Yunxu (允禑; 24 December 1693 – 8 March 1731) was Kangxi Emperor's 15th surviving son and the first holder of Prince Yu of the Second Rank peerage. Due to his young age, Yunxu was not embroiled in the succession brawl among his brothers.
Yunxu was born on 24 December 1693 to concubine Mi, lady Wang. He had two younger brothers, Prince Zhuangke of the First Rank Yunlu and Yinxie.[1] Although his mother belonged to the Kangxi Emperor's favoured consorts, Yunxu was raised with the help of Consort De.[2] In 1708, a hand of lady Guwalgiya, daughter of Shi Wenbing and younger sister of Crown Princess, was given to Yunxu.[3]
Although Yunxu was related by marriage to Yunreng's primary consort and had been brought up together with Yinreng's children, he didn't affiliate himself with the Party of Crown Prince. In September 1711, Yunxu accompanied his father on the tour to imperial residences in Rehe. In December 1711, Yunxu accompanied Kangxi Emperor during the visit to the Eastern Qing tombs.[4] In 1715, Yunxu accompanied his father on the imperial inspection tour.[5]
He was among the princes who had reached the age of 20 (in sui) by Yongzheng Emperor's ascension to the throne. Thus, he was eligible to fight for the throne. However, Yunxu kept low profile[6] and was sent to guard Jing mausoleum in the Eastern Qing tombs.[7] In 1726, Yunxu was granted a title of Prince of the Third Rank customary for imperial sons.[8] In 1731, Yunxu was promoted to the Prince of the Second Rank under the honorific name "Yu" (愉).[9]
