My father is Chongzhen? Then I have no choice but to rebel.

Chapter 335 Da Yu'er's Night Meeting with Dorgon: Is Huang Taiji Going to Be Cuckolded?
The next second, she could no longer suppress her grief and, like a startled fawn, rushed into Huang Taiji's arms, her shoulders trembling violently, and tears streaming down her face like a burst dam.

She sobbed as she spoke in a tearful voice:

"Your Majesty, you must get well soon! What will we, mother and son, do if anything happens to you!"

The voice was filled with endless sorrow and fear, as if the whole world was teetering on the brink of collapse because of Huang Taiji's illness.

Huang Taiji paused slightly, then gently raised his hand and patted Dayuer's back softly, before saying in a low voice:

"I'm not dead yet, why are you crying?"

Da Yu'er slowly raised her head, looking at Huang Taiji with teary eyes. Her beautiful eyes were now filled with tears, like two bright pearls shrouded in rain and mist, shimmering with confusion and helplessness.

She continued, her voice choked with sobs:

"Your Majesty will not die. If Your Majesty were to die, I would follow you. What meaning would my life have if Your Majesty were not here?"

Those words were filled with deep affection and dependence on Huang Taiji.

Just as Huang Taiji felt a surge of emotion, realizing the deep affection Dayuer held for him, her next words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing his feelings.

She continued:
"Anyway, after His Majesty leaves, there's no way for us, mother and daughter, to survive in this palace. We might as well go with His Majesty!"

Huang Taiji was incredibly clever; in an instant, he understood the meaning behind Dayuer's words. She was clearly implying that he should make Fulin the crown prince to ensure her and Fulin's future wealth and honor.

Then Huang Taiji shouted angrily:

"Do you think I can't understand what you mean? This is not something a woman like you can interfere with. Don't mention it again!"

The sound was like a heavy hammer blow, echoing in the silent bedchamber, causing Da Yu'er's body to tremble slightly.

Although Huang Taiji loved Dayuer very much and showed her endless tenderness and doting, he had his own opinions and considerations on such an important matter as the succession to the throne, and he would never allow anyone to interfere!
Moreover, he never intended to pass the throne to Fulin. After all, the Qing Dynasty was beset by internal and external troubles, and under such circumstances, it would be an unwise decision to make a young son emperor.

He's not stupid enough to do something like that for a woman!
Upon hearing this, Da Yu'er cried even harder, her sobs echoing like the mournful cry of an owl in the bedchamber, sending chills down one's spine.

However, what Huang Taiji didn't notice was that in that instant, a subtle look flashed in Dayuer's eyes.

His expression showed both disappointment and resentment.

In fact, when she saw Huang Taiji hide the edict, she had already realized that it must be the edict of succession.

The meaning behind what she just said was to confirm whether the person on the edict of succession was indeed her son, Fulin.

However, judging from Huang Taiji's reaction, it shouldn't be Fulin. If she's not mistaken, the most likely candidate is Hauge.

This filled Dayuer with great fear, because she knew that if Hauge succeeded to the throne, given the various grudges between Hauge and her, she and her son would definitely not have a good life in the future.

After all, she had often belittled Hauge in front of Huang Taiji before!

Immediately at that moment, Huang Taiji suddenly felt a wave of drowsiness wash over him. He closed his eyes slightly and then whispered:
"I need to rest now, you may leave."

Helpless, Da Yu'er could only bow gracefully to Huang Taiji, then slowly turn around and leave the bedchamber step by step.

After Da Yu'er left, Huang Taiji forced himself to sit up, a hint of wariness in his eyes. He then carefully put the two edicts back into the box and placed them back into the hidden compartment.

After confirming that everything was correct, he lay down again and closed his eyes.

Time flies, and before we knew it, it was evening.

Night fell like a giant black curtain, slowly enveloping the entire city of Shenyang. The whole city was immersed in silence, with only the occasional bark of a dog breaking the tranquility.

However, behind this silence, an unknown storm is brewing.

A mysterious sedan chair quietly left the palace, moving silently through the narrow streets like a ghost.

The sedan chair bearers moved with light and agile steps, as if afraid of disturbing the tranquility of the night. They then followed the predetermined route straight to Dorgon's Prince Rui's residence.

Meanwhile, at this very moment, at the Prince Rui's residence.

Dorgon was drinking alone in his room.

On the table in front of him were several plates of exquisite dishes and a pot of fine wine, but Dorgon had no interest in tasting these delicacies and only poured one cup of wine into his mouth after another.

The wine flowed down his throat, but it couldn't quell the frustration in his heart.

However, at this moment, he was preoccupied with the internal and external troubles facing the Qing Dynasty.

As for vying for the throne, to be honest, Dorgon doesn't really have that ambition at the moment.

Of course, this does not mean that he did not crave power. On the contrary, he had an extreme desire for power, a desire that burned like a raging fire in his heart.

However, Dorgon still couldn't contend for the throne!

Because he, like Li Zicheng, had no sons, he was at a great disadvantage in the struggle for the throne.

Dorgon himself did not want to seize the throne without a son to inherit it, and then who knows which brother or nephew would benefit from it. Since that was the case, why should he go to all that trouble?

He might as well just be a proper Prince Rui!

Suddenly at that moment, a servant rushed in to report:

"Your Highness, there are distinguished guests outside requesting an audience."

Dorgon was slightly taken aback, because he did not expect that someone would come looking for him in the middle of the night.

After a moment's hesitation, Dorgon put down his wine cup and said:
"Let him in."

But the servant said somewhat awkwardly:
"Your Highness, the guest said that you should personally go to greet him, and I have a feeling that the guest's identity is quite extraordinary."

When he said this, the servant's voice was so low that it was almost inaudible, as if he was afraid of offending Dorgon.

But Dorgon became interested immediately upon hearing this, since there were very few people in Shenyang whose status was higher than his.

There are very few people who specifically request him to personally greet them at the door, and he wants to see just how this person is!
He then stood up, straightened his clothes, and went outside to meet the unexpected guest.

Upon reaching the entrance, Dorgon, using the lamplight, saw a sedan chair and several bearers, but all of them were covered in black, making it impossible to discern their appearances.

The black clothes seemed to blend into the darkness of the night, giving people a sense of mystery and oppression.

Dorgon frowned, his voice low and authoritative.

"Who is your Excellency?"

The next second, the person inside the sedan chair stepped out. She was wearing a black robe that covered her entire body, making it impossible to see her face.

The figure appeared exceptionally mysterious under the lamplight, like a ghost emerging from the darkness.

Seeing this, Dorgon became even more frustrated, wondering what trick the newcomers were up to.

But then, the man walked directly in front of Dorgon. Immediately afterwards, a pair of all-too-familiar eyes suddenly appeared before Dorgon.

Those eyes were like stars in the night sky, bright and deep, causing Dorgon to suddenly freeze.

Because he recognized them; they were Da Yu'er's eyes.

Dorgon was immediately terrified and sobered up. He thought to himself, "This is bad. What does Dayuer want with me at this time?"
This was happening right under Huang Taiji's nose; wasn't this tantamount to killing him?

His heart suddenly raced, as if it were about to leap out of his throat, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

But Da Yu'er didn't say anything, she just walked straight into the house.

Her steps were light yet firm, as if each step was filled with determination.

Seeing that there was no other way, Dorgon carefully looked around and, after confirming that no one was around, followed them inside. Immediately afterward, the sedan chair followed them in.

The next second, the gates of the Prince's mansion were slammed shut!
Before long, in Dorgon's study, Dayuer finally removed her disguise, revealing her beautiful and charming face.

Her face appeared exceptionally beautiful in the candlelight, like a blooming flower.

After all, Da Yu'er is only thirty years old right now, in the prime of her life.

However, Dorgon seemed somewhat at a loss at this moment. His eyes darted around, but he dared not look at Dayuer.

But Dorgon still tried to remain calm, and then asked in a slightly trembling voice:

"Your Highness Consort Zhuang, what brings you to see me at this hour?"

Da Yu'er smiled upon hearing this, and then said:
"Dorgon, there are no outsiders here, why are you being so formal? Didn't you always call me by my name, Butai, before? Why are you calling me Consort Zhuang now?"

Da Yu'er's Mongolian name is Bumbutai, and "Butai" is a very intimate term of endearment.

As soon as he said this, Dorgon's face flushed red, because he had indeed called Dayuer that before.

However, those were only shouted when Huang Taiji was not in Shenyang.

But Huang Taiji is currently in the palace in Shenyang, and it is said that he regained consciousness yesterday. How could he dare to do such a thing?

Even though the woman in front of him was his favorite, Dorgon dared not do anything out of line.

Because if he is not careful, he will die without a burial place.

Seeing Dorgon's nervousness, Dayuer immediately smiled and said:

"Alright, alright, I'm not teasing you anymore. To be honest, I came to see you today because I have something important to discuss with you."

As she spoke, Da Yu'er's expression turned serious.

Before Dorgon could ask any questions, Dayuer told him about seeing the edict of succession.

Although Dorgon was not interested in the throne for the time being, he was still somewhat surprised when he heard this.

Then he asked, somewhat incredulously:

"Look carefully, is that really an edict of succession?"

Da Yu'er said:
"It should be true, after all, the only imperial edict that His Majesty would keep hidden by his side all this time is the edict of succession!"

Dorgon had calmed down by now, and finally asked:

"To whom will His Majesty pass the throne?"

Da Yu'er shook her head and said:

"I don't know, but I guess it's not Fu Lin."

Dorgon didn't react much to these words, because he knew it couldn't be Fulin.

After all, Huang Taiji had sons who were already adults. Under such circumstances, why choose a young son to inherit the throne?

This is obviously unreasonable.

Just as Dorgon was about to say something, the next second, Dayuer's eyes suddenly turned red.

She looked at Dorgon with pleading eyes, her gaze as pitiful as that of a wounded fawn.

Then she said:
"Dorgon, if it really isn't Fulin in here, then how are my daughter and I supposed to survive?"

"Dorgon, please help me! If you can help Fulin inherit the throne, I promise that my son and I will never let you down."

"I'll do anything you ask from now on. You can even treat Fulin as your son, and I'll have him appoint you as regent!"

Please help me!

As she spoke, Dayuer's voice was filled with endless sorrow and pleading, as if she were telling Dorgon about their tragic fate.

Upon hearing this, Dorgon's face immediately turned extremely ugly.

He knew that Da Yu'er must have something very important to say when she came to see him in the middle of the night, but he never expected it to be this!

However, perhaps tempted by what Dayuer had just said, Dorgon actually began to weigh the pros and cons in his mind.

To be honest, helping Fulin succeed to the throne was beneficial to him.

Because Fulin was just a child, and given his relationship with Dayuer, his succession to the throne would not affect his position.

On the contrary, he could leverage his relationship with Da Yu'er to wield even greater power in the court and become the de facto ruler.

Thinking of this, a glint of greed and ambition flashed in his eyes, as if he could already see himself standing at the pinnacle of power, looking down on all living beings.

However, Dorgon was no fool. He knew that this matter was fraught with risk, and if it were exposed, he would face utter destruction.

After all, Huang Taiji had already chosen a crown prince and even written the edict of succession. Moreover, no one knew how many people had actually read the edict.

Even if Huang Taiji suddenly died and did not have time to read the edict of succession, as long as someone had read the edict and then rashly helped Fulin succeed to the throne, wouldn't that be openly tampering with the edict?
Furthermore, what if Huang Taiji had announced the contents of the edict to everyone before his death? Wouldn't he have been powerless to do anything about it?
In short, the risks involved are simply too great!

Even if Da Yu'er asked, Dorgon wouldn't dare to agree!

Seeing Dorgon hesitate, Dayuer became extremely anxious.

She knew that time was of the essence and there was no room for hesitation; she had to drag Dorgon into this mess.

So she gritted her teeth, a surge of resolute courage welled up in her heart, and then opened her arms and hugged Dorgon tightly.

(End of this chapter)