Princess Rongchang

Princess Rongchang (1582–1647) was a Chinese princess, the eldest child of the Ming dynasty Wanli Emperor and the only child of Empress Xiaoduanxian.

Biography

In 1596, Zhu Xuanying was given the title of Princess Rongchang. In May of the same year, she married Yang Chunyuan,¹ for which Yang was granted a command by the Wanli Emperor.² Their first son Guangkui was born in 1600.

Princess Rongchang's family remained closely connected to the imperial house, as shown by the appointment in 1608 of her eldest son to the Jinyiwei.³ In addition, the Ming Shilu note that she attended court to participate in ceremonies and rituals alongside her siblings, Princess Shouning, the King of Gui, and the King of Rui, right up until 1620.⁴

In May 1621, Princess Rongchang's nephew, the Tianqi Emperor, conferred honours upon his paternal aunts and uncles. Princess Rongchang was given the title Princess Supreme Rongchang (Chinese: 大長公主榮昌; pinyin: Dàzhǎng gōngzhǔ róngchāng).⁵⁶

Husband's penalisation

In 1604, Princess Rongchang quarrelled with her husband. The Wanli Emperor was angered on his daughter's behalf and issued an imperial edict, scolding his son-in-law.⁷ In response, Yang abandoned his command and travelled in a small, two-person back to the town of his parents in modern-day . Incensed, the expelled Yang's father from office and sent members of the to bring Yang back to , with the intention of compelling Yang to fulfil his duty as husband to Princess Rongchang. Before he was caught, however, Yang returned voluntarily to the capital and professed repentance. As punishment, Yang was sent to the to be lectured on for 100 days. Only after he had studied diligently was his father's official position to be restored.