Let All the Bitterness Flow Away

Guanju Palace's Chen Fei, Linzhi Palace's Gui Fei, Yanqing Palace's Shu Fei, and Yongfu Palace's Zhuang Fei.

Da Yuer sat at the head seat of the side palace, watching as Sumala led the palace maids and attendants in bowing to her. The repeated addresses of "Zhuang Fei" felt so unfamiliar. She still preferred being called "Consort Yu" because the name "Yuer" was given to her by Hong Taiji.

No… she couldn't think that way anymore.

Da Yuer smiled slightly. "Rise. We should go and congratulate the other consorts."

Hers was the secondary western palace, the last among the five palaces. From now on, she would have to bow slightly whenever she saw the Empress and the other three consorts.

Though the difference in rank wasn't too vast, the Empress had said that rules must be followed and decorum must be maintained. They were the first generation of consorts in the Great Qing Dynasty, and how well they carried themselves would influence generations to come.

After paying respects at the opposite palace to Shu Fei, Consort Doutumen was clearly still unfamiliar with her new status. What unsettled her the most was that Bumubutai ranked below her.

Next, they proceeded to Linzhi Palace. Sure enough, Nam Jung was not like Zarut. She had her pride and dignity, but she wasn't foolish enough to demean others just to prove her worth.

She might be condescending toward Shu Fei, but she would not dare to disregard Da Yuer. Nam Jung understood well that Hong Taiji placed Da Yuer in the lowest rank only to balance the power of the harem—out of courtesy rather than neglect.

At least in his heart, neither she nor Shu Fei could compare to Da Yuer. However…

Standing beneath the plaque of Guanju Palace, waiting for an audience with "Chen" Fei, Nam Jung turned her head slightly to glance at Da Yuer. A faint, serene smile rested on Da Yuer's lips, dignified and respectful. Nam Jung smirked. Da Yuer nodded politely in return, but she couldn't tell if she understood the mockery behind Nam Jung's gaze—mockery that, to Hong Taiji, she was ultimately nothing more than this.

Baoqing soon came to invite the consorts inside.

Hairanju sat regally at the head seat of Guanju Palace, watching as the three consorts and their maids entered gracefully and bowed to her in unison. Though she felt slightly uneasy, she managed to maintain her composure.

Yet, something puzzled her. Though she had never studied much, she had picked up a lot just by listening over the years. In the past few months, people had often discussed the matter of conferring titles on consorts and princes. From what she had learned, in Han Chinese courts, Gui Fei was ranked highest among the concubines. Although she and Nam Jung were designated for the Eastern and Western Palaces respectively, did this mean her title ranked even above that of a Gui Fei?

She seemed to have heard the title "Chen Fei" somewhere before, but at this moment, she couldn't recall where.

The day continued with a series of elaborate rituals: paying respects to the Empress, receiving congratulations from noblewomen, and facing a parade of familiar and unfamiliar faces. By the end, it all became a blur—nodding and smiling mechanically, almost without feeling.

Dorgon had been granted the title of Rui Qinwang, ranking third among the six Qinwangs, with Li Qinwang Daishan and Zheng Qinwang Jirgalang above him, just as everyone had expected.

Below him were Yu Qinwang Dodo and Su Qinwang Hooge. Among the five Qinwangs, Hooge was also placed at the lowest rank. The three Dorgon brothers had secured two princely titles, with the twelfth Beile, Ajige, being named Ying Junwang, a rank just below Hooge. In Qiqige's eyes, Dorgon should have been satisfied.

Yet, as she entered the palace to congratulate the consorts and receive their gifts and blessings, she couldn't understand why Yuer had been placed at the lowest position. The title "Chen Fei," which Yuer had once admired so much—a title even the legendary Empress Wu Zetian had never attained—had been given to Hairanju by Hong Taiji.

If it were merely a matter of hierarchy, Hairanju could have been elevated to the position of Gui Fei, while the two from Chahar could have been given titles like "Shu" or "De." After all, Nam Jung would never have taken the top position.

But instead, Nam Jung was made Gui Fei, and Hairanju was given this prominent and glorious title, with her palace even named Guanju Palace, a name that seemed to carry an unprecedented level of thoughtfulness. In short, it was clear that Hong Taiji favoured her.

But did Hong Taiji not know that Yuer had also longed for this title? Back then, after hearing about Empress Wu Zetian, Yuer had talked about it incessantly for over half a month before her enthusiasm gradually waned. She hadn't mentioned it much since, but still...

Qiqige bowed to Zhuang Fei, and Da Yuer smiled warmly at her. Yet, Qiqige couldn't shake the feeling that Yuer's smile was tinged with sorrow.

Qiqige had been in high spirits earlier in the day, but now, weighed down by a sense of injustice for Yuer, her heart felt heavy. When Dorgon returned that night and saw her sullen expression, he naturally asked, "What's wrong? Who upset you?"

Qiqige sighed softly, "Now that I'm the Consort of Rui Qinwang, who would dare upset me?"

Dorgon said proudly, "When you become the Empress in the future, no one will dare to mistreat you, and only then will I truly be at ease."

Qiqige turned her face away and said, "That won't happen. If you upset me, what could I possibly say?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Dorgon replied. "I would be the last person in the world dare to upset you."

Qiqige smiled sweetly and invited Dorgon to take a seat, intending to bow to him as a Qinwang. Dorgon stopped her, chiding her for being silly, but Qiqige insisted. Reluctantly, he agreed.

After the ceremony, Dorgon quickly helped Qiqige to her feet, his heart aching as he said, "Don't ever do that again. You're my wife, not a subject."

But Qiqige smiled, "I'm happy today. Hong Taiji finally showed some sense. If he had treated you and your brothers the way he treated Yuer, I would have been furious."

Dorgon's heart sank as Qiqige began to ramble about the Guanju Palace and the title of Chen Fei. She sighed, "Our Great Khan—no, the Emperor—seems determined to let the whole world know how much he favours Hairanju. Poor Sister Hairanju, such a kind and humble person, but now people outside will surely imagine her as some kind of arrogant figure."

As Qiqige removed her hairpins, her heart grew heavier. "Yuer's fate isn't exactly bad, but is it really good? Will she have to live her whole life holding her breath? If it were anyone else, Yuer might have fought back, stepping over them one by one. But it's her own sister—she cares so much about Hairanju."

Dorgon silently removed his outer robe, standing still as the maids came in to attend to him.

Today, he had only caught a glimpse of Da Yuer during Hong Taiji's coronation. At that time, her eyes had been full of pride, her entire being radiant. She must have been so proud of Hong Taiji, so happy for her husband. But now? How could she be so foolish?

The night deepened, and the palace, which had been bustling with activity all day, finally grew quiet. May in the south was already early summer, but the nights in Shengjing still carried a chill.

After the maids finished helping their mistress wash up, they withdrew. Sumala, her face filled with worry, asked, "Miss, are you really alright?"

Da Yuer smiled faintly, "I'm fine. If something were wrong, I wouldn't have made it through the day."

Sumala studied her closely, her heart aching. She couldn't hold back any longer and said, "Miss, did you want the title of Chen Fei?"

Da Yuer pressed a finger to Sumala's lips, a gesture she often used to silence her. "Don't say anything. Don't say a word."

"Miss..."

"Sumala, just listen," Da Yuer said softly, patting Sumala's head. "Just listen."

She lay down properly, closed her eyes, and tried to sleep. But even with her eyes shut, tears began to flow. She turned over, not sobbing or trembling, just letting the tears stream down her face, as if to drain all the bitterness from her heart.

Hong Taiji loved her sister—loved her so much that he didn't care if the whole world knew. And Da Yuer? She was just one of those people in the world.

Da Yuer knew that Hong Taiji had always treated her well, but what she longed for wasn't just kindness. She could ask for everything from Hong Taiji—except love. She had been foolish, expecting equal affection from a man who ruled the world, an emperor who belonged to everyone.

Perhaps it was for the best. From now on, she wouldn't struggle anymore, wouldn't compare herself to her sister. She had no right to, and there was no need.

Through her tears, Da Yuer forced a smile, clutching the blanket tightly to her chest. Her heart ached—it ached so much.

After the coronation, there were still countless banquets, rules, and rituals to attend to. Everyone was busy, and it wasn't until three days later that things finally quieted down.

Early in the morning, Da Yu'er took Sumala to the study and sat quietly by the window, listening to the faint sounds coming from the Chongzheng Hall.

After the coronation, Hong Taiji had begun holding court in the Chongzheng Hall, and the study was located behind it. Occasionally, she could hear some commotion, though Hong Taiji's voice was never discernible.

Once the court session ended, the surroundings grew even quieter. Before long, Sumala brought someone in: "Miss, Lord Fan has arrived."

Da Yuer turned around, her face lighting up with a smile. "Congratulations, Lord Fan, on your promotion to Grand Secretary of the Inner Secretariat and Second-Class Jalan Janggin."

Fan Wencheng knelt and bowed, "By the grace of the Emperor, your servant Fan Wencheng pays respects to Zhuang Fei. May Your Highness enjoy eternal peace and prosperity."

Da Yuer's heart skipped a beat. Zhuang Fei—so be it. She smiled gently and said, "Master Fan, let us begin our lesson."