In the Linzhi Palace, Nam Jung paced back and forth in front of the kang, holding the crumpled piece of paper she had just stepped on with her foot. Consort Duotumen certainly couldn't see what was written on the paper, but she felt a vague sense of unease in her heart.
"Your Highness, Consort Doutumen has gone to the opposite side," Lixin came to report. "She was taken there by Bumbutai and Hairanju."
Nam Jung stood by the window, her gaze cold and vicious as she glared across the room. She spoke in a cold voice, "She sure knows how to pick the high branches to climb."
Lixin, privately unwilling to refer to the concubines as Shu Fei, Zhuang Fei, or Chen Fei, scoffed, "The Emperor took in an orphan girl for her. She thinks she's so impressive now, daring to get close to Bumbutai and the others. Does she not see her own worth? How could those women from the Khorchin tribe take others seriously?"
Nam Jung replied, "The Khorchin are the most detestable, not just these three in the palace, but Qiqige, and in every Beile's mansion, many are their kin. They stick together, but we? We're scattered, falling apart."
"Fortunately, Consort Tesina..."
Nam Jung gestured for Lixin to be silent. "Don't speak of it. Wait for two more days. Hong Taiji has just left Shengjing."
However, soon after, Jeje summoned the four consorts and the concubines to Qingning Palace, warning them to be cautious with their words and actions during this time. The Emperor was not in Shengjing, and the women must adhere to their proper roles in the harem, she carried on for quite some time.
Although all the women bowed their heads and listened respectfully, how many of them truly took it to heart? With Irgen Gioro and Hairanju both heavily pregnant, Jeje gave even more instructions.
Once the concubines left, the four consorts remained. Chen Fei had already been helped to sit aside, but they all heard Jeje's cold voice: "Gui Fei, I heard you hit the child?"
Nam Jung never expected Jeje would bring this up.
She resented Consort Duotumen for receiving the Emperor's favour. After she gave birth to the little princess, the Emperor hadn't even set foot in Linzhi Palace. If it weren't for her wandering outside all the time, occasionally running into the Emperor, he probably wouldn't even remember she existed.
But that wretched Shu Fei not only received the Emperor's favour, but was also entrusted with raising an orphan, as if she were surpassing Nam Jung.
Now that the Emperor had gone to war, there was no one in the palace to keep her in check, and she couldn't hold back her frustration. In her eyes, Consort Duotumen was someone she could scold and hit at will, yet she overlooked the fact that the child was an orphan from a heroic family, adopted by the Emperor as a loyal descendant.
"I have committed an offense, Your Majesty. Please, punish me." Nam Jung knelt down. Who could be more adaptable and flexible than her?
"It's not so serious." Jeje gestured for Adai to help her up and spoke kindly, "It's common for people to get frustrated and scold children. I'm just asking. Although the child has a background and cannot be wronged, children still need to be taught and disciplined. Shu Fei, did you thank the Gui Fei for helping you discipline your child today?"
Shu Fei froze for a moment, but being a smart woman, she quickly stepped forward and bowed to Nam Jung, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness Gui Fei, for your guidance."
Nam Jung gritted her teeth in hatred. The Empress was clearly announcing to her that, from now on, she could forget about acting high-handed with Yanqing Palace.
After the meeting in Qingning Palace ended, Da Yuer sent Hairanju back to Guanzhu Palace. Qiqige had been waiting here with the children for a long time. Da Yuer asked her, "I'm going to the study. Are you coming?"
Qiqige, patting off the sunflower seed shells in her hands, replied, "I secretly came out to take a look at Dorgon. Dong'e must be crying her throat out by now since she can't see me. I need to go back right away."
Hairanju smiled and said, "With the Emperor and Dorgon not in the palace, you should come over to visit more often and bring Dong'e along."
Qiqige agreed, and after bidding farewell to Jeje in Qingning Palace, then she walked with Da Yuer, and they parted in front of the study.
At this moment, Yebusu and Sose were reading in their study. Da Yuer passed by and saw Sonin. Upon seeing Zhuang Fei, Sonin immediately came out to greet her. Da Yuer smiled and said, "On such a cold day, Lord So, please come inside and talk."
In the study, Yebusu and Sose bowed to Her Highness Zhuang Fei, and Da Yuer showed her concern before ordering the attendants to add more coal to the brazier and have some tea brought to them.
Sose nervously mentioned that the Emperor had instructed them not to eat too much in the study, as it could make them sleepy. Da Yuer laughed and said, "In winter, your stomach is like a stove; if you don't eat or add fuel, you'll be shivering. How can you concentrate on your studies? Listen to me. Take a break. I'll have a chat with Sonin."
The two children relaxed and went to drink tea and eat snacks, while Sonin followed Da Yuer to her study. The room was already warm with the floor heating, ready for Zhuang Fei's arrival.
Da Yuer asked Sonin why he hadn't gone with the Emperor to Joseon and briefly mentioned some matters of the court, but naturally, the more important details weren't her concern. At this moment, Sumala had returned from Yongfu Palace and delivered a gift wrapped in red silk.
"I heard Lord So has recently been blessed with a son. I've been meaning to congratulate you," Da Yuer said as she instructed Sumala to bring the gift forward. "Lord So is also my teacher, and as a student, I must express my congratulations."
Sonin bowed deeply and replied, "I dare not accept."
Sumala smiled, "Lord So, please accept it. It's quite heavy for me to carry."
Sonin no longer declined and took the gift with both hands. Da Yuer smiled and asked, "How many sons do you have now?"
"The new-born is my third son. My uncle, Hifu, has named him Songgotu," Sonin respectfully answered.
"The Heseri family has a literary tradition. Now, with you, it's a family of both civil and military achievements, a noble and prestigious family in Manchuria," Da Yuer said, her smile gentle. "In the future, if my little girl could marry your son, it would be the best thing."
Sonin knelt down and said, "I'm humbled, Your Highness. A princess, with her noble lineage, how could my humble son be a match for her?"
Da Yuer knew that in the future, her daughter would be married to a tribal prince or a taiji. But privately, she wished her daughter could stay in Shengjing and marry into a noble family nearby for easier care.
However, she couldn't speak of this, not even to her aunt. Her aunt had sent her daughters off without hesitation, and in her eyes, Yatu and Atu were the same.
"Lord So, please get up, I was just joking," Da Yuer laughed. "What were you teaching the princes today? Tell me about it."
Sonin replied, "Your Highness, you've already read all of those books. The princes are far behind you."
Da Yuer knew he was overpraising her. Her gaze inadvertently fell on Sumala, who was tidying up the writing materials and crumpling unnecessary papers in her hands, which reminded her of the words that Shu Fei had warned her about.
In the past, when the Emperor was away at war, she never had any mistrust towards others, but now, she felt uneasy. Times had changed, and it wasn't just the Emperor's relationship with her that had changed.
"Lord So, are you under the Plain Yellow Banner?" Da Yuer asked.
"Yes, Your Highness, I am from the Plain Yellow Banner," Sonin replied. He thought for a moment, then quietly said, "Your Highness, during the time when the Emperor is not in the capital, I have been assigned by the Emperor to teach the princes, but in reality, I am also leading the Imperial Guards to secretly protect the inner palace, ensuring the safety of Your Highnesses, the princes and the princesses. Please rest assured."
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