Finally Taking a Stroll Outside

Qiqige said, "Hong Taiji must have already considered what you just said. But I think it's because there was no news for two years that he stopped hoping and began to indulge Hairanju without restraint, wanting to make up for her regret with all the glory and honour he could give. Who knew heaven would add joy to joy? Not long after becoming emperor, his most beloved woman is about to give him a prince."

She straightened Dorgon's collar and whispered, "Maybe when you ascend the throne, heaven will bless me, and I'll immediately give you a prince too?"

Dorgon chuckled, "So let's hope for that and live steadily." He added, "Her Highness Chen Fei is close to you. I hope heaven lets her have a daughter, so both mother and child can live long lives."

"Yes..." Qiqige sighed. "If Hairanju gives birth to a little prince, he would almost be considered the legitimate heir. Now that the imperial system is established, if hierarchy is determined by legitimacy, one day Hooge might have to kneel and kowtow to a brother twenty years his junior."

Dorgon said coldly, "That's just his bad luck."

Servants surrounded Dorgon as he left for court. Qiqige glanced at the sky. Today, she had arranged to visit the palace with the Seventh Consort, Twelfth Consort, and Fifteenth Consort to offer their congratulations. She needed to prepare early.

However, not everyone in the palace could personally congratulate Chen Fei. Hong Taiji didn't want too many unrelated people disturbing Hairanju's rest, and Jeje naturally handled such matters with care.

But figures like Qiqige and the Seventh Consort were different—their status and the relationships among the women of the clan reflected the Emperor's attitude toward his ministers and brothers.

Before noon, Qiqige and the others entered the palace, gathering noisily at Guanju Palace. Children played in the inner courtyard, and every corner of the palace radiated joy.

Nam Jung stood alone by the window, her gaze fixed on the opposite gate. A young maid came to ask if she had any specific requests for the midday meal. Nam Jung waved her hand dismissively, sending the maid away.

Lixin was still recovering from her injuries. The twenty lashes had nearly cost her her life, leaving her flesh torn and unable to leave her bed for at least ten days to half a month. But those across the way seemed to have already forgotten the incident entirely.

But Nam Jung still remembered Da Yuer's words clearly. Deep down, she was filled with pride. Even if her sister was now the so-called favoured consort of the palace, she would not easily bow her head in defeat. The bond she shared with Hong Taiji over more than a decade was enough to sustain her for a lifetime.

In contrast, she felt she had nothing.

Earlier, the maid had come to ask about her meal preferences because the kitchen staff knew she was extremely picky.

But Nam Jung wasn't being picky—she was afraid someone might poison her food, afraid that Jeje or Hong Taiji would never give her another chance to conceive. She could only choose bland foods that were difficult to tamper with, and if there was even the slightest unusual smell, she wouldn't touch it.

Life was hard, each day a struggle, but Nam Jung didn't regret it. She believed enduring hardship was the path to greatness, and what she longed for was the glory of standing in the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City of Beijing.

She called a maid to her and instructed, "Prepare some fruits and pastries. I'm going to visit the concubines."

At Guanju Palace, Qiqige saw Nam Jung leaving through the window, followed by maids carrying boxes of fruits and snacks. She smiled and said, "Where is Her Highness Gui Fei off to?"

Jeje also glanced over and said, "Let her be. There's no reason to keep her confined to her room."

Bringing up the matter, she turned to Baoqing and Sumala and spoke sternly, "You two need to behave. I know you wouldn't stir up trouble, but you must learn to endure when things happen. If there's a next time, I won't spare you for your mistress's sake. If Lixin got twenty lashes, you'll get forty next time."

Baoqing said fearfully, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. This servant wouldn't dare."

Sumala stubbornly lowered her head until Da Yuer gently kicked her, prompting her to reluctantly agree.

The Seventh Consort laughed, "It's rare to have such loyal people by your side. Sumala and Baoqing are both good girls. Your Majesty, you should reward them. Look, Her Highness Chen Fei's health has improved, and she's now carrying the Emperor's little prince. Isn't that Baoqing's credit?"

Jeje said, "They should indeed be rewarded. Everyone in Guanju Palace deserves a reward. However... when you leave the palace, it's best not to keep referring to the child as 'little prince.' Hairanju is still in the early stages of her pregnancy. Let's keep things low-key and pray for a safe delivery."

Everyone nodded in agreement, and Jeje said, "The expectant mother needs rest. Let's go to my chambers. The Emperor recently sent some new tea from the Central Plains—it's very fragrant. Come and try it."

Hairanju bowed slightly as they left, and the room fell quiet. She breathed a sigh of relief. Da Yuer smiled and said, "In a few days, things will settle down. As for these formalities, don't worry, sister. Aunt and I will handle them."

Qiqige stayed behind while the others left. The three sisters had always been close, so Jeje didn't find it strange. Qiqige said, "Sister, if there's anything you'd like to eat that's hard to find in the palace, or if you're missing something from Khorchin, just tell me. I'll get it for you. Although you could just ask the Emperor or Aunt, and they'd arrange it immediately, but why give the palace staff the impression that you're difficult to please, right?"

Da Yuer scoffed, "What kind of talk is that? Should my sister have to consider the servants' feelings when deciding what to eat? Since when do servants get to pick and choose their masters? Has the Emperor become less powerful since ascending the throne?"

Qiqige rolled her eyes at her, "You, you seem gentle, but you're incredibly proud deep down. You may be the mistress, but you're just one person, and there are so many of them. Besides, they have a hard time surviving, and each one is shrewd. Do you think everyone is like Sumala and Baoqing?"

Hairanju smiled softly, "Yuer, Qiqige is right. Besides, I don't want to trouble the Emperor and Aunt all the time."

Although she said this, Da Yuer was worried that the things Qiqige brought might not be good—not because Qiqige was unreliable, but because Hong Taiji might interfere. Da Yuer feared that Qiqige's good intentions might backfire.

Fortunately, Hairanju added, "I don't have any particular cravings. I'm just feeling lazy. This isn't my first pregnancy, so I'm not that delicate."

At that moment, Yatu ran in from outside. The little girl had grown taller, her features increasingly resembling her father's. She was blossoming into a graceful young lady, but she still had her soft, gentle nature. She nestled into Qiqige's arms and asked, "Auntie, why didn't you bring Dong'e? I miss Dong'e."

Qiqige replied, "Dong'e was fussy last night and refused to sleep. She's taking a long nap now, so I couldn't bring her. Why don't you come home with me today? It's been a while since you visited. The horse in our backyard has given birth to a foal, and your Fourteenth Uncle said it's reserved for Yatu."

"Really? Really?" Yatu was overjoyed and immediately turned to pester Da Yuer, "Mother, Mother, I want to go to Fourteenth Uncle's house."

Ever since learning that the entire Fourteenth Beile's residence was under Hong Taiji's surveillance, Da Yuer had been hesitant to let the children visit. It wasn't that they couldn't go, but she was uneasy about sending them alone. The incident with the honeyed dates still lingered in her mind.

Just then, a messenger arrived from the Ten Kings Pavilion. Dorgon, knowing Qiqige was here, had sent someone to inform her that he would be leaving the city for the military camp and wouldn't return that night, so she needn't wait for him.

"Understood. Tell the His Highness not to catch a chill—it gets cold outside the city at night," Qiqige instructed. Turning back, she saw Yatu still clinging to Da Yuer and smiled, "Since Dorgon isn't home, why don't you come along? You can help pick out some things for your sister while you're there."

Da Yuer had been longing to go out and clear her mind, but she had nowhere to go. She would have loved to return to Hetu Ala for a year or two, but the fiery spirit she had two years ago was now gone.

"You should go and ask Aunt. It seems like we can't leave the palace so freely now," Da Yuer said. "The palace rules are very strict."

Qiqige smiled, "But Aunt also said that those who don't always follow the rules are the ones who stand out as favoured and noble."

Sure enough, Qiqige took Yatu to Qingning Palace to seek Jeje's permission. After a few words of caution, Jeje agreed. Hairanju said to Da Yuer, "You don't need to bring anything back for me. I won't eat much anyway. Just get what the children like."

Da Yuer agreed and stepped out of Guanju Palace. She looked up at the sky and smiled with relief—finally, she could go out for a while.

Soon, several other consorts left the palace with Qiqige and Da Yuer. Yatu and her sisters followed, making the journey lively and bustling.

In what seemed like the blink of an eye, little Azhe was already running around with her sisters. Da Yuer watched the three girls growing up, yet she couldn't quite recall what had happened over the past few years. At some point, her mind had become a blank slate, as if trying to expel all past memories.

"I can tell you really wanted to get out for a bit," Qiqige whispered to Da Yuer. "Am I not considerate?"

Da Yuer smiled wryly, "If you were truly considerate, you wouldn't say it out loud."

As the summer days were long, Hong Taiji, having finished his duties while it was still light, naturally went to the palace to check on Hairanju. As he passed the Fenghuang Tower, he encountered Nam Jung with her maids.

The two met, and Nam Jung bowed respectfully. Hong Taiji asked, "Out for a walk?"

Nam Jung smiled, "I went to visit Concubine Nara and Irgen Gioro. They are also pregnant, and I was worried that the palace staff might focus solely on sister Chen Fei and neglect them, which would unfairly reflect on sister Chen Fei. Since I can't help much, I thought I'd assist the Empress in looking after the others."

Hong Taiji said indifferently, "You've put a lot of thought into this." Then he added, "Do you want to see your son? I haven't seen you bring him into the palace. I've said before, you can see him."

Nam Jung quickly replied, "Thank you, Your Majesty, but I don't wish to see him. As long as he is safe and well, I am content. After all, he is Lin Dan Batur's son, but I am now Your Majesty's woman."

Hong Taiji said, "As you wish. If you ever miss him, feel free to bring him in openly."

As they spoke, they entered the inner palace. Hong Taiji headed straight for Guanju Palace without hesitation, while Nam Jung bowed respectfully behind him, seeing him off. As she lowered her head, a cold, mocking smile flickered across her lips.