Princess Chongning

Princess Chongning (Chinese: 崇寧公主) was a member of the Ming dynasty royal family, born in the late 14th century. Her personal name remains unknown. She was the third daughter of the Hongwu Emperor, the founder of the Ming dynasty, whose birth year is uncertain but is estimated to be between 1364 and 1367 based on contemporary princesses such as Princess Ningguo (born 1364) and Princess Huaiqing (born 1367). Her mother’s identity has not been recorded in historical texts.

The Hongwu Emperor, whose birth name was Zhu Yuanzhang, was a prominent leader of the Red Turban Rebellion during the 1360s. From his base in Nanjing, Zhu Yuanzhang led military campaigns against the Yuan dynasty, which was occupying China at the time. His efforts resulted in the overthrow of the Yuan regime, the establishment of the Ming dynasty in 1368, and his ascension to the throne as the first Ming emperor.

On November 9, 1384, during the 11th lunar month of the lunar calendar, the Hongwu Emperor conferred upon her the title “Princess Chongning.” Around the same time, she was married to Niu Cheng, a military commander-in-chief. Shortly after their marriage, Niu Cheng was convicted of an unspecified crime and sentenced to exile at the Jinchi Garrison in Yunnan. Although the princess was not officially required to travel with her husband, she chose to accompany him on his exile journey.

During their transfer to Yunnan, Princess Chongning died. The precise date of her death is not recorded, but it occurred after their departure in 1384. Upon hearing of her death, the Hongwu Emperor ordered Niu Cheng’s execution at Jinchiwei, the command garrison in Yunnan, further emphasizing the severity of his punishment.

The historical records focus primarily on her familial connections and the circumstances surrounding her death, with no additional details about her personal life, education, or activities. Her life is documented mainly through official chronicles and imperial records that address her marriage, her death, and the imperial response to her passing.

References to her can be found in historical texts that detail the early Ming imperial family and the political decisions of the Hongwu Emperor. However, there is limited information available beyond her familial and marital status and the events following her death.

[Note: This biography is compiled based on available historical records up to the late 14th century, with no additional sources indicating further information about her life or activities.]