Zhu Youyuan

Zhu Youyuan (Chinese: 朱祐杬) (22 July 1476 – 13 July 1519), a prince of the Ming dynasty of China. He was the fourth son of the Chenghua Emperor.

Created Prince Xian (Chinese: 獻) of Xing (Chinese: 興), his fief was near today's Zhongxiang, in Hubei Province. He and his wife were posthumously honored by his son after he became the Jiajing Emperor in 1521.

Burial place

His tomb originally was an ordinary prince's tomb which located at Songlin Mount (松林山), Zhongxiang, Hubei Province. The tomb was rebuilt in 1519, until 1521. His son Jiajing Emperor enthroned, Jiajing against the ministers for his posthumously title. Later, he was posthumously honored as "Emperor Xingxian" (興獻帝), then his tomb rebuilt as emperor's style and renamed as "Xianling" (顯陵).

Worship imperial ancestral temple

Originally, ministers against Jiajing Emperor for worship imperial temple for Zhu Youyuan. Then, Jiajing had to set up another temple for him and named as "shimiao" (世廟), then renamed as "Temple of Emperor Xian" in 1536. Two years later, the temple restyled as imperial ancestral temple, and Jiajing honored Zhu Youyuan with the temple name "Ruizong". At that time, Jiajing had relocated the temple with Hongzhi Emperor's temple, due to they were brothers.

After the temple was rebuilt, Jiajing had veto for let Zhu Youyuan shared the sam temple with Hongzhi, and relocated the temple at the above of Zhengde Emperor's temple. At this point, Jiajing had finally posthumously honored Zhu Youyuan as emperor and finished the worship.

During the reign of Wanli Emperor to Tianqi Emperor, ministers had requested to remove Zhu Youyuan's temple, but still got veto.

Zhu Youyuan's imperial made epitaph of Prince Xian of Xing

The original text:

王讳祐杬，乃宪宗纯皇帝之第二子，母邵氏。成化十二年七月初二日生，成化二十三年七月十一日封为兴王，弘治七年九月十八日之国湖广安陆州，正德十四年六月十七日以疾薨，享年四十四岁。妃蒋氏，中兵马指挥蒋敩之女。子一人，女二人。讣闻，上辍视朝三日，遣官赐祭，乃命有司治丧如制。慈寿皇太后、宪庙皇妃及文武衙门皆致祭焉。于正德十五年四月初三日，葬于松林山之原。呜呼！惟王宗室至亲，享有大国，仁厚恭慎，人无闲言，夫何一疾，遽至不起，岂非命耶！爰述其概，纳诸幽宫，用垂不朽云。

Approximately translate:

The prince name Youyuan, was 2nd son (actually was 4th son) of Emperor Xianzong Chun (Chenghua Emperor), his mother was Lady Shao (Empress Xiaohui). He was born on 2nd day, 7th month in 12th year of Chenghua's reign, bestowed as Prince of Xing 11th day, 7th month in 23rd year of Chenghua's reign, and took the fief as Prince on 18th day, 9th month of 7th year Hongzhi's reign, which was located at Anlu, Huguang, he died illness on 17th day, 6th month of 14th year of Zhengde's reign, when he was 44. His consort is Lady Jiang, who was daughter of Jiang Xiao, a military commander. They had a son and 2 daughters (living children). When the emperor got the obituaries, he has ceases pilgrimage for three days, send officers to granted worship.

• Parents:
  • Zhu Jianshen, the Chenghua Emperor (憲宗 朱見深; 9 December 1447 – 9 September 1487)
  • Empress Xiaohui, of the Shao clan (孝惠皇后 邵氏; d. 1522)
• Consorts and Issue:
  • Empress Cixiaoxian, of the Jiang clan (慈孝獻皇后 蔣氏; d. 1538)
    • Zhu Houxi, Prince Yuehuai (岳懷王 朱厚熙; 7 July 1500 – 12 July 1500), first son
    • Princess Changning (長寧公主; 26 November 1501 – 16 April 1504), first daughter
    • Princess Yongfu (永福公主; 20 May 1506 – 20 June 1525)
      • Married Wu Jinghe (鄔景和; 1508–1568) in 1523
    • Zhu Houcong, the Jiajing Emperor (世宗 朱厚熜; 16 September 1507 – 23 January 1567), second son
    • Princess Yongchun (永淳公主; 2 October 1511 – 1540)
      • Married Xie Zhao (謝詔; 1512–1567) in 1527, and had issue (one son)
  • Consort Wenjingshu, of the Wang clan (溫靜淑妃 王氏; d. 1532)
    • Princess Shanhua (善化公主; 21 July 1503 – 15 May 1512), second daughter