Getting Pregnant One After Another

After being punished with military rods, Hooge had no choice but to enter the main tent to express his gratitude. Enraged, Hong Taiji slapped him across the face and kicked his son to the ground. Hooge sobbed bitterly, repeatedly kowtowing and begging his father for forgiveness.

Hong Taiji was furious, recalling the incident with Yuer and the horse. Words failed him. Yet, Hooge was his son, his right hand—what could he do?

"Animal! Animal!" Hong Taiji roared, grabbing Hooge's collar. "What should I do with you?"

Outside, no one knew what was happening between the father and son, but the earlier sight of Hooge receiving twenty strikes had left everyone trembling. Several children, not whisked away in time, were terrified after witnessing their eldest brother being punished so severely.

In Hairanju's tent, she had just soothed Atu and was now wiping her little daughter's face with fragrant cream. Atu chirped, "Smells just like Auntie!"

Da Yuer laughed and asked, "Why didn't you say it smells like Mother when I applied it?"

Atu answered earnestly, "Because Auntie smells better."

Just then, Yatu walked in with Azhe, tilting her head to ask, "Mother, can we go to Auntie's place to see the bunnies?"

At that moment, Niman arrived at Hairanju's tent. Seeing Consort Yu present, he appeared slightly awkward, lowering his head as he said, "Consort Lan, the Great Khan requests your presence."

Da Yuer naturally took the children's hands. "Mother will take you to see the bunnies."

Before Hairanju could stop her, holding the jar of cream in her hand, her sister had already led the children out. Niman breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Consort Lan, please."

Hairanju asked, "How is the Great Khan?"

Niman shook his head and sighed, "He is extremely angry. The veins on his forehead are bulging. I am truly worried."

Hearing this, Hairanju hesitated no longer and hurried to the main tent. She found Hong Taiji leaning against the couch, one hand pressed to his forehead.

"Is your head hurting?" Hairanju asked as she sat beside him, gently moving his hand away. Her cool, soft hand rested on his head, and Hong Taiji slowly opened his eyes.

"My head hurts terribly. Give it a massage," Hong Taiji said.

"Shall I call the doctor to take a look?" Hairanju replied, removing the cushion. She sat cross-legged behind him, letting him rest against her lap. Her hands gently worked over his temples as she spoke softly, "A bowl of medicine might help you feel better."

Hong Taiji waved his hand. "No need for medicine. I know my own body."

They fell silent. Under Hairanju's precise and soothing massage, Hong Taiji's throbbing head gradually eased. Yet, no matter how much his tension lessened, he couldn't rid his mind of the vivid image of blood-soaked ground and the horse convulsing in a pool of crimson.

He knew Hooge was beyond redemption. He also knew that one day, Hooge might turn the blade he used on the horse against him. Before that day came, Hong Taiji realized he would have to kill his own son.

Hairanju felt the man in her arms suddenly grow tense again. She lowered her head and kissed his forehead. In a soft voice, she comforted him, "Don't be upset, Great Khan. Don't torment yourself..."

Hong Taiji reached for Hairanju's hand, clasping it tightly in his own.

Meanwhile, Da Yuer had taken the children to the back of Qiqige's tent to see the little rabbits. The rabbits, a gift from Dorgon to Dong'e the day before, had made Yatu and the others wildly envious.

The wet nurse held Dong'e while the older girls played with the bunnies. Dong'e, however, grabbed a bunny by its ear and tried to put it in her mouth, which frightened Yatu and the others. They rushed to tattle, shouting that their little sister was biting the bunny.

But Da Yuer, lost in her thoughts, didn't hear the children's complaints. Qiqige, laughing, reassured them before turning to nudge Yuer. "What's the matter?"

"Hm? What do you mean?" Da Yuer blinked, snapping out of her daze.

"You're preoccupied," Qiqige said, glancing toward Hong Taiji's main tent. "Is Sister Hairanju with the Great Khan?"

"You're the smartest person in the world," Da Yuer replied unhappily. "Why can't you keep that cleverness to yourself? Why do you have to say it aloud?" She turned and walked to an open area, sitting down on the ground.

Qiqige, instructing the others to keep an eye on the young princesses, followed her. Sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with Da Yuer, she plucked a handful of grass and twirled it in her fingers.

They sat in silence for a long time, the children's laughter drifting over. Slowly, Da Yuer's heart began to settle.

"Am I really foolish?" Da Yuer asked suddenly.

"No," Qiqige replied. "I didn't quite understand you before, but now I do completely. Actually, Yuer, you're much stronger than I am."

Da Yuer chuckled and rested her head on Qiqige's shoulder. "In our next life, let's be real sisters."

Qiqige grinned mischievously. "And marry the same man?"

Da Yuer burst out laughing and tickled her, making the two of them roll around on the grass. Suddenly, Yatu's voice called out from behind them, "Mother! The rabbit ran away!"

The children's cries of alarm followed, filled with urgency. The two women quickly returned to console their little "mistresses." Azhe started crying, and upon hearing the sound, Dong'e joined in. The younger ones wailed while the older ones ran around chasing the rabbit. Da Yuer had no time to indulge in sentimental thoughts anymore.

That evening, the bonfire feast went on as usual. Hong Taiji appeared before the crowd as if nothing had happened. Of course, Hooge was absent. Not only had he been punished with military rods, but he had also been demoted to the title of Beizi and sent back to Shengjing with his belongings.

Hooge's new consort, barely in her teens, was terrified of her husband and refused to accompany him. Feeling pity for her niece, Jeje allowed her to stay behind, while only a few side consorts followed Hooge back.

That night, Hooge drowned himself in alcohol at home. Injured from the rods, he grew even more violent, gathering several concubines and whipping them for amusement, revelling in their cries of pain.

Naturally, this chaos quickly reached Hong Taiji's ears. His last glimmer of hope in his eldest son faded entirely.

Yet, as Hong Taiji looked upon his other sons—Yebusu and Sose—they were neither intelligent nor diligent, even less so than Hooge had been at their age. With campaigns against Joseon and the Ming dynasty looming, they wouldn't mature in time to be of use. Once the empire was established, how could such unworthy heirs take the throne?

For the first time, Hong Taiji felt deeply troubled about his lineage. It was then that he confided in Hairanju, expressing his intent to favour several of his concubines more frequently in hopes of fathering additional children while he was still young. He asked Hairanju not to misunderstand or be hurt by his decision.

Hairanju wasn't heartbroken, but how could she not feel sorrow? She wished so deeply that her body was healthy, that she could also bear children for Hong Taiji. But heaven had already granted her so much—she dared not ask for more.

That night at the feast, Da Yuer noticed her sister's occasional glances toward Hong Taiji, her eyes tinged with faint sadness.

A few days later, they returned to Shengjing. Before long, Hong Taiji began to frequently visit his concubines.

Watching those women, who usually stayed in the shadows and rarely exchanged words with the Great Khan, now entering and leaving the Fenghuang Tower, Da Yuer suddenly understood the expression on her sister's face that night.

Time passed, and the north wind howled. By the end of November, it was Hong Taiji's birthday. Unlike last year's lively celebrations, this year he chose not to host a grand event. Instead, he set out with his men to inspect the region and prevent disasters caused by the heavy snow.

On Hong Taiji's birthday, coincidentally, one of his concubines, Lady Nara, was discovered to be pregnant. Jeje immediately sent someone to deliver the good news to him and arranged a special room for Lady Nara, ensuring she was well-fed and cared for. Jeje understood better than anyone what Hong Taiji desired most now.

The only pity was that Da Yuer hadn't been able to fulfil her wishes in this regard.

That day, after visiting Lady Nara, Jeje returned just in time to see Da Yuer running out of Hairanju's quarters wearing only a thin jacket. Furious, she scolded, "In such cold weather, aren't you afraid of catching a cold? Why don't you take better care of yourself?"

Da Yuer froze, surprised by the reprimand. Jeje grew even angrier. "Why are you just standing there? Hurry back to your room!"

Inside her chambers, Hairanju overheard the commotion. Baoqing hurried in to report that Consort Yu had been scolded and that Jeje, still upset, had instructed her not to leave her quarters.

"But…" Hairanju hesitated, peeking out the window. After seeing her aunt return to the Qinging Palace, she discreetly made her way to Da Yuer's side chambers.

Da Yuer was sitting sulking on the heated kang, her lips pouting high in indignation. Upon seeing her sister, her eyes grew even more aggrieved.

"Don't be upset," Hairanju said with a warm smile. "I told you to wear a cloak before going out, but you wouldn't listen."

Da Yuer leaned against her sister, lazing about. Hairanju gently reminded her, "Weren't you in a hurry to go to the study? Quickly change your clothes. Don't keep Mister Fan waiting—he's finally back."

Fan Wencheng was supposed to return in the summer, but his trip had been delayed until winter. After reporting on his duties, he requested permission to enter the palace and resume teaching, which Hong Taiji promptly granted.

The news had just arrived, and Da Yuer was eager to head to the study. Since her sister's quarters were next door, she thought it was just a short dash away. Who could have guessed she would run into Jeje and get scolded for it?

Hairanju personally dressed her sister, carefully wrapping her in warm clothes and securing a snug hood around her head. She escorted her to the base of the Fenghuang Tower and said gently, "Go on now. If anything interesting happens, come back and tell me."

Da Yuer cheered up a little. "Wait for me, Sister. I'll tell you everything when I'm back."

After seeing her sister off, Hairanju was about to return to her room when she noticed, across the way, a heavily pregnant woman being supported by Lixin as she walked out slowly. Unable to ignore her, Hairanju nodded politely in greeting.

Nam Jung approached at a leisurely pace and returned the gesture with equal politeness. "I was just going for a stroll. Would you care to join me, Sister?"

Hairanju declined gracefully. "You should be careful. The roads are slippery."

Nam Jung thanked her and continued on her way. As she passed by the Fenghuang Tower, she caught sight of Da Yuer's figure walking farther into the distance.

Lixin softly said, "Earlier, Jeje was so quick to reprimand Bumubutai. She must be anxious—one after another has conceived, yet there's no news for them."