Chapter Three: Is There Any Sachima from Guishunzhai?

"Heaven has eyes, bestowing you upon me, ensuring my time in this household was not spent in vain."

Lady Niuhulu said this to Hongli with a radiant, tender smile.

"Gege, has Father left?" Hongli asked her.

Lady Niuhulu gently brushed his face with her fingers and laughed, saying, "He has. Did you sleep well last night? What would you like to eat?"

"It was fine."

"Have you ever heard of a shop called Guishunzhai that specializes in Sachima?" Hongli asked. "They say it's made with genuine mare's milk and honey."

Hongli then sat up, stepped out of bed, and began to let the attendants dress and groom him.

Lady Niuhulu thought carefully before shaking her head. "I have never heard of it."

Hongli gave a wry smile. He had wondered if the "Kangxi-approved" Sachima from a certain television drama truly existed.

"If you wish to have Sachima, I can have them buy some from Zhaoyang Pavilion," Lady Niuhulu suggested, clearly not wanting to disappoint him.

Hongli was curious. "Is it a very famous shop?"

"Yes, it is said to have existed since the Wanli years of the Ming Dynasty, when it was called Yucheng Garden," she replied.

Hongli nodded. "Then let's have a taste."

"I shall have them go buy some right away!" Lady Niuhulu hurried out.

Once Hongli had finished washing, Lady Niuhulu presented him with a large stack of gold leaves and Kangxi's *Treatise on Triangular Calculation*. "Take a look. These are the gifts your father bestowed upon you."

A faint smile touched Hongli's lips at the sight of the gold. It was the first time he had seen so much wealth. He rewarded some to his attendants to secure their loyalty and handed the rest to Lady Niuhulu for safekeeping. As for the *Treatise on Triangular Calculation*, he began to study it in earnest.

After reading it, Hongli found that Kangxi's grasp of mathematics seemed rather ordinary. Yet, due to his limited knowledge of the history of mathematics, he remained unsure whether China's mathematical achievements were lagging behind or ahead of the contemporary West. Regardless, he had to admit that there was still room for improvement in his own mathematical skills.

***

While Hongli was studying the treatise, the servants returned with the Sachima from Zhaoyang Pavilion.

"Do see if you like the taste. The very best is sent directly into the palace, so we never get to eat that," Lady Niuhulu said, chatting idly while Hongli washed and ate the Sachima with a cup of milk.

Hongli asked with curiosity, "Have you ever bought this to eat, Gege?"

"How could I afford such a thing? A bowl of braised pork noodles is considered a luxury," she said with a laugh.

Hongli was reminded of the historical anecdote about the Daoguang Emperor serving only braised pork noodles at the Empress's birthday banquet. It was no wonder that in this era, Sachima was considered a high-end delicacy.

He offered a piece to Lady Niuhulu. "Then you must have a taste, Gege."

"No, thank you. My teeth are a bit sensitive today," she said, waving him off with a smile.

Hongli ate the piece himself. After a while, noticing the remaining pieces on the plate, he took one, wrapped it in a handkerchief, tucked it into his sleeve, and stood up. "I'm full. I'm off to school now."

"Is it not to your liking?" Lady Niuhulu asked, surprised, as she remembered his usual appetite.

Hongli had already departed. Lady Niuhulu soon realized the reason and began to laugh, though her eyes turned red as she murmured, "He has truly grown up!"

The school was located within the Prince Yong residence, with Wu Sidao serving as the tutor. Studying alongside Hongli were Hongshi and Hongzhou. By rights, seventeen-year-old Hongshi should have been married and living in his own residence, but because he had not yet been named the heir apparent, he had to continue his studies with them.

"Greetings, Fourth Brother!" After passing through the corridor, Hongli encountered Hongzhou, who greeted him with a grin.

Hongli gestured for him to rise and handed him a piece of Sachima. "Have a taste."

"Sachima!" Hongzhou jumped for joy. Being sons of low-ranking concubines, they were considered nobility compared to the commoners, but within the imperial clan, they were of lower standing and lacked the means to enjoy such luxuries often.

"Fourth Brother, where did you get this?" Hongzhou asked, munching away after thanking him.

"Gege bought it for me with her personal savings," Hongli replied.

"She is truly good to you!" Hongzhou sighed with emotion.

Just then, Hongshi approached and asked, "Fifth Brother, what are you eating?"

"Sachima, given to me by Fourth Brother," Hongzhou replied with a chuckle.

Hongshi laughed. "Look at you, so unsophisticated. What is so special about that? At Eighth Uncle's place, I've eaten so much of it I'm sick of it—and it's the authentic Zhaoyang Pavilion Sachima sent as tribute!"

"Eighth Uncle manages the Imperial Household Department, so naturally he has the finest things," Hongzhou said with a look of envy. "We cannot compare to you, Third Brother. Among all us brothers, only you are close enough to Eighth Uncle to enjoy such blessings."

Hongli echoed these sentiments with a smile.

Hongshi grew increasingly smug. "I am the eldest son of Prince Yong's residence; naturally, Eighth Uncle treats me well! But do not lose heart. Eighth Uncle is known for his humility and kindness toward his nephews. If you spend more time with him, you might catch his eye. When Fourteenth Uncle ascends the throne, he will surely value Eighth Uncle, and perhaps Eighth Uncle will put in a good word for you so you can secure a fine position."

Hongli knew the Qing Dynasty's succession laws were strict. Beyond the "Iron-Cap" titles, titles usually diminished with each generation, and princes often had to earn their status through service. Hongshi was cozying up to the Eighth Prince, Yinsi, hoping to secure a position that would allow him to inherit Prince Yong's title without it being downgraded.

However, Hongli had no interest in courting Yinsi. He knew that the future Emperor would not be the Fourteenth Prince, Yinzhen's brother and the Eighth Prince's ally, but rather Yinzhen himself—the future Yongzheng Emperor. Trying to back the Eighth or Fourteenth Prince now was like joining a sinking ship.

Hongli smiled coldly to himself, wondering how much Hongshi would regret these actions once Yongzheng ascended the throne. It was no surprise that Hongshi misjudged the situation; Yongzheng’s own ambitions were well-hidden, and Kangxi had been equally enigmatic, having named a crown prince twice without ever revealing his true preference for Yongzheng.

Many ministers had been deceived, so it was inevitable that an inexperienced youth like Hongshi—even as Yongzheng's own son—would pick the wrong side. But the fact that Hongshi would continue to dally with the Eighth Prince's faction even after Yongzheng became Emperor was truly like "carrying a lantern into a latrine"—seeking one's own doom. Eventually, Yongzheng would have Hongshi adopted into Yinsi’s branch, stripping him of his eligibility for the throne entirely.

As Hongli walked toward the schoolhouse, lost in thought, Hongshi asked him, "Fourth Brother, did Father visit you last night?"