Chenghu

Chenghu, the second son of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, was born to Empress Xiaoche Ren Heshili. His birth date was the 13th day of the leap twelfth month of the eighth year of Kangxi's reign. His elder brother was Crown Prince Yinrong; Chenghu was his biological brother. Chenghu died on the 5th day of the second month in the 11th year of Kangxi’s reign, at the hour of Si (around 9 a.m.), at the age of only four years old. The cause of death was recorded as an illness, and the location was Toubao.

According to the "Kangxi Court Chronicles," Emperor Kangxi referred to Chenghu’s death as “mourning deeply.” After the incident, Kangxi paid a respectful visit to the Grand Dowager Empress’s palace during the morning hour and expressed his condolences. He then carried out multiple rituals and arrangements for Chenghu’s burial, attempting to soothe the officials and imperial kin. On the seventh day of the second month, Kangxi personally visited the Grand Dowager Empress’s palace to inquire about Chenghu’s death and pay homage. He made several trips back and forth afterward, and court officials along with various princes and beile (noble ranks) petitioned the emperor to ease his grief, to which he responded. On the ninth day of the second month, he stayed at Panshi Terrace and discussed plans to remain there for several days.

Records also state that during his visits to the Grand Dowager’s palace, Kangxi maintained a composed demeanor, adhering to normal etiquette to avoid causing the Empress Dowager excessive grief. Descriptions of his emotional state use terms like “knowing” and “the feeling of knowing,” indicating the emperor’s attitude and measures taken during this event. Meanwhile, when news of Chenghu’s death arrived, Kangxi was elsewhere, residing in Chicheng Hot Spring in Hebei for health treatment due to the illness of his grandmother, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang. Despite being away, he continued to offer condolences and handle affairs in accordance with proper ritual etiquette.

Additionally, it is worth noting that Chenghu’s birthday was December 13th, coinciding with the auspicious day when Yinrong was officially conferred the title of Crown Prince. All these details are recorded in sources such as the "Four Genealogies of the Qing Imperial Family" and the "Kangxi Court Chronicles."