All his life, Li Qinwang had endured countless injustices and hardships. His mother died early, his elder brother rebelled, and his brothers schemed against each other. Despite his remarkable achievements and unwavering loyalty, he was ultimately abandoned by the late emperor.
Yet, he weathered every storm and bore all the suffering. In Da Yuer's eyes, no one in this world was more resilient than Daisan. Moreover, Daisan was nearly thirty years older than her, and Da Yuer would never disrespect him.
Sumala had already stepped forward to help him up and invited Li Qinwang to sit down, quietly leading the others out.
Throughout his life, Daisan had bowed and yielded to countless people due to matters big and small, but he had never expected that one day, he would have to lower his head before such a young woman.
"Unfortunately, I can't be of much help," Da Yuer said gently, "I can't help you find your son. Where did Yoto go? If you find him, please send someone to inform me, so that the Empress and I won't have to worry."
Daisan lowered his head in silence, his fists tightening slightly.
Da Yuer smiled gently and said, "The matters in the palace have been temporarily resolved, but I'll need to trouble you, Second Brother, to handle the aftermath and investigate what really happened. When His Majesty returns triumphantly to Shengjing, I'll have to trouble you again to report to him."
"Yes…" Daisan replied, his voice low.
"I believe that no matter what happened and what the final outcome is, His Majesty will believe whatever Second Brother tells him," Da Yuer added softly. "The Empress and I know nothing. We'll rely entirely on you."
Daisan understood—Da Yuer and Jeje were giving him a way out. If it was indeed Yoto behind all this, then the fate of his son was now in his own hands. They wouldn't interfere with Hong Taiji's decision.
But they had already shown him a clear path—honestly confessing to Hong Taiji. If Daisan wished to protect himself, he would have to sacrifice Yoto.
"Are the ladies safe?" Daisan asked weakly.
"All is well," Da Yuer replied warmly, "but the children are easily frightened. It would be best if the guards were withdrawn today."
"But…" Daisan frowned deeply. He knew very well that those guards were all Tung Tulai's men. Da Yuer was implying that the sooner Yoto was captured, the better.
Da Yuer's eyes gazed deeply into Daisan's: "Second Brother, is it difficult for you?"
Daisan's heart trembled. He stiffly shook his head and said, "No… it's not difficult. Please… ask the Empress and yourself to wait patiently."
That day, it wasn't until before noon that Tung Tulai arrived with Daisan's orders to inform Da Yuer that Yoto had "returned home."
"Will he come out again?" Da Yuer asked calmly.
Tung Tulai chuckled, "Rest assured, Your Highness. Yoto may seek death, but Li Qinwang will not dig his own grave."
Da Yuer walked out of the study, glanced at the guards stationed outside, and turned back to instruct Tung Tulai, "It's time for lunch. Let everyone return."
"Yes, Your Highness!" Tung Tulai cupped his hands in salute.
"Lord So has been up all night. Please go back and rest early," Da Yuer added. "Yebusu and Sose were frightened. The Empress has ordered them to rest for two days before returning to the study."
"Yes," Sonin said respectfully, bowing deeply. He watched as Da Yuer left the study, finally letting out a sigh of relief. Then, he saw Tung Tulai striding briskly ahead and grabbed him by the arm.
"What is it?" Tung Tulai, ever the straightforward and bold warrior, asked with his usual hearty confidence.
"Brother, tell me the truth—who sent you here?" Sonin asked.
Tung Tulai frowned slightly, looking at Sonin suspiciously. "What do you mean by that, Brother So?"
Sonin patted his shoulder, his expression serious. "Tulai, if you don't want to say it, fine. But let's agree on something—for the sake of our own peace of mind."
Tung Tulai was puzzled. "Just say it. Why are you beating around the bush?"
Sonin said in a low voice, "When His Majesty returns and asks about today's events, tell him that I contacted you in advance. If there was any disturbance in the palace, I asked you to come and protect the imperial family."
Tung Tulai laughed heartily. "Sonin, are you trying to steal credit?"
Sonin's face grew even more solemn. "Steal your credit? I'm trying to save your life! Think about it, Tulai."
In Qingning Palace, after Da Yuer finished recounting everything, Jeje sighed at the mention of Daisan. She was equally puzzled. "How did the Han Banner get involved? Where did Tung Tulai come from?"
Da Yuer, however, said to her aunt, "There are bound to be entanglements between those lords. They will naturally give an explanation to the Emperor. We knew nothing from the start, so let's not probe further. Whatever they say, we'll go along with it. The less I know, the better."
Jeje thought to herself—Da Yuer was right. They truly knew nothing. If they insisted on finding out the truth, they might end up offending those who had risked their lives to protect the palace.
She looked again at Da Yuer, whose beautiful face had long shed its youthful innocence. In just three or four years, she had undergone a complete transformation. Jeje was both proud and heartbroken.
"Go and rest. I'm here," Jeje said gently.
Later in the afternoon, Qiqige entered the palace. Though she had not faced any danger outside the palace, her heart had been anxious for Jeje and Da Yuer.
If one day, Dorgon and Hong Taiji were to fight each other, she knew she would stand behind her husband without hesitation. Even if it meant watching Dorgon kill her aunt and Da Yuer, she would not stop him.
But for now, since Dorgon had not acted, no one else was allowed to harm her aunt and Da Yuer. The problem was—aside from refusing to allow harm, there was nothing she could do. She was left with nothing but anxious worry.
Eshuo escorted her to the palace gates, where they happened to run into Tung Tulai. Tung Tulai grabbed Eshuo's arm and relayed the message from Sonin. Eshuo's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly lowered his voice, speaking with a serious tone: "Follow Sonin's instructions. Have you mentioned me to anyone?"
Tung Tulai shook his head. "No, Sonin never asked me about you. He just told me to think carefully. But why should he steal all the credit?"
Eshuo replied, "That's good. After the Emperor returns, you follow Sonin's instructions first. Once I've consulted with Rui Qinwang, I'll give you further orders. As for credit, does it matter more than your life?"
Another day passed, and a thousand miles away, the imperial procession was nearing Joseon, with the vanguard forces preparing for battle.
At this moment, Hong Taiji was in the camp, discussing the battle strategy with his officers. When they finished, they received a secret report from the palace.
Sonin had urgently sent a message informing the Emperor of all that had transpired in the palace. The report confirmed that Yoto had indeed rebelled and was now under the custody of Li Qinwang, kept in a house arrest at his residence. The report also mentioned that the capital had not been affected by the rebellion. Aside from a few palace maids who had died, everything was well with the Empress, the princes, and the princesses.
At the very end of the report, Sonin added that, to avoid exposure, he had temporarily appointed Tung Tulai, the commander of the Han Plain Blue Banner, to enter the palace and protect the imperial family. The full details, he said, would be relayed to the Emperor upon his return to the capital.
"Tung Tulai?" Hong Taiji frowned slightly, and with a casual gesture, he burned the report. "Where did Tung Tulai come from? Was it really Sonin who found him?"
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