The First Imperial Son-in-Law of the Qing Dynasty: The Biography of Fengshen Yinde

[During the Kangxi era, there was the story of the Mingzhu family. During the Qianlong era, there was the story of the Heshen family.]

[This story follows the life of Fengshen Yinde, only son of the powerful official Heshen. Please add it to your collection, dear readers!]

My name is Fengshen Yinde. People call me the Great Qing's number-one son-in-law, because I rely on my father and my wife.

My father is Heshen, a favorite of Emperor Qianlong and the most handsome man in the Great Qing.

Father is a master of political maneuvering and psychological games. He also knows how to amass wealth, taking Nalan Mingzhu, the richest man of the Kangxi era, as his role model. He managed to propel himself to the peak of the Qianlong era's... no, the Great Qing's wealthiest man.

I married Princess Ten, Emperor Qianlong's daughter. Princess Ten is strong-willed and blessed with both beauty and intelligence. I was broad-minded and yielded to her capricious, willful ways at every turn, while watching her shuttle between her imperial father, the Fifteenth Prince, and the Heshen household, unable to speak of her troubles.

Later, Father Heshen fell from power, but Princess Ten stood by me. She even pleaded for me before the Jiaqing Emperor, and I survived. I was overcome with emotion.

To prove I wasn't a coward, I was placed under house arrest, yet I resolutely petitioned the Jiaqing Emperor to let me go support development in the borderlands! From then on, I balanced firmness with gentleness on the frontier, earning glorious military achievements and a reputation for building snowmen.

Alas, the record keeper of the princess's household sought revenge on me, accusing me of crimes including, but not limited to: meeting women during the national mourning period, neglecting my duties, avenging my father, and neglecting the princess.

The Jiaqing Emperor was furious. He stripped me of my post, wiped out all my honors, and read out my "Ten Great Crimes" before the assembled ministers.

Fortunately, Fuen, the adopted son of Princess Ten and me, proved himself. He wrote a heartfelt plea for me in his own blood, turning the tide and clearing my name.

After surviving for the third time, I began dreaming often of Nalan Xingde, the Great Qing's greatest literary talent.

I asked him, "Young master, why has my life been so miserable? How did it become such a farce?"

Rongruo said, "You never understood how to live. You put the greater good first and maneuvered around your ruler, so you could never show off your talents. That's why you've suffered."

I asked him again, "Young master, why has my turbulent life, its rights and wrongs, its merits and faults, been buried in the history books?"

Rongruo said, "Between ruler and subject, and between husband and wife, it's dangerous to owe nothing to one another. If you understand that as I did, you'll get it."

I suddenly understood.

It's impossible to be loyal to both emperor and family, so instead of being a laid-back young man, I should become a schemer!

In this life, I'm going to turn the tables and make a comeback!

P.S.

[A collection of Fengshen Yinde's classic quotes]

1. Father, if Mingzhu knew how greedily you...

(Heshen: This is Heshen speaking. I've finally surpassed Minister Ming in amassing wealth. My son, Fengshen Yinde, has also outlived your eldest son, Nalan Rongruo.)

2. Young Master Nalan, Fengshen Yinde is ashamed...

(Heshen: Son, what are you apologizing to Rongruo for? I saw Rongruo's Lushui Pavilion and took it over. I envied his talent and wouldn't let him appear in the Complete Library of the Four Treasuries. I told the Qianlong Emperor to accuse him of seeking fame and fortune for his compilation of the Tongzhitang Classics. I even wanted to dig him up and curse him... What about it?)

3. Compared with the Nalan father and son, the Heshen father and son really are...

(Heshen: Superior in every way.)

4. We must thank Princess Ten again for...

(Heshen: My son comes from a good family and is no ordinary man. Please take good care of him.)

[Reader's Notes]

1. Plenty of chapters in reserve. Updates every day at noon. Thank you, dear readers, for adding the story to your collections and supporting it.

2. Respect history and add depth to it. Discussion is welcome.

3. The Heshen family story is the main focus, with the Mingzhu family story in a supporting role. This should be a lighthearted tale.

Screenshot saved on July 16, 2024

Theme: Rely on your own abilities, not your father.