, I'd be afraid my life would be at risk!"

Not long after Nam Jung retreated to her tent, the large group from the horse race returned. The women craned their necks eagerly, each hoping their husband would emerge as the victor.

Dodo rode in triumphantly, holding the flag that Hong Taiji himself had planted at the finish line earlier. He proudly displayed it to Hong Taiji and the crowd. The Fifteenth Consort clapped with joy, and even Qiqige looked pleased.

Hong Taiji rewarded the Bordered White Banner with an additional 30% in military pay and presented Dodo with a dagger, adding to his prestige. Surrounded by a crowd of admirers, Dodo basked in the glory, with young nephews clamoring to see the prized blade.

"Who came in second?" Hong Taiji asked.

"The first prince," a guard replied.

Hong Taiji frowned slightly, scanning the crowd but failing to spot his eldest son.

Afterward, there were equestrian performances. Da Yuer sat with the children, eating snacks and marvelling at the thrilling displays. The young girls cheered and screamed with excitement, creating a lively atmosphere.

Watching someone balance on horseback reminded Da Yuer of how Hong Taiji had recounted Dorgon's heroic rescue of her the day before. Reflecting on her near-death experiences and Dorgon's repeated interventions, she felt she hadn't properly expressed her gratitude.

Unconsciously, Da Yuer searched the crowd for Dorgon but didn't see him. She then sat beside Qiqige and said, "Please thank Dorgon for me. Let him know I'm truly grateful."

Qiqige teased her with a playful smile, "Why? Didn't you already thank him earlier?"

Da Yuer said, "I feel like my earlier thanks weren't sincere enough. That was a life-saving act."

Qiqige chuckled, "Then repay me properly. By repaying me, you're repaying my Dorgon as well, aren't you?"

"What do you want me to do?" Da Yuer asked with a smile. "Anything you want, as long as it makes you happy."

Qiqige's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Then become my daughter! That way, Dong'e will have an elder sister!"

Da Yuer squinted at her playfully. "Sure! Should I ask the Great Khan to start calling you Mother-in-law?"

Hearing their laughter, Hong Taiji turned to see Da Yuer and Qiqige chatting so intimately. Even from his perspective, the bond between the two sisters appeared flawless, as if no conflicts or grudges had ever occurred between them. No one would ever guess how much had transpired.

Hong Taiji slowly looked away. He understood that what Yuer could bear and handle now far exceeded his expectations.

At that moment, three horses galloped side by side, with riders stacked in a daring "human pyramid" atop them.

The spectacle drew cheers and applause from the crowd. Even Hong Taiji ordered rewards to be given, clearly in a good mood. But just then, Niman approached in a hurry, his grave expression instantly tightening Hong Taiji's brow.

"What's happened?" Hong Taiji asked, sensing something ominous.

"Great Khan," Niman replied gravely, "the First Prince has killed his horse. Blood is everywhere behind the camp."

Hong Taiji closed his eyes in disappointment, then rose abruptly. The ladies and noblemen were all startled, pulling each other up to stand as well. With rage evident in every step, Hong Taiji left with his men.

"What's happened?"

"What's going on?"

The crowd buzzed with speculation. Jirgalang and Daisan followed, as they were among the few qualified to inquire directly with the Great Khan.

Jeje sent Adai to gather more information and, noticing Da Yuer's nervous expression, called her over. Da Yuer obediently reassured her, "Aunt, I know. I won't wander off."

Soon, news came back: the First Prince, unwilling to accept his defeat, had angrily killed his horse. A fine stallion—one of the Eight Banners' most cherished treasures—had been senselessly slaughtered.

Dodo and the Twelfth Beile, Ajige, sitting together, exchanged glances. They could barely hold back their laughter. Hooge had truly lost his mind.

Since Nurhaci's time, there has been strict military discipline, and even if the army is on the brink of starvation, they must never resort to killing horses to feed themselves, let alone cruelly slaughtering a warhorse due to a moment of temper. Hooge, being reckless and believing that as the Great Khan's son he would be exempt, had clearly overestimated his position, thinking that Hong Taiji would spare him.

"Great Consort, what do you think? Should we suspend the equestrian performances?" someone asked Jeje.

"Let them continue," Jeje said calmly. "This is the Great Khan rewarding and consoling everyone. Let them carry on."

She stepped forward, smiling gracefully. "Everyone, please sit down. You're not going to refuse your rewards, are you?"

Laughter erupted, and everyone returned to their seats. Qiqige, relieved to see Dorgon back, walked over and invited him to sit beside Dodo.

Dodo served his older brother tea and laughed, "Hooge really dug his own grave."

Dorgon coldly replied, "That's his business, just don't let it show on your face."

Dodo laughed, "Now, everyone is wearing the same expression. Even if Hong Taiji sees me laughing, I doubt he'd dare to be angry. After all, his own son is a useless fool."

Dorgon glared at him, and Ajige advised, "Brothers, don't waste your anger on someone like that. Just enjoy the spectacle."

The equestrian performance continued, and soon the crowd was excited again. It wasn't until much later that Hong Taiji, accompanied by Jirgalang and Daisan, returned and joined everyone to watch the final performance.

After it ended, Jirgalang asked everyone to stay, announced that Hooge had slaughtered a warhorse. Hooge was brought out in front of everyone and received twenty military lashes—massive rods, thick as a man's arm, struck him without mercy. Hooge didn't make a sound.

Hong Taiji watched coldly as this punishment was carried out, and once it was over, he left with Jeje.

Jirgalang continued the announcement: Hooge's stipend was cut for a year, and he was demoted to a Beizi.

"Wow..." Dodo whispered. "Hong Taiji really showed no mercy this time."

Dorgon glanced back at Hong Taiji's departing figure, pondering whether Hong Taiji's actions, to some extent, were motivated by a desire to avenge Yuer.