Chen Fei in Guanju Palace

Hong Taiji had never expected much from Nam Jung's child. Even if she had given birth to a son, he wouldn't have taken it too seriously. Now that it was a daughter, he was instead more willing to show some affection.

In the Grand Politics Hall, just as the messenger was about to leave, Hong Taiji asked, "Where is Consort Yu?"

The messenger replied, "Consort Yu has been in the study all day." Then, being particularly observant, he added, "The little princesses don't have classes today."

Hong Taiji waved his hand, dismissing the messenger. After finishing the memorial he was reading, he called for Niman. "Bring my windbreaker. I'm going to the study for a while."

By now, Niman no longer wondered whether the emperor was going to see the princes or the princesses. Whenever the emperor went to the study, it was always to see Consort Yu.

And every time he spent an hour or two there, his mood would noticeably improve. That study had once been Consort Yu's favorite place—now, it was the emperor's as well.

Yuer had already heard the news—Nam Jung had failed to achieve her wishes. Instead of feeling triumphant, she felt a bit of pity for the new-born princess. Even her aunt was indifferent to her own daughters. In this palace, being born a princess was an honour, but receiving motherly love was a luxury.

"Prepare a congratulatory gift," Yuer instructed Sumala, "the same as my sister's is fine."

Just as she finished speaking, Hong Taiji appeared. She smiled, "Your Majesty, you've come at the perfect time. My teacher was just explaining the Ming emperor's enthronement ceremony. Would you like to listen together?"

Hong Taiji nodded and sat beside her. When the topic reached the conferment of imperial consorts, Yuer turned to him and asked, "Your Majesty, has mine been written yet?"

"That is the Ministry of Rites' responsibility," Hong Taiji replied with a smile. At the same time, he gestured for the teacher to leave and ordered Sumala, "Bring some tea."

Now, only the two of them remained in the study. Worried that Hong Taiji might be cold, Yuer took a hand warmer and tucked it into his hands.

But instead of holding it, Hong Taiji caught her hands and placed them atop the warmer, gently rubbing them. His expression was thoughtful, as if something was on his mind.

Yuer looked at him and asked softly, "What's the matter?"

"Yuer..." Hong Taiji hesitated, his words trailing off.

Da Yuer's heart trembled slightly. Although she wasn't as fearful as Hong Taiji had once joked—that he only came to her when there was bad news—she was well aware that the expectations he placed on her were growing heavier and more burdensome.

"You know, after the coronation, I will be appointing four consorts," Hong Taiji said, his gaze fixed on Da Yuer. "Khorchin cannot appear too dominant, and the two from Chahar who have submitted cannot be treated too unfairly. Among the four palaces—the Eastern Palace, Western Palace, Secondary Eastern Palace, and Secondary Western Palace—you..."

"Will I be in the lowest position?" Da Yuer asked proactively. "You look so troubled, struggling to tell me this arrangement, don't you?"

"Yuer," Hong Taiji said, "this is only temporary. Once we enter the Central Plains and establish our capital in Beijing, we will move into the Forbidden City. I've told you before, I'll let you choose your favourite palace first. Whatever wronged feeling you endure today, I will repay you doubly in the future."

"You still remember promising to let me choose my palace first?" Da Yuer's face lit up with joy. She knew Hong Taiji had always kept her in his thoughts.

"How could I forget? I made you a promise," Hong Taiji said. He saw genuine, simple happiness in Yuer's eyes.

Da Yuer smiled brightly, "The lowest position is fine. If being in the lowest position means I won't cause you any trouble, then it's worth it."

Hong Taiji felt a weight lift from his chest. "Yuer, won't you be sad? After following me for so many years, and having three daughters together, I'm placing you in the lowest position."

Da Yuer shook her head, her smile serene. "Of course, I'll feel a little sad. But being able to share your burdens proves how important I am to you. That makes me happy too."

Hong Taiji pulled her into an embrace, his heart filled with joy. He had underestimated Yuer. She was far more magnanimous, open-minded, and responsible than he had imagined.

"As for the title..." Da Yuer began, but before she could finish, Niman rushed to the door in a panic, saying urgently, "Your Majesty, an urgent message from eight hundred miles away. Several generals seem to have received the news as well and are already in the palace requesting an audience."

Hearing this, Da Yuer didn't dare delay for a moment. She quickly sent Hong Taiji on his way. Sumala, who had been bringing tea, hadn't even had time to set it down before Da Yuer sighed, "We'll drink it ourselves."

Fortunately, it wasn't earth-shattering news, but it kept Hong Taiji so busy that he didn't enter the inner palace for several days.

The washing ceremony for Nam Jung's new-born daughter was presided over by Jeje alone. She did not slight Nam Jung; even Da Yuer and Hairanju attended.

Inside and outside the palace, noblewomen came to offer congratulations one after another. The smile on Nam Jung's face was so stiff it might as well have been sewn in place. Yet with every smile, her heart tore open a little more.

Why was fate so cruel? Why did it make her give birth to a son who was unwanted and hopeless, only to then give her a daughter that made everyone secretly snicker behind her back?

The beaming faces before her blurred together—she could already picture their mocking sneers once they turned away. Hatred twisted inside her, making her grind her teeth.

At night, the baby's cries only drove her further into madness. And so, before the child was even a month old, she was sent away to be raised by a wet nurse, never to live inside the inner palace again.

With the coronation approaching, Hong Taiji was drowning in endless matters of state—building the Altar of Heaven, establishing court rituals, drafting imperial edicts, and keeping a watchful eye on Ming and Joseon.

Even Hairanju rarely saw him. As for Nam Jung, she could only glimpse him from a window, watching as he hurried past the Qingning Palace or its opposite gate. She was shrewd—she had miscalculated once and could not afford another mistake. Now, at this critical moment, she dared not provoke his displeasure. Whatever she wanted to do... could wait until after the coronation.

Late April, with the thawing of Shengjing's ice and snow, early summer warmth arrived. As preparations for the coronation intensified, all the palace plaques were replaced. The Qingning Palace plaque was remade—three golden Chinese characters and a row of Manchu script, gleaming and solemn.

That day, the plaques for the Eastern and Western Four Palaces were also delivered. Da Yuer, excited, rushed back from the study to watch. Craftsmen and palace servants climbed high ladders to hang the plaques, unveiling them with red silk. Standing before her own palace, Da Yuer looked up and saw three characters: "Yongfu Palace" (forever fortunate)

Yong Fu, a warmth bloomed in her heart. She knew at once—this was Hong Taiji's blessing for her. From a distance, Hairanju waved at her. "Yuer, come here."

Neither Hairanju nor Baoqing could read Chinese. She couldn't very well ask the craftsmen who installed the plaque, so she called for her younger sister.

Da Yuer ran over excitedly and lifted her gaze: "Guanju Palace". Her heart dropped. If she had known this was coming, she never would have learned to read.

"Yuer, how do you read this?" Hairanju asked curiously.

"Guanju Palace." Da Yuer answered.

Baoqing chuckled. "That sounds... strange. Consort Yu, what does it mean?"

Da Yuer looked at her sister and said, "I don't know what the Emperor means, but I know that in the Classic of Poetry, it says: 'A graceful, virtuous woman is the perfect match for a gentleman.'"

Hairanju silently repeated the words. Even though she had never studied, she understood what it meant. Suddenly, she felt guilty toward her younger sister. Why had she made Yuer read it to her?

"Are you happy, Sister?" Da Yuer asked with a defiant look, but she wasn't too upset. Her Yongfu Palace was also a very good name.

"Happy..." Hairanju replied hesitantly. "What about yours?"

The red silk was removed from the plaques of the four palaces. Guanju Palace matched Linzhi Palace, and Yongfu Palace matched Yanqing Palace—all were symmetrical and beautiful. However, Linzhi Palace's calligraphy had too many strokes, and even Nam Jung was stunned.

Jeje came out of Qingning Palace, smiled as she glanced at the four plaques, and then said, "Soon, the officials from the Ministry of Rites will come to explain the rules for the enthronement ceremony. You four should listen together. This will be the first time consorts are enshrined in the Great Qing Dynasty, and it is an honour that will last a lifetime."

The four of them immediately congratulated Jeje, as she was the first Empress of the Great Qing.

On the first day of May, Hong Taiji officially ascended to the throne and became the Emperor. Shengjing was enveloped in the continuous sound of celebratory cannons. After Jeje was enshrined as Empress, Da Yuer and Hairanju, along with the others, retreated back to the inner palace to await the official imperial decree and seal.

The four women stood in front of their respective palaces. Daisan, the head of the officials, led the procession. After entering the palace, he walked straight toward Hairanju.

It was clear that the order of precedence was being honoured, and Hairanju was at the top. Even Nam Jung wasn't surprised.

With great respect, Daisan invited Hairanju to receive the decree. After she knelt, he declared loudly:

"By the Mandate of Heaven, His Sacred Majesty, the Emperor, decrees: the universe has given its will; when there is a ruler to reign, a consort must stand by his side. After the Emperor's reign is established, the names of the consorts will be decided according to the ancient traditions of the great emperors. Now, as I sit upon the throne, I follow the ancient rites and give my decree. I hereby appoint the Mongolian Borjigit clan of the Khorchin Tribe as Consort of the Eastern Palace, to be named Chen Fei..."

Da Yuer held her breath, maintaining her composure for the ceremony. But when she suddenly heard the title "Chen Fei," her body swayed. It was a good thing Sumala was there to support her, or she would have fallen.

She stared blankly at Hairanju, and as Daisan began to read the Chinese version of the decree, Da Yuer realized she hadn't misheard. The words "Chen Fei" were solidly engrained in her ears. In that instant, her heart shut itself off.

"Miss, are you alright? Do you feel unwell?" Sumala panicked.

"I'm fine, I'm not..." Da Yuer clutched Sumala's hand tightly, her grip so forceful that Sumala's face turned pale from the pain, but she endured it without a sound.

How could this be? That "Chen" character—had it never been meant for her after all? Of course not. Hong Taiji had never explicitly said it. All along, it had been her own wishful thinking.