Lin Zhi Palace, also known as the Western Palace, is located to the west of Qing Ning Palace in the Shenyang Imperial Palace. It was constructed during the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Qing Dynasty, specifically between 1627 and 1635, during the Tiancong era. In the first year of the Chongde era (1636), it was officially named Lin Zhi and served as the residence of Emperor Taizong’s imperial concubine, Nalmu Zhong.
Nalmu Zhong, born of the Borjigit clan, was the daughter of the Mongolian Abag Banner King, E’erjig Nuoyan. She was originally the Dowager Queen of the Chahar Mongols under the rule of Ligdan Khan, known as ‘Duola Da Fue.’ In the ninth year of the Tiancong era (1635) after, Ligdan Khan’s death and the dispersion of his followers in the vast grasslands of Qinghai, the Dowager Queen led her people to surrender to the Later Jin, and was subsequently incorporated into the imperial harem by Huang Taiji. In the first year of the Chongde era (1636), when Huang Taiji conferred titles upon his consorts, Nalmu Zhong, due to her esteemed status, was honored as the Western Palace Imperial Concubine and resided in Lin Zhi Palace. At the time of her marriage, Nalmu Zhong had raised a Mongolian daughter who later married Garma, the son of De Senji Wang. In the first year of the Chongde era, the imperial concubine gave birth to the eleventh princess. In the sixth year of the Chongde era, she bore the eleventh prince, who later became known as Prince Bo Mubogu. The inner chamber of Lin Zhi Palace served as a space for daily living, grooming, and rest, while the outer chamber was used for entertaining guests, dining, and Buddhist rituals. The qilin, a mythical benevolent creature, is referenced in the ‘Book of Songs,’ specifically in the ‘Zhou Nan’ section with the title ‘Qi Lin Zhi’: ‘Qi Lin Zhi, the noble son is vigorous, how admirable is the qilin. ‘ Subsequently, ‘Lin Zhi’ has been used as a metaphor for individuals of benevolence and wisdom.
