Zhu Wengui

Zhu Wengui was born in 1401 and died in 1457. He was the legitimate second son of Emperor Jianwen of the Ming Dynasty, his mother was Empress Ma, and his older brother was Zhu Wenkui. Historically, he is referred to as "Jian's Commoner." His uncle Zhu Yun Teng was called "Wu's Commoner."

In 1402, Ming Chengzu (Emperor Yongle) launched the Jingnian Campaign, conquering Nanjing and ending the three-year conflict in Jianning Prefecture. During the conquest of Nanjing, Emperor Jianwen Zhu Yunwen and his brother Zhu Wenkui disappeared, and Empress Ma perished by suicide. The two-year-old Zhu Wengui was confined in Guang'an Palace in Fengyang, located in Central Capital (Zhongdu).

In 1457, after Emperor Yingzong of Ming was restored to the throne following the coup known as the "Gate Locking Rebellion," Zhu Wengui was released. Emperor Yingzong was moved by the plight of the imprisoned Jian's commoner and advocated for his release. He ordered the construction of a house for him in Fengyang, allowed him to come and go freely, granted him marriage, and assigned people to care for him. This act was regarded as one of Yingzong's virtuous policies.

During this period, Zhu Wengui had contracted an illness and was unable to adapt to the outside world, ultimately passing away. Subsequently, the family members and descendants of "Jian's Commoner" were mentioned multiple times in Ming dynasty records. Some were posthumously awarded titles such as King of Yuanhuai and King of Runhuai. Zhu Wengui's father was Emperor Jianwen Zhu Yunwen, his mother was Empress Ma, and his older brother was Zhu Wenkui. Details about his children are not known.