Biography
Yongqi was born of the Manchu Aisin Gioro clan as the fifth son of the Qianlong Emperor. His mother was Noble Consort Yu (愉貴妃), who was from the Keliyete (珂里葉特) clan.
Yongqi was studious and diligent from a young age. Every day, of all the princes, he was the earliest to reach the palace study to attend classes. He had a close relationship with his younger half-brother Yongyan (the future Jiaqing Emperor). Yongqi was talented - he was fluent in the Manchu and Mongol languages, he was versed in astronomy, geography and calendrical calculation. One of his works was the Jiaotong Tenggao (蕉桐幐稿).
Yongqi was versed in poetry, painting, and calligraphy. He was also skilled in horse-riding and mounted archery. His talents earned him the favour of his father, the Qianlong Emperor. In 1763 a fire broke out in the Old Summer Palace, and Yongqi carried his father on his back and brought him to safety. Two years later the Qianlong Emperor conferred Yongqi the title of "Prince Rong of the First Rank" (榮親王), making Yongqi the first of Qianlong's sons to officially receive a princely title. Besides the Chinese character "Rong" (榮) in the title literally means "glory" or "honour", which showed that the Qianlong Emperor had high hopes for Yongqi.
Yongqi died in 1766 after suffering from bone tuberculosis for several months (he was already ill when he received his princely title). He was granted the posthumous name "Chun" (純; "pure"), so his full posthumous title was extended to "Prince Rongchun of the First Rank" (榮純親王).
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