Wu Zetian: China’s Only Female Emperor
Everything Everywhere Daily
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The Legend of Wu Zetian
The story of Wu Zetian begins with her birth in 624, during the very early years of the Tang dynasty. She was raised by her father in an untraditional manner for girls. At the age of 14, she was selected by the Emperor Tai Song to become an imperial concubine. Her next big break came when Li Xi ascended to the throne and became known as the Emperor Gao Zhong. In 652, at the age of 28, Zetian had a son named Li Hong. By this time, there were several potential heirs to the throne but none could be found.
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