Chapter 59: Hongzhou’s Wisdom

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While Hongli was receiving Confucian teachings from Zhu Shi, Hongzhou had already finished his studies in the upper study chamber and was waiting for him outside the Maoqin Hall.

Since the people of the Prince Yong household moved into the palace, and most of Emperor Kangxi’s consorts resided with the De Consort in the Eastern Six Palaces, the Yong household took up residence in the Western Six Palaces.

Emperor Yongzheng, besides having the Fourth Consort live with Hongli in the Eternal Longevity Palace, also assigned Lady Li and Lady Nian to reside in Yikun Palace and Changchun Palace respectively.

Hongshi, having come of age, no longer lived with Lady Li but stayed alone in Xian’an Palace.

Lady Geng was arranged by Yongzheng to live in Xianfu Palace, so naturally, Hongzhou lived there alongside her.

Since both Hongli and Hongzhou now lived in the Western Six Palaces, they could return to the palace together after school.

Thus, after finishing his morning lessons today, Hongli left through the Moonlight Gate with Hongzhou, each returning to their respective residences for the evening meal.

Hongzhou held great admiration for Hongli at this time.

He had witnessed Hongli’s composure before and after Emperor Kangxi’s passing and knew that if Hongli hadn’t possessed such foresight, he might have incurred their father’s displeasure for prematurely currying favor with his eighth and fourteenth uncles, given that their father was destined to become emperor.

Now, since Hongli only revealed his political stance after their father was officially recognized as heir, he needn’t worry about Yongzheng harboring any resentment toward him.

He himself could thus live peacefully as a prince.

According to Qing tradition, princes could request titles upon reaching fifteen years of age.

Therefore, Hongzhou need not fear becoming an idle member of the royal clan.

Moreover, since Yongzheng had few sons and even fewer elder princes, a prince like him, who had never taken a wrong early political stance, was bound to have a favorable fate.

Naturally, this further deepened Hongzhou’s respect for Hongli, making him believe that sometimes waiting to strike and showing weakness first might be the wiser political survival strategy.

Trusting in Hongli’s far-sightedness, he took seriously the books Hongli gave him and read them thoroughly.

“Fourth Brother, the book you gave me was very interesting.”

“Is there really a white bear in the Arctic?”

“Are penguins truly found in the Antarctic?”

Hongzhou even strolled along the corridor of the Western Six Palaces, chatting casually with Hongli about the contents of the books.

Hongli smiled and said, “I’ve heard about these things too; I don’t think they’re wrong. If the opportunity arises, we could send someone to investigate and find out for sure.”

“Fourth Brother, do you know who rules those two places now?” Hongzhou asked with curiosity, looking at Hongli.

Hongli was glad to see the twelve-year-old Hongzhou eager to learn about the outside world and thought for a moment before replying, “Antarctica is still unclaimed. As for the Arctic, during Emperor Daxing’s reign, treaties were signed with the Russians, and some borders remain undecided. Perhaps in the future, there might be a chance for those lands to become part of our Qing empire!”

Hongzhou nodded thoughtfully upon hearing this.

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“I’m here.”

The Eternal Longevity Palace adjoined the Hall of Mental Cultivation, which stood opposite the Moonlight Gate, so Hongli reached the right side door of Xianhe Corridor in just a few steps.

Hongzhou waved goodbye to Hongli, “Fourth Brother, farewell.”

“Farewell!”

Hongli entered through the right door of Xianhe, and upon returning to the rear hall, he saw Chen Shishun directing a group of eunuchs carrying various gift boxes.

Hongli inquired, “Eunuch Chen, what are these gift boxes?”

“Fourth Lord, these are gifts sent to the Mistress from various palaces. The Empress Dowager selected some to be sent to you for display and enjoyment,” Chen Shishun replied respectfully, kneeling before Hongli.

Hongli raised his hand to help Chen Shishun up and silently marveled at how adept Kangxi’s consorts were at navigating palace politics. Just after he helped the Fourth Consort gain authority over the Six Palaces, these consorts were already sending gifts to curry favor with her.

And he was benefiting from it as well.

He quickly expressed his thanks and had Haitang give silver as a reward to Chen Shishun and the others.

Since the Fourth Consort now held authority over the Six Palaces, she was busier managing the household’s expenditures and no longer had time for Hongli to dine with her. This was what Chen Shishun told him after receiving his reward.

Clearly, Chen Shishun wished to avoid any misunderstanding that he was causing trouble.

Hongli understood this perfectly. With even the De Consort beginning to acknowledge that Hongli might be the real reason Kangxi passed the throne to Yongzheng, Chen Shishun’s cautious attitude was understandable.

So Hongli dined at the rear hall with Lady Niugulushi.

It is worth mentioning that after Hongli and Yinlu, Yinxi relieved their duties guarding Suhu Palace, Yongzheng issued an order today appointing the sixteenth prince, Yinlu, to oversee the Imperial Household Department.

The Imperial Household Department managed internal palace affairs, including appointments of eunuchs, palace maids, and other palace staff.

Therefore, the Fourth Consort’s personal kitchen staff from the Yong household’s dowry, through Yinlu, gained entry to the Imperial Tea and Banquet Room, becoming palace cooks under the Imperial Household Department, responsible for daily meals for the emperor and empress.

Certainly, the Fourth Consort’s dowry cooks were renowned in the capital’s elite circles, but after Yongzheng and the Fourth Consort entered the palace, they only ate meals prepared by these cooks to ensure their safety.

Since Hongli now accompanied the Fourth Consort more frequently, he also ate meals prepared by her dowry cooks, making his dinners more palatable than usual.

After the meal, Hongli examined the gift boxes the Fourth Consort had bestowed upon him.

Contained within were jade pendants, gemstones, beaded strings, carvings of gold, silver, and bronze, calligraphy, and paintings—luxurious items suitable for display or personal enjoyment by both men and women.

As these were not palace treasures registered in the Imperial Household Department’s archives, they could be re-gifted or taken to pawnshops for cash.

After all, Kangxi’s consorts dared not give away official palace treasures bestowed by the emperor or allocated by rank.

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To Hongli, this was the most valuable aspect.

In an era before silver notes existed, he would inevitably need large sums of money for transactions in the future. Bringing valuable jade pendants or jewels as collateral to exchange for cash was far more convenient than carrying silver.

Since these gifts could be re-gifted, wanting to appear as a loving elder brother, Hongli selected a few pieces to send to Hongzhou.

This delighted Lady Geng greatly. Since Hongzhou had few treasures and now that Yongzheng’s family had entered the palace, Hongzhou, as an elder brother, would inevitably need to give gifts to Lady Nian’s children on important festivals. Hongli’s gifts just solved her immediate worries.

Therefore, Lady Geng said to Hongzhou, “Your Fourth Brother is generous. You should get close to him and not quarrel. Besides, given your respective ages and status, there’s no need to compete.”

“My son understands!” Hongzhou replied, then saluted Lady Geng and said, “Gege, I’m going to class.”

Lady Geng smiled and nodded.

“Fifth Brother!” Hongli had been waiting at the right door of Xian’an Palace and called out with a smile when Hongzhou appeared.

Hongzhou came forward, paid respects, and said, “Greetings, Fourth Brother. Thank you for the precious gifts.”

“We are brothers; no need for formalities,” Hongli said, helping Hongzhou up as they headed toward the Jingyun Gate.

Their afternoon archery practice was at the Arrow Pavilion, located just outside Jingyun Gate, adjacent to the Imperial Tea and Banquet Room.

The Arrow Pavilion was built during the Shunzhi era to remind the imperial clan’s sons of the importance of military skills.

Yinxi, who taught Hongli and Hongzhou horseback archery, had them ride for a while before instructing them in archery.

Hongli still struggled to draw the bow fully but had improved his accuracy greatly, hitting the target seven times out of ten.

Hongzhou, however, struggled to draw the bow and only managed to pull it fully after glancing at Hongli. He deliberately aimed the arrow askew, hitting the target only once and then near its edge.

Yinxi shook his head and said, “Hongzhou, you need much more practice!”

When they moved on to firearms, Hongzhou’s aim was far inferior to Hongli’s. Seeing Yinlu shake his head, he sheepishly said, “Uncle Sixteen, please don’t be angry; I’m just not talented.”

Hongli couldn’t help but comfort Hongzhou, “Don’t be discouraged. Take your time. Everyone has their strengths.”

Hongzhou gave a wry smile, “Thank you for your encouragement, Fourth Brother. They say everyone has a purpose, but I don’t seem to have any.”