My father is Yongzheng, and I am Qianlong?

Chapter 139 Hongli, I don't know how to pamper you!

"Your Majesty, I think it would be good for your Eighth Brother and Consort Dun's health if Your Majesty showed him more affection!"

Hongli naturally couldn't say it outright. He didn't want Yongzheng to think he was impetuous and overly worried that the throne might be taken by Fu Hui in the future, so he deliberately reduced the number of times he came to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Therefore, Hongli only said that it was for the sake of Fu Hui and Consort Dun's health, so that the two could spend more time with Yongzheng and be happier.

Fu Hui and Consort Nian were indeed in poor health.

Of course, Fu Hui's weak health was also due to his mother, Consort Nian.

As the saying goes, a plump mother makes a strong son.

Consort Nian's mother was physically weak, and Fu Hui's health was not much better, especially in this era when medicine was not advanced enough, and even a common cold could be difficult for the weak to resist.

After Hongli gave this reply, Yongzheng did not speak, nor did he review any more memorials.

"How could Lao Ba be a chief prime minister like that!"

"He asks me to decide everything. What, now that the results of the council of ministers don't meet his expectations, he's too lazy to care about state affairs anymore?"

Yongzheng suddenly lost his temper, scolded the Eighth Prince, and threw down his vermilion brush: "I won't approve it! It's all nonsense!"

Snapped!
The vermilion brush then rolled directly onto the ground.

Hongli knew that Yongzheng was actually angry because his excessive caution made him feel a sense of unfamiliarity and awkwardness, so he picked it up and presented it to Yongzheng with both hands:

"Father, you must approve this memorial!"

"You can't follow Uncle Ba's example!"

"Because when it comes to dedication, the higher one's moral character becomes, but when it comes to leisure, one's mind becomes narrower and narrower!"

After Hongli said this, Yongzheng had no choice but to take the pen and say, "You certainly know how to talk."

then.

Yongzheng looked at Hongli earnestly and said, "But Hongli, it's good that you're cautious, and your father is happy to see you being cautious. But there's no need for such caution between us, father and son, understand?"

After speaking, Yongzheng gazed at Hongli.

Hongli would never believe that he could really do whatever he wanted in front of Yongzheng.

He knew that when Yongzheng had a good impression of someone, he would be very attentive and hoped that the other person would be honest with him.

However, if this person becomes arrogant and reckless, Yongzheng will turn his love for this person into hatred, and even go so far as to kill him to destroy his spirit.

Historically, Longkodo was initially treated very intimately by Emperor Yongzheng, who often referred to him as "uncle" in his memorials. However, Longkodo became arrogant and overbearing, even going so far as to hoard the imperial genealogy. As a result, Emperor Yongzheng dealt with this "uncle" without any leniency.

There was also Nian Gengyao.

Although Nian Gengyao is currently favored by Emperor Yongzheng, if he forgets who he is because of this and incurs Yongzheng's dislike, Yongzheng's criticism of him will cause Nian Gengyao considerable distress and suffering.

Hongli even suspected that when Hongshi was his age, he must have been treated the same way by Yongzheng, and that he would not have suddenly become so arrogant and reckless.

Therefore, Hongli did not become complacent because of this, but continued to flatter Yongzheng, saying: "Your subject understands! Now, in front of you, Father, your subject is truly speaking the truth, so that Eighth Brother can receive more fatherly love."

"Your subject cannot be so selfish!"

As he spoke, Hongli emphasized, "And having all of my father's love, I cannot share even a fraction of it with my younger brothers!"

"Furthermore, I have always remembered Father's earnest teachings to put the Qing Dynasty in the most important position, rather than thinking only of myself and neglecting my parents and brothers."

"These days I have been visiting my thirteenth uncle, hoping to learn more from him how to be a prince and a member of the imperial clan."

“Your subject will not hide anything from your father.”

"To be honest, I don't necessarily want to fight for that position in the future. If Father thinks I am suitable to inherit the throne, then I will naturally inherit the throne. If Father thinks I am not suitable, I will not be discouraged and abandon the Qing Dynasty!"

"Everything is subject to the emperor's command; no subject may presume to make any plans!"

"Therefore, even if I do not attain the throne in the future, I will still dedicate everything to my Great Qing! I will contribute to preserving Father's legacy today! However, in that case, I will follow in the footsteps of my thirteenth uncle."

"Please, Father, understand!"

Hongli spoke with great passion and fervor, his words frank, selfless, and righteous.

Emperor Yongzheng nodded, deeply moved.

As a father, he was willing to believe that Hongli was so magnanimous and didn't put pressure on himself, and at that moment he smiled and said:
“I am so glad that you can say these heartfelt words to me! I am willing to believe it is true.”

As Yongzheng spoke, he stood up and patted Hongli on the shoulder: "Tonight, stay with me in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Father and son will have a good talk. I will also tell you about my plans and why I trust Nian Gengyao so much. However, you must not tell outsiders."

Hongli opened his mouth slightly.

He didn't expect that Yongzheng would ask him to stay overnight. This was because he showed that he was willing to change his political goals at any time for the sake of the Qing Dynasty, and that he did not value his personal political status as much as whether his political ideals could be realized!

However, Hongli originally planned to go back tonight and do something big with Haitang!
Because he had finally waited for the day when his virility would awaken.

By the way, didn't Emperor Yongzheng choose concubines at night?

What's so sleepy about sleeping with your son?

Your son is still a teenager. Aren't you afraid that he'll kick off the covers at night and freeze to death?
But Hongli couldn't refuse, so he simply cupped his hands and said, "Yes, sir!"

"Hongli, I don't know how to show you how much I value you!"

That night.

When Hongli and Yongzheng were sleeping side by side in bed, Yongzheng said something that made Hongli's scalp tingle.

Because these words sounded very familiar to him; he remembered that they were said by Emperor Yongzheng to Nian Gengyao.

Hongli smiled slightly, not daring to be truly proud of it, thinking that he should be more careful at times like these.

Haitang didn't sleep well all night.

After Hongli left, she busied herself with finding things to do, even taking on the tasks of ordinary palace maids, such as wiping tables and chairs, sweeping the courtyard, and boiling water.

Because she had never missed Hongli as much as she did now, and wanted him to come back soon.

Especially when I have free time.

She became increasingly nervous and agitated, feeling that time was passing very slowly, as if she, Fourth Master, had been attending a very long class.

I love learning so much!
So, she could only keep herself busy, hoping it would make things a little better. But eventually, it got dark, and even the palace gates were locked, and she still hadn't seen Hongli return.

This made her worried again.

So, Haitang tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.

Hongli wasn't particularly sleepy, but he eventually fell asleep amidst Yongzheng's rambling words.

He never imagined that an emperor would talk so much; he didn't even realize that Yongzheng hadn't continued talking while he was asleep.

But when he woke up, he found that Emperor Yongzheng was already reviewing memorials.

The early spring sunlight streamed in through the window, gilding Yongzheng's body.

Hongli smiled with great satisfaction upon seeing this.

He didn't particularly like the talkative Emperor Yongzheng.

But he still admired her diligence in her work.

She went to bed later than him last night, but woke up earlier than him.

This dedication deserves recognition!

"Amma!"

Hongli could no longer sleep, so he immediately got up, dressed and washed with the help of the eunuchs in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and came to stand before Emperor Yongzheng.

Yongzheng looked up at Hongli and smiled: "You lad, you've really grown up! At least you haven't made your father worry that you won't rise to power, like Yang Suian, the Grand Secretary of the Ming Dynasty. So, I'm quite relieved. In the future, we'll just have to see when you can have your own children. Next year, when the imperial concubine selection takes place, I'll assign you a few more concubines for trial marriage."

Hongli knew that the Yang Sui'an mentioned by Yongzheng was Yang Yiqing. Historical records state that he was a weak yang person, so he had no children in his life and could only adopt his nephew as his son.

The ability to have children was indeed an important criterion for determining whether someone could become emperor.

Although the ancients did not know much about reproductive science and genetics, they knew from years of experience that some men who looked like men could never get a woman pregnant, and some women who looked like women could never conceive.

Therefore, it is quite normal for Yongzheng to value this point and be pleased to see him gain power today.

After all, no one wants to choose an heir who is unable to have children.

But Yongzheng still instructed Hongli: "Just be moderate, understand?"

"When you reach your father's age, you will understand the value of moderation."

Hongli lowered his head without hesitation: "Yes, sir!"

At this moment, Yongzheng said to Hongli, "You said you've been reading a lot lately. Reading is good, and you should indeed read more at your age. After all, it's too early for you to go out and gain experience. You can wait until you get married to do so!"

"Therefore, I have issued an edict to bestow upon you a copy of the book 'Yuanjian Leihan' on cotton paper. When you have time, you can read it carefully. As a member of the imperial family, you don't have to read only the classics. You can read any book you want, even folk tales, because they reflect the sentiments of the people to some extent."

"Your subject obeys the decree and thanks Father for the gift of the book!"

Hongli happily cupped his hands in a gesture of respect and replied.

The Yuanjian Leihan is a large-scale encyclopedia officially compiled during the Kangxi era, consisting of 450 volumes and 45 categories, enough for Emperor Hongli to read for a long time.

In this era, books printed on cotton paper were considered the most valuable, followed by those printed on bamboo paper.

Emperor Yongzheng bestowed upon him a large set of books printed on cotton paper, which was of extraordinary significance in that era.

After all, book resources were not particularly abundant in this era.

Especially these large volumes of books are rarely privately owned.

They are generally owned by the state.

Examples include the Yongle Encyclopedia, the Complete Collection of Ancient and Modern Books published during the Yongzheng reign, and the Siku Quanshu published during the Qianlong reign.

Hongli was happy not because Yongzheng had bestowed upon him a large book printed on cotton paper, but because Yongzheng's actions undoubtedly proved that his cautious response the previous night was correct. If he wanted to continue to be appreciated by Yongzheng, he could not be blinded by Yongzheng's various sycophantic words.

Of course, being able to read more books is something he can look forward to.

Because he also likes reading.

Therefore, after finishing his evening lessons that day, Hongli hurriedly returned to the South Third Palace.

He wanted to go back and check out the new books, especially the new book by Haitang.

Because Hongli returned earlier than usual, he was able to see Haitang running in the courtyard with Nara Minxuan, Nian Yirou, and Fucha Yuyan.

Hongli did not tell them to stop, but let them continue. He went back to his study and started reading his new book.

To his delight, there were indeed books among them that were not available in the general public.

Hongli watched the book somewhat absentmindedly. He only stopped watching when Haitang and the other two finished running, took a bath, and came to serve him. He told Nara Minxuan and the other two to go back first, and then asked Haitang to serve him to bed, citing tiredness.

But when it was time for bed, Haitang asked Hongli, "Your Highness, would you like to secretly drink some rose syrup again?"

Hongli smiled, walked over to Haitang, his heart felt as if it had been burned out, and suddenly hugged her, breathing hot air into her ear and saying, "You have to teach me how to eat."

Haitang's ears instantly turned blood red, her body trembled slightly, and she nodded slightly.

then.

Hongli then began to read the book "Begonia".

Hongli pretended not to understand and asked Haitang, a court lady who had learned from the teaching nanny, to teach him how to read her book.

Soon, Hongli began to read Haitang as a young girl and then as a young woman.

This also made Hongli realize the true meaning of small branches bearing great fruit.

"Sir, how did you learn so well?"

afterwards.

Haitang was surprised by Hongli's behavior and asked him a question.

Hongli naturally claimed that he was exceptionally gifted.

Haitang blushed and said with a smile, "Then this servant is very fortunate!"

(End of this chapter)