Let’s Both Forget What Happened That Night

The news of Hooge and Yoto's demotion spread quickly — stripped of their qinwang titles and reduced to beile, completely skipping the rank of junwang. Although people speculated that they might eventually be restored to their former status through future military merits, the current situation was far from optimistic.

Daisan turned pale with fright, waiting for the emperor at the foot of the mountain. When Hong Taiji saw him, he only uttered coldly: "You raised your sons well."

Dodo, seeing his elder brother by the emperor's side, waited until Hong Taiji left before approaching to ask what had happened. Dorgon only said grimly: "Watch your words and actions, or you'll be next."

"Yes..." Dodo, though unconvinced, could only bite his tongue. After all, if Hong Taiji didn't spare even his own son, what chance did Dodo have?

Hong Taiji went straight to the resting place of Hairanju and her sisters. Seeing the worry on Hairanju's face, his rage softened a little. He stepped forward to help her up: "Let's go back. The wind will pick up soon."

"Your Majesty, are you all right?" Hairanju looked at her husband, concern written all over her face as his anger slowly faded. "It's autumn now, don't let your temper harm your health."

Hong Taiji smiled helplessly: "Yes, or you'll be mad at me too, right? All right, let's go home."

He supported Hairanju out of the hall, while Da Yuer and Qiqige followed behind. Qiqige glanced at Hong Taiji's unreserved affection for Hairanju, then at Da Yuer's calm, almost indifferent demeanour, and felt a pang of sadness.

She quietly scanned the crowd until she found Dorgon, then took her leave from the emperor to join her husband.

The imperial procession returned to the palace. Hong Taiji personally escorted Hairanju and Da Yuer to their carriage, gave them a few parting words, and then walked alone toward his sedan chair. Da Yuer draped a cloak over her sister's shoulders, gently reassuring her: "Don't be afraid, sister. It's normal for officials to rise and fall — it happens every day in court."

"But that was His Majesty's eldest son..."

"And he's also an enemy to our Khorchin." Da Yuer held her sister's hand, her voice cold. "Sister, I don't want to frighten you, but if Hooge gains power after His Majesty's passing, the three of us will not meet a good end. His Majesty protects us so dearly — how can we let ourselves be bullied? Right?"

Hairanju clutched Da Yuer's hand tightly, her eyes resolute. "You're right, Yuer. I'll listen to you."

Da Yuer comforted her: "Sister, don't be afraid. Just take good care of yourself. For everything else, the emperor is here, aunt is here, and I'm here too."

"Yuer, I'm really useless..." Hairanju looked at Da Yuer with guilt. "I have no skills, I can't do anything right, nothing at all..."

"Sister, your ability to manage the palace is top-notch. Otherwise, how could I have the peace of mind to bury myself in the library? Only you don't have the energy now and I won't let you get tired with such matters." Da Yuer said proudly. "You can handle everything, but right now, your only task is to take care of yourself and the emperor. Did you see how angry he was just now? But the moment he saw you, he softened right away — isn't that wonderful?"

Hearing this from her sister only made Hairanju feel worse. She blamed herself and regretted bringing up the subject. Forcing a smile, she said: "After I give birth, I'll help aunt take care of palace affairs again. You can study without worry."

Da Yuer laughed: "Of course. I've even thought about it — someday, I'll ask the emperor to give me an official position."

Hairanju chuckled: "When we cross into the Central Plains and establish the imperial exams, you can take one yourself."

"Sister knows about the imperial exams?"

"Qiqige told me..."

They laughed and chatted, unbothered by the punishment of Hooge and Yoto. But the fire in Hong Taiji's heart couldn't die down. He knew all too well what kind of son he had, and he had to think not just about the present but decades into the future — even what would happen after his death.

In the convoy, Qiqige sat in her carriage and beckoned Dorgon to come closer. Dorgon simply dismounted and jumped onto her carriage.

"What's wrong?"

"I should be asking you that." Qiqige said. "Weren't you with Hong Taiji? What did Hooge and Yoto do wrong?"

Dorgon replied coldly: "They said that Khorchin women can't give birth to sons."

Qiqige sneered: "Nonsense. Are all the sons born to Khorchin consorts among the princes and lords picked up from the streets?"

Dorgon teased: "Even you are swearing now?"

Qiqige seethed with anger: "Why would I talk nicely to a beast?"

Dorgon laughed softly: "They even called my mother a wrench."

Qiqige's eyes widened in rage, but after a moment, she sighed: "I knew it. It couldn't just be about Sister Hairanju. Otherwise, Hong Taiji would be too foolish — he'd only be bringing trouble to her. It must be because you were standing in front of her, taking the hit."

"Hooge has angered Hong Taiji time and again. If not for his military merits and some skill in battle, he would've long followed in Brother Cuyen's footsteps. He's pushing himself closer to ruin, little by little." Dorgon shook his head. "The real fear is that, in the future, he might become desperate, and if even the slightest chance arises, he might do something catastrophic."

"Like what?" Qiqige asked.

"Do you think Hong Taiji will stay in Shengjing forever?" Dorgon said. "If my calculations are correct, there may be a campaign against Joseon at the end of the year. My brother Dodo and I know that region best, and we've been preparing for over two years. If there's a war, Hong Taiji will either send me, Dodo, or even lead the army himself — after all, he just declared himself emperor. He needs to build his reputation and assert his power. But if he loses his judgment and leaves Hooge in Shengjing..."

"Then don't worry." Qiqige said. "If Hong Taiji wants to give his son a chance to restore his qinwang status, he'll want him to earn it. Even if it's just as a cook or a stableman, he'll take Hooge along. And besides, is Hong Taiji a fool? How could he leave Hooge behind in Shengjing alone — that would be like pushing Sister Hairanju's unborn child straight into the fire pit."

"Heh..." Dorgon sneered, though his heart felt cold. "So in Hong Taiji's eyes, is it only Hairanju that matters now?"

As soon as the imperial entourage returned to the palace, good news arrived — Lady Nara had given birth to a healthy son. Hong Taiji now had another son after eight long years.

He personally went to visit Nara and the new-born, naming the boy Gaosai. The emperor was naturally overjoyed, and he ordered Jeje to arrange a grand "three-day bathing ceremony" for the baby, coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival, so the palace could celebrate.

After everyone else had left, only Nam Jung and Lixin remained. Lixin went to guard the door, while inside the room, Nara timidly asked: "Your Highness, will you adopt my child?"

Nam Jung replied gently: "It's not the right time yet. The emperor is still celebrating — if I ask for the child now, or if you insist on giving him to me, it wouldn't look good. But I'm deeply touched by your thoughtfulness. Whether I adopt him or not doesn't matter — I'll still help you take care of Gaosai as much as I can."

Nara sighed: "I can't stop thinking about how Her Highness Chen Fei will give birth next spring. If it's a prince, my Gaosai will be nothing. I don't want anything for myself — I just hope my son can have a good future. Those high-ranking consorts would never care about my child, but Your Highness, you have a kind heart. Please, I entrust Gaosai to you."

Nam Jung was perfectly satisfied, her face beaming with warmth, though her heart was brimming with triumph. She gently stroked Nara's hand and said, "Don't worry. Focus on recovering your health. At least for now, for the next few months, the emperor's eyes are on you."

Hong Taiji was indeed overjoyed, and he deliberately displayed his happiness. Gaining another son in his forties — with Hairanju and Irgen Gioro both expecting — made him feel immensely proud. For a man, watching his lineage flourish was a source of great pride.

On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, the palace held a lively banquet to celebrate the baby prince's "three-day washing ceremony." Jeje handled the arrangements impeccably, ensuring everything was elegant and thoughtful. Yet, just days after Hooge and Yoto had been demoted and ordered to reflect in seclusion, the attending beiles and lords couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Halfway through the banquet, the children grew restless. Fearing they might accidentally bump into Hairanju or Irgen Gioro, Da Yuer and Qiqige left the hall with their daughters for some fresh air and a walk to aid digestion.

The two women chatted and laughed as they strolled to Ten Kings Pavilion. As luck would have it, Dorgon had just returned to the Plain White Banner Pavilion after handling some urgent matters. Stepping outside, he immediately spotted his wife, daughter, and Da Yuer.

"Father!" Dong'e ran over and hugged his leg.

"Don't be naughty. Be good," Dorgon said, his tone full of indulgence. But hidden beneath that doting affection was a complex emotion only he understood.

When he lifted his gaze, he saw Da Yuer. Her cheeks were flushed — perhaps from drinking — but she looked healthy and radiant.

The open space in front of Ten Kings Pavilion gave the children room to run freely. Dong'e chased after the others but soon fell, landing flat on her face. Qiqige, torn between anger and distress, ran over, scolding as she scooped her daughter up: "I told you not to run! If you don't listen, I'll spank you!"

She brushed the dirt off Dong'e, soothing her with gentle pats, while Da Yuer watched with a soft smile. Suddenly, Dorgon said quietly, "I'm sorry... for that night. But Qiqige doesn't seem to know."

Da Yuer turned her face slightly to look at him. The fear from that night had long faded. She gave a faint smile and said, "Then I hope you'll honour the promise I asked of you. Dorgon, don't put me in an impossible position. I cannot hurt Qiqige — and neither can you."

Dorgon stared at Da Yuer, momentarily lost. He had expected her to hate him, to avoid him at all costs. But instead...

Da Yuer's gaze returned to Qiqige and Dong'e, her expression calm. She spoke in a gentle, distant voice: "Let's both forget that night ever happened, Dorgon. You are a great hero, destined for greatness. The people look up to their grand general. Don't let fleeting emotions entangle you. Set your heart and eyes on the world. Cherish what you already have. Cherish Qiqige and Dong'e."

After she finished speaking, Da Yuer walked toward Qiqige and Dong'e. The little girl immediately threw herself into Da Yuer's arms, pouting and saying her mother wanted to spank her, begging Da Yuer to protect her. Da Yuer picked up Dong'e lovingly and said, "We won't go home tonight. How about you stay with Auntie and take a bath with Sister Aje?"

A gust of autumn wind blew through. The autumns in Shengjing always arrived so abruptly. Dorgon stood motionless in front of the Plain White Banner Pavilion, watching the two most important women in his life.

Da Yuer had told him to set his sights on the world — but whose world was it? It belonged to Hong Taiji. So, was she telling him to devote himself to Hong Taiji?

Or...

Dorgon chuckled bitterly and shook his head. Impossible. It couldn't mean anything else. After all these years, Da Yuer's heart had only ever belonged to Hong Taiji.

One by one, the children were rounded up, and Da Yuer and Qiqige led them back to the banquet. Naturally, Dorgon had long since left.

Back in the hall, Da Yuer inadvertently lifted her head and met Hong Taiji's gaze. She gave a faint, indifferent smile and quickly looked away, as if it meant nothing at all.

Seated at the head of the hall, Hong Taiji felt as though something had slammed into his chest. His Yuer... Why did she feel more and more like a stranger?