I Can't Have Your Children Anymore

Jeje, noticing Hong Taiji's concern, personally came to explain, emphasizing that Dorgon had not been home that day and that Yatu had insisted on going to play, that was why Da Yuer took her there.

The Emperor had previously instructed that Dorgon should no longer approach Da Yuer, and now Da Yuer was lying drunk in his residence. Jeje felt uneasy.

"Your Majesty, let's bring Yuer back," Hairanju suggested.

"Should Zhen go fetch her?" Just moments ago, Hong Taiji and Hairanju had agreed that from now on, he would refer to himself as "Zhen", the imperial "I." Hairanju had heard from Yuer that Han emperors referred to themselves as "Gu" or "Guaren", both meaning "lonely" or "solitary," as well as "Zhen." She thought "Gu" and "Guaren" sounded too bleak, while "Zhen" was more dignified. Yuer had agreed.

But now was not the time to discuss this. Hairanju's intention was simply to have Yuer brought back, but Hong Taiji misunderstood and thought she meant for him to go personally. Naturally, if he went, Yuer would be happier, so she smiled and said, "Yes, Your Majesty should go fetch her."

Hong Taiji shook his head, "If Zhen go, it would be improper and cause a stir. Do you want everyone to know that the imperial consort got drunk at a Qinwang's residence? Yuer would be criticized again. Why bother? Have someone quietly bring her back without making a scene."

Jeje and Hairanju exchanged glances. Jeje hoped Hairanju would understand her meaning and reassure the Emperor that this wasn't a big deal and that he shouldn't be angry. Fortunately, Hairanju understood and gave Jeje a reassuring look.

Thus, the palace sent people to Rui Qinwang's residence. Accompanied by several matrons from the residence, they entered the inner courtyard. Sumala, along with the three little princesses, had been waiting for some time. Even she hadn't been able to see what was happening inside the inner courtyard.

It was said that in the bedroom, two beauties lay drunk on the kang. When the matrons lifted Zhuang Fei, she showed no reaction, and Rui Qinwang's consort was the same. Both were in a deep, drunken slumber.

Da Yuer was carried all the way back to Yongfu Palace. Hong Taiji and Hairanju stood under the eaves of Guanju Palace, watching as Da Yuer was carried inside. Hairanju wanted to go check on her sister, but Hong Taiji stopped her, "If she starts acting out drunk and pushes you, what then? Zhen will go see her instead."

On this side, the palace maids helped the consort wash up and change clothes. After much fuss, Da Yuer finally sobered up a little. She blinked drowsily, watching blurry figures move around her. A tall figure broke through the crowd, stepping toward her one deliberate step at a time.

She struggled to open her eyes and saw Hong Taiji's face.

Once upon a time, she had eagerly awaited his return, day and night. From the moment he stepped through Shengjing's gates, she could smile with joy until the day he left again — only to start waiting all over again.

Just seeing him was enough to fill her heart. She loved him. She loved her husband so deeply that she was willing to do anything for him, even follow him to death.

She had poured her heart and soul into becoming the woman he desired. And she had always believed that once she did, Hong Taiji's love would be all she ever hoped for.

But then her sister arrived.

Hong Taiji leaned in, and the heavy scent of alcohol rushed into his nose — the kind of scent that couldn't be washed away, no matter how many times she changed her clothes. She didn't know how much strong liquor he had consumed, but it coursed through his body now.

He gently propped up her back, helping her sit. Da Yuer forced her eyes open with difficulty, and Hong Taiji asked softly:

"Are you awake?"

"Your Majesty," she slurred, "I can't give you any more children. Haha… Your Majesty, I drank so much wine at Dorgon's manor. It's karma, right? This is my punishment."

Though her words were drunken, her meaning was painfully clear.

Hong Taiji understood immediately. He had warned her long ago not to eat anything from Dorgon's household. And that New Year's Eve, he'd made her watch as Qiqige consumed food laced with sterilizing herbs, then had her drink cup after cup of strong wine to hasten the effect.

So today, Da Yuer had deliberately gone to Dorgon's residence to feast and drink herself barren? Just because Hairanju was pregnant, she thought she was no longer needed?

That day, as he walked away from Yongfu Palace, Hong Taiji had felt an inexplicable pang of heartache. Now, thinking back carefully, he realized he hadn't truly cared for Da Yuer in a long while.

Yes, he had been consumed by state affairs. And yes, whenever he had a spare moment, he only wanted to see Hairanju. Yuer must have been jealous.

But if she had kicked up a fuss like she used to, maybe he would've spared her a glance. Maybe he would've asked what was wrong. Instead, she had been quiet. So obedient, so well-behaved, that Hong Taiji had felt utterly at ease… ignoring her.

Yes, if she wasn't causing a scene, was she still the same Yuer? Had she grown up and become more composed, or was the pain so overwhelming that she had to bury it deep inside?

Hong Taiji couldn't understand. Yuer had personally agreed to be the last of the four consorts, saying she was proud to share his burdens. He had never doubted her sincerity.

So why was she now so heartbreakingly sad, as if he owed her a lifetime?

Da Yuer didn't have the strength to stay awake for long. She quickly fell into a deep sleep, the strong liquor dragging her down so completely that even her dreams were silent. She slept soundly until morning.

When she finally woke up, her head throbbed as if it might split open, and her mind was a blank slate. The memories of the night before were tangled and fragmented — she remembered Dorgon, and then… she seemed to have seen Hong Taiji.

Meanwhile, at Rui Qinwang's Manor, Qiqige woke up to an empty room. The remnants of last night's drinking were still scattered across the table, the maids not daring to clean up without permission. At her call, the servants and concubines rushed in, having been waiting nearby.

"Where's Yuer?" Thankfully, Qiqige still remembered Da Yuer and the children.

"Last night, people from the palace came to take Her Highness Zhuang Fei back," one maid replied. "You and Her Highness were both completely unconscious, so we didn't dare disturb you."

"Your Highness, let us help you freshen up. It'll make you feel better," one of the concubines offered. The maids hurried to clear the table, fetch hot water, and bring clean clothes.

Qiqige sat there, dazed. Her memory stopped at her and Da Yuer clinking cups, drinking endlessly. She vaguely remembered talking and talking, but the words themselves were lost. Everything after that was a complete blur.

"And his highness?" Qiqige finally remembered her husband.

"His Highness returned last night," a concubine answered. "He saw Her Highness Zhuang Fei passed out here, and to avoid any misunderstanding, he left immediately."

"He walked away without even looking back," the woman added carefully.

"Of course," Qiqige sighed, rubbing her temples. "With Yuer here, how could he stay? That would be impossible to explain."

Her heart skipped a beat, and she whispered, "Was he angry?"

The concubine chuckled. "Why would His Highness be angry with Your Highness?"

Qiqige smirked, though the fierce headache robbed her of any satisfaction. She clutched her aching head and muttered, "I still have to go to the palace immediately. Aunt will skin me and Yuer alive."

But while Qiqige was hastily preparing to enter the palace, Da Yuer was already kneeling in Qingning Palace.

Jeje was so furious she didn't even want to speak. The emperor had only just ascended the throne, and the imperial consorts had barely been ennobled — and yet this scandal had already erupted. Fortunately, no outsiders had been present at Rui Qinwang's Manor last night. Fortunately, they had quietly brought Da Yuer back to the palace without anyone noticing.

The truth, however, would eventually get out. Even if Jeje could silence the palace servants, she couldn't control the people in Rui Qinwang's manor — let alone the gossip that might already be spreading through the streets. Yesterday, Da Yuer had reeked of alcohol, like she'd been soaked in a wine jar. The stench followed her like a cloud, noticeable from a distance. For a woman to let herself fall into such a state… it was disgraceful.

And Da Yuer's reputation among the royal family wasn't great to begin with. She was always the one causing trouble — hitting people one day, running away from home the next, then falling off a horse for good measure. She never seemed to stop.

Just thinking about it made Jeje's chest tighten with rage. If not for Adai holding her back, she might have grabbed a ruler and given Da Yuer a solid beating.

On a normal day, being punished to kneel would've made Da Yuer feel humiliated and defiant. But today, still half-drunk, with her head splitting apart, the ache in her knees barely registered. She swayed back and forth, dizzy and disoriented, until Jeje scolded her to kneel still or she'd be sent to kneel outside the palace doors.

Meanwhile, in Chongzheng Hall, Hong Taiji dismissed the morning court but kept a few ministers behind for further discussions. When Niman brought in tea, the emperor casually asked, "Is Yuer awake?"

Niman hesitated, forcing a smile. "Your Majesty, Her Highness Zhuang Fei is already kneeling in Qingning Palace. The empress was furious. Even Her Highness Chen Fei tried to speak on her behalf but was sent away."

Hong Taiji sighed. "Let her sober up." He sipped his tea, handed the cup back, and then asked, "Was Dorgon home last night?"

Niman flinched, lowering his head. "Your Majesty… Rui Qinwang did return, but when he heard that Her Highness Zhuang Fei was there, he immediately turned around and left."

Hong Taiji's face darkened. "Did he leave from the gate, or did he go inside and come back out?"

Niman relayed everything he knew. Dorgon had indeed stepped inside, but he'd left almost immediately. And with his wife and the servants present, there was little chance of anything improper happening. When the palace maids carried Her Highness Zhuang Fei back, she and Qiqige had been fast asleep, side by side.

Hong Taiji waved Niman away and turned back to his ministers, burying himself in state affairs once again.

By the time Da Yuer's knees were trembling with pain, Qiqige finally arrived at the palace. She took one look at the scene, exchanged a glance with Jeje, and without a word, knelt beside Da Yuer.

Jeje snorted, and Qiqige flinched, lowering her head in fear.

The empress, as always, would not miss her daily prayers. She left the two of them kneeling there and went off to the temple.

After a while, a clever little palace maid tiptoed inside and whispered, "Your Highnesses, the empress has gone to the prayer hall. Please sit for a while, Fourteenth Consort, you should rest too. I'll stand guard outside."

Da Yuer collapsed onto the floor, her legs giving out beneath her. She clutched her knees, rubbing them desperately as pain twisted her face into a grimace.

"Yuer, we drank an entire jar of liquor," Qiqige whispered, her voice laced with guilt. "I checked this morning... the jar was empty."

"This is all your fault!" Da Yuer snapped, glaring at her through tears of pain. "You tricked me into drinking, and look what happened! I've been kneeling for two hours — you better kneel the full time too!"

Qiqige sighed, lowering her voice to a coaxing tone. "When Aunt comes back, let's admit our mistake properly. You didn't argue with her, did you?"

"The moment I walked in, she told me to kneel," Da Yuer pouted, tears welling up again. "If Adai hadn't stopped her, she would've beaten me. My knees feel like they're going to shatter..."

Qiqige's eyes flickered with uncertainty. She bit her lip, hesitating before cautiously asking, "Yuer, do you remember... what I said to you last night?"