What's Wrong with Him Loving His Own Woman

Fan Wencheng was adept at reading people's expressions and moods. Over the years, from serving under Nurhaci to Hong Taiji, and from the Plain Red Banner to the Plain White Banner, he had now been formally and openly appointed by Hong Taiji as a court official, granted the rank of Second Class Jalan Janggin. Hong Taiji had shown him great favour and trust, and Fan Wencheng, in turn, had given his all.

Having interacted with countless individuals, he could even discern the thoughts of someone as shrewd as Dorgon. How could he not see the mix of sorrow and joy in the eyes of Zhuang Fei?

It was he who had personally told her the story of how Empress Wu Zetian had once asked Emperor Gaozong of Tang to confer upon her the title of "Chen Fei," and how the ministers at the time had opposed it, arguing that the character "Chen" overstepped the dignity reserved for the emperor, thus preventing Emperor Gaozong from granting Wu the title. Upon hearing this, Consort Yu had laughed and said, "If it were the Great Khan, he would never care about such things. Only petty minds are always on guard against women."

Now, Hong Taiji had indeed conferred the title of "Chen Fei," but not upon Consort Yu—instead, it was given to Consort Lan. For Consort Yu, the disappointment was palpable, and anyone who knew the story from the study would surely understand.

Did Hong Taiji know? Fan Wencheng couldn't guess, but as a man, he could understand the desire to give everything good to the woman one loved most.

Fan Wencheng dared not entertain any improper thoughts about the emperor's women, but he admired this remarkable lady before him and was willing to pledge his eternal loyalty to her in the future.

Yet, the future was uncertain. With each new emperor came a new set of courtiers, and if the next ruler of the Qing dynasty did not hail from the Khorchin tribe, even the empress might not meet a good end.

"Sir," Da Yuer opened her book and said calmly, "Her Majesty the Empress believes that Wu Zetian was an anomaly among women, contrary to the natural order, and fears that her story might corrupt the young princesses and the women of the palace. To avoid unnecessary trouble, from now on, in this study and within the inner palace, we shall no longer speak of Wu Zetian. This is the Empress's decree."

"Your servant obeys the decree," Fan Wencheng acknowledged, steadying his heart. "Your Highness, today I shall tell you about the Miao people."

Da Yuer responded with interest, "The Miao people? Their ancestor was Chiyou, wasn't he?"

Fan Wencheng was surprised. "Your Highness knows of Chiyou?"

Da Yuer smiled. "Sony told me. Sir Fan, do you know Sony?"

Meanwhile, in the inner palace, Consort Sutai and Tesina came together to congratulate Gui Fei. Consort Sutai asked, "Why is the little princess not here?"

Nam Jung glanced at her and said, "If you want to see her, go to her quarters."

Tesina whispered softly, "Your Highness, I've heard that the Emperor dotes on his daughters. If you show such indifference to your own child, I fear the Emperor may not hold you in high regard either."

Nam Jung sneered, "Whether I raise the child or not, the outcome will be the same. So why should I burden myself?"

Tesina murmured, "Indeed, the Emperor's heart seems entirely devoted to Chen Fei. The women in our household are all saying that the Emperor wishes he could make Hairanju the Empress."

Consort Sutai chimed in, "Your Highness, you must endure this for now. Men are never constant in their affections. In a few years, when Hairanju ages and loses her beauty, she will naturally fade from favour."

"I'm only two years younger than her. What good does that do me?" Nam Jung touched her waist. Although this pregnancy hadn't resulted in a son, it hadn't caused her to gain too much weight either. With some care, she could regain some of her former charm. Though she spoke dismissively, deep down, she still hoped to win Hong Taiji's favour through her beauty.

As they chatted idly, the two visitors prepared to leave. Before they did, Nam Jung slipped something into Tesina's hand, squeezing her fist tightly. While Consort Sutai wasn't paying attention, she whispered, "Give this to the First Prince when you return."

Tesina quickly hid it in her robe and left the palace, clutching it all the way.

Below the Fenghuang Tower, the five palaces resembled a large courtyard. In the centre was the Qingning Palace, flanked by four palaces on the east and west sides. In such a confined space, it was difficult to accomplish anything significant, and Nam Jung found it hard to manoeuvre.

After seeing off her guests, she stood under the eaves, gazing thoughtfully at the characters "Guanju Palace" inscribed above the entrance.

There was still time. After all, the women of Khorchin couldn't bear children. Nam Jung smiled faintly, "It's all fate."

Coincidentally, that very afternoon, a servant from the palace where the concubines resided came to report to the Empress that Lady Irgen Gioro had not had her monthly courses for two months and had been feeling nauseous frequently these past few days. Jeje immediately sent a physician to examine her, and sure enough, she was with child.

Meanwhile, Lady Nara was already heavily pregnant and due to give birth in the autumn. Lady Irgen Gioro would deliver her child next year. Additionally, three young concubines had been selected before the coronation ceremony, and Hong Taiji often visited them.

In two years, the palace would be filled with many children. The Emperor's desire for heirs and his ambition to cultivate outstanding successors were becoming increasingly evident.

In Yongfu Palace, Sumala had prepared gifts of congratulations, and Baoqing was already waiting for her at the door. Together, they went on behalf of their mistresses to congratulate Lady Irgen Gioro, who was overwhelmed with gratitude and pressed handfuls of sweets and fruits into their hands.

Baoqing and Sumala had long since grown tired of such snacks and casually gave them to the little maidservants around them. As they strolled leisurely back to the inner palace, Baoqing asked, "Aren't you going to the study today?"

Sumala replied, "I only go every other day, don't you remember?"

Baoqing then asked, "Sumala, do you know why our Chen Fei is called Chen Fei?"

Sumala's heart skipped a beat, and she evaded the question, "Isn't it because the Great Khan favoured her with that title? How should I know?"

Baoqing said indignantly, "They're all gossiping, saying that Nam Jung's title of Gui Fei is more prestigious than our Chen Fei's. Among the Han people, Gui Fei is the most esteemed. But clearly, our lady is the principal consort of the Eastern Palace."

Sumala chuckled, "Naturally, it's up to the Great Khan to decide. What do they know? Have you seen the Great Khan pay any real attention to that other lady?"

Baoqing muttered, "Still, Zhuang Fei should at least be the consort of the Western Palace. It's too unfair that she's ranked the lowest. The Emperor has really wronged her."

Sumala felt increasingly distressed as she listened. She pointed behind her, "The lowest ranks are over there. Don't speak nonsense. The Emperor named our lady's residence 'Yongfu,' and she was very pleased with it."

"That's true, I think 'Yongfu' sounds much better than 'Guanju,' full of blessings," Baoqing said.

Sumala sighed, and the two returned to their respective rooms. Not long after Sumala entered her room, a young maid came running in, holding Da Yuer's pillow out to Sumala, "Sister, look at this, are these water stains?"

Sumala took the pillow and examined it. The faint white marks looked more like tear stains than water stains. The young maid said timidly, "Sister, I change the lady's pillow every day, really, I haven't been lazy, but every day there are these marks..."

"Have you told anyone else?" Sumala asked.

"I didn't dare," the maid whispered, "Sister, I really haven't been lazy."

"It's alright, it's alright," Sumala patted her head, "Don't tell anyone, understand? From now on, I'll take care of this. I'll handle the lady's bedding every day."

"Yes," the maid replied, clutching the pillow as she left.

That night, when all was quiet, Sumala secretly replaced the night-duty maid and gently climbed into bed beside her mistress. Da Yuer was already asleep, but the tears on her face had not yet dried. Sumala reached out and lightly touched them, her heart breaking at their coldness.

"Miss..." Sumala held back her tears. These days, everything in the palace seemed to be going well.

Despite her inner turmoil, Miss still managed to laugh and joke in front of the Emperor and the Empress, playing with the children and maintaining a warm relationship with the older princess. She had even received visits from the Fourteenth consort twice, and during those times, she appeared perfectly composed, revealing nothing of her inner pain. Yet, unbeknownst to anyone, including Sumala, she cried every night, silently, without a sound.

The next morning, as usual, Da Yuer rose and sat before her dressing table to comb her hair and dress. Outside, the hurried footsteps of Hong Taiji could be heard as he departed. He had spent the night at Guanju Palace but had breakfast at Qingning Palace as usual. Adai had come to invite Da Yuer, but she had declined, claiming she couldn't get up.

In the past, she would have seized even the briefest moment to share a meal with Hong Taiji, but now she dared not face him. Although he had visited her once after the coronation ceremony, when she tried to recall that night, her mind went blank. She couldn't remember what they had said or done.

Her heart ached so much that she could barely eat, forcing food down her throat, which felt like it was tearing, leaving a metallic taste of blood. Yet, she endured, and for many days, no one noticed.

Sumala brought a new pair of embroidered shoes and knelt to help Da Yuer put them on. Da Yuer looked closely at her and lifted Sumala's chin, "Why are your eyes swollen?"

As soon as Sumala looked up, tears began to fall uncontrollably, and she couldn't speak.

Da Yuer quickly dismissed the others and pulled Sumala close, asking, "Have you been bullied? Was it Lixin?"

Sumala shook her head and instead reached up to cup Da Yuer's face. How could it be that despite crying every night, there was no trace of it in the morning? Was heaven not even allowing her lady to show her vulnerability?

"Miss, please don't cry anymore. Sumala will always be by your side," Sumala sobbed. "If you cry, I will cry with you."

Da Yuer smiled faintly, hugged Sumala, and gently patted her back, "Silly girl, I'm not crying. The tears come on their own, and when they dry up, they won't come out again."

Sumala said, "Miss, your heart is suffering. Go and tell the Great Khan."

Da Yuer smiled, "We must call him Emperor now." She paused and then spoke very calmly, "I won't speak of it again, nor will I ask for anything more, Sumala. He loves my sister. Even if she does nothing, he loves her. His love for her is the same as my love for him. My sister once told me, 'What's wrong with loving your own man?' So what's wrong with him loving his own woman? But that woman is not me. No matter how much I do, no matter how well I do it, even if I became exactly like my sister, I still wouldn't be the one he loves. Sumala, I've come to understand, truly understand."