Princess Ningguo

In 1364, Zhu Changning was born probably in Yingtian Fu (later Nanjing) to the then Zhu Yuanzhang (Later Hongwu Emperor) and Empress Xiaocigao.

In 1368, When Zhu Changning was 4 years old her father Zhu Yuanzhang founded the Ming dynasty and became the Hongwu Emperor and appointed her mother as Empress Xiaocigao and Zhu Yuanzhang held great respect and affection for Empress Xiaocigao, which resulted in Princess Ningguo being cherished from a young age.

In 1378, When Zhu Changning was fourteen years old, she was granted the title of Princess Ningguo and married Mei Yin, the nephew of Mei Sizu, the Marquis of Runan and this marriage produced two sons. Among the sixteen consorts in the court, Mei Yin was especially favored by Zhu Yuanzhang. At that time, Li Wenzhong held the post of Duke of Shang and was responsible for overseeing national studies, while Mei Yin served as the governor of Shandong Province. Recognizing his remarkable command of the classics and history, Zhu Yuanzhang issued an edict praising him—a commendation that earned Mei Yin the respect of all the court’s officials .{{Cite web |title=明太祖朱元璋的嫡长女—宁国公主_朱棣_梅殷_儿子 |url=https://www.sohu.com/a/606784064_121354740 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=www.sohu.com}}

In the later years of Zhu Yuanzhang’s reign, as the power of the various vassal kings increased, he discreetly assigned Mei Yin to support Emperor Jianwen. In December of the third year of Jianwen’s rule (1401), Mei Yin was ordered to guard Huai'an, a post he took very seriously by enforcing strict defensive measures.{{Cite web |title=朱元璋嫡女宁国公主简介 宁国公主驸马是谁？_后宫故事_中国历史朝代人物网 |url=https://famous.a8z8.com/hougonggushi/51529.html |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=famous.a8z8.com}}{{Cite web |title=明太祖朱元璋的嫡长女—宁国公主_朱棣_梅殷_儿子 |url=https://www.sohu.com/a/606784064_121354740 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=www.sohu.com}}{{Cite web |title=朱元璋嫡女宁国公主简介 宁国公主驸马是谁？_后宫故事_中国历史朝代人物网 |url=https://famous.a8z8.com/hougonggushi/51529.html |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=famous.a8z8.com}}

Later, he led troops to resist the attack launched by Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan. At that time, Zhu Di compelled Princess Ningguo to compose a blood letter intended to force Mei Yin’s surrender. Upon receiving the letter, Mei Yin was overcome with grief—Upon receiving word of Emperor Jianwen's death, Mei Yin was overcome with despair and had to return to Nanjing. There, he discovered that Zhu Di had ascended the throne. In an apparent attempt to conceal the true circumstances of his rise to power, Zhu Di personally left the city to greet Mei Yin. However, Mei Yin's chilly reception deeply offended him. Over time, Mei Yin's continued disregard for Zhu Di led to increasing tensions. " History of Ming Dynasty" (Volume 121): "The emperor was old and the kings were powerful. Yin was once secretly ordered to assist the crown prince. When the Yan army was approaching, Emperor Hui ordered Yin to be the general commander to garrison Huai'an. He defended carefully and issued strict orders. The Yan army defeated He Fu's army, arrested generals such as Ping An, and sent envoys to Yin to pass through, under the pretext of offering incense. Yin replied, "Offering incense is forbidden by my father. Those who do not obey are unfilial." The king was furious and wrote back, "Now I am raising troops to punish the evil around me. The will of heaven has come, and no one can stop it." Yin cut off the envoy's ears and nose and let him go, saying, "Keep your mouth to speak to His Highness about the righteousness of the monarch king and his subjects. "The was discouraged. An, the governor of Fengyang, also dismantled the floating bridge and cut off the boats to stop Yan. The Yan army crossed the Si River, went out of Tianchang, and took the road to Yangzhou. The king ascended the throne, and Yin still had troops on the Huai River. The emperor forced the princess to bite her blood and write a letter to Yin. Yin cried bitterly after receiving the letter and returned to the capital. After entering the palace, the emperor greeted her and congratulated her, saying, "You have worked hard, my husband." vain." The emperor remained silent."{{Cite web |title=明太祖朱元璋的嫡长女—宁国公主_朱棣_梅殷_儿子 |url=https://www.sohu.com/a/606784064_121354740 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=www.sohu.com}}

In 1405,Emperor Zhu Di orchestrated a plot and had the Jinyiwei drown Mei Yin, falsely claiming that he had committed suicide.{{Cite web |title=朱元璋嫡女宁国公主简介 宁国公主驸马是谁？_后宫故事_中国历史朝代人物网 |url=https://famous.a8z8.com/hougonggushi/51529.html |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=famous.a8z8.com}}{{Cite book |last=Tsai |first=Shi-shan Henry |title=Perpetual happiness: the Ming emperor Yongle |date=2001 |publisher=Univ. of Washington Press |isbn=978-0-295-98124-6 |location=Seattle}}

Someone eventually revealed the truth behind Mei Yin's death to Princess Ningguo. Overcome with grief, she rushed into the palace, grabbed Zhu Di's sleeve, and wept bitterly. To console her, Zhu Di conferred official positions upon her two sons. Shortly after her return home, Zhu Di sent her a letter clarifying that he had not been responsible for Mei Yin's death—that the true murderer had been found and brought to justice—in hopes of easing her sorrow.

Soon after this, the princess was promoted to the title of Ningguo Dachanggong (Grand Princess) .In the following years, Zhu Di further rewarded her with abundant gold and silver treasures. In the 22nd year of the Yongle reign, her title was reaffirmed. Ultimately, Princess Ningguo spent the remainder of her life, until her passing at the age of 71, devoted to safeguarding her two sons.

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Category:Ming dynasty princesses

Category:1364 births

Category:1434 deaths

Category:Daughters of emperors

Category:14th-century Chinese women

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Category:1364 births

Category:1434 deaths