[Romantic Anecdotes of the Qing Dynasty Court] [46] [Author: Xu Xiaotian]

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Chapter 46: The Imperial Grandson Appears in Zhuozhou Prefecture, a Courtesan Loses Her Virginity at Tongle Garden
It is said that when Emperor Qianlong returned to the capital, his imperial boat anchored in Zhuozhou. A group of local officials boarded the boat to inquire about the emperor's well-being. After the officials left, the emperor summoned the elders of the countryside to the boat and personally inquired about their customs, traditions, and the rice and wheat harvests. While he was speaking, suddenly an elderly monk, supporting a six- or seven-year-old boy, boarded the boat. The boy knelt down and repeatedly kowtowed. Those on the imperial boat were all greatly astonished. Emperor Qianlong dispatched the chief eunuch to question the old monk, who replied: "My name is Yuanzhen. I was once very close to the Fourth Prince, Prince Yongcheng. When the Prince was alive, I was often summoned to his residence to discuss scriptures. Now that the Prince has died, I left the capital and became the abbot of Shengming Temple in Zhuozhou.
This child is the Prince's biological son, and now the Emperor's grandson. Due to a major family upheaval, he was left to wander and has been raised by me ever since. Now that I hear Your Majesty is passing through here, I long for my precious grandson and cannot abandon him." He was brought here to be returned to the Emperor. Firstly, so that the child could return to the capital and enjoy a life of luxury; secondly, to honor the friendship he had built with the Prince. "This matter came as a complete surprise. The chief eunuch, hearing that it was the Emperor's grandson, dared not delay and hurriedly reported it to the Emperor. Emperor Qianlong, upon hearing this, was also quite astonished and ordered the child to be brought into the cabin. The Emperor saw that the child had a square face and large ears, moved calmly, and spoke loudly; he couldn't immediately discern the truth. Therefore, he issued an edict to bring both the monk and the child to the capital for interrogation.
Upon arriving in the capital, Emperor Qianlong handed the case over to Heshen." When Heshen returned to his residence, he first summoned the child and asked him questions. The child replied in a clear voice, “I was raised in the Yuanzhen Monk Temple since I was a child, and I believe Yuanzhen is my father. Later, when I was five years old and could understand things, the monk Yuanzhen said that I was the son of Prince Doruo Luduan. However, because I was born to a concubine, the principal wife always wanted to kill me, so she secretly rescued me and raised me in the temple. After hearing what the monk said, I knew that I was the current emperor's grandson, so I always told the monk that I wanted to go to the capital to see my imperial grandfather. Now that my imperial grandfather has brought me to the capital, I beg you, esteemed minister, to inform the emperor on my behalf and quickly let me go home.” Heshen listened to his words and observed his expression, but for a moment he could not tell whether it was true or false, so he kept the child in his residence for the time being. Then the monk was summoned for questioning. The monk Yuanzhen confessed: "When the Prince was alive, he and I were very close. He often invited me to his residence to discuss Taoism, Zen, play chess, and drink wine. He also told me about his private affairs.
The Prince had two wives, a principal wife and a secondary wife. The principal wife was the daughter of Prince Feng, beautiful but with a very fiery temper. The secondary wife was originally from a humble family and was often mistreated by the principal wife; sometimes the Prince would try to reason with her, but even he would be insulted. Therefore, the Prince was very angry and often spoke of this to me. I advised him that he should always be patient in the bedroom. A few years later, the secondary wife gave birth to a son. When the principal wife found out, she became even more resentful. She secretly sent a maid to steal the son out of the residence when the Prince was away on business, intending to..." He abandoned him in an empty field to starve to death. At that time, the old monk was on his way to the Prince's residence when I bumped into him and begged them to give alms so I could take him back to the temple and have him ordained as a young monk. The maid went in and told the Princess Consort, who agreed. She then instructed the old monk to secretly take the young prince away and report to the Imperial Clan Court, falsely claiming he had died of smallpox. The concubine was also taken away by the First Princess Consort. When the Prince returned, he found both mother and son missing and, in a fit of anger, vomited blood and died. Now, considering that this is the only heir left after the Prince's death, and that he is the Emperor's own grandson, I am returning him to the Emperor so that he can be reunited with his family. Out of consideration for the Prince's good relationship, I have no other desires, only asking that Your Excellency investigate the matter thoroughly as soon as possible so that I can return to the temple. "Heshen obtained the two men's testimonies and hurriedly went to the palace to report back." When Emperor Qianlong heard that the monk had reopened the old case, he was somewhat alarmed. He hurriedly went to the "Green Heaven's Depths" in the palace to discuss the matter with Consort Chun.
Ladies and gentlemen, do you know who Consort Chun is? She was originally the primary wife of Prince Dorodun, now taken in by the emperor as a concubine, residing in the Green Heaven's Depths, and greatly favored. Initially, when the Imperial Clan Court reported that Prince Yongcheng had given birth to a son, Emperor Qianlong was overjoyed. Later, when it was reported that the prince had died of smallpox, the emperor, remembering the scarcity of imperial heirs, felt displeased. He summoned the prince to the palace and inquired about the circumstances of his grandson's smallpox. Prince Yongcheng replied: "When my grandson died, I was away on official business. I did not witness the events firsthand and dare not lie. I must ask my daughter-in-law, Consort Chun, for the truth." When Prince Yongcheng's primary wife was brought before him, the eunuch was stunned. The First Princess Consort was beautiful and graceful, truly exceptional. When she spoke, her words were eloquent, her smile captivating, further bewitching the amorous Emperor. Emperor Qianlong secretly observed her every word and smile, finding her strikingly similar to the deceased Fragrant Concubine. This stirred a deep affection within the Emperor; he even forgot their relationship as father-in-law and daughter-in-law, and began to show her tenderness.
The First Princess Consort, being a clever woman, seeing the Emperor's demeanor, unleashed her charms, using sweet words and gentle smiles to completely control him. After listening to Lady Chun'a's words, Emperor Qianlong said to the Prince of Yongcheng, "This daughter-in-law is truly eloquent, like a parrot in my courtyard; her voice is captivating. Now that the Empress Dowager is lacking someone to talk to, I will keep her in the palace to keep her company and entertain her daily. I will be a dutiful son, and you will be a virtuous grandson." Although the Prince of Yongcheng knew the emperor's intentions were malicious, he could not say anything and could only leave his wife in the palace. He left dejectedly and lived a lonely life at home. Thinking of his beloved concubine and deceased son, he became depressed and, within a few days, developed hemoptysis and died.
After the Prince of Yongcheng's death, Lady Chun'a was promoted to concubine, and she and the emperor indulged in pleasure and flirtation every day. Just as they were enjoying themselves, the imperial grandson suddenly appeared. Emperor Qianlong still harbored thoughts of his descendants and blood relatives. He consulted with Consort Chun, who firmly stated, "Your Majesty cannot accept him. Many years have passed, and the truth is unknown; even if it were true, when the heir apparent grows up and learns that I am still in the palace, he will surely be resentful and seek revenge for his mother. Then, the rumors will spread, and Your Majesty will face difficulties. If Your Majesty insists on recognizing him as your grandson, then please grant me death; I will have no face to serve Your Majesty." With that, she covered her face and wept. The Emperor, who doted on this consort, felt sorry for her upon seeing her cry and quickly comforted her.
The next day, he summoned Heshen, his expression suddenly turning stern. He said, "That grandson has been dead for seven years; the Imperial Clan Court has records to prove it. Now, suddenly another grandson appears outside; it must be that treacherous monk coveting wealth and power, attempting to emulate the story of the Song and Ming dynasties."
"You must summon the officials of the Ministry of Justice and establish a special court to conduct a thorough and rigorous interrogation, lest a country bumpkin falsely claim to be a member of the imperial family." He Shen understood immediately upon hearing this. He left the palace and announced the Emperor's decree. The next day, the Ministry of Justice presided over the trial, with Grand Secretaries and Censors-in-Chief in attendance. The courtroom was set up in an empty room to the left of the Qianqing Gate. Grand Secretaries He Shen and Liu Tongxun sat in the middle, flanked by officials from the Six Ministries. There was a secretary in the Ministry of Justice named Bao Cheng, who was quick-witted and cunning. He Shen knew he was a capable official, so he appointed him as the presiding judge, and he sat below the judge's desk. After a while, the monk and the child were brought into the courtroom. Bao Cheng, as was customary, questioned them about their origins and whereabouts. Then he stood up and said to the court: "Gentlemen, in my humble opinion, there are many doubts in this matter." "If Your Excellencies would grant me the authority to interrogate, I can immediately get to the bottom of this case." Heshen nodded slightly in agreement upon hearing Bao Cheng's words. Bao Cheng turned around and shouted, "Take the evil monk out!" Two fierce-looking bailiffs rushed forward, grabbed the monk Yuanzhen by the collar, and dragged him out of the hall. Bao Cheng then slowly walked up to the child, raised his hand, and slapped him twice, making the child cry loudly. All the officials in the hall were shocked. They heard Bao Cheng loudly ask, "Where are you from, you country bumpkin? You were deceived by that evil monk and dared to impersonate the emperor's grandson in court. This is a capital offense. If you don't confess properly, I will cut off your head!" As he spoke, he raised his sword and placed it against the child's neck. The child was terrified and cried out, saying between sobs, "I didn't know what an emperor's grandson was. I only knew that the monk was my father." I remember when I was four or five years old, the monk would often point at me and say to others, "This child's surname is Liu. So, I'm a child of the Liu family, not some imperial grandson. I didn't know what an imperial grandson was, but that monk told me, 'When you go to the emperor's house, you can study, become an official, have good food and drink, wear fine clothes, ride a horse, sit in a sedan chair, and have many people serving you.' Now you won't let me ride a horse or sit in a sedan chair, and you even want to kill me with a knife; I don't want to be an imperial grandson anymore! Please let me go, and let me go back with the monk, okay?" After the child finished speaking, he burst into tears again. Many officials in the hall felt sorry for the child and spoke up for him; but because they were afraid of Heshen's power, no one dared to say anything. Bao Cheng was very pleased with the child's confession. Turning back, he smiled and said to the court, "Have you heard this, gentlemen? He is not some imperial grandson, but a child of the Liu family. Now that I have investigated and found out, I ask you gentlemen to make a decision."
At this moment, Liu Tongxun, who was sitting in the court, couldn't help but stand up and said, "
Let's not decide this case yet. Tell me, what can't a three-foot-tall child ask for under intimidation? Besides, according to that monk, this child was taken away from the mansion a few months after birth. Whether he is an imperial grandson or not, not only does the child himself not know, but even we, who have lived to such an old age, probably cannot understand what we were like in our parents' arms. In my opinion, this case must be handled by bringing that monk back for questioning again." He Shen was very impatient after hearing his words, and said coldly, "If you, esteemed minister, don't mind bringing the monk back for questioning again, it won't hurt." Bao Cheng below shouted repeatedly, "Bring the monk!
" The bailiffs then brought the monk into the court. Upon seeing the monk, the child pointed at him and cried, "My surname is Liu, why was I forced to impersonate a royal grandson? Now I'm facing execution!" He then grabbed the monk's robe and wept bitterly. The monk looked utterly astonished and said, "You are clearly a royal grandson, how come you've changed your story today? I told people your surname was Liu before, just to avoid suspicion." The constable, not allowing him to speak, slammed his desk and shouted, "You wicked monk, talking nonsense! This child has already confessed, why don't you confess now?" He yelled, "Torture him!" The guards, with a shout, hurled iron chains and clamps at the monk's side. The child, terrified, burst into tears again, crying, "Let's go back quickly! I don't want to be a member of the emperor's family; the emperor's family is terrifying!" The monk angrily pointed at the court and said, "It's all because of you treacherous officials, deceiving the emperor above and oppressing the people below. You eat the Qing Dynasty's salary, what grudge does the Prince of Yongcheng, a direct descendant of the emperor, have against you?
Yet you want to exterminate his descendants. Even if I die and become a ghost, I will come with the prince to drag your souls away!" After saying this, the monk Yuanzhen gritted his teeth, cursing the treacherous officials incessantly. The cursing enraged Heshen, who shouted, "Kill this thieving bald man!" Just as the bailiffs were about to strike, Prime Minister Liu stood up and stopped them, saying, "Wait! If we force a confession, the world will say we are unfair. In my opinion, we must find the maid who used to hold this grandson of the emperor and have her identify herself in court to determine whether she is indeed the grandson of the emperor before we can make a decision." By this time, it was already late, and Heshen ordered the court to adjourn.
That night, he went to the palace and reported to the Emperor. The Emperor then issued an edict ordering all the maids and old women from the former Prince's residence to come forward and testify. These maids and old women had already received favors from Consort Chun. The next day, in court, the child was summoned for them to identify. They all said he didn't resemble the child. They added, "The former imperial grandson was thin and long-faced, with a red mark on his arm, but this child doesn't have that." One maid testified, "When the imperial grandson died, she personally prepared his body for burial; how can there be another imperial grandson now?" Another old woman testified, "I was the former imperial grandson's wet nurse. He truly died in her arms; there's no mistake." Their arguments left the monk speechless. Prime Minister Liu, sitting above, knew he was innocent but could not save him. After a while, the ministers discussed and decided on the punishment: the monk Yuanzhen was immediately executed; the child was exiled to Yili. On the day of his execution, the monk Yuanzhen cursed the tyrannical emperor and treacherous officials. The child, having arrived in Yili, grew older and realized he was indeed the emperor's grandson. He informed the Yili general, who then relayed the message to the court. Upon seeing the memorial, Heshen secretly informed Consort Chun'a first. Consort Chun'a then pleaded with the emperor, demanding an edict dismissing the Yili general and appointing Heshen's relative, Songyun, as the new general; she also wanted the child executed in Yili. The emperor, heeding her words, complied with everything. A pitiful grandson of the emperor met his end with a single blow!
This only fueled the emperor's even greater favor towards Consort Chun'a. Although the emperor returned from Jiangnan with two women, Guo Jia and Jiang, they could never surpass Consort Chun'a in status.
Jiang and Guo Jia, both from Suzhou, were gentle and eloquent, constantly flattering Consort Chun'a; and Consort Chun'a reciprocated their affections. The concubine, having lived a secluded life in her chambers since childhood, had never seen the outside world. Guo and Jiang told her how wonderful the Jiangnan region was, how bustling its streets were, which warmed her heart. She often told Emperor Qianlong that she wanted to travel to Jiangnan together. Emperor Qianlong said, "I just returned from Jiangnan, and now you want to go again? I'm afraid my ministers will say something." Later, the concubine came up with a plan: to build a commercial street in the Yuanyuan Garden, with shops designed in the style of Suzhou and Hangzhou. Antique shops, clothing stores, restaurants, teahouses—all kinds of shops were available. The shop assistants and staff were all recruited from Suzhou and Hangzhou. Even flower sellers, fruit vendors, and melon seed sellers carried baskets and hawked their wares on the street. The palace eunuchs all contributed money to become shop owners. All kinds of goods were procured by the Chongwen Gate Supervisor from various shops in the outer city, and the prices of each item were clearly recorded. Goods sold were returned at their original price, while unsold goods were returned. The park opened on the first day of the Lunar New Year, and the Emperor decreed that all Manchu and Han officials were permitted to enter and enjoy themselves. These officials strolled the streets, eagerly buying food and fruit from vendors. Sometimes they would gather with colleagues to drink tea and go to restaurants. The waiters served them just as they would in shops outside the city. Sometimes the Emperor, dressed in casual clothes and followed by several concubines, would come to the restaurants; upon seeing the officials, they would nod to each other as if they were friends. The waiters would serve dishes, order wine, and announce the bill; the diners would play drinking games, chatting and laughing. The cacophony of sounds made the Emperor and his concubines laugh heartily. Sometimes the Emperor would also send invitations to one or two guests, mostly members of the imperial family, retired officials, and servants from the Xiqing Pavilion, to accompany him for drinks. These guests would also chat and play drinking games, completely uninhibited. When the ministers were in high spirits, they would send several messengers to invite them for more drinks; sometimes, the emperor would go out alone and call many messengers to entangle and tease the prostitutes in taverns. If the emperor was drunk, he would take a prostitute to his suite and sleep there until nightfall, refusing to return to the palace. The eunuchs, having no other choice, would beat the clapperboard outside the room. According to palace custom, the emperor should get up and leave the place as soon as he heard the clapperboard.
Sometimes the emperor would accompany the Empress Dowager to the gardens. The Empress Dowager, dressed like an ordinary woman, would join the crowds of itinerant vendors selling medicine, performing magic tricks, selling herbs, and fortune tellers, all watching the spectacle. The guards could only stand at a distance to protect her. The six days from the thirteenth to the eighteenth of the first lunar month were called the "Lantern Festival." The emperor ordered the garden gates open, decreeing that all Manchu and Han officials and their families, down to ordinary couples, were permitted to enter and enjoy the festivities, a gesture of sharing the joy with the people. During this time, the emperor would mingle among the crowds, joking and laughing with the wives and daughters of officials, thoroughly enjoying himself. The eunuchs, catering to the emperor's wishes, would set up bed curtains in various suites, allowing him to sit and lie down as he pleased. On the third day, suddenly a burly man burst into a suite, carrying a sharp knife, seemingly searching for someone. The guards saw him, rushed forward, seized him, and handed him over to the Infantry Commander's office for interrogation. The burly man angrily declared, "My wife went to the garden for a stroll and was lured into a suite by this tyrannical emperor to be raped. Now I'm going to find him and fight him to the death!" The official, finding his words utterly vile, didn't press the matter further, threw him into the death row, and had him killed in prison the next day. After this incident, men were forbidden from entering the garden.
In the Yuanmingyuan Garden, since the establishment of the commercial street that year, it became a custom every January: the emperor and his concubines would stroll in the garden until after the Lantern Festival before the market was closed. Emperor Qianlong, wanting to share the joy with the people, named this commercial area "Tongleyuan" (Paradise of Shared Joy).
The following year, when Tongleyuan opened, another scandalous incident occurred. It turned out that a Vice Minister of Rites named Zhuang, who was sixty years old, had married a young woman from a brothel after the death of his first wife. The girl's name was "Sai Zhaojun." Her beauty was beyond description; she was only twenty-four years old, naturally lively, and often loved to wander outside. Wherever there were bustling temple fairs and incense shops in the capital, her footprints could be found. The Minister Zhuang's ex-wife had a daughter, also of a flirtatious nature and striking beauty, who got along very well with her stepmother. The mother and daughter, keeping it a secret from the Minister, spent their days wandering the streets and alleys, attracting a throng of philanderers who followed them constantly, commenting on their appearance and making unrestrained jokes. Sai Zhaojun possessed an extremely lewd temperament, loving to flirt and hear praise for her beauty. Therefore, the shopkeepers and servants would chat and joke with her, doing whatever they pleased. The daughter, being a lady of a respectable family, was initially ashamed and speechless upon first seeing her stepmother's frivolous behavior. However, she gradually grew accustomed to it and even began to flirt with others without restraint herself. This girl, named Qiu Guan, was only eighteen years old. Everyone knew she was the daughter of Vice Minister Zhuang, and those slick, bachelor men were all drawn to her like a raging fire. Qiu Guan deliberately flirted, playing hard to get, but in the end, she suffered the consequences of her philandering. To find out what happens next, please read the next chapter.

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[Romantic Anecdotes of the Qing Dynasty Court] [46] [Author: Xu Xiaotian]

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