Princess Changde

Princess Changde (常德公主; 1424–1470), whose personal name is not recorded, was a princess of the Ming dynasty. She was the third daughter of Emperor Xuanzong and the only daughter of Empress Xiaogongzhang of the Sun clan, making her the only full sister of Emperor Yingzong.

She was born in 1424, during the Yongle era, in Beijing. Her father, Zhu Zhanji, was then the heir apparent, known as Huang Taisun. Her great-grandfather was the Yongle Emperor, who died later that same year, and her grandfather ascended the throne as Emperor Hongxi. On June 27, 1425, at approximately one year of age, her grandfather died, and her father became Emperor Xuanzong. Her mother gained the title of Noble Consort Sun, which was elevated to Empress Sun on March 1, 1428, when she was four years old. Her father died in 1436 when she was about 11, and her younger brother succeeded him as Emperor Yingzong.

In 1436, at around 12 years of age, her mother, Empress Dowager Sun, arranged her marriage to Xue Huan, the son of Xue Lu, Marquis of Yangwu. Her husband’s mother was from the Wang clan. Upon marriage, Princess Changde received the title of "Grand Princess," and Xue Huan was appointed to the position of Commandant with the rank of fuma. Records suggest that the marriage was not an entirely harmonious one.

Following her brother’s death in 1464, her nephew Zhu Jianshen ascended the throne as Emperor Chenghua. In 1477, during Emperor Chenghua's reign, she was granted the title of "Grand Princess Imperial," which was among the highest titles bestowed on a princess during the Ming dynasty. During her nephew’s reign, her husband Xue Huan faced punishment after missing a court session; he was temporarily suspended from his official salary for six months. Princess Changde submitted a petition to her nephew, requesting the reinstatement of her husband’s stipend, citing household financial difficulties. The emperor approved her request.

Princess Changde died in 1470 at age 46. Her death was acknowledged with a one-day court suspension and a formal royal funeral and burial, officially in accordance with regulations. Her tomb has been lost to history, but in 1983, a tombstone cover bearing the inscription "Tombstone of the Grand Princess and Prince Consort Xue Huan" was recovered.

During her life, Princess Changde was involved in a notable scandal involving her husband’s alleged affair with a maid. This incident occurred during her brother’s second reign, the Tianshun era (1457–1464). The discord led her to directly approach Emperor Yingzong to complain about her husband's misconduct. The emperor ordered her husband's arrest and interrogation, resulting in a death sentence by beheading. Xue Huan was imprisoned in the Jinyiwei jail but was subsequently released after a few days.

Princess Changde was also known for her religious patronage, notably donating funds for the construction of Hongshan Temple. Situated approximately 80 li east of the county, in Dongshaoqu Village beneath Mount Fenglin, the temple was built with substantial structures and elaborate design.