Chapter Seven: A Tribute to Emperor Kangxi

Kangxi glanced at Yongzheng and Hongli, smiling as he said, “What exactly is this congratulatory gift? It’s not yet suitable to announce publicly. Bring it here for me to see.”

Yongzheng gently nudged Hongli and whispered a few words to him. Hongli then personally brought the gift before Kangxi.

Seeing Hongli, Kangxi—who, due to the affection of the generation gap and having reigned for sixty years, far surpassing past emperors—had a kindly, gentle expression. He beckoned Hongli to come closer.

Hongli approached slightly, taking the opportunity to steal a glance at this expert marksman known for his rabbit-shooting skills.

How to put it?

He noticed that Kangxi’s demeanor did indeed bear some resemblance to a certain elder named Jiao.

Kangxi opened the brocade box. Upon seeing the drawings filled with texts and symbols, he took out his glasses for presbyopia and began to study it carefully.

Kangxi indeed had a natural gift for mathematics and a strong ability to learn. Not long after, his expression changed, and he unconsciously stood up.

Today, many princes and ministers had gathered for the “Thousand Elders Banquet.”

Almost all the princes were present. Even the Fourteenth Prince, who was fighting in the northwest, temporarily set aside his military duties and had returned to the capital by imperial order. He now stood beside the Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Princes.

All these princes and officials looked curiously at Kangxi, then at Hongli. Clearly, they all wanted to know what gift Hongli had presented that could cause the well-versed Kangxi to become so mesmerized.

They knew that although their own gifts—such as tall coral trees, century-old rare lingzhi mushrooms, and auspiciously inscribed divine turtles—were astonishing, none had captivated Kangxi so greatly.

“Yinlu!” Kangxi suddenly called out.

His sixteenth son, Yinlu, immediately approached.

Everyone knew Yinlu was skilled in numerology, but few realized, like Longkodo and others, he was secretly part of the Fourth Prince’s faction.

Yongzheng had tested Hongli’s true mathematical prowess with a problem provided by Yinlu.

Thus, Yinlu already knew Hongli’s high level of mathematical attainment and was familiar with the Vieta’s theorem Hongli had presented.

Yet at this moment, Yinlu pretended to be puzzled as he approached, saying respectfully, “Your Majesty, what is it?”

Kangxi laughed and handed Yinlu the paper filled with the proof of Vieta’s theorem that Hongli had written.

To Kangxi, if Han Chinese studied mathematics, he might have been angry, but if his own Aisin Gioro descendants did, he was pleased.

He even hoped his family would not be too absorbed in abstract philosophy but would focus more on practical knowledge. For this reason, he supported and encouraged the Ninth Prince’s study of foreign languages.

Yinlu received the “gift” and deliberately studied it longer than Kangxi had, then looked at Hongli in astonishment and sincerely said to Kangxi, “Your Majesty, Fourth Prince’s Hongli is truly talented. His mathematical aptitude far surpasses mine.”

“Yes, as his uncle, you’re outdone by your nephew!” Kangxi chuckled, clapping his hands and sighing, “Interesting!”

Then Kangxi looked at Hongli: “Hongli, this new discovery you’ve presented is excellent! It’s rare that you could prove it, and indeed, it’s not suitable for public disclosure.”

“I am very pleased with this gift,” Kangxi said with a smile, then handed Hongli a smooth white jade ruyi scepter he often toyed with, saying, “This is for you.”

Hongli quickly accepted it, “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Kangxi then turned to Yongzheng: “Fourth son, Hongli is a smart and clever child. Keep him in the palace to accompany me for a few years. Tonight, after you take him back, have someone prepare for him to come to Changchun Garden in a couple of days.”

“Yes!” Yongzheng’s lips curled slightly.

However, the Eighth Prince, Yinxi, and the Fourteenth Prince, Yinti, wore serious expressions, seemingly deep in thought.

Hongli held the smooth white jade ruyi, deliberately looking around for the Thirteenth Prince, Yixiang.

But he noticed Yixiang was absent.

Clearly, Kangxi had not allowed Yixiang to attend the grand celebration.

When Yongzheng looked at him, Hongli purposely showed a disappointed expression.

Yongzheng, who was pleased moments ago, now noticed Hongli’s wandering gaze and his displeasure. He naturally guessed who Hongli was searching for.

This moved him deeply.

At the same time, Yongzheng’s joy vanished, replaced by guilt.

Yet Hongli was deliberately performing for Yongzheng.

When he saw Yongzheng’s dejected expression, Hongli smirked inwardly.

He knew he had fooled Yongzheng.

“Father, the Thirteenth Uncle doesn’t seem to have come today,” Hongli deliberately added, knowing Yongzheng felt guilty toward the Thirteenth Prince.

After the banquet, on their way home, Hongli brought up the Thirteenth Prince again.

Yongzheng sighed deeply, “Your Thirteenth Uncle said he was ill, but I think it’s because you, Your Majesty, did not want him to come.”

“Can a son plead for his uncle before Your Majesty?” Hongli asked deliberately.

“No!” Yongzheng replied.

“That would make Your Majesty misunderstand your uncle. Remember, don’t mention a word about the Thirteenth Uncle in front of Your Majesty, even if he asks you about him, pretend you’re not very concerned or fond of him.”

“Why?” Hongli feigned reluctance and confusion.

Yongzheng sighed again, “Because every word you say to Your Majesty might be taken as my own stance or opinion!”

Hongli nodded, “Understood.”

Yongzheng smiled sheepishly and patted Hongli’s shoulder. Seeing the boy’s melancholy, he sighed inwardly, thinking, “This child is more loyal and affectionate than I am!”

After returning home, Hongli informed Lady Niohuru and Haitang that he would accompany the emperor in Changchun Garden in a few days.

Both were delighted and began planning what to prepare for him that very night.

“I wonder if he’ll feel unsettled in Changchun Garden,” one said.

“No worries, with Haitang around, I can sleep anywhere,” Hongli replied.

Lady Niohuru fretted, “I heard the palace rules are very strict; will Hongli feel even less at ease?”

She muttered on as if Hongli was about to embark alone on a distant journey of study.

Meanwhile, Hongli continued to study at home during these two days.

Hongshi and Hongzhao also learned of Hongli’s impending palace duty.

Hongzhao was somewhat displeased. He knew that once Hongli entered the palace, he would be left to play alone. After all, Hongshi was seven years older, and they shared little common ground; besides, Hongzhao disliked Hongshi.

So the next day, when he saw Hongli, he said, “Fourth Brother, can you not enter the palace?”

“Who dares disobey Your Majesty?” Hongli smiled in reply.

Hongzhao said, “I heard from the princess that the palace rules are even stricter and less free than the prince’s residence.”

“Even so, going to the palace to accompany the emperor will be more open and vast,” Hongli casually remarked, patting Hongzhao’s shoulder.

Hongzhao said no more; at his age, he did not yet understand what “more open and vast” truly meant.

Hongshi was also displeased, mainly because he had never received such a privilege.

“Master Wu!” Soon after, Wu Sidao arrived.

Before the lesson began, citing a back massage as an excuse, Wu Sidao called Hongli aside and whispered, “Fourth Prince, remember to mention the Fourth Prince often in front of Your Majesty.”

“Don’t worry, Master Wu,” Hongli nodded.

Wu Sidao smiled kindly.

“It’s just palace accompaniment; what’s the big deal? When the Fourteenth Uncle ascends the throne and the Eighth Uncle holds power, I will be even more distinguished!” Hongshi whispered jealously, watching Wu Sidao’s amiable attitude toward Hongli.

Just then, a gatekeeper approached.

Hongshi quickly asked, “What are you doing at the academy?”

“Replying to Third Brother, there’s a summons from the Eighth Prince,” the gatekeeper answered.

Hongshi stood up hastily, “Is it for me? Tell the person from the Eighth Prince that I’m coming right away!”

“No, it’s for Fourth Brother,” the gatekeeper replied.

Hongshi was momentarily stunned.

Hongli then walked over from Wu Sidao’s side and asked the gatekeeper, “Why is Eighth Uncle summoning me?”

“I don’t know,” the gatekeeper said. “Also, the Fourteenth Prince sent a fine young steed from the northwest, specially for Fourth Brother.”