Princess Ningguo

Princess Ningguo, also known as the Princess of the Ning State, was born on October 10, 1364, and died on September 7, 1434. She was a princess of the Ming dynasty and the second daughter of the Hongwu Emperor, the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty, and his primary consort, Lady Ma. Her father, Zhu Yuanzhang, was a leading figure in the Red Turban Rebellion against the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty, which culminated in the establishment of the Ming dynasty and his coronation as Hongwu Emperor.

In 1378, Hongwu Emperor granted her the title of Princess Ningguo. In the same year, she was married to Mei Yin, a nephew of Mei Sizu, the Marquis of Runan. Mei Yin was esteemed by the Hongwu Emperor for his knowledge of Confucian classics and historical learning. During her marriage, she bore three sons. Mei Yin was appointed Provincial Educational Commissioner of Shandong and was involved in supporting the imperial heir, Zhu Yunwen, who became the Jianwen Emperor in 1398.

Following the death of the Hongwu Emperor in 1398, Zhu Yunwen ascended the throne. Mei Yin was tasked with defending Huai'an in December 1401, where he maintained strict military discipline. The Jianwen Emperor's policies aimed at reducing the power of the imperial princes led to the rebellion of Zhu Di, Prince of Yan, in 1399. Zhu Di defeated the Jianwen forces in April 1402 and seized Nanjing in June of that year, effectively ending the Jianwen reign and establishing himself as the Yongle Emperor.

After Zhu Di's accession, Mei Yin remained in Huai'an. The Yongle Emperor compelled Princess Ningguo to send a blood letter urging her husband to surrender. Mei Yin reacted with grief, held a funeral for the Jianwen Emperor, and later moved to Nanjing. Despite the Yongle Emperor's initial expressions of favor, Mei Yin became increasingly resentful toward the new regime, citing dissatisfaction both in words and conduct. This led to distrust, and in 1404, Mei Yin was accused of conspiracy and cursed the emperor, prompting an inquiry into his household's security measures.

In 1405, Mei Yin was ambushed while crossing Da Bridge in Nanjing. He was pushed into the river and drowned; official reports initially suggested suicide, but subsequent disclosures confirmed he was murdered. The Yongle Emperor ordered the execution of the implicated officials, confiscated their family properties, and oversaw Mei Yin’s funeral, granting him the posthumous title "Rongding."

Upon her husband's death, Princess Ningguo expressed her grief publicly, blaming the emperor for his death and lamenting her loss. The Yongle Emperor granted her official appointments for her sons and addressed her in a letter acknowledging familial bonds despite political conflicts.

Princess Ningguo’s status was elevated on December 24, 1405, when she was made a Grand Princess Ningguo. She received further honors, including gifts of currency and silk in 1417, and her title was changed to Grand Princess Imperial Ningguo in 1424. She died in 1434.