Hongxiao, Prince Yi

Aisin Gioro Hongxiao(Chinese : 怡僖親王弘曉, Manchu：ᡥᡡᠩ ᡥᡳᠶᠣᡠ, hūng hiyoo；3 May 1722－11 May 1778) was Qing dynasty imperial prince as the seventh son of Yinxiang, Prince Yixian of the First Rank, paternal cousin of the Qianlong Emperor and Kangxi Emperor's grandson. The second in the Prince Yi of the First Rank lineage, Hongxiao became famous through his poetry and relationship with Cao Xueqin, one of the most famous Chinese writers.

Life

Hongxiao was born on 3 May 1722 to primary princess consort Yixian of the First Rank, lady Joogiya.[1] He had two biological sisters, including Princess Hehui of the Second Rank who was adopted into the palace since she was young,[2] and two surviving biological brothers, including Hongjiao, Prince Ningliang of the Second Rank.[3] On 21 June 1730, Hongxiao inherited the Prince Yi of the First Rank title as the peerage was granted iron-cap status. His younger brother was granted a title of Prince Ning of the Second Rank.[4] Hongxiao was not implicated in the Hongxi's rebellion in 1739,[5] unlike his brother, who was deprived of his allowance [6]

In 1766, Hongxiao's mother died, leaving him a portion of blood.[7] In 1767, Hongxiao and his nephew Yongkun behaved in a disrespectful manner during a national mourning[8] (they did not wear mourning garment). However, the punishment was delayed due to Fuheng's urging.[9] In 1768, a promotional ceremony of imperial princes was organised after the sacrificial rites at the Temple of Agriculture. A list of the princes promoted at the same time included Hongzhou, Prince He of the First Rank; Yongchang, Prince Zhuang and Guanglu; Prince Yu of the First Rank.[10]

In August 1777, when Hongxiao made sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple together with Prince Guo of the Second Rank, the prince failed to observe etiquette and was tried by the Imperial Clan Court.[11] The arrest was replaced by deprivation of Hongxiao's salary in the following month.[12]

Hongxiao died on 11 May 1778 and was posthumously honoured as Prince Yixi of the First Rank (和硕怡僖亲王, meaning "harmonious and precautious").[13]

Relationship with Cao Xueqin

Since his youth, Hongxiao had been known for his interest in poetry. His most notable art works include "Series of the Hall of the Four Pines" (《四松堂集》) and "Poems of the Hall of the Bright Kindness" (《明善堂集》).[14] He was befriended with the intellectualists of the Qianlong era, e.g. Cao Xueqin. When Cao Xueqin's family experienced a downfall, which might result in confiscation of his property, Hongxiao preserved the drafts of the Dream of the Red Chamber. The reminescenses of their relationship were included in Hongxiao's poetry.[15]

It was disputed by redologists that second characters of Yinxiang's[16] and Hongxiao's[17] personal names drew the outline of the plot of the original edition of "Dream of the Redchamber". However, the poor quality of Hongxiao's edition rose issues among the redologists whether those characters were included in the original text.[18] Moreover, new scholarship undermines Hongxiao's contribution to drafts of the novel claiming that imperial prince could not have such abilities, hence the poems were written by ghostwriters.[19]

The further fate of poetry and Prince Yi collection

The poetry of Hongxiao remained unknown until the publication in the "Collection of the Prince Yi Manor" by Weng Tonghe, Yang Shaohe and Shen Zuyin. The collection included Hongxiao's poetry, Tibetan books dating back to 17th century and calligraphy paintings with in summary 10 seals. Most books possessed by Hongxiao and his descendants were not included in "Siku Quanshu", that's why they were made public in XIX century.[20]

Family

Hongxiao was married to lady Ligiya, daughter of Bohege (伯赫格). Later, he married lady Tunggiya, daughter of Changsheng (长盛). Hongxiao had in summary 9 sons and nine daughters.

Consorts:

  • Primary consort, of the Ligiya clan (嫡福晋李佳氏)
  • Second primary consort, of the Tunggiya clan (继福晋佟佳氏)
  • Secondary consort, of the Jin clan (侧福晋金氏)
  • Secondary consort, of the Shi clan (侧福晋石氏)
  • Secondary consort, of the Irgen Gioro clan (侧福晋伊尔根觉罗氏)
  • Mistress, of the Xu clan (庶福晋徐氏)
  • Mistress, of the Xiang clan (庶福晋祥氏)
  • Mistress, of the Ma clan (庶福晋马氏)
  • Mistress, of the Bayara clan (庶福晋巴雅拉氏)

Issue:

Sons:

  1. Third Class Defender General Yonghang (镇国将军永杭, 1744–1777), born to lady Ligiya, primary princess consort
  2. Prince Yigong of the First Rank Yonglang (怡恭亲王永琅,1746–1799), born to lady Shi, secondary princess consort
  3. Third son (10 May 1750 – 11 May 1750), born to Lady Ligiya, primary princess consort
  4. Yongman (永蔓, 1752–1808), born to Lady Ma,mistress of Prince Yixi of the First Rank
  5. Fifth son (1757-1758), born to Lady Bayara, mistress of Prince Yixi of the First Rank
  6. Sixth son (15 July 1766 - 20 December 1766), born to Lady Irgen Gioro, secondary princess consort
  7. Seventh son (1770 - 1771), born to Lady Irgen Gioro, secondary princess consort
  8. Third Class Bulwark General Yongmai (三等辅国将军永迈, 1772–1799), born to Lady Irgen Gioro, secondary princess consort
  9. Yonghe (永和, 1783–1784), born to Lady Xu,mistress of Prince Yixi of the First Rank

Daughters:

  1. NN
  2. NN
  3. NN
  4. Fourth Daughter. Her marriage was arranged in 1768[21]
  5. NN
  6. NN
  7. NN
  8. NN
  9. Princess of the Third Rank (郡主). Her marriage was arranged in 1779.[22]

References
  1. "详细资料介绍_爱新觉罗宗谱网". www.axjlzp.com. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  2. 《總管內務府奏為四公主下嫁多爾吉色布騰核定陪嫁女子人口莊頭數目事折》/"A memorial on collecting the dowry for Fourth Princess".
  3. Zhao, Erxun. 《清史稿》 表四 皇子世表四/ Draft History of Qing.Table 4. Imperial Princes. Genealogy tree 4.
  4. Tian, Shuhe (2018). 北京市區主要街道景觀導覽. 崧博出版事業有限公司.
  5. Gao, Yang (2001). 三春爭及初春景/Fight in the spring scenery. 生活・讀書・新知三联书店. p. 686.
  6. "Qianlong Reign|The Palace Museum". en.dpm.org.cn. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  7. Niohuru, Arigun. "A request to grant Prince Yi of the First Rank Hongxiao a blood of his mother, lady Joogiya". 1766.
  8. Socoro, Guanbao (1767). "A report on behaviour of Prince Yi of the First Rank Hongxiao and his nephew Yongkun during the national mourning".
  9. Fuca, Fuheng (1767). "A request to impose lighter punishment on Hongxiao being tried by Imperial Clan Court".
  10. 北京先农坛史料选编/"History of the Temple of Agriculture in Beijing. Revised edition". 学苑出版社. 2007. p. 103.
  11. Aisin Gioro, Yongtu (1777). "A report on the disrespectful behaviour of Prince Yi of the First Rank Hongxiao".
  12. "A decree on replacement of temporary confinement of Hongxiao by deprivation of salary". 1777.
  13. "A request to grant Prince Yi of the First Rank Hongxiao posthumous honorifical name". 1778.
  14. Wu/吴, Enyu/恩裕 (1980). "Biography of Cao Xueqin". 上海古籍出版社. p. 248.
  15. Feng, Qiyong (2016). "History of the "Story of the Stone" ". Beijing Book Co. Inc.
  16. 祥 meaning "auspicious"
  17. 晓 meaning "dawn"
  18. Ying / 应, Bicheng / 必诚 (2006). "Condition of Redology". 复旦大学出版社. p. 555.
  19. 中国古代, 近代文学研究. 4–6. p. 194.
  20. Li, Yu'an; Huang, Zhengyu (2005). 中国藏书家通典/Encyclopedy of Tibetan Books in China. 中国国际文化出版社.
  21. "A request to arrange a marriage of Hongxiao's fourth daughter, who reached the age of 16". 1769.
  22. "A request to arrange the marriage of Hongxiao's ninth daughter and prince consort by Lifanyuan and Ministry of Rites". 1779.
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