Chapter Fourteen: Becoming Someone Else’s Child

The Niohuru clan and Hongzhou, among others, were naturally overjoyed. Especially the Niohuru lady, who was so moved she wept tears of happiness. She could sense from this that Emperor Kangxi held her Hongli in great favor.

“This is truly delicious!”

“Fourth Brother, now I understand why everyone likes to enter the palace as an attendant.”

“So many benefits come with it—not only do the princes and dukes send gifts, but even the emperor bestows numerous presents.”

As Hongzhou ate, he spoke earnestly to Hongli. Hongli smiled and gently tapped Hongzhou’s head.

“Is it tiring to study under Your Majesty?”

The Niohuru lady smiled and asked Hongli as well.

“Not tiring,” Hongli replied.

She smiled again and turned to Haitang. “Is Fourth Prince sleeping well in the palace?”

“Rest assured, Fourth Prince sleeps soundly; I hold him every night,” Haitang answered with a smile. “Besides, the Emperor hasn’t overworked him. He has time for play and rest and is not lonely, for Princess Shushen keeps him company.”

“That’s good to hear,” the Niohuru lady nodded with a smile, then glanced at the splendid items Hongli had brought back—an array so vast it nearly formed a small mountain.

She had never imagined that one day her Hongli would win the Emperor’s favor.

“His Majesty summons Fourth Prince; the banquet is about to begin,” said Wei Zhu, a eunuch by Kangxi’s side, approaching with a smile.

Hongli nodded and then said to the Niohuru lady, “Princess, I must go now. If I’m late, don’t wait up; you should rest first.”

She smiled and nodded.

Hongli patted Hongzhou on the shoulder and, following Wei Zhu, left.

Hongli understood the rules: only Yongzheng’s primary consort was truly his future daughter-in-law. Thus, low-ranking concubines like the Niohuru lady could not attend the banquet unless specially summoned. Likewise, imperial grandsons like Hongzhou were not permitted to attend casually, lest they offend esteemed guests, especially someone as exalted as Kangxi.

Therefore, the Niohuru lady could not accompany Hongli, and Hongzhou could only watch wistfully as he departed.

That Hongli had been summoned by Kangxi meant that in recent days, the Emperor had truly taken this grandson to heart.

“Sister-in-law, I can already smell the aroma! The Shandong chef you brought from your family home truly knows how to tantalize the palate. Please have him serve the dishes quickly; His Majesty and Sixteenth Uncle are hungry!”

When Hongli arrived at the residence of the primary consort, the sixteenth prince Yinzhu was speaking. Like Hongli and Princess Shushen, he had come with Kangxi.

Because Kangxi had been invited to the Prince of Yong’s residence through Yinzhu’s suggestion, Yinzhu was fortunate enough to accompany the Emperor to satisfy their appetites.

Ulana hurriedly smiled and apologized, “Your Majesty, please forgive me. Sixteenth Uncle, please don’t be angry. I still have a few dishes being prepared—ones Your Majesty and Sixteenth Uncle enjoy.”

“Don’t listen to his nonsense; I’m not hungry yet!”

“Sixteenth Uncle, don’t use my authority to be so bold before your Fourth Brother and Sister-in-law!”

Kangxi feigned irritation as he admonished Yinzhu.

Yinzhu had only said that because he saw Kangxi eyeing the sumptuous food like a ravenous ghost.

After this reprimand, Yinzhu humbly accepted his fault, “Your Majesty’s reproach is well taken; I dare not do it again.”

“Oh, here comes Hongli!”

Yinzhu quickly changed the subject and, rising, pulled Hongli over.

“Sixteenth Uncle!” Hongli hastened to greet him and then respectfully bowed to Kangxi, Fourth Brother, Fourth Brother’s primary consort, and Princess Shushen.

Kangxi smiled and invited Hongli to sit beside him, right next to Yinzhu.

As Hongli settled, Yinzhu asked Yongzheng and Ulana, “Fourth Brother, Fourth Sister-in-law, how have you been instructing Hongli? He’s much smarter than my Hongpu. Recently, at the Mathematics Institute, he has amazed both me and His Majesty.”

Yongzheng and Ulana exchanged knowing smiles.

Hongli chuckled quietly, not because of the praise, but because he understood Yinzhu’s obvious compliment was also a subtle plea for Yongzheng to praise Hongpu, so Kangxi would take notice of his son.

After all, the Qing imperial family was large, and any extra attention from the Emperor would benefit Hongpu’s future prospects.

No one in the Qing clan could afford to be complacent; they had to compete for the Emperor’s attention to enjoy a secure and comfortable life.

Thus, despite not vying for the throne, Yinzhu could not help but think of his own child’s future.

As expected, Yongzheng understood Yinzhu’s intentions and smiled, “Your Hongpu is not lacking. When I visited your residence before, I tested him—his learning is solid.”

“Indeed, he’s a polite and well-mannered boy,” Ulana added, expressing affection for Hongli as well, hoping to please Kangxi.

Hongli realized Ulana seldom paid attention to either him or Hongpu, so she could only offer general praise.

Since this was a private banquet at Prince Yong’s residence, conversation was freer, especially at Kangxi’s request. Yinzhu modestly said, “Fourth Brother, Fourth Sister-in-law, you flatter him; he cannot compare to Hongli.”

Hongli never expected that unknowingly, he had become the “model child” in Yinzhu’s eyes.

Kangxi, pleased to see the harmonious scene among brothers and their wives, asked Yinzhu, “How old is Hongpu this year?”

“Your Majesty, he is nine and quite mischievous, so we have not mentioned him to Your Majesty,” Yinzhu answered promptly.

Hongli quietly smiled, knowing Yinzhu would not blame Kangxi for not knowing his grandson’s age but instead took the blame himself for not informing the Emperor.

“At future palace banquets, bring him to meet me,” Kangxi said.

“Certainly!” Hongli knew this was the very response Yinzhu desired and saw Yinzhu’s restrained smile almost stretch from ear to ear.

Meanwhile, more dishes were brought out one after another.

Kangxi then instructed Yongzheng, “Summon the Niohuru lady as well. It is rare she has taken such good care of Hongli.”

He added, “I’ve heard Hongli mention a younger brother named Hongzhou, who often studies and plays with him at the residence. Bring him too; I want to see him.”

Yongzheng stood and responded, “Certainly!”

Seeing this, Hongli quickly rose and bowed deeply to Kangxi. “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

He understood Kangxi was honoring him, his grandson, and he must express gratitude.

As the saying goes, when one prospers, those around him also share in the elevation. Since Hongli had gained Kangxi’s favor, those connected to him were viewed differently.

When Yongzheng returned, Kangxi addressed everyone, “I have not summoned them solely for Hongli’s sake. I wish to show you all that any well-mannered, diligent child, and any dutiful consort or princess, shall never be neglected by me!”

Everyone smiled and nodded.

Only Consort Li’s smile seemed somewhat forced.

Kangxi had summoned Hongzhou, but not Hongshi, which left her feeling uneasy.