Gongshen

Lady Gongshen, named Han Guilan, was born in 1410 and died in 1483. She was a Korean national. Her family originated from Cheongju; her father was Han Yong-rim, and her mother was from the Gyeon clan of Uicheng. Her elder brother Han Jeok (1403–1456) served as a deputy minister of the Ministry of Rites. His daughter became Queen Dowager Zhaohui, the consort of King Dejong of Joseon (also known as Nil Suseo Dae Hu).

Her sister, Han Lizi, was one of the concubines of Emperor Ming Chengzu and was deeply loved.

Han Guilan was born in the eighth year of the Ming Yongle reign (1424). Her sister Han Lizi was hanged and buried with the emperor in 1450. Several years later, during the reign of Emperor Xuan of Ming, Korea sought to send consorts to the Ming court. Due to her beauty, Han Guilan was recommended by her brother Han Jeok and was then sent into the Ming palace to serve as a court lady in the inner court. She worked during the reign of Ming Xuan Zong. After his death, Korean women who had not been officially conferred titles by the emperor were sent back to Korea, but she refused to leave and chose to stay in China.

Having served nearly fifty-seven years in the Ming court, Han Guilan maintained a respectful and cautious demeanor. Later, she fell ill, and the Ming emperor sent physicians to treat her. She passed away due to illness. The court held a grand funeral for her, with the Empress Dowager and Crown Prince mourning deeply. She was posthumously given the appellation "Gongshen" (Respectful and Cautious). On the 18th day of the fifth month in the nineteenth year of the Chenghua reign (1478), Han Guilan died in Beijing at the age of seventy-four and was buried at Jinshan. Her tombstone was inscribed by Wan An, Minister of Personnel; her epitaph was written by Liu, Minister of Revenue.