Wu Zetian

Wu Zetian
Author: Huang Quan Wu Zetian can be considered the only woman in Chinese history to truly become emperor, establish a dynasty, and found a foothold.
She was not only exceptionally intelligent, but also insightful, decisive, shrewd, politically astute, and adept at recognizing talent; she also possessed a love for talent. More importantly, she had a spirit of not hesitating to pay any price to achieve her goals.
According to the rules of the Tang Dynasty imperial family, the emperor had one empress, four concubines, nine Zhaoyi, nine Jieyu, four Meiren, five Cairen, and three classes of lower-ranking palace maids, each class consisting of twenty-seven women. All of these were collectively known as the beauties of the harem, and all could receive the emperor's favor, which meant sleeping with him (a passerby exclaimed, "Wow!").
Wu Zetian's childhood name, "Meiniang," was given to her by Emperor Taizong. When Taizong first saw her (her father, Wu Shihu, had accompanied him on a military expedition), he selected her for the palace. This wasn't because of Meiniang's beauty (though it was undeniably striking), but rather because it would be an honor for her father, a great favor and reward.
Meiniang was capable, responsible, and clear-headed. She was naturally very competent in managing Emperor Taizong's wardrobe. However, Meiniang's ambition didn't stop there; she often lamented that her talents were being wasted. From the age of fourteen until twenty-seven, Meiniang remained a sixth-rank concubine. Her ability and ambition, coupled with her failure to rise to a higher rank, left her constantly frustrated.
In fact, Emperor Taizong didn't favor women who were intelligent and decisive; he preferred women who were gentle and compliant. Emperor Taizong had long recognized Wu Zetian's self-awareness, foresight, and skillful governance, and he also felt that such a woman was somewhat formidable. Therefore, Emperor Taizong not only did not favor her, but also kept a close watch on her every move.
Once, Emperor Taizong was chatting with Meiniang when he said, "Someone presented me with a precious steed named Lion's Wise, but this horse is too fierce and difficult to control."
Unexpectedly, Meiniang said to Emperor Taizong, "I can subdue it?!"
Emperor Taizong was skeptical and laughed, saying, "Many strong young warriors cannot easily approach it. You are a weak woman, how can you subdue it?"
Meiniang replied seriously, seemingly innocently, "I only need three things to subdue it; first, I need a whip; second, I need an iron hammer; third, I need a sharp dagger."
Meiniang stared wide-eyed and said, "If it becomes fierce, I will first whip it; if that doesn't work, I will hit it on the head with the iron hammer; if hitting its head still doesn't work, I will cut its throat with the dagger; then, how could it not be tamed?"
At that time, Emperor Taizong greatly admired Meiniang's courage and boldness, as well as her almost naive tone, but he was also secretly alarmed. Emperor Taizong, curious, sent Wu Zetian to try and tame the horse, wanting to see if she could truly succeed. He had
many skilled archers stationed outside the hunting grounds, in case of an emergency to subdue the horse and protect the riders. Wu Zetian, armed with her so-called "three treasures," confronted the wild horse in the arena. Amidst a cloud of dust, neighing horses, and shouts, the magnificent steed was finally crippled by the disheveled and disheveled Wu Zetian.
This demonstrates that Wu Zetian was a woman of extraordinary intelligence, a calm mind, and boundless ambition. Although she had no interest in literature or art and only received a basic education, she was very interested in palace affairs, seemed quite knowledgeable about the routines of court, and was well-versed in the surrounding circumstances.
With her brilliant and capable talents, Wu Zetian certainly had the potential to wield power, but Emperor Taizong's reign made it unfortunate for her to seize control. To Emperor Taizong, she was merely a concubine; what he truly favored were women with fair skin and graceful figures, charming and alluring, but not necessarily capable and sophisticated. Thus, Meiniang was forced to live a life of constraint and restriction.
However, Meiniang was remarkably calm and collected, never revealing her frustrations. She reasoned that since she was not favored by the old king, she should seek another path, focusing her attention on the Crown Prince. After the old king's death, the Crown Prince would naturally ascend the throne and inherit the throne. If Meiniang could cultivate a relationship with the Crown Prince, she could also ascend to the path of becoming an empress.
Meiniang had already carefully assessed the Crown Prince. He was a twenty-two-year-old young man who had previously played with several palace maids. He was weak-willed, capricious, sentimental, averse to exercise, easily infatuated with beautiful women, and insatiably lustful. Meiniang was confident she could manipulate him completely.
In the palace, the Crown Prince often saw Meiniang. Although young, Mei Niang, while not possessing a voluptuous or alluring figure, was nonetheless robust and graceful. She was extremely meticulous about court makeup and hairstyles, never neglecting them.
What the Crown Prince admired in Mei Niang was precisely her robust physique, composure, and quick wit, which he himself lacked, especially her vibrant spirit. However, the Crown Prince, needing to maintain a dignified and reserved demeanor before his father, the King, found his desire to plead for her even more difficult to suppress. Moreover, Mei Niang would often catch a glimpse of him from afar in the corridors, the main hall, or the garden; or offer a knowing smile, leaving the Crown Prince restless and unable to eat or sleep.
Whether it was a seemingly unintentional touch or a playful, stolen kiss, once this mature and voluptuous woman began to flirt with the soft-hearted, youthful Crown Prince, his fate was sealed.
Mei Niang's conversations with the Crown Prince were often filled with double meanings and implied messages. For example, Mei Niang said she longed for the Crown Prince's special "favor" and that she would do her utmost to "treat" him well... and so on.
In the palace, words like "dedication," "favor," and "loyalty," when uttered by a young woman seeking love, carried a hidden meaning and ulterior motive. Day after day, the Crown Prince, bewitched, grew increasingly bold. Thus, behind the old king's back, the Crown Prince and this extraordinary palace maid, under careful precautions, began to embrace and flirt freely.
※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ Just two months before Emperor Taizong's death, Emperor Taizong was bedridden with illness, which led the Crown Prince and Mei Niang to tacitly agree that this was a good opportunity. Like dry tinder igniting a raging fire, they became entangled in a passionate affair in Mei Niang's palace.
The long-suppressed emotions, finally fulfilled, caused the Crown Prince's hands to tremble violently as he undressed Mei Niang. Mei Niang, too, was overwhelmed with mixed feelings, thinking, "Thirteen years have passed since I entered the palace. Emperor Taizong, due to his prejudice against me, has never favored me. This is truly the first time I've had physical intimacy with a man..."
Mei Niang was thrilled to have finally taken her first step towards success; the only flaw, however, was her incestuous affair with the Crown Prince. Knowing this, Mei Niang knew there was no going back. Even if the future was a thorny path of no return, she would find a way to push forward... "Mmm!" The Crown Prince's hot lips pressed against Mei Niang's, his masculine scent arousing her desire and interrupting her thoughts.
Mei Niang then came to her senses, only to find that she and the Crown Prince were now naked and embracing each other. The Crown Prince's tongue, as if an experienced horse knew its way, skillfully slipped into Mei Niang's mouth, exploring her soft tongue and engaging in a passionate struggle. The Crown Prince's chest, not particularly muscular, with its delicate skin, pressed against and rubbed against Mei Niang's full, round breasts.
He, consumed by lust, disregarded propriety; she, sacrificing her body, sought something else. Regardless of their individual thoughts, the palace was undeniably warming up.
Like a master flirt, the Crown Prince's lips and tongue roamed over Mei Niang's ears, shoulders, and neck, gently biting, sucking, and licking, effectively arousing her. Mei Niang seemed unable to bear the tingling sensation, her whole body trembling, biting her lower lip, yet unable to suppress the moans mingling with her breath. A strange, unprecedented feeling made Mei Niang's heart race and her face flush. She was somewhat at a loss, but her natural feminine instincts caused her to involuntarily twist her body.
A natural physiological response, even for someone as masculine as Mei Niang, would transform her into a true woman under the seduction of a man. The pink buds on Mei Niang's full breasts gradually hardened and became engorged, proudly erect; the flowing love juices soaked her entire vulva, making the base of her joined legs slippery and sticky.
"Ah!" When the prince's lips clamped around her hardened nipples, Mei Niang finally couldn't help but moan, her strength seemingly vanishing with the sound, her chest collapsing against the prince's face as if utterly exhausted. The prince leaned down, Mei Niang's breasts pressing against his lips without leaving them. The full breasts and the faint scent of milk almost suffocated the prince, but he couldn't bear to turn his face away, instead burying his head deep between the peaks, breathing warm air into them.
Mei Niang's prone body and the supine Crown Prince formed a "V" shape. The Crown Prince's left hand, pressed down, was positioned directly beneath Mei Niang's vulva. With a slight bend of his finger, he easily manipulated her wet, tender labia. His right hand guided Mei Niang's left hand, grasping his erect, eagerly awaiting penis. The moment Mei Niang's fingers touched his penis, she flinched shyly, then gently held it, daring not to move. Mei Niang felt the Crown Prince's penis was hard and hot, like holding a steel bar being tempered; waves of heat transmitted to her palm as she trembled.
Although the Crown Prince was weak and impotent, he had a knack for arousing women. While licking and sucking Mei Niang's breasts, his fingers skillfully scratched and prodded her labia, pressing and kneading the soft clitoris along the crevices. Mei Niang closed her eyes, tilted her head back, thrust her chest out, and twisted her hips,
her lips slightly parted as she moaned "Mmm, Ahh," appearing both wanton and intoxicated. Suddenly, the Crown Prince flipped over, pinning Mei Niang down. He spread her legs apart, his erect penis aimed directly at her wet vulva. With a slight thrust of his hips, the red glans rubbed against the crevice of her plump labia. As if an electric current surged through her lower body, Mei Niang trembled again. Beads of sweat glistened on her forehead and nose, and her dry mouth made her moans sound hoarse, sexy, and alluring.
The Crown Prince lowered his head to Mei Niang's ear, his soft tongue probing her earlobe; he bent his knees, spreading Mei Niang's legs to their limit, almost completely opening her honeyed orifice. The prince, panting heavily, murmured, "...Meiniang...I love you?
...I want you?... " as he guided his penis towards the entrance.
"Ah!" A sharp pain from her lower body brought tears to Meiniang's eyes. She bit her lower lip, letting out a soft moan of pain. The prince's gentle voice asked, "...Meiniang...does it hurt...?"
Her defiant nature made Meiniang grit her teeth and shake her head. Meiniang's heart cried out, "Meiniang!
Meiniang! If you can't even bear this little pain, how will you go on in the future?" Meiniang's hands, pressing against her legs, tightened their grip, her long nails almost digging into her flesh.
The prince thrust in inch by inch, feeling that Meiniang was different from other women. Although both were virgins, Meiniang's vagina was much more mature, like a ripe fruit, sweet and juicy, without any trace of immaturity. The prince's penis squeezed through the narrow opening, as if suddenly finding itself in a bright and open space. The warm, soft, and tightly enveloping sensation stirred a mix of emotion within him, both moved and aroused. Before reaching the very end, the prince withdrew, making shallow thrusting movements, attempting to alleviate Mei Niang's pain.
The prince's gentle movements did indeed relax Mei Niang considerably. Whether it was gratitude and love in her heart, or physical adaptation, Mei Niang's tense and stiff muscles gradually relaxed and softened, and the stinging pain slowly subsided, replaced by waves of tingling pleasure emanating from deep within her vagina—the corner the prince had not yet reached.
Mei Niang's trembling hand caressed the prince's back, and she gently twisted her hips. Sensing that Mei Niang's suffering was about to end, the Crown Prince suddenly thrust into her, plunging all the way in. "Ah!" Both of them exhaled simultaneously, their sounds filled with satisfaction, pleasure, and passion...
Mei Niang's wet, tight vagina made the Crown Prince's lust surge unbearably. He forgot about gentle care and began to thrust faster. Mei Niang trembled and vibrated as if a single movement had affected her entire body, especially her high, firm breasts, which undulated like full water balloons.
As the Crown Prince thrust faster and faster, Mei Niang's moans became more frequent and higher-pitched, until they were almost continuous, her voice hoarse and exhausted.
In his rapid breathing, the Crown Prince suddenly cried out intermittently, "...Ah...Mei Niang...I...came...ah...so...good..." As he spoke, streams of hot semen shot out with each thrust.
Mei Niang felt a sudden surge of heat in her womb, pushing her pleasure to another level. Her mouth opened and closed as if a fish out of water, her mind blank, lost in a blissful, intoxicating trance…
※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ That day, Mei Niang served Emperor Taizong medicine at his bedside. Seeing the looseness between her brows and the flush on her face, Taizong knew she was having an affair. He was about to question her, but then he thought, he was nearing the end of his life, why bother with worldly troubles? What he couldn't let go of was the vast empire and the young, ignorant crown prince.
Taizong sighed, “I know my days are numbered. What are your plans for the future?” Taizong tried to steer Mei Niang away with his words.
The astute Meiniang sensed the hidden meaning in Emperor Taizong's words. She knew that although he had noticed something amiss, he was unwilling to reveal it, implying he had other plans. Meiniang thought, "If I'm not careful, I might face certain death!" Tears streamed down her cheeks as she smiled bitterly and said, "I vow to shave my head and become a
nun, to chant sutras and pray for Your Majesty's well-being." This was a custom in the palace at the time; upon the emperor's death, concubines were required to become nuns to demonstrate their purity and fidelity to the emperor. Although not strictly enforced, most palace maids did so, so Meiniang's statement was quite true, and Emperor Taizong was greatly relieved. Emperor Taizong recalled an old incident: "...Minister Li Chunfeng, skilled in astrology and astronomy, once predicted that thirty years later, a man surnamed Wu would rise up and destroy the Tang Dynasty..." He was wary of this man surnamed Wu, then thought, "...a nun, surely she couldn't bring down the Tang Empire!..."
※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ A few days later, Emperor Taizong passed away, and his coffin was transported back to Chang'an. To prevent any unforeseen events, Chu Suiliang and Changsun Wuji asked the Crown Prince to kneel before Emperor Taizong's coffin and swear an oath to ascend the throne, becoming Emperor Gaozong. Then, an edict was issued to the world announcing Emperor Taizong's death and the new emperor's succession. When Emperor Taizong's coffin returned to Chang'an, four thousand armored soldiers from the six ministries lined the streets, and the entire nation mourned deeply.
In the temporary palace in Zhongnan Mountain, Meiniang began serving the new emperor, Gaozong. According to her duties, she remained a concubine, attending to the emperor's grooming, just as she had served the old king.
Mei Niang personally witnessed the Crown Prince swearing his oath of ascension to the throne before Emperor Taizong's coffin. Seeing the young and timid Crown Prince, she felt apprehensive about truly assuming the reins of power and the future, realizing he was ill-suited for the task. Moreover, Emperor Gaozong, Emperor Taizong's youngest son, had always been close to his parents and greatly favored. Now, though about to establish his authority over the people, he wept, leaning on Chu Suiliang's shoulder. Mei Niang merely watched coldly, her mind elsewhere.
During the long vigil, Mei Niang's duty was to serve the new emperor, so she and Gaozong were often alone in the mourning hall. Whenever Mei Niang entered or left the hall, she always bowed her head, her eyes downcast, appearing deeply sorrowful. Half of it was self-pity; the other half was reluctance to part with the old king she had served for so many years. Mei Niang thought of her own unfortunate fate, and her heart was filled with boundless indignation. The thought of her final fate—to be wasted away in a nunnery within high walls—was truly unbearable.
Emperor Gaozong found Mei Niang's condition truly unbearable, so he seized the opportunity to speak with her: "Do you really want to leave me?"
Mei Niang sighed and said, "I do not wish to leave Your Majesty! But what can I do? It is my destiny. I will never be able to step into the palace again. However, my heart will not change. Whether in a nunnery or elsewhere, I will always remember Your Majesty."
Gaozong was slightly pleased: "Then of course you don't want to leave, do you?"
"Who would want to? I only wish to be by Your Majesty's side and help you. But that is just wishful thinking, what use is it? If Your Majesty does not forget me, I will be endlessly grateful..."
"How could I forget you? How could I?" Emperor Gaozong hurriedly explained.
"If Your Majesty does not forget me, please come to the nunnery often, so I can see Your Majesty. I ask for nothing more. As for me, I have already transcended the mortal world for the rest of my life! If Your Majesty does not wish to come, I will have no regrets." Meiniang's "playing hard to get" tactic was used aptly.
Emperor Gaozong hugged Meiniang tightly: "Don't say that, I will definitely come to see you!" Meiniang's eyes were filled with tears, but she secretly smiled to herself.
A few days later, after the funeral, the late emperor's concubines prepared to go to Gan'en Temple. Because the servants and other concubines were all present, Emperor Gaozong and Meiniang did not have a long talk. Only when they parted did Emperor Gaozong go into the room to see her pack her things. She wiped away her tears and secretly whispered, "Your Majesty must keep your promise!" Then she gave her a light kiss.
Emperor Gaozong firmly declared, "What I say, I will do."
A month later, unable to bear the torment of longing, Gaozong seized the opportunity to visit the nunnery alone. Upon seeing Meiniang, he found her like any other woman, her hair cut short, her beauty undiminished, though her face was filled with sorrow.
Gaozong couldn't bear it, and tenderly embraced Meiniang, showering her with kisses, his words muffled: "...Meiniang...I've missed you so much...Meiniang..."
Meiniang squeezed out hot tears, replying, "...Your Majesty...I have too..." Meiniang's words were genuine; she was truly overjoyed. Firstly, she was delighted that Gaozong had fallen into her trap; secondly, since their separation, she had been deprived of love and desire, a truly unbearable situation.
Like a wanton woman, Meiniang hastily undressed, extending her arms and legs to meet him. Emperor Gaozong, unable to contain his lust, thrust forward hastily, as if to release all his pent-up longing and anguish.
Mei Niang's juices flowed freely, soaking the thin sheets; Gaozong's vigorous thrusts shook the creaking wooden bed. With each powerful collision, the splashing of fluids made a "sizzling" sound; panting and moaning filled the air.
Gaozong's penis throbbed and twitched wildly; Mei Niang's moist vaginal walls contracted and writhed, a perfect match that fueled their passion, pushing them to the brink of climax.
Mei Niang cried out wantonly, her hips writhing like a mad beast, trying to devour and chew Gaozong's penis.
Gaozong's consciousness gradually blurred; all his senses seemed to focus on their point of union, feeling the rhythmic pulse emanating from there, a feeling of utter bliss washing over him.
Suddenly, Mei Niang tightened her grip on Gaozong's neck; her legs also rose high, wrapping around his waist and hips, pressing her lower body tightly together. A chill ran through her body, yet her vagina was overflowing with heat. The copious amount of vaginal fluid, combined with the tightness of his penis, not only gave Mei Niang a feeling of fullness and pleasure in her lower abdomen, but also made Gaozong's penis feel a tingling, pleasurable sensation. He couldn't help but let out a "whoosh," and a thick stream of semen shot out.
Gaozong and Mei Niang embraced tightly, their bodies swaying and panting, unwilling to separate for a long time, their emotions still surging after the climax, their lower bodies slightly agitated.
※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ Once, when Emperor Gaozong went to see Mei Niang again, she was weeping uncontrollably. With a sob, Meiniang cried, "Your Majesty, I'm pregnant!"
Emperor Gaozong once again revealed his cowardice and incompetence, speechless and at a loss. It was Meiniang who reminded him to find a way to bring her back to the palace. Gaozong had no choice but to agree and try to find a solution.
When Gaozong returned to the palace and told the Empress, to his surprise, she agreed and was willing to help.
It turned out that one of the concubines, Consort Xiao, was increasingly favored due to her beauty and charm, making Empress Wang feel neglected by the Emperor. Furthermore, Consort Xiao had just given birth to a son for the Emperor, Prince Xu, Sujie. Empress Wang's eldest son, Prince Yan, was then the Crown Prince, but he was not Empress Wang's son; he was born to Lady Liu in the inner palace.
Consort Xiao was beautiful, ruthless, and jealous. Due to palace intrigues and malicious whispers, Empress Wang's position was already precarious. Empress Wang, realizing she couldn't compete with Consort Xiao, decided to bring in Meiniang to fight fire with fire, hoping to make the Emperor lose favor with Consort Xiao.
A woman's jealous nature can sometimes be truly incomprehensible. When provoked, she disregards propriety, scandal, and incest; she might even be willing to die for her cause, committing a final act of revenge.
With Empress Wang's strong support, Meiniang was soon smuggled into the palace and hidden in the Empress's quarters until her child was born and her hair grew back. Empress Wang and Meiniang then conspired together to deal with Consort Xiao. This greatly aided Meiniang's schemes; however, for Empress Wang, it was a dangerous situation where she unknowingly invited a tiger to fight off another wolf.
Meiniang found this conspiracy fascinating. Knowing the Emperor's weaknesses, she used every trick in the book to satisfy his desires, reaching the pinnacle of lewdness and shamelessness. Even in the late stages of her pregnancy, when she was about to give birth, Meiniang still engaged in sexual intercourse with Emperor Gaozong in a clandestine manner.
While an ordinary person might be able to withstand excessive lust in their youth and prime, this young emperor was not physically strong. After excessive sexual activity, his body gradually weakened. However, he was captivated by Mei Niang's seductive advances, and gradually neglected and forgot about Consort Xiao.
Since entering the palace as a nun and gaining the emperor's favor, Mei Niang had eliminated the biggest obstacle to her ambitious future. She would seize any opportunity to exploit other difficulties, manipulating Gaozong as easily as controlling an infant.
Mei Niang had never worried about how to deal with Gaozong; her current target was the Empress. Since the emperor had distanced himself from Consort Xiao, the Empress was naturally overjoyed and frequently praised Mei Niang to the emperor. Mei Niang soon rose to the rank of Zhaoyi, second only to the Imperial Concubine. The poor Empress only knew that she had lost the frivolous and ruthless Consort Xiao, but she didn't know that she had gained an even smarter and more cunning woman who would kill her.
Mei Niang had only been in the palace for less than a year when she returned, and she had already brought the entire royal family under her control. One of the most important aspects of palace life, and often overlooked, was the servants; countless servants, maids, cooks, and so on. Mei Niang knew that without servants mixed in, there would be no intrigues in the palace, so she was kind and generous to them, occasionally giving them warnings of the dangers of disobedience, thus earning their affection.
When Mei Niang gave birth to a girl, a huge upheaval occurred in her heart. She had desperately hoped to have a boy to become the crown prince, but now her hopes were shattered. However, at this time, Mei Niang devised a vicious plan to kill two birds with one stone: to sacrifice her own child to frame Empress Wang.
Empress Wang, who had no children of her own, found Mei Niang's newborn baby extremely adorable and often came to the palace to amuse herself. One day, Empress Wang held the child in her arms and stroked him for a while before putting him back on the bed. When the maidservant reported to Empress Wang, Mei Niang deliberately left.
As soon as Empress Wang left, Mei Niang came in, strangled the child, and covered him with a blanket. After Emperor Gaozong left court, he came to see the child. Mei Niang pretended to be nonchalant, happily talking about how cute the child was, and then said to a trusted maidservant, "Bring the child to His Majesty to see!"
"Ah..." A shrill scream came from inside the maidservant. Emperor Gaozong and Mei Niang immediately went in to see what had happened. When they looked, the maidservant was pointing at the crib, trembling all over, panting heavily. Looking at the baby, the child did not open his eyes, did not move, and did not breathe. The child was dead.
Mei Niang was terrified, as if all hope had vanished. She cried out, "What happened? He was fine this morning."
The maidservant trembled and said, "...just...quietly...sleeping..." The maidservant was so nervous that she couldn't speak coherently.
Meiniang wiped away her tears and asked, "Did anyone come in while I was out?"
The maid slowly calmed down, thought for a moment, and replied, "The Empress came. She came to see the child, stroked him for a while, and then put him down..."
Before the maid could finish speaking, Emperor Gaozong, enraged, shouted, "The Empress has been very jealous lately? But I never imagined she would do such a thing! I must depose Empress Wang; she is no longer suitable or worthy to be..."
Empress Wang, of course, denied it, but what good was denial? Only then did she realize that driving away a scorpion had brought forth a deadly snake, but it was all too late. Under Meiniang's series of treacherous schemes, Empress Wang finally could not escape disaster. Emperor Gaozong issued an imperial edict, announcing to the heavens that Empress Wang had bewitched the emperor, her crimes were unforgivable, and she should be deposed and imprisoned in the inner palace. Consort Chen (Meiniang's second promotion) became Empress.
Once this imperial edict was issued, this scandalous affair, which violated all moral principles, spread throughout the land, causing a sensation in all directions. Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants alike discussed it endlessly, regarding it as a laughingstock, and relishing the conversation. The new empress was a concubine of the late king, and what was even more ridiculous was that she was a nun. Worse still, she committed adultery with the emperor after becoming a nun. She was clearly a harlot and a filthy bitch, truly a blow to the nation's sense of shame.
(End of Part 1)
The Secret History of Licentiousness Series – Wu Zetian (Part 2)
On the first day of the eleventh month of the sixth year of the Yonghui era, Wu Meiniang was officially made empress, only half a month after the deposition of Empress Wang. At the empress's investiture ceremony, Wu Meiniang appeared as a born empress; she was solemn and calm, every gesture and movement embodying the virtues of the people.
When the Minister of Rites presented the empress's jade seal, Wu Meiniang calmly accepted it and ascended the throne.
Empress Wu (hereafter referred to as Empress Wu) gained power through her cunning and skill in employing people; Li Ji and Xu Jingzong were among those she used. The day after ascending to the throne, Empress Wu petitioned Emperor Gaozong, praising Han Yuan and Lai Ji, several loyal and outspoken ministers who dared to speak out, and requesting that Gaozong reward them. She intended to use Gaozong to win them over and let them know that she was fair and just, and that her talent and virtue far surpassed Empress Wang's, thus winning their sincere respect.
However, things didn't go as planned. These stubborn ministers remained unmoved, frequently comparing Empress Wu to Empress Wang in court discussions and constantly slandering her, greatly displeasing Empress Wu. She secretly ordered Xu Jingzong, then a high-ranking official, to impeach these conservatives. Of course, to catch the thief, one must first catch the kingpin; Changsun Wuji became the first target.
After a palace intrigue, Changsun Wuji, Chu Suiliang, Han Yuan, and Liu...? Yu Zhining and others were dismissed from their posts or exiled on charges of treason. Those remaining either aligned themselves with Empress Wu or were silenced. Moreover,
Empress Wu, after purging the court officials, was still uneasy. Another matter weighed heavily on her mind: Crown Prince Li Zhong was not her son, and she wanted her own son to be the crown prince.
Empress Wang was deposed, and both she and Consort Xiao were demoted to commoners and imprisoned in the cold palace. The two became friends in their hardship. Empress Wu then plotted another heinous act, secretly ordering poisoned wine to be sent to Wang and Xiao, killing them.
Wang and Xiao drank the wine, experiencing excruciating abdominal pain. Before dying, they realized it was Empress Wu who had poisoned them, and they cursed, "Wu Meiniang? That vixen! Heaven has eyes! May you be reborn as rats in your next life, and we two as cats, gnawing at your necks day and night, so you may die a horrible death!" They writhed and screamed until the poison took effect and they died. Because the two men cursed Empress Wu so fiercely on their deathbeds, even the exceptionally bold Empress Wu was filled with fear, and thereafter forbade the
keeping of cats in the palace. Upon learning this, Crown Prince Li Zhong, assessing the unfavorable situation and fearing for his life, entered the palace and voluntarily resigned his position as Crown Prince. Emperor Gaozong then issued an edict appointing Empress Wu's son, Li Hong, as Crown Prince and changing Li Zhong's title to Prince of Liang.
After Li Hong was made Crown Prince, Empress Wu was finally satisfied. However, restlessness and desire, as the saying goes, "when one is well-fed and warm, one thinks of lust," and she requested Emperor Gaozong to take her to Jiucheng Palace to escape the summer heat. Jiucheng Palace was situated in a low-lying area, surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the Hutuo River (within Hebei Province) on the other. It boasted beautiful scenery, built against the mountains and beside the water, and enjoyed a pleasant climate. However, the Hutuo River was notorious for its flooding. After Empress Wu and Emperor Gaozong arrived at Jiucheng Palace, it rained every day, and the river rose higher and higher.
One night, two thunderous roars, like the thunder of ten thousand horses, echoed from dusk till dawn. Yet, inside the palace, it was like springtime, only the birdsong and fragrant flowers were replaced by lewd sounds and obscene words; the swaying willows in the wind became waves of breasts and buttocks.
The current Empress Wu was not the same as the Wu Meiniang of the past. She was not only knowledgeable and open about sexual intercourse but also dared to try new things. And because she was in her prime, she made Emperor Gaozong both happy and somewhat weak. After their
lovemaking, Emperor Gaozong lay limp on the bed, panting, while Empress Wu, still unsatisfied, bent down and teased his limp penis. From her high buttocks, one could see Empress Wu's swollen vulva, still flowing with thick white fluid, leaving streaks on her inner thighs.
Amidst a series of sizzling sounds, Emperor Gaozong's penis began to rise again. Empress Wu removed the foreskin, her nimble tongue swirling around the glans. "Mmm...ah..." Emperor Gaozong groaned, as if waking from a daze, his lust rising again, the friction sending shivers down his spine.
Seeing Gaozong's renewed arousal, Empress Wu shifted her body and straddled his face, her sensitive vulva rubbing against his cheek. Gaozong felt a salty, sour, fishy, and astringent sensation in his nose and mouth, his face covered in a wet, slippery, sticky, and greasy feeling, which aroused him even more, rising faster than the river outside.
Gaozong passionately rubbed his nose against her vulva, teased the clitoris with his tongue, greedily sucking in the thick love juice, even probing inside her vagina with his tongue.
"...Ah...so...so comfortable...Your Majesty...you're amazing...ah...I can't take it..." Even with a penis in her mouth, Empress Wu continued to moan and groan, her breath coming in spurts as her juices flowed freely.
She straightened up, still straddling Emperor Gaozong, pressing her vulva against him, sliding her body over his cheeks, chest, and abdomen. With a slight rise and fall, her erect penis was swallowed again. "Ah!" Empress Wu let out a soft moan as her penis slid smoothly to the hilt.
The warm flesh enveloped Gaozong's penis, waves of heat and pulsation rising from her lower body, her excitement and stimulation escalating. Empress Wu's face flushed crimson, her hands supporting Gaozong's thighs, her hips heaving, her mouth uttering continuous lewd moans.
Gaozong strained his back, matching Empress Wu's rhythm, thrusting repeatedly. "Ah!" Empress Wu stiffened and convulsed in a climax, then lowered her head and gasped for breath. Her vaginal walls continued to contract rapidly, sending shivers of excitement through Emperor Gaozong's penis. A tingling sensation shot up his spine to his head, and streams of semen gushed out.
Empress Wu screamed wildly, then slowly calmed down…
※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ Around midnight, Empress Wu noticed the low-lying vessel in the room was floating. Rubbing her eyes, she saw the room was full of water. She frantically shook Emperor Gaozong awake, pointing to the bedside, saying, "Flood…"
Emperor Gaozong, still sleepy, said, "Oh!" and turned over to sleep again. The intense battle had left Emperor Gaozong utterly exhausted.
Empress Wu quickly put on her clothes and got out of bed, waking the palace maid on night duty, then returning to wake Emperor Gaozong. Emperor Gaozong finally realized it was a flood and hurriedly jumped out of bed; the water was already up to his knees. He went outside and saw that the houses outside Jiucheng Palace were submerged. Palace servants were in a panic, some swept away, others submerged. Screams filled the air; it was utter chaos, and there was no time to save the emperor.
Empress Wu grasped Gaozong's cold hand, turned, and ordered the palace maids to dismantle the bed so everyone could sit on it. The bed was immediately washed away by the flood, saving their lives.
After Emperor Gaozong returned from the flood at Jiucheng Palace, he contracted rheumatism. When it flared up, he couldn't put weight on his feet and was bedridden. All the ministers' memorials and reports were moved to his bedchamber for review. Initially, Empress Wu would listen to them, and Gaozong would decide, then she would write them down. Sometimes, when Gaozong hesitated, Empress Wu would offer her insightful opinions, which he would adopt if he deemed feasible.
As time went on, Gaozong's illness worsened, and he became too lazy to handle state affairs, leaving everything to Empress Wu. Empress Wu's intelligence was indeed comparable to that of men, and she managed state affairs with remarkable efficiency. The ministers thus collectively referred to them as the "Two Saints."
After Empress Wu seized power from Gaozong, seeing the ministers' unwavering respect for her, and knowing that her desires were fulfilled without her even being asked, she was always given the opportunity to act. However, just as Empress Wu was enjoying her moment of triumph, the eunuch Xiao Shunzi rushed from Hebi Palace to report, "The Crown Prince has suddenly suffered excruciating abdominal pain."
When Empress Wu arrived at Hebi Palace, the Crown Prince was already dead. Empress Wu wept bitterly, once again grieving the loss of her son. In her grief, she requested Emperor Gaozong to bury him with the rites due to an emperor and posthumously grant him the title "Emperor Gongjing" (meaning "Respectful Emperor").
Empress Wu stroked the Crown Prince's belongings, recalling how Li Hong (the Crown Prince) had loved reading, was polite and benevolent, and filial to his parents. In contrast, she saw her second son, Li Xian, as unruly and dissolute; her third son, Li Xian, as brave but lacking in strategy; and her fourth son, Emperor Gaozong, as indecisive—none of them were capable of anything. Empress Wu looked up at the sky and sighed, "Heaven is going to destroy me!"
Seeing her constantly melancholy, Emperor Gaozong, trying to cheer her up, forced himself to speak to her despite his illness, saying, "Meiniang, I've thought of a good name that would suit you."
Empress Wu replied indifferently, "What name?"
Emperor Gaozong said enthusiastically, "Wu Zetian! Wu Zetian! What do you think?"
Empress Wu remained calm, "Meiniang was given to me by the late emperor; how can I change it?"
Emperor Gaozong shrugged, "When the late emperor took Meiniang, she was just a palace maid; now that you are the empress of the Tang Dynasty, of course you must..." "I want a more magnificent name." Seeing that Empress Wu remained unmoved, Emperor Gaozong continued, "Ancient books say, 'Only Heaven is great, only Yao followed it.' I will take two characters from it, 'Zetian,' meaning to emulate the way of Heaven and be as great as Heaven."
Empress Wu said, "This name is very good, but am I as great as Heaven?"
Emperor Gaozong said, "Of course you are! You assisted me in handling state affairs, defeated Baekje and the Japanese pirates, and brought peace and prosperity to the people and the country. Of course, you are as great as Heaven."
Empress Wu was so pleased by his words that her ambition was restored, and she felt lightheaded. From then on, even when Emperor Gaozong was not ill, he rarely interfered in state affairs. All power was held by Empress Wu. In the end, Emperor Gaozong became a puppet emperor. Even during the daily court assemblies, she would sit behind the emperor's throne, behind a curtain, and oversee all state affairs. The officials addressed both the emperor and the empress as "Two Saints" and dared not be negligent.
Emperor Gaozong served as a puppet emperor for thirty-four years before his death. After Gaozong's death, Empress Wu became even more unrestrained in deposing and installing emperors, acting as she pleased.
Using a pretext, she demoted the crown prince to commoner status, seized his throne, changed her name to Ming, the dynasty name to Zhou, and the era name to Tianshou, proclaiming herself the Holy Emperor. Thus, a truly de facto female emperor appeared in Chinese history.
Therefore, at the beginning of Wu Zetian's reign, many people opposed her. For example, Li Jingye, the Sima Yinggong of Liuzhou, proclaimed himself the General of Restoration and, along with Tang Zhiqi, Luo Binwang, and others, raised an army of over 100,000 in Yangzhou, issuing proclamations to various prefectures and counties, enumerating her immoral and disgraceful deeds. The proclamation contained a passage that read: "...That usurper Wu Zetian is neither gentle nor docile, but rather cold and aloof; she once served Emperor Taizong, even as a maidservant. In her later years, she defiled the imperial harem, secretly plotted against Emperor Guangwu, schemed to seize favor with the Empress, and even defiled the Empress Dowager. She implicated me in a crime, murdered my sister and brother, and is hated by both gods and men, and intolerable to Heaven and Earth. She
harbors treacherous intentions, covets the imperial throne, imprisons the Emperor's beloved son in a separate palace, and entrusts a powerful position to a traitorous ally. Before the soil of his grave is dry, what will become of my six-foot orphan?" This proclamation thoroughly condemned Wu Zetian's crimes.
Upon reading it, Wu Zetian was not only not angered, but repeatedly questioned who had written it. Her attendants replied, "It was written by Luo Binwang." They then told her that Luo Binwang, along with Wang Bo, Yang Jiong, and Lu Zhaolin, were known as the Four Great Talents of their time.
Immediately, Wu Zetian rebuked herself, saying, "To have such talent and yet fail to use him is my own fault!" She thus deeply regretted her actions. How many male emperors could match such magnanimity?
※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ After Wu Zetian became empress, like other male emperors, she kept male favorites, known as "male concubines."
Among them, Xue Huaiyi, the abbot of the White Horse Temple, was particularly favored.
Xue Huaiyi was originally a street ruffian in Luoyang, whose real name was Feng Xiaobao. He had openly performed on the streets of Luoyang, boasting of his ability to lift a hundred jin (approximately 50 kg) by hanging himself. To facilitate his movement within the palace, Wu Zetian ordered him to change his name to Xue Huaiyi, shave his head, become a monk, and enter the White Horse Temple. She then arranged for Xue Shao, the son-in-law of Princess Taiping, to recognize him as his adoptive father, thus elevating Xue Huaiyi's status and allowing him access to the palace.
Xue Huaiyi was a petty man, and naturally, he was somewhat arrogant due to his favored position. He moved freely in the court, looking down on everyone.
One day, Xue Huaiyi encountered the Prime Minister Su Changsi in court. He remained haughty and unconcerned, showing no respect whatsoever. Su Changsi, already filled with hatred for this shameless villain, was even more enraged by his arrogant demeanor. He immediately ordered his men to restrain Xue Huaiyi and slap him several times, leaving him bruised and swollen.
Having suffered such a beating, Xue Huaiyi naturally sought solace in his complaint. He rushed to Wu Zetian's bedchamber, where she was taking a nap, and without announcing himself, went straight to her bedside.
Wu Zetian's bedchamber, besides the usual furnishings, was unique in that it was surrounded by bronze mirrors, even the ceiling, much like a mirrored palace in a modern hotel. During their intimate moments, they could not only enjoy the pleasure of intercourse but also "observe" each other's postures and expressions—truly a price for a double enjoyment.
Wu Zetian lay on her side, her back to the bed, her body arched and knees bent, her slight movements suggesting she was fast asleep. Xue Huaiyi dared not disturb her and tiptoed to the bedside. He parted the gauze curtains and saw Wu Zetian, lightly dressed, her jade-like body lying prone, her exquisite figure vaguely visible. He couldn't help but feel a surge of lust; his erection strained against his trousers like a tent.
Xue Huaiyi gently lifted the hem of Wu Zetian's skirt to her waist, revealing her shapely, snow-white legs. Upon closer inspection, "Wow!" Xue Huaiyi exclaimed inwardly. Wu Zetian's vulva was soaking wet; glistening vaginal fluid moistened her everted labia, making the slightly open opening appear even more strikingly red. "So it was just a daydream!" Xue Huaiyi thought to himself.
His lust surged again. He immediately pulled out his penis, knelt on his left knee, straddled her with his right leg, and, holding his penis, thrust it into Wu Zetian from behind with a "whoosh!" He thrust all the way in. This move, described by "Dongxuanzi" as "Mandarin Duck Union," was both deep and intimate.
"Ah! Oh!" Wu Zetian was indeed having a erotic fantasy, and in that moment of itchiness and restlessness, Xue Huaiyi's thrust was like a sudden warmth in winter's chill or a sudden rain in the sweltering summer. Wu Zetian was not fully awake, but she began to contract her abdomen and twist her waist.
You must know that the reason why Xue Huaiyi was favored by Wu Zetian was because his penis was truly thick, long, and powerful, and his sexual techniques were endless, always bringing Wu Zetian to multiple orgasms and satisfying her. This position made Xue Huaiyi's thrusting extremely convenient; during long thrusts, he could also deeply penetrate and rotate a couple of times, making Wu Zetian moan and beg for mercy repeatedly.
As the passion subsided, Xue Huaiyi and Wu Zetian lay side by side. Xue Huaiyi embraced Wu Zetian from behind, his penis still lingering inside her, his hands gently kneading her breasts. Xue Huaiyi coquettishly recounted his grievances, how he had filed a complaint against Prime Minister Su Changsi, and asked Wu Zetian to stand up for him.
Upon hearing this, Wu Zetian gently comforted him, saying, "Master, you should use the North Gate from now on. The South Gate is where the Prime Minister travels; you shouldn't offend them!"
Wu Zetian's handling of the situation was extremely wise. She believed that ministers were there to handle state affairs for her, and she absolutely could not punish them for offending her favorites. This not only demonstrated her magnanimity but also her clear distinction between public and private matters.
Following Xue Huaiyi, Wu Zetian continued to favor the Zhang brothers, Yizhi and Changzong. Both were young and handsome, spending their days by her side, which aroused Xue Huaiyi's envy. Enraged, Xue Huaiyi leaked palace secrets, leading to his execution.
Wu Zetian even established the "Control Crane Palace" to provide official positions for the Zhang brothers and other favorites. Not long after, Chancellor Di Renjie submitted a memorial requesting the abolition of
the Bureau of Cranes Control, which Wu Zetian granted, except that the Zhang brothers were not dismissed. Di Renjie then remonstrated again, saying, "...My request to abolish the Bureau of Cranes Control is not for the sake of empty name, but for the sake of reality. Although the name of the Bureau of Cranes Control has been abolished, the two Zhangs are still by Your Majesty's side, which is a great burden to your great reputation. Your Majesty
's ambition is for a thousand years, and it is a great pity to have such a stain! I wish to remove them and keep them at a distance..." Wu Zetian was neither angry nor retorted, but smiled and said, "My favor towards the two Zhangs is actually for the sake of my health!" Wu Zetian continued to spout her fallacious reasoning: "I have served the late Emperor and had too many children, which has depleted my qi and blood, and thus I am often plagued by illness.
Tonics have not been effective. Shen Nan said, 'The decline of qi and blood cannot be remedied by herbs and trees. Only by replenishing the primordial yang and nourishing the root can yin and yang be combined and qi and blood be replenished.'" "At first I thought it was a rash idea, but I tried it anyway. Soon my blood and energy returned, and I felt refreshed. This is not mere rhetoric; the fact that two of my teeth fell out and grew back proves it." Having said this, she opened her mouth to show Di Renjie her two regenerated teeth.
Di Renjie, thinking that Wu Zetian's mind was beyond redemption, continued, "Your Majesty's health needs to be nurtured; indulging in unrestrained desires will only bring harm! However, I know Your Majesty is not comparable to Empress Qin and Empress Hu. I beg Your Majesty not to introduce
any new male favorites
in the future." Wu Zetian smiled and replied, "You are absolutely right!" After that, she truly did not introduce any new favorites. It is unprecedented for a minister to use obscene language to remonstrate with male favorites in court. This attitude of accepting good advice and being willing to repent was common during Wu Zetian's reign. Even her later decision to pass the throne to her nephews Wu Sansi and Wu Chengsi was changed after she listened to the advice of Li Zhaode and Di Renjie, and she repented. Empress Wu Zetian knew Di Renjie was loyal and devoted to the country, and often yielded to his wishes.
When Di Renjie grew old and wanted to retire to his hometown, Empress Wu Zetian always earnestly persuaded him to stay, refusing to grant his request. When attending court, she often wouldn't allow him to kneel, saying to him, "Every time I see you kneel, my body aches." This meticulous treatment moved Di Renjie to tears, and he was willing to serve her to the end. To show her respect for Di Renjie, Empress Wu Zetian often addressed him as "Elder of the Nation" instead of by his name.
When Di Renjie died of old age and illness, Empress Wu Zetian wept and said, "The court is empty!" Later, when faced with major problems she couldn't solve, she would lament, "Has Heaven taken my Elder of the Nation too soon?"
※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ When Empress Wu Zetian was seriously ill, what did Chancellor Zhang Jianzhi and Minister Cui Xuan do? Jing Hui, Huan Yanfan, Yuan Shuyi, and others, seeing that her favored brothers Zhang Changzong and Zhang Yizhi were plotting to usurp the throne, unexpectedly eliminated the two and their followers, and requested Wu Zetian to abdicate in favor of the Prince of Luling, allowing Emperor Zhongzong to be reinstated.
Wu Zetian agreed; and Emperor Zhongzong still honored her as "Emperor Zetian the Great Sage," thus restoring the Tang Dynasty's name.
After Wu Zetian abdicated, many people, fearing to offend the new emperor, avoided her like the plague. However, one minister named Yao Yuanzhi wept bitterly for her. Zhang Jianzhi and others reprimanded him, but Yao Yuanzhi said righteously, "The other day, I joined the crowd in punishing the traitors; it is the duty of a subject. Today, I bid farewell to the former emperor; it is also the duty of a subject. If I am punished for this, I am truly willing."
In the second year of Shenlong (705 AD), Wu Zetian passed away at the age of eighty-one. On her deathbed, Wu Zetian's will stipulated that her imperial title be removed, and that she be buried in the Qianling Mausoleum as Emperor Gaozong's empress. Emperor Zhongzong's title was "Emperor Dazong."
(The End)
※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ (Random Thoughts)
Wu Zetian's life, rising from a palace maid to the supreme ruler, is indeed an anomaly in Chinese history. Her ruthlessness in pursuing power, her skillful political maneuvering, her ability to recognize and utilize talent, her willingness to accept advice, and even her indulgence in pleasure and moral depravity have all been the subject of much praise and criticism from later generations. I need not add anything further.
However, to recount Wu Zetian's deeds in detail would require a lengthy treatise, which I, as a mere passerby, cannot accomplish. I have instead pieced together this article, offering only a few excerpts on her "licentious" affairs. Any omissions are open to correction and forgiveness.

URL 1:https://www.sexlove5.com/htmlBlog/35969.html

URL 2:/Blog.aspx?id=35969&aspx=1

Previous Page : Sword Conquer the World Continued

Next Page : Broken Pearl Pistil (Prequel to the Secret History of Empress Xiao)