The swansong of the swansong

Chapter 18: The Most Favored Person in the Qing Dynasty
Yinyou knew very well that the Crown Prince's concubine Li Jia was the biological mother of Hongxi and his eldest brother.

However, Hongxi's elder brother, Kangxi's eldest grandson, was very unlucky. Not only did he not even have a name, but he also died at the age of ten.

According to the wet nurse Li Ma, the current emperor hates the eldest prince in the Eastern Palace very much, but he particularly favors Hongxi.

Yinyou naturally understood in his heart that it was completely abnormal that the eldest prince of the Eastern Palace was already ten years old but didn't even have a name!

"I am your nephew Hongxi, and wish my fifteenth uncle good health." Hongxi stepped forward to greet him with a big smile on his face, and unexpectedly knelt down to salute.

In terms of seniority, Yinyou was indeed Hongxi's legal uncle.

However, Hongxi was only less than a year younger than Yinyou, so they were of the same age.

When Yinyou saw this posture, he knew in his heart that today was definitely not the Hongmen Banquet, but a harmonious family banquet with brothers in harmony and respect.

"Hurry up and get up. We are uncle and nephew. Why do we need so many complicated rituals?" Yinyu helped Hongxi up and smiled and said, "In the future, when there are outsiders, just get a Qian'an."

This person must know his own weight and do things in moderation so as not to give people a sense of arrogance!
To put it bluntly, in front of Kangxi, Yinyou was an insignificant nobody.

As for Hongxi, his importance can be summarized in just four words: the most favored person in the Qing Dynasty!

After Hongxi stood up, he led Yinyou into the Mingtang in the rear hall.

At this time, in the center of the Mingtang, a huge pearl curtain was hung, and both sides of the curtain were filled with palace maids and eunuchs.

Behind the curtain was a small Sumeru throne, on which sat a woman in apricot-yellow clothes.

In this East Palace, there is only one woman who dares to sit on the Sumeru throne.

Yinyu lowered his head quickly, walked quickly to the beaded curtain, took the initiative to salute, and said respectfully: "Your Highness Yinyu, may the Crown Princess stay healthy."

"Second brother, stop standing there and help your fifteenth uncle up."

Because of the pearl curtain, Yinyu couldn't see the Crown Princess Shi's expression clearly, but her voice was particularly gentle and friendly.

In the past, Yinyu had also met the Crown Princess Shi. However, at that time, he was young and mixed in the crowd, just a small transparent background.

"Second prince, quickly bring a stool for your fifteenth uncle." Following the order from Crown Princess Shi, Hongxi took the stool brought by the eunuch and gently placed it in front of Yinyou.

"His fifteenth uncle, please sit down."

Following the Crown Princess's instructions, Hongxi politely invited Yinyou to take a seat, appearing to be well-educated, much better than his father Yinreng.

"How can there be a seat for me in front of the Crown Princess?" Yinyu knew the basic principle of courtesy and did not take a seat immediately.

The Crown Princess couldn't help but smile and turned her head to glance at Nanny Zhang Jia beside her.

Nanny Zhangjia immediately understood, and quickly lifted the bead curtain and came out to look for Yinyou.

"Fifteenth Master, our mistress said that you are one of our family members, so please do not feel restrained." Nanny Zhang Jia said politely, but what she was thinking in her heart was, Nanny Zhang, I have already repaid the favor you asked of me.

In the palace these days, the world is big, and human relationships are the most important.

Yinyou's wet nurse, Nanny Zhang, secretly gave two hundred taels of silver to Nanny Zhangjia. They were also distant relatives, so Nanny Zhangjia helped Yinyou to get a seat in front of the Crown Princess.

Now, the favor that Nanny Zhang had given was evened out.

Since the Crown Princess was sincere in offering her seat, Yinyu made some polite remarks and then simply sat down with his body leaning sideways.

"His fifteenth uncle. I heard that you went to visit your fourth uncle?"

Yinyu had indeed not expected that the Crown Princess Shi would actually mention the fourth brother on her own initiative. "Your Highness, please forgive me for being blunt. The fourth brother is a loyal minister and should be treated well!" Yinyu stood up from the stool, bowed his head and saluted, showing great respect for the Crown Princess.

These days, the Crown Princess has the right to act approachable, but Yinyou cannot take advantage of her.

The Crown Prince is half a king, and the Crown Princess is also half a king.

A half-king is also a king. Once the distinction between king and subject is made, there is a world of difference!

The opportunity to speak well of the fourth brother is a rare opportunity. If you don’t seize it in time, you will be the biggest fool in the world!

"I am a humble servant, and I have spoken recklessly. Please do not discourage the hearts of my loyal subjects!" Yinyu's figure was as steady as an old dog, but his voice was sonorous and powerful.

Crown Princess Shi asked Yinyu calmly, "What about you? Are you considered a loyal minister?"

This question is extremely crucial, and Yinyou must give the correct answer.

"To your Majesty, the Crown Princess, the ruler is the leader of his subjects, and the father is the leader of his sons. I strongly agree with this." Yinyu calmly stated his attitude. His meaning was very clear: he was loyal to both Kangxi and Yinreng.

No matter how important a half-lord is, he can never be more important than a true lord. Yinyou is speaking the truth!
The Crown Princess suddenly smiled and said through the beaded curtain, "I was not wrong. His fifteenth uncle is indeed a man of character."

At that time, Yinyou could have easily turned a blind eye and deliberately said nice things.

However, Yinyou had no intention of deceiving the Crown Princess and spoke his true feelings directly.

Crown Princess Guaerjia was a very understanding person. She at least understood Kangxi's thoughts better than Yinreng did.

The problem is that Yinreng is like an intermittent mental patient. When he is in a good mood, he is willing to accept advice.

Once Yinreng is in a bad mood and loses his temper, hehe, that would be a dead end where he would not recognize any of his relatives!
Why is this so?

Hehe, it was all because of Kangxi’s doting that caused Yinreng to develop a bad temper and do whatever he wanted since he was a child.

Today, the Crown Princess asked Yinyu to come over, mainly to make a statement: the Crown Prince holding a whip to beat Yinyu was a complete misunderstanding!
Yinyou was willing to come to the banquet simply because the crown prince was currently powerful and it was best not to provoke him.

The atmosphere of this meeting was unusually harmonious as both sides were willing to ease relations.

The Crown Princess invited two tables to the banquet. There was still a pearl curtain between the two tables, and the eunuchs and palace maids stood on both sides to serve.

Although the Crown Princess is Yinyu's second sister-in-law, she is actually more than ten years older than Yinyu.

In the 34th year of Emperor Kangxi's reign, Yinreng got married. The Crown Princess was 17 years old, while Yinyu was only 3 years old.

So, the Crown Princess was fourteen years older than Yinyu.

According to the Qing Dynasty's custom of early marriage, the Crown Princess and Yinyu can be considered to be two generations apart.

After the feast began, the Crown Princess ordered, "Hongxi, serve well and accompany your fifteenth uncle to drink a few more cups."

Just now, when Yinyou was talking to the Crown Princess, Hongxi had been standing quietly on the side, not saying a word, and was quite patient.

Now, after receiving the order from the Crown Princess, Hong Xi immediately knelt on one knee, took a deep slit, and said respectfully: "Please rest assured, Crown Princess, I will accompany my fifteenth uncle well."

Among the Manchus, Enie or Emo are both respectful titles for the stepmother in an ordinary family.

In public, Manchu families were particularly particular about etiquette. Therefore, when Yinyu was present, Hongxi called Guaerjia the Crown Princess Ene.

(End of this chapter)