From Concubine to Nun: Wu Zetian’s Early Struggles

Wu Zetian’s journey to power began in obscurity. Originally a concubine of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, she was forced into a Buddhist nunnery after his death—a common fate for imperial consorts who had not borne children. However, Wu was not one to accept a life of quiet seclusion. Even before Taizong’s death, she had strategically cultivated a relationship with his son, the future Emperor Gaozong.

Yet, her path back to the palace was fraught with obstacles. As a former consort of Taizong, re-entering the imperial harem as Gaozong’s concubine would be considered scandalous, even incestuous. Who, then, could help her overcome this barrier? The answer lay in an unlikely ally: Empress Wang, Gaozong’s primary wife.

Empress Wang: A Noblewoman’s Fatal Gamble

Empress Wang came from the illustrious Taiyuan Wang clan, one of the “Five Great Families” that dominated Tang aristocracy. These elite lineages—the Cui, Lu, Li, Zheng, and Wang clans—commanded immense prestige, and marrying into them was considered the pinnacle of social success. Empress Wang, groomed from childhood for imperial life, had been wed to Gaozong when he was still a prince.

Despite her noble birth and beauty, Empress Wang faced a critical weakness: Gaozong did not love her. Their marriage remained childless, while his favorite consort, Xiao Shufei, bore him multiple children. When Gaozong elevated Xiao’s son to the prestigious title of Prince Yong—a rank traditionally reserved for the empress’s offspring—Empress Wang saw her position crumbling. Desperate, she turned to an unconventional solution: Wu Zetian.

The Return of Wu Zetian: A Calculated Move

Hearing rumors of Gaozong’s lingering affection for Wu, Empress Wang devised a plan. By bringing Wu back to the palace, she hoped to divert Gaozong’s attention from Xiao Shufei. It was a risky gamble—one that would ultimately backfire.

Wu, now 28 and hardened by years of adversity, re-entered the palace with no official rank but a sharp understanding of court politics. She meticulously cultivated alliances with three key groups:

1. Emperor Gaozong: She transformed from the bold young concubine of Taizong’s era into a refined, attentive companion, appealing to Gaozong’s sensitive and romantic nature.
2. Empress Wang: Wu feigned gratitude, positioning herself as a loyal subordinate to the empress.
3. Palace Servants: She bribed and befriended maids, turning them into informants who reported every move of her rivals.

Within a year, Wu rose to the rank of Zhaoyi (a high-ranking consort) and bore Gaozong a son, Li Hong. The name “Li Hong” carried prophetic weight—it invoked a Daoist prophecy about a savior ushering in peace, signaling Wu’s ambitions extended far beyond the harem.

The Fall of Empress Wang and Xiao Shufei

Wu’s ascent shattered the fragile alliance between Empress Wang and Xiao Shufei. Realizing their shared enemy, the two women united against Wu, but it was too late. Wu’s intelligence network and Gaozong’s growing attachment rendered their efforts futile.

Wu’s victory was not just political but psychological. Unlike Xiao Shufei, whose fiery temperament mirrored Wu’s younger self, Wu had mastered the art of calculated restraint. She embodied both the passion Gaozong craved and the maturity he respected—a combination Xiao could not match.

Legacy: The Making of China’s Only Female Emperor

Wu Zetian’s rise marked a turning point in Tang history. Her manipulation of court factions, strategic motherhood, and understanding of Gaozong’s psyche laid the groundwork for her eventual reign as emperor—a title no woman had held before.

Empress Wang’s fatal miscalculation underscores the perilous nature of Tang court politics: in seeking to eliminate one rival, she unleashed a far greater threat. Wu’s story remains a testament to ambition, adaptability, and the ruthless pragmatism required to survive—and dominate—in imperial China.

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