Consort Zhou

Consort Zhou was born around the 14th century, with her exact birth and death dates unknown. She was a member of the imperial harem of Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang. According to the *Ming Shi* (History of Ming), she was the mother of Prince Min and Prince Han. Based on evidence, on March 22, in the 12th year of Hongwu (1379), Zhu Pian was born; her mother's identity is not recorded. The *Ming Shilu* (Veritable Records of the Ming) states that on May 23, in the 13th year of Hongwu (1380), Han Xian Wang Zhu Song was born, and his mother was "Consort Zhou." The *Mingshan Zang* and the *Yanshan Tang Biejiji* also indicate that the mother of Prince Min was "Consort Zhou" or "Lady Zhou." According to the *Tianhuang Yudie* (Catalogue of the Heavenly Stream), the mothers of Prince Min Zhu Pian and Prince Han Zhu Song are different, possibly not the same person. Little is known about Consort Zhou; her death and its cause remain unclear. Historian Zha Jizuo from the late Ming and early Qing period mentions in the *Zui Wei Lu* (Record of Censures) that after Prince Min’s mother died, "her whereabouts were unknown." Additionally, some historical records suggest that before Prince Min was assigned to his fiefdom, he intended to desecrate the Tomb of the Grand Ancestor to express regret and resentment over his mother’s death, though the authenticity of this is doubtful. Regarding Consort Zhou's identity, some sources suggest she may have been a woman surnamed Zhou from Xian'an District, Jinju, Gyeongsang-do, Goryeo (Korea). The *Joseon Wangjo Sillok* (Annals of the Joseon Dynasty) record that the daughter of Zhou Yingzan entered the Ming imperial court as a court lady and was favored. The *Goryeo-sa* (History of Goryeo) notes that on December 20, in the fifth year of the Hongwu Emperor (1372), Zhu Yuanzhang inquired about a woman surnamed Zhou, stating she was sent into the Ming palace from Yuan, and was favored by the emperor. In July of the sixth year of Hongwu (1373), King Gongmin of Goryeo sent Zhou Yingzan to Beijing to celebrate festivals, presenting horses and donkeys. Records mention that Zhou Yingzan’s daughter was taken by the Yuan Dynasty into the Ming palace and, after being seized by Ming soldiers, was eventually selected to enter the palace and became favored by the emperor. He was killed in an accident while traveling in November of that year. Some scholars believe that Zhou Yingzan’s daughter was the mother of both Prince Min and Prince Han, that is, Consort Zhou.