Chapter 31: Yongzheng Protects Hongli

After Hongli spoke, Yongzheng lifted his teacup, his expression turning slightly solemn. "He has always been adept at winning people's hearts—more so than any of your uncles."

Hongli could hear it; he knew that Yongzheng felt a touch of envy toward the eighth uncle's popularity.

"In your heart, do you also feel that your eighth uncle is more approachable?" Yongzheng suddenly looked at Hongli with a stern gaze.

From this inquiry, Hongli caught a trace of loneliness. This was not surprising; Yongzheng, though cold on the outside and warm within, yearned for closeness. Yet, in reality, his mother favored others, his own brother showed him no respect, his eldest son (in practice) gravitated toward other uncles, he could not be near the thirteenth uncle for whom he held genuine affection, and his father remained inscrutable. Thus, Yongzheng was lonely at heart and craved validation.

To Hongli, this was the perfect moment to cultivate favor with the "cold" Yongzheng—especially while Hongshi was being foolish by distancing himself, Hongzhou had yet to mature, and Yongzheng’s other sons were still very young.

Hongli proactively placed both hands on Yongzheng’s arm. "Of course not, Father! In my heart, you are the most approachable of all."

"Who isn't good at saying sweet things?" Yongzheng smiled as if he had tasted honey, though his words remained sharp.

Hongli feigned excitement as he stood up, looking at Yongzheng. "It is true. Only you, Father, thought of whether I might be hungry when taking me to the Changchun Garden, and only you knew to care whether my hands were cold when I went out in the heavy snow."

Hearing these details, Yongzheng grew grave, his expression softening with genuine emotion.

"Furthermore, the reason I find you most approachable, Father, is that among all my uncles, you are the only one who truly carries the welfare of the people and the nation in your heart."

"Perhaps in the eyes of many, this famine relief is merely a practical exercise for me, but in your eyes, Father, the relief itself is a matter of great importance. That is why you were the only one to brave the heavy snow to offer me your guidance."

Hongli believed Yongzheng understood his meaning—that he was signaling a shared ambition to uphold the state and its people. Yongzheng grasped the implication immediately, nodding as a look of approval flickered in his eyes. Hongli smiled inwardly, recognizing the validation he had secured. While Hongshi was still investing in the eighth and fourteenth uncles, and Hongzhou remained aimless, Hongli had already begun working on Yongzheng, seizing every possible advantage.

He waited for Yongzheng to solidify his resolve for radical reform in the future, confident that the throne would be passed to him, and hoping to lay a foundation that would allow him to become a happier emperor.

"It is getting late. After you visit your consort and the gege, come back to the study. I will see you back to the Changchun Garden myself." Yongzheng picked up a book and gave his instructions, deciding to escort Hongli personally.

Hongli would not refuse such a sudden display of paternal affection. After agreeing, he went to pay his respects to Lady Ulanara and Lady Niohuru. Not wanting to keep Yongzheng waiting, he stayed only a short while before heading back to the study. Halfway there, however, he ran into Hongshi.

"Third Brother," Hongli said, offering a formal greeting.

Hongshi, hands behind his back, looked at him. "Has the eighth uncle asked for you again?"

Hongli gave a brief nod.

Hongshi could not hide his envy. "You are truly in luck. Grandfather values you, and Eighth Uncle values you as well. But Hongli, since the eighth uncle is being so good to you, have you seized the opportunity?"

"What do you mean, Third Brother?" Hongli feigned ignorance.

"Do you think the eighth uncle is being good to you for no reason? He only treats you with such warmth because you are favored by Grandfather and possess some ability, hoping you will tell him everything you know about Grandfather and Father. Do you understand?" Hongshi adopted a preachy tone.

Hongli sneered internally. He admitted Hongshi’s analysis was correct, but he had no intention of joining the faction of the eighth and fourteenth uncles. Only Hongshi acted as if the world already belonged to them. Hongshi had sought him out specifically to deliver this lecture, hoping to curry favor with the eighth uncle. He figured that if he could persuade Hongli to work for the eighth uncle, his own standing would rise.

But Hongli did not appreciate it. "I do not think the eighth uncle has such intentions. He is a man of such integrity; how could he harbor such base thoughts? Besides, if he truly meant that, he would say so to me directly, rather than waiting for you to remind me, Third Brother."

"How dare you talk back to me?" Hongshi, stung and embarrassed, demanded.

Hongli bowed. "I dare not, Third Brother. I am merely speaking the truth."

Hongshi scowled. "Will you obey me or not?"

Hongli was not afraid of him. Moreover, he knew better than anyone how wrong Hongshi’s current political alignment was. "I cannot obey you in matters that contradict loyalty and filial piety, Third Brother!"

"You wretch! You dare defy me?" Hongshi’s face turned crimson. Hongli’s resistance only fueled his fury. "Do you know how long I have endured you? Do you want to see what happens if I teach you a lesson?"

Hongshi raised his hand, teeth clenched. Hongli prepared to run. Hongshi was seven years his senior and in his prime; at eleven, he could not win a physical fight. But the tradition held that one should accept light discipline but flee from heavy, unjust punishment from elders. He would not stand there to be beaten.

"Who are you going to teach a lesson!"

A thunderous roar from Yongzheng erupted ahead of them. Before Hongli could even see his father’s face, there was a sharp crack. Yongzheng had appeared out of nowhere and struck Hongshi across the face.

Hongshi stumbled, his nose beginning to bleed. The force of the blow was evident. Stunned, Hongshi quickly knelt. "Father, please calm your anger!"

But Yongzheng’s fury was unabated. "I am still alive! How Hongli fares is none of your business, you degenerate! Have you even managed your own affairs properly?!"

Yongzheng was right. In a Confucian society, the ethics of "elder brother as father" only applied if the father was gone. Yongzheng had every right to punish Hongshi for his lack of brotherly love. Having been looking for Hongli and hiding in the shadows, he had heard the entire conversation. Hongshi’s words had set his heart ablaze, and seeing him attempt to strike Hongli was the final straw.

After all, he was currently preparing to show paternal love to the son who had just told him that he preferred him over the popular eighth uncle. How could he tolerate Hongshi bullying the son who had moved him so deeply?

Yongzheng was that kind of man—a man of distinct loves and hatreds. And so, he had struck Hongshi without a moment’s hesitation.