Hongxi

Hongxi (Chinese: 弘晳; 25 August 1694 – 26 October 1742) was a Qing imperial prince, the second son of Crown Prince Yunreng and grandson of the Kangxi Emperor. His mother was Lady Ligiya, who was Yunreng's secondary consort.

Born on July 25, 1694, Hongxi was raised under the auspices of his grandfather, the Kangxi Emperor. He was adopted by Imperial Princess Consort Limi of the Gūwalgiya clan. In 1714, envoys from King Sukjong of Joseon reported on Hongxi, noting his virtuous character and asserting that it was difficult to displace Yunreng.

Hongxi was considered a favored figure by the Kangxi Emperor. In 1722, rumors circulated within the palace that he might be granted a special princely title. Following the ascendancy of his uncle Yinzhen as the Yongzheng Emperor, Hongxi received the title of Prince Li. He held the title Prince Li of the Second Rank from 1723 until 1728, when he was promoted to Prince Li of the First Rank in that year. The relationship between Hongxi and Yongzheng was reported to be harmonious.

In 1739, Hongxi organized an unsuccessful coup d'etat against the Qianlong Emperor. The conspiracy involved five other princes: Hongsheng, Hongpu, Hongchang, Hongjiao, and Yunlu. As a consequence of the failed coup, Hongxi was stripped of his noble titles, expelled from the Aisin Gioro clan, and imprisoned at the Eastern Garden near Jingshan Park. During this period, he was compelled to change his name to Syšilio, a Manchu transliteration of the Chinese word Sìshíliù (四十六), meaning "forty-six," a number referencing his age at the time of the rebellion. This naming was used by Qianlong as a means of humiliation.

Later, in 1778, Hongxi was restored to the Aisin Gioro clan, and his name was changed back from Syšilio to Hongxi.

Family details include his biological father, Yunreng, Prince Limi of the First Rank, and his mother from the Ligiya clan. His adoptive mother was Imperial Princess Consort Limi of the Gūwalgiya clan. Hongxi was married to a primary consort from the Kharchin Ulanghan clan. His children included his sons Yongchen, Yonglin, Yongmei, Yongshao, Yonghuai, Yongxun, Yongju, Yongtian, Yongji, Yongjin, Yongting, Yongguan, Yongpei, and others, along with several daughters. His progeny held various ranks and married into different clans, such as the Gorlosi and Naiman Borjigin clans.

References used for this biography include historical records of the Qing dynasty, royal and noble rank systems, and specific accounts of the Coup of Hongxi.