Cheng Mu

Noble Consort Chengmu, of the Sun clan, was born in 1343 and died in 1374. Her personal name was not recorded in historical texts. She was an imperial consort of the Ming dynasty, serving as a concubine to Zhu Yuanzhang, who later became the Hongwu Emperor, the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty.

Her father was Sun Heqing, an official of the Yuan dynasty. Sun Heqing relocated from Chen Prefecture to Changzhou with his wife and children. Both of her parents died during the late Yuan dynasty amidst wartime conflicts. Following their deaths, Lady Sun was adopted by Marshal Ma Shixiong.

At age 18, due to her notable beauty, Lady Sun was accepted as a concubine by Zhu Yuanzhang, who was then engaged in the Red Turban Rebellions. In 1360, she gave birth to Zhu Yuanzhang's first daughter, Zhu Jingjing. Six years later, in 1366, she delivered his sixth daughter, Zhu Funing.

After Zhu Yuanzhang ascended the throne and founded the Ming dynasty in 1368, Lady Sun was granted the rank of Noble Consort (貴妃). She later bore two additional daughters, who did not survive to adulthood.

In addition to her beauty, Noble Consort Chengmu was noted for her proper etiquette and conduct. She assisted Empress Ma in managing the imperial harem. Empress Ma praised her as a rare virtuous woman.

Noble Consort Sun died in the seventh year of Hongwu's reign, in the ninth month of 1374, at the age of thirty-two. Posthumously, she was awarded the title Noble Consort Chengmu (成穆貴妃). She was interred at Xiaoling Mausoleum.

Her titles throughout her life included:

- During the reign of Emperor Shun of Yuan (1333–1368):

- Lady Sun (孫氏), starting from 1343.

- Concubine (from 1360).

- During the reign of the Hongwu Emperor (1368–1398):

- Noble Consort (貴妃) starting from 1368.

- Noble Consort Chengmu (成穆貴妃) from 1374.

Her children included:

- As Concubine:

- Princess Lin'an (臨安公主), personal name Jingjing (鏡靜), born 1360, died 1421; she was the Hongwu Emperor's first daughter.

- Princess Huaiqing (懷慶公主), personal name Funing, born 1366, died 1425; she was the Hongwu Emperor's sixth daughter.

- As Noble Consort:

- The tenth daughter of the Hongwu Emperor.

- The thirteenth daughter of the Hongwu Emperor.

References include the "Ming Shi" (History of Ming), Volume 114, Section on Biographies.