Chapter 12 First Meeting Between Father and Son
After getting approval from Yongzheng, the Empress and Consort Hua became even more open about their preferential treatment of the two princes, especially the fourth prince.
With these two powerful figures at the forefront, and the Emperor not intervening, the others finally realized the shift in the political climate and began to pay more attention to the two princes from the Yuanmingyuan.
In particular, the Fourth Prince Hongli was highly regarded by everyone who met him. In addition, his birth mother died early, and many childless concubines were eager to make their move. Even Consort Duan, Qi Yuebin, who had been recuperating in the palace, had some ideas.
As for Yongzheng, after the groundwork laid by Su Peisheng, Consort Hua, and the Empress, he had already begun to believe, to a large extent, that Hongli resembled him.
However, because of past events, he was awkward and couldn't change his mind for a while, so he deliberately avoided summoning Hongli.
Because of Wenyi's first birthday banquet, he had the idea of having the two princes attend to recognize the members of the imperial family. It would be unreasonable not to summon them.
But because of that little bit of unease in his heart, Yongzheng first summoned Hongzhou. Looking at his chubby, well-fed youngest son, Yongzheng felt both gratified and regretful. He dismissed him after only a few words.
The next day, he summoned Hongli.
It was still because of that little misunderstanding that he made a point of keeping Yunli present this time.
What a coincidence! Yunli was outwardly respectful but inwardly overjoyed. He really wanted to be there, to make sure his "ally's" words were firmly refuted.
"Your subject Hongli greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be blessed with ten thousand years of happiness and peace."
As soon as Hongli entered the hall, he knelt down and performed a grand salute.
With his head down, Yongzheng couldn't see his face, but just by looking at the figure and gait that walked in, so dignified and exuding an air of nobility, Yongzheng was already three points satisfied.
"Get up."
"Thank you, Father Emperor."
"This is your seventeenth uncle." Since everyone had arrived, Yongzheng was in no hurry to look at him and first introduced Yunli, who was sitting to the side.
So, before Hongli could even stand up straight, he continued to bow and greet Yunli: "Hongli greets Seventeenth Uncle."
"Greetings, Fourth Prince."
Pretending it was their first meeting, Yunli politely got up and helped Hongli up.
"Your junior is just a junior, why should you get up?" Yongzheng said with a hint of reproach, but in his heart he was satisfied with Yunli's performance.
"Your Majesty, I have come in haste. This is my first time meeting the Fourth Prince, and I have not brought anything of value. I only hope that the Fourth Prince will forgive my rudeness, given my gentle attitude."
Yunli joked, and Hongli humbly cupped his hands in greeting: "Seventeenth Uncle is too kind. Hongli is flattered."
"You, you..." Yongzheng pointed at Yunli, gesturing for him to sit down, "Alright, stop teasing him, sit down."
Yunli sat down with a smile and said nothing more.
Yongzheng beckoned to Hongli, "Hongli, come closer, let me take a look at you."
"yes."
Hongli stepped forward slightly, and amidst the thunderous heartbeats of Su Peisheng and Yunli, he slowly raised his head, lowering his eyes slightly to show respect.
The hall fell silent for a moment. Yongzheng stared at the face, momentarily dazed. The face was as beautiful as a hibiscus flower, the eyes as bright as stars, even more outstanding than Chun Yuan. Was this his fourth prince?
Seeing that Yongzheng remained silent, Yunli felt a mix of unease and anxiety. A thought suddenly struck him, and he gasped, "Hiss—"
Once Yongzheng's attention shifted to him, he saw Yunli's eyes constantly shifting between him and Hongli.
"Brother, this..."
"What's wrong?" Yongzheng frowned and looked at Yunli, who seemed to want to say something but hesitated.
Yunli suddenly clapped his hands and laughed, "Your Majesty has really given me a big surprise! This Fourth Prince looks just like the young Your Majesty I remember. Did you deliberately keep me here today to scare me?"
Upon hearing this, Yongzheng flicked the beaded string in his hand. His initial doubts were calmed by Yunli's exaggerated performance, and he asked curiously, "You also think it looks like it?"
"Your Majesty may not know, but I first saw you in the Imperial Garden. At that time, I was young and playful, and I hid among the rocks of the artificial hill behind the servants' backs. I happened to run into Your Majesty when you came to the palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. You were wearing a moon-white robe similar to that of the Fourth Prince. You were elegant and refined, and I was stunned by your appearance."
As Yunli spoke, a hint of embarrassment appeared on his face. Yongzheng listened to his words and vaguely recalled that there seemed to have been an incident where the Seventeenth Prince shook off his servants. He seemed to have actually entered the palace that day, so was it that he didn't notice the Seventeenth Prince?
"Back then, everyone in the palace said that Ninth Brother was the most handsome, and for a long time, I mistakenly thought you were Ninth Brother—"
Judging from Yunli's expression, Yongzheng believed him completely. After all, everyone knew that he disliked the Ninth Prince, and the Seventeenth Prince wouldn't have dared to say such a thing if it weren't true.
"I don't want this kind of bond to still exist between us brothers..."
Yongzheng sighed a couple of times, then looked at Hongli again. He had a different opinion; compared to his younger days, he felt that Hongli looked more like him in his youth.
At that time, he was still raised by Consort Tongjia and had not yet received the Emperor's assessment of him as "unpredictable." He still possessed some youthful spirit and carefree ease.
The more I looked at Hongli, the more I was moved. He was a young boy who looked eight-tenths like me when I was young, yet he was also very poised and his demeanor was just like my own when I was young. No wonder the people around him couldn't help but lose their composure when they saw him.
Considering Hongli's situation, Yongzheng could understand why a ten-year-old boy could be so composed.
In the past, Yongzheng would not have cared, but looking at the woman's similar appearance and temperament, it was hard not to think of himself when Consort Tongjia had just passed away, and feel her grievances. Yongzheng was inevitably a little unhappy.
Seeing the "down-and-out" Fourth Prince Hongli was like seeing the once down-and-out Fourth Prince Yinzhen. How could Yongzheng, who now held great power, accept this?
"I'm getting old, so this time I'll go back to the palace to study with Hongzhou."
Yongzheng's personality made him exceptionally reserved even when he showed concern.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey your command."
"Alright, you can go back now. Don't miss the palace banquet the day after tomorrow."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I take my leave."
Hongli bowed respectfully, his eyes filled with surprise and admiration. He glanced quickly at Yongzheng before slowly retreating.
He thought he was being discreet, but Yongzheng saw him clearly. Yongzheng couldn't help but soften his heart and felt a sense of closeness as a father and son.
Upon seeing the similar appearance, Yongzheng suddenly realized that Hongli was indeed his son, his biological son.
Her attitude softened instantly. Watching Hongli's departing figure, she instructed, "Su Peisheng, go and pick out some good things for the Fourth Prince. He mustn't be impolite at the palace banquet the day after tomorrow."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The clouds dispersed, the rain stopped, and the sky cleared. With a huge weight lifted from his heart, Su Peisheng smiled broadly and happily went to find good things for the Fourth Prince.
"Your Majesty seems to value the Fourth Prince highly," the cautious Yunli continued, testing the waters.
Emperor Yongzheng smiled relaxedly, and for once, he was willing to speak his mind: "After all, he is my son, and he looks just like me, so I can't help but pay him a little more attention..."
"It is only human nature that I, your humble servant, could not help but feel close to the Fourth Prince when I saw him."
Everything was going according to plan, and Yunli breathed a sigh of relief after receiving the flattery. But seeing Yongzheng's pleased expression, he couldn't help but roll his eyes inwardly. Sure enough, the emperor had a thick skin; he was utterly shameless in his attempts to flatter himself.
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