Daily Life of the Seventh Prince in Qing Dynasty

The story begins in the eleventh year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, where Empress Fucha gives birth to a seventh son named Yongcong on Buddha's Birthday, an event accompanied by auspicious omens of rain after a long drought. The newborn is revealed to be the reincarnation of Ye Cong, a modern orphan who died after falling from a cliff in Yunnan. Upon regaining his memories, Yongcong realizes he has returned to his first life as the historical Prince Yongcong, who originally died of smallpox at the age of two. His mother, the Empress, also suffered a tragic fate in the original timeline, dying young after the deaths of her children. Determined to change their destiny, Yongcong resolves to survive past the critical age of two and secure his position to protect his family.

Yongcong discovers that history has already diverged; his elder brother, the Crown Prince Yonglian, is alive and healthy. Yonglian had previously altered the timeline by developing a cowpox vaccination method, which saved countless lives and secured his status as the heir apparent. Realizing that Yongcong is still at risk of dying from smallpox before the vaccine can be administered to infants, Yonglian takes immediate and drastic measures to ensure his younger brother's survival. He increases the palace guards and threatens severe punishment for anyone who harms the Seventh Prince, effectively creating a protective barrier around the infant.

The birth of Yongcong stirs tension within the imperial court and the harem. The Empress, now more assertive than in the original timeline, handles internal conflicts with authority, such as confining Consort Xian for three days after a dispute involving her nephew. This incident highlights the shifting power dynamics, as the Empress refuses to be the passive, virtuous figure of history. Meanwhile, the Eldest Prince Yonghuang, who lacks a legitimate son and feels overshadowed by his brother Yonglian, grows increasingly resentful and volatile, straining his relationship with his consort.

As Yongcong grows, he becomes the center of attention and affection. The Qianlong Emperor dotes on him excessively, bringing him to court sessions and praising his intelligence. This favoritism is noted by the court officials, who begin to compete for the Emperor's favor by composing congratulatory essays praising the Seventh Prince's auspicious birth and divine grace. These actions solidify Yongcong's position as a favored legitimate heir, further unsettling the factions opposed to the Empress's lineage.

The narrative follows Yongcong's early childhood as he navigates the complex web of palace politics with the support of his doting father, his protective elder brother, and his increasingly formidable mother. The story establishes a warm yet politically charged atmosphere, where Yongcong's primary goal is to survive and ensure the happiness of his family, while external forces scheme to undermine their unity. The divergence from historical records continues to create new alliances and conflicts, setting the stage for Yongcong's rise within the imperial hierarchy.