29 Facts About Princess Taiping

Princess Taiping was the youngest daughter of Wu Zetian and Emperor Gaozong and was influential during the reigns of her mother and her elder brothers Emperor Zhongzong and Emperor Ruizong, particularly during Emperor Ruizong's second reign, when for three years until her death, she was the real power behind the throne.

Princess Taiping is the most famous and influential princess of the Tang dynasty and possibly in the whole history of China thanks to her power, ability and ambition.

Princess Taiping was involved in political difficulties and developments during the reigns of her mother and brothers.

In 670, when Empress Wu's mother Lady Yang died, Empress Wu had Princess Taiping become a Taoist nun to gain divine favor on behalf of Lady Yang.

Wu Youji was already married, and Empress Dowager Wu secretly had Wu Youji's wife assassinated so that Princess Taiping could marry him.

In or before 697, Princess Taiping recommended Zhang Changzong to serve as Wu Zetian's lover.

In 702, Wu Zetian had Li Xian, Li Dan, and Princess Taiping submit formal petitions to have Zhang Changzong created a prince.

In 706, she, along with Emperor Zhongzong's daughters Princesses Changning, Anle, Yicheng, Xindu, and Ding'an, and Princess Jincheng, were allowed to retain staffs, similar to imperial princes.

Princess Taiping became one of the powerful women at court, although her power was rivaled by Emperor Zhongzong's wife Empress Wei and Li Guo'er.

Princess Taiping tried in vain to open Emperor Zhongzong's eyes to the activities of this mother and daughter, and her efforts were so unsuccessful that she rarely attended in the imperial palace for fear of their attack.

Princess Taiping grabbed Emperor Shang's collar at the replacement ceremony and lowered him while he was still sitting on the throne, reducing Li Chongmao back to the title of Prince of Wen, and she ordered his arrest.

Princess Taiping took Li Dan's hand and placed him on the throne, and following her actions, Li Longji expressed his support and guaranteed his father reign.

Indeed, the edict acknowledged, in the emperor's voice, that Princess Taiping supported "Us" as the emperor.

Princess Taiping discussed and helped decide all military and state affairs: every time that an official made a proposal, report and petition, he directed the official to first discuss the matters with Princess Taiping and Li Longji, before he would rule on the matter himself.

Princess Taiping had the highest respect because she achieved great success over and over again, and emperor often plans to discuss major affairs with her, and when she enters the palace, she talks directly to the emperor about politics and shapes matters to her liking.

Princess Taiping's wealth is like a mountain, her power is over everything and everyone, and her party members are like a city.

Princess Taiping became extremely rich and lucrative, and she was known as a real force behind the throne, as a result of her power, and her mansion was like a palace, even more magnificent, and her palace, like the emperor's palace, was guarded by soldiers: her staff simulated the royal design without any reservations, and most chancellors, forbidden troops, officials and warlords were her associates.

Therefore, the Princess Taiping was so powerful that she even surpassed Emperor Ruizong.

Also, Princess Taiping would sit behind a curtain beside Emperor Ruizong and give him advice during imperial meetings, and discussing affairs of dynasty and state with his councilors, who took orders from her while she sat behind a screen.

The historian Liu Xu, in Old Book of Tang, was highly critical of the power Princess Taiping had wielded, it says:.

Emperor Ruizong ascended the throne, and the power of the master Princess Taiping shook the empire, and ten thousand households were granted to her, every time the emperor does business, he seeks the princess' opinion before making a final decision and obeys everything she says.

However, Princess Taiping Was behind a pearl screen behind Emperor Ruizong and heard this, and she spread rumors against Wei, hoping that he would be arrested and tried, but the chancellor Guo Yuanzhen stopped the investigations into Wei.

In fear, Li Longji submitted a petition accusing Song and Yao of alienating him from his brothers Li Chengqi and Li Shouli and aunt Princess Taiping, asking that the two be put to death.

That year, Princess Taiping persuaded Emperor Ruizong to decree, collect and compile Shangguan Wan'er works, and retain the works of this talented woman.

Later that year, in order to please Wu Youji, Princess Taiping requested that the tombs of Wu Zetian's parents Wu Shihuo and Lady Yang be restored to imperial tomb status, and Emperor Ruizong agreed.

Princess Taiping pointing out that history was repeating itself; Emperor Taizong, overthrew his father Emperor Gaozu in a coup.

Princess Taiping fervently opposed it, and Li Longji initially declined, but at Emperor Ruizong's insistence finally accepted and took the throne.

Meanwhile, Princess Taiping, hearing what happened to her associates, fled into a temple in the mountains, only appearing three days later.

Princess Taiping's assets were confiscated, and it was said that there was so much treasure, livestock, and real estate that it took several years for the accounting to be complete.