My father is Yongzheng, and I am Qianlong?

Chapter 111 The Eighth Prince Jumps into the Trap Digged by Yongzheng

Hongzhou then looked at the sky covered with dark clouds, and said that he was a little cold, so he bid farewell to Hongshi and returned to Xianfu Palace.

Hongshi naturally did not stop him, but stood there somewhat resentful, not knowing how to vent his anger.

He felt like he was punching cotton.

"Why does Hongzhou seem so easy to deal with?"

So, Hongshi couldn't help but mutter something to himself.

The next day.

When Hongzhou met Hongli, he told Hongli about Hongshi's conversation with him the day before and about Hongshi's desire to offer sacrifices at Jingling on behalf of Yongzheng.

When Hongli saw that Hongzhou had taken the initiative to tell him about Hongshi's meeting with him, he was very pleased and smiled, saying:

"The fact that your third brother took the initiative to ask you shows that he cares about you, his younger brother."

Hongzhou smiled slightly, seemingly disagreeing with Hongli's opinion.

Then, Hongli gave Hongzhou the storybook he wanted: "Here is the storybook you asked for."

Hongzhou accepted it and smiled, "Thank you, Fourth Brother!"

Hongli patted him on the shoulder without saying anything more.

While flipping through the storybook, Hongzhou asked Hongli, "Fourth Brother, why do you think the cars in this storybook's futuristic world can run so fast without falling apart? Can the people sitting inside even stand it?"

"This is because the cars in this story have shock-absorbing components, such as springs, which can prevent damage caused by vibration when driving too fast or for too long."

Hongzhou nodded in agreement after hearing this: "That's true."

When Hongli and Hongzhou arrived at Yongzheng's place to pay their respects, they found that Hongshi was also there.

Hongshi had just finished inquiring about Yongzheng's condition when he smiled and said:
"Father, the anniversary of Khanmafa's death is approaching. I've been thinking that your health hasn't been good lately, and my fourth and fifth brothers are busy with their studies. Also, it's cold now, so it's not appropriate for them to go. Therefore, I'm planning to request permission to go to Jingling in your place. What do you think?"

After hearing this, Yongzheng looked at Hongli and Hongzhou and asked, "What do you think about this?"

Hongli cupped his hands and said, "Your son can also go on behalf of Father Khan to show filial piety to Khan and tell him that the people of our Great Qing will always remember his kindness!"

At this moment, Hongzhou added, "Your subject thinks that Khanmafa would definitely prefer Fourth Brother to go, because Khanmafa has always liked Fourth Brother. If Fourth Brother goes, Khanmafa would be even happier if he were alive."

Hongshi glanced at Hongzhou in surprise.

He was not surprised that Hongli would fight over it.

However, it was somewhat difficult for Hongli to accept that Hongzhou, who had always been unambitious and lazy, would take the initiative to help him at this time.

At this moment, Yongzheng nodded and then looked at Hongshi: "Hongshi, what do you think?"

Hongshi smiled sheepishly: "Your subject is just worried that your fourth brother won't be able to withstand the wind and snow."

"It's alright, Third Brother, you can rest assured. No matter who goes, I believe that with the protection of Khanmafa's spirit in heaven, Heaven will not make things difficult for those who are fulfilling their filial duties."

Hongli replied at this time.

"Fourth Brother is right."

Hongzhou then echoed this sentiment.

Yongzheng smiled and nodded, then looked at Hongshi and asked, "What do you think?"

"Indeed, I was overthinking it."

Hongshi forced a smile and replied.

Yongzheng nodded in satisfaction: "Then it's settled. Let Hongli go. As Hongzhou said, Khanmafa will be even happier this way."

Hongshi smiled awkwardly.

"Father, when I go to Jingling, I will definitely see my Ninth Uncle. Is there anything I want to tell him?"

Hongli then brought up the ninth prince.

He would never secretly contact the Ninth Prince behind Yongzheng's back.

Yongzheng thought for a moment and said, "Just say that Consort Yi misses him very much."

"Whoo!"

Hongli responded.

Not wanting to disturb Yongzheng's rest, the three of them left the Hall of Mental Cultivation shortly afterward.

After they came out, none of the three spoke.

As Hongshi turned around, he glanced coldly at Hongzhou.

Hongzhou was slightly taken aback.

But Hongshi didn't say anything.

Hongli smiled when he saw this. He had originally planned that if Hongshi really did something outrageous, such as hitting Hongzhou, he would also help Hongzhou take the hit, which would definitely make Yongzheng dislike Hongshi even more.

But Hongshi did not do so, and Hongli's idea was wasted.

Soon, Hongshi met Lao Ba.

Seeing that Hongshi looked dejected, the eighth brother asked, "What's wrong?" "Father, in the end, it was decided that the fourth brother would go to offer sacrifices at Jingling in his place."

Hongshi replied.

Lao Ba was also very disappointed after hearing this, and remained silent for a long time.

Hongshi then put his hands on his waist and said, "It's one thing for Hongli to argue with me, but what I can't understand is why Hongzhou is also speaking up for the fourth prince. Haven't I been good enough to him?"

The eighth prince nodded, equally puzzled: "If Hongzhou hadn't argued, then logically he wouldn't have offended anyone; it seems that Hongzhou is on Hongli's side."

"How did Hongli win his heart?"

“I really can’t understand it. It’s not that I haven’t cared about my younger brother lately, but at least I haven’t shown him the same superficial concern I have for Hongli!”

Hongshi pressed the eighth brother for answers, somewhat unconvinced.

Lao Ba frowned, deep in thought, then looked at him and asked, "Are you going to interfere with him?"

Hongshi frowned, nodded slightly, and then defended himself, saying, "I was only doing it for his own good. I was afraid that he would be looked down upon by others, but he said that he looked down on himself and that it was normal for others to look down on him."

"On the other hand, even if he doesn't want me to take care of him, there's no reason for him to side with Hongli and not with me, right?"

Hongshi continued to ask Lao Ba.

The Eighth Prince smiled and glanced at Hongshi: "Hongshi, it's not that your Eighth Uncle is criticizing you, but sometimes you should try to see things from Hongzhou's perspective. If you were him, would you want to see him inherit the throne in the future?"

"I think so."

“I support shared governance and will not act arbitrarily. As his closest brother, he will be more tolerant than a monarch who rules arbitrarily.”

Hongshi replied.

Lao Ba smiled at Hong Shi again: "But are you showing any tolerance now?"

Hongshi was speechless for a moment.

"In terms of winning over Hongzhou, you actually have an advantage over Hongli. Just as most of the knowledgeable princes and nobles would certainly prefer to support you, you just haven't shown your advantage."

"You should actually learn more from Hongli."

Lao Ba didn't want to talk to Hong Shi for long, so after saying that, he turned around and went towards the direction of the South Study.

Hongshi muttered to himself, "Should I learn more from Hongli?"

……

……

"Fourth Brother, do you think I should learn more from you?"

When Hongli returned to the palace with Hongzhou, Hongzhou also asked him about it.

Hongli, with his hands behind his back, turned around and glanced at him, then asked with a smile, "What should I study?"

“I ran into Uncle Ba once, and he told me this. I don’t know what he wanted me to learn from you?”

Hong Zhou replied.

Hongli frowned slightly: "It's up to you. If you think I can learn from you, then learn from me; if you think I can't, then don't. Don't force yourself to learn from me, lest you end up like the man from Handan who tried to imitate others but failed."

"Understand?"

After speaking, Hongli turned to look at Hongzhou.

Hongzhou pursed his lips and nodded.

Then, Hongzhou smiled and said, "Just now, when Khan asked about going to Jingling on his behalf, I recommended you, Fourth Brother. It's not just because Khan was very fond of you when he was alive, but also because I think that only you, Fourth Brother, would not want me to do anything conventional in the future."

"Although, Fourth Brother, you are quite particular about etiquette."

After Hongzhou said this, Hongli smiled and said, "That's because the rites come from the emperor, and the emperor didn't say that what you did was against the rites."

"Fourth Brother, you probably don't think what I did was improper, do you?"

"You're right!"

The two couldn't help but smile at each other.

Hongli understood that Hongzhou's choice to support him stemmed from his lack of opposition to Hongzhou's pursuit of knowledge in various crafts.

While Hongli and Hongzhou returned to their respective palaces, the Eighth Prince also arrived at the Southern Study.

When the Eighth Prince arrived, Yongzheng warmly invited him to sit down and said with a smile, "Eighth Brother, you've come at the right time. Just now, the Ministry of Revenue sent over samples of the newly made copper coins of the new dynasty. Take a look."

As he spoke, Yongzheng handed a copper coin from the yellow box to the Eighth Prince.

The eighth prince took it with both hands, carefully stroked it for a while, and then smiled and said to Yongzheng, "Fourth brother, it's very exquisite. It doesn't feel too heavy to the touch, and the luster is also very bright. It's exactly the kind of appearance that a new dynasty's new coins should have."

"Eighth brother, there are times when you don't understand."

Yongzheng said this with a smile, but his words were sharp and pointed. In the eyes of the other prime ministers and ministers, it seemed that the Eighth Prince was not as insightful as the emperor.

The Eighth Prince was also startled. He hadn't expected that Yongzheng was also digging a hole for him, so he could only bow and say, "Please enlighten me, Fourth Brother!"

"It's not a matter of giving advice; it's just that this lackey, Arsona, has only recently become the Minister of Revenue and he's already treating you and me like monkeys!"

(End of this chapter)