Yongqi

Yongqi (23 March 1741 – 16 April 1766), courtesy name Junting, art name Tengqin Jushi, was a Manchu prince of the Qing dynasty and a member of the Aisin Gioro clan. He was the fifth son of the Qianlong Emperor. His mother was Noble Consort Yu, who belonged to the Mongol Keliyete clan.

Born in 1741, Yongqi demonstrated early diligence and studiousness. He regularly was among the first princes to attend royal studies and maintained a close relationship with his younger brother, Yongyan. Yongqi possessed linguistic talents in both Manchu and Mongol languages and had knowledge of astronomy, geography, and calendrical calculations. One of his literary works is the *Jiaotong Tenggao*. Additionally, Yongqi was skilled in poetry, painting, calligraphy, horse-riding, and mounted archery.

In 1763, Yongqi distinguished himself during a fire at the Old Summer Palace by carrying his father to safety on his back. Two years later, he was awarded the title "Prince Rong of the First Rank," with the character "Rong" (榮) symbolizing "glory" or "honour," reflecting the high regard the emperor held for him.

Yongqi's health was compromised by bone tuberculosis, which he suffered from for several months leading to his death in 1766 at the age of 25. He was posthumously honored with the name "Chun" (純), resulting in his full posthumous title being "Prince Rongchun of the First Rank" (榮純親王).

Yongqi was buried alongside Yonghuang, the eldest son of the Qianlong Emperor, in a tomb located in the northern part of eastern Beijing near Bulaotun Town. The tomb, sometimes called the "Crown Prince Tomb," was demolished in 1958 for the construction of the Miyun Reservoir, with its contents transferred to the Capital Museum.

His residence, situated in what is now Beijing near Xuanwu Gate, later became the home of Prince Chun. Part of Yongqi's former dwelling area is situated southwest of present-day Beijing, near Taiping Lake.

Though his mother was not among the highest-ranked consorts, Yongqi was granted a princely title and was considered by the emperor as a potential heir. The emperor appeared to favor him, and in 1793, he expressed to British envoy George Macartney that he regarded Yongqi highly due to his talents, lamenting his early death.

Yongqi’s familial relationships included his primary consort, of the Sirin Gioro clan, and secondary consorts from the Socoro clan, with whom he had several children, including his first son, who was born and died in 1765, and his fifth son, Mianyi, who was created Prince Rongke of the Second Rank.

Yongqi has been depicted in various television series, including *My Fair Princess* (1998), *My Fair Princess III* (2003), *New My Fair Princess* (2011), *Story of Yanxi Palace* (2018), and *Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace* (2018).