During the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, the princes launched a fierce struggle for the "Nine Kings to Seize the Throne" in order to seize the throne of the prince. However, Kangxi's fifth son, Yinqi, is unique, indifferent to fame and fortune, abides by his duties, and has never been involved in this power struggle. Born as a favorite concubine, Yinqi was personally raised by Empress Xiao Yiren and Empress Xiao Huizhang since he was a child, which had a profound impact on his character formation. He was humble, courteous, and gentle, so he was loved by the emperors of the Kangxi and Yongzheng dynasties. So, did this indisputable Yinqi finally get his due status and glory later? Did his peaceful personality also cause him unexpected trouble? What was the reason for him to be treated well by Yongzheng?
Yinqi's birth background and dependency experience
Emperor Kangxi's favorite concubine Guo Luo Luo was from a humble background, and her grandfather served as a collar for the coat, and her status was low. However, after Guo Luoluo entered the palace, he was favored by Emperor Kangxi, and was named a concubine after only one month in the palace, showing that his status is not trivial. In the eighteenth year of Kangxi, Guo Luo Luo gave birth to Yinqi, and as his eldest son, he naturally attracted much attention.
Traditionally, the concubines in the palace did not have the right to raise the prince herself after giving birth to the prince, and the prince was cared for by a special eunuch. But Yinqi's birth broke this tradition, and he was personally raised by Emperor Kangxi's two favorite empresses since he was a child. The first is Empress Tong Jiashi, Emperor Kangxi's favorite imperial concubine, who regards Yinqi as her own and tirelessly teaches this smart and clever prince; The other is Kangxi's mother-in-law, Empress Xiaohuizhang, after Tong Jia's death, Yinqi was sent to his grandmother's knee to be raised.
Under the careful cultivation of the two queens, Yinqi has developed a gentle, humble and polite character since he was a child. He follows the rules, abides by the law, and never does anything that goes beyond the norm. This is in stark contrast to the style of other princes competing for favor and succession, and party accomplices. Yinqi is also grateful to the two queens who raised him, and when he was dying, he also implored Emperor Kangxi to take care of the aftermath on his behalf, which shows his respect for his mother.
Yinqi's character and status
Yinqi was personally raised by the two queens since he was a child, and his example and words made him develop a humble, polite, and gentle character. He follows the rules, abides by the law, and never does anything beyond the norm, which is in stark contrast to the style of competing for favor and succession with other princes. This kind of pure and good character was deeply appreciated by Emperor Kangxi.
In the thirty-fifth year of Kangxi, when Kangxi personally conquered Galdan, he led the Zhenghuang Banner battalion to accompany the expedition, including eight princes from the eldest son to the eighth son. Yinqi, who is only 16 years old, also showed his edge in this camp. However, in his military career, he did not see any actions and performances of Yinqi. Obviously, he is not a martial artist, but more like he was sent to the camp for training by Kangxi.
In March of the following year, Kangxi chose a humble Fujin for Yinqi. It stands to reason that as the son of a favorite concubine, Yinqi's spouse should be from a prominent background. But Kangxi did it intentionally to prevent Yinqi from marrying a high-ranking family and Fujin, and having relatives do evil in the court. It can be seen that Kangxi is quite attentive to Yinqi's arrangement, and it is better to prevent problems before they happen.
Yinqi was later given the title of Dorobelle by Kangxi, and was ranked with the fourth brother Yongzheng, the seventh brother Yinyou, and the eighth brother Yinyu. This is the first batch of princes among the heirs of Emperor Kangxi. Although Lord Dorobelle is humble, it is far inferior to the princely titles of the eldest son Yinchu and the third son Yinzhi. But for Yinqi, a prince with a gentle temperament and indifferent to fame and fortune, it is already the highest position that can be achieved by the strength of the fight.
Yinqi has been innocent all his life, with a good character, and he is quite valued by Kangxi. Even when Concubine Yi was imprisoned by Yongzheng, Yinqi never interceded for his mother, and never got involved in the power struggle between the DPRK and China. It is this duty of indifference to fame and fortune that made Yongzheng look at him very differently after succeeding to the throne, giving him "warmth", calling him "peaceful", and giving him full appreciation. It can be seen that even if Yinqi does not do much, his character and conduct make the kings of the two dynasties extremely important.
The special relationship between Yinqi and the favorite concubine Yifei
Yinqi, as the eldest son born to Concubine Yi Guo Luoluo, naturally has a special parent-child relationship with his mother Concubine Yi. Concubine Yi has an unimaginable doting on Yinqi, and Yinqi also takes it as her duty to repay her mother's kindness.
It is not easy for Concubine Yi to be born in a family with a coat and collar in Manchuria inlaid with yellow flags, and finally won the favor of Emperor Kangxi and was named Concubine Yi. And as her eldest son, Yinqi is the pearl of her palm. Even in the Kangxi period, Concubine Yi has always regarded Yinqi as her heart, and carefully taught and took care of her. Yinqi has been deeply influenced by Concubine Yi since she was a child, and her humble and polite character comes from Concubine Yi's words and deeds.
After Yongzheng succeeded to the throne, he refuted the hundred officials, and Concubine Yi was affected in this liquidation and was imprisoned in the palace forever. This is undoubtedly a great blow to Concubine Yi, who has lived in the deep palace for a long time. As his eldest son, Yinqi did not intercede for his mother at that time, but obeyed Yongzheng's decision. This is consistent with Yinqi's consistent indifference to fame and fortune and his self-disciplined character.
Despite this, Yinqi has an unusual value for the love between Yifei's mother and son. When Yongzheng issued an order to confine Concubine Yi from the Bauhinia Palace to the Lingxing Gate, Yinqi immediately rushed to the Lingxing Gate after learning the news, just to be able to catch a glimpse of his mother's beauty. It can be seen that the relationship between mother and son is deep.
Later, Yongzheng moved Concubine Yi to Heyu Palace to be imprisoned forever, and Yinqi worked tirelessly every month, regularly visiting Concubine Yi in the name of visiting relatives to relieve the suffering of her palace confinement. It is said that every time she sees Yinqi, Concubine Yi's relief is beyond words. Even in the most difficult moments, Concubine Yi always instructed Yinqi to "be quiet and be on the right road".
It can be seen that Concubine Yi has an ardent expectation that Yinqi will be able to keep to herself in the future and not be robbed. And Yinqi's innocent duty all his life is precisely to live up to his mother's hope. The relationship between the mother and son is harmonious, even if they are in the ice and snow, Concubine Yi still gives Yinqi a serious advice. This family affection is not only admirable, but also highlights the special mother-son relationship between Yinqi and his mother Yifei.
Yongzheng attaches special importance to Yinqi
After Yongzheng succeeded to the throne, he had a unique value and kindness to Yinqi, a brother with a good personality and good conduct. This is not only reflected in the reward for Yinqi and his wife, but also in the change in Yongzheng's attitude towards Concubine Yi.
After Yongzheng ascended the throne, in order to establish the authority of the new dynasty, he had to liquidate the old ministers of the Kangxi period. Concubine Yi, as one of Kangxi's favorite concubines, was naturally inevitably affected and was confined in the Bauhinia Palace by Yongzheng. And Yinqi, who is the eldest son of Concubine Yi, accepted this resolution without objection. Yongzheng actually appreciated Yinqi's self-respecting conduct.
In the seventh year of Yongzheng, the tenth anniversary of Yongzheng's succession, Yinqi's title was specially granted hereditary, and he was given the nickname "Wen", which means gentle and humble. Yongzheng wrote in his own handwriting in the edict: "Uphold peace, follow the rules and follow the rules", highly praised Yinqi's moral integrity in his life.
This is undoubtedly Yongzheng's highest affirmation of Yinqi's life, which is rudimentary, gentle and humble. Even in the era when the power struggle was most fierce and the imperial relatives were censored and purged, Yinqi was still able to win this honor. It can be seen that his character of keeping to himself has won the favor of Yongzheng.
What's even more precious is that Yongzheng's attitude towards Concubine Yi has also undergone a subtle change. When Yongzheng first listened to the government, Concubine Yi was imprisoned forever. But in the fourteenth year of Yongzheng, Yongzheng personally wrote an edict for Concubine Yi to "accept the time of his life", and instructed his son Yinqi to go to Concubine Yi's residence and Yugong to convey the decree of heaven as scheduled.
This confirms Yongzheng's understanding of the mother-son relationship between Concubine Yi and Yinqi from one side, and recognizes Yinqi's sincerity. In the end, Yongzheng actually issued an order to let Concubine Yi be released from the palace and enjoy her life in Huangji Garden. This is very different from the accusation of slandering Yifei for "being a prestige", and it is rare.
It can be seen that Yongzheng is very fond of Yinqi's good character of following the rules, not only appreciating it, but even his biological mother Concubine Yi has been treated leniently. This empathy of flesh and blood makes us see that behind the harsh image of Yongzheng, there is also a human side.
Yinqi's summary and evaluation of his life
Looking at Yinqi's life, a distinctive feature is his indifferent fame and fortune, gentle and elegant. It is precisely because of this temperament that although he did not do much, he was highly appreciated by the emperors of the Kangxi and Yongzheng dynasties.
Yinqi was personally raised by Concubine Yi and the two queens since he was a child, and his humble and polite character was created by his example. He followed the rules, obeyed the law, and never acted beyond the rules, which was in stark contrast to the style of other princes competing for favor and succession. This made him unique in the power struggle of the "Nine Kings for the Succession", and he kept to himself and never got involved.
It is this good duty that makes Kangxi appreciate more than anything, and also take precautions, and choose a concubine Fujin from a humble background for Yinqi to avoid overly prominent relatives from doing evil in the court. Kangxi not only gave Yinqi the title of Dorobelle, but also took care of the funeral of Empress Xiaoyiren in the dying era, which shows that he has a different view of Yinqi.
After Yongzheng succeeded to the throne, he also attached great importance to this rule-abiding brother. Not only did he give "Wen" to show his appreciation for the seven-year blessing, but he also granted his title to be hereditary to future generations. What's more worth mentioning is that when Yongzheng initially imprisoned Concubine Yi, Yinqi did not intercede for his mother and kept to himself. But when Yongzheng reached old age, he ordered Concubine Yi to be released from the palace, which can be said to have empathy and compassion for Yinqi's mother-son relationship.
end
Although Yinqi has not made much achievements in his life, it is this indifferent character of fame and fortune that has made him win the love and favor of the emperors of the two dynasties. Even though his biological mother Concubine Yi suffered great injustice in the end, Yongzheng's attitude towards her also changed because of Yinqi. It can be seen that good temperament can sometimes make people get unexpected good luck. Yinqi's life is quite regrettable, but it is also really commendable.