Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Secret Mission
That day, Qianlong and Yonglian returned from Yonghe Palace with their eyes swollen like peaches. The empress guessed that it was because they missed the late emperor.
But what about Yonghuang saying that Yonglian was unwell?
After returning to the palace, Qianlong did not ask the imperial physician to treat Yonglian. Instead, he ordered the Taoist temple to hold a three-day peace ceremony for Yonglian the next day.
The late emperor died suddenly because he listened to the Taoist priests and took elixirs. The emperor has been particularly annoyed with Taoist priests for the past two years, so why did he suddenly want to hold a ceremony?
That day, she couldn't help but ask Yonglian, "When you went to the Lama Temple with your Khan-father that day, did you encounter anything strange?"
Yonglian knew his mother would be suspicious, so he half-seriously said, "I suddenly broke out in a cold sweat while I was performing the ceremony, so Khan Ama asked my fifth uncle to carry me to rest."
"What happened next? What did you do in Yonghe Palace?" asked the Queen.
"Khan Ama took me to the coffin of the Emperor Mafa and we talked for a while. As we talked, we both became sad." Yonglian said, "We all missed the Emperor Mafa so much!"
The emperor was probably worried that Yonglian had been staying in front of the coffin for too long and had been infected with evil spirits.
This man is too cautious. The Queen was somewhat helpless, yet she was touched by the Emperor's attentiveness towards Yonglian.
When Yonghuang heard that his younger brother had stayed behind to accompany Khan Ama to cry for the late emperor that day, he felt that it was not easy for his younger brother.
That day, his fifth uncle took him out of the Lama Temple and did not go back to the palace directly. Instead, he took a stroll on Qianmen Street and bought him a set of clay sculptures of the twelve zodiac animals and some candied haws.
Yonghuang was having so much fun that he almost forgot that his brother was not feeling well.
It was not until two days later that Qianlong found out that Hongzhou had taken Yonghuang out to play for a while that day.
"Your uncle is quite nice." Qianlong glanced at Hongzhou.
Hong Zhou: "Isn't it because I'm worried that my nephew will be disappointed?"
The emperor only cares about Yonglian and doesn't pay much attention to Yonghuang. That kid will just keep his unhappiness in his heart.
He inexplicably recalled his childhood when he was not given much attention. Especially after his elder brother won the favor of the Emperor, the entire Prince Yong's Mansion began to pay attention to him, and he was often ignored.
But he was not jealous of his royal brother, he was just envious occasionally.
Yonghuang was even younger than I was at that time, and he had lost his mother. He was such a pitiful child.
Qianlong understood immediately after hearing this. Although his fifth brother was not very capable and was a bit foolish, he was a kind-hearted person.
"Then I'll ask my fifth brother to take good care of Yonghuang from now on. That child is a taciturn person and never tells me anything that's on his mind," said Qianlong.
He hoped that the relationship between Yonghuang and Yonglian could be the same as that between himself and his fifth brother.
Hong Zhou nodded, and could not help but say: "If Yong Huang has any worries, please tell me and me instead of you. You will be unhappy again, my royal brother."
Qianlong: "...I, do I look like such a petty person?"
Hong Zhou: “…”
He didn't dare to say it, but just gave his brother a look and let him understand it himself.
Qianlong: “…”
The reason why there has never been any grudge between the brothers is because Hong Zhou is a simple guy who doesn't beat around the bush and always says whatever he thinks.
But sometimes it can be really infuriating.
Qianlong glared at his brother, took a deep breath, and decided not to bother with a fool.
He remembered the purpose of calling Hong Zhou over. "In two months, Khan Ama's coffin will be moved to Tailing. While it's still close, you can go pay your respects a few more times. You can also tell Khan Ama anything you have in your heart."
Although the fifth brother could not hear Khan Amada's response, it would be good for him to see Khan Amada more.
Hong Zhou: “???”
"I have nothing to say. Khan Ama should be quite confident in me." Hong Zhou said.
He has two mothers to protect him, his brother treats him well, and his family and his wife have a good relationship. Although he hasn't done anything great, it's true that Khan Ama doesn't have to worry about him.
Qianlong thought that Khan Ama should be assured that he had entrusted the fifth son to him.
He thought for a moment and said, "Then take Sixth Brother with you. Considering his young age, he's usually not allowed to attend the monthly sacrifices. He doesn't have the opportunity to fulfill his filial duties, but he must not forget his filial duties."
Hongzhou is the late emperor's youngest son, only four years old this year, and has always lived in the Old Summer Palace. Everyone also calls him the Old Summer Palace Prince.
Because he was too young, he was not allowed to participate in many ceremonies.
But Qianlong guessed that Khan Ama must be thinking about his youngest son, so he asked Hongzhou to kowtow in front of the coffin.
Hong Zhou agreed with this point, "We should let that kid go, lest he forget Khan Ama in the future."
When the late emperor passed away, little Hongzhou was only two years old and was ignorant at the funeral. Later, when he returned to the Old Summer Palace, it was said that he had fun playing everywhere all day long, without any sadness at all.
"Oh yes, and there's Hong Xiao from Uncle Thirteen's family. Khan Ama is most worried about him."
As he spoke, he couldn't help but curl his lips. Khan Ama treated Hongxiao as his own son. He rewarded him with money and personally invited a master for him. Even the manager of Prince Yi's Mansion was selected by Khan Ama himself. He didn't care about his sixth brother Hongzhou so much.
Hong Zhou didn't think much of it, because Hong Tao and Hong Xiao often came to the palace to play, and he had a good relationship with these two cousins. When there was something going on, besides his brothers, he would think of them first. Especially Hong Xiao, who was young and smart, and had always followed him around and called him "brother" since he was a child.
Hong Zhou treated him like his own brother.
"Let Yonglian go with you." Qianlong said again.
"Didn't Yonglian go there last time?" Hong Zhou frowned. "The child isn't in good health. Let's not trouble him in this hot weather."
"Then you should pick a cooler day. Yonglian has a deep relationship with his queen, and he wants to kowtow to her more often." Qianlong said.
"Why don't you just take him with you next time you go to pay your respects?" Hong Zhou felt that this arrangement was a bit strange, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
"I'll take him with me next time, but he's worried about the Emperor, so he wants to go these few days." Qianlong glanced at Hong Zhou, "What's wrong with taking Yonglian with him? He's always making excuses."
"If you take Yonglian, you must take Yonghuang with you." Hong Zhou said.
Qianlong: "Yes, but come back quickly after the memorial service. Don't play on the way."
Hong Zhou agreed. The four little kids were either Khan Ama's apple of his eye or his elder brother's precious babies. He didn't dare take them out to play. If something went wrong, he wouldn't be able to explain to his elder brother while he was alive, and he was afraid that Khan Ama would beat him if he died.
In the evening, Qianlong told Yonglian that he would go to Yonghe Palace with Hongzhou to pay tribute in two days.
"If Khan Ama doesn't want to go, your fifth uncle will take you there." Qianlong said, "You can't talk to the Emperor's spirit there, but you can listen to what your Emperor has to say."
Yonglian: “???”
Seeing his son tilt his head in confusion, Qianlong explained, "Your Majesty asked me to take care of them, but I am busy with many things every day, so it is inevitable that I will be negligent. I want you to go and listen to see if there is anything I can improve, and if your Majesty has any other instructions."
Yonglian: “…”
Is that really the case? Why don't you go and ask yourself?
Qianlong patted his son's shoulder and said, "Especially your uncle Prince Yi. Your Majesty the Queen valued him the most when he was alive and entrusted him to me. I am afraid that he would not dare to tell me if he has any grievances, and would not bother me with any requests. Perhaps he will tell your Majesty the Queen's coffin."
Yonglian: "What if they didn't say anything?"
"You didn't say it, so you went to kowtow to the Emperor." Qianlong coaxed his son in a gentle voice.
After returning from Yonghe Palace, he was wondering, since Khan Ama's soul could not leave the room where the coffin was placed, how did he know what was happening in the court?
Of course, it is possible that it is the supernatural power of Khan Ama after his death. After all, Khan Ama practiced both Buddhism and Taoism, so it is not surprising that he had some supernatural powers.
But is it possible that someone told Khan Ama when they went to pay their respects?
Officials were not allowed to go to the memorial service at will. Prince Lu Yunlu, Prince Zhen Yunmi and Prince He Hongzhou were in charge of the affairs of the Yonghe Palace. They could enter and exit the Yonghe Palace at will, and it was also convenient for them to talk in front of the coffin.
But Uncle Twelve was not very supportive of Khan Ama's new policies. If he hadn't been able to hold a funeral, Khan Ama wouldn't have paid him much attention. He wouldn't have gone to Khan Ama to complain.
My twenty-fourth uncle couldn't even read books clearly and knew nothing about the affairs of the court.
Hong Zhou is a big mouth. Even if he didn't mean it, he might go to Khan Ama's spirit to complain.
Another person is Hong Xiao.
Because Hongxiao was raised by Khan Ama, he was the one who cried the most when Khan Ama passed away. He also allowed him to go to Yonghe Palace to pay tribute from time to time.
Although Hongxiao was only fifteen years old, he was very smart. He knew that many of the new policies he had revoked were implemented by his father Khan and his uncle Thirteenth Uncle.
Uncle Thirteen made great efforts to ensure that officials and gentry worked together to pay taxes and clear the debts owed to the national treasury.
As soon as he ascended the throne, he abolished the decree that required officials and gentry to serve and pay taxes together, and also wiped out the deficits of many officials.
If I were Hongxiao, I would not be happy either.
It is normal to complain a few times before going to Khan Amar Ling.
While Qianlong expressed his understanding in his heart, he wanted to hear what the boy had to say, and even more wanted to know what Khan Ama's reaction was.
As for letting Hongzhou go, it was simply to reassure Khan Ama that he was a qualified elder brother and would not mistreat his younger brother.
"Son, remember this." Yonglian said that he was just a small tool, there to monitor.
Qianlong was still not quite reassured and repeatedly reminded him not to show any abnormality in front of others.
Yonglian nodded his head obediently.
"Little Yonglian has grown up, and it's time to learn to share Khan Ama's worries. You are Khan Ama's most filial baby." Qianlong rubbed his son's chubby face.
Yonglian feels that he has been manipulated, and he has evidence.
The father and son talked alone in the west side hall. After Qianlong gave his son the task, he hugged his son and taught him to recite "The Analects of Confucius".
Two days later, the Ministry of Rites selected a day for Hong Zhou and his friends to go to the memorial service, and Hong Zhou set off with the four little kids.
Because Hongzhou was the youngest, Hongzhou personally took him along the way.
Yonghuang and Yonglian rode in the same carriage, while Prince Yi Hongxiao went directly from Prince Yi's Mansion to Yonghe Palace.
Hongxiao was also present at the last memorial service. Yonglian had seen him before. He was a very weak young boy with a fair and handsome complexion.
This was the first time he saw his uncle Hongzhou. The little guy looked very smart and cute. He opened his big eyes and looked at Yonghuang and Yonglian curiously.
Hong Zhou laughed and said, "These are your two little nephews. Have you forgotten again?"
Hongzhou was at a loss.
"The two little princes of my royal brother's family." Hong Zhou said as he pushed Hong Zhou, "Go play with your two little nephews."
Yonghuang and Yonglian took the initiative to pull little Hongzhou and called him "Sixth Uncle" one after another. Yonglian also asked him curiously what fun things there were in the Old Summer Palace.
Hongzhou is four years old this year, but he talks incoherently. He was playing hide-and-seek in the depths of the cave before he finished speaking, and he jumped onto the cloth tiger made for him by his nanny.
There were also some vague words in the middle that neither Yonghuang nor Yonglian could understand.
Yonglian thought that the Queen would definitely be worried if she saw Hongzhou like this.
As expected, when they arrived in front of the coffin, Hongzhou looked bewildered. Hongzhou and Hongxiao had to remind him every step of the way. When asked to kowtow, he knelt down and kowtowed. When asked to say "Khan Ama", he looked around in confusion, "Where is Khan Ama?"
Hong Zhou: "...Khan Ama is in the coffin."
Hong Zhou: "What is Zigong?" The little guy didn't wait for an answer, his attention was attracted by the fruit plate on the altar, "There are peaches! I want to eat peaches!"
Hong Zhou: “…” Fortunately, Uncle Twelve didn’t come today, otherwise I would have kicked this kid a few times when I saw him.
"Sixth brother, be obedient. After we pay tribute to Khan Ama, fifth brother will take you to eat peaches." Hong Zhou coaxed.
"But where is Khan Ama?" The little guy tilted his head innocently.
"Why do you have so many questions? Just kowtow." Hong Zhou groaned in his heart. This little rascal is too difficult to manage.
Hongzhou was scolded and there were no familiar nannies or eunuchs around, so the little guy started crying.
"Alright, alright, Hongli is such a jerk. Why are they asking Hongzhou to come? Isn't this embarrassing for the child?"
The old father's spirit couldn't stand it anymore and grumbled in dissatisfaction.
"Yonglian, go and comfort your sixth uncle."
Yonglian heard it and hurried forward to help Hongzhou up. "Sixth uncle, don't cry. Stand here first and watch us salute the emperor, okay? Then you can follow us and learn."
Hong Zhou rubbed his eyes and said, "I don't want to learn, I don't want to learn, I want to find a nanny..."
"Okay, okay, just wait here obediently. After we finish the ceremony, we will take you to see Nanny." Yonglian smiled, "My little nephew, I dare not lie to my uncle."
Hongzhou stopped making a fuss and was led by Yonglian to his place. He watched silently as his two little nephews came forward to pay their respects.
Yongzheng: "Yonglian, why are you here again? My dear, did your Khan-father ask you to come?"
Yonglian: "My grandson misses the Emperor Mafa, and I have come to burn incense and kowtow to him."
There was nothing strange about what he said, as the people around him just thought he was sensible and polite.
Yonghuang also followed suit.
After they kowtowed, Hong Zhou said, "Do you have anything else to say to the late emperor? We are all family now, so feel free to speak your mind."
After he finished speaking, he looked towards the coffin and said, "Khan Ama, I won't say anything about my son. I can take care of myself the best. You don't have to worry about me."
Yongzheng: "That's true, but it's useless. If you had half the talent of your thirteenth uncle... well, forget it."
I trust my Thirteenth Brother, it's a brotherhood that has lasted for decades. Moreover, both of them are old and know that state affairs are more important.
If Hongzhou had outstanding abilities, Hongli might not have been willing to use him without reservation.
It would be better if Hong Zhou were a little mediocre.
Hongzhou was completely oblivious to the situation. He was only thinking about finding the nanny and had no intention of telling Khan Ama.
Hong Xiao knelt on the futon again and said, "Uncle Emperor, Hong Xiao has learned to write poetry. I will bring you my poems next time."
"Good boy, Ganjuer, study hard with Master Lin."
When Yongzheng saw Hongxiao, he thought of his thirteenth brother and couldn't help choking up.
Hongxiao talked about his studies of poetry and calligraphy, and said that he wanted to collect some novels and storybooks.
Yonglian remembered that this uncle Yi Wang was a famous bibliophile during the Qianlong period, and his family also had a copy of "Dream of the Red Chamber".
I can borrow it later...
Hongxiao cried as he spoke, and he said a lot, but he didn't mention anything about what happened in the court. At the end, he talked about the emperor's care for him.
Hong Zhou was unhappy, "Why don't you talk about me? I take good care of you too."
Hong Xiao burst into laughter and quickly mentioned "Brother He Wang" who always cared about him.
Xiao Hongluo next to them became impatient and started humming again, so everyone was about to leave.
Yonglian finally kowtowed to Huang Mafa and said, "Don't worry, Yonglian will take good care of the uncles."
When Hong Zhou, Hong Xiao and the others heard this, they all had smiles in their eyes.
The little nephew is so nice. They are satisfied with his words.
Yonglian climbed up from the futon, trotted over to Hongzhou, and took his hand, "Sixth Uncle, let's go find Nanny."
"My little nephew, you are so nice. I will take you to the Old Summer Palace for fun!" The little nephew spoke to him softly, and Hongzhou relaxed immediately.
"Great! Next time, my brother and I will go together, and Uncle Six will treat us with your toys!"
"good!"
Yongzheng: He is indeed his good grandson, more sensible than Hongli, who is now the emperor and is also suspicious. Fortunately, I did not let Hongxiao get involved in court affairs, and I did not plan to train him to assist Hongli.
He also had only a vague understanding of the things that he and his thirteenth brother had promoted, and he would not run to his spirit to complain as Hongli thought.
The Thirteenth Brother has lived a life of walking on thin ice, working day and night. Although he has achieved a lot, he has also suffered a lot of grievances. His son should just be a rich and idle man who writes poetry and paints.
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